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Ernest Rulle Dalziell

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Ernest Rulle Dalziell
Dalziell Ernest Rewell.jpg
Dalziell Bros WE-GC-ER.jpg
Dalziell Bros from left Walter Edward, George Christopher, and Ernest Rewell. Photo courtesy Neville Browning
Personal Information
Date of Birth c1898
Place of Birth Perth, Western Australia
Death 11 Apr 1917
Place of Death Reincourt, France
Age at Enlistment 18 years
Description 5'6½" (1.66m) tall ; 138lbs
62.596 kg
; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; black hair
Occupation Wood Machinist
Religion Methodist
Address Attfield street, Maddington, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr Walter Parom Dalziell
Military Information
Reg Number 2650
Date of Enlistment 1 May 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 48th Battalion
Date of Embarkation 30 Oct 1916 ‒ 28 Dec 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A16 Port Melbourne
Fate Missing in action 11 Apr 1917
Killed in action 11 Apr 1917
Monument Gosnells War Memorial
Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Australian War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

Ernest was one of eight children to Walter Packham Dalziell and Lillie Jane Capron. Had worked with Buckingham Bros in East Perth for 2 years, 6 months as a wood machinist prior to his enlistment.

War Service

Entered the 69th Depot Company camp on 22 May 1916 and a month later on 21 Jun 1916 he was provisionally allocated to the 22nd reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. However, on 5 Sep 1916 this was changed to the 6th draft for the 48th Battalion.

Ernest's draft embarked on the HMAT A16 Port Melbourne On arrival in Devonport, England Ernest was sent to the 12th Training Battalion at Codford to prepare for service in France and Belgium. He proceeded overseas to France on 4 Feb 1917 aboard HMT Victoria and marched into the 4th Australian Division Base Depot, before being taken on strength by the 48th Battalion on 10 Feb 1917.

On 11 Apr 1917 the 48th Battalion was part of the Australian attack on the Hindenburg line between Bullecourt and Riencourt. One of his colleagues Cpl Cole wrote to his parents advising that while he was tending to an injured officer, he saw Dalziell and advised him to wait for a quiet moment before trying to get back to a first aid post. He said that Ernest appeared to be wounded on the left side of the face, as it was very much swollen and covered with blood. He later saw him in a trench further back from the action, but not again after that.

A Court of Enquiry held in 29 Dec 1917 declared that Ernest was Killed in Action on 11 Apr 1917. His mother Lily Jane was awarded a pension of 10/- fortnightly ($1) to go with the 15/- ($1.50) a fortnight she was receiving on account of Walter Edward's death. On 7 Jul 1917 her pension was increased to 35/- per fortnight ($3.50).

  • Viller-Bretonneux Memorial
  • Section of the 48th Battalion Panel

Notes

Ernest's studio photograph (see above) appears on the Australian War Memorial website under the 51st Battalion along with his brothers.

For further information on this soldier, or for more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011


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