Robert George Orrock
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 Mar 1886 |
| Place of Birth | Elmhurst, Victoria |
| Death | 29 Jul 1956, aged 76 |
| Place of Death | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 35 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 145 lbs 65.771 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Horse driver |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Canning Mills, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Robert James Orrock |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6375 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Dec 1916 ‒ 3 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Date of Return | 5 Apr 1918 ‒ 22 May 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A30 Borda |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 1 Oct 1918 Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none at present |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 Worsley, hewer; 1916 Canning Mills, sleeper hewer
War Service
A week after entering the Blackboy Hill camp Robert was allocated to the 23rd reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. Five weeks later, on 16 Nov 1916, Robert was re-allocated to the 18th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, and travelled with it to England.
On arrival in England they were sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone for further training, and on 14 Jun 1917 he proceeded overseas to France through Southampton.
Robert was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion on 9 Jul 1917 in Bapaume where they were spending an extended period out of the trenches, rebuilding. On 1 Oct 1917 he was wounded in action with injuries to his left leg and left arm, received when the 28th Battalion was moving into the line near Bellicourt. Three casualties while the battalion was taking up its positions, 1 KIA and 2 x WIA.
Treated first by the 3rd Field Ambulance, before being forwarded to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, he was placed on the Ambulance Train for Boulogne where he was admitted to the 55th General Hospital on 2 Oct 1917. Evacuated to England aboard HMHS St Denis on 6 Oct 1917, he was admitted to the Red Cross Hospital Christchurch.
Transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 15 Feb 1918, before being assessed as unfit for further service and sent home to Australia where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 20 Nov 1918.
Post War
During 1925 Robert married Myra Margaret Lobb in the Canning area. Myra died on 12 Jul 1951 in Victoria Park, aged 65.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 Canning Mills, labourer; 1931 - 1943 with Myra Margaret at 67 Hubert street, Victoria Park; 1949 at 40 Pinjarra road, Mandurah, labourer; 1954 alone at 67 Hubert street, Victoria Park.
During WW2 Robert served with the Citizens Military Forces as W29240 Private Orrock from 20 Aug 1940 until 18 Aug 1944.
Notes
Brother: 6621 Driver John Harold ORROCK, 4th Field Artillery Brigade, died of wounds, 18 November 1916.