Angove, Raymond

3771 Private Raymond William Angove – 51^st Battalion AIF

Raymond William Arthur Angove was born in Richmond Victoria to William & Martha Angove in 1898. The family moved to Western Australia and took up residence in Victoria Road Fremantle, where they remained for much of Raymond’s life. The family ran the Bridge Hotel in Victoria Road (Queen Victoria Street).

Just prior to the Great War the family moved to Beverley. Raymond attended junior school in Fremantle and went on to further his education at Scotch College in Claremont. 

While at Scotch College he spent four years in the cadets. Just prior to enlistment Ray was working as a Clerk with D&J Fowler while also studying to become an accountant.

With the signed consent of his parents in hand, Ray went to the recruitment officer to enlist on the 28^th December 1915. The medical officer gave him an examination and found him to be 5 feet 10 inches in height; weight of 139 lbs; chest measurement of 32-34 inches; dark complexion; blue eyes & black hair. His religious denomination was congregational. After only a few days in the general training depot, Ray was assigned to the 9^th Reinforcements to the 28^th Battalion. This group left Fremantle on the H.M.A.T. Miltiades on the 12^th of February 1916. On arrival in Egypt the men were sent to the 7^th Training Battalion. They did not join the 28^th Battalion who were then in France, but due to the expansion of the AIF they were sent to the newly forming 51^st Battalion AIF. This battalion trained in Egypt until early June when they embarked for France, landing in Marseilles on the 12^th June 1916. The battalion was sent up to the Armentieres sector to garrison the trenches for the rest of June and into July. Ray was slightly wounded in the cheek on the 28^th June 1916 and was also found to be suffering from shell shock. He was evacuated to hospital in Boulogne on the French coast, but as the wound was not severe he rejoined the 4^th Division Base Depot at Etaples on the 7^th July.

Ray returned to the 51^st Battalion on the 23^rd July 1916, just in time for their action in the Battle of the Somme. The 1^st & 2^nd Divisions had first crack at Pozieres and gains were made into the German lines. The 4^th Division came into expand the attack towards Mouquet Farm. The 51^st Battalion had their first major role on the 14^th August 1916. Ray was thought to have been killed by shellfire on the 15^th August though his body was never recovered. He is therefore remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial to the Missing. After his son’s death, William Angove returned to live in Middle Park, Victoria. His son’s effects and medals were sent to him there.

Photo - The Daily News 23rd September 1916 page 4