Herbert John Rogers (1876 - 1917)

Born 20 Mar 1876 in Norwood, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Ethel Beatrice Agnes (Lamont) Newman — married 31 May 1901 in 234 Johnson St, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Apr 1917 at age 41 in Lagnicourt, France

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Rogers [send private message]

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Biography

Herbert was born in 1876. He is the son of William Rogers and Prothesia Goss. His family moved to Melbourne from Adelaide when he was about 12. He was a shoemaker by trade and moved from Melbourne to Wellington New Zealand in about 1903, after the birth of his daughter. He lived in NZ until at least 1909. He is listed as living at Kilbernie, Wellington NZ in Wises NZ PO Directory of 1909. He served 6 years in the NZ Engineers Corps at this time. He and his family returned to Melbourne shortly after this.

When the Preston rifle club was formed in Feb, 1915, he was elected to the committee^[1]. At this time, the Defence department would supply rifles and about 400 rounds of ammunition to gun clubs with a membership of more than 30, and would also contribute to the cost of building a range.

He enlisted in the AIF on 6 July 1915. Apparently he had been rejected on previous attempts and lowered his age by 4 years that time. At time of enlistment he is described as pale complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and 5' 5" tall. Religion Methodist. He served in 6 Btn (Btn. No. 3439) and embarked for France on HMAT "Nestor" on 11 Oct 1915. He was killed in action in France in 1917. His service papers say he was buried 1 mile NNW of Lagnicourt, France (DGRE 31938G (PD), about 5 & 3/4 miles NNE of Bapaume Isolated Graves (36357G), but he is listed by CWG as having no known grave.

Oral tradition has it that he was a keen amateur artist & was painting a landscape behind the lines when killed by artillery.

An article in The Preston Leader of 23 June 1917, p.3 is the same as a newspaper article that has passed down through the family, although it does not include the photo.

SOLDIER OF MANY PARTS

Corporal Herbert James Rogers, who was killed in action in France on 29th April 1917, is the first man from Reservoir to make the supreme sacrifice. Corporal Rogers was for some years attached to the Engineering Corps in Wellington N.Z. He was an excellent marksman, and won many trophies for rifle shooting, one year winning the championship medal for that city. In the very early stages of the was, Corporal Rogers was anxious to serve. He offered himself five times, but was rejected on account of being a trifle under the required standard. Knowing his capabilities as a soldier, he eventually persuaded the authorities to pass him into camp, where he was immediately rated as a non-com. He left with reinforcements to the 6th Battalion and had been in the toughest campaigning and fighting in France. Corporal Rogers was a man of many parts. With the brush and palette he was no mean amateur, as several of his pictures show. He was a real Australian, and never so happy as when depicting on canvas the typical Australian bush. How he loved the wattle and the gum, but believing that the gallant young fellows at the front required some of the older hands to stiffen them up, he left all that he held dear and answered the call of duty. He was a brave man, kind and true.He met death but changed it into glory. Reservoir may well be proud of such. Corporal Rogers leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss. They are at present residing in Hampton.

02 Jun 1917 - The Argus

ROGERS.-A tribute of love to the memory of our dear brother-in-law, Corporal H. J. Rogers, killed in action, somewhere in France, on the 29th April, 1917.

Deeply regretted.

Greater love hath no man than this.

-(Inserted by A. B. and V. Clarkson, Black Rock.)^[2]

01 Oct 1915 - Spectator and Methodist Chronicle (Melbourne)

Preston. — Actg. Sergt. Herbert Rogers and Private Charles . W. Scholes have gone into camp this week.^[3]

^[4]

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Sources

• Birth - South Australia BDM Birth index - genealogysa.org.au - 1876; ROGERS Herbert John; William Henry ROGERS; Prothiser GOSS; Adelaide; 163/435

• Marriage - Victorai BDM Marriage index - ROGERS Herbt Jno; Marriage; LAMONT Ethel Beatrice Agnes; Reg. year 1901; Reg. no 3734

1. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92076022
2. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1622545
3. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154174868
4. ↑ Entered by Mark Rogers, Dec 5, 2011

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90755378

WW1 Australian Army service file - National Archives of Australia - ROGERS Herbert John : Service Number - 3439 : Place of Birth - Norwood SA : Place of Enlistment - Melbourne VIC : Next of Kin - (Wife) ROGERS Ethel - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=8034650