BERRY, Francis Forbes
| Service Number: | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 August 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Burnside, South Australia, 27 January 1884 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter’s College, Prince Alfred College 1894 |
| Occupation: | Motor mechanic |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 6 August 1916, aged 32 years |
| Cemetery: |
Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hackney St Peter's College Fallen Honour Board, Hazelwood Park (Knightsbridge) War Memorial, Rose Park Burnside & District - Fallen Soldiers Memorial Trees - Rose Park, Rose Park Burnside District Fallen Soldiers' Memorial - Rose Park, Roseworthy Agricultural College Roll of Honour, Tusmore Burnside District Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1977, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1977, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1977, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 6 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1977, 48th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1977 awm_unit: 48 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-08-06 |
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Son of Edwin Stow BERRY and Adelaide Mary Forbes nee LAURIE
From the book Fallen Saints - Francis Forbes Berry was born at Burnside, South Australia and prior to enlisting in Adelaide on 23 August 1915 was a motor mechanic. Before being posted to the 13th quota of reinforcements for the 10th Battalion on 16 October, he was in transit at the AIF Exhibition Camp, Adelaide until.
Private Berry was later transferred to the 3rd quota of reinforcements for 32nd Battalion in December and sailed from Adelaide aboard HMT Miltiades on 7 February 1916.
He disembarked at Suez, Egypt in early March and was posted to the 8th Training Battalion until taken on the strength of the 48th Battalion at the beginning of April. He disembarked in France on 9 June and was found him guilty of absenting himself without leave from 5.30 p.m., on 2 July until 1.30 p.m., on 3 July. Like most young soldiers, Francis, probably enjoyed a night out in a nearby village but as is always the case, the price for unauthorised leave had to be paid, and he was awarded 8 days field punishment No 2 and the forfeiture of 10 days pay.
Private Berry entered the front line for the first time on 5 August and although wounded the following day remained at his post until killed in action later that day; he was 32 years of age.
Private Francis Forbes Berry was buried on 7 August at ‘Long Drive Valley’ with a funeral service conducted by Major William Devine MC, Croix de Guerre the 48th Battalion’s chaplain.
… effects sent to his sister Miss Esther Berry from 3rd Echelon in package D/S 5683 containing Identity disc, letters, sight of rifle, purse, coin, telescope in case, 2 French and English books. [i]
[i] Australian War Memorial, Australian Red Cross wounded and missing enquiry bureau files – Berry, Francis Forbes / 0360406, viewed 5 October 2005
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