Robert James CAREW

CAREW, Robert James

Service Number: 43
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 31st Infantry Battalion
Born: Grandchester, Qld., 1896
Home Town: Ipswich, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Mechanic
Memorials: Rosewood Shire Council Roll of Honor
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

9 Nov 1915: Involvement Private, 43, 31st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: ''
9 Nov 1915: Embarked Private, 43, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne

Help us honour Robert James Carew's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts

An Ipswich lad Honoured.
CPL R. J. CAREW, D.C.M.
Word has just been received (writes a correspondent) that the Distinguished Couduct Medal has been awarded to an Ipswich lad. Cpl R. J. Carew. The information to hand is meager, but, the following excerpt from a letter received by Mr. J. A. McConachie, of
the General Post Office, Brisbane, from his son, Sergt. J. Conachie, indicates the pluck and the spirit that won this proud distinction for young Carew. "It simply rained shells all night and part of the next day. There were several casualties in my lot. Young Carew, who belongs to the Post and Telegraph Department outshone all expectations. He distinguished himself and I can tell you, he is a real dark horse. He was wounded in the hip, when the scrap started but carried on with a bit of shrapnel stuck in him all night and the following morning, until we were relieved. I would not be surprised if he hits-up a D.C.M. or something in that line. You can tell the engineer he has in Carew a man to be proud of in fact the whole department has." Sergt. McConachie's expectations were realised and that such valour was so highly rewarded is a matter of gratification to those who know him. It is another demonstration of the grit that characterises the Australian soldier and makes him such
an important factor in the war. Cpl. Carew is well-known in and around Ipswich. For some years his father Mr. M. J. Carew, was a manager of several co-operative creameries in the Grandchester district, where the subject of this sketch was born. Later, he kept
the Bellevue Hotel, at Coominya.
He subsequently removed to Kingaroy, where he now resides. Mrs
Carew is a daughter of the late Mr. John Quinn, of Grandchester, and
is a sister of Mr. E. J. Quinn, of this city. At the time of his enlistment "Bob" was a telephonist in the Ipswich Post Office, His genial disposition made him a favourite both in the department and out of it. In sporting circles he was a prominent figure and was well known as a valued member of the C.Y.M.S. football Club. It is sincerely to be hoped that he will soon recover from his injuries and that he will return to his sunny land, as hale and hearty as when he left it. Mr. and Mrs. Carew have been the recipients of numerous messages of congratulatons on their lad's distinction, included amongst which was one from Mr. H.B. Templeton, Deputy-Postmaster General.'

Read more...