| Regimental number | 801 |
| Place of birth | Forbes, New South Wales |
| Other Names | David Ovan |
| School | Public School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | c/o Mrs Mercer, Storey Street, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Height | 5' 8.5" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mrs M Bacon, c/o Mrs Mercer, Storey Street, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in School Cadets. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 4th Battalion, C Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/21/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A14 Euripides on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Lone Pine, Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Date of death | |
| Place of burial | Lone Pine Cemetery (Row M, Grave No 12), Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 39 |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 5 April 1915. Admitted to No 1 Australian Stationary Hospital, Lemnos, week ending 24 April 1915 (pneumonia); transferred to Egypt (date not recorded); discharged to duty from No 1 Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, 23 May 1915. Rejoined Bn, Gallipoli, 2 June 1915. Reported missing, 6-9 August 1915. Court of Enquiry, held at Fleurbaix, France, 22 April 1916, declared fate as 'Killed in Action, 6-9 August 1915'. Statement, Red Cross File No 0171007G, 701 Corporal C. CLAY-LAUER, Australian Army Medical Corps, attached to 4th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 9 March 1916: 'Informant states that on about Aug. 7th. at Lone Pine, Bacon was killed. He did not see him, but he is quite sure information given is correct. He was told by a friend who actually saw him killed, possibly Pte. Croft, A Co., 4th Battn., now on furlough, but cannot quite remember. He heard of Bacon's death about Dec. 11th. last. Killed about the same time as Pte Dennison. He should say hardly probable the body was ever recovered unless buried by the Turks after evacuation.' Second statement, 1601 Pte A. McCURRIE, 4th Bn, 3 April 1916: 'On 6th August at Lone Pine about 6 in the evening, the battalion made a charge. Informant and Bacon were talking together just before the charge started, and reached the first Turkish trench side by side. A further advance was then made against the 2nd Turkish line of trenches but, after going a few yards, Bacon was struck by a bullet in the thigh. Informant helped him into a Turkish communication trench, and then had to go on. Some time after informant returned along the communication trench, and found Bacon's body. Informant believes he must have died very quickly after being wounded.' Third statement, 530 Pte R. HASTINGS, 4th Bn, 31 March 1916: 'On August 6th a few minutes after the charge, he saw Pte. 801. D.O. Bacon with a bullet wound in his head, on second line of Turkish Trenches at Lone Pine, and is under the impression that he was dying.' Fourth statement, 714 Pte C. REGAN, B Company, 4th Bn (patient, 26th General Hospital, Etaples), 18 May 1916: 'Bacon has returned to Australia. A friend of witness, Pte. W. BASS, 1122, B. Co, 4th Bn, had a letter from Bacon's sister a short time ago saying they were expecting her brother shortly. Witness knew Bacon well and felt certain it was the above man the letter referred to. Bacon came from Hornsley, Sydney.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BACON David Oram
Red Cross File No 0171007G |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
