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{{Infobox
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{{infobox soldier
| name           = Robert Frank Bickford
+
| image           =[[File:Bickford_Robert_Frank.jpg|border|400px]]
 
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| caption         =Ancestry.com
| title          =
+
| image2         =
| above          =
+
| caption2       =
| subheader      =
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| dateofbirth   = 25 Apr 1896
 
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| placeofbirth   = Glenelg, South Australia
 
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| death           = 28 Feb 1975, aged 78
|  image        = [[File:Bickford_Robert_Frank.jpg|border|400px]]
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| placeofdeath   = Hamilton Hill
| caption       = Ancestry.com
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| enlistmentage   = 20 years, 3 months
|   image2       =  
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| description   = 5' 7" tall (1.70m); weight 154 lbs (69.9 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, and black hair
| caption2       =
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| height          = 5' 7" tall (1.70m)
 
+
| weight          = 154 lbs
|headerstyle  = background:#ccf;
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| complexion      = fresh
|labelstyle  = background:#ddf;
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| eyes            = brown
|datastyle    =
+
| hair            = black
 
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| descriptionnote =  
| header1  = Personal Information
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| occupation   = Horse driver
 
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| religion   = Church of England
|  label2  = Date of Birth
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| address   = River road, Kelmscott
data2  = 25 Apr 1896
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| relation   = Father
 
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| nextofkin      = Mr Frank W. Bickford
|  label3  = Place of Birth
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| regnumber   = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3080446 2535]
data3  = Glenelg, South Australia
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| enlistmentdate = 7 Jul 1916
 
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| rank           = Driver
| label4  = Death
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| unit      = 44th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division
|  data4  = 28 Feb 1975, aged 78
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| embarkationdatefrom = 9 Nov 1916
 
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| embarkationdateto = 10 Jan 1917
|  label5  = Place of Death
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| shipembarked   = [[HMAT A8 Argyllshire]]
data5  = Hamilton Hill
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| embarkedshipnote = Fremantle to Devonport
 
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| dateofreturnfrom = 6 Oct 1919
|  label6  = Age at Enlistment
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| dateofreturnto = 16 Nov 1919
data6  = 20 years, 3 months
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| shipreturned    = [[HMNZT Pakeha]]
 
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| shipreturnednote =
|  label7  = Description
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| dateofreturnfrom2 =
data7  = 5' 7" tall (1.70m); weight 154 lbs (69.9 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, and black hair
+
| dateofreturnto2 =  
 
+
| shipreturned2    =
| label8  = Occupation
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| shipreturnednote2 =
|   data8  = horse driver
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| fate1           = Wounded in Action 6 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde
 
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| fate2          = Returned to Australia
| label9  = Religion
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| fate3          =
data9  = Church of England
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| fate4          =
 
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| monument1   = [[Kelmscott War Memorial]]
|  label10  = Address
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| monumentnote1  = (West panel)
data10  = River road, Kelmscott
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| monument2   = [[Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board]]
 
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| monumentnote2  =
| label11 = Next of Kin
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| monument3   =
|   data11 = Father  Mr Frank W. Bickford
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| monumentnote3  =
 
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| monument4   =
| header12 = Military Information
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| monumentnote4  =
 
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| monumentawm    =
|  label13 = Reg Number
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| medal1   = [[British War Medal]]
data13 = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3080446 2535]
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| medal2          = [[Victory Medal]]
 
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| medal3          =
label14 = Date of Enlistment
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| medal4          =
|  data14 = 7 Jul 1916
 
 
 
| label15 = Rank
 
|  data15 = Driver
 
 
 
|  label16 = Unit/Formation
 
|   data16 = 44th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division
 
 
 
| label17 = Date of Embarkation
 
|   data17 = 9 Nov 1916 - 10 Jan 1917
 
 
 
|  label18 = Ship Embarked On
 
data18 = [[HMAT A8 Argyllshire]]
 
 
 
| label19 = Date of Return
 
|   data19 = 6 Oct 1919 - 16 Nov 1919
 
 
 
label20 = Ship Returned On
 
|   data20 = [[HMNZT Pakeha]]
 
 
 
label21 = Fate
 
|   data21 = Wounded in Action 6 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde<br />Returned to Australia
 
 
 
| label22 = Monument
 
data22 = [[Kelmscott War Memorial]] (West panel)<br />[[Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board]]
 
 
 
| label23 = Medals
 
data23 = [[British War Medal]]<br />[[Victory Medal]]
 
 
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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==War Service==
 
==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.
+
Entering camp, Robert was placed in the 78th Depot Company for a week before being allocated to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion on 1 Aug 1916.  On 4 Sep 1916 this changed when he was transferred to the 5th draft. 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 3 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.
+
On 4 Jun 1917 Robert proceeded to France via Folkestone, and joined the [[44th Battalion]] on 22 Jun 1917 at a time 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. The [[11th Field Ambulance]] treated him before passing him back to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. On 7 Oct 1917 he was admitted to the [[2nd Australian General Hospital]] at Wimereux, and on 11 Oct 1917 he embarked on [[HMHS St Andrew]] for England where he was admitted to the Northampton War Hospital. Recovering he was released to the [[1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital]] at Harefield on 31 Oct 1917. On 12 Nov 1917 he was posted to the No. 3 Command Depot at [[Hurdcott]] where he was assessed over the next two months.
 
    
 
    
He was evacuated 11 Oct 1917 to England on [[HMHS St Andrew]] for treatment at the Northampton War Hospital. 
+
On 16 Mar 1918 he was posted to the [[Overseas Training Brigade]] at [[Longbridge Deverill]] and on 17 Apr 1918 he again entered France from Folkestone. Rejoining the 44th Battalion, on 22 Jun 1918, he suffered a severely septic injury to his left hand on 22 Jun 1918. Treated in turn by the [[10th Field Ambulance]] and the 47th Casualty Clearing Station he was placed on [[Ambulance Train]] No. 61 for Rouen on 27 Jun 1918.  Robert was evacuated to England aboard [[HMHS Grantully Castle]] on 6 Jul 1918. In England he entered 1st Southern General Hospital at Edgbaston before being released to the [[1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital]] at Harefield on 12 Jul 1918. Three days later he was transferred to the No 3 Command Depot at [[Hurdcott]], then on 7 Sep 1918 to the No 1 Command Depot at [[Sutton Veny]], and on 1 Oct 1918 to the [[Overseas Training Brigade]] at [[Sutton Mandeville]].
 
 
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 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 27 May 1919 Robert was charged with having been AWOL from midnight on 27 May until 12:00 on 29 May 1919. Found Guilty, he was admonished and required to forfeit 2 days pay. On his return to Australia he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 31 Dec 1919.
 
 
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".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81819623 |title=W.A. Casualties |newspaper=[[The Daily News]] |volume=XXXVI, |issue=13,342 |location=Western Australia |date=22 November 1917 |accessdate=23 May 2017 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>
 
''355th Casualty List'' included "Bickford, Robert Frank, Kelmscott, severely".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81819623 |title=W.A. Casualties |newspaper=[[The Daily News]] |volume=XXXVI, |issue=13,342 |location=Western Australia |date=22 November 1917 |accessdate=23 May 2017 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>
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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.
 
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 as a Corporal in the 29th Garrison Battalion (Citizens Military Forces) during WW2 with Regimental No W243622.
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Served from 21 Jun 1940 until 31 Oct 1945 as a Corporal in the 29th Garrison Battalion (Citizens Military Forces) during WW2 with Regimental No W243622.
  
  
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[[Category:Born Australia]]
 
[[Category:Born Australia]]
 
[[Category:Born SA]]
 
[[Category:Born SA]]
[[Category:44th Battalion]]
 
 
[[Category:1917 WIA]]
 
[[Category:1917 WIA]]
 
[[Category:Returned to Australia]]
 
[[Category:Returned to Australia]]

Latest revision as of 13:57, 12 August 2021

Robert Frank Bickford
Bickford Robert Frank.jpg
Ancestry.com
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) tall ; 154 lbs
69.853 kg
; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; 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 Fremantle to Devonport
Date of Return 6 Oct 1919 ‒ 16 Nov 1919
Ship Returned On HMNZT Pakeha
Fate Wounded in Action 6 Oct 1917 at Broodseinde
Returned to Australia
Monument Kelmscott War Memorial (West panel)
Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

War Service

Entering camp, Robert was placed in the 78th Depot Company for a week before being allocated to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion on 1 Aug 1916. On 4 Sep 1916 this changed when he was transferred to the 5th draft. 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 3 Jun 1917.

On 4 Jun 1917 Robert proceeded to France via Folkestone, and joined the 44th Battalion on 22 Jun 1917 at a time 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. The 11th Field Ambulance treated him before passing him back to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. On 7 Oct 1917 he was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux, and on 11 Oct 1917 he embarked on HMHS St Andrew for England where he was admitted to the Northampton War Hospital. Recovering he was released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 31 Oct 1917. On 12 Nov 1917 he was posted to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott where he was assessed over the next two months.

On 16 Mar 1918 he was posted to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill and on 17 Apr 1918 he again entered France from Folkestone. Rejoining the 44th Battalion, on 22 Jun 1918, he suffered a severely septic injury to his left hand on 22 Jun 1918. Treated in turn by the 10th Field Ambulance and the 47th Casualty Clearing Station he was placed on Ambulance Train No. 61 for Rouen on 27 Jun 1918. Robert was evacuated to England aboard HMHS Grantully Castle on 6 Jul 1918. In England he entered 1st Southern General Hospital at Edgbaston before being released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 12 Jul 1918. Three days later he was transferred to the No 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, then on 7 Sep 1918 to the No 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, and on 1 Oct 1918 to the Overseas Training Brigade at Sutton Mandeville.

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 27 May 1919 Robert was charged with having been AWOL from midnight on 27 May until 12:00 on 29 May 1919. Found Guilty, he was admonished and required to forfeit 2 days pay. On his 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

On 5 Oct 1920 Robert married Florence Margaret Prior. They had one son and six daughters. 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 from 21 Jun 1940 until 31 Oct 1945 as a Corporal in the 29th Garrison Battalion (Citizens Military Forces) during WW2 with Regimental No W243622.


References

  1. "W.A. Casualties". The Daily News. XXXVI, (13,342). Western Australia. 22 November 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  2. "W.A. Casualties". The Daily News. XXXVII, (13,562). Western Australia. 13 August 1918. p. 1 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  3. "RETURNING SOLDIERS.". The West Australian. XXXV, (5,486). Western Australia. 7 November 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 23 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 

External Links