The AIF Project

George Julian HOWELL

Regimental number2445
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBricklayer
AddressBoyle Street, Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs Martha Howell, Boyle Street, Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date3 June 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll3 June 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 14 July 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Courage and devotion to duty while leading rifle bombing section.
Recommendation date: 17 April 1917

FateReturned to Australia 31 October 1917
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Western Australia Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Victoria Cross

'For most conspicuous bravery. Seeing a party of the enemy were likely to outflank his battalion, Corporal Howell, on his own initiative, single handed and exposed to heavy bomb and rifle fire, climbed on to the top of the parapet, and proceeded to bomb the enemy, pressing them back along the trench.Having exhausted his stock of bombs, he continued to attack the enemy with his bayonet. He was then severely wounded. The prompt action and gallant conduct of this non-commissioned officer, in the face of superior numbers, was witnessed by the whole battalion, and greatly inspired them in the subsequent counter attack.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174
Date: 11 October 1917

Military Medal

'At DEMICOURT on 9th April 1917 for courage and devotion to duty displayed while leading his rifle bombing section in the operation against the German position. On several occasions when held up by machine gun fire he overcame the opposition by sound offensive tactics and good use of his weapons, and continued to advance. He, with his section, was in the lead throughout, and was of great assistance to his Company in the capture of its objectives.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174
Date: 11 October 1917

Family/military connectionsFather: 2666 Pte Frank Howell, 54th Bn, returned to Australia, 27 August 1917; Brothers: 1860 Pte Frederick Francis HOWELL, 1st Pioneer Bn, returned to Australia, 12 June 1919; 116 Pte Valentine John HOWELL, 18th Bn, killed in action, 31 May 1918.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Victoria Cross, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death23 December 1964


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