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Difference between revisions of "Ernest William Serls"

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{{Infobox
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{{infobox soldier
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| name           = Ernest William Serls
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| image           = [[File:Serls_Ernest.jpg|border|400px]]
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| caption        = Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire p.142
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| image2          =
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| caption2        =
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| dateofbirth   = 9 Jul 1889
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| placeofbirth   = Fremantle, Western Australia
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| death           = 4 Oct 1917
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| placeofdeath   = Hill 40 near Zonnebeke, Belgium
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| enlistmentage   = 26 years, 9 months
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| description   = 5'6½" (1.69m) tall; weight 140 lbs (63.5 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair
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| height          = 5'6½" (1.69m)
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| weight          = 140 lbs
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| complexion      = fresh
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| eyes            = brown
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| hair            = black
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| descriptionnote =
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| occupation   = Firewood Contractor
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| religion   = Congregational
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| address   = 'Hillside', Armadale, Western Australia
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| relation   = Father
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| nextofkin      = Mr M. Joseph Serls
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| regnumber   = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8079809 2410]
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| enlistmentdate  = 5 Apr 1916
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| rank           = Corporal
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| unit      = 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement to 13th Platoon, D Company
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| embarkationdatefrom = 13 Oct 1916
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| embarkationdateto = 12 Dec 1916
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| shipembarked   = [[HMAT A39 Port Macquarie]]
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| dateofreturnfrom =
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| dateofreturnto  =
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| shipreturned    =
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| shipreturnednote =
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| dateofreturnfrom2 =
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| dateofreturnto2  =
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| shipreturned2    =
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| shipreturnednote2 =
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| fate1           = Killed in Action 4 Oct 1917 on Hill 40
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| fate2          =
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| fate3          =
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| fate4          =
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| monument1   = [[Armadale War Memorial]]
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| monumentnote1  = (Bedfordale panel)
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| monument2   = [[Bedfordale Roll of Honour]]
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| monumentnote2  =
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| monument3   = [[Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board]]
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| monumentnote3  =
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| monument4   = [[Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour]]
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| monumentnote4  =
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| monument5      = [[WA State War Memorial]]
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| monumentawm    = [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1663874 Australian War Memorial]
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| medal1   = [[British War Medal]]
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| medal2          = [[Victory Medal]]
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| medal3          =
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| medal4          =
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}}
  
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| title          =
 
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| above          =
 
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| subheader      =
 
  
  
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|  image        = [[File:Serls_Ernest.jpg|border|400px]]
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==Pre War==
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| caption        = Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire p.142
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Electoral Roll entry - 1916 labourer living in Armadale.
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|  image2      = [[File:Serls_EW.jpg|border|400px]]
 
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| caption2      = courtesy Neville Browning
 
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|  image3      = [[File:Serls_grave.jpg|border|400px]]
 
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| caption3      = photo Linton Reynolds
 
  
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|headerstyle  = background:#ccf;
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==War Service==
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|labelstyle  = background:#ddf;
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Fit for Service ......E.W. Serls, Armadale.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80897421 |title=CALL TO ARMS |newspaper=[[The Daily News]] |volume=XXXV, |issue=12,841 |location=Western Australia |date=5 April 1916 |accessdate=25 July 2017 |page=6 (THIRD EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>    
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|datastyle   =
 
  
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| header1 = Personal Information
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Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 4 May 1916 and was initially allocated to the 67th Depot Company. On 20 Jun 1916 his training had advanced sufficiently for him to be posted to the 4th reinforcement group for the 44th Battalion, and he travelled with them to England aboard [[HMAT A39 Port Macquarie]]. Following his arrival in England on 12 Dec 1916, Ernie was posted to [[11th Training Battalion]] before then proceeding on the [[SS Invicta]] to France through Folkestone on 4 Feb 1917. Ernie joined the [[44th Battalion]] on 6 Feb 1917 while they were in the line near Armentiès in cold and frosty weather.  He obviously performed well in his new unit, as on 11 Sep 1917 he was promoted Corporal.  
  
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|  label2  = Date of Birth
 
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|  data2  = unknown
 
  
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|  label3  = Place of Birth
 
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|  data3  = Fremantle, Western Australia
 
  
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|  label4  = Death
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In the early morning of 4 Oct 1917, the 44th Battalion was involved in an attack on the German lines east of Ypres. This battle became known as the Battle of Broodseinde. Although the battalion obtained their objectives, while suffering what were described as 'reasonably light casualties', Ernie Serls was one of them. Neville Browning's book explains that "Corporal E.W. Serls and Private F.D. McCann were sent from 'D' Company to 'B' Company with a message, but were both killed enroute during the bombardment."<ref>'The Westralian Battalion - The Unit History of the 44th Battalion A.I.F., Neville Browning, Advance Press, 2004, page 183</ref>
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|  data4  = 4 Oct 1917
 
  
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| label5  = Place of Death
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Red Cross file <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1050461 |title=Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files - Ernest William Serls |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2018|website=Australian War Memorial |access-date=2 May 2018}}</ref>. statement by '''WEG Dods 876''';
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|  data5 = Hill 40 near ZXonnebeke, Belgium
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<blockquote>"I knew Serls, he had just been promoted Corporal. He was killed at Hill 40 by a shell, I attended his funeral there which was conducted by a padre.  He was found lying dead next to Mc Cann...."</blockquote>
  
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|  label6  = Age at Enlistment
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<div><ul>
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|  data6  = 26 years, 9 months
 
  
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| label7  = Description
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Serls_EW.jpg|thumb|none|Image courtesy Neville Browning]] </li>
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|   data7  = 5'6½" (1.69m) tall; weight 140 lbs (63.5 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Serls_EW2.jpg|thumb|none|300px|]] </li>
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Serls_grave.jpg|thumb|none]] </li>
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Tyne _Cot_Cemetery.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium]] </li>
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Serls_Ernest_William_grave_site.jpg|thumb|none|300px|Commonwealth War Graves Commission]] </li>
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</ul></div>
  
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|  label8  = Occupation
 
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|  data8  = firewood contractor
 
  
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| label9 = Religion
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==Notes==
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|  data9 = Congregational
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Buried in TYNE COT CEMETERY, BELGIUM - Plot XLI; Row B, Grave 20 . located 9 Kms north-east of Ieper (Ypres) town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg.
  
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|  label10  = Address
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==Notes==
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|  data10  = 'Hillside', Armadale, Western Australia
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Ernie was mentioned in The Drill of the Foot-Hills 1917 Feb-Mar edition, but without any detail.
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|  label11 = Next of Kin
 
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|  data11 = Father  Mr M. Joseph Serls
 
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| header12 = Military Information
 
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|  label13 = Reg Number
 
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|  data13 = 2410
 
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|  label14 = Date of Enlistment
 
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|  data14 = 5 Apr 1916
 
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|  label15 = Rank
 
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|  data15 = Corporal
 
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|  label16 = Unit/Formation
 
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|  data16 = 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement to 13th Platoon, D Company / 11th Brigade 4th Division
 
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|  label17 = Date of Embarkation
 
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|  data17 = 13 Oct 1916 - 12 Dec 1916
 
−
 
 
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|  label18 = Ship Embarked On
 
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|  data18 = [[HMAT A39 Port Macquarie]]
 
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|  label19 = Date of Return
 
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|  data19 =
 
−
 
 
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|  label20 = Ship Returned On
 
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|  data20 =
 
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|  label21 = Fate
 
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|  data21 = Killed in Action 4 Oct 1917 on Hilll 40
 
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|  label22 = Monument
 
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|  data22 = [[Armadale (Bedfordale panel)]]<br />[[Bedfordale Honour Board]]<br />[[Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board]]
 
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|  label23 = Medals
 
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|  data23 = [[British War Medal]]<br />[[Victory Medal]]
 
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}}
 
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==Pre War==
 
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Electoral Roll entry - 1916 labourer living in Armadale.
 
  
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==War Service==
 
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Fit for Service ......E.W. Serls, Armadale.<ref>The Daily News 5 Apr 1916 - </ref>   
 
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Following arrival in England Ernie was posted to 11th Training Battalion before proceeding on the [[SS Invicta]] to France through Folkestone on 4 Feb 1917.
 
−
 
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Joined the 44th Battalion on 6 Feb 1917 while they were in the line near Armentiès in cold and frosty weather.  Promoted Corporal on 11 Sep 1917.  In the early morning of 4 Oct 1917, the 44th Battalion was involved in an attack on the German lines east of Ypres. Although they obtained their objective and suffered reasonably light casualties, Ernie Serls was one of them.
 
−
 
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Red Cross file statement by WEG Dods 876;
 
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<blockquote>"I knew Serls, he had just been promoted Corporal.  He was killed at Hill 40 by a shell, I attended his funeral there which was conducted by a padre.  He was found lying dead next to Mc Cann...."</blockquote>
 
−
 
−
Mentioned in The Drill of the Foot-Hills 1917 Feb-Mar edition, but on detail.
 
−
 
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==Notes==
 
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Buried in TYNE COT CEMETERY, BELGIUM  -  Plot XLI; Row B, Grave 20 .  located 9 Kms north-east of Ieper (Ypres) town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg.
 
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 +
*[https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=270633 AIF Project]
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*[https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/307451 RSL Virtual War Memorial]
  
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Serls , Ernest Willaim}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Serls , Ernest William}}
  
 
[[Category:Soldier]]
 
[[Category:Soldier]]
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[[Category:1917 Deaths]]
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[[Category:1917 KIA]]
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[[Category:Killed in action]]
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[[Category:Born Australia]]
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[[Category:Born WA]]
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[[Category:Church of England]]
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[[Category:Firewood contractor ww2]]
 +
[[Category:Armadale-Kelmscott]]

Latest revision as of 12:04, 11 December 2023

Ernest William Serls
Serls Ernest.jpg
Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire p.142
Personal Information
Date of Birth 9 Jul 1889
Place of Birth Fremantle, Western Australia
Death 4 Oct 1917
Place of Death Hill 40 near Zonnebeke, Belgium
Age at Enlistment 26 years, 9 months
Description 5'6½" (1.69m) tall ; 140 lbs
63.503 kg
; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation Firewood Contractor
Religion Congregational
Address 'Hillside', Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr M. Joseph Serls
Military Information
Reg Number 2410
Date of Enlistment 5 Apr 1916
Rank Corporal
Unit/Formation 44th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement to 13th Platoon, D Company
Date of Embarkation 13 Oct 1916 ‒ 12 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A39 Port Macquarie
Fate Killed in Action 4 Oct 1917 on Hill 40
Monument Armadale War Memorial (Bedfordale panel)
Bedfordale Roll of Honour
Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board
Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour
WA State War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

Electoral Roll entry - 1916 labourer living in Armadale.

War Service

Fit for Service ......E.W. Serls, Armadale.[1]

Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 4 May 1916 and was initially allocated to the 67th Depot Company. On 20 Jun 1916 his training had advanced sufficiently for him to be posted to the 4th reinforcement group for the 44th Battalion, and he travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A39 Port Macquarie. Following his arrival in England on 12 Dec 1916, Ernie was posted to 11th Training Battalion before then proceeding on the SS Invicta to France through Folkestone on 4 Feb 1917. Ernie joined the 44th Battalion on 6 Feb 1917 while they were in the line near Armentiès in cold and frosty weather. He obviously performed well in his new unit, as on 11 Sep 1917 he was promoted Corporal.


In the early morning of 4 Oct 1917, the 44th Battalion was involved in an attack on the German lines east of Ypres. This battle became known as the Battle of Broodseinde. Although the battalion obtained their objectives, while suffering what were described as 'reasonably light casualties', Ernie Serls was one of them. Neville Browning's book explains that "Corporal E.W. Serls and Private F.D. McCann were sent from 'D' Company to 'B' Company with a message, but were both killed enroute during the bombardment."[2]

Red Cross file [3]. statement by WEG Dods 876;

"I knew Serls, he had just been promoted Corporal. He was killed at Hill 40 by a shell, I attended his funeral there which was conducted by a padre. He was found lying dead next to Mc Cann...."
  • Image courtesy Neville Browning
  • Serls EW2.jpg
  • Serls grave.jpg
  • Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission


Notes

Buried in TYNE COT CEMETERY, BELGIUM - Plot XLI; Row B, Grave 20 . located 9 Kms north-east of Ieper (Ypres) town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg.

Notes

Ernie was mentioned in The Drill of the Foot-Hills 1917 Feb-Mar edition, but without any detail.

  1. ↑ "CALL TO ARMS". The Daily News. XXXV, (12,841). Western Australia. 5 April 1916. p. 6 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 25 July 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  2. ↑ 'The Westralian Battalion - The Unit History of the 44th Battalion A.I.F., Neville Browning, Advance Press, 2004, page 183
  3. ↑ "Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files - Ernest William Serls". Australian War Memorial. 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018. 

External Links

Retrieved from "https://www.birtwistlewiki.com.au/index.php?title=Ernest_William_Serls&oldid=66393"