The AIF Project

Charles Gordon NALEY

Regimental number1310
Place of birthEucla, Western Australia
Other NamesNALEY, Gordon Charles
ReligionMethodist
OccupationLabourer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Height5' 5.375"
Weight134 lbs
Next of kinMrs McGill, Mundrabilla House, Eaglemont, Ingleburg [Heidelberg], Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date17 September 1914
Place of enlistmentMorphettville, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name16th Battalion, H Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/33/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll16th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 4 June 1919
Discharge date21 September 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Admitted to HS 'Soudan', Gallipoli, 2 June 1915 (enteric: dangerously ill); transferred to Valetta Hospital, Malta, 24 June 1915; classified 'Unfit for Active Service', 27 June 1915; transferred to England, 8 September 1915, and admitted to Military Hospital, Fulham, London, 15 September 1915.

Marched in to Command Depot, Perham Downs, from Montevideo Camp, Weymouth, 28 June 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 25 July 1916; rejoined 16th Bn, in the field, 19 August 1916.

Admitted 5th Australian Field Ambulance, 9 January 1917, and transferred to 39th Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 23, 12 January 1917, and admitted to 25th Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 13 January 1917 (mumps); transferred to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 24 January 1917; to Base Depot, Etaples, 8 February 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 17 February 1917.

Reported Missing in Action, 11 April 1917.

Subsequently reported Prisoner of War, captured Reincourt (wounded, left thigh); interned in Zerbet, Germany.

Repatriated; arrived Leith, Scotland, 6 January 1919.

Married Cecilia KARSH, spinster, aged 30, United Methodist Church, Fulham, 26 January 1919.

Granted leave, 11 February-27 March 1919.

Admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 24 March 1919 (not yet diagnosed); discharged on furlough, 29 March 1919, to report to Command Depot, Hurdcott, 2 April 1919.

By sworn declaration, 1 April 1919, assumed true name of Gordon Charles NALEY.

Marched in to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veney, 4 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Bremen', 4 June 1919; disembarked, 23 July 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), 21 September 1919.

War service: 5 years 5 days (of which 4 years 214 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsSurname entered incorrectly on Embarkation Roll as PALEY. Aboriginal mother. True age at enlistment: 30.
Date of death28 August 1928
Age at death43
Place of burialAIF Cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia
SourcesNAA: B2455, NALEY Charles Gordon
Red Cross File No 1980301

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