Maslin-R-Pte-Discharged


Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

 

Maslin R         Pte        Robert                     21    17     Stockman    Single    C of E        

Address:    Moonee Ponds, Holmes Rd, 171    

Next of Kin:    Maslin, John Richard, 171 Holmes Rd, Moonee Ponds    

Enlisted:    29 Feb 1916        

Embarked:     Discharged – enlisting without parents' consent    

 

MASLIN, RICHARD, private. 21 9-12 years of age, 5 ft.

5¼ in., medium complexion, black hair, grey eyes. Born
at Jeeralang, New South Wales. His father resides at
171 Holmes-road, Moonee Ponds.

 

Victoria Police Gazette, 22 June 1916 p384

 

 

DHQ, 3rd M D....Mrs MASLIN, of 171 Holman (sic) Road, Moonee Ponds, has made a request that her son, Pte MASLIN,  Robert Beasley, alias McKENZIE, Robert, now in Detention at Broadmeadows, be discharged from the AIF on the grounds that he is underage.  I hold his birth certificate which shows him to be 17 years of age and 2 months, being born on the 15th July, 1899, at 10 Tunbridge Street, Flemington.  Pte MASLIN, RB, enlisted under the name of MCKenzie, Robert, as his parents would not give their consent.

Lt Colonel Garard,  CO Troops, Broadmeadows 14/9/16.

C O Broadmeadows..If you are satisfied with this man's birth certificate that he is only 17 years of age his discharge is approved.  Lieut. W S Northcott for DAAG 3rd MD, 18.9.16

B2455, National Archives of Australia.

 

On 17 August 1916 Robert re-enlisted as Robert McKenzie, claiming to have been born at Longreach in Queensland, and both parents were dead.  He may have deserted from Camp in Broadmeadows earlier in the year in the knowledge that his parents were looking for him.    He seems to have been found quite soon after the notice in the Police Gazette, and was discharged. 

 

War Service Commemorated

Moonee Ponds West State School

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours