Robert Alexander Fernie
From Our Contribution
Personal Information | |
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Date of Birth | Not known |
Place of Birth | Sebastopol, Victoria |
Death | 3 May 1967, aged 71 |
Place of Death | Subiaco, Western Australia |
Age at Enlistment | 21 years old |
Description | 5'9 ½" (1.77m) tall; weight 160lbs (72.6 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
Occupation | orchardist |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Address | 'Bonnie Vale', Kelmscott, Western Australia |
Next of Kin | Father Mr Alexander Firnie |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | 3227 |
Date of Enlistment | 24 Jul 1916 |
Rank | Lance Corporal |
Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse Regiment, 26th Reinforcement / ANZAC Mounted Division |
Date of Embarkation | 26 Apr 1917 - 18 Mar 1917 (Bombay) |
Ship Embarked On | RMS Morea |
Date of Embarkation | 19 Mar 1917 - 4 Apr 1917 |
Ship Embarked On | HMAT A47 Mashobra |
Date of Return | 10 Jul 1919 - 4 Aug 1919 |
Ship Returned On | SS Oxfordshire |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Monument | Kelmscott |
Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
In camp in Western Australia he was allocated to the 26th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
On arrival in Egypt he spent time in the Light Horse's A Details Camp at Moascar, before joining the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 23 Apr 1917, just days after the unit was involved in the 2nd unsuccessful attempt to capture Gaza. He remained with them until 2 Feb 1918 when he had a stint at the Port Said rest camp. He rejoined his unit in the field and had another break at the rest camp in Jul 1918.
On 20 May 1919 he was appointed Lance Corporal.
Discharged 5th Military District 11 Sep 1919.
Award Comment
Post War
Married Vera Gertrude Selina (nee Cook) in 1924. A daughter was born 1 Jul 1926 (Gwenneth or Patricia Y). Vera died in Doubleview on 19 Aug 1977 aged 82.
1915 Kelmscott Show - R. Fernie exhibits pigs with success.
Electoral Roll entries - 1921 Kelmscott, a soldier; 1925 civil servant at 115 Thomas street, Subiaco with Vera. In 1929 they are next door at 117 Thomas street; and at 247 Heytesbury road, Subiaco in 1931; In 1943 back to 117 Thomas where they remain until Robert's death. Vera remained there until at least 1968.
ANOTHER RAILWAY CROSSING ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE INJURED.
As the No 3 Perth-Bridgetown passenger train was approaching the level crossing at Gwindinup yesterday a motor lorry driven by Mr. R. A. Fernie, and belonging to the telephone construction gang working between Boyanup and Donnybrook, attempted to cross the line at the same time, with the result that the locomotive hit the lorry side on. As far as can be ascertained at present the only damage done was to one of the wheels and the axle, the latter being bent. Fortunately Mr. Fernie escaped without injury. He states that he did not hear the whistle, but the driver of the engine affirms that the whistle was blown.[1]
References
- ↑ "ANOTHER RAILWAY CROSSING ACCIDENT.". South Western Times. VII, (27). Western Australia. 12 July 1924. p. 5. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.