| Regimental number | 2641 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Occupation | Baker |
| Address | Marden Road, Payneham, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 19.5 |
| Height | 5' 4.5" |
| Weight | 135 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mina Fidge, Marden Road, Payneham, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served in the 79th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 10th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal (Awarded) Great courage and engurance as runner. Polygon Wood 19-20 September 1917. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'Pte. FIDGE showed great courage and endurance as a runner during the operations at POLYGON WOOD, east of YPRES, on 19/22nd September, 1917. When the enemy's barrage had broken all communications Pte. FIDGE carried messages through heavy shell fire to the front line and got several important messages through to the leading Companies. By his courage and resource he was able to bring back useful information, and captured and brought back single-handed, three prisoners.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Wounded in action, 23 March 1916 (shell shock). Wounded in action (second occasion), 28 June 1918 (gun shot wound, left thigh). Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ceramic', 25 January 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 6 May 1919. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, FIDGE Ernest Oliver |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
