T/Sgt. Robert St John Berkley MITCHELL, A.A.P.C.

[melliget]

I came across this one searching old newspapers on Trove. I am going to order the DC but I'm concerned there's no medical/casualty notes in his AIF service record, which is unusual. There are two additional documents on NAA that are not digitised (will order one of these, as it may contain medical notes). On the positive side, the verdict of a NSW Coroner's Inquest was "Heart failure brought about from the effects of having been gassed". I expect the DC will also confirm this. However, even though this is an official document, I believe I will need service documentation backing this up, won't I?

 

Martin

 

 

Notes:

 

No 11138, T/Sgt. Robert St John Berkley MITCHELL, Aust. Army Pay Corps, died suddenly from the effects of gas poisoning (confirmed by Coroner's inquest verdict) in Broken Hill, NSW, on 16 Mar 1920 (post discharge). He was buried at Nhill Cemetery, Victoria, on 17 Mar 1920.

 

AIF service record:
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7983074

 

- No medical/casualty notes at all (there are two other files on NAA - search on official number and surname).
- p.37, a letter dated 29 Mar 1967, from Army Records to Mr. A. Stewart, Mosman NSW. In reply to a letter from Mr. Stewart, which is not included. He appears to have asked for confirmation that Mitchell died in Broken Hill.
- Army advised he was discharged from the AIF on 4 Oct 1919 and "had not contacted this office since discharge".

 

Dates:
- 27/03/1916 Joined (HQ's Coy. 3rd Div. Train).
- 03/06/1916 Embarked at Melb. for active service abroad.
- 20/08/1919 RTA per H.T. "Port Melbourne".
- 04/10/1919 Discharged 3rd MD AIF.
- 16/03/1920 Died.

 

Death of Mr R. S. Mitchell, Barrier Miner, 17 Mar 1920:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45514541

 

Coroner's Inquiry, Barrier Miner, Wed 17 Mar 1920:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45514540

 

Funeral notice, Barrier Miner, Wed 17 Mar 1920:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45514543

 

 

Edited 15 October , 2016 by melliget