The AIF Project

2nd Lieutenant

Lieutenant

War service: Western Front

Embarked Adelaide, 12 July 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 9 September 1916; taken on strength, 12th Training Bn, 10 September 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 20 November 1916; reverted to rank of Private, 21 November 1916; appointed Lance Corporal, 5 December 1916.

Taken on strength, 48th Bn, 21 December 1916.

Promoted Corporal, 13 April 1917; Sergeant, 16 June 1917.

Selected to attend Officers Cadet Bn Course, England; proceeded to join Cadet Bn, 24 November 1917. Qualified for commission in Infantry at No 2 Officers Cadet Bn, 3 May 1918; to retain appointment as Cadet until commissioned.

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 1 June 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 11 June 1918; taken on strength, 48th Bn, 19 June 1918.

Promoted Lieutenant, 1 September 1918.

Detached to Australian Corps School, 7 October 1918.

Appointed unit Gas and Bombing Officer, 2 December 1918.

Together with Lt Herbert MOTT, he tracked down 1485 Pte Percy George STAFFORD, 48th Bn, a deserter described as a 'desperate criminal' armed with a revolver and thought to be responsible for the murder of a civilian in Brussels. When Stafford was cornered in a cafe in Charleroi, and attacked Shanks in an attempt to escape, he was shot dead by Mott. The unit war diary for 26 February 1919 concluded: 'Great commendation is due to Lieut. Shanks and Lieut. Mott for their resource and gameness, and undeniable credit to the Battalion for their original and effective means of capturing and terminating the career of a man who brought discredit to the honourable record of the 48th Battalion.'

Marched out to England for return to Australia, 9 May 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Frankfurt', 1 July 1919; disembarked Adelaide, 17 August 1919; appointment terminated (discharged), 2 October 1919.