Ernest (Roy) William Sladden
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 15 Jul 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 12 Apr 1957 |
| Place of Death | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 8 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall; weight 140 lbs (63.5kg); light complexion, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. |
| Occupation | locomotive fireman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Mundijong, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother Mrs Sarah Sladden |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2731 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 51st Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Oct 1916 - 2 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A23 Suffolk |
| Date of Return | 31 Jan 1918 - 6 Apr 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Mundijong Jarrahdale |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
A fortnight after entering camp, Ernest was allocated to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 51st Battalion, and he sailed with them to England.
On arrival in England he joined the 13th Training Battalion at Codford. In December he presented to the Codford hospital on two occassions with a non specific infection, before proceeding overseas to France on HMT Princess Victoria from Folkestone on 4 Feb 1917. Given his late history they were probably related to his bronchial system.
On 19 May 1917 he again reported to hospital, this time to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station where he was diagnosed with bronchitis and passed to the 6th General Hospital in Rouen. By 7 Sep 1917, he was more seriously ill with bronchitis, requiring his evacuation to England aboard HMHS Essequibo. On arrival he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Southwark, London.
There on 1 Nov 1917 he was charged with beign absent from his ward from 9:25pm till 11:00pm, awarded a day's lost pay, and again on 3 Nov 1917 when he was charged with being absent from his ward from 8:30pm to 9:55pm, and for disobeying Hospital Regulations. Awarded the forfeiture of a day's pay.
With the decision made to send him home for medical reasons, he managed one last hurrah - AWOL at Sutton Veny from 3:00pm on 29 Dec 1917 till 11:00pm on 30 Dec 1917. This time he was docked 2 days pay.
Discharged on Medical grounds - Bronchitis by 5th Military District on 22 Apr 1918.
Post War
Married Elsie Florence Eggeling during 1924 in Fremantle.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 at 38 Smyth road, West Subiaco, guard; 1931 - 1937 at 86 Basinghall street, Victoria Park, fitter; 1943 - 1949 at 17 Barnfield road, Claremont, fireman
Ernest also served during WW2 as a member of the Citizen's Military Forcer from 24 Nov 1941 until 14 May 1946. His last posting was s a Sapper with the 3rd Australian Hospital maintenance Platoon.
Notes