Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHFA
1st LHFA, AIF
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance
Embarkation Roll, 23rd Reinforcement
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF, 23rd Reinforcement, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A7 Medic 12 December 1916, then transhipped at Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A44 Vestalia on 12 December 1916.
The HMAT A7 Medic weighed 12,032 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 26 October 1917. The Medic was well known by the Australian forces as it was a key troopship for Australia during the Boer War, some 14 years before the re-engagement.
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.
Finding more about a service person.
Embarkation Roll
16135 Private Norman Allan CHALLIS, a 20 year old Public Clerk from Marrickville, New South Wales. He enlisted on 21 March 1916; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 1 November 1917.
16136 Private Cecil Harwood JONES, a 26 year old Clerk from Manly, New South Wales. He enlisted on 20 March 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 January 1919.
16137 Private Stanley Beaumont KELLY, a 23 year old Carpenter from West Concord, New South Wales. He enlisted on 3 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 31 January 1919.
Previous: 22nd Reinforcement
Next: 24th Reinforcement
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:
1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF, Embarkation Roll, 23rd Reinforcement
