Reuben James Onions

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 09/01/2017 - 14:24

First Name:

Reuben

Middle Name:

James

Last Name:

Onions

Mother's Name:

Frances Onions nee Ward

Father's Name:

John Onions

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, April 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

13th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, June 17, 1975

Place of Death:

Wollongong, N.S.W.

Details:

Reuben James Onions (Service No 6298), was born in Hednesford, England around July 1891, and arrived in Australia, around 1913.

At enlistment, in Bulli, N.S.W., he was single, 25 years old, worked as a miner and lived in Bellambi, N.S.W.

Reuben embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides, with 13th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement, on 9th September 1916. He arrived in England on 26th October 1916, and joined 13th Battalion in France, on 2nd June 1917. Reuben saw service on the Western Front until 31st March 1918, when he was wounded in action.

He was evacuated to hospital, for treatment of a gun shot wound to his left elbow. Reuben returned to 13th Battalion, on 15th July 1918, but was wounded a second time on 11th August 1918. He was evacuated to hospital in England, for treatment of a bullet wound to the same arm.

Reuben was repatriated to Australia in January 1919, and discharged medically unfit due to his arm injury, on 13th April 1919.

In 1920 he married Beatrice Roebuck, in Wollongong, N.S.W.

Reuben died in Wollongong, N.S.W., in 1975.

Reuben is commemorated on the Corrimal Methodist Honour Roll.

His brother, Bert Onions, also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, ONIONS REUBEN JAMES