Eric William Gregg Wren

Eric Wren (Service no 1487) was born in Crookwell, NSW.

At the time of his enlistment, Eric was single, 26 years of age, employed as a clerk and had listed his policeman father at Berry, NSW as next of kin.

Eric embarked on HMAT A14 - Euripides as a Corporal, having been promoted on 25 August 1914 with the 3rd Battalion, A Company on 20 October 1914 and arrived in Egypt in December 1914. He was promoted to L/Sergeant on 5 April 1915 and arrived at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April 1915.

Eric was wounded in action on 26 April 1915 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of an injury to his neck as a result of a bomb explosion.  Eric returned to Gallipoli, Turkey, a month later and was promoted to Sergeant on 23 June 1915.

Eric promoted to Second Lieutenant in the field on 4 August 1915 and took a leadership role in his Units action at Lone Pine, Turkey.  He was wounded in action on 13 August 1915 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of the injury to the right side of his face, eye and left shoulder as a result of a bomb explosion.  He returned to Gallipoli, Turkey, six weeks later and remained there until the evacuation.

Eric was promoted to Lieutenant on 14 November 1915.  In Egypt he was promoted to Captain on 12 March 1916 and arrived in France as Officer Commanding, C Company on 28 March 1916. He was wounded in action at Pozieres, France  on 24 July 1916 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his elbow.  He contracted gas gangrene and as a result his arm was amputated on 29 August 1916.

In 1916 Eric was awarded the Croix de Guerre and had been recommended for a bravery award but this was not given.  Eric was listed as dangerously ill at this time and after he recovered he was  returned to Australia in September 1917.  Eric was medically discharged on 13 December 1917.

On 27 August 1918, Eric married Dorothy Brown in Queensland and together they raised 2 sons.  He returned to work for the raillways after the War.

Eric joined the Limbless Soldiers Association and took on the task of writing the history of the 3rd Battalion from Randwick, NSW to Hargicourt, France.

Eric enlisted for service in World War 2 on 12 June 1941 and served as a Major (Service no N272113) with Army Headquarters in Melbourne, Victoria.  He became ill soon after and was admitted to Caufield Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria where died 12 days later.