The AIF Project

Edward Raymond HARGREAVES

Regimental number3295
Place of birthArarat, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPostal employee
AddressArarat, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 8.25"
Weight134 lbs
Next of kinFather, R Hargreaves, Barkly Street, Ararat, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed for 4 years in Senior Cadets and Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date8 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/22/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 11 October 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Conspicuous act of gallantry and fine example to men. East of Ypres).
Recommendation date: 27 August 1917

FateReturned to Australia 23 September 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Photo: Ian Marr
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He collected a small party and advanced on an enemy blockhouse, which was garrisoned by about twenty of the enemy with two machine guns. He reached it, well ahead of his men, in spite of heavy machine gun fire, threw some bombs into the blockhouse, and, entering, force the enemy out of another entrance into the hands of the men who were following. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

Discharge date5 January 1920
Family/military connectionsBrother: 2673 Pte Arthur Murray HARGREAVES, 5th Bn, returned to Australia, 28 March 1919.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Admitted to No 4 Auxiliary Hospital, Cairo, 29 January 1916 (mumps).

Taken on strength, 5th Bn, and reverted to Private, 22 February 1916.

Appointed Corporal, 28 February 1916; promoted Lance Sergeant, 22 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 25 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 30 March 1916.

Promoted Sergeant, 5 May 1916.

Wounded in action, 25 July 1916 (gun shot wound, left hand), and admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance, and transferred to Casualty Clearing Station, and then to Ambulance Train No 16; transferred to No 1 Australian General Hospital, Rouen, 26 July 1916; to England, 26 July 1916, and admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, 28 July 1916 (gun shot wound, left hand: severe); transferred to Woodcote Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, 1 September 1916; discharged on furlough, 9 November 1916, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 21 November 1916.

Marched out to 2nd Training Bn, 27 November 1916.

Found guilty, 19 December 1916, of neglect of duty in that he failed to hand over his duties correctly to the Orderly Sergeant who relieved him: admonished.

Admitted to Rochester Row Military Hospital, 1 January 1917 (no further details recorded).

Admitted to Fargo Military Hospital, 25 April 1917 (not yet diagnosed); discharged to Depot, 11 May 1917 (no further details recorded).

Proceeded overseas to France, 29 May 1917; rejoined 5th Bn, in the field, 18 June 1917.

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 15 November 1917, and transferred to 16th Bn.

On leave to United Kingdom, 15 February 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 2 March 1918.

Promoted Lieutenant, 1 March 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 8 November 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 25 November 1918.

Proceeded to United Kingdom, 14 March 1919 (education).

Granted leave with pay and subs, 10 March-10 June 1919; extension of leave, 11 June-31 July 1919 (Non-Military Employment: wool classing, Titus Whitfield, Union Street, Bradford, and course of wireless telegraphy, Marconi School, Strand, London).

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ascanius', 23 September 1919; appointment terminated (discharged), Melbourne, 5 January 1920.

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death6 December 1961
Age at death65
Place of burialLake Bolac Cemetery, Victoria
SourcesNAA: B2455, HARGREAVES Edward Raymond

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