Ewels, Robert Henry

No.2438 – Private Robert Henry Ewels – 43^rd Battalion AIF

Robert Henry Ewels was born in East Fremantle WA in 1898 to Henry and Clara Ewels. The family lived in Hubble Street East Fremantle and Robert was educated at Fremantle Boys School. He worked as a shop assistant after leaving school and also spent time as a Naval Cadet. When the Ewels moved to Toodyay Robert joined the 89A Citizen Military Forces Cadets.

On the 9^th June 1916 aged just 18 years and 3 months old Robert, then in Geraldton, enlisted in the AIF. He had the signed consent from his mother and he was thus passed as fit. The medical officer found Robert to be 5 feet 7 & ¼ inches tall; weight of 129 lbs; chest measurement of 32-36 inches; medium complexion; blue grey eyes and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. Robert spent a month in No.74 Depot and on the 22^nd July 1916 was assigned to the 21^st Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion with the regimental no.6505; however at the last minute he was transferred from this group to join the 4^th Reinforcements to the 43^rd Battalion AIF and given the regimental no.2438. This group left Fremantle Harbour aboard the H.M.A.T. “Port Melbourne” on the 30^th October 1916. After the long sea voyage they arrived at Devonport England on the 28^th December 1916.

After disembarking Robert and his group were marched into the 11^th Training Battalion at Durrington Camp on the Salisbury Plains. Robert trained in England for the next few months and eventually orders arrived for him to be included in a draft of men for France. On the 29^th March 1917 he left Folkestone Harbour and arrived at Etaples on the coast of France. In Etaples he was marched into the 3^rd Australian Division Base Depot. He only spent a few days here as he was taken on strength of the 43^rd Battalion on the 1^st April 1917. The 43^rd Battalion were then located in the Ploegsteert sector of Belgium. On the 22^nd April Robert was sent to attend a divisional school where he would have learnt various aspects of war such as the Lewis gun.

On the 29^th April he rejoined the 43^rd Battalion from his time at the School. The 43^rd Battalion was to take part in the upcoming Battle of Messines. This assault was scheduled for June 7^th. The 43^rd Battalion would be tasked with capturing the 2^nd and 3^rd objectives after the first had been taken. The first objective was taken quickly thanks to the 19 mines that were exploded underneath the German lines, but the later objectives proved tricky thanks to a stubborn German defence.

The 43^rd Battalion were in the front line area from the 7^th to 11^th June 1917. During their last day of occupation of this sector Robert was killed in action. Unfortunately no eyewitness statements have been found regarding his death or burial but the 43^rd Battalion were under a very heavy shell fire that day, so it is likely that one of these shells claimed Robert as a victim. Robert Henry Ewels is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.