The AIF Project

Leo Tennyson GWYTHER

Regimental number1316
Date of birth--/08/1893
Place of birthLeongatha Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationFarmer
AddressFernshade, Leongatha, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary E Gwyther, Fernshade, Leongatha, Victoria
Enlistment date20 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentBombardier
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 2, Brigade Ammunition Column
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/30/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A27 Southern on 20 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Field Artillery Brigade
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: Artillery
Promotion date: 12 March 1916

Lieutenant


Unit: 1st Division Artillery
Promotion date: 15 June 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Bar to Military Cross


Gallantry and devotion to duty on 18-20 July 1917 in extinguishing fire near ammunition dump.
Recommendation date: 6 August 1917

FateReturned to Australia 13 March 1918
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He extinguished a fire and saveed some ammunition at great personal risk. later, with a bombardier he extricated a buried man, working for fifteen minutes under very heavy fire.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an intense bombardment of his battery position a stack of howitzer charges was set alight. With great promptitude and coolness he ran over an pulled away the burning boxes, beating out the fire with his gas helmet, and thus saving any further damage. Although his hands were severely burnt, he remained on duty, setting a splendid example of pluck and devotion to all ranks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Family/military connectionsBrothers: 648 Sapper Erle Cawdor GWYTHER, 1st Divisional Signal Company, returned to Australia, 27 January 1919; 9570 Sergeant Rhyl Pembroke GWYTHER, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 28 March 1919.
Other detailsMedals: Military Cross & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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