Charles Percival Clarke – 5315

3811107 — Portrait of Private Charles Percival Clarke in 1916. Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1225232

Charles Percival Clarke was born in Prahran, Victoria in 1884 and eventually became an accountant before enlisting in the A.I.F. in February 1916. He departed Melbourne in August 1916 and joined the Western Front in December 1916. Private Clarke fought in Passchendaele and on the 4th of October 1917 was assumed missing in action, however soon after he was confirmed to have been killed in action. He has no known grave and is memorialised on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Details

Birth and family: Charles Percival Clarke was born in 1884 in Prahran, Victoria to Charles Edward Clarke and Jessie Houghton (1854-1930). He had one brother Albert Edward Clarke who was a chemist. His parents later relocated to Weybridge Street, Surrey Hills during the war.

Religion and Occupation: Church of England Accountant

Enlistment: Charles enlisted at the age of 31 on the 16th of February 1916 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Clarke departed Melbourne on the 1st of August 1916 and arrived in Plymouth, England on the 25th of September 1916 on board the Miltiades.

Service Details:

Private 13/3/16 – 26/5/16 D Company, 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 26/5/16 – 12/6/16 Transferred to C Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 12/6/16 – 30/6/16 Transferred to D Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 30/6/16 – 21/12/16 Transferred to 14th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- He departed Melbourne in August 1916 and arrived in Plymouth in September 1916.
- He departed England on the 19th of November 1916 and arrived in France on the 20th of November.
Private 21/12/16 – After arriving in France he transferred to D Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- 23/12/16 – 1/1/17 Admitted to hospital with influenza
- 10/2/17 – Admitted to hospital with ulcers on toe
4/10/17 – Private Clarke went missing in action. He was later confirmed to have been killed in action at Zonnebeke, Belgium during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Grave: Private Clarke has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/273141/1

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1480893

https://www.howesfamilies.com/getperson.php?personID=I18459&tree=Onename#cite1

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1598291/clarke,-charles-percival/

Private Henry ‘Harry’ Bell – 191

A studio portrait of Private Henry Bell taken in August 1915 at Broadmeadows army camp. Source: AWM.

Henry Bell was born in 1876 in Bendigo, Victoria to Henry and Jane Bell. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne in November 1915. He was allocated as a Private to A Company, 29th Battalion, 8th Brigade. Private Bell participated in the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th July 1916 and was recorded as missing in action. In March 1917, his identity discs were returned from Germany and he was deemed killed in action in July 1916. Private Bell originally had no known grave but was one of the soldiers found buried at Pheasant Wood in 2009. In 2010 he was reburied in the Fromelles Military Cemetery.

Details

Birth and childhood: Henry Bell was born in 1876 in Bendigo, Victoria to Henry and Jane Bell. Henry attended Corporate High School in Bendigo.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Insurance Agent

Family: Henry Bell was married to Dorothy Isabel Mills Bell. He was one of 12 children including a brother John J. Bell who lived near Bendigo and was head teacher at a local school.

Enlistment: Henry enlisted in the A.I.F. on the 8th of July 1915 at Eaglehawk, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Bell embarked from Melbourne on the 10th of November 1915 on board the H.M.A.T. Ascanius bound for Suez where he arrived on the 7th of December 1915.

Service Details:

Private 8/7/15 – 19/7/16 A Company, 29th Battalion, 8th Brigade, A.I.F.
16/6/16 – Departed Alexandria to travel to Western Front. He arrived in Marseille on the 23rd of June 1916 on board the Tunisian.
During the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th and 20th of July 1916 Private Bell went missing in action.
In March 1917 Private Bell’s identification disc was received from Germany. He was killed in action on the 19th of July 1916.

Memorial: Private Bell originally had no known grave but was one of the soldiers found buried at Pheasant Wood in 2009. In 2010 he was reburied in the Fromelles Military Cemetery. He is also remembered on VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France.

Medals:

British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star.

Sources:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C991684

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=19086

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/62744

Click to access abt.pdf

https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/unrecovered-war-casualties/world-war-one/fromelles/remains-of-nine-world-war-1-diggers

Private William James Profitt – 2208

William James Profitt was born in 1895 in Melbourne and enlisted in July 1915. He was assigned as a Private in the 23rd Battalion and fought in France. In early August 1916 he was wounded in action and hospitalised until the 24th of August. On the 26th of August 1916 he was wounded in action for a second time and transferred to England. Private Profitt died on the 25th of October 1916 from his wounds.

Details

Birth: William James Profitt was born in 1895 to Mary Annie and Francis Profitt in Collingwood, Victoria.

Religion and Occupation: Methodist Salesman

Enlistment: He enlisted on the 5th of July 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Profitt embarked from Melbourne on the 27th of September 1915 on board the H.M.A.T. Hororato.

Service Details:

Private 1/8/15 – 11/1/16 4th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 11/1/16 – 25/10/16 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Wounded in Action on 4/8/16 in France. Hospitalised until the 24/8/16.
Wounded in Action on 26/8/16 – G.S.W. to Elbow and Forearm
- Transferred to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot in England on 2/9/16.
Died on 25/10/16 from wounds

Death: William J Profitt died on the 25th of October 1916 from wounds. He was buried in St Minver Churchyard in Cornwall, UK.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/280077

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1762470

Corporal Robert George Baillie – 1049

Robert George Baillie was born in 1892 in Camberwell and enlisted in the A.I.F. in February 1915. In April 1915 he was assigned as a Private to the 22nd Battalion and sent to Gallipoli. He was admitted to hospital for leg ulcers in October 1915 and then went to the Western Front in France in March 1916. He joined the 65th Battalion in March 1917 and was promoted to Corporal before again being transferred back to the 22nd Battalion in August 1917. On the 19th of May 1918 Corporal Baillie was badly wounded with a shattered femur in his left leg and was transported to Reading War Hospital. Although he at first showed signs of recovery, in late August 1918 his leg was amputated and he died on the 1st of September 1918 from Septicaemia.

Details

Birth: Robert George Baillie was born in 1892 to Mary Phillipa (née Affleck) and Hugh Baillie in Camberwell, Victoria.

Enlistment: Robert Baillie enlisted on the 5th of February 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Departed on the 10th of May 1915 on HMAT Ulysses in Melbourne, Vic.

Service Details:

Private 1/4/15 – 23/3/17 B Company, 22nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 30th August 1915
Admitted to 6th Field Ambulance with leg ulcers on 18/10/15
- Transferred between various hospitals before returning to active service on 2/12/15
Departed Alexandria on the 19/3/16 and arrived in Marseille, France on 26/3/16
Private 23/3/17 – 12/7/17 Transferred to 65th Battalion, 16th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Corporal 12/7/17 – 21/8/17 65th Battalion, 16th Brigade, A.I.F.
Corporal 21/8/17 – 1/9/18 Transferred to D Company, 22nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Attended Training at School of Farriery from 24/9/17 – 7/2/18 and qualified as instructor
- Rejoined unit in France 9/3/18
Wounded in Action on 19/5/18 with Gun Shot Wound to Leg
- Admitted to 5th Field Ambulance, 61st Casualty Clearing Station, 4th General Hospital before being transferred to England on 3/6/18
Died on the 1st of September 1918 in Reading War Hospital from Septicaemia of Wounds after amputation completed.
He was buried in Reading Cemetery on the 4th of September 1918 in section 72 and grave number 16472.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Sources:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1912743

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/30748

Captain John Henry McElroy – 427 or 1631

John Henry McElroy was born in Melbourne in 1878 and originally enlisted in August 1914 and allocated as a Private to the 2nd Battalion. While serving in Gallipoli and France he was steadily promoted up to the rank of Captain but was invalided to England due to shell shock in 1917. He was then sent to Australia and discharged as medically unfit. In mid 1918 he then reenlisted under an alias of John Henry with a new service number of 1631 and joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force where he served until 1919. In mid 1961 John Henry McElroy died in Heidelberg, Victoria.

Details

Alias: John Henry with service number 1631 used to re-enlist after being discharged as medically unfit.

Birth: John Henry McElroy was born on the 15th of July 1878 to Bridget (née Spauhan) and Michael Jose Elroy in Melbourne, Victoria.

Enlistment: Originally, John H McElroy enlisted in Sydney NSW on the 22nd of August 1914.

Embarkation: He embarked fromSydney NSW on the 18th of October 1914 on board the HMAT Suffolk A23.

Service Details:

Private 22/8/14 – 13/1/15 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lance Corporal 13/1/15 – 7/4/15 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Corporal 7/4/15 – 7/8/15 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Second Lieutenant 7/8/15 – 28/1/16 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lieutenant 28/1/16 – 18/10/16 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Captain 18/10/16 – 30/12/17 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Invalided to England in late 1917 and then was discharged due to being medically unfit on the 30th of December 1917.
On the 12th of June 1918 John Henry McElroy re-enlisted under the alias of John Henry and received new service number of 1631.
Private 12/6/18 – 20/11/18 Recruit Depot Broadmeadows
Private 20/11/18 – 4/2/19 Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
Private John Henry embarked from Sydney on the 18th of December 1918 on board SS Melusia.
Promoted Second Lieutenant 4/2/19 – 23/9/19 A Company, 3rd Battalion
Discharged for the second time on the 23rd of September 1919.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Also awarded a Military Medal on the 7th of November 1916 and a Military Cross on the 17th of January 1917.

Marriage: John H McElroy was married to Catherine McElroy after the war.

Death: John Henry McElroy died on the 13th of April 1961 in Heidelberg, Victoria.

Sergeant Archibald Douglas Bailey – 2562

Archibald Douglas Bailey was born in Victoria in 1887 and became a Carpenter who married in 1911. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in July 1915 and was appointed to the 21st Battalion as a Private before being promoted through the ranks to the position of Sergeant in the 7th Battalion. During his service he was severely wounded on four different occasions which resulted in extended time in hospital.

Details

Birth: Archibald was born in 1887 in Pompapiel, Victoria.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Carpenter.

Marriage and Children: In 1911 Archibald married Jessie Jackman and in 1911 they also had a son, Archibald Douglas.

Enlistment: He enlisted in Bendigo, Victoria on the 22nd of July 1915.

Embarkation: Private Bailey left Melbourne on the 5th of October 1915 on board the RMS Moldavia.

Service Details:

Private 5/10/15 – 24/2/16 6th Reinforcements, 21st Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 24/2/16 – 21/7/16 21st Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lance Corporal 21/7/16 – 10/1/17 21st Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Corporal 10/1/17 – 8/1/18 Transferred to 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lance Sergeant 8/1/18 – 25/6/18 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Sergeant 25/6/18 – 21/4/19 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, A.I.F.
Discharged on the 21st of April 1919 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Wounds – During his service Archibald received a number of wounds:

23/7/16 – 9/1/17 Gun Shot Wound to the Head and Arm
25/2/17 – 14/6/17 Gun Shot Wound to the Leg
20/9/17 – 30/11/17 Wounded in Action
9/8/18 – 8/1/18 Gun Shot Wound to the Arm

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914/15 Star

Also awarded a Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Death: Archibald Douglas Bailey died on the 21st of September, 1968.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/32791

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1751360

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2156600

Private Maurice Davis – 2551

Maurice Davis was born in Melbourne in 1899 and in May 1916 aged just 18 joined the A.I.F. in the 46th Battalion with the rank of Private. During his service Private Davis was disciplined on a number of occasions due to being absent without leave, having a false pass and desertion. His punishments ranged from forfeiture of pay, 6 months imprisonment with hard labour and 15 years imprisonment (however, this last sentence was later reduced to 5 years before he was released with a suspended sentence after approximately 9 months incarceration).

Details:

Birth: Maurice Davis was born on the 16th of February 1899 to Florence and David Davis in Melbourne, Victoria.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Labourer

Enlistment: On the 24th of May 1916, at the age of 18, Maurice enlisted in the A.I.F. in Brunswick, Victoria.

Embarkation: Maurice Davis departed Melbourne on the 7th of September 1916 on board the HMAT Port Sydney A15.

Service Records:

Private 31/8/16 – 16/11/16 5th Reinforcements, 46th Battalion, 4th A.I.F. Division
Private 16/11/16 – 19/10/18 46th Battalion, 4th A.I.F. Division
Discharged on the 25th of March 1919.

Disciplinary Action: During his time serving with the A.I.F. Maurice Davis received numerous cases of Military Discipline.

7/11/16 – 20/11/16: Soldier overstayed leave from 7th to 20th of November 1916 in Codford, UK.
- Punishment: Soldier forfeited 34 days pay.
20/12/16 – Soldier was court martialed for going beyond area limits and for having a false pass in Reading, UK.
- Punishment: Soldier had to forfeit 52 days pay.
16/2/17 – 21/2/17: Soldier was court-martialed after going absent during active service without leave.
- Punishment: Soldier was found guilty and sentenced to 6 month imprisonment with hard labour.
- Admitted to No. 4 Military Prison, Abancourt on the 14th of May 1917 until 12th of October 1917.
14/10/17 – 17/1/18: Soldier was charged with desertion.
- Punishment: Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
  - Sentence reduced to 5 years on 31/1/1918.
- Admitted to No. 4 Military Prison, Abancourt on the 17th of March 1918 until the 19th of October 1918 when he was released and the rest of his sentence was suspended.

Medals: Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/49462

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2017843

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2315335

Sergeant Stanley Barnard – 2342

Stanley Barnard was Born in New Zealand in 1893 but joined the A.I.F. in Melbourne in June 1915. After enlisting Stanley was assigned as a Private in the 6th Battalion where he was promoted through the ranks to the position of Sergeant. On the 26th of July 1916 Sergeant Barnard died from wounds received during action.

Details

Birth: He was born on the 17th of July 1893 to Mary Eleanor (née Walker) and Anthony John Barnard in Greytown, New Zealand.

Occupation: School Teacher

Enlistment: Stanley enlisted in Melbourne, Australia on the 3rd of June 1915.

Service Details:

Private 11/6/15 – 31/10/15 16th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Private 31/10/15 – 9/11/15 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Promoted Corporal 9/11/15 – 28/6/16 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division
Wounded in Action: Gun Shot Wound to Head and Wrist on 29/11/15. In hospital until the 31/1/16.
Promoted Sergeant 28/6/16 – 26/7/16 6th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. Division

Medals: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Death: Stanley Barnard died from wounds received in action on the 26th of July 1916 in France. He was buried in Becourt Military Cemetery in France with memorial reference I. Q. 11.

Sources:

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C37967

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/46254

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/293540/barnard,-/

Sapper William Hatfield Hall – 1296

William Hatfield Hall was born in England in 1895 and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1915. After leaving Australia in August, William was assigned to the 3rd Signal Troops in the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. During his service he was made to forfeit one days pay after galloping a horse over sand despite being ordered not to exceed a walk.

Details

Birth and Family: He was born on the 18th of May 1895 to Clara Marion Hall (née Hatfield) and William Hall in Cratfield, UK. He had a brother Charles and a sister Hope.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican and Engineer.

Enlistment: William enlisted in Melbourne on the 1st of April 1915.

Embarkation: He left Melbourne on the 10th of August 1915 on board the RMS Persia.

Service Details:

Sapper 1/4/15 – 28/1/20 3rd Signal Troops, 3rd Light Horse Brigade, A.I.F.
Military Discipline – Lost one days pay for failing to follow and order. He galloped his horse on sand when ordered not to exceed a walk.
Discharged in Melbourne on the 28th of January 1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Medal

Marriage and Children: William married Ivy Ruth Forsdike in 1921 and they had one daughter Leslie Hall.

Death: William Hatfield Hall died on the 10th of March 1949 in Oakleigh Victoria.

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/6762

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205354538

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1990668

Second Lieutenant Allan Benjamin John Freeman – 3517

57114843 — A photograph of Allan Benjamin John Freeman in uniform. Source: http://ww1vic.gravesecrets.net/fr.html Under Freeman, Allan Benjamin John

Allan Benjamin John Freeman was born in Geelong in 1893 and attended Geelong College before becoming a Bank Clerk in Melbourne. Allan enlisted in the A.I.F. in July 1915 and was assigned to the 22nd Battalion as a Private. He was then transferred to the 58th Battalion and later promoted through the ranks to the position of Second Lieutenant.

Details

Birth: He was born on the 16th of May 1893 to Mary Brown and Thomas William Freeman in Geelong Victoria.

Siblings: Allan had one brother Neil Mackenzie Freeman who was born on the 21st of April 1890.

Religion, Education and Occupation: Presbyterian, studied at Geelong College from 1906 and worked as a Bank Clerk for the Bank of New South Wales in Collins St, Melbourne.

Enlistment: Allan Freeman enlisted in Melbourne Victoria on 31st of July 1915.

Embarkation: Allan departed Melbourne on the 5th of January 1916 on board HMAT Afric A19.

Service Details:

Private 31/7/15 – 7/7/15 8th Reinforcements, 22nd Battalion, 2nd A.I.F. Division
Private 7/7/16 – 18/7/17 22nd Battalion, 2nd A.I.F. Division
Private 18/7/17 – 15/9/18 Transferred to 58th Battalion, 5th A.I.F. Division
Promoted to Corporal 15/9/18 – 5/1/19 58th Battalion, 5th A.I.F. Division
Promoted to Second Lieutenant 5/1/19 – 29/9/19 58th Battalion, 5th A.I.F. Division
Discharged on the 29th September 1919 in Melbourne Victoria.

Medals: Victory Medal and British War Medal