PICKBURN, Robert Owen
| Service Number: | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 March 1916, Bankstown, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 53rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, 1878 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Grammar School |
| Occupation: | Orchardist |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Belgium, 21 October 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Blacktown War Memorial, Richmond University of Western Sydney WW1 Memorial, Sydney Grammar School WW1 Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1979, Bankstown, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1979, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1979, 53rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 21 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1979, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres |
Robert Owen Pickburn
Robert was born in Sydney in 1881 and lived in the Seven Hills locality. When he enlisted he lived at Toongabbie at "Mr Tuck's Place".
Robert's closest relative was his brother, James Prosper Pickburn who lived in Turramurra, NSW.Before he enlisted he worked an orchardist.
Robert was in the Australian Army and served in 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion.
He enlisted when he was 35 years old in Bankstown, NSW on the 8th of March, 1916. Robert embarked from Sydney on HMAT 'Barambah' A37 on the 23rd of June, 1916.
He was in the support trenches on Anzac Ridge during heavy shelling on 19th October, 1917 when he was wounded in action by shrapnel hitting his face, legs and left arm. Stretcher-bearers carried him to an old German Pillbox 200 yards away.
Robert died from his wounds in Belgium on 21st October, 1917.
Robert was educated at Sydney Grammar School. He was a Lewis Gunner in the support trenches on Anzac Ridge. He was the son of Dr Pickburn and had a brother who was a judge.
by Adrian Padernilla
Robert is remembered on memorials at Blacktown Soldier's Memorial, Seven Hills Roll of Honour, St Mary's Church of England and Sunday School Memorial, Toongabbie and Toongabbie District Roll of Honour at Toongabbie Public School.
Submitted 7 December 2016 by Susan Hastings
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Robert Owen PICKBURN was born in Sydney in 1878
His parents were Thomas James PICKBURN & Emilie Melanie Wason De MESTRE who married in NSW in 1871 - when Emilie died Thomas married her sister Mabel Faith
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