Edward (Ted) Harry Darby
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1 Oct 1892 |
| Place of Birth | Fitzroy, Victoria |
| Death | 29 Mar 1918 |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; 130 lbs 58.967 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Locomotive fireman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK 73 Tate street, West Leederville, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr L Darby |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1798 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Aug 1914 |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 8th Battery |
| Date of Embarkation | 27 Oct 1914 ‒ 13 Dec 1914 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic |
| Fate | DOW 29 Mar 1918 (gassed) |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Employed by the West Australian government Railways from 15 Apr 1910 until he joined the AIF. Began as a porter in Perth before moving to country stations from 9 Oct 1911 where he worked as a cleaner, before on 22 Dec 1912 being employed as a fireman.
Prior military experience was 2 years with the 14th Battery, Field Artillery.
War Service
An original member of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade's 8th Battery which was raised in Western Australia. On 27 Oct 1914 they boarded HMAT A7 Medic and they sailed at 1:00pm 30 Oct 1914 for Egypt where they undertook further training before on 8 Apr 1915 when they entrained at Mena for Alexandria, and there the next day they boarded HMAT A10 Karoo and sailed for an unknown destination. At 1:30am on 25 Apr 1915 they left Lemnos for Gallipoli and landed their guns at 7:00am the following morning.
Edward served on Gallipoli until he was sent to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on 8 Aug 1915 with chest trouble. Transferred the same day to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital before being released on 28 Sep 1915. Embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles in Alexandria for Gallipoli on 15 Nov 1915. Return journey to Egypt undertaken on 22 Dec 1915 aboard HMAT A38 Ulysses.
On 23 Mar 1916 he boarded ship in Alexandria for Marseilles in France, arriving on 29 Mar 1916. In France on 1 May 1916 he was seen by the 1st Field Ambulance and sent on to the 7th Casualty Clearing Station for treatment for Venereal Disease. From there he was transferred on 4 May 1915 to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot. At the 9th Stationary Hospital on 27 May 1916 he was charged with while on active service having (1) left a parade without permission, and (2) not complying with an order. Awarded 10 days confined to camp (No 9 Stationary Hospital). On 4 Jun 1916 he returned to duty with total VD ineffective time being 35 days.
Ted rejoined the 8th Battery on 26 Jun 1916, where on 7 Oct 1917 he was promoted Acting Bombardier. On 29 Mar 1918 he was affected by gas and classified as Wounded in Action, seen by the 1st Field Ambulance before being passed to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station the same day where he died from the effects of the gas.
"T/Bdr Darby E.H. of 8th Bty, A.F.A. was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station on 29.3.18 suffering from Gas poisoning (Shell) and Gun-shot wounds of feet, and died at 10.30am on same date. He was buried at the Military Cemetery Outtersteen. G.M. Goldsmith, Lieut Colonel RAMC
Notes
Connection with the district is unclear. However, both the handwritten list held by the SJ Library and the Jarrahdlae Honour Board list his name.