Trooper Robert Perrau
1st Australian Light Horse Regiment
Service Number: 355
Born: 31 October 1893, Annandale, NSW
Died: 8 August 1915, At Sea, Gallipoli Turkey
Robert (Bert) James Joseph Perrau was born on 31 October 1893 at Annandale, the son of Robert and Alicia Bridget (nee Connell) Perrau. After leaving school, Perrau was employed as a mattress maker with Goodwin and Co, Sydney. Before enlistment, Perrau was a member of the Nepean District Light Horse Troop.
Perrau enlisted on 26 August 1914 and was allocated to the 1st Light Horse Regiment. He embarked for Egypt aboard A16 Star of Victoria (later renamed Port Melbourne). Perrau underwent several months of training after arriving in Egypt. It is not known when Perrau was sent to the Gallipoli peninsula. However, it is certain that he took part in the assault on Dead Man’s Ridge, a position between the Australians on Walker’s Ridge and Quinn’s Post on 7 August 1915. The plan involved the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment capturing the Turkish trenches on Dead Man’s Ridge, then driving through and establishing positions overlooking the valley at the rear of the Chessboard and preventing Turkish attempts to reinforce Baby 700. Perrau was wounded during this action. He died on the hospital ship HS Delta off Gallipoli and was buried at sea on 8 August 1915.
Memorial Details:
- Lone Pine Memorial Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey
- Roll of Honour, Memory Park, Penrith.
Sources:
- National Archives of Australia: B2455, PERRAU R J J 355
- Australian War Memorial First World War Nominal Roll
- Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
- Penrith City Library Biography files
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