| Regimental number | 19852 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Seaman |
| Address | 250 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne, Victoria |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs L R Irving, 250 Dryburgh Street, North Melbourne, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Driver |
| 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 | Bombardier |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'On the morning of 15th May, 1917, the 29th Battery was subjected to very heavy shell fire by 5.9 shells. Under the orders of the Battery Commander all ranks except himself and these four men had evacuated the position, the Battery Commander and these four men remaining in the close vicinity of the Battery. During the bombardment a number of direct hits were made on the gun pit setting fire to three of them and causing the ammunition in the pit to commence to explode. These four men, with Major CHURCHES at once went in to these pits and put out the fires with wet bags. These was done although salvoe of 5.9 were at the time bursting on the Battery position and the ammunition in the pits was also exploding, 400 rounds exploding before the fires were extinguished. By the action of Major CHURCHES and these four men two guns and about 300 rounds of ammunition were undoubtedly saved.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
