OFFICER, Robert (1883-1951)
Robert Officer was born in Richmond, Victoria, on 13 January 1883, the son of Robert Officer and Jessie Cairns nee Muir. He was educated at Geelong College where he entered as a boarder in 1897. His address when he enrolled was Condoblin, NSW.
He was working as a Station Overseer when, during World War I he enlisted (No. 2123) in the AIF on 2 September 1915. He embarked with 14th Reinforcement Group, 7th Light Horse, on HMAT A57 Malakuta on 16 March 1916, aged 32. He served for three years in the 3rd Anzac Battalion Imperial Camel Corps, and the 7th Light Horse, being promoted Sergeant on 15 October 1917.
Robert Officer returned to Australia on 18 February 1919 on HMT Lancashire, embarking from Suez.
Robert Officer died in Albury, New South Wales on 19 November 1951.
His cousin, Pte Geoffrey Talbot Officer (of Kerang and Elsternwick), 4 Light Trench Mortar Battery, was killed in action at Bullecourt on 11 April 1917, his name is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial.
Sources: The Argus (Melbourne) 24 January 1883 p1; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 277-78 (citing Alexander Henderson, Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina.(1936); Pegasus; National Archives).