39th Battalion
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Robert Edward Beames (SN 21) was 44 years of age and married to Matilda when he enlisted on March 6th 1916. Born at Port Fairy, he was resident in Peel Street North Ballarat and employed as an engine driver at the time. He embarked aboard the Ascanius in late May 1916, and by late November he was serving in France with the 39th Battalion. Toward the war’s end he was withdrawn from his unit suffering illness, specified as ‘premature senility and debility’. He was already en route to Australia when the Armistice was signed. He died February 1953 at the age of 81.
