Brady, Robert

No.5664 – Private Robert Brady – 11^th Battalion AIF

Robert Brady was born in Fremantle WA in 1893 to John and Mary Brady. The family lived in 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 18^th Reinforcements to the 11^th 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 6^th June 1916, arriving at Plymouth England on the 21^st July.

The 18^th Reinforcements were marched into the 3^rd Training Battalion at Perham Downs on the Salisbury Plains. Robert was given leave while in England but he trained at Perham Downs until the 5^th September 1916 when they were marched out to France. After the trip across the Channel, Robert joined the 1^st Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples France on the 6^th September 1916. On the 17^th September Robert joined the 11^th 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 25^th 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 11^th 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.