Sapper Robert Patrick Jack Hennessy

SAPPER ROBERT PATRICK JACK HENNESSY

16662 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

Robert Patrick John Hennessy was born on September 18, 1894 in Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales the son of Robert and Mary Hennessy. Military experience was gained from four years with the Senior Cadets and three years in the Citizens Forces. An apprenticeship of four years as an electrician was served with the New South Wales Tramways.

At Victoria Barracks, Sydney on September 14, 1916 he applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars taken reveal he was single and resided at Ethel Street, Randwick and was 169cms (5ft 6ins) tall with a chest expansion of 84-92cms (33-36ins). Declared fit his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.

The young recruit entered the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds camp on October 6, 1916 and Attestation Forms were completed describing him further as weighing 58kgs (128lbs) with a fair complexion, brown eyes that passed the eye test and had brown hair. Roman Catholic was his religious faith. Under distinctive marks was written circumcised – foreskin present. Dental was noted on the form. Next-of-kin was his father Robert Kennedy of Ethel Street, Randwick, Sydney. He signed and took the “Oath of Enlistment” the same day.

On October 9, 1916 he was sent to the Engineer Reinforcements Depot at Moore Park, Sydney for training.

The Engineer Reinforcement embarked from Sydney, NSW on December 2, 1916 on board the transport HMAT A67 Orsova arriving at Fremantle, W.A. on December 11 and departed Australian shores the next day. Durban, South Africa was reached on December 26 and after a day refuelling left the following day. After arrival on December 30 at Cape Town the ship remained at the docks until January 16, 1917. Next port-of-call was Sierra Leone on January 29 and after four days sailed for England on February 2, 1917. Fine weather was experienced in the Tropics during the voyage of 78 days under Master of the Ship, Commander A.J. Coad and Col W.G. Thompson, Officer Commanding the Troop. Their journey terminated at Plymouth, England on February 17, 1917 and he men embarked the same day and were detrained to Tidworth marching into the Aust Details camp at Perham Downs.

They moved to Parkhouse camp on March 6, 1917 for further training for the front. On April 11, 1917 his rank changed to Driver and was sent to the Motor Drivers’ Section at the Engineers’ Training Depot at Brightlingsea.

While at Brightlingsea the following disciplinary action was taken on May 25, 1917:

Offence: Brightlingsea A.W.L. from midnight 22/3/17 to 11 a.m. 23/3/17

Award: One day’s F.P. No. 2 [Field Punishment]

Total forfeiture: Three day’s pay 15/- [shillings] 1 day awaiting trial.

On May 29 he proceeded overseas to France from Southampton and marched into the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the next day.

A day later went sick to the 39th General Hospital in Havre with a Social Disease and after sixty-six days curative care returned to duty at the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles on August 4, 1917.

He was taken on Supernumerary Strength on September 3, 1917 as a driver with the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company.

Entered the 15th Casualty Clearing Station on December 12, 1917 for treatment of Scabies (a skin irritation caused by Itch Mite whose eggs are laid under the skin’s outer layer) and returned to duty on December 23, 1917.

For twelve months service abroad he was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform.

On August 1, 1918 at his own request he reverted to the rank of Sapper and proceeded on leave on August 17 rejoining on August 31, 1918.

Punishment was administered for the following on September 7, 1918:

Crime: (1) Drunkenness

(2) A.W.L. from 9.30 a.m. 4/9/18 till 11.30 a.m. 4/9/18

Award: 7 days F.P. No. 2 by C.O. A.E.M.M.B.C.

Sapper was with the company when Peace was declared and they remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service engines and pumps for water supplies to those rehabilitating their districts.

Orders to return to the Base Depot for demobilisation had them in readiness to cross the English Channel on April 28, 1919 from France and marched into the Reserve Brigade Aust Artillery Depot at Heytesbury the following day.

Sapper Hennessy embarked for Australia on June 16, 1919 on the H.T. Ormonde for the voyage home. Base Records advised his father on July 16, 1919 that he was on his way. The ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August 4 and their arrival was reported in the:

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on September 11, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.

For service for his country Sapper 16662 Robert Patrick Jack Hennessy, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (66369) and the Victory Medal (63930).

His residence continued to be Ethel Street, Randwick, Sydney and was still there in 1930 with the occupation of labourer.

He married in 1935 to Olive Isobel Goodwin Stone with the marriage registered at North Sydney. The following year they are living at 17A Young Street, Neutral Bay and he was a painter’s assistant.

He applied for a Duplicate Discharge Certificate on April 23, 1940 while residing at 4 Trenton Road, Guildford. A Statutory Declaration was completed and he declared the circumstance in which his original certificate was lost was due to ‘accidentally burnt on the death of my mother.’ Base Records replaced the Certificate and also issued a Statement of Service.

During World War II he enlisted at Paddington, Sydney on June 28, 1940 for duty with the 11th Garrison Battalion. Attestation Forms reveal his residence was 18 Punch Street, Artarmon, was married to Olive Hennessy with the occupation of Painter and aged forty-five years. His hair was fair with brown eyes and had no distinguishing marks. He was sworn in the same day after passing the medical examination.

He was taken on strength with the 31st Garrison Battalion on April 11, 1942 with the service number N75820.

On August 2, 1942 he was disciplined for the following:

A.W.L. [unreadable date]

Award: 7 days C.B. [confined to barracks]

In February 1943 he went before the Medical Board and approved to be discharged due to ‘D’ Class debility. Private Hennessy was discharged on February 26, 1943 being medically unfit for duty, not occasioned by his own fault after two years and 244 days.

Their residence was 68 Woodpark Road, Merrylands in 1943 and his occupation was given as military.

Two years later his wife Olive passed away on May 1, 1945 and family arrangements and notices were printed in the:

The Duplicate Copy of his Discharge Certificate was returned to Base Records on July 7, 1947 and received without inquiry and returned to his Service File. His Certificate of Discharge for service during the Second World War was returned and filed with his records of service also.

Robert Patrick John Hennessy died about May 7, 1953 aged 58 years. Funeral notices were published in the:

The State Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the R.S.S.A.I.L.A. wrote to Base Records on May 22, 1953 requesting identification of the deceased ex-serviceman stating the details they had were he was 58 years of age, Roman Catholic and enlisted in 1914 from the Randwick Tramways Depot and served with the A.I.F. presumably with the Light Horse Regiment. He also enlisted in a Garrison Battalion during World War II and served for a period in 1941 at Berry’s Bay. His wife’s name was Olive Isobel Goodwin Hennessy and she received her allotment (1939-45) at Artarmon Post Office.

They were endeavouring to identify him in order that a funeral grant may be claimed from the Repatriation Commission.

Base Records replied on May 26, 1953 advising that No. 16662 Sapper Robert Patrick Jack Hennessy – A.E.M.M.B. Co. served in 1914-18 under these particulars and was discharged at Sydney on 11th September, 1919.

A Statement of Service was issued by Base Records to the Sydney Branch of the Repatriation Department on June 17, 1953.

REUNIONS

Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:

1934 R. HENNESSEY 4 Martin Road, Guildford Notation: Letter returned unknown 1950