Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Ernest Rodda was born in 1889, in Eaglehawk, Victoria, to Sarah and Henry Rodda. Before embarking for war he lived, unmarried, with his brother, Charles Rodda (listed on enrolment forms as next of kin), at Launceston Street, Boulder, Western Australia. He worked as a horse-breaker. Before enlisting for World War One, he had served in the 14th Battalion as a driver for 2 years.

Albert enlisted for World War One on the 6th of July 1915, at the Duke of York Palace, Murray Street, Perth. Before this date, he had previously attempted to enlist but been turned down because he was missing the top of his 1st and 2nd phalanx forefingers. This time was successful, however, and he was given the service number 8065.

Upon enlistment, Albert went through various medical and physical examinations. He was 5ft 4 ½ inches (164cm), and weighed 142 lbs (64kg). His chest measurement was 34/36 inches (86/91 cm). He had a ‘dark’ complexion, with brown eyes and dark hair. His distinctive marks included 3 vaccinations on his right arm, a scar on his forehead, and the top of his 1st and 2nd phalanx forefingers missing. He listed his religion as the Church of England.

From the 6th of July to the 31st of August, and again from the 1st of September to the 18th of October 1915, he served as a driver in the 6th Field Artillery Brigade.

He embarked from Melbourne upon the ship HMAT Botanist A59, on the 24th of November 1915. On the 21st of December 1915, he disembarked at Suez, and joined the Military Expeditionary Force Unit. On the 18th of January 1916 he was awarded a punishment for ‘neglecting to obey an order’ at Tel-el-Kabir.

On the 17th of March Albert embarked from Alexandria and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force. He disembarked at Marseilles on the 23rd of March 1916.

Albert was admitted to the 7th Field Ambulance with influenza, and discharged on the 2nd of May. He was admitted back to the same hospital one week later on the 9th of May, with dysentery, before being transferred to Number 12 CC Station. On the 20th of May 1916 he was discharged back to his unit.

Again he was administered to the 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital, Le Touquet, with a contused back, on the 11th of July. He was discharged on the 16th of July, before being transferred to the Number 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, just two days later on the 18th, and admitted to the 26th General Hospital in Etaples on the 21st of July 1916.

On the 22nd of July he joined the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot whilst still in hospital. On the 24th of July he embarked from Calais aboard the HS Brighton to England. At this point he was still suffering from myalgia and debility. The following day he was admitted to Wharncliffe Hospital for these ailments.

He spent a period of time at this hospital, before being transferred to Number 1 Auxiliary Hospital Harefield, Sheffield, on the 18th of August. He spent further periods of time in the Convalescent’s Military Hospital Epsom, and the Convalescents’ Military Hospital Woodcote, from the 22nd of August 1916 and 31st of August 1916 respectively. On the 1st of September he reported to the depot and was classified as ‘B1A’.

Albert was granted furlough from the 2nd of September, until the 18th of September, when he returned to the depot and was reclassified as ‘B2A’.

He committed an offence at Perham Downs, after being absence without leave from midnight 27th October to 1:00pm 29th October 1916. He was confined to camp for two days on the 8th of November and forfeited 2 day’s pay.

On the 14th of November 1916 he was marched out to the 3rd Division and transferred to the 3rd Division Artillery. He served here until the 31st of December 1916, when he embarked from Southampton to France as part of the 23rd Field Artillery Brigade.

From the 6th of January to the 3rd of February 1917 he served in the 3rd Artillery Brigade. On the 27th of January he went on active service: ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he used insulting language at the Quarter Master Stores to an NCO’. For this offence he was awarded 7 days of confinement to barracks by Lieutenant WR McNaught.

From the 4th of February to the 9th of March 1917 he was attached to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade in France, pending absorption into the 11th Field Artillery Brigade.

On the 17th of March Albert was ‘taken on strength’ from the 11th Field Artillery Brigade and posted to 111th Battery, ex3rd, ADAD from ‘on attachment’ to 12th Field Artillery Brigade, originally 118th HOW Battery, France. He served here until he received his last payment in France on the 13th of May 1918.

He contracted influenza on the 15th of June 1918, and sent sick to hospital on the 18th. He was discharged from the FM unit on the 26th of June, and re-joined his unit on the 29th of June.

On the 27th of September he was wounded in action and gassed in France. He was invalided to the UK, wounded, on the 30th of September, and admitted back to War Hospital in Bath, England, with gas and shell wounds.

He was granted furlough from the 10th to the 24th of October. On the 25th of October he was recorded as his voice still being affected and he was getting giddy indoors, but his pulse and chest were clear. On the 17th of November his pulse was steadier. On the 30th of November he was diagnosed with rheumatics.

Albert was invalided on the 1st of December 1918 due to gas poisoning received in service and France and symptoms of Effort Syndrome. He was classified ‘unfit for general service’ with dyspenea and exhaustion.

On the 7th of December 1918 he was admitted to Nil Hospital with orchitis, before being discharged to ING Depot on the 12th of December.

Albert embarked for Australia on the Berrima on the 2nd of January 1919. At this point, he was diagnosed with Effort Syndrome (Da Costa’s Syndrome), an anxiety disease involving the heart. In 1919 he married Sarah (Sadie) Pendlebury in Perth. He died at the age of 53 on the 28th of January, 1942, and was buried in Midland Cemetery, Perth.

Albert Ernest Rodda displayed the ANZAC spirit in the way he fought for his country. The ANZACs were ordinary young Australians, who during their time at war, did extraordinary things. Albert served Australia for over 4 years, in countries including England, France and Egypt. He lived through atrocious conditions, and as a result, contracted many illnesses and suffered many injuries. Despite this, he continued to persevere, and serve his country. As a result of all the stress and anxiety he faced during the war, Albert was diagnosed with Effort Syndrome, an anxiety disorder involving the heart. As with all the other ANZACs, World War One would have had a lasting impact on him, and would have changed his life forever. However, if it weren’t for the service of men like Albert Ernest Rodda, Australia wouldn’t be the country it is today.