Military History

Enlisted as Private. To Field Artillery Brigade and transferred to Maribyrnong, Vic. for training 19.8.1916.
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Aeneas’ A60 for England 2.10.1916.
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit 118th Howitzer Battery, 9th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF.
Pinkerton disembarked at Plymouth with the 118th Howitzer Bty 19.12.1916. They marched in to the Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery (RBAA ) base at Larkhill. The 118th Howitzer Bty was disbanded as there was already a Bty. of that same name in England. Soldiers were placed under the title of Artillery Reserves. Pinkerton was admitted to Larkhill Hospital with bronchitis 9.12.1916 (Reported in West Australian Newspaper 13.1.1917).
The Artillery Reserves proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 8.8.1917. They were taken on strength with 3rd Army Brigade Australian Field Artillery 14.8.1917.
Pinkerton was wounded in action in the Field 8.11.1917. He received gun shot wounds to both sides of his body (reported West Australian Newspaper 13.1.1917). He was hospitalized at the 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux France and also convalesced there. He was reported AWOL 24.11.1917. Pinkerton rejoined his unit in France 18.1917.
Pinkerton became seriously ill with bronchitis 31.12.1917. He was transferred by Hospital Ship ‘Jan Breydal’ to England and admitted to Queen Mary’s Hospital, Whalley, Lancashire 19.1.1918. He was listed for early return to Australia as an invalid for a ‘change’ with a ventricular defect of heart.
Embarked per HT ‘Matatua’ D13 for Australia 17.6.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle
Discharged 4.9.1918.
Final Rank Gunner, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
Medical Condition Invalided for a change with bronchitis and heart condition.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photographer unknown, photograph source State Library NSW image a636033r
             Training at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph source  AWM H13936
             Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01200
             Queen Mary's Military Hospital , Wholley, Lancashire. Photographer unknown, photograph source flickr website

Information Source
AWM H13936. Training at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01200. Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memoria
NAA: B2455, Pinkerton Robert
AWM Embarkation Roll- Robert Pinkerton
Ronmcrombie. St Mary's Miliary Hospital, Wholley, Lancashire. Photographer unknown, photograph source flickr website,  https://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/9113554721
SLNSW image a636033r.HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photographer unknown, photograph source State Library of New South Wales
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA
  https://www.flickr.com/photos/robmcrorie/9113554721
Beechboro Park, near Guildford, WA.

Associated Images