FEATON, Herbert
| Service Number: | 3765 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wellingborough, England, January 1880 |
| Home Town: | Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Permanent Way Pickman |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 23 August 1918 |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3765, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3765, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 23 Aug 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 3765, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3765 awm_unit: 3 Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-08-23 |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Herbert FEATON, (Service Number 3765) was a pickman in the Permanent Way Branch of the Railways. He had been born about January 1880 at Wellingborough, England, and at the time of his enlistment in September 1915, even though he was more than 35-years-old he was not married and gave his father as next of kin. He left Australia though Sydney on 30 December 1915 on board HMAT ‘Medic’ allotted to the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion.
On 23 August 1918 he as wounded again with penetrating injuries to his right side and mouth and died at the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance.
He was buried at Mortcourt Church Cemetery, but later re-buried at Heath Cemetery 2,500 yards N of Harbonnières.
Submitted 1 July 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Herbert FEATON, (Service Number 3765) was a pickman in the Permanent Way Branch of the NSW Government Railways. He had been born about January 1880 at Wellingborough, England.
At the time of his enlistment in September 1915, although he was more than 35-years-old, he was not married and gave his father as next of kin. He left Australia from Sydney on 30th December 1915 on board HMAT ‘Medic’. He was allotted to the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion. After further training in Egypt he embarked at Alexandria on 29th March 1916 to join the British Expeditionary Forces, reaching Marseilles six days later. After a year of service, he was wounded with shrapnel to his face in May 1917. He was evacuated to England. During his convalescence he was abssen t without leave (AWL) for four days and this cost him ten days pay and five days Field Punishment No. 2. He was also confined to barracks for seven days for failing to salute an officer of the British Army.
He returned to France. In October 1917, he was evacuated to England with severe gunshot wounds to his legs. Again, as he convalesced, he was AWL and lost 24 days’ pay and was given 16 days Field Punishment. In January 1918 he was allotted to a training brigade. He was again AWL, but only received a penalty of three days’ pay. He was also admonished. He reached France in March, but was hospitalised, sick, and did not re-join the battalion until May. While at hospital he still incurred official wrath and was convicted of gambling. Despite his long series of misdemeanours he was promoted to Lance Corporal in June. On 23rd August1918 he as wounded again with penetrating injuries to his right side and mouth. He died at the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance.
He was buried at Mortcourt Church Cemetery, but later re-buried at Heath Cemetery 2,500 yards N of Harbonnières.
- based on notes for the GreatmSydney Central Station Honour Board