Name
Merlin Kinneir Tarte
Mid 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/10/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3704
Australian Machine Gun Corps
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
V. J. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
TILL THE DAY BREAKS
UK & Other Memorials
Aldenham School Memorial, Aldenham, Not listed on the St Albans memorials
Pre War
Merlin Kinneir Tarte was the son of Frederick Walter Kinneir Tarte and Emily Harriet (nee Fursom). He was born in St Albans where his Father was an Architect and Surveyor.
The family emigrated to Australia in late 1901 in the area of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where his Father became a grazier. Merlin gave his occupation as Farmer. At some time during this period Merlin attended Aldenham School
Wartime Service
He first attempted to enlist in Australian Imperial Forces in July 1915 but was discharged as medically unfit. He was successful on his second attempt in July 1917 and embarked in Sydney on Australian Transport ‘Militades’ bound for the United Kingdom.
After a period with the 14th Training battalion he went to France in Jan 1918 joining 53 Battalion AIF.
He received a Gun Shot Wound to the Right Shoulder 1 Mar 1918 and received treatment in Deal, Kent. After recovery he was transferred to Machine Gun Corps on 31 May 1918 and trained at Grantham. Proceeding to France he joined his Unit, 2 MGC (Australian), on 25 Aug 1918. On 3rd Oct 1918 he was again wounded, this time a chest wound, after treatment at 50 casualty clearing Station he died of his wounds on 4 Oct 1918.
Additional Information
His father, Mr Tarte of "Tallawallan," Albury Rd., Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, ordered his headstone inscription: "TILL THE DAY BREAKS"
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Tony James
