Robert George Humphreys

Robert Humphreys (Service No 591) was born in Wollongong, NSW and attended the Wollongong Superior Public School. At the time of enlistment he was a single 25 year old carpenter. Robert embarked on HMAT A19 Afric with E Company, 1st Battalion on 18th October 1914. After training in Egypt he landed on Gallipoli with E Company at the beginning of the campaign. On 20th June 1915 he was promoted to Sergeant. During the battle for Lone Pine his actions resulted in the award of the Military Medal.

After the evacuation he returned to Egypt appearing to have remained on the penninsula the whole time. He was sent with his unit to France and took part in the 1st Battalion actions there. On 26th October 1916 he was promoted to Warrant Officer, Class 2

On 27th April 1917 he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant and moved to B Company. Robert was promoted to Lieutenant on 24th November 1917. On 16th April 1918, he had gone to a cafe with another officer for dinner. Unfortunately while there an air raid took place and the cafe received a direct hit. A wall fell on him resulting in a broken neck. His companion was slightly injured but a number of civilians were also killed.

Robert is buried in Le Grand Haasard Military Cemetery Plot 4, Row F, Grave 5. The citation for his Military Medal reads, "For great determination and courage during the first 3 days of Lone Pine when he commanded his platoon in the captured trenches under heavy bomb and shell fire".

Robert's two brothers also served. Harry (Service No 2852) was killed in action at Pozieres however Garfield (Service No 1936) survived the war returning to Australia in August 1919.