Bertram Ernest Powell
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown 1890 |
| Place of Birth | Guildford, Western Australia |
| Death | 18 Apr 1950, aged 59 |
| Place of Death | Moora, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25 years, 6 months |
| Description | 5'5" (1.65m) tall; weight 134 lbs (60.8 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Frederick Elijah Powell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5648 |
| Date of Enlistment | 5 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Sep 1916 - 20 Nov 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A52 Surada |
| Date of Return | 2 jan 1919 - 10 Feb 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A35 Berrima |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 11 Aug 1918 at Lihons Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel)Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour]] |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - farm hand living in Wungong
War Service
After four weeks as part of the 61st Depot Company, Bertram was allocated to the 15th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion and travelled with them to England, arriving on 20 Nov 1916.
Very quickly after his arrival in England he was sent on to France via the HMT Princesse Clementine from Folkestone (21 Dec 1916).
In France, 6 to 25 Jan 1917 was spent in Segregation Camp, but the reason for this are not included in his records. Soon after being cleared he joined the 28th Battalion from the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot in Étaples on 5 Feb 1917. At the time they were being withdrawn temporarily from the front line.
Bertram remained with the battalion (other than a fortnight's leave in England in Jan/Feb 1918) until he was wounded in the final stages of the battle for Lihons on 11 Aug 1918. During the Lihons battle he received a bullet wound to his right shoulder (severe), and he was taken initially to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, before being sent back next day to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station, and then on 15 Aug 1918 to the 22nd General Hospital in Camiers. Invalided to the UK on 25 Aug 1918 aboard HMHS Newhaven where he entered the Ilford Emergency Hospital in Colchester, Essex. He spent a total of twelve days in bed before eight weeks convalescing.
Discharged from hospital 2 months later, he joined the No 4 General Depot in Hurdcott on 31 Oct 1918. Here he had a couple of days unauthorised leave, bringing a mild rebuke before his wounds eventually lead to an early return to Australia.
After spending 10 to 21 Feb 1919 in No 8 Australian General Hospital in Fremantle, he was discharged at the 5th Military District 31 Mar 1919 .
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 a labourer living in Ninth avenue Armadale; 1936 in Dangin; 1949 in Moora.
No record of marriage before 1936.
One of many men who received relief employment during the 1930 depression by the Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board.
Notes