| Regimental number | 17138 |
| Place of birth | Gortnagrelly, Co Sligo, Ireland |
| School | Ireland |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 25 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Hospital attendant |
| Address | Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Next of kin | Sister, Mrs P Cullen, 'Gotnagrelly', Glencar, Co Sligo, Ireland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
| Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 11, Reinforcement 3 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/38/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A30 Borda on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Gunner |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Enlisted 15 January 1916 and posted to 5th FAB 6th Reinforcements; taken on strength 22nd FAB, 30 October 1916; taken on strength 2nd DAC 4 May 1917; wounded, 8 October 1917; taken on strength 5th FAB, 18 May 1918. |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Place of burial | Bellicourt British Cemetery (Plot II, Row P, Grave No. 3), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 14 |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Sydney, 5 June 1916; disembarked Suez, 6 July 1916; transferred to isolation camp, Tel el Kebir, 7 July 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 July 1916; disembarked Southampton, 23 July 1916. Admitted to Military Hospital, Bulford, 15 September 1916 (venereal disease); discharged from hospital, 17 October 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 31 days. Marched out from Australian Artillery Training Depot to 22nd Field Artillery Brigade, 26 October 1916; taken on strength of 117th Howitzer Battery, 30 October 1916. Embarked Southampton and proceeded overseas to France, 26 March 1917. Admitted to hospital, 27 March 1917 (isolation); marched out from isolation to 2nd Division Australian Field Artillery, 3 May 1917; mustered as driver, 8 May 1917. Wounded in action, 8 October 1917 (gun shot wound, right thigh); admitted to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station, 9 October 1917; transferred to Ambulance Train No 14, 9 October 1917; transferred to England, 22 October 1917, and admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, 22 October 1917; discharged to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 21 November 1917. Classified B1A2, 22 November 1917; classified B1A4, 4 January 1918; marched in from No 3 Command Depot, 12 February 1918; marched out to Reserve Brigade Australia Artillery, Heytesbury, 5 March 1918; proceeded overseas to France, 13 March 1918; rejoined unit, 19 March 1918; reverts to rank of Gunner at own request, 30 April 1918; transferred to 5th Field Artillery Brigade, 13 May 1918; taken on strength of 105th Battery, 13 May 1918. Killed in action, 8 October 1918. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Letter headed NV. LO291/4/1. Copy. D.16. Reads: 'No.17138. Commons P. 5th F.A.B. A.I.F. Killed in Action 8.10.18. On the morning of 8th October 1918 at Gun Position (Wiancourt) an enemy aerial torpedo was dropped, making a direct hit on No.1. Gun Crew with the exception of A/Br Roach W. who subsequently died of wounds, were killed instantly - Commons P. sustained a wound in the head, but was most probably killed by concussion. He was buried at the afternoon of 8th October 1918 at Australia Cemetery, Blacktown, near Bellicourt (62B - - G.16a) Padre Ponge conducted the burial service.- |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, COMMONS Patrick |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
