The AIF Project

Conspicuous courage and devotion to duty under heavy fire while on road repair work. (East of Ypres).
Recommendation date: 22 October 1917

'For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty near WESTHOEK on 22nd October, 1917. Driver GREENBANK was working with a convoy of wagons employed on road repair between WESTHOEK and ANZAC. Hostile shelling was particularly active on this sector blowing up the sleeper road in many places and inflicting heavy casualties. GREENBANK through his own labours in repairing the road reached his destination and delivered his load. On returning the wagon in front of him also of this Unit was completely destroyed by a shell killing one horse and wounding the other. The driver was thrown some distance away. GREENBANK assisted him to safety and drove to where another driver could hold his team. The wounded horse was one of the original horses of this Train and a beautiful animal. GREENBANK walked back through the barrage and with admirable courage and determination caught the wounded horse and led it with difficulty to where the convoy was halted. Without a doubt this horse would also have been killed if left where it was much longer and GREENBANK'S courage in attempting to rescueing the horse was admirable. The animal is now almost fit for work again.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918