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Ernest Wells

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Ernest Wells
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Personal Information
Date of Birth not known 1890
Place of Birth Winton, Victoria
Death 4 Nov 1961
Place of Death East Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 24 years, 11 months
Description 5'4" (1.63m) tall ; 122 lbs
55.338 kg
; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair
Occupation Sleeper cutter
Religion Presbyterian
Address Wilga, Donnybrook, Western Australia
Next of Kin Wife , Mrs Charlotte Augusta Wells
Military Information
Reg Number 3656
Date of Enlistment 27 Sep 1915
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 28th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement /7th Brigade, 2nd Division
Date of Embarkation 17 Jan 1916 ‒ 9 Feb 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A30 Borda
Date of Return 3 Jul 1917 ‒ 18 Aug 1917
Ship Returned On HMAT A63 Karoola in Hospital Ship configuration
Fate Returned to Australia
Monument Jarrahdale War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal




Pre War

During 1914 in the Wellington district, Ernest had married Charlotte Augusta Coutts. They had 2 children at the time of Ernest's enlistment.

War Service

Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 27 Sep 1915 and wasn't allocated to a unit until 1 Nov 1915 when he was placed in the 8th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, travelling with it to Egypt. Soon after his arrival in Egypt he embarked on SS Oriana in Alexandria on 21 Mar 1916, before disembarking in Marseilles, France on 27 Mar 1916.

On 23 Apr 1916 Ernie was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion who at that time were holding the front line in front of Armentieres. Ernest remained with them until he was taken to hospital with an injury to his head on 28 Jun 1916. Treated by the 73rd Field Ambulance he was able to return to duty on 3 Jul 1916. Ernie was wounded in action on 29 Jul 1916 with the 28th Battalion holding the line near Messines. His injuries would suggest shrapnel from an artillery shell, as the wound to his thigh had broken the bones. Treated by 4th Field Ambulance, and passed through the 44th Casualty Clearing Station, he was evacuated to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux on 2 Aug 1916 before being embarked on HMHS St David in Boulogne on 4 Aug 1916 for England.

His records are silent for the period from arrival in England where he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital until he was transferred to the [[1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital] in Harefield on 31 May 1917 where the decision was taken to send him home for "change". However a medical report in his file which notes that an attempt to plate the broken 1/3 of his femur was not effective, having come loose and showing signs of displacement backwards. Ernest was discharged by the 5th Military District on 18 Feb 1918.

Post War

Following his discharge Ernest received a pension of 60/- fortnightly, wife Charlotte 30/- fortnightly; daughter Alice 20/- fortnightly; and son Ernest George 15/- fortnightly from 19 Feb 1918.

Charlotte died 21 Feb 1945 aged 53 in East Perth.

Notes

Closest match for "Yank" Wells


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