The AIF Project

Elbert Walter FREEMAN

Regimental number3528
Place of birthCanada
Other NamesElbert Walter
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationStockman
AddressLongreach, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation38
Height5' 4.25"
Weight151 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Narribri Freeman, Lexington, Layfette Co, Missouri, USA
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date24 January 1916
Place of enlistmentCharters Towers, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameTunnelling Company 4, Headquarters 1
AWM Embarkation Roll number16/10/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A69 Warilda on 22 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Company, Australian Army Service Corps
FateReturned to Australia 12 May 1919
Discharge date5 August 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 22 May 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 18 July 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 29 August 1916; marched out to 1st Anzac Entrenching Camp, 12 October 1916.

Attached to 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company, 26 October 1916.

Found guilty, 4 December 1916, of when on Active Service refusing to obey an order of a superior officer: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Taken on strength, 14th Company, Army Service Corps, 26 December 1916.

Promoted Driver, 26 December 1916.

Transferred to 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 27 January 1917.

Found guilty, 18 February 1917, of (1) Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he left unattended and unprotected a burning brazier in his billet; (2) Disorder to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that his bedding and kit were left in an intidy condition: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 3 days' pay.

Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 11 March 1917; discharged to unit, 29 March 1917. (no details recorded); rejoined unit, in the field, 31 March 1917.

Found guilty, 14 November 1917, of (1) Contravening Army Standing Orders in that he, at Railhead on 3 November 1917, did leave his horse unattended from 11.45 am to 12 noon (3 November 1917) (2) Absent without leave from 9 am to 12 noon, 4 November 1917; (3) Disobeying the lawful command of his superior officer, in that he, after being ordered to clear his harness, failed to do so, 4 November 1917: awarded 28 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Found guilty, 4 November 1918, of being absent without leave from 10 am, 2 November, to 9.30 am, 3 November 1918: awarded 10 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeiture of a total of 11 days' pay.

On leave to United Kingdom, 18 January 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 22 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Napier', 12 May 1919; disembarked Sydney, 4 July 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 5 August 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsFirst given name incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as Ernest.
SourcesNAA: B2455, FREEMAN Elbert Walter

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