Joseph Bloxham

[Hilary]

I've been doing my friend's father's family history and came across a distant relative Joseph Bloxam. He was brought up in the Cottage Homes in Leicester as his parents were dead (very sad story as there was murder involved). He joined the Leicestershire Regiment in 1898 at the age of 19 and served for many years with them, all over the world India, South Africa etc. He was discharged in 1912 and went to Australia. He joined the Australian Imperial Force (Private 1732 5th battn) and was killed in action at Gallipoli 7 August 1915. I imagine he will be on a memorial somewhere in Australia but I have no idea where. I think he may have travelled from India to Australia.

[daggers]

Hilary
You have probably seen the CWGC entry, but here it is anyway:
BLOXAM, JOSEPH
Initials: J
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Date of Death: 07/08/1915
Service No: 1722
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 26.
Cemetery: SHRAPNEL VALLEY CEMETERY

What is more, you can see 25 pages of his Australian army record, via their National Archives, [some of which are duplicates.]

I have looked at a site where war memorials can be searched but drew blank - perhaps Joseph had not been in Australia long enough to have been adopted by a community. There was very little time between his enlistment and his death at Anzac beach.

Daggers

[Hilary]

Daggers

Thank you for that - I have the CWGC entry, his British army papers but didn't know about his Australian papers I will have a look at them.