| Regimental number | 538 |
| Place of birth | Temora, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Boundary Villa, Temora, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 130 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, William James Cartwright, Boundary Villa, Temora, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served for 12 months in the Junior Cadets; discharged on leaving school. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Driver |
| Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 1, Brigade Ammunition Column |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/29/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A8 Argyllshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Field Artillery Brigade |
| Fate | Accidentally drowned |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Fate incorrectly recorded on Nominal Roll as 'Died of Disease'. |
| Place of burial | Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 11 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Commemorated (plaque) in St Stephen's Church, Temora, New South Wales. |
| Family/military connections | Brother-in-law: 582 Sergeant Randal WATTERSON, 30th Bn, killed in action, 20 July 1916. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 4 April 1915. Drowned from on board HT 'Soutland, 2 September 1915, while en route from alexandria to Mudros. Declared a deserter by Court of Enquiry, 21 September 1915. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Letter, Aida WHITTON, 'Leoma', Bailey Street, Gulgong, New South Wales, to Mr & Mrs CARTWRIGHT, 2 November 1915: 'I am writing on behalf of my brother [533 Driver Thomas Evan WHITTON, 1st Brigade Ammunition Column] who is at present in the fighting line at Gallipoli. He wrote yesterday asking me to send his deepest sympathy to you in your hour of trouble. He and your son chummed up in Sydney before sailing and have been together ever since, until death parted them. He writes: "I have lost one of my best and dearest pals, when I sailed from Gallipoli [sic: he means 'to Gallipoli'] my friend was on picket so he could not leave with me, he said he would follow on by the next boat, which the poor boy did, they were torpedoed 35 miles from Lemnos and my friend was put in a small boat, but not for long, they soon sank her, and the poor boy was drowned, another friend was in the water for 4 hours, but was saved, so I suppose my brother got the news from him." He feels the parting very much but asked me to say he died for his King & Country. I am sure you would not wish for a more glorious death for your dear boy. Be brave in your trouble. One comfort you know he is beyond all cares and trouble now. Now my dear friends I must conclude with heartfelt sympathy from all, our boys [sic] family. My brothers [sic] letter was dated 12/9/15 from Gallipoli.' Statement, Red Cross File No 0700903J, 592 Driver W. DEVERILL, 1st Brigade Ammunition Column, (patient, Luna Park Hospital, Heliopolis, Cairo), 23 November 1915; 'Informant said that Cartwright really belonged to the 1st Brigade Ammunition Column. He was drowned when the "Southland" was torpedoed. All the facts were known to his family.' Second statement, 530 Pte F. CATER, 1st Brigade Ammunition Column (patient, Sporting Club Hospital, Heliopolis, Cairo), 26 November 1915: 'Informant heard at Gallipoli that he was on the troopship "Southland" which was torpedoed off Lemnos about 2nd of Sept. He was a centre driver with informant.' |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, CARTWRIGHT Bernard Ray
Red Cross File No 0700903J |
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Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
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