Ernest John IFOULD

Regimental number446
Place of birthWokingham, Berkshire, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMotor mechanic
Address1 James Street, Fremantle, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation28
Height5' 7"
Weight156 lbs
Next of kinEdwin Ifould, 20 Hovas Villa, Hove, Sussex, England
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years, Public School Cadets, attached Royal Engineers; 4 years in the Naval Reserve.
Enlistment date8 September 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll17 August 1914
Place of enlistmentHelen Vale, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/28/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 31 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Machine Gun Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal (Awarded)


Materially asissted in holding post by clever and courageous handling of machine gun.
Recommendation date: 18 April 1917

FateReturned to Australia 6 October 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'At LAGNICOURT, FRANCE, on the morning of 15th April 1917, Pte. IFOULD was in charge of a Vickers Machine Gun in an advanced post when the enemy attacked our position, though outflanked on both sides by strong enemy parties this post hung on and maintained itself. By his clever and courageous handling of his Machine Gun under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire Pte. IFOULD materially assisted in holding the post and inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. He set fine example of coolness and courage to the men under his command.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174
Date: 11 October 1917

Discharge date17 December 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 2 March 1915.

Wounded in action, 25 April 1915 (gun shot wound, left hand); transferred by HS 'Clan McGillivray' to Malta, 4 May 1915, and admitted same day to Convalescent Hospital, Tigne.

Embarked for Egypt, fit for service, 28 July 1915; disembarked Alexandria, 1 August 1915; rejoined 11th Bn, Gallipoli, 9 August 1915.

Admitted to 1st Field Ambulance, 1 September 1915 (diarrhoea); transferred to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Mudros, 5 September 1915; to Malta on board HS 'Neuralia', 5 September 1915, and admitted to St John's Hospital, 10 September 1915. Transferred to Intarfa Hospital, 8 October 1915; to HS 'Glenart Castle', 18 November 1915 (enteric); transferred to 'Aquitania', 24 November 1915, and admitted to County of London War Hospital, Epsom, England, 4 December 1915.

Found guilty, Australian Intermediate Depot, Abbey Wood, 6 April 1916, of being absent without leave for 2 days: awarded 48 hours' detention, and forfeited 2 days' pay.

Found guilty, 18 July 1916, of being absent from 2 pm parade: awarded 3 days' confined to camp.

Proceeded overseas to France, 25 July 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 9 August 1916.

Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 15 October 1916 (colic), and transferred say to 10th Stationary Hospital, St Omer; discharged to duty, 19 October 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 22 October 1916.

Transferred to 3rd Machine Gun Company, 4 March 1917.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 15 April 1917.

Detached to Machine Gun School, Camiers, 26 April 1917.

Awarded Military Medal.

Rejoined unit from detachment, 23 May 1917.

Selected to attend No 4 Officers Cadet Bn, Oxford, commencing 5 October 1917. Having qualified for a Commission in Infantry is appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the AIF, and allotted to attend the Machine gun course; upon completion will be posted to the Machine Gun Corps (designation changed to 1st Machine gun Bn, 1 April 1918).

Proceeded overseas to France, 22 April 1918; marched in to Machine Gun Base Depot, Camiers, from England, 22 April 1918.

Admitted to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 23 April 1918; discharged to duty, 11 June 1918; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 50 days.

Taken on strength, 1st Machine Gun Bn, 22 June 1918.

Promoted Lieutenant, 1 August 1918.

Wounded in action (second occasion), 11 September 1918 (shrapnel wound, right wrist), admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred same day to 53rd Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train No 19, 15 September 1918, and admitted to No 2 General Hospital, Havre, 16 September 1918; transferred to England, 16 September 1918, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 17 September 1918 (wound, slight); discharged to Overseas Training Brigade, 6 November 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Pakeha', 6 October 1919; disembarked Fremantle, 16 November 1919; discharged, Perth, 17 December 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death16 November 1942
Place of burialCremated, Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, IFOULD Ernest John