Person:Robert Porter (42)

Robert Woodward Porter No 486 was a Cp 25th Batt Australian Infantry AIF in Australia. In 1901 Robert lived at Rodekerchins Brickworks, West Rockhampton. He joined the Army 17 February 1915 at Brisbane. On joining up he had to fill out a form of questions.

On this form he stated he was a baker and had been an apprentice for 3 years at Hamilton & Pool.

To the question " Are you married", his answer was "no"! Now this is surprising as he was, and although separated from Amelia, they were never divorced.

His description reads that he was 5' 4", weighed 140lbs, was fair complexion, hair grey, eyes (?). His distinctive marks were listed as a mole on the inside of his right shoulder blade. He was considered fit for active service.

His service took him from Gallipoli and Malta to Heliopolis through to Alexandria. He spent quite a lot of time in and out of hospital. On 30 November 1915, a report came through that Lance Corporal Porter disembarked at Malta from the hospital ship "Galeka". On November 27th he had been reported seriously ill from enterie and admitted to Lanfrano Hospital ship at Malta.

Transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Cairo on 05 February 1916. Arrangements were to be made for his return to Australia. Arrival date to be advised. He was discharged on 06 March 1916. He proceeded to Alexandria on 14 March 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles, France on the 19 March 1916. He appears to have been made a Corporal in France on 18 August 1916. It is difficult to understand the reason why he was in France when he should have been on a hospital ship on the way back to Australia.

He was Killed in Action on 25 August 1916 in France. His Grave site reference at the Serre Cemetery No 2 Somme France is X111.K.4/5.

During his time in the Army Robert appears to have gone AWOL on quite a few occasions. First time after being in the Army 35 days. He was then absent for 5 days. After 4 months he went AWOL for 5 weeks. Facts were briefly that he was doing duty as a cook at a hospital and disappeared without leave. Much difficulty was experienced in obtaining particulars from AAMC who took no steps to report him missing. His punishment was 8 days detention as he had voluntary surrendered himself.

Then on 20 June 1915 he once again went AWOL but for only 1 day this time (2 days detention with drill this time).

Then once again in August in Abbassia he went off again for 3 days. Punishment this time was 7 days.

Robert's Will from his Army Records just stated very simply that in the event of his death, he gave all his money due to him, to go to A E Porter C/- Mr J Mitchelow McKay Queensland. This was his brother, even though those intials were also his wife's (that he did not own up to).

It was confirmed 11 September 1916 that Robert had been killed in action although an official report was not to hand. His body at this time had not been found. Robert's effects were sent to his father as being the next-of-kin. They consisted of Wallet, Letters, notebook, small wallet and religous medallion, also a stone curio and pillow slip.

He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, and the 1914-15 Star. A pamphlet " where the Australians Rest" was sent to his brother and also a Memorial Scroll and Plaque in 1921. Letters continued to go back and forth between his brother and the Ministry of Defence concerning the particulars of Robert's death as it looks as if his body had still not been located. Then in February 1928 a letter was written from the Defence Dept that the remains of 2 Australians were discovered in the course of exhumation work in France of an isolated grave in the vicinity of Pozieres. The only means of identification obtained at the time was a disc bearing his particulars. Unfortunately it was impossible to distinguish between the two bodies and they were reburied in Serre Rd Cemetery No2, situated near Beamont Hamel. A joint cross was to be erected over the graves which will bear his name and regiment, together with a suitable reference to the other unknown soldier.

Now as a postscript to this story: In with Robert's Army records were letters from a solicitor in Wellington New Zealand. It appears that his wife Amelia (whom he appears to have completely cut off) had remarried in New Zealand in 1918. In 1924 her new husband, through solicitors, was querying the death of Robert. There appears to have been some confusion over Robert's identity because he had classed himself as unmarried and of whom he had named as his next-of-kin. The Defence Dept just sent a letter back that they could not release any information as it was confidental, although they did confirm that Robert was the gentleman whom the letter was about.

Then in 1929 another solicitor from Auckland wrote to the Defence Dept of behalf of Leonard Mousley making inquiries in order to establish whether or not their marriage was a legal marriage. (This is presumed to be because Robert's body at this time had still not been found). Amelia had stated that she received notice of death from the Australian Government about 1917. She also stated that at the time, she received a sum of 70 pounds comprising allotments due to next of kins. (Amelia appears never to have been next of kin in official papers though.) Also it was stated that Amelia had gone through a form of marriage on 2 occassions before 1929. Records of 1 marriage found, but the other is a mystery.

The Defence Dept wrote back stating that his enlistment papers stated he was unmarried, his father was the next-of-kin who had died 28 April 1917. War Medals were issued to his eldest brother A. E. Porter, who was sole legatee. Financial matters were dealt with by District Finance Officer, who would be in a position to advise them as to the allotment money if any paid to the lady whom you state was the wife of the deceased soldier. There were no papers on finance come through with Robert's War Service Papers, so this part is still unknown.