Charles Edward Rice

RICE, Charles Edward- – – – SPC 1904

DoB:- – 1888, Ballarat, VIC

Father:- – George Rice

Mother:- – Ellen, nee Hanley

Service No:- 4211

Rank:- – Private, Driver

Unit:- – 23rd Battalion

Charles Edward Rice enlisted on 5 July 1915. He was 27 years old, a single man whose occupation was draper. He was five feet, eight and a quarter inches tall, with a dark complexion, -‘greenish’ eyes and brown hair. He embarked from Melbourne aboard the Wiltshire on 7 March 1916 and proceeded to Egypt, where he was appointed Driver in mid-May. One month later, on 18 June 1916, he proceeded from Alexandria to Marseilles for active duty in France.

Driver Rice remained in France for the following two and a half years, with fairly regular reprieves in England. He was returned to Weymouth, England on 1 April 1919 in readiness for his return to Australia. He boarded the Orontes on 15 May 1919, and disembarked on 28 June in Melbourne.

Upon his return to Australia, Charles lived with his mother and sister for a while at 413 Ligar Street in Soldiers Hill, Ballarat and worked as a salesman. At some point prior to 1931, he married Eileen Caroline and they lived for many years at 385 Humffray Street, Ballarat.

Charles Edward Rice died on 11 September 1961 at the age of 73, and was buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery. His wife Eileen died two years later and was buried with her husband.