ROBERT COLLIER VINCENT #19064
Robert Collier Vincent born on Xmas Day 25th December 1892 (dates do not align) enlisted in the AIF on the 12th March 1917 in Melbourne. Robert was aged 23 years and 2 months and being 6' tall and weighing 136 lbs with a fair complexion and hair and blue eyes. Robert's religion was Congregationalist.
Robert's attestation pages state he resided at 117a Victoria Parade, East Mebourne, was single and his next of kin being his father Mr G Vincent. Robert's occupation was Construction and Electrical Engineer (Masters). As a younger person had been in the Sea Cadets for two years and curiously his papers state he had been rejected for prior Military Service because of vision problems, however, a medical officer declared "his vision good enough to enlist for special duties with the Engineers". Subsequently, Private (Sapper) Robert Collier No 19064 and was in camp at Broadmeadows Victoria and then trained at Moore Park NSW where he entered the Engineer Reinforcement 2nd Military District.
On the 31st October 1917 Robert embarked at Sydney on the S.S. Europides for active service abroad. During the voyage to England he was charged with 'neglecting to obey ships orders' and was awarded forfieture of two days pay. He disembarked on the 26th December 1917 at Devonport, England and went to Parkhouse No 4 Camp and later to Brightlingsea, Essex. On August 13th 1918 Robert proceeded to France and between 28th February and 12th March 1919 had leave in Paris before returning to his unit. Whilst in France he was charged with failure to keep 'good order and military discipline' and lost one days pay.
He left England for return to Australia per the S.S. Port Denison arriving in Melbourne on November 13th 1919 to be discharged from the AIF on 11 Jauary 1920.
Robert wrote to Australian Army Records on 16th April 1959 from Newcastle NSW regarding a copy of his discharge papers which he had lost. In the letter Robert describes his movements and involvement whilst serving in Europe:
"I was posted to the 3rd Australian Division - and went to France and was eventually transferred to the 10th Field Coy. About August I was transferred to the 40th Division Infantry and was in the front line until after the Hindenberg Line 1918 attack. I was sent after the Armistice to the Pay Corps and later joined the A.A.O. Corps about the end of 1918. It was that unit that I was discharged, with the rank of E/R Corporal, in Australia. Before leaving England I was employed on non-military Employment for about six months. I returned on he S.S. Port Denison and was disembarked at Melbourne."