The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to and proceeded to 54th Bn from 1st Training Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 19/20 July 1916.

Note, Red Cross File No 2510506: 'No trace Germany[.] cert. by Capt. Mills. 10-10-19.'

Statement, 3482 Pte C. CAMPBELL, A Company, 54th Bn, 6 July 1917: 'He was killed on 19th of July 1916 in a German trench. He was killed by a nose cap of a shell and was left there without burial.'

Second statement, 4150 Pte L.M. BOYNTON, 54th Bn, 1 August 1917: 'Pte. J.E. Smith 4311 who was in Norwich Hospital Thorpe last April can give all available information as to how he was killed, but his body was left in [the] German 2nd line. We three were in this action together and were friends.'

Third statement, 4311 Pte J.E. SMITH, 54th Bn, 12 August 1917: 'I can help you in saying that I saw Pte Singleton killed, and as he was a mate of mine since leaving Australia there is no doubt about a mistake. I was only a few yards away at the time. I cannot say if he was buried, it was by the Germans. The time of his death was the morning of the 20th July 1916 at Fromelles (killed instantaneously).'

Fourth statement, 4156A Lance Corporal H.J. BALCOMB, 54th Bn (repatriated prisoner of war): 'He was shot dead on the morning of the 20th July 1916, shot by sniper. He fell back dead in an advanced position, land left in German hands.'

Fifth statement, 4192 Pte R.J. EYLES, 54th Bn (repatriated prisoner of war), 17 January 1919: 'We were in German second line at Fromelles. He was three or four yards from me and fell shot through the head - some sort of bullet. We examined him and covered him up. He had every appearance of being dead, and certainly was absolutely unconscious. He never moved or spoke. He was still lying there when we were captured.'

Sixth statement, 4198 Pte R.W. FAIRWEATHER, A Company, 54th Bn (repatriated prisoner of war): 'Of A. Company, on the night of the 19/20th July 1916 at fleurbaix was killed outright; hit by bullet in head. This was about midnight, and we were then between the enemy's 1st and 2nd Lines. I was two men away from his and saw it happen. We were taken Prisoners of War about 11 o'clock next morning.'