Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Sgt Robert Malachy Serjeant

When researching some families, it is like following the veritable seams of gold on which Ballarat was built. Those are the families who forged industry, developed education, fostered the arts, served in the military, and virtually stitched the fabric of which our history was made. Certainly, the Serjeant family provided that drive for community development that makes for fascinating reading.

Cornishman, Robert Malachy Serjeant, arrived in Australia in 1848 – for those with a particular interest in our Cornish immigrants, he was born in Callington, close to the border with Devon. Being the son of a surgeon in the Royal Marines, he had a background that bore testament to both higher education and military interest.

His arrival on the Victorian goldfields was early and profitable. So successful was his prospecting, Serjeant was able to set up one of the early deep lead mining operations in Ballarat. He went on to manage the Band and Albion Console Mine, sit on the inaugural council of the Ballarat School of Mines, became a Life Member of the Ballarat Hospital, and represent the city as a politician in the Legislative Assembly. It was later said that he was so much a part of Ballarat ‘he may almost be said to have grown up with it.’

His wife, Elizabeth Peters, was also a native of Cornwall, coming from the pretty coastal village of St Agnes. Their youngest son, Theophilus Hengist, was born in Ballarat in 1871. A handsome, adventurous young man, Theo would also build a deep connection with mining and a significant military career.

When Theo married Ballarat-born Alice Mary Nicholas, a dainty little slip of a girl, it was with the knowledge that she had a congenital heart condition. It is likely that this was a significant factor in the couple only having two children. Their first child was named for his paternal grandfather, Robert Malachy Serjeant, and was born in March 1895 at Ballarat West. His sister, Alice Mary, was born four years later in 1899.

During this period the family lived in the substantial Victorian villa known as Yarrowee Hall in Darling Street, Redan.

Shortly after Alice’s birth, Theo Serjeant enlisted in the Australian Forces fighting in South Africa. He served with the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles and was involved in fighting at Houtnek, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the battles of Diamond Hill and Berg-en-dal.

During his time away fighting, his son had begun his education at the Redan State School, where his friends had taken to calling him Bobbie.

Upon returning to Ballarat in December 1900, Theo held the rank of captain and wore the Queen’s Medal with five clasps. But he also arrived home with a burning ambition to return to South Africa.

The end of Boer War resulted in the opening up of numerous opportunities in the colony. During a visit to South Africa, Theo Serjeant was offered the position as Commissioner of one the largest mining districts on the Rand. He returned to Ballarat to collect his family intending to take up permanent residency in South Africa.

In December 1901, shortly before embarking, a large group of mining managers from Ballarat and district, representing the Federal Amalgamated Mining Managers’ Association of Australasia, met at the Old Colonists’ Hall to honour Theo Serjeant. The secretary of the association was moved to say that they were farewelling ‘a Ballarat boy, who had been brought up in the district, and [who] had earned the respect and esteem of all…’

Once settled in South Africa, young Bob continued his education. However, whilst his father’s career continued to flourish – he became Registrar of Mines at Klerksdorp – the climate did not agree with the boy. It appears that his mother also struggled with the conditions, so in September 1908 she and the children returned to Ballarat. Theo would eventually join his family, and they made their home at 1010 Talbot Street south.

Bob, like his father before him, continued his studies at the Ballarat School of Mines, where he proved to be a dedicated, if quiet, young man. But instead of a career in mining, he aimed for a future in electrical engineering. He also served with the 71st Infantry Regiment, where he attained the rank of sergeant.

When Britain declared war against Germany in August 1914, Theo Serjeant was working in London. He immediately sought and was granted a commission with the Royal Fusiliers.

Back in Ballarat, Bob also chose to serve his country. He enlisted in his hometown on 4 December 1914. Having just completed his course at SMB, he listed his occupation as a student.

Colonel Doctor C. H. W. Hardy conducted the medical examination and, despite not having reached his 20th birthday, Bob was already a well-built young man – he stood 5-feet 10½-inches in height, weighed 145-pounds and could expand his chest to 35½-inches. His dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair spoke strongly of his Celtic ancestry.

Soon after joining other recruits at the Broadmeadows camp, Bob was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was assigned to the 2nd reinforcements to the 8th Infantry Battalion before embarked at Melbourne onboard the troopship Clan MacGillivray on 2 February 1915. Just three days out from port, Bob was promoted to the rank of lance-sergeant.

After arriving in Egypt, Bob joined the 8th Battalion. He was taken on strength of A Company on 13 March and within a few short weeks he would be bound for the Dardanelles.

Once again, Bob boarded the Clan MacGillivray – this time at Alexandria on 5 April, with the assignment being to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in the Gallipoli Campaign.

The 25 April 1915 is now forever etched in the consciousness of the Australian psyche and the 8th Battalion was in the vanguard of the Landing. Bob Serjeant survived the confusion and trauma of those first few days on the Peninsula. However, on the 29 April he suffered a catastrophic gunshot wound to the head. He survived long enough to reach the hospital ship, Huntsgreen, where he died later the same day. Reverend A. E. Talbot buried his body at sea in the waters off ANZAC Cove.

Strangely, Alice Serjeant was informed that Bob had died on 10 May, but this must have been of little consequence – all that mattered was her one and only son was dead. When a small parcel of effects arrived, she took possession of the last few items that Bob had carried with him – his identity disc and wristwatch, a note book, a hymnal, several letters and two military books. It must have seemed such a pitiful collection for such a short and vibrant life.

By the end of the Great War, Theo Serjeant had risen to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was decorated with the Legion d'Honneur, France’s highest decoration for military merit. He remained in London, where his wife and daughter joined him. In a complete change of career, Theo set up business as a wine merchant in the city.

Sadly, having dealt with so much loss, Alice Serjeant’s flawed heart finally gave out and she died on 9 March 1924.