Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Robert Rock Perring, of Uitenhage, via Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Pte Perring was a ventriloquist from North Fitzroy prior to his enlistment on 3 August 1915. Initially posted to the 12th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion, he was hospitalised prior to embarkation and subsequently posted to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion where he embarked with the 4th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles on 28 July 1916. Whilst in England he contracted malaria and returned to Australia on 21 March 1918. On his return to Australia he was diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis and was hospitalised. |