The AIF Project

Henry BUCHECKER

Regimental number645
Place of birthSt Arnaud, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressMildura, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 11"
Weight155 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Sarah J Buchecker, Mildura, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed for 5 years as Sergeant Instructor , Victorian Rangers.
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Place of enlistmentBroadmeadows, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name8th Battalion, F Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 31 January 1918
Discharge date7 April 1918
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Wounded in action, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915; admitted same day to 15th General Hospital, Alexandria (fractured left foot).

Commenced return to Australia from Suez on board HT 'Ballarat' for discharge, 5 July 1915.

Returned to Egypt; disembarked from HT' Suffolk' at Suez, 14 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria on board HT 'Aragon', 13 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 23 June 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 25 February 1917; taken on strength, 59th Bn, 23 March 1917.

On Command to 5th Division Infantry School, 14 May 1917; rejoined Bn, 14 June 1917.

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 12 August 1917.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, 7 November 1917, on a charge of, when on active service, desrtingHis Majesty's Service, in that he in the Field at about 7.30 am on the 25th of September 1917, after being warned that his Company was immediately proceeding into the line, absented himself without leave, with intent to avoid duty in the line, and remained absent until he reported to Major R.M.F. AITCHISON of the 57th Battalion A.I.F. at 4.00 p.m. on the 28th day of September, 1917, at 15th Australian Infantry Brigade Detail Camp. Pleaded Not Guilty. Found guilty, and sentenced to be dismissed from His Majesty's Service. Forfeited a total of 45 days' pay. In connection with the review of the proceedings, however, Medical opinion was expressed to the effect that the accused was not mentally normal when he committed the offence, the description of his condition, as given, by the witnesses at the trial, being that of a person suffering from acute neurasthenia, and in these circumstances the Army Council have quashed to conviction, all record of which should be expunged from the documents of the accused.

Embarked at Capetown on board HT 'Balmoral Castle', 2 March 1918; appointment terminated, 7 April 1918.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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