Military History

Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Themistocles’ A32 for England 28.7.1916.
Roll Rank 2nd/ Lieut.
Roll Unit 14th Reinf. 21st Infantry Battalion.

Quirk an amateur golfing champion enlisted at Broadmeadows Vic. (Leader, Vic 15.5.1915 p21)
Quirk disembarked at Plymouth with the 24th Bn. 11.9.1916. He marched in to Details then to the 6th Training Bn. 13.9.1916. He qualified as a Grenade Officer 21.10.1916. Quirk was promoted to Lieut. 1.1.1917. He was admitted to the Military Hospital at Parkhouse with a debility 27.2.1917. He was transferred to Bulford Hospital 27.2.1917. Quirk was discharged to the 1st ADHQ at Perham Downs 11.6.1917. He proceeded overseas to France with his Bn. and resumed duty 25.6.1917. For the 2 months of Juna and July the Bn. was involved in training exercises and was present at the unveiling of the Pozieres-Mouquet Farm cross to the fallen of the 24th Bn. Quirk was hospitalised with German Measles 8.8.1917 and returned to England. He continued to suffer intermittent illness. Quirk was transferred from the 21st Bn. to the 24th Bn. 13.10.1918. He was diagnosed with a debility (weakness and quickened heart) following trench fever 4.5.1918. AIF HQ recommended he be reclassified to B2 and be granted leave. He proceeded overseas to France with 24th Bn. 25.9.1918. Quirk returned to London for planned return and embarkation to Australia.
Embarked Devonport per HT 'China’ for return to Australia 1.5.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Melbourne 8.6.1919.
Discharged/ Appointment Terminated 23.9.1919.
Final Rank Lieut., 24th Infantry Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes  There was evidence of Quirk involved in front line action although he clearly served and trained on the Western front .Quirk was involved in a fatal car accident in 1935. He married Miss Rosalind Spowers in 1937
Photos  Eric John Quirk 1937. Photograph source TableTalk Vic. 15.4.1937 p6
            HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM 304038
               Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph source AWM P10688.011.002
               Unveiling the Memorial to those who fell from the 24th Bn. Pozieres- Mouquet Farm July 1917. Photographer unknown, donor Mr.E. Basling, photograph source AWM J03245

Information Source
AWM 304038. HMAT 'Themistocles' at Fremantle. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10688.011.00 . Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM J03245. Unveiling the Memorial to those who fell from the 24th Bn. Pozieres- Mouquet Farm July 1917. Photographer unknown, donor Mr.E. Basling, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Eric John Quirk
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Leader, Vic
NAA: B2455, Quirk Eric John
Table Talk Victoria



Melbourne, Victoria.

Associated Images