Connolly, Richard Patrick

1910 Private Richard Patrick Connolly - 28th Battalion & W5959 Royal Australian Engineers

Richard Patrick Connolly was born in Riley Hill NSW on the 16th May 1896 to Bridget and John Connolly.

The family moved to Western Australia and spent time in both Collie and North Fremantle. Richard completed his education in North Fremantle and at CBC Fremantle and also spent time in the cadets while at school.

After leaving school, Richard took up a Carpentry apprenticeship at the State Implement Works in North Fremantle.

On the 17th June 1915, Richard enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 3 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 129lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Brown.

After his successful enlistment, Richard was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 3rd Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion. On the 2nd September 1915, Richard embarked from Fremantle Harbour aboard the HMAT Anchises. The sea journey to Egypt took a few weeks and after disembarking Richard was marched into the training camp. It seems he joined the base details on Lemnos Island but didn't join the 28th Battalion till after the evacuated from Gallipoli.

Richard was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion on the 29th December 1915.

After a few months of training in Egypt, the 28th Battalion departed for France on the 16th March 1916, arriving at Marseilles on the 21st March. They were then entrained for northern France and had their first taste of Western Front trench life near Armentieres.

On the 31st May 1916 Richard was seconded for duty with the 7th Field Company Engineers. He spent a month with the Engineers where his carpentry skills came in handy. However it was only a short transfer as Richard rejoined the 28th Battalion on the 4th July 1916.

On the 29th July 1916 the 28th Battalion took part in an attack at Pozieres on the Somme battlefield. The 28th Battalion advanced over a portion of the battlefield that was exposed to heavy German artillery and machine gun fire with the result that the 28th Battalion sustained many casualties.

Richard was hit by machine gun fire in the thigh. Fortunately he was able to be rescued from the front line positions and was sent back to hospital in France and then England. After a few months in hospital Richard was on the road to recovery but then contracted influenza which put his recovery back and he had to spend longer in hospital.

After recovering Richard was taken back on strength of the 28th Battalion on the 18th December 1916. He served through the French winter and saw action with his Battalion at Lagnicourt in March and April 1917 and Bullecourt in May 1917. Richard survived these actions unscathed and the 28th Battalion were then withdrawn for a well deserved rest period from June to August 1917.

In September the 28th Battalion went to Belgium where they would see much action in the Third Battle of Ypres. On September 20th 1917 Richard fought at the Battle of Menin Road and came through unscathed. He wasn't so lucky at the 28th Battalion's next engagement on October 4th 1917 at Broodseinde as he was again shot through the leg. Fortunately it was just a slight wound and after a few weeks in a French hospital he rejoined the 28th Battalion on the 7th November 1917.

In February 1918 Richard was granted a period of leave to England and he took the opportunity of going to his parents home in Ireland. He fell seriously ill while in Ireland and was admitted to a military hospital in Galway. On the 16th February he was transferred to King George Military Hospital in Dublin. Richard remained here till May 1918 when he was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield England.

Richard's condition gradually improved and on the 30th June 1918 he rejoined the 28th Battalion in France and he served with them from July to October 1918 in all their engagements and came through unscathed.

Richard returned to England early in 1919 and on the 7th April boarded a transport ship for home, disembarking at Fremantle on the 14th May 1919.

After returning home, Richard was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a full medical examination. Richard was then discharged from the AIF.

During the war his brother Mark had been killed in France in 1918 and his uncle at Gallipoli in 1915. Two other brothers, James and Thomas survived the war.

Richard resumed employment with the State Implement Works in North Fremantle

In 1920 Richard married Alma Carson in Fremantle and a daughter called Mary was born in 1921.

The family resided at 22 Harvest Road North Fremantle.

In World War Two, Richard again served. (W5959) His carpentry skills were put to good use as he was assigned to the Royal Australian Engineers No.7 Workshops and an Engineering Park Company. Richard served in WA as well as on Thursday Island and in Darwin in the Northern Territory. Richard was discharge from service in 1945

Richard Patrick Connolly died in Mount Pleasant WA in 1953 aged 57.