The AIF Project

Ernest BEATON

Regimental number4567
Place of birthBallarat, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationMiner
AddressLorna Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Next of kinMother, Mrs M Beaton, 5 Chisholm Street, Ballarat, Victoria
Enlistment date27 October 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll18 October 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name16th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/33/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 12 February 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll48th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal (altered to Military Medal)


Recommendation date: 5 May 1918

FateKilled in Action 1 July 1918
Place of death or woundingVillers-Bretonneux, France
Age at death27
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialVillers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (Plot VIII, Row C, Grave No. 5), Fouilloy, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
145
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Norman and Mary BEATON, 92 Nicholson Street, Footscray, Victoria
Medals

Military Medal

'For gallantry and devotion to duty near VILLERS BRETONNEUX on 3rd May, 1917. During the advance Sergeant BEATON was in charge of a platoon and when separated from the remainder of his Company with great determination he led his men through to the objective. Having put his party in position he went out personally to established communication. This could not be done so he commenced to withdraw owing to the heavy enemy counter attack and it was to a great extent due to his magnificent coolness and skilful handling of a most difficult situation that a successful withdrawal was made. His gallant conduct made him conspicuous throughout and he had a great influence on the morale of the men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.