The AIF Project

Russian Consul-General, Melbourne, wrote, 20 June 1917: 'The bearer, Sven Eugen Carlsson, a Russian (Finn), reservist of the Russian army, has to join the Australian Imperial Force owing to his inability to return to Russia.'

War service: Western Front

Embarked from Melbourne, 4 August 1917; disembarked Glasgow, Scotland, 2 October 1917. Admitted to 3rd Scottish General Hospital, Glasgow, 2 October 1917 (ear trouble); discharged, 24 October 1917; marched in to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, 25 October 1917. Marched in to 2nd Training Bn, Sutton Veney, 30 October 1917. Found guilty, 1 February 1918, of being absent without leave from midnight, 29 January, to 10.30 pm, 31 January 1918: awarded 6 days' Field Punishment No. 2; forfeited 8 days' pay. Proceeded overseas to France, 5 February 1918; taken on strength, 7th Bn, 10 February 1918.

Wounded in action, 14 April 1918 (shrapnel wound, scalp), and admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance; transferred to 15th Casualty Clearing Station, 15 April 1918 (wound: severe); to 24th General Hospital, Etaples, 16 April 1918; to England, 22 April 1918, and admitted to Lewisham Military Hospital, 22 April 1918 (wound: slight). Found guilty, 1 June 1918, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline (insolence to an NCO): admonished by Major W.W. Abbott. Discharged to furlough, 6 June 1918; to report to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 20 June 1918. Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, 5 July 1918. Found guilty, 26 July 1918, of overstaying leave from midnight, 25 July, till apprehended by Military Police at Westbury, 8.45 pm, 29 July 1918: awarded 6 days' Field Punishment No. 2; forfeited 10 days' pay. Proceeded overseas to France, 3 August 1918; rejoined Bn, 11 August 1918.

Wounded in action (second occasion), 25 August 1918 (mustard gas), and admitted to 41st Casualty Clearing Station; transferred by Ambulance Train to 2nd General Hospital, Havre, 27 August 1918; to No. 1 Australian Convalescent Depot,30 August 1918; discharged to Base Depot, 14 September 1918; rejoined unit, 25 September 1918.

Admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 8 October 1918 (meningeal adhesions); to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, 16 October 1918; discharged to duty, 28 October 1918. Readmitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 29 October 1918 (meningeal adhesions); transferred same day to Brigade Rest Station; discharged to duty, 5 November 1918; rejoined unit, 5 November 1918.

Admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 4 January 1919 (influenza); discharged to duty, 8 January 1919. On leave to England, 18 February-4 March 1919.

Marched out to England from France for return to Australia, 15 May 1919. Admitted to 1s General Hospital, Sutton Veny, 13 June 1919 (septic feet).

Discharged from the AIF in London (demobilised), 30 July 1919. Total war service: 2 years 22 days (of which 1 year 361 days was abroad).