Aubrey Walter (Swazz) Mead
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25 May 1883 |
| Place of Birth | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 16 May 1963, aged 79 |
| Place of Death | Graylands Hospital, Claremont, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 33 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5' 6¾" (1.70m) tall ; 134 lbs 60.781 kg ; dark complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Timber worker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Robert Mead |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3193 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 7th reinforcements, transferred to 2nd Pioneer battalion / 2nd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jan 1916 ‒ 16 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic |
| Date of Return | 8 Aug 1918 ‒ 28 Sep 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Carpentaria |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Student at Jarrahdale Primary School 1895 - 1 Mar 1897. Electoral Roll entries - 1909 Preston Valley, labourer; 1913 No 6 Mill, Jarrahdale, mill hand; 1916 Whittaker's Mill, horse driver
War Service
In Egypt as part of the reorganisation of Australian forces, Aubrey was transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion on 16 Mar 1916 at Moascar. Three days later he embarked with his unit on HMHS Llandovery Castle ( for Marseilles, sailing the next day (20 Mar 1916), and arriving in Marseilles at 3:45pm on 25 Mar 1916. On the next day they departed Marseilles by train for Thiennes in northern France. On arrival they marched towards Hazebrouck and went into camp at Berguette.
Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in that he failed to salute his superior officer. Awarded 3 days Field Punishment No.2, and forfeited 3 days pay.Family history relates that it was a view that Swazz continued to hold towards rank and privilege for the rest of his days.
On 2 Feb 1918 Aubrey was seen by the 13th Field Ambulance, before moving to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 4 & 5 Feb 1918 before being admitted on 5 Feb 1918 to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Boulogne with Trench fever. On the 8th he was evacuated to England on HMHS Cambria, and admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley the same day. Transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 15 Mar 1918. On 4 Apr 1918 he was granted furlough, and then, as he was determined to be unfit to return to active duty, he was sent to No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth to await repatriation home.
While there on 8 Jul 1918 he was charged with another offence, this time for 'Being in unlawful possession of another soldier's pass'. he forfeited 5 days pay as penalty. Swazz returned to Australia where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 30 Oct 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1943 Jarrahdale, labourer / swamper; 1954 - 1958 Serpentine, pensioner
Notes