Ephraim Shepherd
From Our Contribution
 The four Shepherd brothers. Ephraim front right ?? The Westralian Battalion, N Browning, page 209 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1885 |
| Place of Birth | Rusington, Sussex, England |
| Death | 11 Nov 1957 |
| Place of Death | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 31 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'5¾" (1.67m) tall ; 132lbs 59.874 kg ; dark complexion ; grey eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Lydia Annie Shepherd |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6147 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jul 1916 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Nov 1916 ‒ 10 Jan 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 12 Jul 1919 ‒ 16 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS City of Exeter |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry: 1916 River road, Kelmscott, labourer.
Ephraim's enlistment address was either an update of the electoral roll, or where his wife Lydia lived wile he was overseas.
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 18 Jul 1916 and a fortnight later he was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. A month later on 4 Sep 1916 he was moved up to the 17th reinforcement draft signifying good progress with his training. He travelled with this group to England, and on arrival was sent to the 7th Training Battalion to prepare for service on the Western Front.
Ephraim proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone on 25 Apr 1917, and on 2 May 1917 he was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion who were preparing for an attack the next day on the Hindenburg Line east of Bullecourt. It is unlikely that he was thrown into a fight so quickly as part of each Battalion was kept out of any battle to ensure that there was a nucleus to rebuild around should the worst happen.
On 23 Feb 1918 in Belgium, Ephraim was granted leave to the UK, returning to the battalion on 12 Mar 1918, and on 3 Apr 1919 he was promoted Temporary Corporal before again travelling to England on 26 May 1919 as his journey home to Australia began. He was to spend 5 - 6 weeks at Sutton Veny before boarding the ship home.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 24 Sep 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1954 at Yule street, Maddington, brickmaker. Lydia Annie with him until 1943
Notes