| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Grazier |
| Address | Woodland Park, Strathmerton, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 34 |
| Next of kin | Mrs Bourchier, Woodland Park, Strathmerton, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 1 year as Private, 7 years as Lieutenant, 15th Australian Light Horse. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Lieutenant |
| Unit name | 4th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/9/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A18 Wiltshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Light Horse Regiment |
| Promotions |
Captain (Temporary) Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Temporary Adjutant Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Captain Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Major Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Lieutenant Colonel Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Major Unit: 4th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches Three Mention in Despatches were awarded in the course of the war. It is not possible to determine which recommendations resulted in awards. The details of promulgation are: (1) 'London Gazette', Supplement, No. 29845, 1 December 1916; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62, 19 April 1917; (2) 'London Gazette' No. 31383, 5 June 1919; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 113, 6 October 1919; (3) 'London Gazette' No. 30169, 6 July 1917; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 72, 2 September 1920. Recommendation date: Distinguished Service Order Recommendation date: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Recommendation date: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 3138 (5 June 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 113 (6 October 1919). |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As commanding officer he led his regiment into action in the most gallant and capable manner. By his skilful handling of the regiment and by his magnificent example of courage and determination he was very largely instrumental in the success of the attack and the capture of the objective.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 150 Date: Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 113 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine, Syria Embarked Alexandria o join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. 15 May 1915. Appointed Temporary Captain, Gaba Tepe, 1 July 1915; temporarily to carry out duties as Adjutant, 7 September 1915; to command 'A' Squadron, 19 October 1915. Promoted Captain, 22 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 26 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to Regimental Headquarters, Heliopolis, 4 January 1916. Promoted Major, 28 January 1916. To command 'A' Squadron, 1 February 1916. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel to command 4th Light Horse Regiment, 15 March 1917. Admitted to 74th Casualty Clearing Station, Rafa, 5 September 1917 (paratyphoid), and transferred to 43rd Stationary Hospital; to 24th Stationary Hospital, Kantara, 6 September 1917 (phleb. fever); to Hospital Train, and transferred to 14th Australian General Hospital, Abbassia; to No 10 Red Cross Convalescent Depot, Alexandria, 11 September 1917; to Military Hospital, Ras el Tin, 20 September 1917; discharged to duty, 8 October 1917; rejoined 4th Light Horse Regiment, Tel el Fara, 11 October 1917. Awarded Distinguished Service Order, 4 November 1917. Resumed command of 4th Light Horse Regiment, 2 January 1918. Detached to 4th Light Horse Brigade Headquarters, 29 January 1918. Marched out to rejoin 4th Light Horse Regiment and resumed command, 19 February 1918. Detached to 4th Light Horse Brigade Headquarters, 14 June 1918. Marched out to Alexandria on leave to United Kingdom, 21 June 1918; embarked Alexandria, 25 June 1918. Disembarked Port Said from Taranto, Italy, 28 August 1918; rejoined 4th Light Horse Regiment, 31 August 1918. Detached to 4th Light Horse Brigade Headquarters, 7 September 1918; rejoined unit, 22 September 1918. Admitted to 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, 31 December 1918 (pyrexia unknown origin); granted 14 days' sick leave, 11 January 1918; rejoined unit, Tripoli, 11 February 1919. Detached to 4th Light Horse Regiment Headquarters, 11 February 1918; rejoined 4th Light Horse Regiment, 18 February 1919. Performed duties of GOC, the Light Horse Brigade, 4 November-25 December 1918. Confidential Report by Brigadier-General W. Grant, 4th Light Horse Brigade, 17 Februaryv 1919, recommended Bourchier for command of a Mounted Regiment or Brigade: 'A very keen and capable commander. He quickly appreciates the tactical situation and acts in a bold and decisive manner. He has skilfully handled his regiment in many difficult and dangerous places, and always with success. He commanded the two regiments of the Brigade (4th & 12th) that formed the advance guard on the advance into Damascus and captured the Kaukab position by a magnificent charge. He has maintained strict discipline in his regiment and has brought it to a high state of efficiency.He has several times acted as Brigade commander in the absence of the G.O.C. - on the last occasion for 7.5 weeks - and has always carried out his duties satisfactorily. He is strongly recommended for the command of a Mounted Brigade. he is physically fit for all duties.' Marched out to 4th Brigade Headquarters, 27 April 1919; marched in to 4th Brigade Headquarters, 28 April 1919. Appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George (CMG), 3 June 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Essex', 15 June 1919; appointment terminated, Melbourne, 11 October 1919. Medals: Distinguished Service Order, Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
