BEST, Eric Donald
| Service Number: | 9377 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 July 1915, Liverpool, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Sydney, NSW, 1 December 1894 |
| Home Town: | Dural, The Hills Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Orchardist |
| Died: | Parramatta District Hospital, Parramatta, NSW, 22 October 1921, aged 26 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
St Judes Anglican Cemetery, Dural, New South Wales, Australia Section 1, Row 6, Site 13. |
| Memorials: | Dural St Jude's Anglican Church BEST Memorial Window, Dural WW1 Honor Roll, Galston War Memorial, Norwest Mitchell Remembers Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 9377, 1st Field Ambulance, Liverpool, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 9377, 1st Field Ambulance, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Armadale embarkation_ship_number: A26 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 9377, 1st Field Ambulance, HMAT Armadale, Sydney |
Help us honour Eric Donald Best's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of George Henry BEST and Blanche Adelaide nee NICHOLSON, Mountain View, Dural, New South Wales
An Appreciation by Oscar C. J. Van, St. Jude's, Dural. -
With the passing of Eric Donald Best, Dural has lost one of its most promising men. A thorough gentleman, a keen hard worker, a trusted and rave comrade, a good Christian churchman, he was well loved and respected by those who were privileged toknow him. In speaking of his life -one could not do better than quote from the thoughts expressed by the rector at the funeral service in the church. Although he passed away at the
early age of 26, still he had lived a full and complete life. In his boyhood days he was a devoted son to his mother and when the nation in the late years of war called to her sons he in his manhood nobly responded to that call. At the time of enlistment he was struck down by that terrible disease meningitis, which, nearly cost him lis life. Howsever, he recovered, and although he then had ample excuse for not going to the front, still' he felt the call and responded. Returning home after his service at the front, he again took up his ordinary occupation enincing a keen interest in his church and the public affairs of the community in which he lived. What more could be desired of him? As one who was privileged to minister
to him in his last hours, his indomitable pluck, his thought and tenderness (even in the midst of his pain) for those he loved, his patient faith, were an inspiration. Eric Donald Best has passed from our sight. He has entered into his reward. For him has sounded the glad words of the Master - "'Well done, good and faithful servant." But lhe is not dead; His works follow him; and his memory will continue to live on, a sweet inspiration and help to those who knew and loved him. We are the richer for his friendship and memory. And so we sorrow not for him. Ours deep and loving
sympathy goes out to his dear, ones, and we pray that they may be comforted and strengthened in this great and sudden trial.