ROBERTS, Robert
| Service Numbers: | 954, 2053 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Shrewsbury, England, 1891 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Tram Conductor |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1914: | Involvement Private, 954, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1914: | Embarked Private, 954, 1st Infantry Battalion, Naval and Military Forces - Special Tropical Corps, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne | |
| 1 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2053 | |
| 9 Aug 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, 20th Infantry Battalion, On the Runic | |
| 5 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, 20th Infantry Battalion, Shell Shock | |
| 1 Nov 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant |
Short History
Robert was born in Shrewsbury, England in 1891, the son of Gordon and Mary Roberts.
He enlisted in the AN&MEF on 11 August 1914 and was allotted to D Company. He stated that he was single and a Tram Conductor. He returned from Rabaul and was discharged on 4th March, having completed206 days service.
He enlisted in the AIF on 1 July 1915 as part of the 3rd Reinforcements, 20th Battalion, regimental number 2053. He departed Sydney on 9th August 1915 aboard the RUNIC and was taken on strength by his battalion on 29th September whilst the battalion was on Gallipoli.
Following the Gallipoli campaign, he went to France in March 1916 and was wounded in France on 27th July 1916 and again on 5th August. He was evacuated to England suffering from shell shock. Whilst in England he went AWOL on a number of occasions and earned himself 10 days in detention.
Robert eventually rejoined his unit in France on 4th October 1917. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 16th July 1918, then promoted Corporal on 4th October and appointed Lance Sergeant on 1st November 1918.
On 5th July 1919 he left England aboard the PORT MELBOURNE, arriving in Melbourne on 21st August 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 20th October 1919.
Submitted 1 January 2026 by Michael White