The AIF Project

William DEVINE

Date of birth5 October 1887
Place of birthCastlederg, Co Tyrone, Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationCatholic clergyman
AddressCoburg, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Next of kinThe Dean, St Patrick's, East Melbourne, Victoria
Enlistment date28 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentChaplain (4th Class)
Unit nameChaplains' Corps
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 16 July 1915
Rank from Nominal RollChaplain
Unit from Nominal Roll12th Infantry Brigade
Promotions

Captain


Unit: Chaplains (Roman Catholic)
Promotion date: 1 July 1915

Temporary Major


Unit: Chaplains Temporary 3rd Class (Roman Catholic), 12th Infantry Brigade
Promotion date: 1 July 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 12 August 1918

Croix de Guerre


Recommendation date: "Unspecified"

FateReturned to Australia 15 May 1919
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He followed closely up with an advance, assisting the wounded, and after the objective was captured, he remained with the front line troops under heavy artillery fire. Later, during an enemy bombing attack, he went out and brought in a wounded man. He behaved splendidly.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 4 March 1919

Croix de Guerre (France)

'For continuous conspicuous gallantry during operations at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Diependaal and Gueudecourt over a period of four months, August to December 1916. Under intense artillery fire this gallant Officer unceasingly tended the wounded and dying, ministering to their comforts, aiding the stretcher bearers, inspiring them and all ranks by his fearless conduct, constantly exposing himself in his efforts to reach the wounded and succour them, digging himself their graves single handed, saying it was too dangerous for men to help him; going into No Man's Land on more than one occasion. He is a man without fear, careless of danger, and his inspiring example has been a source of admiration and emulation to all those who he has come into contact with. He has buried over three hundred men in exposed positions and provided suitable memorials.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169
Date: 4 October 1917

Discharge date8 September 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 16 July 1915; disembarked Suez, 14 August 1915. Attached to 48th Bn as RC Chaplain, 4 April 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 9 June 1916.

Admitted to British Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 19 December 1916; transferred to England, 19 December 1917; discharged to duty from 3rd Australian General Hospital, Brighton, 29 January 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 11 April 1917; rejoined 12th Infantry Brigade, 21 April 1917. Awarded the Croix de Guerre. Appointed Chaplain 3rd Class, 1 July 1917.

Admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, 21 October 1917 (exhaustion); discharged to duty, 20 November 1917. Transferred to England for duty, 22 January 1918.

Attached for duty to 48th Bn, 22 August 1918. Awarded the Military Cross, 8 November 1918.

Admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 4 February 1919; transferred to 48th Casualty Clearing Station, 4 February 1919 (bronchial pneumonia, dangerously ill); to 14th General Hospital, 22 February 1919; to England, 26 February 1919, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth; on convalescent leave, 14 March-11 April 1919; on medical leave, 11-26 April 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board 'Orontes', 15 May 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 28 June 1919; discharged, 8 September 1919.

Subsequently returned to Castlederg, Ireland

Medals: Military Cross, Croix de Guerre, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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