Jones, Robert Edward Griffiths
4533 Private Robert Edward Griffiths Jones - 11th Battalion AIF
Robert was born on the 25th July 1898 in Adelaide SA to Robert and Florence Jones and he had an older brother Alex born in 1894 and a younger sister Gladys was born in 1900. Sadly, his father died in Adelaide in 1902.
His mother then moved to WA and in 1903 remarried to Johan Heinrick (Henry John) Seeber and Robert had a few more half siblings, Myrtle 1904. Henry 1906, Reginald 1908, George 1911 and Vivian 1915.
The family initially lived in May Street East Fremantle, before moving to 14 Quarry Street in 1912 (later renumbered). Robert was educated at East Fremantle Primary and Fremantle Boys School. He was serving in the Naval Cadets and continued his service in the Navy Reserve.
Prior to the Great War Robert was living at 596 High Street Fremantle (later renumbered to 314 High).
On the 21st September 1915 Robert 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 & 1/4 inches tall;
Weight - 113lbs;
Chest Measurement - 31-35 inches;
Complexion - Fair;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment, Robert was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.37 Training Depot. He had a few weeks here and was then transferred into the 14th Reinforcements to the 11th battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA for two months and then they received their departure orders.
On the 12th February 1916 Robert and his group entrained to Fremantle Harbour and boarded the transport ship HMAT Miltiades. The ship then set sail for Egypt, arriving at Suez on the 10th March 1916.
As the 11th Battalion was already at full capacity, Robert was retained in Egypt with the 1st Division reinforcement camp. On the 29th March 1916 he left Alexandria Egypt and proceeded to France, arriving at Marseilles on the 4th April 1916.
After being disembarked Robert was entrained north for Etaples which is where the 1st Australian Division Base Depot was being sent up. He had nearly seven weeks here and then joined the 11th Battalion on the 26th May 1916.
In July and August 1916 the 11th Battalion fought at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm, with Basil coming through these battles unscathed. After a short sojourn in Belgium, the 11th Battalion were back on the Somme in November 1916, and they would spend the French winter in this area. Robert appears to have come through this time physically unscathed. They remained in the Somme sector till early March 1917.
As a result of the German retirement to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917 the 11th Battalion were involved in follow up operations, notably around Morchies. On April 15th 1917 the 11th Battalion were holding a scattered outpost line in front of Lagnicourt when the Germans attacked their and neighbouring units positions. Despite an initial breakthrough the Germans were eventually pushed back. Just on three weeks later the 11th Battalion were involved in the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt. Robert again survived unhurt though he had become separated from his unit and when the 11th Battalion was relieved from the front Robert was still in the trenches. He was initially reported missing but eventually returned to his unit. After Bullecourt the 11th Battalion were given a three month rest period out of the lines.
The 11th Battalion began to move back towards the front in Belgium in late August and were to take part in the Third Battle of Ypres. However in early September Robert was given a two week furlough to England, returning to the 11th Battalion on the 19th September 1917.
On September 20th the 11th Battalion took part in the Battle of Menin Road and successfully took their objectives. On October 7th the 11th Battalion conducted a successful operation on Celtic Wood, causing the enemy a lot of casualties. As a result the enemy severely bombarded the 11th Battalion’s positions. They then continued to hold the line around Zonnebeke, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele through October and November 1917. Robert again emerged unscathed despite heavy casualties in his unit. He was now appointed to Lance Corporal.
From November 1917 to March 1918, the 11th Battalion held the front line in the sector between Messines and Ypres Belgium.
As a result of the German offensive of March 21st 1918 when they broke through the British front in the southern sector, the five Australian divisions were sent to the Somme to help stop this advance. The 11th Battalion, as part of the 1st Australian Division was the last of the divisions to leave Belgium and had just arrived near Amiens when the Germans broke through the line in Belgium and made a speedy advance into northern France. The 1st Australian Division was then returned north and met the Germans around Hazebrouck, Meteren and Merris and for the next few months were in action here. On the 16th June 1918 Robert was evacuated to hospital with influenza. He was admitted to the 18th General Hospital at Le Havre and spent the next few weeks there.
On the 26th July 1918 Robert rejoined the 11th Battalion and two weeks later they were moved south to Villers-Bretonneux where they 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. Robert was shot through the hand during the advance and after treatment at the 15th Field Ambulance and 20th Casualty Clearing Station, he was sent to the 4th General Hospital. However he was only there for two days and was shipped to England.
On arrival in England, Robert was shipped to the County of Middlesex War Hospital. He was a patient here till the 29th August 1918. He was then given a two week furlough after which he reported into No.4 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott. He would be here for several weeks and on the 22nd October 1918 went absent without leave for five days. When he reported back to camp he was fined 5 days pay and reverted back to the rank of Private.
On the 30th October 1918 was sent to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell. He was still here when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. He then returned to France on the 22nd November 1918 and rejoined the 11th battalion.
When the Germans withdrew to their own borders, the Australians were sent into what had been German occupied parts of France and Belgium. On the 26th December 1918 Robert was attached to the staff of the Brussels Leave Hostel. He was stationed there till the 15th March 1919.
Robert then received his orders to return to England and on the 27th March 1919 left France. On arrival in England he was sent to No.1 Group Camp at Longbridge Deverell. He would now remain here while waiting to be assigned a berth on a troopship home.
On the 1st June 1919 Robert boarded the transport ship Somali, and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 8th July 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on the 30th August 1919.
He returned to the family residence in High Street Fremantle and in 1921 married Britta Anna Olsson. They then took up residence at 174 Marmion Street Fremantle. (later renumbered to 101 Marmion St). Robert was now working as a Crane Driver. They had a daughter Joyce born in 1922 and Dorothea in 1925.
The family were together in Fremantle till 1929 when they separated and were divorced in 1935.
Robert served again in World War Two (W29305) enlisting on the 31st October 1940. He served with the 13th training Battalion at Northam Army Camp till 1941 when he was discharged.
Roert then went to work for the Bunning Brothers Mill at Muchea
Robert died in Fremantle on the 30th December 1949 aged 51. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A3 0849.