Charles Nankervis

Charles Nankervis was born on 17th March 1865 in Wandiligong, Victoria, to Henry Nankervis and Grace, nee Stephens. On 17th March 1891, Charles married Emma Isabella Simpson at Cudgewa.

On 29th September 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a married, 44-year-old labourer from Nariel, via Cudgewa, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 4553 and placed in the 14th Reinforcements of the 7th Battalion. Charles gave his next of kin as his wife, Emma Nankervis. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles at Melbourne, Victoria, on 28th January 1916.

During his enlistment period, he was also a member of the 59th Battalion and 8th Machine Gun Battalion, being transferred on 1st April 1916 and 27th May 1916, respectively. On 15th April 1918, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A74 Marathon, with the rank of Driver and was medically discharged as unfit for service on 23rd July 1918, being awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war. Charles served in Egypt, Palestine, and on the Western Front.

Charles arrived back in Australia in time to prevent his son Frederick, who was 18 at the time, from enlisting. There is no doubt that Charles wanted to shield his son from the horrors he had seen and experienced overseas.

He passed away on the 24th January 1930 at Beechworth, Victoria and was buried in Beechworth Cemetery.