S2692
PLUSH, Saddington
| Service Number: | 4557 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 September 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Nuriootpa, South Australia, 14 January 1865 |
| Home Town: | Lights Pass, Barossa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Tanunda Public School |
| Occupation: | Fruit grower |
| Died: | Natural causes, Angaston, South Australia, 14 April 1949, aged 84 years |
| Cemetery: |
Angaston Cemetery, South Australia D004 Grave 6 |
| Memorials: | Angaston Congregational Church WW1 Roll of Honour, Angaston District WW1 Roll of Honour, Angaston War Memorial, Nuriootpa Honor Board WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4557, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4557, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4557, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 8 Dec 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4557, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
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Saddington Plush was born in Nuriootpa on 14 January 1865 to John Saddington Plush and Emma Radford.
His father, John Saddington Plush, had being born in England to Thomas Plush and Frances, née Taylor. John Plush came out to South Australia on the 'Somersetshire' in 1839 and settled in Angaston in the Barossa Valley. A sketcher and orchardist the Art Gallery of South Australia holds several of John Plush's pieces. John Plush married Emma Radford on 7 June 1844 and Saddington Plush was one of two sons the couple had together.
Saddington Plush's early education was given to him at Tanunda Public School and after leaving he followed in his father’s footsteps becoming an orchardist at Light Pass. The family grew a wide array of fruit at their orchard but primarily focused on growing apricots.
When World War One broke out Saddington Plush was keen to enlist, but was already 50 years old and age restrictions were originally 38 years old. However, in In June 1915, the maximum age was raised to 45 years old. Thus in September 1915 Saddington Plush enlisted falsely stating his age to be 44 instead of 51.
Saddington was allocated to the 14th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion and sailed overseas in February 1916. He trained in both Egypt and then later in England and due to various problems was put in front of a medical board. The medical board found that "prior to enlistment [he] had suffered from Rheumatism. Enlisted 1st September 1915 and has had bad Rheumatic pains in back and is unable to perform his full duties as a soldier. Complains of severe pain in back and has difficulty in rising from a stopping position. He is aged 51, and is weak and debilitated and unable to do full duty."
The medical board recommended that he be discharged from duty medically unfit. He set sail for Australia on the hospital ship 'Kanowna' and arrived on 29 October 1916. He was discharged on 8 December 1916.
Saddington's son, Len Saddington Plush (/explore/people/77193) also enlisted in World War One in late 1917 and returned to Australia in 1919.
British War Medal: 10292
Victory Medal: 10225
Nathan Rohrlach, 2015.
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