Edward Montgomery SHEPPARD
Per his military service record (Depot), Edward Montgomery Sheppard was born at Gerogery, near Albury, N.S.W. He gave his age as 25 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as fettler. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 136 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed he had no previous military experience.
His initial Application to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form was addressed to the Recruiting officer at Wallerawang, and his postal address was Public School, Rydal, [where his father had been the School Teacher].
He was attested at Lithgow by Captain Eade on 2nd November 1915, when the Coo-ees were at Lithgow, and completed his medical on 2nd November 1915 at Lithgow.
The Lithgow Mercury reported on 5th November 1915 that “Ted” Sheppard had joined the Coo-ees at Lithgow. [1]
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
His service record shows he served with the 13th Battalion at Liverpool Camp from 11th November 1915 to 17th February 1916, when he was ‘posted as a deserter’.
At the end of March 1917 Edward Sheppard was notified by the Police to go back to the Military as he was never discharged from his previous enlistment.
He completed another Application to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form on 25th April 1917, addressed to the Recruiting Officer at Lithgow.
A further attestation paper in his military service record showed a “Joined on” date of re-enlistment in the AIF of 7th May 1917, and that he had been working as a charger (furnace man) at G. & C. Hoskins Steel Foundry at Lithgow before this re-enlistment.
On his embarkation roll his address at the time of his subsequent enrolment was Lithgow, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, William Charles Sheppard, School Teacher, Belmore, N.S.W.
On 31st October 1917 Private Sheppard (regimental service no. 4710) departed Sydney on the HMAT A14 Euripides with the 13th reinforcements for the 1st Pioneer Battalion.
A certificate of medical examination, and attestation, were completed “At sea” on 11th November 1917, on the HMAT A14 Euripides.
He disembarked at Devonport in England on 26th December 1917, and was sent to the Pioneer Training Battalion at Sutton Veny.
Two days later, on 28th December 1917 he was admitted to hospital sick with scabies. He was discharged on 3rd January 1918.
On 10th January 1918 Private Sheppard was again sent to hospital suffering with scabies. He was discharged on 16th January 1918.
On 31st March 1918 Private Sheppard was sent to hospital again suffering with scabies. He was discharged on 4th April 1918.
On 29th April 1918 Private Sheppard was charged with being absent without leave from midnight on 24th April 1918 till apprehended by the Military Police at 9.45 p.m. on 26th April 1918. He was awarded 2 days Field Punishment number 2 and fined 4 days pay.
On 14th August 1918 Private Sheppard was charged with being absent without leave from 9.30 a.m. on 11th August 1918 till reporting back at 6.30 a.m. on 12th August 1918. He was awarded 2 days Field Punishment Number 2 and fined 3 days pay.
On 28th October 1918 Private Sheppard was sent to hospital suffering conjunctivitis he was discharged on the 1st of November 1918.
On 11th March 1919 Private Sheppard was sent to the Number 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England.
On 29th April 1918 Private Sheppard was charged with being absent without leave from midnight 24th April 1918 to 9.45 p.m. on 26th April 1918. He was awarded 2 days field punishment No. 2, and forfeited 4 days pay.
On 2nd July 1918 he was attached to Depot Wiltshire Regiment at Devizes in England until 27th July 1918.
On 18th August 1918 he has charged with being absent without leave at Sutton Veny from 9.30 a.m. on 11th August 1918 until 6.30 a.m. on 12th August 1918. He was awarded 2 days field punishment No. 2, and forfeited 3 days pay.
On 28th October 1918 he was admitted to a military hospital with conjunctivitis. He was discharged from Sutton Veny Hospital on 1st November 1918.
On 1st April 1919 Private Sheppard transferred to the Australian Army Service Corps Depot at Parkhouse, England.
On 5th June 1919 Private Sheppard was charged with being absent without leave from 2200 on 31st May 1919 till 2100 on 1st June 1919. He was fined 1 days pay.
On 30th July 1919 Private Sheppard was charged with being absent without leave from 2130 on 18th July 1919 till 1500 on 25th July 1919. He was awarded 7 days field punishment number 2 and fined 14 days pay.
On 22nd October 1919 he married Matilda Maud Miller, a 23 year old widow, at the Register Office at Warminster, England.
On 21st November 1919 Private Sheppard was placed on indefinite leave.
Private Sheppard returned to Australia with his new wife on H.T. Runic on 20th December 1919.
He disembarked in Australia on 6th February 1920.
He was discharged on 12th March 1920.
[1] ‘Barometer of patriotism’, Lithgow Mercury, 5 November 1915, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218448463
1915 Coo-ee March 