Benjamin COMBO

Regimental number6977
Place of birthDalby, Queensland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationDriver
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height5' 6.25"
Weight150 lbs
Next of kinAunt, Mrs M Combo, Gibb Street, South Brisbane, Queensland
Enlistment date13 October 1916
Place of enlistmentAlbury, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name3rd Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/20/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 9 November 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Battalion
FateDied of disease 29 December 1916
Age at death26
Place of burialAt sea
Commemoration detailsHollybrook Memorial, Southampton, England
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
35
Other details

Originally enlisted at Bendigo, 16 December 1915. Attestation Paper notation ('Distinctive Marks'): 'Scars over shins and knees. Half-caste Aboriginal'. Enlistment cancelled, 4 January 1916.

Re-enlisted, Albury, 13 October 1916. In answer to the question, 'Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty's Service? If so, on what grounds?', he stated: 'Yes - Not being direct European descent.'

War service: died of pneumonia at sea en route from Dakar, West Africa, to England.

Medal: British War Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, COMBO Benjamin