SAPPER CHARLES DALEY
5516 – 1st Tunnelling Company
Born in Kinsale, Ireland, Charles Daley tried to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914 but was rejected due to some dental work being required.
On 13 April 1916 at Woy Woy, New South Wales, he signed the Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad.
Aged 41 years 9 months, he was 5ft 6½in tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown and grey hair. He gave his address as Blackwall Road, Woy Woy, and stated that he was Labourer by trade. He noted that he had spent 3 years as a Veterinarian surgeon in Ireland and had served 6 months in the Guernsey Militia Regiment (Artillery).
Charles named as his Next of Kin his wife, Mrs. J.A. Daley of Woy Woy, and allotted three fifths of his pay for the support of his wife and children.
He was inducted at the A.I.F. Depot at West Maitland on 28 April 1916 and remained there until 5 May when he was transferred to ‘A’ Company, A.I.F. Depot at Broadmeadows, Victoria. On arrival at Broadmeadows he was transferred into the Tunnelling Reinforcements, and undertook training with them over the next months.
Charles Daley embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 25 October 1916 as a member of the 512 strong October Reinforments to the Australian Tunnelling Companies on the Western Front. Disembarking at Plymouth, England on 28 December 1916, the Reinforcements marched in to the Australian Details Camp at Perham Downs on 29 December 1916.
Charles proceeded overseas to France on board SS Onward on 29 January 1917 and marched in to the Australian General Base Depot. He was attached to 1st Australian Tunnelling Company on 6 February and was taken on strength of that unit on 17 February 1917.
His records show that he suffered no wounds or injuries while working with his unit which was employed on the Hill 60 and Caterpillar mines and constructing the Hill 63 dugout complex, known as the Catabombs. Charles would have witnessed the explosion of the 19 great mines on 7 June 1917.
Charles reported to hospital in the field on 7 March 1918 with a sore back and after initial assessment at a Casualty Clearing Station, was embarked for England on HS Stad Antwerpen on 12 March.
He was admitted to the Central Military Hospital at Eastbourne on 13 March 1918 and diagnosed with a slightly sprained back. On 15 April he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital Dartford, from where he was discharged to No.3 Com. Depot at Hurdcott on 26 April.
He was then transferred to No.3 Com. Depot at Sutton Veny Depot on 6 June and then to Weymouth on 14 July for return to Australia due to his injured back
Charles returned to Australia on board HMAT Medic, leaving London on 28 August and disembarking in Sydney on 9 October 1918.
He was discharged from the A.I.F on 29 November 1918 in the 2nd Military District (New South Wales) as medically unfit. He was entitled to wear the British War Medal (60058) and Victory Medal (58176).
His Military Service records were forwarded to the Department of Repatriation, Sydney, on 14 April 1931.
Charles Daley died 28 October 1937 at the State Hospital and Home at Lidcombe aged 63 and was buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Kincumber, New South Wales.
The following Notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday October 29, 1937
© Donna Baldey 2009