The AIF Project

Henry Leslie PENDER

Regimental number3672
Place of birthBallarat Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationTeacher
AddressChestern Street, Sebastopol
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinFather, Robert Pender. Same address
Enlistment date21 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameDivisional Signal Company 2, Headquarters, Section 1
AWM Embarkation Roll number22/12/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Divisional Signal Company
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 1 October 1918

FateReturned to Australia 8 April 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For courage and devotion to duty. On 29th September 1918 on the BELLICOUR-BELLENGLISE front this N.C.O. was engaged in the maintenance of signal communication between the Divisional forward station 500 yards North East of TEMPLEUX-le-GUERRARD to 15th Australian Infantry Brigade Headquarters just west of BELLICOURT. Almost as fast as the cables were repaired they were again damaged by enemy shell fire, and this lineman was continuously engaged in maintaining them from 12 noon on 29th September until 4 p.m. on 30th September. During this period he performed his duties under exceptionally heavy enemy artillery fire, which at one time was so severe as to necessitate closing the road until 8 p.m. on the 29th September. It was due to his devotion to duty, perseverance, and total disregard for personal safety that these cables were kept in working order during important operations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

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