Herbert Alfred Reffell (1886-1948)

Private 224 11th Battalion, ‘B’ Levy, Australian Imperial Force

Herbert Alfred Reffell was born in 1886 at Peterborough to parents William Reffell (1851-1928) and Sarah Ann Rodgers (1858-1940). Although living at Yeoveny Farm Staines, along with two brothers and two sisters he was baptised on 15 January 1893 at St John Clapham. In total there were four sons and three sisters.

Although still a British subject, Herbert Alfred joined the Australian Army as a private in 1914 and served in Gallipoli, where he was wounded and then invalided from the army. He had previously served for 3 years with the Berkshire Yeomanry. An outline of his service history is shown below. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the Victory Medal & the British War Medal.

After the war Herbert Alfred went to Australia, originally living in Perth Western Australia. He died in the Base Hospital Bendigo Victoria Australia on 18 November 1948 aged 62 and was originally buried in an unmarked grave two days later. He never married.

Thanks to the efforts of Vicki Key who had applied to the Australian Government Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Australian War Graves, a plaque was produced, which was taken to Anzac Cove on the centenary of his landing there (see photograph below). It was then put on his grave in Bendigo Cemetery.

World War 1 Service History of Herbert Alfred Reffell:
9 September 1914 Attestation at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia, age: 28 years 8 months
2 March 1915 Embarked Alexandria ‘MHT Suffolk’
23 June 1915 Gun Shot Wound in the left foot, Gallipoli
31 June 1915 Hospital ship ‘Sicilia’
8 July 1915 In Mena House Hospital, Cairo
2 October 1915 Embarked Cairo for the UK
15 October1915 In 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol
8 June 1916 Embarked Portland UK for Australia, ‘HS Themistocles’
15 August 1916 Discharged

Service details taken from records in the Australian National Archives.

Anzac Cove

Herbert’s plaque and medals. This photograph was taken on Anzac Cove beach 100 years after he landed at the same location, and was kindly arranged by Vicki Key in Australia.