The AIF Project

Elgin Thomas COLBERT

Regimental number394
Date of birth3 October 1893
Place of birthMerrigum, Victoria
SchoolPine Lodge School, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationCommission agent
AddressWyuna, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinMother, Mrs Catherine Colbert, Wyuna, Victoria
Enlistment date2 August 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMachine Gun Company 15, Reinforcement 5
AWM Embarkation Roll number24/20/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 19 September 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Machine Gun Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work at Lagnicourt on 15 April 1917.'
Recommendation date: 17 April 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'Conspicuous courage and devotion to duty, rendering valuable services while in charge of machine gun. (Lagnicourt 15 April 1917)'
Recommendation date: 21 April 1917

FateReturned to Australia 15 November 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When ordered to fire on the enemy he placed his gun in the open and dispersed the enemy with losses. He continued to work his gun in spite of machine gun and rifle fire, thus greatly checking the enemy advance.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169
Date: 4 October 1917

Discharge date18 February 1920
Other details

War service: Western Front

Arrived back in Australia on board 'Ypiringa', 4 January 1920.

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death18 February 1960
Age at death66
Place of burialShepparton Cemetery, Shepparton, Victoria

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