SAPPER ROBERT McMURTRIE MITCHELL
16789 – Australian Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company
Born in Ayrshire, Scotland about 1897, Robert was the son of Thomas and Catherine McClure (nee McWhirter) Mitchell.
The 1901 Census of Scotland records :
Thomas Mitchell, age 53, a butcher, living at High Street Inches Close, Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. Living with Thomas is his wife Catherine Mcw Mitchell, age 43, and their children Margaret, 23; Jane, 14; Catherine, 12; Thomas, 10; William, 8; Jessie, 6; Robert, 4 and James,1.
The Mitchell family emigrated to Australia in 1907 on board R.M.S. Miltiades. The family included Thomas and Catherine, sons Thomas, William, Robert and James, and daughters Margaret, Catherine, Jane and Jessie. The Miltiades arrived at Sydney on 22 July and the family stayed on board and travelled on to Brisbane, disembarking on 1 August 1907.
On 15 July 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Robert completed an ‘Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force’. He gave his postal address as “Cargill”, Annie Street, Kingsholme, New Farm, Brisbane. Being under 21 years of age, he had the consent of his parents to enlist.
A medical examination at Brisbane on 31 July recorded that he was 19 Years and 9 months of age. He was 5ft 7ins tall and weighed 130 pounds. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. Distinguishing marks recorded were scars on both knees; forehead, back of head and right cheek. He was of the Presbyterian faith.
He signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad’, and the Oath to ‘well and truly serve’, on 31 July 1916 stating that he was an electrician by trade, having completed an apprenticeship with F. Bell & Company of Brisbane.
He named as his Next-of-Kin his mother Mrs. Catherine Mitchell of Annie Street, New Farm, Brisbane.
Robert’s training began at the 11th Depot Battalion on 7 August. On 1 September he was transferred to the 7th Reinforcements, 4th Pioneer Battalion. On 16 October he was transferred to the Field Engineers with the rank of Sapper. He was transferred to the Engineers Reinforcements, 2nd Military District (NSW) on 3 November.
He embarked at Sydney on board RMS Osterly on 10 February 1917 with the January 1917 Reinforcements, 1-5 Division Field Companies, Engineers.
Disembarking at Plymouth, England on 11 April 1917, he marched in to Australian Details No.3 Camp, Parkhouse. He was transferred to the Engineer Training Depot at Brightlingsea on 16 April.
Robert proceeded overseas to France on 26 June and marched in to the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD) at Rouelles on 27 June. On 24 October he marched out to the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC) and was attached to that unit pending absorption. He was taken on supernumerary strength of the AEMMBC on 3 December 1917.
He was due Blue Chevrons about this time. Each blue Service Chevron denoted one year’s service from 1 January 1915. A red Chevron denoted service before 31 December 1914.
Robert proceeded on leave on 7 February 1918, rejoining his unit on 21 February. On 1 August 1918 he was taken on strength of the AEMMBC.
He was granted furlough from 26 December 1918 until 9 January 1919 when he rejoined his unit in France.
Robert marched out of his unit on 18 March and marched in to the AGBD at Havre, ending his service with the AEMMBC.
The AEMMBC, with a strength of little more than 300 men, was employed along the entire Western Front providing lighting and ventilation to dugouts and boring for water supplies where needed. They worked with all 5 Armies of the British Expeditionary Force.
He marched out of the AGBD to England on 24 March and marched in to the A.S.C. Training Depot, Parkhouse on 26 March. He marched out to the Repatriation and Demobilisation Depot, London on 1 April and was granted leave until 8 April.
Robert was granted Non-military Employment (NME) leave with pay and subsistence from 7 April 1919 until 27 September to study engineering at D. Kerr and Co. Ltd. at Preston, England.
His NME was cancelled on 30 June and he was granted pre-embarkation leave until 14 July 1919 when he marched in to No.2 Group.
Robert left London on 2 August on board Argylshire for return to Australia. He was admitted to the Ships Hospital on 18 August until 10 September with influenza.
He disembarked at Melbourne on 22 September and was discharged from the A.I.F. at Sydney, NSW on 1 November 1919, entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
The 1919/1921/1925 Electoral Roll records Robert, electrical fitter, living at ‘Cargill’, Annie Street, New Farm, Brisbane. Also at that address was Thomas Mitchell, labourer.
In February 1925 the A.I.F. returned Robert’s Will to him.
Robert married on 12 December 1925 in Queensland to Cora Davis Key. Cora born 3 May 1898 in Queensland.
The Electoral Rolls record that between 1919, Cora was a shop assistant, living at ‘Lucinda’, Methyr Road, Fortitude Valley. In 1921 Cora was living at ‘Lucinda’ with her sisters Christina, a packer, and Ettie, also a shop assistant, and brother John Mcinroy Key, Fireman. By 1925, Ettie has moved out of ‘Lucinda’ and brother David, boiler maker, and father John Mcinroy Key, engine driver have joined Cora and Christina.
The 1936 Electoral Roll records Robert, electrical mechanic, living at Ann Street, Clayfield, Brisbane. Also Cora Doris, home duties.
Robert enlisted on 8 April 1942 at Brisbane and served in WW2 as Q200490 Sergeant, 2nd Battalion Volunteer Defence Force. He was discharged on 21 October 1945.
The 1943/1949/1954 Electoral Rolls record Robert, electrical mechanic, living at Gellibrand Street, Clayfield, Brisbane. Also Cora Doris, home duties.
The 1958 Electoral Roll records Robert, electrical mechanic, living at 59 Gellibrand Street, Clayfield, Brisbane. Also Cora Doris, home duties.
Cora died on 11 January 1958 in Queensland, daughter of John McInroy and Annie Matthew (nee Dove) Key.
In February 1962 Robert’s military and medical records were provided to the Repatriation Commission, Brisbane.
Robert died on 24 April 1964 in Queensland, son of Thomas and Catherine McClure (nee McWhirter) Mitchell
Reunions
Past members of the Australian Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnelling Companies gathered on or about Anzac Day for a reunion luncheon. We have had access to some of their records, which were very well kept and are quite detailed.
Robert appears on the list in 1928 giving his address as Inkerman Street, Mosman. There was no correspondence with the Association from 1933.
© Donna Baldey 2014