BEVIS Richard

Richard declared that he was born in Gowrie Junction, Qld. (but this researcher has not been able to confirm this or his date of birth. An interesting fact is that other children in the family were all born in Middlesex, England to parents Alfred and Mary Jane Gunnings Bevis. 1911 England Census lists: Father Arthur - 52 years, Mother Mary Jane - 50 years, Son William - 16 years, Daughter - Emmley 15, son - Henry (Harry) - 13 years, daughter Ellein - 9 years and son Sidney - 4 years and they arrived in Australia on 14 March 1912 from London England on the Rippingham Grange) Richard said he was 21 years 8 months when he enlisted at Brisbane on 31 August 1915. He stood 5 foot 3 inches tall, weighed 136 pounds with fair complexion, light blue eyes and brown hair and occupation - farmer. His next of kin was his Mother, Mrs Mary Jane Bevis, of Villeneuve, Kilcoy, Qld. and his Father Alfred was listed as a labourer on his Certificate of Marriage. Richard was single but during his service O/Seas he met and married Barbara Joyce Seymour-Reynolds, Domestic/Cook, of 122 Alderley St., Pimlico, S.W. London on 18th July 1917. Her Father was Gordon Seymour Reynolds a Private in the 3rd Kent Regiment. They had a child and both his wife and the child accompanied him on the return to Australia on the Zealandic July/August 1919.

Brothers Enlist:
William Bevis, No. 149, 21 years and 2 months enlisted on 16 July 1915, 31st Battalion with his younger brother Richard and embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A62 'Wandilla' on 9 November 1915. War Service: Egypt and Western Front. Also served with 13th Field Artillery Brigade and returned to Australia embarking 15 May 1916 and disembarked 1 July 1919. He died on 13 December 1919.
Alfred Bevis, No. 40, 25 years, enlisted on 1 December 1915, 42nd Battalion and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A30 'Borda' on 5 June 1916. Served in France, received Gun shot wounds to the face and fractures to left ankle and returned to Australia 31 July 1918.
Harry Bevis, No. 49, 18 years, enlisted on 1 December 1915, 42nd Battalion and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A30 'Borda' on 5 June 1916 with his brother Alfred and served in France. He later served with the 41st Battalion and returned to Australia 10 May 1919.

Private Richard Bevis No. 153 Embarked with his Unit from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A 62 'Wandilla' on 9 November 1915. Two ships sailed from Melbourne carrying men from the 31st Battalion Headquarters and Companies A, B, C, and D: HMAT A62 'Wandilla' on 9 November and HMAT A41, 'Bakara' on 5 November 1915.

He joined the 5th Div. Artillery 15th March 1916, as a gunner at Tel-el-Kebir, then appointed driver with 113th battery on 21st May, 1916 Ferry Post.
18 June 1916 - proceeded to join British Imperial Force Departing Alexandria and disembarked at Marseilles 27th June, 1916 and transferred from 25th Field Artillery Brigade to 13th Field Artillery Brigade on 9th July 1916.
5 August 1916 - To hospital, France, sick.
15 August 1916 - Admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station with V. G. D. and two days later admitted to 18th General Hospital Camiers with V. D. Total period of treatment 51 days at Camiers.
5 October 1916 - taken on strength Australian General Base Depot Etaples ex hospital
24 November 1916 - taken on strength of 5th Division Ammnition Column ex A. G. B. D. in the Field and marched out to join 5th Div A. F. A. Etaples.
11 July 1917 - granted leave to England for 10 days and rejoined unit from leave on 22 July 1917. It was during this leave that he married Barbara Joyce Seymour-Reynolds and his records for his next of kin were amended to record this fact.
7 December 1917 - Remustered Gunner at own request. 3 January 1918 - transferred to 1st Field Artillery Brigade and taken on strength and posted to 55 Battery.
14 March to 11 April 1918 - on leave to England
5 September 1918 - reverted to Gunner. 3 July 1919 - Embarked United Kingdom to return to Australia per "Zealandic" and disembarked 3 Military District 23 August 1919 and was discharged 19 October 1919.
Awarded : 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

After the war
Queensland Government Archives show that Richard Bevis took up Beerburrum Soldier Settlement No. 60, Lot 118. Australian Electoral Rolls 1903 - 1980 show that in 1925 brothers Harry, farmer and Richard, labourer are both living at Landsborough.
1928, 1930, 1932, 1934 Richard and Barbara Joyce and living at Home Hill and Richard is a labourer.
1936 they are both living at 1 Park Avenue, Auchenflower and Richard is a Lineman.
1937 they have moved to 122 Sylvan Road Toowong and Richard is a labourer.
1943 they moved to 17 Annerley Road, Toowong, Richard is a labourer.
1949, 1954, 1958, 1963, 1968 and 1972 they are living at Tarset, Street, Runcorn and Richard is listed as a quarryman.

• Egypt
• Western Front

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Extra information contributed by Adopt a Digger Administrator Robyn W.