The AIF Project

Frederick Roby MARCHANT

Regimental number8472
Place of birthMile End, South Australia
ReligionBaptist
OccupationClerk
AddressKintore Street, Mile End, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFather, John F Marchant, Kintore Street, Mile End, South Australia
Previous military serviceServed in 34th Battery, Australian Field ; still serving at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date4 August 1915
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 6, Battery 18
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/34/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on 22 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollBombardier
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'On the night of 7th August, 1916, near POZIERES, the 18th Battery were subjected to heavy shelling. At 4.10 a.m. having been ordered to resume the barrage at 30 rounds per hour, fire was opened from No. 1 Pit. Bombardier MARCHANT was a member of No. 1 Gun detachment. Soon after a large shell, believed to be 11" inch, struck the side of the pit and partly demolished it. The gun detachment was knocked out. Bombardier MARCHANT went of on his own into No. 2 Pit and continued the barrage, himself laying, leading and firing the gun, until the detachment arrived from the shelter trench in rear. By his coolness and determination he enabled the Battery to go on without missing any rounds.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsName entered on Embarkation Roll as Frederick Roby MARCHANT.

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