Larson, PTE Carl August

Carl August Larson (1873-1938), sleeper cutter, cement worker and soldier was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. He migrated to Australia as a young adult and became a citizen in 1898 at the age of 25. He lived in the centre of Perth with his wife, Kate Larson, working as a sleeper cutter, whereby he participated in the construction of Western Australia’s railways.

Carl Larson enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 6th of January 1916, at the age of 42 and was posted to A Company, 44th Battalion. Larson was one of the older soldiers in the battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1916 and arrived at the front lines in November 1916. His service, with the 44th Battalion was quite short however, as he soon suffered from haemorrhoids and had to spend 6 months in hospital. It was then decided that he should be medically discharged to Australia.

During the war, Private Larson had fought in 1 battle and spent 94 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Active Service Badge and 1 Long Service Stripe.

Larson lived in Perth city for the rest of his life, eventually working at Portland Cement Works. He continued to work well into his sixties until he died on the 26th of November 1938 at the age of 65 and was buried in the Lutheran section of Karrakatta Cemetery.

Notes

Crime: Outside after curfew whilst on active service: 1 day of Field Punishment No. 1 in February 1917.

Later worked at the Portland Cement Works. Later moved to 185 Stirling Street, Perth.

Had some sort of connection to the Goldfields town of Menzies.

Sources

National Archives of Australia

Sunday Times 27/11/1938, P.2