Robert Frank Bickford
From Our Contribution
 | |
| 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.