Finch, Herbert Lionel Ingle

No.428 – Private Herbert Lionel Ingle Finch – 11^th Battalion AIF

Herbert Lionel Ingle Finch was born in Cootamundra NSW in 1885 to Edward and Helena Finch. He was one of six children and Herbert was educated at Greenwich Public School and Fort Street Public School. He also served for three years in the Kings School Cadets. After leaving school Herbert started work for the Bank of New South Wales. He worked in NSW and was then transferred to the Fremantle Branch of the Bank of NSW, where he also took up residence. The 1913 electoral roll has Herbert working and living in Fremantle. He worked as a bank clerk in Fremantle until he enlisted in the AIF in August 1914.

On the 15^th August 1914 Herbert went to the Fremantle Drill Hall and applied to enlist in the AIF. He was passed as fit with the medical examiner, Captain Brennan, finding Herbert to be 5 feet 7 inches in height; weight of 142 lbs; chest measurement of 34-37 inches; pale complexion; blue eyes and black hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Herbert was assigned to “B” Company of the 11^th Battalion AIF with the regimental no.428. The 11^th Battalion trained in WA, mainly at Blackboy Hill Camp, through September and October 1914. They were keenly awaiting the orders for departure for service overseas. They were finally told to pack up camp and which much excitement entrained for Fremantle. On the 31^st October 1914 in Fremantle Harbour, Herbert and the 11^th Battalion boarded the H.M.A.T. “Ascanius” and set sail amid a rousing crowd on the wharf who bid them farewell.

The journey took the 11^th Battalion to Egypt as it was a warmer climate for the Australians to train in as compared to England and also for the reason that Turkey had come into the war on the side of the Germans and that British were worried about Egypt’s security. From December 1914 to March 1915 the 11^th Battalion were based at Mena Camp just outside of Cairo and undertook much training. The 3^rd Brigade were thought to be the best of the Australian Brigades and in March were sent to Lemnos Island off the Turkish coast to prepare for a landing somewhere near the Dardanelles. The 11^th Battalion spent some time at Lemnos Island practising their landing and going for route marches through the Island. They were eventually joined on the Island by the other Australian Brigades as well as New Zealanders, British, French and Indians.

On April 25^th the landings took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The 11^th Battalion landed at what we know today as North Beach. The men climbed up the rugged hills between North Beach and Russel’s Top and made their way inland. Many of Herbert’s B Company was dragged into the fight in the vicinity of Quinn’s Post and Baby 700.

Casualties were heavy and it seems that Herbert was wounded on April 25^th. Unfortunately details are sketchy as to what happened next but Herbert is listed as dying of wounds on the 28^th April 1915. It is probable that after being wounded Herbert was taken on to a hospital ship where he died of wounds. If this was the case he would have been buried at sea. Records were notoriously bad during this time so there is no confirmation of this. What we do know is that Herbert has no known grave and he is therefore commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing.