Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

Harold Austin Bruce BLACK

Personal

Born: 1893

Birthplace: Tandarra,Victoria

Parents: David Black
Sarah Jane Dodding  Married 1883

Died: 1956

Awards and Honours

  • British War Medal 1914-20

Battalions

20th Depot Battalion, Castlemaine8th Field Ambulance brigade, 4th reinforcement

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 33993

Enlistment date: 1 April, 1916 Town Hall, Melbourne

Age at enlistment: 22 years 5 months

Address at enlistment: Melton, Victoria

Religion: Methodist

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin: Mother: Sarah Black, Melton, Victoria

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 140 pounds
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Distinctive marks: Scar Shoulder, 3 scars on back, mole on tight buttock

Embarkation ship: .

Rank: Gunner

War Service Summary

01/04/1916 - Enlisted
30/09/1916 - Base hospital, Macleod, Foot injured at Melton, gun shot wound. Bullet was removed in an operation, and a further two operations took place to repair damage, but foot was left stiff. Walks with a limp.
28/11/1916 - 3/A reinforcements, Maribyrnong
13/12/1916 - Discharged medical unfit, bullet wound to foot, not misconduct. Of good character.

War Service Commemerated

Life After the War

Names of wife & children:


Place/s of residence:

Occupations:

Date of death: 1956
Place of burial:

Other relevant information:
31/07/1917 - Brother William John Black, Service Number 882 was Killed In Action, Belgium.

Parents married in 1883.

Additional Information

Melton Express

27 May 1916, page 2

Watches were presented to Privates Harold Black, Edward Carew, Ernest Minns, Percy Stubbs, William Stone (who has been to the Front, and returned ill) Henry Sawyer, George Ware, Private John Farrell (who already had a wristlet watch) was presented with an auto-strop razor and a pipe. Musical items were rendered by Mrs. J. H. Allen, Misses D. Farrell, and A. Riddell, Messrs. H. Cunningham, G. Jongebloed and Murison. Miss Ross (a visitor front Melbourne) supplied the dance music. The Committee intend presenting a wristlet watch (or its equivalent) to every volunteer from the Shire, including those who have gone away. The latter will be handed over to the relatives. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and all present enjoyed themselves immensely

Melton Express

7 October 1916, page 2

Private Harold Black, while out rabbit shooting, had the misfortune to put a pea rifle bullet through his foot, causing a painful wound. This has delayed his departure, as he should have gone last Tuesday. Private John Minns, who has been invalided home from the Front, arrived in Melton on Tuesday. He speaks very highly of the arrangements of the Hospital Staffs in both Egypt and England, and says that the Red Cross comforts, both in hospital and on board ship, leave nothing to be desired. Private Minns served in the South African war, under General Plumer, and holds the Queen's medal, with three clasps. Mr. "Bill" Riddell has enlisted and will going to camp soon. Gunner Carew and Gunner Sawyer left for the front on Tuesday last.

Sources

Service Record
Newspaper accounts