TODD, Robert James
| Service Number: | 72 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1914, An original of A Company |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bungaree, Victoria, Australia, 27 February 1888 |
| Home Town: | Bungaree, Moorabool, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Invermay State School, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey, 25 April 1915, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lone Pine Cemetery, ANZAC O 1 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Invermay State School No 882 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 72, 8th Infantry Battalion, An original of A Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 1914: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 72, 8th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1914: | Embarked Lance Corporal, 72, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Melbourne |
Adopt a Soldier
My Husband and I have just returned from a trip overseas including Gallipoli.
We went from Freemantle by ship "MSC Orchestra". The organisers of this trip "Gallipoli Cruise" gave everyone a soldier to research before we left.
Unfortunately Robert Todd's name was only given to us two days before we left so I was only able to do limited research.
We visited his grave at Lone Pine and placed two poppies there.
This was quite an emotional experience for both of us.
Since returning home I have done further research and would love to present a photo of his grave to his family.
I would be very happy for any of his family to contact me.
Judy Szymoniczek
ph. 0269488386
Submitted 24 July 2015 by Judith Szymoniczek
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Robert James Todd’s parents, George and Annie Todd, lived at Invermay on the northern side of Ballarat. Robert was a carpenter, and he learnt the trade with a Mr W. Pollock, Creswick Road. He was working in Geelong when he enlisted. He was a member of the old 7th Regiment. He was said by many witnesses to have been wounded in the leg or foot on the 25 April 1915. This occurred some hundreds of yards in land from where the eventual front lines were established.
Robert was first just reported as wounded and missing on the 25 April 1915. Despite some anxious letters from Annie to the AIF no further news was forthcoming. It was not until a court of enquiry was held in September 1917 that he was confirmed as killed in action on that date.
Annie received some personal effects belonging to her son in January 1918. Seven hankies, a French book, 3 military books, 2 notebooks, a Susie bag, belt, housewife, brush, matchbox, 3 coins and letters and cards.
Robert’s father George died at Bungaree during June 1920. During 1923 Robert James Todd’s remains were found at Gallipoli and confirmed by his identity disc. The disc, a badge and his numerals were sent to his Mum on the 2 June 1923, along with the usual letter that accompanied such items…. “These mementoes though now somewhat impaired by long exposure will doubtless be valued on account of their former intimate association with your son ...” Robert was buried in the Lone Pine Cemetery.
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