The AIF Project

Charles Selwyn SOWTER

Regimental number3989
Place of birthAdelaide, South Australia
Other NamesCharles Selwin
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationPainter
Address21 Gordon Street, Brighton, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation30
Height5' 7"
Weight136 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs A. Sowter, Ferry Street, West Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date20 September 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT Mooltan on 11 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll45th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 5 April 1919
Discharge date12 July 1919
Family/military connectionsBrothers: 2897 Pte Frank SOWTER, 32nd Bn, returned to Australia, 24 January 1919; 2986 Pte Clement Cornelius Selwyn SOWTER, 32nd Bn, died of wounds, 30 October 1918;
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 1st Bn, Tel el Kebir, 14 February 1916. Admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 3 April 1916 (dental treatment); discharged, 6 April 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 8 March 1916.

Admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 3 April 1917 (gonorrhoea), and transferred to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station; transferred by Ambulance Train No. 3 to 57th General Hospital, Etaples, 13 April 1917; to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 18 April 1917; to 4th Australian Division Base Depot, 18 April 1917; rejoined unit, 25 April 1917. Total period of treatment for venereal disease: 16 days. (Soldier disputed this entry; DMS, AIF, recommended no remission of forfeiture: Base Records, London, to Base Records, Melbourne, 16 April 1919.)

Detached for duty with 12th Brigade, 6 February 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 21 August 1918; rejoined 45th Bn, 9 September 1918.

Marched out for return to Australia, 21 January 1919; commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Armagh', 5 April 1919; disembarked Sydney, 20 May 1919; discharged, 12 July 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death21 November 1966
Age at death83
Place of burialNowra Cemetery, New South Wales

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