ROBILLIARD, Alfred Albert
| Service Number: | 3240 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 59th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | East Brighton, Victoria, Australia, 26 January 1886 |
| Home Town: | Timboon, Corangamite, Victoria |
| Schooling: | East Brighton, Private Tuition, West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 25 April 1918, aged 32 years |
| Cemetery: |
Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France III B 23 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Timboon District Memorial WWI Honour Roll, Timboon Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 3240, 59th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 3240, 59th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Melbourne |
Bert’s story
Bert and his brother Harry Robilliard worked together on 160 acres on the Paarate side of Curdies River. Bert enlisted in the AIF in 1916. Shortly after his engagement to Myrtle.
Bert was able to meet up with his brother, Norman, at the front, before having volunteered as a machine-gunner at Villers Bretonneux and losing his life. His last words were reported as “ How are the guns working boys? Hold on. I’m done for- I’m bleeding inwardly”
Norman was later able to retrieve his brother’s body. He wrote a very difficult and sad letter to his mother.
Submitted 26 March 2021 by Ellen Magill
Engagement
Bert was engaged to Myrtle Lyon, a teacher, at Timboon School. Even though she later married after Bert was KIA. She kept and wore his engagement ring until her death.
Submitted 26 March 2021 by Ellen Magill
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