Hyde, Robert James
6391A Private Robert James Hyde DCM - 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion & 11th Battalion AIF
Robert was born on the 22nd August 1890 in Sydney NSW to James and Jessie Hyde, being one of ten siblings in the family.
The family moved to WA goldfields in the 1890's and took up residence in Boulder. Robert was educated there and after leaving school he took up an apprenticeship in being a Moulder with the Company Bennett and Hyde in Boulder. This apprenticeship just lasted for two years as the family then moved to Fremantle.
Robert's father James took up a position with the State Implement Works in North Fremantle and Robert would also work there as a Moulder. The family appeared to have been living at 4 Jackson Street North Fremantle.
On the 15th March 1915 Robert 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 7 & 1/2 inches tall;
Weight - 145lbs;
Chest Measurement - 37-39 inches;
Complexion - Fair;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Fair.
After his successful enlistment Robert was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 16th Company Australian Army Service Corps. The men assigned to the Service Corps were sent over east to continue their specialised training.
Robert was then attached to the 1st Reinforcements to the 16th AASC which departed from Sydney Harbour aboard the transport ship HMAT Ceramic on the 25th June 1915. The ship set sail for Egypt, arriving there in August 1915.
It doesn't appear that Robert served at Gallipoli but as the early records are sparse on details it is a possibility. The 16th AASC was attached to the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division who were at Gallipoli from August 1915 to December 1915.
In early 1916, Robert was assigned to the 2nd Division Train, where he worked as a driver. On the 20th March 1916, Robert and his group proceeded across to France, arriving at Marseilles on the 28th March 1916. The men were then entrained north for the Armentieres sector. The Australian would spend the next few months in this sector gaining experience of the Western Front. As a Driver for the AASC, Robert would have been transporting supplies across the rear areas.
On the 25th April 1916 Robert sought medical assistance after being kicked in the head by a horse. He was sent to hospital and then had a few days in the convalescent camps before being returned to the AASC base depot. On the 27th July 1916 he was then transferred to the 2nd Anzac Entrenching Battalion. The Entrenching battalions provided labouring parties to assist units such as tunnellers, pioneers, railways, engineers and signals.
He would not be with that unit long as Robert would now be assigned to the 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion. They were intended to operate like cavalry for scouting, patrolling, and reconnaissance during semi-open warfare but most of their time was spent on support duties, including laying communication and telegraph cables, traffic control, unloading railway supplies, and burying the dead.
Robert did have a two week furlough to England in December 1916. In March 1917 he was also appointed to Lance Corporal. Robert remained on duty in France and Belgium with this unit through 1917. He was given a two week leave period in August 1917 during which time he went to England.
He served with his unit through the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium from September to November 1917, and from December 1917 to March 1918 the Australians continued to serve in Belgium. In January 1918 Robert's unit became part of the Australian Corps Cyclist Battalion.
Robert was away in England on leave when this unit change happened so when he returned on the 1st February 1918 it was to a new unit.
On the 9th March 1918 Robert was sent to the Australian Corps Infantry School for a period of instruction and then rejoined his unit on the 28th March 1918. He remained with his unit for the next few months but on the 20th June 1918 Robert was transferred to the 11th Battalion AIF.
When he joined them, the 11th Battalion were in northern France near Merris and Meteren. They were here through to the end of July 1918 and Robert was now appointed to the rank of Corporal. Shortly after this the 11th Battalion was moved south to Villers-Bretonneux where they joined the other Australian Divisions and would take part in the large advance that was due to take place on August 8th 1918.
The 11th Battalion didn't take part in the first day of the advance but went into the line on the 9th August 1918 and on the following day attacked the German positions at Lihons. The Germans had well entrenched positions and unleashed a heavy machine gun fire on the advancing men of the 11th Battalion. Many of the 11th Battalion were killed and wounded by this fire but Robert came through unscathed.
Despite their large casualties on the 10th August, they continued their advance the following day. On the 11th August 1918 Robert was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The official recommendation reads;
On the 11th August 1918 during our attack on the Blue Line Cpl Hyde showed most conspicuous gallantry. When our left flank was being held up by an enemy machine gun, this NCO alone crossed a road which was being raked by enemy m.g. fire, bombing the enemy post, killing two of the garrison and wounding two. He then secured the gun and brought it back to our line, once again crossing the bullet swept road. As a result our left flank was able to advance. Later this NCO was in charge of a carrying party, which for 24 hours, under continuous enemy fire, made repeated trips to the front line carrying forward ammunition and water which were urgently required. His courage and tenacity were an inspiration to all and his work cannot be too highly commended.
Robert continued to serve with the 11th Battalion over the next few weeks but on the 7th September 1918 he reported ill and was evacuated to hospital where it was diagnosed that he was suffering from influenza. He was evacuated to the 12th USA General Hospital at Rouen. He had a few weeks here but with his condition not improving he was shipped to England where he was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol. His condition was now improving and on the 14th October 1918 Robert was well enough to be granted a two week furlough.
On the 28th October 1918 Robert reported into No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny. He would remain here for the next few weeks and was waiting to be assigned a berth on a troopship home. On the 22nd December 1918 Robert boarded the troopship Bakara and set sail for home, arriving at Fremantle on the 5th February 1919.
Robert was discharged from the AIF on the 13th April 1919.
During his time away, his Father had moved to NSW, so after a short time in Fremantle in 1919, staying with his sisters, Robert also went to Stockton NSW. It was while he was in NSW in 1920 that he was informed of his award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
He married Irene Elsie Aubin 1921 in Stockton Hunter Valley NSW and a son Robert was born in 1922; and a daughter Pamela in 1927.
His sister Florence died in Fremantle 1934; followed by Louisa in 1941 and Violet in 1947.
Robert was in the Hunter Valley through the 1930's but then moved to Auburn Blaxland NSW.
Robert died on the 18th January 1957 at East Hills NSW.