The AIF Project

Archibald Thomas GOWANS

Regimental number19794
Place of birthFrankford Tasmania
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarm labourer
AddressHospital Road, Beaconsfield, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, T Gowans, Hospital Road, Beaconsfield, Tasmania
Enlistment date1 November 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll26 October 1915
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 30
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/36/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Work on 10 June 1917.
Recommendation date: 10 June 1917

FateReturned to Australia 1 July 1919
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: 20 December 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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