SAPPER PATRICK FRANCIS MINOGUE
3955 – Mining Corps
Patrick Francis Minogue was born about 1865 in Geelong, Victoria the son of Daniel and Mary (nee Davis) Minogue. He married Catherine Elizabeth (Kate) Shinners in 1888 possibly in Geelong.
He was a partner in a mining venture at Steiglitz, Vic with the syndicate’s application announced in the:
Later that year he was called as a witness to the Geelong Court which was reported in the:
At the recruiting depot in Geelong, Vic on January 26, 1916 he applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars were taken showing his address was 149 Aberdeen Street, Newtown, Geelong with the occupation of carter. Declared fit for service his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.
Attestation Forms were completed adding further information that he gave his age as forty-four years and was 175cms (5ft 9ins) tall, weighed 69kgs (152lbs) with a chest expansion of 98cms (38½ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes and auburn hair and a distinctive mark was a mole on his shoulder. Religious faith was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin nominated was his wife Mrs Catherine Elizabeth Minogue of 149 Aberdeen Street, Newtown, Geelong and allotted three-fifths of his pay in support of her and their children. He was sworn in the same day.
Assigned to the No. 5 Tunnelling Company soon after enlistment and medically re-examined on March 8, 1916 at Broadmeadows camp, Melbourne and re-sworn in.
Early in May, 1916 recruits forming part of the No. 4 Company embarked from Brisbane, Qld aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.
At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training.
The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.)
Sapper Minogue had been assigned the regimental number 3955 with the No. 5 Company but was admitted to the No. 5 Aust General Hospital on May 22 suffering from Influenza for seven days. While there he appeared before the medical board on May 24 and his Statement of Case reads:
Disability:Post pneumonia and pleurisy
Aged:49 years
Date of disability:1915
Origin of disability:Geelong
Essential facts:12 months ago had some pleurisy and pneumonia. The
Pleuretic condition recurs occasionally. He is subject to
Influenzal attacks. He is 49 years of age.
Cause of disability:Exposure at his occupation
Cause by service:Not so caused
Present condition:Heart clear. Sounds weak. Has had influenza this week and
been an outpatient at No. 5 A.G.H.. Lungs – left side dull.
Subject to attacks of pain in left side. He will not be an
efficient soldier. (Later) He has returned from Convalescent
and says pain is still in side.
Board findings:Chest dullness. L.V.N. and occasional crepitations in left
lower axilla. Pain on deep inspiration.
Present condition:Duration three months
Labour market:¼ percent
Recommendation:Discharge
Approved:8/6/16 at No. 5 A.G.H.
The ship Warilda departed Melbourne on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs but Sapper Minogue did not embark as he was in hospital then convalescent at the Rest Camp at MacLeod.
Provisional confirmation of the findings was issued on June 15 to Victoria Barracks. His request for discharge was as follows:
Military Discharge was issued in Melbourne (3rd military district) on June 26, 1916 as medically unfit due to post pneumonia and pleurisy and not due to misconduct.
All documents were forwarded from the Staff Office for Invalid and Returned Soldiers to Base Records.
As Sapper Minogue did not embark overseas he was ineligible for War Service Medals.
In 1922 he was injured in an untimely explosion while working in Melbourne and went to Court to Claim Compensation from the accident. This judgement was reported in:
His residence is recorded from 1937 onwards as 119 Fyan Street, Geelong with the occupation of carter.
Patrick Francis Minogue died on March 19, 1945 aged 80 years. Burial took place in the Geelong Eastern Cemetery in the Roman Catholic portion within section 40, plot 807 in grave no. 153.
His wife Catherine Minogue was buried in the same grave on April 23, 1953.
© Donna Baldey 2014