The AIF Project

Henry Robert ELSDEN

Regimental number4776
Place of birthKaniva, Victoria
SchoolKaniva State School, Kaniva, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPostal assistant
AddressKaniva, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 8.25"
Weight176 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs. S. Elsden, Kaniva, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil (lived in exempt area under Compulsory Military Training scheme)
Enlistment date28 September 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll28 September 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 7 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour Circular'When he enlisted he was a member of the staff of the Kaniva Post Office. He was a fine young athlete, a good all round sport and a general favourite in social circles.' (details from mother)
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles)
Age at death21
Age at death from cemetery records21
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 16), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
167
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Sarah amnd the late James ELSDEN, Kaniva, Victoria
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 59th Bn, Duntroon Plateau, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Posted missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 29 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Handwritten note on Form B103: 'Presume Buried In No Man's Land approx 5J90 43 to 5K02.5.1 Sheet Hazebrouck 5A'.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, ELSDEN Henry Robert

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