Eric Surman was born in Cardigan, VIC and was a Farmer by trade when he enlisted from Ballarat in the 23rd Battalion, B Company on 15 February 1915 at the age of 20. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 10 May 1915. He served on Gallipoli with the 23rd Battalion until tonsillitis forced his evacuation in early October. Ironically, he sailed from Egypt on the Ballarat and was admitted to the London War Hospital. In March 1916 he moved to France and in August of that year he was wounded in action, sustaining a shrapnel wound to the buttock. He rejoined his unit in November and continued to serve until July 23rd 1918 when he was again wounded (gassed) and evacuated to the Bath War Hospital. After the war he returned to Australia on the Burma and disembarked at Melbourne on January 29th 1919.
Tree No. 1211