Brady, Robert
No.5664 – Private Robert Brady – 11th Battalion AIF
Robert Brady was born in Fremantle WA in 1893 to John and Mary Brady. The family lived in Stephen Street South Fremantle and later Victor Street South Fremantle. Robert attended Christian Brothers College in Fremantle and after leaving school became a Driver and labourer.
Robert enlisted into the AIF in March 1916 when he was 22 years old. He was passed as fit for service with the medical officer listing Robert as being 5 feet 5 inches tall; weight of 109 lbs; chest measurement of 31-35 inches; fresh complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.
For the first month after his enlistment Robert was put into the Pioneer Reinforcements, though soon was transferred to the 18th Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion. This group trained in WA from April until their embarkation in June. They departed Fremantle Harbour on the H.M.A.T. “Suevic” on the 6th June 1916, arriving at Plymouth England on the 21st July.
The 18th Reinforcements were marched into the 3rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs on the Salisbury Plains. Robert was given leave while in England but he trained at Perham Downs until the 5th September 1916 when they were marched out to France. After the trip across the Channel, Robert joined the 1st Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples France on the 6th September 1916. On the 17th September Robert joined the 11th Battalion in the field near Ypres. The Battalion was spending a few weeks away from the Somme battlefield. However they were soon sent back to the Somme near Flers and would spend the cold French winter in this sector.
On the 25th February 1917, Robert was one of a party that were sent back to collect rations and ammunition for the front line. A German shell fell among the party killing several members of the 11th including Robert Brady. His body was retrieved and buried in a small burial ground by cross roads ½ mile N.N.W. of Flers. Robert’s grave was located after the war and is located in AIF Burial Ground Flers Plot IV.F.1/10.
His mother would receive a fortnightly pension of 40/- for the rest of her life.