War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to and proceeded to 54th Bn from 1st Training Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 20 July 1916.

Now, 28 July 1916, reported 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'.

Note, Red Cross File No 2610209: 'No trace Germany[.] Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.'

Statement, 3291 Pte G.N. ELSEY, 54th Bn (patient, No 10 General Hospital, Rouen), 18 January 1917: 'He was in D Co. At Fromelles he was wounded by a poisoned bullet. He was sent to England where he died. Men who have returned from leave reported this to the Batt.'

Second statement, 755 Pte J.B. FORD, 54th Bn, 24 January 1917: 'He was hit by a shrapnel out in the open at Fromelles and poisoning set in in his wound and he died in hospital.'

Third statement, 3517 Lance Corporal R.C. DAVIE, D Company, 54th Bn, 19 May 1917: 'I knew Starr well ... His initial was J. and he gave me his address as 23 Lyne St., Alexandria, Sydney, half an hour before we went over the top at Fleurbaix. He was slightly wounded in the thigh I think, as we went from the reserve to the front line trench. Starr's pal, Shute, had his finger blown off. Shute therefore went back to the Dressing Station, but Starr carried on, and I saw him in the front line trench. but not after the attack. I met Shute at Weymouth some months afterwards. He was about to return to France, and as he knew I was returning to Australia, he gave me an old Disc belonging to Starr, which had been found at Estaires by a stranger to both of them, which I brough and gave to his mother.'