BINNS, Albert
| Service Number: | 19234 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 7th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 8 December 1895 |
| Home Town: | Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Electrician |
| Died: | Influenza and Bronchitis, Randwick Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia, 18 January 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Chippendale Substation Staff NSW Govt. Tramways Honour Roll, Haymarket Substation Staff of NSW Government Tramways Roll of Honour, Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 19234, 7th Field Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 19234, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 11 May 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 19234, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sydney Technical High School
Albert Binns was born in Randwick, Sydney, Australia on 8th December 1895 (1) to Charles Arthur Binns and Hannah Binns. His father was a commercial traveller (2) and stood at an impressive 6ft 6in (3) whereas his mother stayed at home. Albert had a Christian upbringing being baptised. Binns was diagnosed with Hemiplegia at a young age with his symptoms fluctuating through the years up until his death. He attended Sydney Technical High School (4) in the years 1906-1912. After leaving Tech, he chose to study with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics. His main profession before the war was an electrician and he was not married nor did he have kids. During his time at Sydney Technical college his father died. Two years later on 15th January 1916, Binns and his brother Cecil Binns, an electrician improver, decided to enlist into the army. Binns had a rather slim build compared to his father with a height of 5ft 9in and enlisted on January 15th 1916 and was deemed fit for service at the age of 20. His certificate of Examining Officer stated that he could see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he had the free use of his joints and limbs (5).
While on the ship transporting him to England he became unwell and by his arrival in July 1918 he was losing the use of his left arm and leg. He was hospitalised to stablise him and then was returned to Australia 9th September 1916 on the HS Kanowna from Southhampton. He disembarked in Sydney and was officially discharged in April 1917
After arriving in Sydney, half a month later he attempted to serve his country again. Although his Hemiplegia had “greatly improved under treatment,” (6) his attending doctor stated that he was “unlikely to be fit for further service” hence, he was denied serving again. His brother Cecil Binns was still in service.
It can be assumed that Albert Binns resumed his job as an electrician. Unfortunately, only a year after his service in the war he contracted Influenza and bronchitis while in Sydney. He was admitted into Randwick Hospital as his conditions worsened and he eventually passed away. He died 18th January 1918 and was buried at Randwick General Cemetery (7).
References
(1) Anglican Parish registers Ancestry.com – baptisms book 1897
(2)Bishops Ave., Randwick – Anglican Parish registers Ancestry.com
(3)Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW: 1894 -1939), Saturday 27 December 1913, page 2
GENERAL NEWS.
(4) Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), Sunday 20 January 1918, page 4
(5) THS Journal volume 2 number 3 (November 1917) p 7, Roll of Honour: A BINNS
(6) BINNS17.jpg at 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital
(7)Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), Sunday 20 January 1918, page 4
(8) BINNS17.jpg at 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital