Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From: In Remembrance: Hungerford and Associated Families in the Great War 1914-1918

Lt Olave Aldridge NEWTH

Regimental Number:   3865
Unit Name:   4th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
Religion:   Church of England

Occupation:   Insurance Clerk

Address:   'Kameruk', Dudley Street, Haberfield, NSW

Age of Enlistment:   22 years and 7 months

Enlistment Date:   15 August 1915, Holdsworthy, NSW. (It was originally spelt as Holdsworthy until after World War 2 when the 'd' was dropped, so it became Holsworthy.)

Next of Kin:   Father, Rev. J. Aldridge Newth, Kameruka, Dudley Street, Haberfield, NSW    

Rank on Enlistment:   Private  

Embarkation Details:   Unit embarked from Sydney, NSW, on board HMAT A7 Medic, on 7 January 1916

Note: The original date in his service records is 30 December 1915, but this has been crossed out and amended to 7 January 1916.

Rank from Nominal Roll:   Lieutenant

Unit from Nominal Roll:   1st Battalion

Campaigns Served:   Egypt; France

War Service/Promotions:   Disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt, on 7 February 1916. Then on 22 March 1916, he proceeded to join British Expeditionary Force, disembarking from HMT Ivernia, at Marseilles, France, on 28 March 1916. Wounded in action, France, 22 May 1916, with gunshot wound to left shoulder. He was sent from Rouen, France, on HS St. Patrick, to England on 7 August 1916, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, on 8 August 1916. Transferred on 13 October 1916 to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, and discharged on 18 October 1916 to Perham Downs, Salisbury Plains (training camp), Wiltshire, England. On 23 March 1917, Olave transferred to 61st Battalion from 1st Battalion, and was Taken on Strength the same day. Appointed Lance Corporal on 1 June 1917, Temporary Corporal on 23 August 1917 and then promoted to Corporal (61st Battalion) on 19 September 1917. He was returned to 1st Battalion on 19 September 1917, proceeding to France via Southampton, Hampshire, England, on 9 October 1917. On 16 October 1917, Taken on Strength of 1st Battalion AIF. He was wounded in action (2nd occurrence) with a gunshot wound to head, and on 14 November 1917 was transferred to England per St. George. He was admitted to Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, England on 16 November 1917. By 9 April 1918 he proceeded overseas to Devereil, France via Southampton and on 10 April marched into Australian Infantry Base Depot, Le Havre. On 2 August 1918 he was appointed Lance/Sergeant. On 9 September 1918, he was detached to join (Officer) Cadet Battalion. On 4 October joined No 17 Officer Cadet Battalion, at Kinmel Park, Rhyl, Wales. On 24 January 1919 he returned to A.I.B.D., Le Havre, from England. Appointed Lieutenant 5 April 1919. On 7 May 1919 marched out for RTA, then to England on 15 May 1919.

Fate:   Returned to Australia per HT Norman, 4 July 1919, disembarking 20 August 1919. He married Eileen Mary Wiseman, 16 December 1933, St Stephen's Catholic Cathedral, Brisbane, Qld.

Place of Wounding:   (1) Gunshot wound, left shoulder, 22 May 1916, France. (2) Gunshot wound, head 16 November 1917, France.

Place of Death:   14 November 1984, Pambula, NSW

Place of Cremation:   Norwood Park Crematorium, Gungahlin, ACT

Medals/Citations:   British War Medal; Victory Medal