FIGGIS, Samuel Douglas Johnstone
| Service Number: | 2151 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 March 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Balaclava, Victoria, Australia, 10 August 1895 |
| Home Town: | Canterbury, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Hawthorn College and Trinity Grammar School Kew, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Assistant Librarian at Melbourne Public Library |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Gallipoli, Turkey, 10 August 1915, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Beach Cemetery - ANZAC Cove II F 16, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Camberwell War Memorial, Canterbury State School No 3572 Honour Roll, Canterbury State School War Memorial Honour Roll, Melbourne Public Library and National Museum of Victoria Great War Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Mar 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2151, 5th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2151, 5th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2151, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney |
Help us honour Samuel Douglas Johnstone Figgis's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Arthur Johnstone and Ada Jane FIGGIS, "Highbury", Wattle Valley Road, Canterbury, Victoria
WHO DIES FOR HIM SHALL EVER LIVE, WHO LIVES FOR HIM SHALL NEVER DIE
Samuel was struck by a bomb whilst in charge of his observation post. He died next day on his 20th birthday at the Clearing Hospital on the beach.
He won a State Scholarship from the Canterbury State School, passed Junior Public in 12 subjects and Senior Public in 8 subjects and had just completed preparations for entering the university for a science course when he enlisted.
A comrade wrote:
"We came through a pretty heavy bombardment; I was not feeling too happy, but I looked at Doug, and he never turned a hair; be was as calm as if on parade." Coy. Sgt.-major wrote: "I cannot tell you how much his men missed him; he was liked by all." Col. Le Maistre wrote: "He died like a hero at his post." Major Stewart says: "Your son was highly spoken of by his officers and men. He did his job and died a man's death, at his post." He was an ardent stamp collector, and a member of the junior Philatelic Society. While naturally a student, he was fond of all sport, and was a capable cricketer and tennis player.
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