Robert McClure Lawless

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 29/03/2015 - 12:09

First Name:

Robert

Middle Name:

McClure

Last Name:

Lawless

Date of Birth:

Tuesday, May 24, 1898

Mother's Name:

Catherine Lawless (nee Hoffmann)

Father's Name:

Maxiom Lawless

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, June 7, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Company:

7th Reinforcement

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, April 6, 1918

Place of Death:

Dernacourt France

Cause of Death:

Killed in Action

Details:

Robert Lawless (Service No 2938) was born in Bulli, and along with his brother attended Unanderra Public School.

On his enlistment form Robert wrote that he belonged to the 37th Infantry, having transferred to that unit from the Cadets 'last month'. He was 18 yeras old, single, and an assistant fitter,working as a mechanic on trains. Robert's brother Charles, and his next of kin, gave permission for Robert to enlist due Robert being underage.

Robert embarked from Sydney on SS Port Nicholson with 6th Reinforcement, 45th Battalion on 8th November, 1916.

He saw service on the Western Front. While engaged in the heavy fighting to stop the German breakthrough to Amiens, France Robert was killed at Dernancourt. He was 19 years old.

There is no known grave for Robert, but he is remembered on the Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux France.

Robert's cousin, Captain H Rees also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, LAWLESS ROBERT MCCLURE