NUMBER:
Gunner 19804

BATTALION / UNIT / SHIP:
31st Battery, 8th Battalion

PLACE OF BIRTH:
Launceston, Tasmania

NEXT OF KIN:
His father, Edward Lodge of Mirboo South, Victoria (not his stepfather)

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
21/10/1915

PHYSICAL DETAILS ON ENLISTMENT:
Age 21 years 7 months, 5'9", 11 stone, blue eyes and brown hair

RELIGION:
Church of England

OCCUPATION:
Farm labourer

PLACE & DATE OF DEATH:
He was killed in action 25/9/1917 at Polygon Wood

LOCATION OF GRAVE/MEMORIAL:
He is buried in The Huts Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium

RELATIONSHIP TO WOORAYL SHIRE:
He was from Mirboo South, Victoria

MILITARY/OTHER HISTORY:
◈ Herbert Charles Claxton, also known as Herbert Charles Noel Lodge
◈ 21/10/1915 He enlisted
◈ 20/5/1916 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Medic
◈ 18/7/1916 He arrived in Plymouth
◈ 30/8/1916 He went to France from Southampton
◈ 6/1/1917 He was transferred to the 31st Battalion
◈ 25/9/1917 He was killed in action and buried in The Huts Cemetery near Ypres
◈ In 1922 Mrs. Rowe (née Claxton), his sister and last surviving relation, nominated herself as NOK. Both parents were deceased; Mr. Lodge of Mirboo South was not his stepfather
◈ Mrs. Rowe’s address was 54 Davis St, North Carlton
◈ In his will he left his estate to his mother Clarisa Louise Lodge of Clarendon, Mirboo South, signed by him and two soldiers
◈ A J Sloan wrote regarding Herbert’s money as Mr. Sloan had been drawing on this and asked if there was a will
◈ Mrs. Rowe again wrote to state that Mr. Edward Lodge had no right to anything related to Herbert
◈ The army was confused as Herbert had listed Lodge as his father and NOK
◈ Mrs. Lodge, his mother, wrote requesting information, including about the will
◈ After Mrs. Lodge’s death there was a dispute over who should receive his medals
◈ Ultimately, his sister Mrs. Rowe received his medals