Robert Rueben Rodgers
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1874 |
| Place of Birth | Dalry, Ayreshire, Scotland |
| Death | 7 Jul 1921, aged 54 |
| Place of Death | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 43 years, 2 months |
| Description |
5'8" (1.m) tall ; 158 lbs 71.668 kg ; ruddy complexion ; blue eyes ; turning grey hair |
| Occupation | Distiller |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Lizzie Agnes Rodgers |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7819 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Apr 1917 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 26th Reinforcement / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jun 1917 ‒ 25 Aug 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A30 Borda |
| Date of Return | 28 Mar 1919 ‒ 8 May 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Karoa |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Previous service with 2nd Victorian Regiment for 7 years, 5months - Company Sergeant Major, and Victorian Rangers for 2 years 9 months including 1 year 6 monhs as instructional staff.
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 1916 Jarrahdale, orchardist, with Lizzie Agnes. Elizabeth died 18 Nov 1957 in Mt Lawley aged 85.
War Service
Prior to enlisting with the AIF, Robert was an Acting Staff Sergeant on Instructional Staff. He therefore entered Blackboy Hill camp as a permanent Sergeant, and on 8 May 1917 was allocated to the 26th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. On arrival in England Robert was posted to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington, and on 18 Oct 1917 proceeded overseas to France through Southampton. On 26 Oct 1917 he was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion, which was at that time in bivouac at Ypres, engaged in specialist training and working parties, preparing to move back into forward positions.
Seen by Field Ambulance staff while in Belgium on 20 Mar 1918, he was sent to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station on 28 Mar 1918 before being admitted to the 83rd General Hospital in Boulogne on 3 Apr 1918 with trench fever. He was evacuated to England on HMHS Cambria on 21 Apr 1918 where he entered Graylingwell War Hospital Chichester on 22 Apr 1918, before being released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 29 Apr 1918. Recovered, Robert returned to duty on 9 May 1918, before being transferred on 31 May 1918 to the cadre staff at No. 2 Command Depot, and placed on the Supernummary List.
Robert returned to Australia was on basis of debility following Trench Fever leaving him unfit for further service. On arrival in Fremantle Robert spent 2 days, 8 - 10 May 1919 in 8th Australian General Hospital before being released for discharge on 9 Jun 1919.
Post War
Died from an accident at Jarrahdale on 7 Jul 1921.
FATALITY AT TIMBER MILL. WORKMAN'S 40-FOOT FALL. A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. Perth. Julv 7.
News of a shocking accident in which a man named Robert Rodgers was fatally injured are reported from Jarrahdale. Rodgers was engaged yesterday in working on a pile-driver at the new mill, which is being erected. He was up at the top of the pile-driver, about 40 feet from the ground, fixing a monkey in position. The eve of the bolt attached to the pile-driver broke, causing the monkey, which weighed about two tons, to fall to the ground. The rope connected to it became taut with strain and broke the staging away on which Rodgers was standing, letting him fall to the ground, about 40 feet, where he received injuries to his head by coming into contact with some timber. He died this morning without regaining consciousness.[1]
Notes
- ↑ Geraldton Guardian Thursday 7 Jul 1921, page 3