Elder Oborn
Name: Elder Harrah Oborn
Rank: Driver
Service Number: 31596
Unit/s Served: Gunner in the 6th F.A.B, 12th reinforcements. C.O. 2nd DAC. Driver in the 5th F.A.B. 105th Bty
Personal Details: Elder was born in 1894 and was the son of David and Agnes Oborn of Mount Barker. Elder completed his blacksmith apprenticeship and worked in the industry for a total of 6 years. As a teenager, Elder had completed some cadet training.
Elder Harrah embarked on the R.H.B “Orontes” from Melbourne on the 23/12/1916 and disembarked at Plymouth on the 17/2/1917.
· He arrived at No.3 Camp Parkhouse a day later where he stayed until the 26/03/1917 where he then marched out to Bulford and arrived the same day.
· On the 6/04/1917 Elder was admitted to the Bulford Military Hospital with V.D. where he spent a total of 58 days and was discharged on the 2/06/1917.
· On the same day he was discharged, he marched back to RBAA Bulford where he then at some point made his way to Southhampton and on the 18/09/1917 Elder proceeded overseas to Rouelles, France.
· On the 28/09/1917 he marched out to the 2nd Div.Art. and on the 1/10/1917 while in the field, he was taken on strength to C.O. 2nd DAC.
· Also whilst out in the field on the 5/06/1917, he was appointed Driver under AIF order 785.
· On the 19/10/1917 he was transferred to the 5th Field Artillery Brigade, taken on strength by the 105th Battery still ranked Driver.
· At this point he ended up fighting in Belgium were unfortunately he only survived 9 more days until he was killed in action.
Image from the Mount Barker Courier, 30th November 1917 sourced through Trove.
