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Robert Wilson Croker (Regimental Number 6711)
Robert Wilson Croker enlisted on 27 July 1916. He was born on 21 April
1890 at Adamstown, the son of Charles Frederick and Annie Elizabeth
Croker. Robert had listed his occupation as horse breaker - horses were
still used heavily in the mines and in everyday life.
Robert, though 27 years old, was still single and identified that his home
address was Red Head – an indication that perhaps he hadn’t lived in
Redhead for long. Robert was a horse breaker/teamster who may have
lived outside of the mining village.
Robert was enlisted as a private in the 14
th
Battalion – 13-23
reinforcements. After training in Australia he embarked from his State
Capital, Sydney on 17 November 1916. After a stop in Devonport he
didn’t arrive in Godford, England until 17 January 1917. After training at
Godford, he proceeded to France in April, 1917.
By this time of the war, it should be understood that many of the earlier
battalions had been decimated in campaigns including Gallipoli, and
required reinforcements to bolster their numbers. Hence, his placement in
the 14th Battalion as a reinforcement 13-23.
During his army service in 1917 Robert spent 82 days in hospital in
Estaples, France. This meant that he had seen little active service in
France when he was killed in action on 15 October 1917 at Passchendaele
in Belgium.
Soldiers who had been wounded in battles were assessed in dressing
stations just behind the front lines, with the worst cases being returned to
England, rehabilitated and if deemed fit for duty they returned to their
Unit at the front. Due to the close proximity of the English Channel to
their French base most ‘walked in’ to their unit.
On 7 January 1918 a pension of two Pound a fortnight was awarded to
Annie Elizabeth Croker for the loss of her son.
Robert’s sacrifice is acknowledged at the Menin Gate Memorial, (Panel
17) Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. At the National War Memorial in
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