Private Charles Henry Fairbeard was born on April 14, 1891 at Kirkee (Maharashtra, India).
In 1895, at the age of four, he migrated from India to Australia with his parents and went to Geraldton School and Convent in Western Australia. He moved to Perth in 1912, aged 21, after having joined the Cadets at the age of nine and the Citizens Force, when he was 16 years old.
He was among the very first volunteers to join the Australian Imperial Force, enlisting on September 7, 1914, soon after WWI broke out.
He was also among the very first soldiers to die in the Gallipoli campaign, which began on April 25, 1915. Records show that Pte Fairbeard died on May 4, less than two weeks after the Gallipoli landing.
According to Tarunpreet Singh from the Sikh Association of Western Australia, "When SAWA learnt about the sacrifice made by the unsung hero, it was decided that his memory must be honoured. This became especially important when we found out that all members of his family, meaning his parents and his siblings, also died here in Australia within 20 years of Private Fairbeard's death."
The plaque commemorating Private Fairbeard, an Indian Anzac in WWI, installed at Perth's Kings Park over the weekend Source: Tarunpreet Singh
So a plaque bearing his name has been installed in Perth, at the Honours Avenue in Kings Park, under the same tree as the plaque commemorating Private Nain Singh Sailani.
"If there is one thing we've learnt from the recently opened Sikh Heritage Trail in Adenia Park, it is, that we must honour heroes when we come to know about them. Even the Heritage Trail was a result of an Australian historian by the name of John Parker," said Mr Singh.
"Last year, when we lay the plaque for Pte Nain Singh Sailani, I was contacted by a lady with information about Pte Fairbeard, telling us that he was of Indian origin too."
On researching further Mr Singh found out that 23-year-old Pte Fairbeard embarked on active duty on December 14, 1914 aboard HMAT Ceramic from Melbourne.
Source: Tarunpreet Singh
"He was a very handsome young man, who was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 120 lbs. He was wounded in action in Gallipoli on 4th May 1915 ."
He suffered a gunshot on the left side and in the thigh.
He was taken to the hospital ship HMHS Gascon but died on board; he was buried at sea as the ship made its way to Alexandria.
Pte Fairbeard was decorated with 1914-1915 Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His name is also etched at the Lone Pine Memorial.
"When the Sikh Association of WA found out that Pte Fairbeard didn't have a plaque to his name at Perth, we decided to honour this not so well known hero, to salute him for his selfless service. The RSL confirmed that he was eligible, and we're pleased that the formal ceremony took place on May 19."
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