Poole, Richard Stanely

2133a Private Richard Stanley Poole - 44th Battalion AIF

Richard Stanley Poole was born on the 23rd April 1897 in Adelaide South Australia to Richard and Mary Poole. He was one of five siblings though only three survived a young age.

The family moved to Western Australia while Richard was still young and took up residence in Beaconsfield. Richard completed his education on Fremantle and also served with the 86A Cadets of the Citizens Military Forces.

When he enlisted the family were living with a Mrs. Lyden at 31 King William Street South Fremantle.

On the 17th May 1916 in Fremantle Richard enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was passed as fit by the medical examiner who recorded Richard's physical attributes as;

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

Weight - 107lbs;

Chest Measurement - 30-33 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Dark Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment, Richard was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.70 Training Depot. He spent a month there being taken through the basics of infantry training, then on the 21st June 1916 was transferred to the 17th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion. Richard spent the next ten weeks training with this reinforcement group but was then transferred to the 3rd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF.

On the 10th October 1916 Richard entrained with this group to Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Suffolk. The ship then set sail for England and after the long sea voyage they arrived at Plymouth Harbour on the 2nd December 1916.

After being disembarked Richard and his group were sent to the 11th Training Battalion. Richard had four weeks of training there but on the 29th December was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital with bronchitis. He had a month in hospital recovering, returning to the 11th Training Battalion on the 29th January 1917.

Richard resumed training while he also regained full fitness after a month in hospital. On the 19th April 1917 Richard was sent across to France, firstly heading to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot Camp at Etaples. He only had a few days there and on the 23rd April 1917 was taken on strength of the 44th Battalion AIF.

The 44th Battalion were then currently at Ploegsteert in southern Belgium. Richard just had a week with the front line and he fell ill. He was sent to the 35th General Hospital at Calais and was diagnosed with debility. He spent a week in Calais and was then shipped to England, being admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham.

Richard remained in hospital till the 5th June 1917, and as he was now recovering well, he was given a two week furlough. After this leave period was over Richard reported to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Perham Downs Camp.

On the 13th August 1917 Richard was returned to France, going to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot camp at Rouelles. He spent ten days there and then joined the 44th Battalion on the 26th August 1917 near Messines.

In September 1917 the 44th Battalion moved to Ypres to take part in the current offensive taking place there. In late September they moved into the front line and then took part in the October 4th 1917 action at Zonnebeke. The following week the 44th Battalion were holding the front line when the 9th Australian Brigade came through the 44th's front to being their attack. As a result the Germans shelled this area severely and during the bombardment Richard was wounded.

He had been hit by shrapnel in the neck, back and leg, and was taken to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance for treatment. He was then sent to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen. Richard had a few weeks here receiving treatment.

On the 3rd November 1917 he boarded the hospital transport ship Western Australia and was shipped to England. On arrival Richard was admitted to the 3rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff.

Richard was in this hospital till the 25th February 1918. He was then transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield. Due to his wounds it was clear that Richard's war was now over.

On the 16th March 1918 he was sent aboard the Hospital Ship Warilda and was returned to Australia. He was disembarked in Egypt and pit aboard another hospital ship, the Kanowna, arriving at Fremantle on the 13th May 1918.

Richard was then sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for further medical treatment. He was discharged from the AIF on the 13th September 1918.

After returning home Richard resided at 39 Wardie Street South Fremantle and took up work as a horse trainer.

In 1921 in Fremantle Richard married Margaret Gertrude Hayes at St Patrick's Church and they would go on to have a son Richard born in 1922, followed by Margaret in 1923, Bernice in 1925, Patricia in 1929, Marjorie in 1931 and Janet in 1936.

The family then lived at 17 King William Street South Fremantle before moving to Hamilton Hill in the 1930's. During these years Richard was working as a Lumper at Fremantle Harbour.

In World War Two, Richard again offered his services and was accepted into the Australian Army (W242763). He initially served in the 10th Garrison Battalion and was then sent to the 5th Veterinary Hospital. Richard was discharged in 1945. The family were living at 8 Trafford Street during this time.

Richard died on the 14th December 1974 in Bateman WA aged 77. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot Roman Catholic MON C 0394.