Ainsworth, Herbert James

1 Private Herbert James Ainsworth 28th Battalion AIF

Herbert James Ainsworth was born in Port Melbourne Victoria in 1895 to William & Jermima Ainsworth. After the family moved to Western Australia, William Ainsworth set up house in Sewell Street East Fremantle while Herbert started work as a farmhand at Ajana. He also took an interest in military affairs in prewar times and joined the 86^th Infantry Citizen Military Forces.

When war was declared Herbert offered his services in Kalgoorlie in February 1915. He was accepted and was assigned to the newly forming 28^th Battalion with the regimental Number 1. His height was 5 feet 4 inches; 124 lbs weight; chest measurement 33 inches; fair complexion; grey eyes & light hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Assigned to “A” Company of the 28^th, Herbert embarked from Fremantle on the Ivernia. After arrival in Egypt, the 28^th trained for service at Gallipoli, where they arrived in September 1915. Herbert served on the Gallipoli peninsula until November 27 when he was evacuated to hospital in Egypt suffering from jaundice. He joined up with the 28^th in Egypt in January 1916.

The 28^th Battalion embarked for France in late March 1916 and after their arrival at Marseilles, travelled up to northern France where they went into the trenches in the Armentieres sector. The 28^th Battalion undertook the first Australian trench raid in France in June 1916 but their first major battle was at Pozieres in the Battle of the Somme on the 29^th July 1916. Attacking the German positions along the Pozieres road, the men of the 28^th were cut to pieces, the battalion suffering over 460 casualties. Herbert Ainsworth was one of those killed and his body was never recovered so his name is on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial.

Herbert’s brother Jack was killed at Gallipoli in May 1915

His mother having died, his father William was sent the effects & medals of both his sons. William Ainsworth then resided at 183 Forrest St Fremantle. (later renumbered to 104 Forrest)

Photo - Sunday Times - 29th October 1916 page 16