The AIF Project

Henry DE MELKER

Regimental number485
Place of birthCape Town, South Africa
Other NamesDE MELKER, John Henry Wiltch
SchoolState Schools, South and West Melbourne and Thorpdale, Victoria
Age on arrival in Australia3.11
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressTraralgon, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation32
Height5' 9"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs De Melker, Traralgon, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed in the Australian Light Horse, Trafalgar and Moe, Victoria.
Enlistment date26 August 1914
Place of enlistmentBroadmeadows, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Age at death from cemetery records34
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 18), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
169
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Margaret Murray (formerly DE MELKER), Shannagarry, Traralgon, Victoria, and the late Gerit Cornelious DE MELKER. Native of Cape of Good Hope, South Afric
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 5 April 1915.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 28 April 1915; promoted Corporal, 28 August 1915; appointed Temporary Sergeant, 26 November 1915; reverted to permanent rank of Corporal, 7 December 1915.

Appointed Temporary Sergeant, 8 December 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Promoted Sergeant, 23 February 1916.

Transferred to 60th Bn, and taken on strength, 24 February 1916.

Admitted to 15th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 March 1916 (dental cavies); transferred to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, 20 March 1916; discharged to unit, 26 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported Missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 3050205F: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills 10.10.19.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, DE MELKER Henry
Red Cross File No 3050205F

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