Sergeant Robert Low

SERGEANT ROBERT LOW

6008 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

Robert Low was born in Brewarrina, NSW in 1888 the son of Robert Andrew and Annie (nee McNamara) Low. In 1916 he was working as a miner in the Cooktown district of Queensland.

At the Recruiting Depot in Townsville, Qld on March 4, 1916 the unmarried twenty-seven year old enlisted for active service abroad and passed the medical examination. Personal information taken shows he was 188cms (6ft 2ins) tall, weighed 83.6kgs (184kgs) with a chest expansion of between 92-102cms (36-40ins). Complexion was ruddy with grey eyes and ruddy coloured hair. Vision tested to good and Roman Catholic was his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his mother Mrs Annie Low of 7 Falcon Street, off Stapleton Avenue, North Sydney, NSW and later of 40 Arthur Street, Lavender Bay, NSW. Swearing in took place the same day.

The departing volunteers were acknowledged in the Townsville Daily Bulletin on Monday March 6, 1916:

At Enoggera camp, Brisbane, Qld he commenced basic training with the 11th Depot Battalion until June 6, 1916 and entered the Corporal’s School for further instruction finishing on July 4. From there he was sent to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) and after home leave reported to the Miners’ training camp in Seymour, Vic after September 9, 1916. Assigned to the December, 1916 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies with the regimental number 6008 in the rank of Sapper he trained until October 24, 1916. For the ‘Voyage Only’ he was promoted on October 23 to the rank of Acting Sergeant.

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 weather was experienced going around the Cape and 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. They marched into the Aust Details Camp at Perham Downs for further training for the front. He reverted to Sapper on January 16, 1917.

On January 29, 1917 the Reinforcements departed overseas from Folkstone on board the S.S. Onward for France and marched into the Aust General Base Depot and he was appointed Acting Sergeant with pay from that date.

Reverted to Sapper on February 7 and the next day was assigned to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion which was an advanced section of the Base Depot that organised works near the lines and through duties, usually of ten days duration, would accustom the reinforcements to war conditions before being assigned to a company in the field. He was appointed Acting Sergeant with ‘extra duty pay’.

Admitted to the C. Scabies Hospital on March 7, 1917 and discharged on March 19, 1917.

After reverting to the rank of sapper again he marched out to the 3rd Tunnelling Company in the field on June 12, 1917 and taken on strength three days later.

In October, 1917 he was entitled to wear Blue Chevrons on his uniform for twelve months service.

He was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal on December 27, 1917 and on April 27, 1918 promoted to Temporary Corporal then to Acting Sergeant.

In the War Report of the 3rd Tunnelling Company the following is mentioned:

While attending the School he rose to the rank of Corporal on July 12 and on August 12 became Sergeant.

Sergeant Low was with his company when Peace was declared and the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of roads and bridges in their area.

He left to commence Leave on December 8 and his time was granted from December 9 until December 23, 1918 and he rejoined his unit on January 3, 1919.

On May 9, 1919 Sergeant Low was called to return to Base to prepare to go to England. Three days later crossed the English Channel and arrived at No. 4 Group camp. He marched out on June 24, 1919 to the Demobilisation Depot in London to take up Non Military Employment. He had been granted leave from June 25 until October 31, 1919 with pay and subsistence the reason being to attend Messrs Marsel Engineering Co, 205 Clapham Road, London, S.W. He was taken on strength with the A.I.F. Headquarters (N.M.E.)

He returned on September 17, 1919 and retransferred to the 3rd Tunnelling Company with the balance of his leave cancelled, marched out to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for further orders and sent to the Furlough Department. He departed London H.Q. on September 18 for Sutton Veny and No. 2 Group camp.

Admitted to the 1st Aust Dermatological Hospital in Bulford on October 3, 1919 for treatment of a social disease and after 43 days curative care was discharged back to Sutton Veny on November 14, 1919.

Having been demobilised he returned to Australia on the H.T. Borda which departed on December 9, 1919 for the voyage home to Australia. His mother was advised by Base Records on December 20 that her son was returning home. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on February 2, 1920 and he travelled by rail to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) completing the journey.

Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on termination of his period of enlistment on May 16, 1920.

The British War Medal (24544) and the Victory Medal (23711) were issued to Sergeant 6008 Robert Low, 3rd Tunnelling Company for his service for his country.

A Statement of Service was issued to the Department of Repatriation in Brisbane on June 23, 1931.

Robert Low died in Queensland on March 26, 1962 aged 74 years.