Adrian Calero Monger was born about 1891 in Perth, Western Australia to Frances and Ghita Monger. He was the third son born to the couple and attended Scotch College in Perth where he was described as “a quiet unassuming boy”. Adrian joined the Eastern Extension Company after leaving school.
Broome Connection
Adrian’s brother’s Henry and Rupert Monger (of Derby) leased the pearling schooner Ena. Adrian joined his brothers around 1912 and worked as a shell opener and pearling clerk until he enlisted in the AIF in February 1915.
War Service
Adrian and his older brother Henry enlisted together in February 1915 and in April boarded the Honorata bound for Egypt, and then Gallipoli in June. On 27 July 1915, after two weeks in reserve, the 11th Battalion relieved the 12th Battalion at Tasmanian Post, on the right on the Australian front line. On 31 July, a party of around 200 men was ordered to capture a section of Turkish trenches in front of the battalion’s position. After engineers detonated three mines prepared near Turkish communications trenches, the storming party captured the Turkish trench following a bayonet charge, in which one officer and 36 other ranks were killed. It was during this battle that Adrian Monger was killed in action.
Enlistment Details
Date of Enlistment: 01/02/1915
Place of Enlistment: Blackboy Hill Camp, Western Australia
Occupation: Pearler
Age at Enlistment: 24
Service Number: 1986
Unit: 11th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
Rank: Private
Fate: Killed in Action
Place of Death: Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey
Date of Death: 30-31/7/1915
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Shell Green Cemetery (Plot II, Row G, Grave No. 26), Gallipoli, Turkey
