Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: invalided to Australia arrived 3.10.1901.
5VMR QSA Roll: Left Wing, Queen's South Africa medal and 3 clasps (CC OFS & Tvl), 2077 Trumpeter Roberts' Horse discharged for misconduct.
B5179: born 1883 from Kensington Vic.
URL1: GAVAGAN Charles J Tpr. 2077 Roberts' Horse.
Melb. Leader: Kensington Vic., photo #385.
URL2: photo.
Source:# 1375 WW1 AIF Regimental numbers 576 and 3A. Charles Patrick MONCRIEF, said he served in the Boer War with Roberts Light Horse. He was using an alias at the time of enlistment in WW1 and turned out to be John Charles GAVAGAN who served as a bugler in 5VMR. Under his real name, John Charles GAVAGAN, in 1896 at age 13 worked his passage on the 'Langton Grange' to America and England. Was this the first time he stowed away? His grandmother discovered this, wrote to the shipping agents and he was sent home. In one newspaper it was reported that his mother was dead and he was charged with being a neglected child. A short time later he stowed away on the 'Innamincka'
bound for WA but was discovered in Adelaide and sent home. 16.1.1901 newspaper relates the story of him stowing away trying to get to South Africa to be
a Bugler in the Boer War. This time he got to Albany before being sent home. At age 15 he made another attempt and succeeded in getting to Cape Town where he
joined Roberts Light Horse, became a trumpeter and served 12 months. Also served with 3 other regiments. In South Africa he received a bullet
wound in the left foot and also one in the left groin before being invalided
back to Aust. 3.10.1901. After a few minor scrapes with the law he
enlisted for service at Blackboy Hill WA on 5.3.1915 under the name Charles Patrick MONCRIEFF and was given the number 576 in C Coy. 28Bn. 7Bde. It appears he was discharged from 28Bn. (page 4 of file NAA) but not to miss the action once again he stowed away this time on the troopship A11 and on 26.6.1915 he enlisted while onboard (hence 2 regimental numbers). His medical history states he contracted phthisis at the beginning of 7.1915 at Gallipoli while another report says Abbassia Camp as origin of disability. As 26Bn. didn't land in Gallipoli until September he obviously didn't get that far but what a man!!
URL4: WW1 AIF 576 28Bn., Charles Patrick MONCRIEFF an electrician aged 31 in 1915 born in Dunolly Vic., next of kin brother in Kensington Vic., 6 months Vic. Garrison Arty., 9 months Kaffrarian Rifles, 18 months 5th Victorians and 12 months Robert's Light Horse time expired, Pte. 26Bn. died after discharge 26.8.1917.
URL5: Tpr. 2077 Charles J GAVAGAN enlisted in Roberts' Horse at Capetown 23.12.1899 discharged Capetown 12.10.1900 services no longer required.
URL6: Kaffrarian Rifles GAVAGAN C (no number) discharged.
URL7: Charles GAVAGAN charged with being a neglected child in Melbourne Childrens' Court 7.7.1898, stowed away on 'Langton Grange' to US and Eng. in 1896.
URL8: Charles John GAVAGAN also known as CP MONCRIEFF, service number 3A Private 26Bn. (Infantry) Aust. Army First World War 1914-1918 died 26.8.1917 in Aust., cemetery or memorial details Wooroloo Cemetery WA (source AWM145 Roll of Honour cards 1914-1918 War, Army).
URL10: CJ GAVAGAN 69 Smith St. Kensington, Roberts' Horse, accepted for Commonwealth Contingent 1.1902.
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