HURST, Rupert John Roston (1897-1978)
Rupert John Hurst was born on 27 October 1897 at East Perth, Western Australia, the son of Captain John Herbert Hurst and Emma Florence nee Rostron.
He was enrolled at Geelong College in 1907 by Capt J H Hurst. At the time, the entry address was given as Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
On 16 February 1916 he enlisted (No. 688) with 'O' Siege Brigade, RGA at Fremantle citing his father, Major John Herbert Hurst as next of kin. At the time Rupert listed himself as a student aged 18 years 4 months. His Medical examination described him as 5ft 9 1/2 inches, 140 lbs weight, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was transferred to Sheerness from Park House Camp on 5 August 1916 before going to Etaples, France on 24 October 1916 where he transferred to the 5th Field Artillery Brigade (5th FAB) of the 2nd Division Artillery. On 14 November 1916 he was posted to 14 Battery. He was then posted to the Royal Artillery Cadet School, St John's Wood, England on 8 Decemer 1916. He was then promoted as a gunner, 2nd liutenant on 3 May 1917. He later returned to 5th FAB on 7 August 1917. On 15 October 1917 he was wounded in action in Belgium during a mustard gas attack and was admitted to ODRS and AT 14 and then evacuated aboard HS Warlida to England where he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth.
After his return from convalescence and the regimental secondment list he returned to 5th FAB on 3 September 1918. He remained in Europe until August 1919 when he returned to Fremantle aboard HT Orsova. His appointment was terminated on 12 October 1919. He subsequently returned to his unit.
He then attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon, subsequently gaining a posting a posting to the Staff Corps. In 1926, he married Mary Clare Glasgow (c1896-c1972), the daughter of Lewis Henry and Mabel Fanny Glasgow. In March 1933, he was stationed at the Queenscliff Barracks, according to Pegasus.
During World War II, he enlisted (QX43792) on 7 October 1942 and served as a Lieutenant-Colonel with Fremantle Coastal Artillery, then on Thursday Island (November 1940 - March 1942). He was discharged on 28 May 1946.
He died on 30 August 1978 at Lady Gowrie House, Gordon, New South Wales.
Sources: Geelong Collegians at the Second World War by James Affleck p 290 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives.