Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert Alexander was born in September 1819 near Julia Creek, South Australia. He was the son of Mary Reagan, who lived on Melbourne Street and was later nominated as his next of kin when he enlisted. Before enlistment Howard was single and employed as a physical labourer and identified as a Roman Catholic Church. Records also indicate that he had previous military experience before joining the AIF. At the age of 24 and 3 months, Howard volunteered to serve Australia

After enlisting, Howard completed a medical examination of height, weight, chest measurements, and other physical characteristics and distinctive marks to assess if he had the physical requirements for active military service. Having passed the assessment, he was accepted into the Australian Imperial Force. On the 20th of January 1916, it was recorded that he was assigned to a reinforcement draft for overseas service. Howard was then officially allocated to the 16th Reinforcements of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment on the 24th of January.            

Howard embarked overseas 16 April 1916 from Adelaide to Egypt. He was taken on strength with the 1st Light Horse Regiment in Egypt, a skilled mounted infantry who rode to locations to dismount and fight on foot on the 29th of May 1916.

On 14th of September 1916, he later joined the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Romani, and held the front line against an advancing Ottoman force. During the period, the regiment was involved with engaging in a British Empire military operation to defend the Suez Canal and defeat Ottoman-German forces in attempting to invade Egypt, also known as the Sinai Campaign of World War 1.

Howard served in strenuous dessert conditions. The Australian Light Horse units were mobile mounted troops and had an important role in the Middle Eastern theatre of war. During September 1917, he attended a Hotchkiss Gun Course at Zeitoun – a military training program in Egypt. He qualified First Class, displaying proficiency with the Hotchkiss light machine gun used by Light Horse Units. His additional training demonstrates that he was a more than capable and reliable soldier.

In May 1918, Howard was admitted into a hospital amd diagnosed with malaria, which is deathly but curable disease transmitted through the bites of Anopheles mosquitos. But with treatment and rest between hospitals and convalescent depots throughout Egypt, Howard recovered on the 22nd of June 1918. He rejoined his unit at Moascar. By the 26th of July 1918, he had returned to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment.

In the final stages of the conflict of World War 1, Howard continued to serve his regiment. His experience and commitment in serving were recognised through promotion. On the 6th of January 1919, he was appointed Lance Corporal, and on 10 April 1919 he was promoted to Temporary Corporal. Following the end of war, on the 25th of May 1919 he passed his final medical inspection and was approved for return to Australia. On the following day, he embarked from Kantara aboard HMAT Orari. Howard’s rank of Temporary Corporal was later confirmed in official service records.

After the First World War concluded, Robert Alexander Howard returned to Australia and resumed civilian life. Records show that he married F. L. Howard of North Walkerville, South Australia after the war.

Howard passed away 10 May 1935. Following his death, military authorities made attempts to locate his widow so that the war medals he earned through his service, including the British War Medal and Victory Medal, could be safely delivered. While little is known about is post-war years, his military service remains an important record of the contribution he made to Australia during World War 1.