Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Rankine DSO MiD VD
14th Battalion, AIF
39th Battalion, AIF
by Robert Simpson
Robert Rankine was born in Chatham in Kent England on 29th July 1868, the only son and child to William Henry Rankine and Helen Dobbie (that is known of). William had been born in London in 1837 and moved to Scotland before the 1851 census with his family, living at Falkirk in Stirlingshire. While there he married Helen Dobbie on 21st June 1857. Helen had been born in Scotland about 1839. After marrying, they moved back to England before the 1861 census, living in Gillingham, Kent. William appears to be an engineer, maybe to do with marine propulsion. They do not appear in the 1871 census, but are still in Gillingham in the 1881 census, at 22 Paget Street. Robert was a scholar at that time, attending Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School at Rochester, Kent.
On 15th June 1890 Robert married Annie Christina Mildred Polden at Saint Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London and well he had to. Annie gave birth to their only child, Kenneth Carruthers Rankine on 11th September 1890 at Aldershot in Hampshire. Kenneth was baptised at the Holy Trinity Church at Aldershot on 26th October 1890. Annie’s parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Polden. Thomas was an Army Schoolmaster – Infantry at Chatham Barracks according to the 1871 census. Annie had been born in Canada about 1865. In the 1891 census they were found at 5 Wellington Street at Aldershot and Robert was listed as Publishers Manager Books. At some stage they all moved to Australia around 1900 and in the 1909 electoral roll they were living at Avoca Avenue in St. Kilda where he was listed as a Printer and Stationer. By the 1914 roll they were still living in the same place, but his occupation had changed to importer. There is a Robert Rankine, manager of Lamson Paragon Supply Company Limited of 47 Elizabeth Street, in the Melbourne Directory of 1900, which could be him. The company was established in England and seemed to be involved in cash delivery systems in businesses although Wiki says a subsidiary company was not established in Australia until 1901. By about 1910 he had moved to Peacock Bros. according to a notice in The Argus on his death. They also seem to be involved with business supplies and are still operating. While working, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of Infantry in Melbourne in December 1901, a Lieutenant in the 6th Australian Infantry Regiment on 10th May 1906 and then Captain in 1908 and adjutant with the Victorian Scottish Regiment (a militia regiment in Elsternwick) from 1905 to 1908. With the Kitchener reforms commencing in 1910, “Captain Robert Rankine of the Victorian Scottish Regiment, 1st Battalion was appointed to Victoria area Number 46B for the region of Balaclava with the rank of Captain while holding Temporary Appointment as Area Officer.”
Robert applied for a commission in the AIF on 28th November 1914 in the 3rd Military District. His previous military service was as a Major with the 52nd Infantry. The application records he qualified at a competitive examination for first appointment as 2nd Lieutenant on December 1901, was 46 years and 4 months old and was married to Annie. They were living at Dunmore in Avoca Avenue. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall, had a chest measurement of 38 inches, weighed 11 stone 12 pounds and had 6/6 eyesight in both eyes. On 9th October 1914 Robert was appointed to the 14th Battalion (A Company) with the rank of Major.
He kept a diary which includes an entry in the front page– “In the event of my being killed in action I desire that this diary be forwarded to my wife Mrs R. Rankine “Dunmore” Avoca Avenue, St Kilda Victoria. Gallipoli April 26th 1915”.
The Battalion boarded a train at Broadmeadows for Port Melbourne on 22nd December 1914 and then embarked on the HMAT Ulysses A38 for Egypt. At Egypt, all the battalions were reduced from 8 companies A to H, to 4 companies battalions lettered A to D. Robert was appointed Commander of the reformed A Company. They departed Alexandria on 12th April 1915 on SS Seeang Choon for Gallipoli.
During the Gallipoli landing, the 14th Battalion was involved in helping the wounded from the landing back on the Seeang Choon and helping to care for them on the 25th April. They landed on the next day under shrapnel fire but had few casualties. They were used on the beach as a reserve, collecting the arms, equipment and packs that had been discarded the day before at the northern point of Anzac Cove at Ari Burnu and slept under the cliffs that night. On the 27th they were instructed to reinforce 1st Division at the front, receiving orders at about 8.15am to march up Shrapnel Gully. They advanced under intermittent shrapnel fire, taking any cover that was available as they progressed. Under Major Rankine, they reinforced the garrison at Quinn’s Post. It was one of the most dangerous posts in the line, being at the crest of a steep hill and having very little cover for the troops. Due to this, many casualties from machine gun and sniper fire were suffered early on and it was hard to evacuate the wounded. His diary also reads for that day– “’Turned out of our dug outs at daylight & formed up, started up the high hills in single file on narrow path winding through low scrub 2 ft high, terrific fire the whole morning. My company pushed forward up a jungle covered ridge 1000 feet; very difficult & trying. Entrenched under heavy fire from within 500 yards & had many casualties before noon. At 12.15 Turks brought up machine gun and in 3 minutes had given me 23 casualties, panic followed but lasted very short time. Could not hear yourself speak for din of firing, naval ships all joined in, cries & screams of wounded most distressing. Afternoon brought many more casualties, enemy was badly knocked about, stretcher parties were kept busy. Hung on to our trenches all night & repulsed Turks attack at dawn, no food all day, a little muddy water to drink. Capt. Hoggart killed instantly, Lieut. Hanby severely wounded.” They held the post until relief arrived on the 29th April by which time the Battalion had lost nearly one third of its’ men.
After the attack, Robert was recommended for awards for his gallantry. “Major Robert Rankine, 14th Australian Infantry battalion (Victoria): On the night of 26th-27th April, 1915, during operations in the neighbourhood of Gaba Tepe, for gallantry leading an assault resulting in the capture of a most important post, and subsequently for holding that position against repeated attacks for five days without relief.” He was recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Courtney at Gallipoli and it was forwarded on 18th May 1915 for a Mention in Despatch and a Distinguished Service Order. The DSO was recorded in the London Gazette of 3rd June 1915 with “His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following rewards for gallantry and devotion to duty in connection with the operations at the Dardanelles (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force):- To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Major R. Rankine, 14th Australian Infantry battalion (Victoria).” He was personally awarded the DSO by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 14th October 1915.
An entry in his service records stated he was awarded a Military Cross which was promulgated in the London Gazette on 3rd July 1915, but this is incorrect. His DSO was confirmed on 29th May 1915 with an entry in his records for Military Cross, crossed out with DSO written above it on 3rd July.
Robert was admitted to the Anglo-American Hospital at Cairo on 30th June 1915 with influenza and discharged on 1st July. Another entry has that he arrived in Alexandria on Hospital Ship Gascon on 18th June.
A letter to his wife on 5th July 1915 stated he was in Anglo-American Hospital with influenza.
His Mention in Despatches was promulgated in the London Gazette on 5th August 1915 on page 7669 position 4.
He embarked on the SS Minnewaska for the Dardanelles on 9th July 1915 and returned to his unit at Gallipoli on the 15th, where he assumed command of unit on 21st, as Lieutenant-Colonel Adams was sick.
While on Gallipoli, he kept a dairy of day to day events. The entry for Thursday, 29th July 1915 reads “My birthday, splendid mail, letter from Chris, Kenneth & 4 from Mother. Packet from Chris & Kenneth with birthday presents. Birthday dinner in my honour by Major’s Young & Dare & Capt. Cooper. Large bottle champagne, sent cork & signatures home to Chris. Fine, hot day, nothing doing.” The cork and card are on display in the museum.
Robert was temporary Commanding Officer of the 14th Battalion from 10th August to 26th August 1914 and was appointed temporary Lieutenant-Colonel during that time. At that time he apparently souvenired a Webley & Scott flare pistol and a Turkish belt buckle. Then he reverted back to the permanent rank of Major, which was recorded on 25th August 1915, while sick at Mudros. He was admitted to the No. 19 General Hospital at Alexandria on 30th August 1915 from HS Formosa (admitted on 28th) with debility on one file and influenza on another.
Another letter advised Annie that Robert had been admitted to the General hospital in Alexandria on 19th August with debility and he was satisfactory on the 30th August.
He was evacuated to England suffering severe dysentery on 23rd September on the HS Karoola. At the 3rd London General Hospital, he was admitted on the 5th and on 6th October 1915 a medical history form was filled out when he was discharged. He was suffering with dysentery and neurasthenia from Gallipoli where he reported sick with dysentery from 3rd September 1915 and was sent to Alexandria and then there, according to his medical record. After completely recovering from that he was now suffering from insomnia and severe neurasthenia. The cause was given as exposure to infection and nerve strain due to his military service. He was given 6 months to recover which was approved in October 1915, as he was unfit for active service. Robert returned to Australia on 21st December 1915 on Runic A54 being unfit for general duties with dysentery, leaving England from Portland on 7th November. He was also struck off strength on this date at Tel-el-Kebir. The next record shows dysentery stools negative and he was fit for duty on 10th March 1916.
A letter was sent to Annie at Dunmore on 14th October 1915 referring to the wire on the 8th that Robert was now in 3rd General Hospital in London suffering “Debility” and he could be contacted by writing to Lieutenant-Colonel R Rankine DSO, ill, 14th Australian Infantry. Another letter on the 29th confirming previous details and stating he was now doing well. She replied on 30th November, thanking them for all the notifications that they had sent her about Robert and signed it Christina Rankine.
Annie was sent a letter on 10th December 1915 from Base Records Melbourne advising her that the London Gazette had an extract “relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your husband, Lieut. Col. R. Rankine D. S. O. “ which was headed Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, Major Robert Rankine 14th Australian Infantry with the entry “On the night of 26th – 27th April, 1915, during operations in the neighbourhood of Kaba Tepe, for gallantry leading an assault resulting in the capture of a most important part, and subsequently for holding that position against repeated attacks for five days without relief.”
His service record has an entry that he returned from 14th Battalion (overseas). A copy of his Attestation Paper has him as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 39th Battalion with what looks like B Coy done as a stamp and other letters and numbers that are unreadable. It gave his age as 47 and his calling as soldier. His wife Annie was listed as next of kin with her address as Dunmore Avoca Ave, St. Kilda. It was dated 27th May 1916. His pay-book number was 194868.
His religion was listed as Presbyterian.
From 7th to 12th January 1916, he spent that time in the No. 5 Australian General Hospital with dysentery and neurasthenia and was given one month’s leave. He was then back in on the 10th with continuing dysentery but was noted as fit for duty. On 10th February 1916 he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in charge of the 39th Battalion and was sent to the Western Front in France. The Staff Officer for Invalids sent a minute with the Medical Board proceedings for Lieutenant-Colonel Rankine to return to duty to pass on to Base Records. A note was also added by Staff Officer of Returned Soldiers that he returned to duty on 21st February 1916 (in the 3rd Military District) and was now commanding the 39th Battalion AIF. A note from No. 5 Australian General Hospital dated 11th March 1916 stated he had been discharged from there and was fit for duty. They embarked on HMAT Ascanius A11 at Melbourne on 27th May 1916, arriving on 18th July at Devonport. From Southport they proceeded to France on 23rd November 1916. After continuing to suffer from ill health in November he was admitted to hospital with severe myalgia on 30th November. He re-joined the Battalion from there on 14th December 1916 (the record stated 39th Battalion and he was a Lieutenant-Colonel). On 27th January 1917 he was again admitted to hospital with myalgia from the field. He was then invalided to England on HS Western Australia on 7th February.
On 30th January 1917 he was placed on the Seconded List.
A Medical Case Sheet dated 1917 for him from the 3rd London General Hospital stated he had myalgia and lumbar fibrositis. He reported sick on 7th February 1917 with pain in the back and two thighs and he went to 14th General Hospital and then to that hospital. Robert had stiffness in the muscles and radiant heat, massage and electro-therapy were tried. He was also given Caffeine and Aspirin Mixture. The pain was moving up and down the back and massage and electro-therapeutics were used to treat it. Later on it was noted he was well now, he had had mumps and was going to Scotland with his people. A Medical Report dated 19th March 1917 examined him and found that “on account of dysentery he was sent to Australia in March 1915 and returned to England in June. Went to France in October. He still has pains in the back, right leg & right hand & in the right ankle.” He was unfit for 4 months from general service.
Robert was posted to No. 1 Command Depot on 21st March 1917, No. 4 on 27th March and back to No. 1 on 25th May 1917. On 30th April 1917 a medical report stated that while with the 66th Battalion he had rheumatism. He still complained of pain in the ankles, knees and right hand and that he could not ride. He was unfit for 4 weeks. A Medical Board report in May 1917 said he was suffering from rheumatism, but was now fit for duty. He was then Commanding Officer of the 66th Battalion on the same date and was posted to no. 2 Command Depot on 27th September 1917. On 9th February 1918 he was posted to 2nd Training Brigade Headquarters. He was then posted to Headquarters of AIF Depots in the UK on 28th January 1919 and was Camp Commandant AIF Depots from the next day until 17th March 1919. The next day he was Second in Command of AIF Depots. From 27th June 1919 until 16th September 1919 he was Officer Commanding no. 3 Group AIF Depots.
On 12th May 1917 Base Records wrote to Annie advising her that Robert was in the 14th General Hospital from 31st January 1917, suffering from severe myalgia. His postal address was Lt-Col R Rankine DSO, SICK No. 39th Battalion, C/o AIF Headquarters, 130 Horseferry Rd, Westminster London SW.
He was placed on the General List from 15th September 1917.
Annie wrote a letter to the Officer in Charge of Postal Administration at Base Records on 2nd August 1917, as she had just received a bundle of 20 letters she had sent to Robert, with the details 39th Battalion and on active service. She indicated he had been sick and had gone back to active service, but that “no attempt had been made to trace him” even though he had left instructions at the hospital and made enquiries. They had all been bundled up and sent back to her and were even marked with 14th Battalion, not 39th. She was annoyed and even made mention of complaints in newspapers about mail not being delivered to soldiers. She blamed the postal authorities in London and had sent them all again. The reply from Base Records on 9th August stated “this Branch is unable to explain same, but it will be realised that the difficulty of distributing mail to members of the Force on Active Service Abroad is very great”. He also added if she kept the envelopes, she could send them to Base Records to be referred to overseas authorities to ensure safe delivery in the future.
Base Records replied to a Mr. P Pook of Canterbury Victoria, who had obviously enquired about details of the engagement that the late 1332 Private L. J. Johnson was killed in, with the reply that they held no records on the action and he should contact Lieutenant-Colonel Rankine DSO, 39th battalion, Abroad, who may be able to supply that information or refer to an officer in the 39th who could. Leslie John Johnson was killed in action on 21st February 1917.
On 8th December 1917 Annie signed for his Commission Form.
He reported from Depot at Westham to 2nd Training Brigade at Weymouth on 11th May 1918. On 28th January 1919 he was detached from the Permanent Cadre of 2nd Training Brigade Headquarters and relinquished his appointment of Commanding Officer of 2nd Training Brigade. He assumed duties as Camp Commandant the next day and relinquished command on 17th March. On the 18th he assumed duties as Second in Command. He then officiated as Commanding Officer of No. 3 Group from 7th June 1919 to 16th September 1919.
On 18th December 1919 he returned to Australia on the SS Konigin Luise.
A medical report in 1920 has him as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the General List, he was 51 years old, an occupation of agent and he enlisted in Melbourne on September 1914. It was proposing deafness as his disability, which occurred on 20th April 1920. He was never wounded or gassed, but had amoebic dysentery in 1915 and was in hospital for 6 months but it was no trouble now. Robert had defective hearing in the left ear and on 11th March the aurist reported that the condition was improving with treatment but required further treatment by inflation and referred him to a special medical board. The disability was due to military service but had improved and he was well now. He was deemed fit for work. It was signed on 11th March 1920 at the No. 5 AGH and was confirmed on the 12th.
There are two entries in his service records stating that he was “brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered” in what looks like 1919 and 1920.
Robert signed for his 1914-15 Star on 29th April 1920 in Melbourne, his British War Medal on 24th April 1921 and his Victory Medal on 25th April 1922. The card for his Long Service Medal was not signed or dated.
His AIF appointment was terminated on 10th May 1920 in the 5th Military District. His oak leaves were sent to him on 17th August 1920. On 17th June 1921 he was sent his Mention in Despatch certificate and he signed for his oak leaves (Mention in Despatches emblems) on 23rd August 1921. His Volunteer Decoration (CAFOD) was signed for on 15th February 1923.
According to Who’s Who in Australia published in 1920 he was with the 14th Battalion AIF and Commandant of 2nd Training Brigade (including Dardanelles). The 1935 book just mentions him as Colonel Robert Rankine D.S.O. (1915), V.D. of Melbourne.
The 1919, 1924, 1937 and 1939 electoral rolls have the family still living at Avoca Avenue and he was listed still as an importer. In Australia, Annie favoured her second name, with electoral rolls listing her as Christina Annie Mildred Rankine.
On 6th June 1941 Robert passed away in St. Kilda, Victoria at the age of 73. He died at his home at 25 Avoca Street (Dunmore). The Argus of Saturday 7th June carried notices on his death from his family (dearly beloved husband of Annie (Chris) and loving father of Kenneth Rankine), by the 14th Battalion AIF Association (late of the 14th battalion AIF. One of Nature’s gentlemen) and by the directors and staff of his employment (A tribute to the memory of Colonel R Rankine DSO VD, a highly esteemed and valued member of Peacock Bros. Pty Ltd for 30 years). The funeral took place at Springvale Crematorium on Saturday 7th June 1941. Brigadier-General J P McGlinn, Captain S Ornstien and several officers of the original 14th Battalion acted as pallbearers. Reverend H Clark, a Presbyterian minister, officiated and Apps and Sons were the funeral directors. He was cremated and the ashes were scattered. Probate for his estate was approved on 3rd July for Annie and Kenneth.
Annie passed away on 10th August 1944 and was privately cremated on the 11th, with the ashes scattered.
Kenneth was living at “Dunmore” Avoca Avenue in the 1914 electoral roll and was listed as a clerk. He married Muriel Vera H Dodd in the Presbyterian Church in St. Kilda on 29 Mar 1921. After being employed as a clerk for the rest of his working life he passed away in Victoria in 1969. Muriel had been born in 1891 in Victoria and passed away in Victoria in 1966. They had one child that is known of, Betty, who was born before her Grandmother passed away.
Robert kept a diary from December 1914 to December 1915. Below is one page.
Robert’s medals are the Distinguished Service Order (G.V.R.), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MID, Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (G.V.) and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration.
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