Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Argyllshire’ A8 for Egypt 19.4.1915
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 4th Infantry Brigade, 16th Battalion, 4th Reinf.
Private Pollard disembarked 26.6.1915 in Egypt. His Bn. entrained to Alexandria where he joined the MEF for Gallipoli. He was taken on strength with the 16th Bn. He embarked for the Gallipoli Peninsula 2 1915. The 1st Contingent of the 16th Bn. had landed in early February at Gallipoli and joined with the New Zealand forces. From May- August the 16th Bn was involved in establishing and defending the front line at the Beach Head and Hill 971. There were many Australian Casualties. Pollard was wounded in action in the Field 25.8.1915. Pollard was wounded in this offensive with a GSW to his thigh. He was taken to the 25th Casualty Clearing Station then transferred by Hospital Ship ‘Gloucester Castle’ to Lemnos 25.8.1915. At Lemnos he was transferred to No.1 Australian Stationary Hospital 30.8.1915. Discharged from Hospital on 26.9.1915. He rejoined his Unit 2.10.1915 and returned to Gallipoli. He was evacuated to Alexandria per HT ‘Ascanius’ and disembarked 30.12.1916. Following this withdrawal, the 16th Bn. was split with experienced soldiers going to the 48th Bn and others reorganised with 12th and 14th Bns. to form the 4th Australian Div.
This Div. joined the BEF and embarked at Alexandria for the Western Front. Pollard embarked per HMT ‘Canada’ for France 1.6.1916 and disembarked at Marseilles 9.6.1916. Pollard’s Bn. moved to the trenches at Pozieres. Pollard was KIA in the field in France 12.8.1916 (officially 12th August), his mother was notified prior to this date and lodged an obituary on 12.8.1918 she gave the date of death as 10.8.1918. (West Australian Newspaper 12.8.1918)
Pollard’s body was not recovered and the burial location was not known.
He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Private, 16th Infantry Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Dec’d, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes A Memorial Plaque, Scroll and medals were sent to his Mother. His ID disk was returned to family per HT ‘Benalla’ 26.4.1917. Pollard enlisted in the 16th Battalion with his cousin Frederick Pollard(SN 1852) who was taken into care by his mother, who became his guardian. Pollard had 2 brothers in service F. Pollard and  Edward William Pollard. His youngest brother Frederick appears to have been brought up by his aunt in Maylands.

The silent grief lies in thy soul
No human eye may trace,
For many a broken heart
Hides behind a smiling face.
He sleeps beside his comrades
But is name is written In letters of love
In the ones he left at home.
(West Australian Newspaper 11.8.1917)

Photo  Vivian Pollard Western Mail  15.11.1915 p26
            Vivian Pollard Western Mail  13.10 1916 p28
            ' Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire'. Palmer and Ashworth(1922) Facs. Ed. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Pres 2014. p100.
            HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph source AWM P10581.002
            Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.00
            Pozieres under German bombardment. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM G01534E
            Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P00591.00. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM G01534E. Pozieres under German bombardment. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Vivian George Pollard
AWM Roll of Honour- Vivian George Pollard
NAA: B2455 Pollard Vivian George
Palmer and Ashworth( 1922) Australia's fighting Sons of the Empire 1914-18.' . Facsimile Edition. Published by Hesperian Press, Victoria Park. WA 2014
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail

84 Seventh Avenue, Maylands, WA.

 

Associated Images