Rupert Larking was a 29 year old Commercial Traveller from Albury when he enlisted on 27 November, 1915. Born in 1888, he was actually two years younger than his stated age and the eldest of four children of John G. Larking and his wife Adelaide.He had been married to Genevieve or Jeneavive, the daughter of James Higgins, a Coachbuilder, of Townsend St., Albury in 1913, but had apparently not had children. His only connection with East Melbourne is that he gave his address as 514 Albert St. on his enlistment form. He claimed some previous military training and was first sent to Broadmeadows to B Coy., 23 Depot Battalion, but was then transferred to 22 Depot Battalion at Seymour, where on 2 May, 1915, he was placed with the 17th Reinforcements, 4th Light Horse Company.

The 17/4 Light Horse sailed for Egypt on HMAT Clan Maccorqudale A6 on 6 May, 1916. The 4th Light Horse were by then guarding the Suez Canal, having with drawn from the Gallipoli Peninsula on 11 December, 1915. Once in Egypt, they had been split, with half going to the Western Front, and the others staying in Egypt, their numbers consolidated with the newly arrived reinforcements. Ruper Larking stayed in Egypt and was taken on strength with the 1st Double Squadron, formed on 6  July from the 1st Light Horse Brigade as a dismounted unit. On 2 November, was attached to the Camel Corps Traiing Unit, but by 25 February, 1917, he was back with the 4th Light Horse and was promoted to Corporal on 9 March. Although his record is silent about where he was fighting, the task of the 4th Light Horse in early 1917 was to guard the Suez Canal. From here, they moved into the Sinai Desert and on 31st October, 1917, they formed part of the cavalry charge at the siege of Beersheba. It is difficult to know whether Rupert Larking was with his battalion at this famous victory: he had been laid low with malaria on 12 October and returned to his battalion on 29 October, so the probability is that he took part. Over the next years, he would have five recurrences of the illness.

On 7 November, Gaza fell to the allies, an important step towards victory. From April 27- 14 May, the 4th Light Horse were in the Jordan Valley and it was here that Rupert Larking was wounded with a gunshot to his thigh on 4 May, 1918. He was admitted to the 14 Australian General Hospital at Port Said, and remained in hospital for two months, before being sent on to a rest/ convalescent camp on 17 July. From here, he rejoined his unit on 14 September, acting as temporary Segeant while another was on leave in Tripoli. On 30 October, 1918, Turkey surrendered and on 15 June, 1919, the 4th Light Horse sailed for home.

On 2 May, 1919, Rupert Larking was again made temporary Sergeant, but did not leave with the 4th Light Horse, possibly because of illness.  It was not unitl 16 July that he was given leave to go back to Australia, as medically unfit, with the malaria continuing to strike him at intervals. He embarked on the HT Essex from Kantara, Egypt, on 27 July, 1919, and was discharged from further service on 16 December, 1919. He was then living at 10 Park St., St Kilda.

The only other glimpse of him comes from a letter sent ot the army authorities on 6 December, 1923, from Mrs. Rose Brown of Elizabeth St., Liverpool, NSW:

Dear Sir, 

I have A returned soldier as A boarder in my house for 3 years by name of Rubert Larking has been keeping company with my daughter before he came here to Board. I cannot undersatnd him he tells me nothing don't know if he is married or single will you let me know if he is A married man as you nobout you know I am terrible woried and I am also A widow pleas let me know. I shall be so grateful.

The reply was not signed with a signature, but handled the matter with grace. After explaining that I am precluded by departmental instruction from supplying information from the records cconcerning the soldier's military service, he advised her to contact Rupert Larking's next of kin, his wife, Mrs. Genevieve Larking, c% Mrs. McDonald, Reserve St., Albury.

Rupert Larking died at Newtown, NSW, in 1931.