Richard William Rees was born in Ballarat and was a Miner by trade when he enlisted in the 28th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement on 6 October 1915 at the age of 25. His unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 12 February 1916.

He trained with the 4th Depot Battalion before embarking from Fremantle on February 12th 1916 aboard the Miltiades. On arrival in Egypt he joined the 51st Battalion and in June he moved to France. On September 3rd 1916 during the fighting at Mouquet Farm he was wounded, sustaining a gunshot wound to his back. At the same time he was captured and became a prisoner of war, being interned at Giesen and Darmstadt. At one point he sent home a postcard which stated simply, æI am well. My parcels are arriving very good'. When the war ended he was quickly repatriated to England, arriving there on December 12th 1918. He returned to Australia on the Nevasa reaching Fremantle on April 13th 1919.
Tree No. 2651