TATE, Charles William Sturdy
| Service Number: | 4606 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 54th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Marrickville, New South Wales, 12 February 1899 |
| Home Town: | Arncliffe, Rockdale, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Arncliffe Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Lithographer |
| Died: | Died of wounds (POW of Germany), Douai, France, 24 July 1916, aged 17 years |
| Cemetery: |
Douai Communal Cemetery Douai Communal Cemetery, Douai, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4606, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4606, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Sydney | |
| 16 Feb 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4606, 13th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Apr 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 54th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Wounded Private, 4606, 54th Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), GSW (head) | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Imprisoned Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| 24 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4606, 54th Infantry Battalion |
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Charles Tate lied about his age in order to join the AIF during World War 1. He enlisted in 1915, at age 16, but claimed to be 17 years and 8 months old.
He was originally posted to the 13th Battalion, but was taken on as a reinforcement to the 54th Australian Infantry Battalion on the 1st April 1916 as the Allies prepared to mount a major offensive against the Germans at Fromelles, France. The 54th Battalion was at the forefront of the initial assault and lost 64% of its strength in the heavy fighting.
On the 21st July 1916, Pte Charles Tate was reported missing. He had been wounded in action, and taken as a prisoner-of-war.
He died of his wounds a few days later in a German prisoner-of-war camp.
"TATE.- In loving memory of our dear son, Charles William, who died of wounds received in France, July 24, 1916. Inserted by his loving father and mother, also his brothers, George and Tom.
TATE.- In loving memory of my dear brother, Charles William, who died of wounds received in France, July 24, 1916. Inserted by his loving sister and brother, Bessie and Roy Humphreys.
TATE.- In memory of our dear nephew, Private Charles Tate, died of wounds in France (battle Pozieres), July 24, 1916.
"For a righteous cause he fought, and, fighting, died, paying with cheerful heart the soldier's price." Inserted by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. F. Wincombe.
TATE.- In loving memory of my dear chum, Private C. W. S. Tate, aged 17 years, of Arncliffe, who died of wounds, a prisoner of war in Germany, July 24, 1916.
His warfare o'er, his battles fought,
His victory won, though dearly bought
His fresh young life could not be saved.
He slumbers now in a soldier's grave. Inserted by his chum, Clive Brooks." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 24 Jul 1917 (nla.gov.au)
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