CASTLE, Robert
| Service Number: | 4455 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 August 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 46th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Pembrokeshire, Wales, 1887 |
| Home Town: | Koroit, Moyne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 15 February 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension V B 13 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4455, 14th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 1916: | Involvement Private, 4455, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Feb 1916: | Embarked Private, 4455, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Melbourne | |
| 15 Feb 1917: | Involvement Private, 4455, 46th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4455 awm_unit: 46th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-02-15 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of William Castle, Carlisle, Cumberland Co, England
CORPORAL ROBERT CASTLE.
A special memorial service was held on Sunday, May 27th, in the Koroit Methodist Church for Corporal Robert Castle, who recently paid the supreme, sacrifice. The church was suitably decorated with flags and white draping. Over the honour roll was hung a wreath of oak leaves, signifying that the deceased originally came from the land of the oak. The members of the Southern, Cross Tent, I.O.R., attended in regalia, and favourite hymns of our late brother were used. Mr. Wm. Reed, of Warrnambool, was the preacher and before the sermon stated that the young soldier in whose memory they were met, was born in England, and brought up under Christian influence. At a mission conducted by the Rev. E. Davidson, he accepted Christ on Sept. 30th, 1913. On leaving the old land he was farewelled by the members of the choir to which he belonged in Carlisle, and praised for his diligence and enthusiasm. He settled in the Koroit district, and it was here that he reconsecrated himself to the service of his Master and became a useful member of the C.E. Society, church, and a Rechabite. His influence was felt by his companions and friends. The war broke out, and he felt called on to do his duty and make sacrifice for others, enlisting on the 4th August, 1915. In writing to his friends he spoke of the terrible life in the trenches and the great loss of life, and how frequently he had received slight wounds, but on 12th Feb., 1917, his right arm was shattered.
A Methodist chaplain who was with him to the end says he passed away trusting in God, his duty nobly done. The preacher read several letters testifying to the splendid part Mr. Castle had played in life, and deploring his early death. He was a young man who helped many in the cause of temperance. The deepest sympathy was expressed for the parents and other members of the family in the old land, and for friends and loved ones in Australia. The choir members rendered appropriate musical items, while at the close of the service a special hymn for soldiers, and sailors was sung.
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