Military History

Shafto enlisted as a Special Reinforcement for the No.1 Stationary Hospital
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ’Barambah’ A 37 21.12.1915.
Roll Rank Motor Transport Driver
Roll Unit Australian Medical Corps Driver (AMC)
Shafto disembarked at Suez. He joined the Medical Transport Service at Gamrah 19.1.1916. He was admitted to hospital in Abbassia with a debility 30.6.1916. Shafto was attached to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir. He was detached to the Stationary Hospital at Port Said. He was assessed for a trade test for the Royal Flying Corps 16.11.1916 and was later admitted to hospital with mitrial disease at Abbassia. The irritable heart was possibly a pre existing disease relating to rheumatic fever 4 years previously. On admission to hospital, Shafto ceased to be attached to the 67 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at Kantara 18.11.1916. He was listed for return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked Suez for Australia from per ‘Euripides’ 22.1.1917.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 22.2.1917
Discharged 26.2.1917.
Final Rank Medical Transport AMC.
Medical Condition Invalided, irritable heart.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Shafto went on to run the Empire Theatre in Perth and a number of suburban theatres. He was declared bankrupt in 1937 (Newcastle Sun 23.11.1937).
Photos SS 'Barambah'. Photographer F. G Wilkinson 1923. Photograph source ANMM  000415322
             2nd Stationary Hospital in Port Said 1916. Photograph donated by M.E. McCarthy, photograph source AWM J02999
             'Euripides' 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0374

Information Source
ANMM  000415322. SS 'Barambah'. Photographer F. G Wilkinson 1923. Photograph sourced from the Australian Naval and Maritime Museum
AWM J02999. 2nd Stationary Hospital in Port Said 1916. Photograph donated by M.E. McCarthy, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australia War Memorial
AWM PB0374. 'Euripides' 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Robert Ralston Shafto
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Shafto Robert Ralston
Newcastle Sun


Shaftsbury Theatre, Perth, WA.

Associated Images