Abercromby, PTE Robert Ralph
Private Robert Ralph Abercromby (1882-1963), carpenter, carriage builder, cabinet maker and soldier, was born in Newcastle-On-Tyne, England, son of William and Mary Abercromby. Sometime in the early 1900s, he served 3 years in the Army Service Corps Territorial (reserve logistics unit in the British Army).
Abercromby immigrated to Western Australia in March 1906 at the age of 23 as a cabinet maker. He came on the RMS Oruba. He married Ruby Helliwell at Canning in 1910 and had his first child, Rosina that year. They would go on to have three sons and four daughters between 1910 and 1932. Initially living in Fremantle, the family moved to Cottesloe by 1915.
Abercromby attempted to join the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 but was deemed medically unfit due to “defective teeth. He attempted to join again and successfully enlisted into the 44th Battalion on the 27th July 1916 and was posted to the 5th reinforcements. At this time he had three children (Rosina 6, William 4, Ruby 2 with a fourth on the way (Irene). He left for overseas service in November 1916 and arrived at the front line of the Western Front on the 14th May 1917.
He fought in the Battle of Messines and was wounded just even 4 weeks after arriving at the front. He received multiple gunshot wounds and was sent to hospital. He was medically discharged and began his return journey to Australia in September 1917.
Upon returning to Australia, Abercromby moved to Claremont, where he would live for the next four decades. Abercromby would work as a carriage builder and then carpenter well into his seventies.
On the outbreak of war with Japan in the Second World War and with the fate of his nation at stake, Abercromby enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps (Australia’s Home Guard) on the 22nd March 1942 at the age of 57. He was posted to the 1st (Perth) Battalion with enlistment number W66644. Determined medically unfit on the 16th May 1943. He did not serve long enough to be awarded the Australian Service Medal. By this point in his life he was living at 70 Shenton Road, Claremont.
Robert Abercromby died in Claremont on the 9th May 1963 at the age of 80 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.
Notes
75 East Street, Fremantle, Cabinet Maker – 1910-1912
Albion Street, Cottesloe, Carriage Builder – 1915-1917
65 Claremont Avenue, Claremont, Carriage Builder – 1925
79 Shenton Street, Claremont, Carpenter – 1931-1963
Abercromby was an Australian soldier who was an expert in close combat,
He was physically and mentally tough, compassionate and courageous,
He led by example, he strove to take the initiative,
He was committed to learning and working for the team,
He believed in trust, loyalty and respect for his country, his mates and the Army,
The rising sun was his badge of honour,
He is an Australian soldier, Always!
Record completed by Tilman Ahrens
He had at least three sons and four daughters notn between 1910 and 1932.
AWOL 16/2/1918-17/2/1918 Forfeit one days pay
AWOL 23/2/1918-25/2/1918 Forfeit one days pay
National Records of Australia Item ID 3018073
National Records of Australia Item ID 6499057
Evening Mail – 10/03/1906 P.4
Record completed by Tilman Ahrens
