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Difference between revisions of "Robert Frank Bickford"

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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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*[https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=22225 AIF Project]
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*[https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/376684 RSL Memorial]
  
 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bickford , Robert Frank}}

Revision as of 13:30, 19 September 2017

Bickford Robert Frank.jpg
Ancestry.com
Personal Information
Date of Birth 25 Apr 1896
Place of Birth Glenelg, South Australia
Death 28 Feb 1975, aged 78
Place of Death Hamilton Hill
Age at Enlistment 20 years, 3 months
Description 5' 7" tall (1.70m); weight 154 lbs (69.9 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, and black hair
Occupation horse driver
Religion Church of England
Address River road, Kelmscott
Next of Kin Father Mr Frank W. Bickford
Military Information
Reg Number 2535
Date of Enlistment 7 Jul 1916
Rank Driver
Unit/Formation 44th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division
Date of Embarkation 9 Nov 1916 - 10 Jan 1917
Ship Embarked On HMAT A8 Argyllshire
Date of Return 6 Oct 1919 - 16 Nov 1919
Ship Returned On HMNZT Pakeha
Fate Wounded in Action 6 Oct 1917 at Brrodseinde
Returned to Australia
Monument Kelmscott
Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal


Pre War

War Service

After three months training at Blackboy Hill camp, Robert's reinforcement draft was shipped to England, where he continued his training with the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington, remaining there until Jun 1917.

He proceeded to France via Folkestone, and joined his battalion (the 44th) on 22 Jun 1917 when it was in the front lines east of Messines. On the night of the 5th/6th October the 44th Battalion was relieved by the 2/6th Manchester Regiment, so given Robert was wounded in action on 6 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde Ridge with a wound to his left leg, it would appear to have happened during the changeover.

He was evacuated 11 Oct 1917 to England on HMHS St Andrew for treatment at the Northampton War Hospital.

On 17 Apr 1918 he again proceeded to France via Folkestone, but soon after rejoining the 44th Battalion he suffered a severely septic injury to his left hand (22 Jun 1918) and was again evacuated to England, this time via 10th Australian Field Ambulance, the 47th Casualty Clearing Station, and the HMHS Grantully Castle.

In England he entered 1st Southern General Hospital at Edgbaston for 9 weeks treatment.

On 24 Oct 1918 he proceeded to France for a third time and rejoined his battalion on the 29th October 1918 in a rest area.

On 21 Dec 1918 he was transferred to the 3rd Division Reinforcement Wing.

On return to Australia he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 31 Dec 1919.

355th Casualty List included "Bickford, Robert Frank, Kelmscott, severely".[1]

422nd Casualty List included "ILL...Bickford, Robert Frank, Kelmscott, seriously, previously reported wounded, severely.[2]

Robert was amongst the returning soldiers aboard the transport HMNZT Pakeha.[3]


Post War

In 1931 he was living in Forrest road Jandakot, working as a labourer, but by 1936 he was with his wife at 72 Davelak road in Hamilton Hill where he remained until 1972 or later.

Served in the Citizens Military Forces during WW2 with Regimental No W243622.


References

  1. "W.A. Casualties". The Daily News. XXXVI, (13,342). Western Australia. 22 November 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  2. "W.A. Casualties". The Daily News. XXXVII, (13,562). Western Australia. 13 August 1918. p. 1 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  3. "RETURNING SOLDIERS.". The West Australian. XXXV, (5,486). Western Australia. 7 November 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 

External Links