Lone Pine memorial where Private Deller is remembered with honour
Pair: Queen South Africa Medal 1899 two clasps "T, SA02" and British War Medal (missing 1914/15 Star & Victory Medal). QSA impressed 5595 PTE F. DELLAR SCOTTISH RIFLES (bars confirmed on roll) and BWM impressed 738 PTE F. DELLAR 9 BN AIF (Reffered to as either Dellar or Deller)
Previous service recorded on attestation papers as 6 years Cameronians & 6 years Medical Corps.
WW1 Australian Service as follows;
Emb. 2nd March 1915
Detached to duty with transport section 25th April 1915
Arrived at Alexandria ex Gallipoli Peninsula 19th May 1915
Re-joined unit 4th June 1915
Private Dellar appears to have lasted the whole of the Gallipoli campaign with the 9th Battalion only to take his own life on board the HMAT Grampian (after the evacuation, leaving Lemnos area for Alexandria).
The board of enquiry (extract supplied under photo of medals) shows that whilst off duty, Private Dellar shot himself in the head (with his own rifle) whilst everyone was asleep in his cabin. The board also went on to class his death as being caused by “Misadventure” no doubt to save any further heartache by his family. A very tragic ending to a veteran of two wars.
Good VF SOLD