The AIF Project

Joseph Robert RANSON

Date of birth31 May 1883
Place of birthNewtown, New South Wales
SchoolFort Street Public School, Sydney, New South Wales
Other trainingBA and LLB, Sydney University
ReligionMethodist
OccupationBarrister-at-law
Address'Clewer', Albert Street, Strathfield, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation32
Height5' 7"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs M Ranson, Stembrook, Oakura Street, Rockdale, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date24 September 1915
Rank on enlistment2nd Lieutenant
Unit nameLight Trench Mortar Battery, Reinforcement 2
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/130/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Light Trench Mortar Battery
FateKilled in Action 4 July 1918
Place of death or woundingMorlancourt, France
Age at death35
Age at death from cemetery records35
Place of burialMericourt L'Abbe Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row E, Grave No. 2), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
20
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Edward and Marion RANSON; husband of Martha RANSON, Oakura Street, Rockdale, New South Wales
Family/military connectionstwo brothers
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 7 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 November 1916; marched in to Artillery Details, Parkhouse, 22 November 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 2 February 1917; taken on strength, 31st Bn, in the field, 4 March 1917.

Seconded for duty with 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery, 4 March 1917.

Wounded in action, 3 May 1917 (shrapnel wound, back and left arm) (secondment ceased on being wounded and evacuated), and admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station; to St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, 7 May 1917; to England, 15 May 1917, and admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, 16 May 1917; discharged to Command Depot, Perham Downs, 10 August 1917.

Appointed Lieutenant, 11 August 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 24 August 1917; seconded for duty with 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Marched out to 1st Anzac Corps School, 11 September 1917; rejoined unit, 2 October 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 13 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 29 January 1918.

Killed in action, 4 July 1918.

Undated statement on file, Lt C.R. THORSEN, Light Trench Mortar Battery: 'Lt. J.R. Ranson, 31st Battalion was killed whilst serving with this unit about 7 p.m. on the 4th. July, 1918. He was killed by a shell which blew his head off.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, RANSON Joseph Robert
Red Cross File No 2240601F

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