Eric Austin Tate

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 18/08/2015 - 13:50

First Name:

Eric

Middle Name:

Austin

Last Name:

Tate

Mother's Name:

Emma (nee Blow)

Father's Name:

George Tate

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, August 17, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

20th Battalion

Company:

A Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, October 9, 1917

Place of Death:

Passchendaele Belgium

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Eric Tate (Service No 2926) was born in 1891 and went to school in Kangaroo Valley. At the time of enlistment he was a single 23 year old farmer at Kangaroo Valley who had a keen interest in pedigree horses and cattle. He embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides on 2nd November 1915 with 6th Reinforcements, 20th Battalion. Eric arrived in Egypt and was then sent to the Western Front. On 9th August 1916 he was promoted in the field to Lance Corporal.

On 3rd October 1916 he was admitted to hospital with tonsillitis, on 17th October 1916 with measles and on 26th December 1916 he was admitted to hospital with trench foot. Eric returned to his unit in France on 2nd May 1917. The next day he was promoted to Corporal and then on 3rd August he was promoted to Sergeant.

On 9th October 1917 Eric was taking part in the battle for Passchaendale when he was killed instantly by shell fire. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres Belgium.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, TATE ERIC AUSTIN