BLACK, Richard Alfred

Richard was born in 1878 at Wallangra Station, north of Inverell. At the time of his enlistment he was a thirty six year old Grazier at Myall Plains, St. George, Queensland. When he enlisted he offered the Military authorities the use of his Cadillac car, which they accepted.

With his car on board, Richard sailed from Brisbane on 27 April 1915 on the ship HMAT A11 Ascanius. Prior to his departure he was enterained at a farewell lunch in Brisbane. He was a member of the Infantry Brigade Train 7, Company 17 and served as a Motor Car Driver in Egypt. During 1916 he contracted malaria, resulting in his transfer to hospital at Liverpool, England.

At the beginning of 1917 Richard was attached for duty to the 2nd AA Hospital at Southall, England, and later that year promoted to Corporal. During 1918 he became ill with malaria again and was returned home to Australia. Eventually he returned to live and manage Wallangra Station.

Richard's elder brother, Alexander Henry Black, tried on many occasions to enlist in Australia but was rejected so he decided to pay his own fare to England to join the British Army. After service with the Royal Army Serivce Corps, he studied for a commission, attained the rank of First Lieutenant and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to Australia in 1919.

Photo: Private collection