The AIF Project

William Thomas RUSDEN

Regimental number427
Place of birthLaunceston Tasmania
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMiner
Address52 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFather, J Rusden, 52 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Previous military service92nd Infantry
Enlistment date29 July 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 4, Reinforcement 6
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/9/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 20 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Machine Gun Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 1 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 31 March 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the 26th September, 1917, during the operations near ZONNEBEKE this man was a runner between the machine guns in the front line and Company Headquarters two miles back. On this day Private RUSDEN went back from the front line to Company Headquarters for rations under very heavy shell fire and brought back rations for the gun teams. He also ran messages continuously and led three gun teams out of the line through heavy shell fire on the night of the 29th September, 1917, and it was due to his splendid judgment and skill in the picking of tracks that they all came out without a casualty. This soldier is only nineteen years of age, but he showed coolness and courage far above his years. He is recommended for the Military Medal.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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