C.I. Ebbrell
The story of Charles Inkerman Ebbrell
Born in England, Charles Inkerman Ebbrell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915. At the time of enlistment he was working as a Tram Conductor in North Sydney and had previous served two years in the territorial army and had also been a member of the Australian Expeditionary Force, travelling to New Guinea.
Initially assigned to the 20th battalion he transferred to the 18th while serving on Gallipoli in late 1915. With the withdrawal he returned with his battalion to the Middle East before transferring to France in June 1917, where he was promptly wounded with a gunshot wound to the thigh and buttocks. Sent back to England to recover he remained there until October when he travelled back to France.
He served with his battalion in France until April 1917 when he returned to England once more for further training, remaining there until October when again he left for the front. Quickly promoted upon his return he was wounded for a second time in the first part of 1918, with a gunshot wound to his arm. He returned to England where he was awarded the military medal for his actions during the war.
He was ultimately sent back to Australia in November 1918 following the amputation of his arm following his wounds. After the war he served with the Returned Serviceman’s Association. He passed away in 1966 and is remembered on the North Sydney Tram Depot Memorial.
Research notes:
1) Ebbrell is pictured here following WW2 in his role welcoming home soldiers.
