The AIF Project

Ernest Eric RALSTON

Regimental number155
Place of birthBairnsdale Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationSleeper cutter
AddressEden, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinFather, Alexander Ralston, Eden, New South Wales
Enlistment date6 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name36th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/53/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on 13 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll33rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Altered to Meritorious Service Medal.
Recommendation date: Refers June-October 1917

MSM


Recommendation date: 4 March 1918

Croix de Guerre


Recommendation date: 11 March 1918

FateReturned to Australia 11 May 1919
Medals

Meritorious Service Medal

'For devotion to duty and for consistent good work as a Corporal in charge of his Company Signallers since the Battalion came to France, notably for conspicuous gallantry during the Battle of MESSINES in June, 1917, when finding it impossible to establish communication, he organised a section of men and commanded them as a fighting unit for many hours, also during the operations before PASSCHENDAELE on the 12th October, 1917, when he maintained communication at extreme personal risk and under heavy fire, setting his men a fine example by his coolness and courageous conduct.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Meritorious Service Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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