RICKENBERG, Harry Edward
| Service Number: | 155 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 April 1915, Maryborough, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 25th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Pialba, Queensland, Australia, 2 November 1894 |
| Home Town: | Pialba, Fraser Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Pialba State Schoo, lQueensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Illness, 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, Wiltshire England, 19 July 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bulford Church Cemetery, Wiltshire, England Bulford Church Cemetery, Bulford, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Howard War Memorial, Pialba War Memorial, Shire of Howard Roll of Honour, Torquay Pialba Uniting Church Circuit Honour Board 2, Torquay Pialba Uniting Church Cirucuit Honour Board 1 |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 155, Maryborough, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 155, 26th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 24 May 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 155, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Brisbane | |
| 4 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 155, 25th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"RICKENBERG, Harry Edward. Private, No. 155, 26th Batt. Born and educated at Pialba. Son of John Louis and Minnie Rickenberg, of Pialba, via Maryborough. Enlisted April, 1915, and went into camp at Brisbane. Sailed 24th May, 1915, per S.S. "Ascanius," for Egypt. After two months' training, left for Gallipoli, where he served until the evacuation. He was then sent to Lemnos Island, where he stayed for a few weeks, and then returned to Egypt. On garrison duty for two months, and then left for France, arriving there in March, 1916. Took part in most of the battles while there. In December, 1916, contracted severe chill, and bronchitis set in. Was sent to hospital in England. After six months' treatment in various hospitals, was classed fit for duty again, and returned to lines. On duty for two weeks, when he contracted pneumonia, and returned to hospital. Died at Military Hospital, Butford Camp, July 19th, 1917." - From Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland
Died on this date – 19th July…… Harry Edward Rickenberg was born on 2nd November, 1894 at Pialba, near Maryborough, Queensland.
He enlisted on 7th April, 1915 as a 20 year old, single, Farmer. Harry’s younger brother – Frank William Rickenberg also enlisted the same day. Mrs Rickenberg signed her consent to allow her sons to volunteer for the war as they were under 21 years of age.
Private Harry Edward Rickenberg, Service number 155, & his brother Frank William Rickenberg, Service number 160, embarked from Brisbane on HMAT Ascanius (A11) on 24th May, 1915 & disembarked at Egypt (no date recorded).
On 4th September, 1915 Private Harry Rickenberg embarked from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli. He disembarked from Mudros at Alexandria on 9th January, 1916 (after the evacuation of Gallipoli)
He proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force & embarked from Alexandria on 15th March, 1916. Private Harry Rickenberg was written up for being absent from embarkation parade on 15th March, 1916. He was awarded forfeiture of 7 days’ pay & Field punishment No.2. He disembarked at Marseille, France on 21st March, 1916.
Private Harry Rickenberg was written up for being in Doullens, France without a pass & being absent without leave from 0700 hrs on 14th August, 1916 to 1700 hrs on 15th August, 1916. He was awarded 12 days Field Punishment No. 2 & forfeited 14 days’ pay.
On 10th January, 1917 he reported sick & was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance with a cold. Private Harry Rickenberg was transferred to Anzac Casualty Clearing Station on 11th January, 1917 then transferred to 5th General Hospital at Rouen on 14th January, 1917. He was invalided on Hospital Ship Lanfranc at Havre on 23rd January, 1917 bound for England, suffering from Bronchitis.
He was admitted to 1st Birmingham War Hospital on 24th January, 1917. On 19th March, 1917, Private Rickenberg was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England. He was discharged to furlo from 23rd March to 7th April, 1917 & was then to report to Perham Downs, Wiltshire.
Private Harry Rickenberg was admitted sick to Bulford Hospital, while on furlough, on 5th April, 1917 with V.D. He was discharged on 5th May, 1917 and transferred to No. 1 Camp, Convalescent Training Company at Parkhouse the same day.
On 21st June, 1917 he was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Bulford, Wiltshire & was medically classified as B 1 A – Observation.
He was admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford on 6th July, 1917 with V.D.
Private Harry Edward Rickenberg died at 5.50 p.m. on 19th July, 1917 at 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, Wiltshire. A Post mortem was held & the cause of death was found to be Gonorrhoeal Systicaemia. He was aged 21 years & 9 months.
He was buried in Bulford Church Cemetery, Wiltshire, England where 14 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.
[** Younger brother - Private Frank William Rickenberg, Service number 160, 26th Battalion. Wounded in action in France. Returned to Australia February, 1919. Entitled to 1914/15 Star, British War medal & Victory Medal.]
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/bulford---wiltshire.html
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