Rupert Albert Washington

RUPERT ALBERT WASHINGTON
Rupert Albert Washington Reg. No. 826 was the son of the late David Washington and Fanny Washington of First Avenue Payneham. He was born one of twelve children, in Colton, between Elliston and Venus Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, on 1st of April 1898. With five brothers and six sisters the family had two houses “Waverley” in Paradise and Spec farm in Colton. Father, David Washington died in 1913, and the farm was split up between the family members.
Rupert had been a member of the cadets for 1 year before enlisting, on the 29th February 1916, at 18 years of age. He embarked from Adelaide on the 19th June 1916 on HMAT Afric for Marseilles in France. In August 1916 he was admitted to hospital with influenza. He rejoined his Battalion, the 43rd Infantry, a couple of weeks later. On the 26th of May 1918, he was wounded in action. He was severely gassed along with other members of his Battalion. The gas attack took place near Villers-Bretonneux; at a place called Hangard Wood. Among those gassed with him was Corporal Harold Alfred Steel. Corporal Steel died of his injuries soon after the gassing. Corporal Steel was from also from South Australia, and had attended Le-Fevre public school.
On April 2nd 1917 Rupert’s brother Charles Washington, was killed in action. Yet another brother L.A. Washington was returned to Australia from the front with eleven wounds. At the time of Charles’s death, Mrs. Washington had one son badly injured in Australia, two sons serving in France, and one son at training camp. Rupert Albert Washington was discharged on 24th March 1919.
Members of the Washington family who served in the 1st World War: Lavington Washington No 3768. Charles Washington No 3002. David Charles Washington No 38613. Frank David Washington No 827. Rupert Albert Washington No 826.

Sources
Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931) Saturday 22 November 1913 p 39
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/
https://sarcib.ww1.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Saturday 26 May 1917 p 39