ABERCROMBIE, Ernest Matheson
| Service Numbers: | 1876, 1876B |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Isleworth, London, England. , 1874 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Unknown |
| Occupation: | Planter |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 25 June 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, Erquinghem-Lys, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 20th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Aug 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1876, 20th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1 | |
| 25 Jun 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1876B, 18th Infantry Battalion, Died of Wounds--- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1876B awm_unit: 18 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1916-06-25 | |
| 25 Jun 1916: | Wounded Lance Corporal, 1876 |
Information about his name change
From his enlistment papers National Archives of Australia
"In answer to your letter of
the 3rd instant, I beg to state that I am the
next-of-kin, being the eldest brother. My
full name is William Robert Abercrombie Matheson.
Both my parents are dead. The name Abercrombie
was only used as a trade name. and my youngest
brother, Ernest Courtenay Matheson, went out to
Australia just before the war broke out and joined
up under his professional name (E.M. Abercrombie)
was hit by shrapnel and died in the Field Hospital
June 1916. As there is no other next-of-kin but
myself, I should be glad to know the next step
you require me to take so that I may obtain my
deceased brother's war service medals as they would
be the only interesting things I could cherish in
remembrance.
My other brother, Francis Abercrombie,
also joined the A.I F. in Australia. but his correct
name is Francis Edward Matheson. He was trading
in the Solomon Islands under the name of F.E. Abercrombie
(but is much my junior). His No. 7439 "A" Coy. 1st Bn.
He is at present farming in Kingsvale N.S.W. and I
deal with all his correspondence here."
Submitted 25 June 2019 by Elizabeth Allen
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Ernest Matheson ABERCROMBIE was born in Isleworth, London in 1874 under the name of Ernest Courtenay MATHESON
His parents were William MATHESON & Catherine TRIMBLE
There is a letter in his war file that explains the name change (see attached story)
His brother served under the name of Frank ABERCROMBIE (SN7439) - his real name was Francis Edward MATHESON - he returned to Australia in 1919
Biography contributed by Glenunga International High School
Ernest Matheson Abercrombie (1874-1916), planter and soldier, was born in 1876 in a small town called Isleworth, located in London, England. He was born as a brother of F.Abercrombie. His religion being Church of England, Matheson Abercrombie lived in the Solomon Islands, a country in Oceanina. Prior to his enlistment, Abercrombie served for 2 years in Middlesex Volunteers. He was occupied as a planter at the time of his enlistment, on 8th June, 1915 at Liverpool, New South Wales.
E.M Abercrombie embarked on 9 August 1915 from Sydney, NSW. The unit, 20th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement was on board HMAT A54 Runic. By this time, Abercrombie was 41 years old.
On the 25th of June, 1916, Ernest Matheson Abercrombie died of wounds in Fleurbaix, France. He was 42 years old at the time. His place of burial is Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Abercrombie's name is located at 84 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
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