Embarkation Roll
Peter Frederick Head
First Name:
Peter
Middle Name:
Frederick
Last Name:
Head
Date of Birth:
Thursday, December 8, 1898
Mother's Name:
Lettie Head (nee Ryan)
Father's Name:
James Head
Date Enlisted:
Wednesday, October 17, 1917
Rank at Enlistment:
Private
Rank at Discharge:
Private
Unit:
19th Battalion
Company:
21st Reinforcement
Service:
Infantry
Awards:
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 7, 1968
Details:
Peter Frederick Head (Service No 7073) was born in Mount Kembla, N.S.W. Peter's father had been killed in the Mount Kembla Mine Disaster of 1902. Peter's mother was also deceased when Peter enlisted at Bulli, N.S.W. He was 18 years old, single, working as a labourer, and living with his aunt, Mrs Bridget Sweeney.
Peter records he had previously spent 4 years in the cadets.
Peter embarked fromfrom Melbourne, on HMAT A71 Nestor, with the 21st Reinforcement, 19th Battalion on 28 February, 1918. The Troops arrived at Liverpool, England on 20 April, 1918, then went straight on to France, arriving on 25th April, 1918.
Peter was admitted to hospital on 21 June, 1918 suffering from influenza, and again on 8 July, 1918, to Fovant Military Hospital, this time suffering from rheumatism.
On 11 October, 1918 he was transferred from the 19th to the 18th Battalion.
Peter returned to Australia on the HMAT Miltiades and arrived back in Sydney on 19 June, 1919. He was finally discharged from the AIF on 31 August, 1919.
On 22nd December, 1923 Peter married Thelma Newton and the couple raised their family in the Illawarra.
Sources:
NAA: B2455, HEAD P F 7073
