Claude CASTREE

Constable Claude Castree joined the Queensland Police in February 1913. He served at Roma Street, Townsville and Kynuna before he enlisted in the A.I.F. Private Castree embarked aboard the HMAT Armadale A26 from Brisbane on 18 September 1915 with the 25th Infantry Battalion. The 25th Battalion arrived in France in March 1916. Castree was one of the early casualties – he was wounded in the left arm and evacuated to England. He returned to action on 1 November after being transferred to the 19th Battalion and in December of that year he was promoted to Lance Corporal. During the attack on Messines Ridge, Castree was wounded a second time, this time taking a bullet to the left shoulder, and was again evacuated to England. He returned to the on 10 July 1918 as they moved south to block the German advance toward the Somme. Lance Corporal Castree was wounded a third and final time by a gunshot to the abdomen on 14 August 1918 as the Battalion was being withdrawn from Cerisy-Gailly. He was evacuated to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance but died from his wounds the following day, aged 26.