Veteran Story: Ambrose Abdullah was born 28 January 1895 in Tumut NSW to single mother Eliza Martha Sheppard. His mother was to partner a James Abdullah and as a consequence Ambrose was given his surname of Abdullah. Ambrose was working as a labourer and living at Lismore NSW when he enlisted at on 13 November 1915 for the 1st Australian Infantry Forces. He was accepted and assigned Official No: 5026. He signed the Oath of Enlistment the same day and he was medically fit and described as 21 years 11 months old, 5 Feet 5.5/8 inches tall, weighing 11 Stone 8 Lbs, Chest expansion of 36/39 inches, Dark Complexion, Brown eyes and Black Hair. He had a scar on his left knee, left forearm and foot. Between 25 November 1915 and 16 January 1916 he spent training with A Company, 9th Battalion, then he transferred to 16/15 Reinforcements in Queensland. On 5 May 1916 he embarked on the Star of Victoria bound for Tel El Kebir in Egypt. Star of Victoria from Australia to Egypt 1916. The HMAT Star of Victoria A16 was a significant ship in the early part of World War I, known for its role in transporting troops from Australia to Egypt. It was requisitioned by the Commonwealth in 1914 and converted to carry 1,000 troops. The ship made several transport voyages, including the first convoy that carried the 1st Light Horse Brigade to Alexandria in Egypt. The renaming occurred in 1916 when its ownership was taken back by the Commonwealth and Dominion Line Ltd of London. The vessel remained under lease with the Commonwealth until October 2, 1917, after which it came under the control of the British Admiralty. In 1919, it was converted for normal commercial trade. Ambrose arrived in Egypt on 20 May 1916 and transferred to the 47th Battalion. Based at Moascar training camp he underwent training in the Machine Gun Company, along with desert warfare and the many types of conflict he would face. On 7 June 1916 he was on his way to the war front departing from Alexandria arriving in Marseilles France 14 June 1916. He was taken on strength with the 12 Machine Gun Company and on 31 January 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal in the field in France. On April 1917 he reported to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station with an ulcer on his corneal and conjunctivitis. He was transferred to hospital in Camiers France. After a short stay he rejoined his unit in the field on 6 May 1917. By August 1917 he had earnt his stripes and was promoted to Corporal. In November 1917 he transferred to the Machine Gun School for training, returned to his unit on 7 December 1917. Directly following his return he was taken to a small arms school where he remained until March 1918 when he transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. After 4 months in the field he was given leave at the 204th Army Rest Camp, a brief respite lasting 10 days. During the next two months and on the 8th August 1918 he was recommended for the Military Medal. "The recommendation reads: “During the offensive operation on 5 August 1917 he imbued all his crew with the offensive spirit by discreet intel and not letting an opportunity pass, so as to bring XXXXX (indecipherable) the enemy. By his good sniping he caused a lot of casualties among the enemy”. Rec: Lieut W L C Mallard. He then waited another 2 months before he was given a months leave to England. On his return he was promoted to Temporary Sergeant. He remained in France after the Declaration of Peace and during that time he was Absent without leave for one day, with no penalty recorded. This leave of absence coincided with his marriage to Sarah Robb on 28 April 1919 in Scotland. On 13 June 1919 he faced a Court Martial for an incident that had occurred on 2 April 1919. The charge read: "Without reasonable cause allowing to escape a person committed to his charge. Pleading not guilty. He received a sentence of loss of seniority for one month. On 6 September 1919 he boarded the HT Berrima in London and sailing for Australia. He arrived in Sydney NSW on 8 November 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 1 January 1920. For his service he was awarded the "Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Ambrose enlisted in the 2nd AIF under Official No: Q50591.
