WWI Richard Joseph Bodley

By matdebrat01

  • Departs London For Sydney

    Richard Bodley follows his brother's footsteps and boards the Ortana bound for Sydney.

  • Bodley Brothers Jointly Purchase Land

    Richard and his two brothers jointly purchased land in the parish of Maleny.

  • Richard Enlists For Army

    Richard Bodley declared his brother John as his next of kin when he enlisted at Brisbane. He was by then 33 years and 6 months old. He disclosed his occupation as clerk, although Electoral Rolls indicate he had served as a Constable with the Queensland Police at Brisbane and Maryborough until at least 1913. Richard's service number was 1432. He was assigned to reinforcements at the Engineers Depot, Moore Park, Sydney.

  • Richard Joins Wireless Reinforcements

    In his first ten months at Moore Park, Private Bodley moved regularly in short detachments and spent one month at Corporal School but, on 24 October, he joined Wireless Reinforcements. This was to become a path to him joining the Australian Flying Corp. The potential of wireless was being appreciated by General Command more by the day. It meant that Air Mechanic Bodley was never likely to remain in any detachment for very long.

  • Richard Gets Deployed

    In the 8th Reinforcements to the AFC, Aircraft Mechanic 2nd Class (A/M2) Bodley departed Melbourne on 11 May 1917 aboard HMAT A9 "Shropshire". It was later to share its name with the cruiser that served both the Royal and Royal Australian Navies through WW2. A/M2 Bodley disembarked at Plymouth on 19 July and proceeded to the sea of tents that was the Base Camp at Park House.

  • A/M2 Bodley detaches from Park House to Join AFC Training Depot

    A/M2 Bodley detached from Park House to the AFC Training Depot at Halton Park, Wendover, Buckinghamshire. He spent another two months in training at the School of Wireless, South Farnborough before proceeding on 26 October 1917 via Folkestone to France where he was detached to the AFC No.1 Aircraft Depot.

  • Lance Corporal Bodley Detaches To The 1st Division Artillery HQ

    With the rank of Lance Corporal, Bodley was detached to the 1st Division Artillery headquarters. He was not to know that the "War to end all Wars" had about one year left to run.

  • Detached To 69th Squadron Of The AFC

    He was detached for one month to 69th Squadron of the AFC which was operating from Bailleul. It was functioning as a full Corps squadron attached to No.1 Anzac Corp.

  • Detached Back To 1st Division Artillery HQ

    He was detached again to the 1st Division Artillery headquarters

  • Detached To AFC 3rd Squadron

    He was detached to the AFC 3rd Squadron. The 3rd was the first of the AFC to deploy to France, having arrived at Savy on 10 September 1917.

  • Promotion To A/M1

    Richard Bodley was promoted to Aircraft Mechanic 1st Class (A/M1) to complete establishment in the Squadron.

  • Detached To 2FAB

    A/M1 Bodley was detached to the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (2FAB). This was his posting when Armistice was declared on 11 November.

  • Granted One Month Of Furlough

    He was granted one month of furlough for return to the UK which was time enough for him to travel to St Peters Road, Philsborough, Dublin to reunite with family he had not seen since his immigration to Australia in 1901.

  • Returns To 2FAB

    He returned to 2nd FAB on 12 January 1919 but was detached again to 3rd Squadron on 7 February.

  • A/M1 Bodley Marches Out From Le Havre

    A/M1 Bodley marched out from Le Havre, France to begin the repatriation journey. Next day, he disembarked at Weymouth and proceeded to No.3 Training Brigade.

  • Admitted To The No.2 Group Clearing Hospital With Leg Injury

    He was admiited to the No.2 Group Clearing Hospital at Hurdcott with a leg injury. Five days later, he rejoined his unit and was promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant. It was the rank he retained until his discharge from service.

  • Temporary Sgt Bodley Departs London For Australia

    Temporary Sergeant Richard Bodley departed London for Australia aboard the Empress Of India.

  • Disembarks at Sydney

    Disembarked at Sydney. His brother John had been advised of his imminent return only on 3 June. The troop train arrived at 5.40pm next day at Central Station, Brisbane. Its impending arrival and advice on restrictions to vehicular transport were carried by the "Brisbane Courier" that day. Richard Bodley was issued the British War and Victory Medals.

  • Richard's Nephew, Flight Sgt Francis Bodley, Dies in WW2

    Richard's nephew Flight Sergeant Francis Bodley served in the RAAF in WW2. He and his crewmates were tragically killed in an aircraft accident during a flight from Ambon to Darwin, four months after the Japanese surrender.

  • Richard Bodley Dies

    Richard Bodley died at 81 years of age. His older brother John had predeceased him by ten years, and his younger brother Francis was to die in September 1964. Richard's sister-in-law Margaret and nieces and nephew continued to live in Brisbane.