Robert BLENEY

Regimental number2789
Place of birthDonegal, Ireland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationRailway repairer
AddressForrest, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Height5' 10"
Weight157 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Sarah Bleney, Forrest PO, Forrest, Tasmania
Previous military serviceServed for 6 months, Naval Depot.
Enlistment date17 October 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll7 October 1916
Place of enlistmentStanley, Tasmania
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name40th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/57/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 6 December 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll40th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 20 October 1918
Discharge date25 September 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 6 December 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 17 February 1917; marched in to 14th Training Bn, 18 February 1917; marched in to Camp Details, Fovant, 7 March 1917; marched in to 10th Training Bn, Durrington Camp, 23 April 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 July 1917; marched in to 3rd Australian Division Base Depot, Havre, France, 24 July 1917; marched out to unit, 8 August 1917; taken on strength of 40th Bn, 10 August 1917.

Wounded in action, 5 October 1917; admitted to 14th General Hospital, Wimereux, 7 October 1917 (gun shot wound to scalp); transferred to England, 9 October 1917; admitted to Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, England, 10 October 1917; discharged from hospital and granted leave, 30 October 1917.

Marched in, from leave, to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 6 November 1917; marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 17 November 1917; proceeded overseas to France, 5 December 1917; marched in to 3rd Australian Division Base Depot, Rouelles, France, 6 December 1917; marched out to unit, 9 December 1917; rejoined 40th Bn in the field, 16 December 1917.

Wounded in action and admitted to 20th Casualty Clearing Station, 13 June 1918 (shrapnel wound to left arm); transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station, 14 June 1918; to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, 18 June 1918; to England, 30 June 1918; admitted to Northamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, England, 2 July 1918 (amputated left arm and fractured humorous); transferred to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 16 August 1918; discharged from hospital and granted leave, 20 August 1918.

Marched in, from leave, to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 5 September 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Borda', 20 October 1918; disembarked, Hobart, 18 December 1918; discharged, 25 September 1919 (medically unfit: amputated left arm).

Medals: British War Medal; Victory Medal

Medals stamp marked 'returned, 10 May 1923'.
SourcesNAA: B2455, BLENEY Robert