David Fitzgerald
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 4704
Regiment:
19th Battalion
Suburb:
Camden
David Fitzgerald - Information
When the war commenced, David was living at 108 Albion St in Annandale, Sydney with his lovely wife Ellen. He had moved to the city from Camden, where he was born c1871. David and Ellen enjoyed a happy life together, while David worked as a labourer. At the age of 44, he decided to do his bit, enlisting in Casula on the 11th of January 1916. During training, he was designated to the 12th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion as a Private. David said goodbye to his wife, and was then shipped out from Sydney onboard the HMAT Ceramic on the 13th of April 1916.
In early June, he landed in Plymouth and received further instruction. In mid November, he left Folkestone for the trenches in France. The stress of training, the bitter cold and conditions near the frontlines affected David’s health. On the 22nd of November, he reported to hospital with debility. The following day, he left Calais to return to England. By the beginning of December, he was admitted to the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital. He was then invalided to Australia on the 19th of October 1917 on the Port Lyttleton for being overage. He was discharged by the beginning of 1918, and returned home to Ellen.