Richard Bee
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Longridge, Lancashire, England |
| Death | 17 Oct 1950, aged 78 |
| Place of Death | Keysbrook, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 43 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'6" (1. m) tall; weight 153 lbs ( . kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair. |
| Occupation | farmer & bootmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Longridge farm, Keysbrook, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Bessie Bee |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3080 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 May 1916 - 28 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Pioneer Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
| Fate | Did not leave Australia |
| Medals | not eligible |
Pre War
On the 1916 Electoral Roll with wife Bessie at Keysbrook, farming. Bessie died 19 Oct 1950, five days after Richard.
War Service
Soon after entering Belmont camp he is allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, but after 19 weeks he was transferred back to a holding Depot Company. (did this prompt his AWOL period from 7am 21 Aug to 11pm 21 Aug 1916?). Forfeits one day's pay.
A week later he is transferred to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion, and after a further 11 days to the 7th reinforcement draft for the 5th Pioneer Battalion (25 Sep 1916).
Discharged at own request on payment for uniform 28 Oct 1916 after it was discovered he was over 45 years of age. He was charged under Section 33 of the Army Act with having on 14 Apr 1916 made a wilfully false answer to a question set forth in the attestation paper, namely declaring his age to be 43 years, 9 months, when it was really over 45. His punishment was to be dismissed.
Post War
In 1922 Thomas has joined Richard and Bessie - a farmer; 1925 Leslie Hawthorne joins them as a farm hand; 1936 - 1949 Thomas an orchardist.
Notes