Benjamin Arthur McEvoy
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1884 |
| Place of Birth | Stratford, Castlemaine, Victoria |
| Death | 24 Jan 1938 |
| Place of Death | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 32 years |
| Description | 5'10" (1.78m) tall; weight 160 lbs (72.6kg); fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. |
| Occupation | storekeeper |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Minnie May McEvoy |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6466 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 21st Reinforcement / 4th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 13 Oct 1916 - 12 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A39 Port Macquarie |
| Date of Return | 1 Feb 1918 - 18 Mar 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Balmoral Castle |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 5 Aug 1917 Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 Lucknow, sleeper hewer; 1916 Jarrahdale, hewer; Ben Married Minnie Mary Hettich in Jarrahdale during 1914.
War Service
A fortnight after entering camp, Ben was allocated to the 21st reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion, travelling with them to England as an acting Corporal.
On arrival in England he reverted to Private, and entered the 4th Training Battalion at Codford on 12 Dec 1916. On 16 Jan 1917 he was made an EDP Corporal, but again reverted to private when he entered hospital at Codford on 18 Feb 1917 with the mumps. Released to continue his training on 9 Mar 1917, he proceeded overseas to Étaples in France from Folkestone on 10 Apr 1917.
Taken on strength by the 16th Battalion on 30 Apr 1917 at Ribemont where it was reorganising, re-equipping and training following its heavy casualties suffered at 1st Bullecourt earlier that month.
On 5 Aug 1917 the 16th Battalion was in the front lines near Messines in Belgium when Ben was wounded in action with a severe wound to the right leg. The unit war diary records that casualties were fairly heavy, their line being bombarded on several occasions. Seen first by the 4th Australian Field Ambulance, he was passed to the 2nd Australian casualty Clearing Station the same day. On 7 Aug 1917 he was admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, before being evacuated to England on 12 Aug 1917 and admitted to the University War Hospital on 14 Aug 1917.
Transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 19 Oct 1917, five days later he was sent to No.2 Command depot in Weymouth to await a ship home.
Sent home to Australia for 'Change', Ben was discharged by 5th Military District as unfit for further service on 1 Apr 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 Jarrahdale, hewer; 1931 - 1937 Huntley Forest Settlement, forester.
Daughter Mary Louisa born 17 Apr 1919, son Glen born 31 Dec 1926
Notes