Regimental number | 20032 |
Place of birth | Tanunda South Australia |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Baker's assistant |
Address | Windsor, Victoria |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 30 |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs C Sperber, 55 Peel Street, Windsor, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Rank on enlistment | Bombardier |
Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 8, Battery 31 |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/36/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Field Artillery Brigade |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
Medals |
Military Medal 'On the 3rd June, 1917, the 31st Battery during the barrage operation on that day, was subjected to very heavy shell fire consisting of 5.9 H.E., 4.2 H.E., and 7.7 shrapnel. The hostile shelling caused numerous fires to break out in the camouflage screening and ammunition boxes. These men [SPERBER, 19794 A.T. GOWANS, 19976 D. EDGAR, 19754 C.C. BARNARD, 19751 W.C. ERSKINE, 19772 C.J. RUSSELL] displayed conspicuous bravery and coolness under the hostile fire, carting water from a ditch close by, and standing on the tops of the pits throwing water on and putting out the fires, during the whole time of which the battery was being heavily shelled. Through their action and devotion to duty, all the fires were put out thus saving the whole of the battery ammunition, amounting to approximately 7500 rounds, and the guns and equipment which would have been otherwise sacrificed. In addition to this battery's guns and ammunition mentioned, it is also certain that the adjoining battery, which is connected in one line, would have also suffered lose.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 360 Pte William SPERBER, 16th Bn, died of wounds, 26 April 1915. |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death |