Pte
Robert Daniel Mitchell
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 14/06/1898 |
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Place of birth: Hopetoun, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Baptist |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 7116 |
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Enlistment date: 25/07/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 23rd Bn. (Victoria) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 03/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Anzac, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Cemetery
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Perth Cemetery (China Wall) Plot: V Row: C Grave: 16 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Robert Daniel Mitchell lived and worked as farmer with his family in the tiny Mallee town of Hopetoun, Victoria when he, aged 18, enlisted the 23th Battalion AIF, part of the 6th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division.
He arrived in England in January 1917 but was only taken on strength on 1st September 1917 in France.
On the 3rd October 1917 the 23rd Battalion was in supports arround Anzac House in the vicinity of Zonnebeke to prepare the assault on 4th October which was later known as the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele.
Mrs Mitchell recieved several letters regarding the death of her son that day:
The chaplain of the 23rd Battalion wrote that Robert was killed by a shell: “As far as I can gather death was almost instantaneous and you will be relieved to hear that he must have suffered very little, if any pain.”
His comrades who greatly mourn his death, wrote:
“Bobbie had not been long with us but we quickly learned to like him. He was a runner whilst we were in the line and did his duty well and fearlessly. He was always cheerful, and when he started out on his last run he was smiling and joking.”
Private Robert Daniel Mitchell, 19 of age, was decently buried as far as circumstances would permit and later reburied on Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Zillebeke near Ypres, Plot V, row C, grave 16.
His older brother, Royal Ernest Henry Mitchell of the 39th Battalion was killed in the same area the very next day, 4 October 1917, aged 22.
He arrived in England in January 1917 but was only taken on strength on 1st September 1917 in France.
On the 3rd October 1917 the 23rd Battalion was in supports arround Anzac House in the vicinity of Zonnebeke to prepare the assault on 4th October which was later known as the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele.
Mrs Mitchell recieved several letters regarding the death of her son that day:
The chaplain of the 23rd Battalion wrote that Robert was killed by a shell: “As far as I can gather death was almost instantaneous and you will be relieved to hear that he must have suffered very little, if any pain.”
His comrades who greatly mourn his death, wrote:
“Bobbie had not been long with us but we quickly learned to like him. He was a runner whilst we were in the line and did his duty well and fearlessly. He was always cheerful, and when he started out on his last run he was smiling and joking.”
Private Robert Daniel Mitchell, 19 of age, was decently buried as far as circumstances would permit and later reburied on Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Zillebeke near Ypres, Plot V, row C, grave 16.
His older brother, Royal Ernest Henry Mitchell of the 39th Battalion was killed in the same area the very next day, 4 October 1917, aged 22.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Royal Ernest Henry Mitchell
Brother |