The AIF Project

Ernest Frederick FEELEY

Regimental number3801
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationQgr porter
AddressHislop Street, South Brisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinMother, Mrs Ellen Elizabeth Feeley, Hislop Street, South Brisbane, Queensland
Enlistment date10 September 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name26th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/43/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 31 January 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Light Trench Mortar Battery
FateReturned to Australia 22 May 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operations near VILLE sur ANCRE on the 4th July 1918 Corporal FEELEY was in charge of two 3" Stokes Mortars emplaced on the right flank of the "jumping off" trench. The role of these mortars was to take part in the initial bombardment, and at zero to switch and provide flanking fire. The enemy shelling was at this point especially heavy, and on two occasions both emplacements were blown in and the mortars buried. Corporal FEELEY assisted to dig his guns out, constructed new emplacements and kept them in action. Later when our objectives had been taken and consolidated Corporal FEELEY was informed that a further advance was projected , he sent his gun crews back to replenish his stock of ammunition, which was getting low, and himself moved forward to reconnoitre. Whilst FEELEY was carrying out this reconnaissance the enemy dropped a barrage between him and his guns, and countered attacked. FEELEY made his way back through the barrage, and, finding that the sentry whom he had left on the guns single handed firing on S.O.S. lines until assistance arrived. by his single minded devotion to duty and bravery under trying circumstances this N.C.O. inspired the garrison of the position to greater efforts, and his promptness in bringing his guns into action certainly assisted in breaking up and driving off the enemy at a critical period.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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