Eric Oswald Strang
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Jun 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Broken Hill, New South Wales |
| Death | 4 Sep 1957, aged 63 |
| Place of Death | West Pert, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 Oct 1915 |
| Description |
5'8¾" (1.75m) tall ; 138 lbs 62.596 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Telegraphist |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William Strang |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 10852 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Oct 1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Division Signal Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 27 May 1916 ‒ 18 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A11 Ascanius |
| Date of Return | 19 Apr 1919 ‒ 31 May 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A74 Marathon |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel) Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
12 months previous experience with 26th Light Horse militia.
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 Fitzgerald street, Northam Railway Department telegraphist
War Service
Six weeks after enlisting he was sent to Signals school for two months and then posted to the 3rd Division Signals Company. Prior to embarking for England he was promoted Corporal on 9 May 1916. Following training in England, on 22 Nov 1916 he embarked for France from Southampton.
On 4 Feb 1917 he was admitted to 10 Field Ambulance with pleurisy and sent the next day to the Division's Rest Station. Eric was discharged to duty on 14 Feb 1917. On 17 Apr 1917 Eric was promoted to Sergeant and on 17 Jul 1917 he reported to the 11th Australian Field Ambulance, returning to duty on 23 Jul 1917. On 10 Aug 1917 Eric was reprimanded for using a motor cycle without the permission of his CO. Eric was granted leave in England from 2 February returning to his unit on 18 Feb 1918. He also enjoyed another period of leave, this time in France from 20 Oct 1918 until he reported to hospital on 26 Oct 1918.
Eric spent from 26 Oct to 29 Nov 1918 in the French Benevolent Hospital, Paris with influenza. On 29 Dec 1918 he again required treatment, this time in the 7th General Hospital Boulogne before being evacuated on 13 Feb 1919 aboard the HS Jan Breydel to England where he entered the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford the next day.
Discharged from hospital on 17 Feb 1919, he reported to Sutton Veney and No 1 Command Depot for return to Australia where Eric was discharged by the 5th Military District on 17 Jul 1919.
Post War
Married Alice Willis Plummer in Perth on 2 Jul 1921. Daughter Phillipa born in Northam on 26 Mar 1922; son Geoffrey Oswald born 8 Aug 1923, died 22 Feb 1998. Alice died 16 Jun 1978 aged 86.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 Cnr Forrest street & Newcastle road, Northam, telegraphist, with Alice; 1928 "Blairgawrie", North Dandalup, farmer; 1934 Albany road, Maddington; 1936 at 128 Joel terrace, East Perth, Defence employee; 1937 24 Pakenham street, East Perth; 1943 at 19 Kanimbla road, Nedlands, storeman; 1949 at 8 Colin grove, West Perth, civil servant; 1954 at 47 Colin street, West Perth , civil servant with Alice and Phillipa (nurse).
Enlisted at Claremont and served with the militia during WW2 as W46110, Warrant Officer Class 1. Final posting was 7th Advance Ordnance Depot.
Notes
He was mentioned in the 1917 Feb-Mar edition of Drill of the Foot-Hills, but no detail.