The AIF Project

Robert James AIREY

Regimental number2775
Place of birthLaunceston, Tasmania
OccupationBlacksmith
AddressLaunceston, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 4"
Weight133 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Sarah Airey, 39 Wellington Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Previous military servicePreviously served in the AIF: 'discharged with ignominy'. Previously rejected for enlistment on account of eyesight.
Enlistment date17 October 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll3 October 1916
Place of enlistmentHobart, Tasmania
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name40th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/57/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 6 December 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll40th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 27 May 1919
Discharge date15 September 1919
Family/military connectionsBrother: 3609 Pte Tasman Thomas AIREY, 40th Bn, returned to Australia, 8 September 1919.
Other details

First enlisted 27 August 1915; stated on Attestation Form that he had 'evaded service, registered at Launceston'.

Found guilty by Court Martial, 28 January 1916, of stealing goods (jacket and breeches) the property of a comrade, 27 August 1915, and giving a wilfully false answer to a question: awarded 6 months' imprisonment with hard labour and discharged with ignominy from the AIF.

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 6 December 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 17 February 1917, and marched into 14th Training Bn.

Marched into Overseas Training Bn, Durrington Camp, 23 April 1917.

Found guilty, Durrington, 25 April 1917, of (1) using improper language to his superior Officer; (2) neglecting to obey an order given by his superior Officer: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Found guilty, Durrington, 1 May 1917, of breaking out ofcamp whilst undergoing Field Punishment No 2: awarded 21 days' detention.

Found guilty, Durrington Camp, 25 July 1917, of being absent without leave from 9 am to 10.30 am, 25 July 1917: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Proceeded overseas to France, 6 August 1917; taken on strength, 40th Bn, in the field, 22 August 1917.

Wounded in action, 5 October 1917 (gun shot wound, back), and admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance; transferred to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 7 October 1917; to England, 11 October 1917, and admitted to County of London War Hospital, Horton, 12 October 1917. Transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 5 November 1917 (shell wound, back); discharged on furlough, 7 November 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 21 November 1917.

Marched into Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, from Sutton Veny, 24 December 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 10 January 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 15 January 1918.

Found guilty, 26 January 1918, of being absent without leave, 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm, 26 January 1918: admonished.

Found guilty, 14 April 1918, of failing to appear on parade as ordered by CO: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Admitted to 10th Australian Field Ambulance, 8 June 1918 (influenza), and transferred same day to 5th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 14, 14 June 1918, and admitted to No 1 General Hospital, Etretat, 15 June 1918; discharged to Australian Convalescent Depot, Havre, 5 July 1918.

Found guilty, 22 July 1918, of when on Active Service, of (1) drunkenness, 19 July 1918; (2) being absent from 9.30 am to 9.50 pm, 19 July 1918: awarded forfeiture of 14 days' pay.

Discharged to Base Depot, 22 July 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 31 July 1918.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 14 October 1918.

On leave to England, 12 January 1919; rejoined Bn, in the field, 29 January 1919.

Marched out for return to Australia, 9 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Rio Pardo', 27 May 1919; disembarked Hobart, 21 July 1919; discharged, 15 September 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, AIREY Robert James

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