David Forbes Abernethy

David Forbes Abernethy

Personal Information
Birth	Not Known
Place of Birth	Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Death	19 March 1969
Place of Death	Scotland
Age at Enlistment	29
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall, 144 lbs (65.3 Kg) weight; fresh complexion; blue eyes, brown hair
Occupation	Famer
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Fair View Farm, Beenup, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father, James Abernethy
Military Information
Reg Number	6283
Date of Enlistment	4 September 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	28th Infantry Battalion, 18th reinforcement, 7th Bde, 2nd Div
Date of Embarkation	29 December 1916 - 3 Mar 1917
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A34 Persic
Date of Return	17 October 1919 - 17 Oct 1919
Ship Returned On	HMAT A37 Barambah
Fate	WIA 4 October 1917 Broodseinde WIA 1 June 1918 Morlancourt area Returned to Australia
Monument	Armadale (Beenup panel)

War Service

Had 4 years previous experience with the Gordon Highlanders prior to emigrating to Australia. 10 days after entering Blackboy Hill camp, David was allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. Locals who were included in other reinforcement drafts that shared the voyage to England on HMAT A34 Persic included Alfred Needham, George Mouatt Dow, Albert William Barratt, Charles Mitchell, and Joseph Smith. On arrival in England he was first posted to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone before proceeding overseas to France via Southampton on 14 Jun 1917 where he entered No 2 Aust Division Base Depot (ADBD).

He was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion on 3 Jul 1917, who were at that time the trenches at Messines. On 4 Oct 1917 the 28th Battalion was providing working parties to support troops holding ground gained in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge. The enemy shelled those working parties and the battalion casualties were 42 KIA, 91 WIA, and 5 Missing. David received a shell wound to his hand and side that was treated progressively by the 64th Field Ambulance, the 41st Casualty Clearing Station, and the 1st Australian General Hospital in Abbeville. He rejoined the 28th Battalion on 16 Feb 1918, and in March enjoyed 2 weeks leave in England. On 1 Jun 1918 the 28th Battalion had just been relieved in the front line and was moving back to a reserve position when an enemy plane flew over the top of B Company and dropped two bombs, killing 27 men and wounding another 40, including it would seem David. His injury was described as a GSW, chest penetrated (severe). He was treated by the 5th Aust Field Ambulance, and the 6th Casualty Clearing Station before being loaded aboard HS St Denis for transfer to hospitals in Shorncliffe and then Harefield, in England.

Before returning to Australia, he undertook 3 months work experience with the Royal Jersey Agricultural Society in mixed farming. Discharged at 5th Military District on 4 Dec 1919.

Post War

"Last night Detectives Purde and Gray arrested at Beenup, David Abernethy, a dairyman. Abernethy who is a native of Scotland, and whose age is 28 years, will appear at the City Court this morning charged with having attempted a serious offence against a girl under the age of 16 years"

Inquiry into a letter signed by "Fair Play" elicited the fact this week that the Attorney-General (Mr Walker) has received a petition from the Beenup district urging the release of D. Abernethy, who, the Minister states, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment some time ago, a jury having found him guilty of indecently dealing. Of that sentence, he has already served two months. The petitioners point out that from their knowledge, acquired in the district, of the man, and of the circumstances of the case, they firmly believe that the case is a very unjust one, and that Abernethy was not guilty. They ask that what they believe to be a miscarriage of justice should be remedied. The Attorney-General, in answer to a question, said that he was making exhaustive inquiries into the matter, and that no decision had yet been come to. The decision of the Minister is not recorded in newspapers and it appears that David served his sentence.

"The following men were medically examined by the recruiting officers today:- Fit... D.F. Abernethy, Beenup."
"Abernethy, David Forbes (Scotland)..."
Abernethy, David Forbes (Scotland), wounded second occasion.
1916 Electoral Roll - Fairview Farm, Beenup, alone. 1921 & 1925 Electoral Rolls show him at Byford -in 1925 with brother John and John's wife Mary Agnes. No further electoral roll entries in Australia. A David Forbes Abernethy died 19 Jul 1960 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and this may be him.

External Links

AIF Project