Remembering today on the GWF

[frev]

Remembering Cpl Charles Cecil CEARNS, 1962 – died the 21st of August 1916 at the 2nd Field Ambulance, near Albert – poisoned by gas received in action the day before. He was buried in the Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France, age 26.

Born c1890 in Hobart, Tasmania, the son of James William & Angelina Cearns, Charles had grown up in Hobart and attended Queens College there. A single man, of the Roman Catholic faith, he worked in a Tobacconist Shop and was a member of the 41st Battery, AFA.

Enlisting not long after the outbreak of war on the 26th August 1914, at Pontville in Tasmania, he sailed 2 months later on the 20th of October, aboard the A2 HMAT ‘Geelong’, with the 3rd Field Artillery Bde (9th Btry).

An original Anzac, Charles was evacuated back to Alexandria on the 9th September 1915, suffering from rheumatism in his knees & ankles. Never to return to Gallipoli, he eventually landed in France at the end of March in 1916, and was taken on strength with the 21st FAB (24th Btry) on the 15th May. Three months later he was dead.

Amongst the possessions returned to his parents were a diary, a camera & negatives – I hope they found some small comfort in their contents.

May we never forget such senseless loss.

RIP Charles.

[Neil Mackenzie]

Frev.

Which Division was the 21st FAB part of?

Thanks.

Neil

[frev]

Neil

1st Australian Division

Sorry I didn't make this clear, Frev.

[BeppoSapone]

Is his rank correct for Australian Artillery?

[frev]

Is his rank correct for Australian Artillery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what you mean here.

His history as follows:

Gunner on enlistment

Promoted temporary Bombadier 12/3/16 (Egypt)

Promoted temporary Corporal 16/4/16 (France)

Reverted to rank of Bombadier 1/5/16

Promoted Corporal 3/7/16

Rank at death 21/8/16 - Corporal

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Frev.

[BeppoSapone]

Not sure what you mean here.

His history as follows:

Gunner on enlistment

Promoted temporary Bombadier 12/3/16 (Egypt)

Promoted temporary Corporal 16/4/16 (France)

Reverted to rank of Bombadier 1/5/16

Promoted Corporal 3/7/16

Rank at death 21/8/16 - Corporal

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Frev.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the reply Frev

I stand to be corrected on this, but as far as I am aware a man with two stripes was a Bombardier in the British Royal Artillery, never a Corporal.

From what you say it seems as if the Australian Bombardier was a lower rank than Corporal?

"Promoted temporary Corporal 16/4/16 (France)

Reverted to rank of Bombadier 1/5/16"