Richard LADHAMS

Regimental number12299
Place of birthAdelaide, South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationTimber worker
AddressBridgetown, Western Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 11"
Weight130 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs V Ladhams, Bridgetown, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date28 September 1915
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 2, Reinforcement 14
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/30/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 January 1916
Rank from Nominal RollGunner
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Field Artillery Brigade
FateDischarged as a deserter. 21 July 1920
Discharge date21 July 1920
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 28 January 1916.

Mustered as Driver, Egypt, 11 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 23 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 March 1916.

Taken on strength, 21st Field Artillery Brigade, in the field, 15 May 1916.

Found guilty, 6 October 1916, of hesitating to obey an order: awarded 10 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Admitted to 21st Casualty Clearing Station, 31 October 1916 (varicolcele); discharged to duty, 3 November 1916; rejoined unit same day.

Admitted to 5th Field Ambulance, 23 November 1916; transferred to 6th General Hospital, 25 November 1916 (influenza); to No 3 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 25 November 1916; to Base Details, Harfleur, 7 December 1916.

Admitted to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, 17 December 1916 (varicocele); transferred to England, 20 December 1916, and admitted to Broadstairs VAD Hospital, Shorncliffe; transferred to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 29 January 1917; discharged on furlough, 13 February 1917, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Wareham, 28 February 1917.

Marched out to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery, Larkhill, 14 May 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 19 June 1917; taken on strength, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 27 June 1917, and posted to 5th Battery.

Found guilty, 25 November 1917, of when on Active service (1) disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer; (2) failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his CO: awarded 15 days' Field Punishment No 2.

On leave to England, 6 March 1918.

Reported absent without leave, 22 March 1918.

Declared an illegal absentee, 26 June 1918.

Base Records, Melbourne, sent a memorandum, dated 5 September 1919, to AIF Headquarters, London: 'The appended copy of a memorandum, dated 28-8-1919, from the District Paymaster, 5th Military District, is forwarded for favour of this office being informed as to whether the above mentioned soldier was discharged in England ... "The following letter has been received from his wife, Mrs Violet Ladhams, of Perberton, W.A.:- 'In reply to your letter of inquiry regarding my husband No. 12299 Gnr. R. Ladhams. I was surprised to receive your enquiries and do not know why they are being made, as I received word from my husband in England saying he had received his discharge on condition that he would go to sea as a fireman, which he did, and has been doing this work ever since. After receiving his first wages he cabled money to me. I informed the Hon. Secretary, Patriotic Fund of this information and thought this [was] all that would be necessary.'"

Discharged from the AIF, 21 July 1920, on account of being an illegal absentee.

Medals: forfeited eligibility.
Miscellaneous detailsSurname incorrectly entered on Embarkation Roll as LADLAMS.
SourcesNAA: B2455, LADHAMS Richard