The AIF Project

Robert BASHFORD

Regimental number2269
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationRailway employee
AddressAdelaide, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation36
Height5' 7"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Mary H Bashford, 4 Wall Street, Norwood, South Australia
Enlistment date16 August 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll9 August 1915
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board RMS Mongolia on 9 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCompany Sergeant Major
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 8 May 1919
Discharge date4 August 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Adelaide on HMAT 'Anchises', 30 March 1916; rank reverts to Private from that of Acting Sergeant, 16 April 1916; promoted to rank of Temporary Corporal, 16 April 1916; appointed Acting Sergeant, 4 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria on HMT 'Franconia', 6 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 16 June 1916, and proceeded to 8th Training Bn, Larkhill; detached to School of Instruction, Chelsea, 16 July 1916; returned to unit from detachment, 29 July 1916.

Found guilty at Larkhill, 2 October 1916, of being absent without leave, 12.00 am, 27 September, to 10.15 pm, 28 September 1916: awarded fine of 1 days' pay.

Proceeded to France through Folkestone on SS 'Golden Eagle', 11 November 1916; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 12 November 1916; promoted to rank of Acting Sergeant, 13 November 1916; rank reverts to Private, 19 November 1916.

Admitted to 51st General Hospital, 19 November 1916 (gonorrhoea); discharged to 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 23 December 1916 (total period of treatment for venereal disease: 34 days); moved into the field, 28 December 1916; taken on strength of 32nd Bn, 29 December 1916; to be promoted to rank of Temporary Corporal, 20 January 1917; to be promoted to rank of Corporal, 28 January 1917; to be promoted to rank of Sergeant, 1 February 1917; to be promoted to rank of Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 2), 3 March 1917.

Taken ill in the field, 22 June 1917; admitted to 8th Australian Field Ambulance, 24 June 1917, and transferred to 56th Casualty Clearing Station (nasal polypus); to 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, 25 June 1917; discharged to duty, 15 July 1917; rejoined unit in the field, 16 July 1917; proceeded on special leave to England, 18 August 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 31 August 1917.

Found guilty by Field General Court Martial, 12 November 1917, of drunkenness: sentenced to have rank and precedence taken as if appointment to rank of Company Sergeant Major bore date, 3 September 1917; on command to Infantry course at Australian Corps School, 14 January 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 22 February 1918; to be temporary rank of Regimental Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 1); 20 April 1918; rank reverts to Company Sergeant Major, 22 June 1918.

Admitted to 8th Field Ambulance, 18 September 1918, and transferred to 12th Casualty Clearing Station (rhinitis); to 41st Stationary Hospital, Port Remy, 19 September 1918; transferred to 55th Casualty Clearing Station, 23 September 1918; discharged to duty, 29 September 1918; rejoined unit in the field, 4 October 1918; proceeded on leave to Paris, 5 October 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 14 October 1918; proceeded on leave to England, 5 December 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 2 January 1919; detached to Corps Workshops, Jeumont, 22 January 1919; rejoined unit from detachment, 13 February 1919; moved out from the field, 5 March 1919.

Admitted to Stationary Hospital, Abancourt, 9 March 1919; discharged to duty, 13 March 1919. Embarked Havre for England, 14 March 1919; disembarked Plymouth, 15 March 1919, and marched into No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny.

Commenced return to Australia on HMAT 'Devanha', 8 May 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 20 June 1919. Discharged Adelaide, 4 August 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BASHFORD Robert

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