SAPPER ERNEST JAMES WILLIAM RANGER
6048 – 1st Tunnelling Company
It was in Ashburnham, Sussex, England that Ernest James William Ranger was the son of Ernest and Maud Mary Ann (nee Baker) Ranger, his birth being registered at Battle in the 2nd quarter of 1876.
The 1871 Census records the Ranger family living at Westfield, Sussex: William Ranger age 52 and his wife Mary Ann, nee Gill, Ranger age 54; children: Everest (Ernest) age 21; Alfred age 18; Beatrice age 17; Kate age 15; Leslie age 13; Perry R. age 7, and a Herbert Barnes age 19 also living with the family.
The 1881 Census records the next generation family are living at Buckhurst Farm, where father Ernest is aged 32, his wife Mary Ann, also 32, Ernest J.W. is aged 5, Leslie Charles Ashburnham age 3 & Gilbert Percival, newborn.
Ernest next married Ada Maria (Mary) Pearse at Honiton in 1882. The family came to Australia on board Selkirkshire, leaving from Glasgow, Scotland, and arriving at Rockhampton, Queensland in 1882 when Ernest J.W. was six years old.
On July 31, 1901 married Elizabeth Rand, most likely in Mount Morgan, Queensland. Elizabeth, christened on 23 September 1882 at Christchurch, was the daughter of James Rand of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire. The family arrived at Brisbane, Queensland on 21 October 1885, when Elizabeth was just 3 years old, on board Chyebassa.
He was a Carrier and they lived at Horse Creek, Mount Morgan, Qld until after 1908. In 1913 they were at Cemetery Road, Mount Morgan and he was a Labourer. He was employed by the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Ltd as a Copper Labourer in 1916.
At Mount Morgan on June 7, 1916 the thirty-nine year old applied to enlist and passed the preliminary medical examination but required dental treatment. His postal address was care of Mrs W. Rowley, Cemetery Road, Mount Morgan and was 164cms (5ft 4½ins) in height with a 87cms (34¼ins) chest measurement. At the Central Queensland Central Recruiting Depot in Rockhampton on June 10 the medical re-assessor declared him fit for active service.
Forms of Attestation were completed which add further information about him. His weight was 55.4kgs (122lbs) with a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His vision was good and distinguishing marks were two vaccination scars made in infancy. Church of England was his religion. His wife Mrs Elizabeth Ranger care of Mrs W. Rowley, Cemetery Road, Mount Morgan was submitted as his next-of-kin and three-fifths of his pay was allotted as support for his wife and children. He took and signed the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ when all was completed.
Basic training commenced immediately on arrival at Enoggera Camp, Brisbane with the 11th Depot Battalion until August 8, 1916. From there Private Ranger moved to the 6th Reinforcements to the 4th Pioneers finishing on October 1, 1916. He was sent to the Miners’ Corps (1st M.D.) for the duration of two weeks and before travelling south final home leave was granted. Further instruction was received from October 14 at the Miners’ Camp at Seymour, Vic where he was assigned the regimental number 6048 in the rank of sapper and placed with the December 1916 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies.
The 516 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy going around the Cape arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth. The following day arrived at Perham Downs and went to the Aust. Details Camp to begin further instruction.
On January 29, 1917 the Reinforcements proceeded to France via Folkstone on the S.S. Onward and marched in to the Aust. General Base Depot. Sapper Ranger was attached for duty on April 7 with the 4th Aust. Divisional Salvage Corps until July 3 when he was classed as “PB” (permanent to base). Five days later he was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company.
The name of E.J.W. Ranger was read out as he appeared on the board of seventy enlistees from the Church.
Central Queensland soldiers on the Front were in contact with Mrs H.G. Wheeler working in London co-ordinating the Central Queensland Comfort Fund and each week sent report-letters naming those men she had been in contact with during the week. These were published in the Rockhampton newspapers to give relatives reliable news of their men abroad. Her address was care of the Agent-General, Queensland Office, London.
On December 5, 1917 the Roll of Honour Board for employees of the Mt Morgan Gold Mining Co Ltd who enlisted for active service was publicly displayed. The name Ranger, E.J.W. appears on the Honour Board as he was an employee of the Company at the time of enlisting.
No wounding, accidents or sickness occurred during this period with the company and on April 27, 1918 he was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company. In the last stages of the war on September 1918 Sapper Ranger was granted leave and rejoined his unit on October 16, 1918.
After the Armistice the company remained on the front as part of the Army of Occupation assisting in important rehabilitation work of repairing roads and bridges. The company was recalled to Base on February 12, 1919 to prepare for their repatriation to England. Twelve days later they sailed across the English Channel and arrived at Parkhouse camp.
While at Parkhouse on March 7, 1919 a Kit Inventory was taken and his Cardigan Jacket and two collar badges were replaced. His woollen breeches and jacket were deemed unserviceable and he received his re-issue. He was sent to R.B.A.A. at Heytesbury on March 20, 1919 where he took his final Medical Board check-up coming away with a ‘no disability’ result form.
While at R.B.A.A. in preparation for his voyage home he was re-issued with a pair of breeches and a suit of Khaki Drill and the unserviceable items returned on April 3, 1919.
Sapper Ranger embarked for Australia on the H.T. Boonah from England on April 20, 1919. His wife was advised of his impending return on May 22, 1919. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on June 8, 1919 and he was transhipped on the H.T. Sardinia for Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) arriving on June 11, 1919.
At the 6th Aust. General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on June 14, 1919 he was assessed for any disability in connection with his war service and demobilisation was recommended the following day. His was discharged from Military Service on July 22, 1919 after two years and nine months service.
The British War Medal (24500) and the Victory Medal (23673) were awarded to Sapper 6048 Ernest James William Ranger, 1st Tunnelling Company for his service abroad.
He returned to Mount Morgan to resume his life. In 1930 they were at Horse Creek until around 1936 when their address was Moonmera with no trade given. In 1943 their residence was William Street, Mount Morgan and his occupation was Labourer.
On March 3, 1944 he passed away at the age of 66 years.
His grave is located in Grave no. 87 in Row V of Section 4 of the Mount Morgan Cemetery.
PRIVATE RAYMOND LESLIE RANGER
2386 – 42nd Infantry Battalion
Leslie Charles Ashburnham Ranger, brother of Ernest Ranger above, married Lydia Pearse in Queensland in 1897. Raymond Leslie Ranger was born in 1897 at Maryborough, Queensland. He signed the Attestation Paper on 25 May 1916 at age 18 years and 11 months. He embarked at Brisbane on 21 October 1916 on board HMAT A36 Boonah as a member of the 4th Reinforcements, 42nd Infantry Battalion. He disembarked at Plymouth, England on 10 January and marched in to the 11th Training Battalion. Still in England in May, Raymond was Absent Without Leave fro 8pm 5 May until 6.30pm 6 May for which he was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks and forfeiture of 2 days pay.
He proceeded overseas to France on 29 May 1917 and marched in to the Australian Divisional Base Depot at Rouelles on 30 May. He marched out to his unit on 16 June and was taken on strength of the 42nd Battalion on 19 June. On 28 September he was attached to the 11th Machine Gun Company.
Private Raymond Leslie ranger was killed in action 4 October 1917, a day when 62 members of the 42nd Battalion died.
Advice of Raymonds’ death was received in Australia on 19 November 1917.
Raymond Ranger has no know grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records: Son of Leslie C. and Lydia Ranger, Yeppoon, Queensland. Native of Maryborough, Victoria.
Raymond Leslie Ranger's name is located at panel 136 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
The war memorabilia for Raymond Leslie Ranger was issued to his Next-of-Kin, his father:
The British War Medal was issued on 22 April 1921
The Memorial Scroll and King’s Message was received on 21 December 1921.
The Memorial Plaque was issued on 5 October 1922.
The Victory Medal was received on 24 April 1924.
The pamphlet ‘Where The Australians Rest’ was forwarded on 7 May 1924.
© Donna Baldey 2010 / 2013