Charles Henry Partridge
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Plympton, Devonshire, England |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'4" (1.m) tall; weight 125 lbs (kg); dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair. |
| Occupation | storekeeper |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Mundijong, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr A.A. Partridge |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6312 |
| Date of Enlistment | 11 Apr 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 20th reinforcement posted to B Company / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Sep 1916 - 2 Nov 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray |
| Date of Return | 8 Jan 1920 - 16 Feb 1920 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Cape Verde |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 25 Feb 1917 Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Mundijong |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Three weeks after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Charles was allocated to the 21st reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, but on 22 Jul 1916 this was changed to the 20th draft. He embarked with them for England, and on arrival they were sent to a Training Battalion on the Salisbury Plains
On 17 Dec 1916 Charles proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone aboard HMT Golden Eagle, a fast paddle wheeler. Taken on strength along with 29 others by the 11th Battalion at Bresle on 17 Jan 1917 where they were training, having come out of the line for a rest and rebuild.
Charles and 150 of his mates were a working party that during the night of 25 Feb 1917 were carry rations and ammunition to the front line trenches, near Bazentin-le-Petit. Enemy artillery bombarded them, and at Turk Dump 10 men were killed and 13 wounded including Charles.
On 6 Mar 1917 he was embarked on HMHS Dieppe in Calais for England and admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Brighton suffering from a wound to his left thigh.
On 13 Oct 1917, a Court of Enquiry held at Hurdcott declared Charles to be an illegal absentee who was AWOL. However, a notation on his file declared that the case against him for absence from 21 Sep 1917 until 13 Oct 1917 was dismissed.
On 2 Apr 1918 he was again sent overseas to France, this time via Southampton, and he rejoined the 11th Battalion. On 18 May 1918 Charles was admitted to hospital ill, and on 17 Jun 1918 he boarded HMHS Cambria for England where he was admitted to the Herne Bay Hospital in England with a mild case of Trench Fever.
Back on English soil, Charles was AWOL from his Sutton Veny base from Midnight on 27 Sep 1918 until 8:00am on 30 Sep 1918. Penalty was an admonishment and he forfeited 3 days pay.
In 1919 Charles spent 127 days between 11 Jan 1919 and 17 May 1919 being treated at Bulford hospital for VD.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 8 Apr 1920.
Post War
1924 Hotel North Dandalup address used for medals
Notes