Eric Percival Beer
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 2328
Regiment:
2nd Pioneer Battalion
Suburb:
Thirlmere
Eric Percival Beer - Information
Eric left for war service on the HMAT Themistocles which departed Melbourne on the 28th of July 1916. He had joined up on the 5th of June 1916 in Melbourne. At the time, he was just 24 years old and working as a farm hand. Eric was born in Thirlmere, and later moved to Malmsbury in Victoria. He trained in Seymour, delegated to the 4th Reinforcements, 2nd Pioneer Battalion as a Private.
The Themistocles made port in Plymouth Harbour. In November, he left Folkestone for France to join his unit. Shortly after arriving, he was admitted to hospital with rheumatism. The Pioneers worked in and out of the lines on various trades. This often exposed them to enemy fire. As a result, Eric was slightly wounded on the 3rd of May 1917 during operations at Bullecourt on the Hindenburg Line. But he remained on duty. However, throughout his tour, he was consistently taken out of the lines with VD. After the war ended, Eric was detached to the 2nd Australian Division Guard in January 1919. He began his journey home, arriving in Melbourne on the 12th of May.