Charles Frederick Havenstein

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 04/10/2017 - 15:07

First Name:

Charles

Middle Name:

Frederick

Last Name:

Havenstein

Mother's Name:

Amelia Havenstein nee Mesling

Father's Name:

Gustavus Havenstein

Date Enlisted:

Monday, August 16, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

17th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, December 22, 1946

Place of Death:

Byron Bay, NSW

Details:

Charles Havenstein (Service No 3252) was born in Kiama, NSW, in June 1881.

At enlistment Charles was 32 years old, employed as a tram driver and lived at Bondi in Sydney. Divorced, Charles nominated his son, Eric, who was a still a child, as his next-of-kin.

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A29 Suevic with 17th Battalion 7th Reinforcement on 20th December 1915. He arrived in Egypt in early 1916 and was transferred to 55th Battalion on 16th February 1916. Charles was admitted to hospital a number of times and did not arrive in England until 7th June 1916, then was sent on to France on 10th August 1916.

Charles' service was interrupted by a number of admissions to hospital; he was also charged with being AWOL a number of times.

On 23rd February 1917, Charles married Alice Wheeler in Romsey, England. When the war ended, Charles went missing for a while, finally returning to Australia with Alice in April 1920. Charles was finally discharged from the AIF on 14th July 1920.

He and Alice had 9 children and Charles returned to work for the Tramways Department.

Charles retired to Byron Bay where he died in 1946. He is buried in Mullumbimby Cemetery.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HAVENSTEIN C F