Harold John OWEN

Regimental number15428
Place of birthCarlton Victoria
ReligionCongregational
OccupationCarpenter
Address19 Holmes Street, East Brunswick, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, Frank Owen, 19 Holmes Street, East Brunswick, Victoria
Enlistment date23 February 1916
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameSeptember 1916 Reinforcements
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/42/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll7th Field Company Engineers
FateReturned to Australia 1 August 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the night of 11th/12th June during the consolidation following the attack on enemy trenches in front of MORLANCOURT an effort was being made to put wire across a trench running out from our front towards the enemy's lines. A party of eight sappers twice attempted to carry out the work but each time were driven off by Machine Gun fire at short range. On volunteers being asked for Sapper OWEN crawled out with two others to do the job. Time after time as they attempted to carry on they were driven to earth. For over an hour the locality was constantly subjected to bursts of Machine Gun fire at short range the machine gun bullets many times knocking sparks off the wire and pickets that the sappers were handling. Throughout this incident Sapper OWEN set an exceedingly fine example of courage and determination and it was very largely due to his energy and gallantry that the obstacle was erected.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal