Hearle, Ernest Alfred

No.444 – Private Ernest Alfred Hearle – 11^th Battalion AIF

Ernest Alfred Hearle was born in Port Adelaide South Australia in 1894 to Herbert and Elizabeth Hearle. The family soon moved to Western Australia where they took up residence in Bellevue Terrace Fremantle. Ernest was educated at Beaconsfield State School and after leaving took up an apprenticeship in French Polishing. His apprenticeship lasted five years and he continued with this trade. During this time Ernie had also spent two and a half years service with the 11^th Garrison Artillery in Fremantle.

On the 15^th August 1914 Ernie enlisted into the AIF at the Fremantle Drill Hall. He was accepted for service with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 7 & ¼ inches tall; weight of 10 stone; chest measurement of 37 inches; ruddy complexion; blue eyes and auburn hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. Ernie was assigned to the original “D” Company of the 11^th Battalion with the regimental no.444. However when the 8 companies were changed into four; he became part of “B” Company.

Ernie trained with the 11^th Battalion in WA until the end of October 1914. They then received their embarkation orders and on the 2^nd November 1914 the 11^th Battalion boarded the H.M.A.T. “Ascanius” in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for Egypt. After arriving in Egypt in early December 1914, the 11^th Battalion set up camp at Mena near Cairo and they would train here until early March 1915.

The 3^rd Brigade of the 1^st Division, to which the 11^th Battalion belonged; received orders to leave Egypt and proceed to Lemnos Island, which is located off the coast of Turkey. Ernie and the 11^th Battalion spent over six weeks at Lemnos Island, though they lived on the troopship, and only trained on the island. They also put much practise into disembarking from the ships into the smaller ships in preparation for the landing.

Towards the middle of April 1915 more Australian, New Zealand British, French and Indian troops began to appear on Lemnos Island and it was known the landing would take place soon. On the evening of April 24^th the 11^th Battalion departed Lemnos and steamed towards the Turkish coast. In the early hours of April 25^th the landing took place on the Turkish coast at what would become known as Anzac Cove. The 11^th Battalion actually landed at what was known as North Beach.

The Australians made their way inland and captured the land up to the 2^nd Ridge. Isolated parties of men continued forward but these were unsupported so returned or were killed by the Turks. By mid morning the Turkish forces had strongly attacked the Australian positions and several crucial battles sprung up along the 2^nd Ridge. Ernie and his mates were drawn into the fight in the vicinity of the Nek and Baby 700. Ernie was in a party of men under Sgt Chamberlain who went forward near Baby 700 but as none returned it was thought that they had all been killed by the Turkish soldiers.

Ernie was initially reported as missing but a Court of Inquiry held at Fletre in France in April 1916 declared Ernie to be killed in action. A letter by his brother Herbert to the Red Cross stated that his family had received notice of Ernie’s identity disc being handed in by Turkish authorities. Ernie has no known grave and he is thus commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.

 Ernest had three other brothers who served in the war. Harry served with the 11th Battalion and Charlie with the 51st Battalion and both made it home. Herbert Hearle was killed in 1917 with the 3rd Machine Gun Company.