Topic: AIF - DMC - GSR
GSR, AIF
General Service Reinforcements
2nd GSR, South Australia
The General Service Reinforcements, 2nd GSR, South 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
52894 Private Wyn Frederick BANKS, a 21 year old School Teacher from Mt Gambier, South Australia. He enlisted on 1 December 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 29 April 1919.
52907 Private Francis Bain BARRITT, a 27 year old Sheep farmer from Smithfield, South Australia. He enlisted on 6 February 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 4 March 1919.
52895 Private Frank Edwin BISHOP, a 32 year old Labourer from Lyndoch, South Australia. He enlisted on 18 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
52910 Private David Humphrey CHEETHAM, a 27 year old Share Farmer from Kent Town, South Australia. He enlisted on 7 March 1916. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
52897 Private Henry Charles CLARK, a 39 year old Mill Hand from Hamilton, South Australia. He enlisted on 19 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
52896 Sapper Rupert Charles CLARKE, a 20 year old Fitter and Turner from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 12 November 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the "D" Field Troop & Bridge Train; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 28 January 1919.
52892 Private David Eric EDWARDS, a 20 year old Bank clerk from Victoria Park, South Australia. He enlisted on 12 December 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 15 May 1919.
52899 Sapper David Edward GARRETT, a 23 year old Farmer from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 28 November 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 1st Light Horse Field Squadron Engineers; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 3 July 1919.
52900 Driver Walter Samuel GARRETT, a 21 year old Factory Manager from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 28 November 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 1st Light Horse Field Squadron Engineers; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 3 July 1919.
52898 Private Stanley Gordon HEFFRON, a 19 year old Cycle Mechanic from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 30 October 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
52901 Private Harvey William KELLY, a 25 year old Sheep farmer from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 25 December 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 22 November 1919.
52893 Private Reginald Channon LEWIS, a 19 year old Bank clerk from Queenstown, South Australia. He enlisted on 12 December 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 16 May 1919.
52908 Private Maurice Kingsley MAY, a 21 year old Clerk from Gawler West, South Australia. He enlisted on 19 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 9th Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 10 July 1919.
55875 Private Clarence James PITT, a 20 year old Fruit grower from Payneham, South Australia. He enlisted on 28 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 14th Training Battalion; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain 15 December 1919.
52902 Private Alfred Garfield PRITCHARD, a 19 year old Electrical fitter from Ballville, South Australia. He enlisted on 26 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the "D" Field Troop & Bridge Train; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 26 January 1919.
52891 Acting Sergeant George William Melrose REECE, a 33 year old Farmer from Unley, South Australia. He enlisted on 25 February 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 2 August 1919.
52903 Private Theodore Edwin SCOTT, a 23 year old Boot maker from Hilltown via Clare, South Australia. He enlisted on 12 September 1917. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the "D" Field Troop & Bridge Train; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 3 July 1919.
52904 Private Robert Cecil McLennan SMYTH, a 20 year old Boundary rider from Salters Springs via Hamley Bridge, South Australia. He enlisted on 8 December 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 10 July 1919.
52905 Private Ronald Campbell THOMSON, a 28 year old Farmer from Smithfield, South Australia. He enlisted on 5 December 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 1 November 1919.
52906 Private Philip WINDLE, a 29 year old Engineer from Adelaide, South Australia. He enlisted on 26 January 1918. After embarkation and arrival in Egypt where he underwent additional training, he was allotted to the 1st Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia 15 May 1919.
Previous: 2nd GSR, Queensland
Next: 2nd GSR, Tasmania
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, 2nd GSR, South Australia
