Topic: AIF - DMC - GSR
GSR, AIF
General Service Reinforcements
1st GSR, Western Australia
The General Service Reinforcements, 1st GSR, Western Australia, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board the HMAT A18 Wiltshire 10 June 1918.
The HMAT A18 Wiltshire weighed 10,390 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917.
The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:
Rank on embarkation;
Full name of the soldier
Declared age of the soldier;
The last occupation held;
The last address as a civilian;
Enlistment Date; and,
Fate.
Embarkation Roll
50536 Private Oliver Martin BENDER, a 43 year old Pastoralist from Meekatharra, Western Australia. He enlisted on 18 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
52050 Private George Michael FARRELL, a 19 year old Labourer from Katanning, Western Australia. He enlisted on 4 March 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the Australian Army Supply Corps, 2nd Infantry Division Train; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 18 December 19119.
52143 Private William Harold FAULL, a 20 year old Miner from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. He enlisted on 30 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 5th Training Battalion, Britain; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 3 March 1919.
50545 Private Reginald D'Oyly FORBES, a 19 year old Law Clerk from Perth, Western Australia. He enlisted on 13 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the "D" Field Troop & Bridging Train; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 26 January 1919.
50537 Private Harold Ernest GIBSON, a 21 year old Farmhand from South Bunbury, Western Australia. He enlisted on 23 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
50540 Private Edward Hamilton GREGSON, an 18 year old Laboratory Assistant from Fremantle, Western Australia. He enlisted on 6 May 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the Australian Army Medical Corps Details; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 19 January 1919.
50538 Private Ivan Robert GRIFFITHS, a 19 year old Farmhand from Wagin, Western Australia. He enlisted on 21 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
50539 Private Ernest Alfred JOHNSON, an 18 year old Horse Driver from Geraldton, Western Australia. He enlisted on 23 July 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 5 March 1919.
50541 Private Thomas Edwin MANTON, an 18 year old Labourer from Albany, Western Australia. He enlisted on 16 March 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 20 September 1919.
50542 Private George Joseph MARKEY, an 18 year old Orchardist from Bridgetown, Western Australia. He enlisted on 23 October 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
50543 Private Alfred PERRY, a 30 year old Stockman from Perth, Western Australia. He enlisted on 13 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 10th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
50546 Private Sydney Leopold THORNTON, a 25 year old Farmer from Wagin, Western Australia. He enlisted on 7 September 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 17 July 1919.
Previous: 1st GSR, Tasmania
Next: 2nd GSR, New South Wales
Sources Used:
National Archives Service File.
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.Collected Records of Steve Becker.
Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.
Further Reading:
General Service Reinforcements, AIF
General Service Reinforcements, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: General Service Reinforcements, 1st GSR, Western Australia
