Regimental number | 19794 |
Place of birth | Frankford Tasmania |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Farm labourer |
Address | Hospital Road, Beaconsfield, Tasmania |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 21 |
Next of kin | Father, T Gowans, Hospital Road, Beaconsfield, Tasmania |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 30 |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/36/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Work on 10 June 1917. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'On the 3rd June, 1917, the 31st Battery during the barrage operation on that day, was subjected to very heavy shell fire consisting of 5.9 H.E., 4.2 H.E., and 7.7 shrapnel. The hostile shelling caused numerous fires to break out in the camouflage screening and ammunition boxes. These men [GOWANS, 20332 P.L. SPERBER, 19976 D. EDGAR, 19754 C.C. BARNARD, 19751 W.C. ERSKINE, 19772 C.J. RUSSELL] displayed conspicuous bravery and coolness under the hostile fire, carting water from a ditch close by, and standing on the tops of the pits throwing water on and putting out the fires, during the whole time of which the battery was being heavily shelled. Through their action and devotion to duty, all the fires were put out thus saving the whole of the battery ammunition, amounting to approximately 7500 rounds, and the guns and equipment which would have been otherwise sacrificed. In addition to this battery's guns and ammunition mentioned, it is also certain that the adjoining battery, which is connected in one line, would have also suffered lose.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |