Strangman, Richard Charles (Private, 56th Bn)

Collection relating to the First World War service of Private Richard C Strangman, 56 Battalion. Collection consists of two photographs of the ship Friedrichsruh on which Strangman returned to Australia in July 1919. One is a postcard size photo of the entire ship from a distance, while the other is a much closer shot where numerous Australian soldiers can be seen on the decks. Also included is a scoring book for his General Course of Musketry in Codford, UK during late 1917 to early 1918.

Private Richard Charles Strangman (No 3725) joined the AIF in May 1917. He was from Tumut, the son of Corey Strangman, and was 22 years old and single. He was a photographer by profession.

Allotted to the 10th Reinforcements of the 54th Battalion, he embarked in Sydney on 31 October 1917 on HMAT A14 (Euripides) and arrived in the UK in December. He was assigned to the 14th Training Battalion in Codford before going over to France in early April 1918, joining the 54th Battalion in the field near Villers-Bretonneux. On 28 August, nearing Peronne, he suffered wounds to the fingers of his left hand, but was able to rejoin his unit later that day.

On 11 October the remnants of the 54th and 56th Battalions amalgamated to form the 56/54th Battalion. Strangman remained with this unit (often referred to as just the 56th Battalion), until his return to Australia in July 1919 aboard the Friedrichsruh. Arriving back in Sydney in early September 1919, he was discharged from the AIF later that month. Strangman continued his career as a photographer after the war, namely in Canberra.