Robert FAIRLEY

FAIRLEY, Robert

Service Number: 67971
Enlisted: 30 August 1918, Liverpool, NSW
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW)
Born: Glasgow, Scotland, 5 July 1899
Home Town: Mittagong, Wingecarribee, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Orchardist
Died: Influenza, Pneumonia, Quarantine Station North Head, Manly, NSW, Australia, 27 November 1918, aged 19 years
Cemetery: Sydney North Head (Quarantine) Cemetery
CE 4 197, North Head (Quarantine) Cemetery, North Head, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mittagong War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

30 Aug 1918: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 67971, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), Liverpool, NSW
2 Nov 1918: Involvement Private, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
2 Nov 1918: Embarked Private, 16th to 27th Reinforcements (NSW), HMAT Medic, Sydney
27 Nov 1918: Involvement Private, 67971, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 67971 awm_unit: 27 General Service Reinforcements awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-11-27

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. I. Fairley, of Mittagong

ROBERT FAIRLEY.
The people of Mittagong were considerably upset when it was found that Robert Fairley, son of Captain R. I Fairley, of Joadja, was on the list of dangerously ill soldiers on the Medic troopship, returned to quarantine at Sydney alter having just left New Zealand for England. On Tuesday the tragic news came through that Rob Fairley, who left less than a month ago a bright, bonny lad in the full vigour of youth, had passed away. It caused quite a gloom in our midst. It was thought that Captain and Mrs. Fairley, who have already suffered a loss at the war, would surely be spared this second blow ; but alas, the heavy hand of trouble is again upon them. Their eldest son, James Fairley was reported missing after having been only a few days in action, having taken part in the Australians' first  famous onslaught on the Hindenburg line. It seems unfortunate that the military authorities allowed a crowded troopship to call at New Zealand knowing the epidemic that was raging there. There  should be a thorough investigation, and if it is found that anyone has been guilty of what appears to be a callous disregard for human life, the responsibility should be sheeted home to him. At the Mittagong School of Arts, of which Captain Fairley is a committee man, the flag was flown at half mast out of respect for him. At a public patriotic meeting held at Mittagong on Wednesday night, a  resolution of sympathy for  Captain and Mrs. Fairley was passed in silence.

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