Richard Clement Foster LEAR

Regimental number6530
Place of birthBalaklava, South Australia
ReligionMethodist
OccupationFarm labourer
AddressTumby Bay, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 6.5"
Weight152 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs M J Lear, Yalunda Flat, Tumby Bay, South Australia
Previous military serviceMember, Rifle Club, for 3 years; still a member at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date20 June 1916
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name10th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/27/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Port Melbourne on 21 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 12 March 1918
Discharge date6 August 1918
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 21 October 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 28 December 1916.

Admitted to Fargo Hospital, 22 February 1917 (pyrexia, unknown origin); discharged to 3rd Training Bn, Durrington, 2 March 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 28 March 1917; rejoined 10th Bn, in the field, 1 April 1917.

Wounded in action, Belgium, 20-21 September 1917 (gun shot wound, right foot), and admitted to 6th Field Ambulance, and transferred to 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station; to 9th General Hospital, Rouen, 22 September 1917; to England, 29 September 1917, and admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham (wound: severe); transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 24 October 1917; to No 2 command Depot, Weymouth, 29 October 1917.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Kenilworth Castle), 12 March 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 22 May 1918, for onward travel to Adelaide; discharged (medically unfit: gun shot wound, right foot), 6 June 1918.

War service: 1 year 352 days (of which 1 year 212 days was abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, LEAR Richard Clement Foster