Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Arthur Bartlett was a child of Charles Bartlett and Elizabeth Anne (Betsy) Brown. He boarded the “Roscommon” at London, England on 22 January 1913 and arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 19 March 1913 as a 16 year old government immigrant. He was a young man of 19 years and 4 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 10 March 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a farm labourer at Cooroy, Queensland at the time. He was described as 5 feet 3 inches (160cm) tall. He weighed 118 pounds (53.5kg) and had a medium complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Charles had distinctive scars on his left hand, second finger and on the left side of his chin. He noted his religion as Church of England. Charles was a single man and listed his father who was living at 48 Mill Row, Shoreditch, London, England at the time, as his next of kin.

On 19 September 1916, Private Charles Arthur Bartlett of 52 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Seang Choon” at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to serve his King and country. He disembarked at Plymouth, England on 09 December 1916 and although his records have not stated, Charles would have spent time training in England before he proceeded overseas to France on 25 February 1917 aboard the “Invicta.” Two days later, he marched in to 4 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples. Charles took on strength of 47 Battalion on 07 March 1917. His service number was re-allotted an “A” at the end. An entry in his records state he was still with his unit in Belgium on 27 September 1917. He was granted leave at the end of October and returned to his unit on 12 November 1917. On 18 January 1918, Charles was detached for duty at 4 Div. Power Buzzer School for a week before rejoining his battalion on 26 January.

Charles was transferred from 47 Battalion to 45 Battalion on 25 May 1918. At the beginning of August, he went to Aust. Corps P.B. & A. School and rejoined his unit on 26 August. He was granted a couple of weeks leave in October 1918 and rejoined his unit on 24 October. Charles was ordered back to England in March 1919, disembarking at Southampton on 30 March and proceeded to 1 Tng. Bn. (Training Battalion) at Sutton Veny. He was granted leave for N.M.E. (Non-Military Employment) from 07 April 1919 to 07 July 1919 with pay only, to attend G. T. Brooks, Sherdon Farm near Sandyway, North Molton, Devon. Prior to immigrating to Australia, Charles had worked on Mr. Brooks' farm. This work would help toward Charles going back to farm labouring work once he returned to Australia. Charles was granted leave in England until 21 July. On 01 August 1919, he embarked England aboard H.T. “Argyllshire” and arrived at Melbourne, Victoria on 22 September 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. at Brisbane, Queensland on 08 November 1919. There were no overseas medical papers available in Charles’ records, so it is unknown if he contracted an illness. In 1922, Charles was a cream carter living in Cooroy, Queensland when he became ill. He died on 29 August 1922 at Brisbane, Queensland and was buried at the Toowong Cemetery.