About Ernest Meagher

Ernest was born in Perth around 1888 to Julia Meagher. His father’s name is unrecorded but he is known to have passed away before Ernest joined the AIF.

Broome Connection

Ernest first appeared in Broome working as a shell opener on the luggers from 1912-1914.  Ernest was also listed as a pearling clerk from 1915 to 1917 in the Wise Post Office Directories.

War Service

Ernest enrolled in May 1915 and was posted to the 28th Battalion, C Company. One month later the Battalion left Fremantle on the Ascanius bound for Egypt. After training at Alexandria, the unit was sent to Gallipoli in September 1915 and remained there until the evacuation in December of that year. Illness plagued Ernest in the first half of the following year and he spent some time recuperating until he joined his battalion in France in August 1916. He was wounded by gun shot to the arm just five days after rejoining his unit and was sent back to England. After his injury he was classified as fit for light duties only and he was transferred to the 63rd Battalion and served General Antill until the General’s return to Australia in September 1917. Ernest was declared fit for duty at this time and proceeded overseas to re-join the 28th Battalion that was serving along the Western Front. Only one month after rejoining he was killed in action in October 1917.

Enlistment Details

Newspaper Articles

Other Online Resources

View Ernest Meagher at the National Archives of Australia
View Ernest Meagher at the Australian War Memorial