Pte
Richard Cambrey
Information about birth
|
Year of birth: 1895 |
|
Place of birth: Seymour, Victoria, Australia |
General information
|
Last known residence: Emely Street, Seymour, Victoria, Australia |
|
Profession: Blacksmith |
|
Religion: Methodist |
Army information
|
Country: Australia |
|
Force: Australian Imperial Force |
|
Rank: Private |
|
Service number: 810 |
|
Enlistment date: 23/03/1915 |
|
Enlistment place: Seymour, Victoria, Australia |
|
Units: — Australian Infantry, 21st Bn. (Victoria) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 31/10/1917 |
|
Place of death: University War Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom |
|
Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
|
Age: 22 |
Cemetery
|
Netley Military Cemetry Plot: N Row: Unknown Grave: 399 |
Distinctions and medals 3
|
1914-15 Star Medal |
|
British War Medal Medal |
|
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of wounding | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Richard Cambrey was born in 1895 in Seymour, Victoria, Australia. After leaving school, he went to work as a blacksmith. On 23 March 1915, aged 19, he enlisted in the Australian Army. He was assigned to the 21st Battalion of the Australian Infantry, which was part of the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division. On 10 May 1915, he left Australia on the HMAT A38 Ulysses for Egypt. After a time at Gallipoli, he sailed from Alexandria to Marseille, arriving on 26 March 1916.
During the Battle of Passchendaele, in October 1917, the 2nd Australian Division was at Zonnebeke. The height at Broodseinde was captured on 4 October, but nearby Daisy Wood was still in German hands. The 6th Brigade's aim was to clear Daisy Wood and Dairy Wood during the attack of 9 October 1917 from Broodseinde. To the right of the 24th Battalion and in support of the 23rd Battalion, the 21st Battalion was between the two copse. However, they were held up by a fierce barrage especially as the British barrage proved inadequate. German machine guns and snipers had free rein. Only late in the afternoon was the 21st Battalion able to establish a post at Dairy Wood and fill the gap between the 23rd and 24th Battalions. The 21st was relieved the following night by the 49th Battalion.
Private Richard Cambray was taken off wounded during the action with gunshot wounds in both legs and in the back. He was admitted to the 16th General Hospital in Le Treport on 10 October and was transported by hospital ship to England on 21 October, where he was admitted to the University War Hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, on 22 October. Private Cambrey Richard eventually succumbed to his wounds in the on 31 October 1917, aged 22. He was buried in Netley Military Cemetery, plot N, grave 399.
During the Battle of Passchendaele, in October 1917, the 2nd Australian Division was at Zonnebeke. The height at Broodseinde was captured on 4 October, but nearby Daisy Wood was still in German hands. The 6th Brigade's aim was to clear Daisy Wood and Dairy Wood during the attack of 9 October 1917 from Broodseinde. To the right of the 24th Battalion and in support of the 23rd Battalion, the 21st Battalion was between the two copse. However, they were held up by a fierce barrage especially as the British barrage proved inadequate. German machine guns and snipers had free rein. Only late in the afternoon was the 21st Battalion able to establish a post at Dairy Wood and fill the gap between the 23rd and 24th Battalions. The 21st was relieved the following night by the 49th Battalion.
Private Richard Cambray was taken off wounded during the action with gunshot wounds in both legs and in the back. He was admitted to the 16th General Hospital in Le Treport on 10 October and was transported by hospital ship to England on 21 October, where he was admitted to the University War Hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, on 22 October. Private Cambrey Richard eventually succumbed to his wounds in the on 31 October 1917, aged 22. He was buried in Netley Military Cemetery, plot N, grave 399.
Sources 5
|
21th Battalion Australian Infantry, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/38/26). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
|
6th Brigade Australian Infantry, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/6/26). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
|
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: the Day-by-Day Account. (Londen: Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018), 119-120. Sources used |
|
Service Record (The National Archives of Australia). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
|
Virtual War Memorial Australia http://vwma.org.au/explore/people/70562 Sources used |
More information 3
|
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/362999 |
|
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7380571 |
|
The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=43677 |