S9045
TODD, Charles James
| Service Number: | 2368 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Whitby, England, 1886 |
| Home Town: | Woodville, Charles Sturt, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Boilermaker |
| Died: | 6 October 1960, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Derrick Gardens, Path 17, Grave 474 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (2), Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2368, 3rd Light Horse Regiment | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 2368, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Botanist embarkation_ship_number: A59 public_note: '' | |
| 29 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 2368, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Botanist, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Sapper, 2368 |
Help us honour Charles James Todd's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Charles James Todd was born in Whitby, England, in 1886 and later immigrated to South Australia, where he worked as a Boilermaker. He lived with his wife, Ida Annie Mary Todd, at “Milton,” Glengyle Street, Woodville. On 4 January 1916, aged 29 years and 11 months, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Adelaide. His physical description on enlistment recorded him as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 134 pounds, with a chest of 31½ to 33½ inches, dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair. He stated his religion as Presbyterian.
Todd joined the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 16th Reinforcement. He embarked from Adelaide on 29 April 1916 aboard HMAT A59 Botanist and arrived in Egypt. The following month, being taken on strength at Tel el Kebir. Soon afterwards, Charles was attached to the 1st Double Squadron before transferring to the 2nd Field Squadron Engineers, a unit he would remain with for most of the war. His duties with the engineers included work on fortifications, water supply, and construction in support of the mounted troops.
Throughout his service, Todd experienced recurring illnesses. He was admitted to hospital on several occasions in Egypt, including at Abbassia and Port Said, suffering from Gastroenteritis and then later on malaria. His records show he was present with his unit in the Middle East theatre until the conclusion of operations.
After more than three years overseas, Todd embarked for return to Australia on 17 July 1919. He was discharged from the AIF in South Australia on 7 October 1919.
Following his discharge, Todd resumed civilian life in South Australia. He lived there until his death on 6 October 1960 at the age of 74 and was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia.
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