The AIF Project

Donald McQUEEN

Regimental number4470
Place of birthRomsey Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationSeaman
Address72 Donald Street, Brunswick, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation32
Next of kinFather, Archibald McQueen, Western Australia
Enlistment date10 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name24th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/41/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Malwa on 21 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Light Trench Mortar Battery
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'For distinguished service and gallantry in action near Bullecourt, when he continued to serve his mortar throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn.'
Recommendation date: 12 May 1917

FateDied of wounds 16 November 1917
Place of burialMont Huon Military Cemetery (Plot VI, Row B, Grave No. 10A), Le Treport, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
20
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Archibald and Flora MCQUEEN, 72 Donald Street, Brunswick, Victoria. Native of Romsey, Victoria
Medals

Military Medal

'The above men [McQUEEN, 970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C. LAING, 1981 G. NELSON, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4509 R.G. McSHANE, 1797 W.R. FOWLER] distinguished themselves in action in the captured trenches near BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the Battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Family/military connectionsBrother: 2622 Sergeant Malcolm William McQUEEN CdeG, 1st Pioneer Bn, returned to Australia, 31 March 1919.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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