The AIF Project

Herbert Thomas Christoph LAYH

Date of birth3 April 1885
Place of birthHamilton, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBank clerk
Address85 Munro Street, Coburg, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation29
Next of kinE F Layh, 121 Male Street, Brighton, Victoria
Enlistment date24 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant
Unit name7th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant-Colonel
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
Promotions

Lieutenant Colonel


Unit: 60th Battalion
Promotion date: 27 July 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 30448, 28 December 1917; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57, 18 April 1917.

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089, 31 December 1918; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 May 1919.

Unspecified


Recommendation date: 28 April 1916

DSO


Recommendation date: 12 October 1916

CMG


Recommendation date: 26 March 1917

Bar to DSO


Recommendation date: 10 May 1918

Brevet Lt Colonel


Recommendation date: 3 October 1918

FateReturned to Australia 16 September 1918
Medals

Distinguished Service Order


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917

Bar to DSO

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in a counter attack. At the last moment the orders on which he had based his plans were altered, and he had to make entirely fresh arrangements, which he explained so clearly to his officers that the movement was successful. When he found that the task allotted to other units was not proceeding satisfactorily, he detached a portion of his battalion to assist, which proved the turning point, and resulted in the capture of several hundred of the enemy, 120 machine guns, six trench mortars, and four minenwerfers. Whilst consolidating the position, he pushed out patrols in the most energetic manner, getting into touch with other units.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

CMG


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Commanded 59th Bn, 1916-17; 57th Bn, 1918; 60th Bn, 1918.

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