Hunter, Ralph

446 Private Ralph Hunter - 1st Division Signal Company

Ralph Hunter was born in Newcastle NSW on the 2nd December 1890 to Mr. and Mrs. James Hunter.

He was educated locally and the family then moved to Western Australia with the family taking up residence in Fremantle.

Ralph secured employment with the Fremantle Municipal Tramways where he was a tram driver. In early 1915 the following article was in the Fremantle Herald.

A DOUBLE EVENT.

Mr. Ralph Hunter, tram chauf-
feur, is "twenty-one to-day." Last
night a host of his friends who be-
lieve in grabbing Time by the beer-

lock foregathered at the Burlington
Private Hostel in Packenham-street,
where Ralph hangs out, and gave him
an excessive-speed time. Mr. Jim
Johnson, of Harbor Trust engineer-
ing fame, was same age a few days
ago, and his friends coalesced with
those of Ralph, and made last night's
celebrations a double event. Toasts,
speeches, songs, recitations, and in-
strumental items followed each other
like nags chasing the Melbourne
mug. During the evening Mr. Hunter,
who before he took on tram-
steering was skating instructor at
the Olympia Skating Rink, gave an
exhibition with chalked rollers on
the balcony, performing the difficult
feat writing the names, ages, and
birthday dates of himself and Mr.
Johnson on the boards. "Won' g'
home morning," "Oul Lang Shine,"
"Jolly goo' f'lers," add "Shave the
King" concluded a very happy
Fix this textevening.
 
 

On the 3rd March 1915, Ralph enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. The medical examiner passed him as fit for service with his physical attributes being recorded as;

Height - 5 feet 9 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 145lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Brown.

After his successful enlistment Ralph was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was soon assigned to 'C' Company of the 28th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group for the next few months while they waited for their embarkation orders to arrive.

These orders finally came and Ralph and the 28th Battalion embarked from Fremantle Harbour on the 9th June 1915 on the HMAS Ascanius. After a three week sea journey, the 28th Battalion arrived in Egypt and after being disembarked went into camp and went into another training program. However as reinforcements were needed on Gallipoli, the 28th Battalion did not have much time in Egypt as by September 1915, Ralph and his unit were landed at the Anzac battlefield.

Ralph seems to have survived the Gallipoli action unscathed and the 28th Battalion returned to Egypt in December 1915. In early 1916, Ralph changed units and was transferred to the 1st Division Signal Company.

On the 21st March 1916 Ralph and his new unit left Egypt for France and upon arriving at Marseilles they were then sent to the north of France to the Armentieres region.

In July 1916 the 1st Australian Division headed for the Somme battlefield where they captured Pozieres from the Germans. Ralph appears to have come through this battle unscathed. His role would have been dangerous as it involved maintaining communications between the forward troops and headquarters so the signallers were always out repairing phone lines under heavy shell fire.

On the 6th August 1916 Ralph reported sick though while he was in hospital he also developed influenza so he remained away from his unit for several months. Ralph rejoined the 1st Division Signal Company on the 14th January 1917.

He served through the actions of 1917 such as Bullecourt and the Third Battle of Ypres, but in October reported sick and was diagnosed with bronchitis which developed into influenza. His condition did not improve for the next few months so the decision was made to send Ralph back to Australia.

On the 13th March 1918 Ralph left England on a hospital ship bound for Australia. He was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and living in the trenches would not have improved his condition.

After returning to Fremantle Ralph was given a medical examination at No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle and was discharged from the AIF on the 5th June 1919.

Ralph resumed his work with Fremantle Tramways. In 1919 he won the popular Trammie Competition and continued working for them until his retirement in 1956. In all he worked for 44 years for the Tramways starting as a conductor, then Driver, than as Inspector.

In 1921 Ralph married Nellie Caddy and they set up residence at 130 Marmion Street East Fremantle. There was a daughter Norma born in 1923 and a son, Ross in 1927 followed by Ralph in 1928.

In World War Two, Ralph again offered his services, and was accepted for duty for home service. (Regimental No.W67852) He served with 'A' Company of No.2 Fremantle Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. Ralph served from 1942 to 1945 in the Fremantle Defence region. He was promoted to Corporal during this period of service.

He was joined in the WW2 service by his son Ross. Despite being only 17 Ross enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force in 1944. (Regimental number 85753)

Ralph Hunter died in June 1957.