Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Millar Sorbie was born on 29th April 1875 in Moffat, Dumfries-shire, Scotland to Isabella Miller  and Gavin Sorbie, who were married in Scotland. 

He married Ellen Mitchell in Leith, Midlothian, Scotland on 4th December 1896 when he was 21 years old.Their son Gavin was born on 24th April 1899, North Berwick, Scotland. Charles Millar Sorbie and Ellen Mitchell were divorced in July 1902 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland after 5 years of marriage. He was 27 years old.

Charles at the age of 30 years embarked on  28th June 1907  from London, England immigrating to Australia, arriving on 15 August 1907 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His stated occupation whilst in Scotland was "dairy worker". There is not a great deal of information in reference to his employment or movements after arrival until he enlisted with the AIF in Brisbane, Queensland on the 16th August 1915. He was assigned to 25th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement after basic training,his unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, aboard HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 21 October 1915, for oversea's service. 

Private Charles Millar Sorbie did see action in France and was wounded on 23rd July 1916, when buried by a shell burst, causing shell shock and myalgia. After various periods of stay in and out of military hospitals he was discharged on medical ground and arrived back in Australia on the 23rd May 1917. He was granted a war pension of 3 Pounds per fortnight from 30th August 1917.

Returning to civilian life again, he found emploment as a labourer in Bowen, Queensland in 1919 and was registered with the Waterside Worker Federation Union. It was in 1920, Charles with two other friends had thrown their united capital into a common pool, and had decided to start a new life on  Long Island, near Bowen, Queensland. This saddenly was to end in tradegy as noted by the newspaper articles hereunder.

FRASER ISLAND TRAGEDY.

Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Wednesday 28th July 1920 

It is quite likely that the Fraser Island tragedy will remain a mystery of the sea. The police after a week's vigorous but futile search for the other two men missing from the ill-fated sailing boat 'Crow,' will abandon the search tomorrow, if nothing occurs in the meantime.
ENTERPRISING WATERSIDERS' TRAGIC END.
KNEW NOTHING ABOUT NAVI GATION, ("Brisbane Daily Standard.")
There is little doubt that the sea tragedy at Fraser Island signallised the end of an adventure which reads like the stories of early discoveries of Australia. This time, however, it was no skilled seaman who undertook a voyage to the new world. It was three waterside workers, who apparently seemed to have all perished. John Richard Middleton (married, of Doggett-Street, Valley), Charles Miller Sorbie.(a returned soldier, of Carl-street, Thompson Estate) and John Charles Price, together with a youth named Burns, left Brisbane in a 26ft. sailing boat called the 'Crow.' The three men were all members of the Waterside Workers' Federation. The youth, it may be said, left the boat at Hemmant. The three men had thrown their united capital into a common pool, and had decided to start a new life. They were bound for Long Island, near Bowen, where they intended to follow agricultural pursuits, leasing land from the Government, and also to engage in line fishing. They proposed to smoke the fish and sell it at Bowen. Leaving Brisbane about a week ago, having purchased the boat and all necessary equipment, they were full of optimism. They did not fear the risks of the trip. Their, hearts were as those of the early explorers who sought out new lands, and if determination counted for anything their little island venture wouId have been crowned with success, had fate not so unkindly stepped in. It seems that the body found is that of Price, judging by the description. News from Maryborough states that the police found, among other property, three pairs of, boots, all of different sizes, on the wrecked boat. Among the papers found was one which showed that the boat was sold by A. H. White & Sons, Brisbane, to Mr J. R. Middleton, for £75, and that a deposit was paid on it on July 6. There were also three portmanteaux, the name of Private Charles Miller Sorbie, aged 43 years, 5ft. 7 half inches, in height, fresh complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. Sorbie's occupation is given as a farmer. In some respects' the body of the dead man corresponds with the particulars given on the military discharge. A paper found showed that he lived with G.' Ungann in Carl street, Thompson Estate. An Australian. Workers' Union ticket; No. 42939, Issued on November 22. 1918, bearing the name; of J. R. Middleton, Brisbane, was found among the property, and the birth certificate of the same man showing him to have been born in 1874, at Taufield, Durham England In a small notebook in Middleton's portmanteaux, is shown the name of A Kaler, brickmaker, Pallas Street, Maryborough. There, is also the notebook an address, that of J. R. Middleton, 120.Lincoln Street, Brisbane, who shifted to 14 Henry Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, while another address given is that of T. M'Richie, 26 Dowling street, Spring Hill, Brisbane. The police in Maryborough made inquiries regarding Middleton, and found that a man of that name left there, about five years ago. There was also a clearance certificate issued to the sailing ship Crow on July ,12 1920. In order to maintain their identity with the W.W.F., the three men had obtained transfers to Bowen. The 'Crow' left Brisbane on July 14 from moorings at Newstead, They had with them about a month's provisions, various farming implements, and a small dingey, about 8 feet long. Middleton's wife stated that she tried to persuade her husband not to go on the Voyage, but it was of no avail. Particulars regarding Sorbie and Price are very meagre. It is not known if they were married. Price is stated to have worked in New Zealand and New South Wales, as a miner prior to his coming to Brisbane, and joining the Waterside Workers' Union.
BURNS', DISCRETION.

Bowen Independent , Queensland Saturday 7th August 1920, Page 4

Burns, who left the, party as stated, states that they arrived at Hemmant on the first night, and they camped there. He then returued to Brisbane, because the men in the boat knew nothing about navigation.
Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954) Sat 7 Aug 1920 Page 4