Samuel James AINSWORTH

Regimental number5026
Date of birth17 October 1893
Place of birthBallarat, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSchool teacher
Address36 Olway Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 5.75"
Weight136 lbs
Next of kinFather, Mr. J. Ainsworth, 36 Olway Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the 7th Regiment, Citizen Military Forces.
Enlistment date23 July 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll7 July 1915
Place of enlistmentRowville, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 1 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Machine Gun Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: Gen INF Rein
Promotion date: 17 December 1918

Lieutenant


Unit: 1 MG Btn
Promotion date: 17 March 1919

Major


Promotion date: 11 June 1937

Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: 1st Armoured Car Regiment
Promotion date: 12 December 1939

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'Consistent gallantry and devotion to duty as runner, also valuable services in action. (East of Ypres)'
Recommendation date: 13 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 22 August 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a runner during an attack. He continually volunteered for the most dangerous work under heavy fire, and was invaluable to his section officer. With one other man he captured a machine gun and seven prisoners and showed splendid courage and initiative.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Discharge date30 November 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II: enlisted, 10 August 1942; discharged, 1 August 1943, as VX100021 (V7553), Lt Colonel, 101 Australian Motor Regiment.
SourcesNAA: B2455, AINSWORTH Samuel James