Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Father Roland Richard Cramer and Mother Frances Amelia Cramer, of Bendigo, Victoria.

Previous service:  Citizens Forces (still serving on enlisting)

Described on enlisting as 18 years 9 months of age; 5' 9" tall; 9 stone 7lbs;
fair complexion; blue eyes; auburn hair; Roman Catholic

16/09/1914  enlisted into WWI at Bendigo, Victoria

20/12/1914  appointed to 5th Battalion, 1st reinforcements. Broadmeadows Camp

22/12/1914  embarked Port of Melbourne, VIC onboard HMAT A32 Themistocles
                  as a Private with 5th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement

05/04/1915  embarked to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces - Gallipoli, ex Alexandria

19/05/1915  admitted with Contusion shoulder to 4th Field Ambulance, Dardanelles
                   transferred to hospital ship
22/05/1915  transferred from Galeka to Franconia, Dardanelles

07/06/1915  admitted rheumatism, No.1 General Hospital, Heliopolis
23/06/1915  transferred to Convalescent Camp, Helouan

07/07/1915  admitted Lumbago, No.1 General Hospital, Heliopois
24/07/1915  discharged to duty

20/08/1915  embarked for Dardanelles (Gallipoli) onboad HS Huntsgreen

30/08/1915  proceeded to England for duty, onboard HMTS Canada, ex Lemnos

25/03/1916  Forming 27th Draft to rejoin Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces, ex England
05/04/1916  disembarked off of HMTS Huntsfield into Alexandria

17/04/1916  attached to 2nd Training Battalion, Tel-el-Kebir

09/05/1916  embarked to join British Expeditionary Forces, ex Alexandria,
                   onboard HT Caledonia
17/05/1916  disembarked into Marseilles, France

20/05/1916  joined 1st Australian Division Base, Etaples, France

25/06/1916  marched out to Entrenching Battalion, Etaples, France

13/07/1916  rejoined 5th Infantry Battalion, British Expeditionary Forces, in Belgium

15/12/1916  Concussion & Shell Shock, admitted to 1st Anzac Medical Dressing Station, France
                   transferred to 38th Casualty Clearing Station, France

15/12/1916  died of wounds - shell concussion and fractured spine - received in action

buried in:     Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, France
                   Plot VI, Row F, Grave 2
                   (with 21799 Private A Ibbotson - York & Lancaster Regiment)

Medals:        1914/15 Star (6431); British War medal (5752); Victory medal (5738)
                   Memorial Plaque and Scroll (303236)

His name is commemorated on Panel 43 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  02/04/2017.  Lest we forget.

DIED FROM WOUNDS.
PRIVATE C. CRAMER
Yesterday afternoon the Rev. Father Rooney, whilst gently breaking the sad news of Private Clarence Cramer's death to his parents in Bendigo, left the following telegraphic  message:—"Officially reported No. 1182-1127, Private C. Cramer, died 15/12/16. fractured spine from gunshot wound at 38th casualty clearing station. Kindly inform parents of  sad news, and convey sympathy of King and Queen and Commonwealth.—Colonel Hawker."

The late Private Cramer enlisted in August 1914 at which time he was an employe of "The Bendigonian'' in this office. He left Melbourne on the 22nd December, 1914, arriving in  Egypt in January, 1915. He went into action in Gallipoli on the 27th. April, and spent his 19th birthday in the trenches. On the 17th June he was reported missing. On the 21th  June he was reported to have been traced, he having been wounded. Private Cramer was in a bad way owing to his having been without food and attention so long. A lengthy  spell in England and other places was necessary in order to enable him to recuperate. On the 20th September 1915, being then back on duty, Private Cramer and two others were cut off from their companions tor two days, and wore compelled to disguise themselves in Turks' clothing, so as to get back to their lines, the trio narrowly escaping being  mistaken for the enemy and shot. The deceased soldier, who had scarcely recovered from his previous trials, then became ill, and after a long spell he was discharged from  hospital as fit for duty. This was on the 26th January last. His parents received several letters from him since he went to France in which he expressed himself as being quite  satisfied with his lot. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have another son at the front. The last heard from the late Private Cramer was a field card dated 28/7/16. The late soldier was born at  Inglewood-road in May, 1896, and was educated at the Roman Catholic School, Myers' Flat. Deep sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Cramer in the sad loss of their heroic son. Mr.  R. R. Cramer is well and favorably known as a linotype operator in the ''Advertiser" office for many years.