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enlistment
Eric enlisted on 26 November 1915 at Ipswich. His regimental number was 4355. He stated he was born at Hemnent and gave his mother as next-of-kin. He claimed 18 months prior service in Senior Cadets but did not state where this was. (Some records of his life state that he was educated at Ipswich Boys School until the age of 14. -
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Commenced army career 25th battalion
On enlistment Eric was 5 feet 71/2 inches; 132 lbs; chest 35 inches; complexion medium; eyes brown; hair black. His first training was at Enoggera army camp. He commenced his army career as a private in the 25th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement. He embarked on the Star of Victoria at Fremantle on 31 March 1916. He disembarked at Suez on 3 May 1916. From there he went on to England. -
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engineering training and brothers death
On 17 August 1916 he was transferred to Engineering Training Depot at Parkhouse. While there he probably learned that his twenty three year old brother Jabez had died of wounds on 21 August 1916. -
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France
Late October saw Eric headed for France. He arrived at Abbeville on 30 October 1916. He was taken on strength (as a sapper) of 5th Division Signals Company in the field on 22 November 1916. In January 1917 Eric was ill with bronchitis and pleurisy. On 24 January 1917 he embarked at Rouen on the Aberdonian for England. Two days later he was admitted to the Bethnal Green Military Hospital. -
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Hospital
On 5 February 1917 Eric was transferred to the 3rd Australian Military Hospital at Dartford. This hospital was for the treatment of war-related nerves and neuroses. However Eric seems to have spent only 11 days there. -
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Training brigade
On 12 June 1917 a new Overseas Training Brigade was formed at Perham Downs, England. Eric was sent there on day one. On 4 September 1917 Eric left Folkestone for France. A cryptic note on 9 September 1917 states "sapper rejoined unit from sick in England." How much of his more than 7 months in England related to his illnesses or to his training isn't clear. For the next twelve months Eric's army dossier is curiously lacking in detail. -
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Australian corps central school
On 24 September 1918 Eric commenced three weeks leave in England, before rejoining his unit in France for the last month of the war. He stayed in France for the next few months. During this time he was detached from his unit for a six week period to attend the Australian Corps Central School. He arrived back in Southampton on 16 March 1919. -
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back home
He arrived there to engage for two months in what was described as non-military employment. He attended an advanced telegraphy course, still being paid at full military rates. He rejoined the 5th Division Signal Company on 20 May 1919. He embarked for Australia on 23 June 1919 aboard the Orita He disembarked in Sydney on 9 August 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. in Brisbane on 2 October 1919.