PALFREYMAN, Audubon Eric
| Service Number: | 11862 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | Royal Flying Corps |
| Born: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7 July 1892 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Belgium, 23 May 1918, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ruddervoorde Communal Cemetery, West- Vlaanderen, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Hobart Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 17 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 11862, 3rd Division Supply Column | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 1916: | Involvement 11862, 4th Motor Transport Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Jun 1916: | Embarked 11862, 4th Motor Transport Company, HMAT Afric, Melbourne | |
| 16 Mar 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Driver, 11862, 3 Australian Railway Company, Discharged to the Royal Flying Corps with rank of 2nd Lieutenant | |
| 17 Mar 1917: | Involvement Royal Flying Corps |
Help us honour Audubon Eric Palfreyman's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Captain Audubon Eric Palfreyman survived longer than many airman, but was killed in action on the 23 May 1918. Captain Palfreyman was from Hobart, a member of the well-known soft goods firm of Palfreyman and Palfreyman, of that city. He was the youngest of 14 children. He enlisted a private in the AIF in August 1916, and after his transfer to the RFC he rose quickly from 2nd Lieutenant to the rank of Flight-Captain. Palfreyman distinguished himself both as a fighter and a scout in many engagements and was reported to have brought down two enemy aircraft in individual encounters in the same day; and shortly before his death, he was recommended for the Military Cross.
The Hobart Mercury as a matter of standard practice regularly published letters received from men overseas and also letters of condolence received by next of kin from unit commanders and fellow soldiers. The following appeared on 19 October 1918 page 8.
“Rev Isaac Hardcastle Palfreyman, of Hobart, has received the following letter from Major Douglas Hill, Officer Commanding 27th Squadron Royal Air Force – “A note was dropped on our side of the lines telling us that your son, Captain A E Palfreyman, had been killed on the 23rd of May. Your son was leading a formation which was attacked by several German machines, and your son's machine was seen to have been hit, but, of course, we all hoped for the best, and quite thought he might be a prisoner. Alas! I am afraid that there is now no doubt he has gone. From the same source we learn that his observer is a prisoner, seriously wounded. I offer you, from us all, most sincere sympathy on your loss. All of us, without exception, knew your son to be the best, bravest, and most reliable fellow in the squadron. His record here has never been, and never will be equalled, and just before he was brought down he was being awarded a decoration. Personally I am heart broken he has gone, for, besides being my best officer, he was my friend and help – just everything, and I know that for certain that no finer, truer fellow ever stepped. I am so proud to have known him and to have had him in my squadron, and I know how proud you must feel in your great sorrow to have possessed such a gallant and fine son. With all my sympathy to you and Mrs. Palfreyman in your great loss.”
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