Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘ Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt 2.11.1914.
Roll Rank Driver.
Roll Unit 11th Battalion. ‘C’ Company, Australian Imperial Force.
Carlson disembarked in Egypt with ‘B’ Company of the 11th Battalion. After a period of intensive training, he entrained to Alexandria, joined the MEF and embarked per HMT ‘Suffolk’ for the Gallipoli Peninsula 2.3.1915. The 11th Battalion received orders to relieve the 12th Battalion at Tasmanian Post on 27.7.1915. On the 31st they were ordered forward to attack the Turkish Trenches. Carlson was wounded in this action 31.7.1915, receiving a bomb wounds and scalding to his back, arm, scalp and a bullet wound to his foot. He was taken to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station 1.8.1915, then transferred to Hospital Ship ‘Devanha’ 1.8.1915. Carlson was admitted to Hospital in Malta 5.8.1915, transferred to Cottonera Military Hospital, then was admitted to St Patrick’s Hospital 17.8.1915 with gunshot wound to shoulder. Carlson was discharged from Hospital, deemed fit for active service and embarked for Egypt per HMT ‘Karoa’ 26.9.1915. He marched in to Mustapha 30.9.1915, was taken on strength with 11th Battalion and rejoined his unit at Tel-el-Kebir 7.1.1916.
Carlson’s Unit entrained to Alexandria, joined the British Expeditionary Force, embarked for France per ‘Maryland’ 26.3.1916 and disembarked at Marseilles 2.4.1916. The 11th Battalion moved to the Somme in July 1916 and fought their first major battle at Pozieres. Carlson was wounded in action a second time 17.7.1918 with a gunshot wound to his thigh (West Australian Newspaper 13.8.1918). He was admitted to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, then moved to the No1 Convalescent Depot 5.8.1918. He was transferred to a Rest Camp 18.8.1918. He rejoined his unit in the Field and promoted to Corporal 28.8.1918 and Lance Corporal 2.11.1918. He returned early to Australia, possibly a result of his wounds but this is not specified in his military records.
Embarked Taranto for Australia per ‘Port Sydney’ 24.10.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 25.11.1918.
Discharged 28.5.1919.
Final Rank Sergeant, 11th Battalion 3rd Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos Pte. D. W. Carlson. Photograph source Daily News 27.8.1915
             HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H1615
             Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph source AWM P00035.001
             Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph source AWM EZ0097

Information Source
AWM H1615. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P00035.001. Landing at Gallipoli on the morning of 25.4.1915. Photographer A. Joyner, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Austraian War Memorial
AWM EZ0097. Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- David William Carlson
Daily News
NAA: B2455, Carlson D W
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Boundary Rd, Midland Junction, WA.
Terrace Road, Guildford, WA. (Brother)

Associated Images