Dearm, Charles

2044 Lance Corporal Charles Louis Alexander Dearm (Deram) - 44th Battalion AIF

Charles Louis Alexander Dearm was born in Fremantle WA in March 1890 to Charles and Elizabeth Dearm. He had an elder sister called Elsie born in 1888. He was educated locally and after leaving school took up work as a labourer though went to the South West of the State to work as a wood cutter/timber worker. Charlie also served for three and a half years in the 18th Light Horse Regiment of the Citizens Military Forces.

During this time his family home was still at 42 Chester Street in South Fremantle. (later renumbered 50 Chester).

On the 31st March 1916 Charlie enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 9 inches tall;

Weight - 154lbs;

Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;

Complexion - Ruddy;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After his successful enlistment Charlie was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp and was assigned to No.66 Training Depot. He spent six weeks in this training depot being taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 20th June 1916 he was then transferred into the 3rd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion. He would train with this group in WA for the next few months.

On the 7th October 1916 Charlie and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour and boarded the transport ship HMAT Suffolk. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 2nd December 1916.

Charlie and his group were then sent to the 11th Training Battalion on the Sailsbury Plains. On the 20th December 1916 Charlie was transferred to France and on arrival in Etaples was sent to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot Camp. He was taken on strength of the 44th Battalion on the 26th January 1917.

The 44th battalion were then situated in Northern France near Armentieres. A day after joining his unit Charlie reported sick and was sent to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station where he was diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia. He was then sent to the 13th General Hospital at Boulogne. Charlie returned to the 44th Battalion on the 23rd February 1917.

In April 1917 the 44th Battalion were transferred to Ploegsteert in southern Belgium.

The 44th Battalion spent the next few months in the Messines sector. In June 1917 the Messines offensive commenced with the 44th Battalion seeing action in the successful operation. Charlie came through safely and continued to serve with his unit.

On the 31st July 1917 the 44th Battalion took part in operations around the village of Warneton. Charlie was wounded though fortunately it was not severe and he rejoined the 44th Battalion on the 6th August 1917.

He subsequently served through the Third Battle of Ypres from September to November 1917 seeing action at Zonnebeke, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele.

From December 1917 to March 1918 the 44th Battalion held the line in Belgium south east of Ypres. On the 21st February 1918 Charlie was sent on a two week furlough to England.

As a result of the German offensive on March 21st 1918 which broke through the British front line further south, the Australian Divisions were sent to the Somme to help stop the German advance. The 44th Battalion were sent to an area near the Somme River at Sailly-le-Sec and Sailly Laurette. The 44th Battalion advanced till they met the Germans in the field near Sailly Laurette and though the German fire stopped the 44th from advancing, the Germans were also stopped.

Charlie and the 44th Battalion were in this sector for the next few months. On the 4th July 1918 the 44th Battalion took part in the successful capture of Hamel village. Charlie came through this action unscathed.

On the 8th August 1918 the 44th Battalion took part in the successful advance from the Villers-Bretonneux front and they took their objectives. The 44th Battalion advanced continually for the next several weeks, seeing action around Bray, Clery and Peronne. By the 29th September 1918 the 44th Battalion were at the Hindenburg Line defences. The 44th Battalion was involved in the attack for the next few days but again Charlie came through safely.

The 44th battalion were then withdrawn for a rest period and they were still out of the line when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918.

Charlie was then detached for duty to 3rd Division HQ where he was to work as a Groom. He stayed attached to the 3rd Division Headquarters until the 24th February 1919. He then returned to the 44th Battalion but was only there for a month then was transferred to England.

On the 1st June 1919 Charlie boarded the transport ship Somali and set sail home for WA, disembarking in Fremantle on the 8th July 1919.

Charle was discharged from the AIF on the 15th August 1919.

Charlie then returned home to Chester Street and found work locally as a labourer.

In 1937 Charlie got married to Catherine Elizabeth Stack and they would continue to reside at 50 Chester street South Fremantle. They would live here through to the 1960's.

Charlie died on the 30th January 1969 aged 78. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot Roman Catholic Mon C4 0246.