TODD, Robert
| Service Number: | 437 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 24 February 1879 |
| Home Town: | Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Saddler, Canecutter |
| Died: | Isis, Queensland, Australia, 30 May 1942, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Apple Tree Creek Cemetery, Bundaberg, Queensland Plot: Location: COE-X1 Grave No: 972 |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 437, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Mar 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 437, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 488 notes 5th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 6 Mar 1901 aboard Templemore arriving Port Elizabeth 1 Apr 1901. | |
| 5 May 1902: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 437, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 491 notes 5th QIB embarked at Cape Town 27 Mar 1902 aboard St Andrew returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 30 Apr 1902, disbanded 5 May 1902. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Full name- Robert John Todd.
Served in both the South African (Boer) war and WW1. First service was as a Private S.N. 437, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Boer war. Second service was as a Saddler S.N. 2261, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade AIF, WW1.
When he enlisted as Robert Todd in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his mother Mrs. I. Neil, Latrobe Terrace, Brisbane. In the original nominal roll for the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent, held by National Archives, his N.O.K. is recorded as his mother Isabella Neil. His father had passed before he enlisted and his mother Isabella had remarried in 1891 to William Neil.
He enlisted again as Robert John Todd in 1914 for WW1 and on his Attestation Paper, dated 9 Sep 1914, it is note he; was born in Brisbane and 35 years 7 months of age; was single and a saddler; nominated as N.O.K. Mrs A. Hamilton, Bundaberg; and that he had previously served in His Majesty's Army.
Robert John Todd was born on 24 Feb 1879 at Brisbane, a son to William Todd and Isabella Todd (nee Marshall). When he passed in 1942 an obituray was published in the Maryborough Chronicle as transcribed below.
Obituary- Maryborough Chronicle, 3 Jun 1942, p. 4.
Mr. Robert Todd
The death of Mr. Robert John Todd, (63), occurred in the Isis Hospital on Saturday, May 30. A native of Brisbane, the late Mr. Todd learned the saddlery trade in Bundaberg. When he came to Isis 36 years ago he engaged in canecutting. He was a veteran of the Boer War and also served in the Great War in which he suffered disabilities which ultimately resulted in his death. He enlisted from the Isis but did not return to the district until recent years, spending most of his time in hospital. His funeral on Sunday afternoon took place on the 40th anniversary of the signing of peace in the Boer War. He was a member of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A., Isis Sub-branch, which made arragnements for the funeral and members attended as pall-bearers. The obsequies were carried out by Mr. H. V. Homann. As far as can be ascertained the deceased is survived by two sisters, one in Sydney and one in New Zealand. He was a prominent foot-runner in his younger days and was well known and respected by a wide circle of friends.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 502; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll of 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa, p. 7; National Archives Australia- WW1 service record; Obituary- Maryborough Chronicle, 3 Jun 1942).