BAINS, Robert Watson
| Service Number: | 999 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 September 1914, 41772, Private, Boer War, UK, Imperial Yeomanry, 1 year |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England, 2 April 1879 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Caboolture War Veterans Home, Queensland, Australia, 1 October 1953, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 8 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 999, 9th Infantry Battalion, 41772, Private, Boer War, UK, Imperial Yeomanry, 1 year | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 1914: | Involvement Private, 999, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Omrah embarkation_ship_number: A5 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Sep 1914: | Embarked Private, 999, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Omrah, Brisbane | |
| 25 Aug 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 999, 9th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD, Medical discharge (Gallipoli wounding?) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Robert Watson Bains, an Australian World War One veteran who served our nation at Gallipoli, and who also served for the UK during the Boer War, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Boer War:
41772, Private, Boer War, UK, Imperial Yeomanry
WWI service record:
999, Private, 1st AIF, 9th Battalion, 1st AIF
Robert Watson Bains was born on 2 April 1879 in Northumberland, England, to Robert Watson Bains and Isabella Jane Bains (née Sadler). Prior to his First World War service, he served in the Boer War as No. 41772, Private, Imperial Yeomanry (United Kingdom).
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane on 10 September 1914, stating his occupation as labourer and his age as 35 years. On 24 September 1914, he embarked for overseas service with the 9th Battalion aboard HMAT Omrah.
In July 1915 he sustained gunshot wounds at Gallipoli and was transferred to England for medical treatment. In March 1916 he was invalided to Australia aboard HMAT Ascanius and was discharged from the AIF on 17 May 1916.
On 25 April 1917 he re-enlisted in Townsville, Queensland, under the alias “Robert Watson.” In July 1917 he was transferred from Seymour Camp, Victoria, to St Kilda Road Hospital suffering from bronchitis. After 119 days of home service (Depot), he was discharged as medically unfit in August 1917.
A memorandum dated 7 April 1938 from the Commonwealth of Australia Repatriation Commission (Queensland Branch) to Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, sought confirmation of the particulars of his 1917 re-enlistment under the name “Robert Watson” and his subsequent hospital treatment and discharge.
Following the war, he is recorded as residing in Brisbane and employed as a labourer. By 1949, he was a resident of the Eventide Nursing Home, Sandgate, Brisbane, and later transferred to the Caboolture War Veterans Home.
Private Robert Watson Bains died on 1 October 1953, aged 74, and was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. The Caboolture War Veterans Home published a short obituary noting his genial nature and good sense of humour, and that he was a member of a bowling club. In conjunction with his burial, a valedictory service was held at the Home’s Flagstaff, where the Last Post was sounded.
He was unmarried and had no known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
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