The AIF Project

Joseph Bagshaw HESLOP

Regimental number6703
Place of birthMelbourne Vic
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationManager boot factory
Address'Fairholm', Riversdale Road, Hawthorn, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, Mr J Heslop, 'Fairholm', Riversdale Road, Hawthorn, Victoria
Previous military service31st Battery Australian Field Artillery
Enlistment date14 September 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll23 June 1915
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 4, Battery 12
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/32/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 30 June 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in remaining at his forward observation post after it had been surrounded by the enemy, and sending back telephone inforamtion which obtained for the infantry the much needed support of the artillery. He defended himself with a revolver but was wounded, and has since lost his leg as a result.' Second description reads: 'On the 6th of May, Lieutenant HESLOP was F.O.C. at an O.P. made in the firing line in O.G.2. The enemy made a strong attack, and succeeded in driving our infantry temporarily out of the trenches. Lieutenant HESLOP gallantly remained and handed in 'S.O.S.' signals to the power Buzzer Station for transmission. The signal was sent through and the Artillery barrage was quickly obtained. Lieutenant HESLOP then found himself in a bay with only a telephonist and surrounded by Germans. He defended himself with a revolver, killing one German, but was wounded in the knee by another. Gunner H.D. JACKSON, the telephonist, assisted him back from the firing line. Unfortunately, as a result of his wound his leg has been amputated. Lieutenant HESLOP's gallant devotion to duty obtained for the infantry the prompt support of the Artillery, enabling them to act with most satisfactory results.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death21 September 1967

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