Topic: AIF - 4B - 12 LHR
12th LHR, AIF
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment
Embarkation Roll, "A" Squadron Vestalia Group
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, "A" Squadron Vestalia Group, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 22 June 1915.
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
71 Driver Leslie John ACKROYD, a 23 year old Station hand from Cootamundra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 25 January 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 27 July 1917.
85 Private Henry George BLANCH, a 24 year old Labourer from Nelson's Bay Port Stephens, New South Wales. He enlisted on 12 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 23 July 1919.
95 Private Robert BORTHISTLE, a 21 year old Drover from Gunnedah, New South Wales. He enlisted on 23 April 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
88 Driver Thomas Murray BOYD, a 23 year old Labourer from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 January 1915; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 30 September 1917.
75 Driver William Sydney BRASH, a 24 year old Labourer from Geelong, Victoria. He enlisted on 2 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 January 1919.
87 Private Arthur BRYCE, a 21 year old Baker from Lismore, New South Wales. He enlisted on 6 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 11 January 1919.
107 Private Joseph CAMERON, a 21 year old Boundary rider from Cessnock, New South Wales. He enlisted on 12 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
64 Private Rayworth Allan Claude CAMERON, a 22 year old Carpenter from Lorica via Balranald, New South Wales. He enlisted on 11 May 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 3 July 1919.
Major Philip Arthur CHAMBERS, a 38 year old Grazier from Mosman, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 April 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 17 July 1919.
109 Private Clifton Bert COLLESS, a 21 year old Horse breaker from North Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
126 Private David Percy EASON, a 26 year old Labourer from Enfield, New South Wales. He enlisted on 8 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
134 Private John Henry FIELDING, a 19 year old Station hand from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 12 January 1915; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.
130 Private Thomas Augustine FOLEY, a 19 year old Farmer from Gleniffer Bellinger River, New South Wales. He enlisted on 16 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
61 Corporal Walter Cyril GODFREY, a 19 year old Butter maker from Candelo, New South Wales. He enlisted on 8 December 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 13 February 1917.
150 Private Melvyn James Sawtell HARRIGAN, a 31 year old Grazier from Tenterfield, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 3 January 1919.
146 Driver Howard Reginald HAYES, a 23 year old Station hand from Guildford, New South Wales. He enlisted on 1 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
314 Private William HOLLAND, a 22 year old Station hand from Orange, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 December 1914; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 29 September 1915.
147 Private Alexander Sylvester HOUGH, a 21 year old Stockman from Tea Gardens via Port Stephens, New South Wales. He enlisted on 12 January 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 December 1918.
154 Private Andrew Basil HUNTER, a 25 year old Labourer from Katoomba, New South Wales. He enlisted on 9 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.
160 Private Wilfred Raymond KNIGHT, an 18 year old Farmhand from Tallong, New South Wales. He enlisted on 13 November 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 21 March 1919.
162 Private John Robert LANGLANDS, a 24 year old Groom from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 22 December 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 13 March 1919.
170 Private James Edward Bruce McCOLL, a 19 year old Bookkeeper from Bingara, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 1 August 1919.
171 Private Norman Sutherland McCOLL, a 21 year old Station overseer from Bingara, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 January 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 June 1919.
174 Private Arthur McILROY, a 21 year old Colonial man from Mosman, New South Wales. He enlisted on 24 March 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 1 March 1918.
172 Private Alexander Hugh McLELLAN, a 20 year old Newsagent from Roseville, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 February 1915; and subsequently Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.
53 Sergeant William Henry MURPHY, a 41 year old Policeman from Yass, New South Wales. He enlisted on 26 November 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 July 1916.
180 Private Maurice James PENSON, an 18 year old Labourer from Tenterfield, New South Wales. He enlisted on 23 January 1915; and subsequently Died of Wounds, 18 November 1917.
184 Private Arthur Lester Reeves RIDLEY, a 21 year old Farmer from Condobolin, New South Wales. He enlisted on 20 January 1915; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 9 April 1917.
191 Private Robert Thomas SIMPSON, a 26 year old Stockman from Ashfield, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 16 January 1919.
186 Private Frederick Raymond SWEENEY, a 20 year old Farmer from Bimbi via Young, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
199 Private Mervyn Cyrnos WOODD, a 26 year old Drover from Candelo, New South Wales. He enlisted on 9 February 1915; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.
196 Private William Alfred Scott WRIGHT, a 20 year old Labourer from Cootamundra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 20 February 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 21 March 1919.
Previous: "A" Squadron Suevic Group
Next: "B" Squadron Suevic Group
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:
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Embarkation Roll, "A" Squadron Vestalia Group
