Topic: AIF - 2B - 5 LHR
5th LHR, AIF
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment
Embarkation Roll, Vestalia Group
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Vestalia Group, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 19 December 1914.
The HMAT A44 Vestalia weighed 5,528 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Gow, Harrison & Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 March 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
383 Private Charles Alma BRENNAN, a 27 year old Blacksmith from Woollahra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 29 October 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
342 Driver Thomas CHARLES, a 23 year old Miner from Chinchilla, Queensland. He enlisted on 26 October 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
149 Driver Thomas CHRISTENSEN, a 19 year old Grocer from Brisbane, Queensland. He enlisted on 24 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
511 Driver William Joseph COOPER, a 26 year old Stockman from PO Trangie, New South Wales. He enlisted on 3 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 8 October 1918.
101 Driver Charles Henry CROSSMAN, a 19 year old Blacksmith from Mullumbimby, New South Wales. He enlisted on 21 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
605 Private Charles Stewart DUNCAN, a 21 year old Horse breaker from Freestone, Queensland. He enlisted on 9 November 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.
155 Driver Ernest Edwin ENSOR, a 22 year old Fireman from PO Roma, Queensland. He enlisted on 28 September 1914; and subsequently Died of Wounds, 20 April 1918.
55 Driver Charles GORMAN, a 28 year old Shearer from Wyalong, New South Wales. He enlisted on 21 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 28 December 1918.
79 Private Alfred Charles GRAHAM, a 26 year old Grocer from Noolah, Queensland. He enlisted on 25 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 24 June 1916.
40 Driver John HERRING, a 30 year old Labourer from Seaforth Ayr, Queensland. He enlisted on 17 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 31 October 1915.
534 Driver Richard JAMES, a 21 year old Cab owner from Toowoomba, Queensland. He enlisted on 4 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
525 Private Thomas JONES, a 36 year old Horse breaker from North Fitzroy, Victoria. He enlisted on 6 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
426 Private John Joseph KANE, a 30 year old Carpenter from Roma, Queensland. He enlisted on 31 October 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 7 January 1919.
58 Driver Christopher John KESSLER, a 28 year old Grazier from Wombo, Queensland. He enlisted on 19 September 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.
653 Acting Corporal Frederick Neebone KING, a 33 year old Timber cutter from Mullumbimby, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 November 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 28 June 1919.
593 Driver Joseph Francis KING, a 26 year old Labourer from Marrickville, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 November 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 16 January 1919.
402 Driver Charles Bute MASSY, a 23 year old Stockman from Mt View, Queensland. He enlisted on 29 October 1914; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 5 August 1916.
606 Private Robert Gregory OWEN-JONES, a 23 year old Dairyman from Redlands, New South Wales. He enlisted on 11 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.
207 Driver Herbert Frederick POOL, a 24 year old Stockman from Milora, Queensland. He enlisted on 14 October 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 26 December 1918.
85 Driver John Valentine RYAN, a 21 year old Labourer from Brisbane, Queensland. He enlisted on 19 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 24 August 1918.
487 Driver Robert Varney SIDNEY, a 23 year old Groom from Lismore, New South Wales. He enlisted on 4 November 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 15 January 1919.
92 Driver Alfred WATSON, a 19 year old Labourer from Pearces Creek, Queensland. He enlisted on 22 September 1914; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 4 July 1918.
644 Driver James Weston WELLS, a 23 year old Station Overseer from Brisbane, Queensland. He enlisted on 17 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 March 1918.
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Sources Used:
National Archives Service File.
Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.
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:
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Embarkation Roll, Vestalia Group
