Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From the book Fallen Saints 

Robert Wemyss of Lower Mitcham was born at Prospect, South Australia and while attending the School 1906 - 1911 served in the cadets. Before he enlisted at Morphettville on 19 August 1914, Robert was studying agriculture as well as serving part time in the 78th Infantry. After enlistment he s posted to the HQ of F Company, 10th Battalion as a Signaller; he sailed from Adelaide with the main body aboard HMAT Ascanius and landed at Anzac as part of the covering force on 25 April 1915. Two days after the landing he was wounded in the neck and evacuated to 15th General Hospital at Alexandria. He rejoined the battalion at Anzac on 2 August but after another five weeks in the line contracted Influenza and was evacuated to Mudros. There it was established he was anaemic and with his health continuing to deteriorate he was transferred to Malta and admitted to Valletta Military Hospital on 12 September.

On 18 October, he was transported to England aboard HS Regina D’Italia and upon reaching England was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham. He was transferred to the Australian Camp at Weymouth in March 1916, and in June was at Woodcote Park Convalescent Hospital, Epsom. After being discharged for duty in July 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd Training Battalion where he was posted to No 3 Camp as an acting Corporal. He proceeded to France in April 1917 and there rejoined the 10th Battalion as a Private on 22 May 1917.

In December, he was granted two weeks leave in Paris and in February 1918 was granted two weeks leave in England after which he attended a ten-day course at the Brigade School; he returned to the battalion on 3 April 1918. 

Robert Wemyss who had been wounded two days after the Anzac landing was killed in action at Meteren, France on 24 April 1918, one day before the 3rd anniversary of the landing; he was 24 years of age.

After the war, Robert’s father provided the following information on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour circular.   

Lance-Corporal Robert Wemyss sent the first Signal from Gallipoli on the morning of the landing: and at about 3 pm the same day while sitting alongside of his Captain (S.R. Hall of the Signallers) behind the firing line, the latter was shot, and fell over stone dead. [i]

Witness statements [ii]

At interview in July 1918, Private George Rice said he knew Robert well. He said he came from Lower Mitcham, South Australia and described him as tall and fair. Rice recalled they attacked just after midnight at Meteren on 24 April when Wemyss was hit by ‘hit by M.G.’ and killed outright. ‘I got the body and buried it in the 3rd Brigade cemetery between Meteren and Fletre. A cross was erected.’

Private James Cottrell said that Wemyss was the section commander of his platoon. He said one night while at Meteren they had ‘hopped over’ and while they were digging in, Robert, who was less than two metres from Cottrell, was hit in the foot. ‘He fell down and another sniper got him in the head. Death was instantaneous. We had to evacuate our position and return the next day and his body was recovered. I don’t suppose we were more than 75 yards from the German lines when he was hit. He was an original man and was South Australian from Adelaide. He had never been hit before. His platoon was number 8; I don’t know any further details as to burial.’

In early August 1918 Private Francis Aitken said ‘.... All the lot lost in this stunt were buried together. Wemyss was about 5 ft. 6 or 7, medium built and of medium colour. He was well liked and a great favourite with all who knew him. I took him to be about 25 or 26 …’

During an interview conducted on 9 August 1918 Lance Corporal John Phillips said he was a lance corporal and rifle grenadier in B Company. ‘During an attack on enemy’s line at Meteren at 2 o’c in night on 24 April killed by shell, hit in head and body. I did not see him actually killed, but saw body at 5 o’c same morning – was not at burial but almost certain he was taken to Military cemetery at Caestre. Lieut Laurie of B. Coy. was killed same night and sure both had crosses erected. Christian name Bob, a fine, clean living man, with a great character and a good soldier. We the H.Q. Sig have already written his Mother at Mitcham South Australia.’   

[i] Australian War Memorial, Roll of Honour Cards 145, 1914-1918 War, Army - Wemyss, Robert, viewed 4 April 2006
[ii] ibid, Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files - 18 Private Robert Wemyss / 2900510, viewed 5 April 2006