'The above men [McSHANE, 970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C. LAING, 1981 G. NELSON, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 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

Regimental number	4509
Place of birth	Melbourne Victoria
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Storeman
Address	220 Punt Road, Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	24
Next of kin	Sister, Miss Alice McShane, Royston, Dandenong Road, Caulfield, Victoria
Enlistment date	7 February 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll	26 January 1916
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	22nd Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/39/3
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT RMS Orontes on 29 March 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	6th 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
Fate	Returned to Australia 5 November 1917
Medals	Military Medal 'The above men [McSHANE, 970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C. LAING, 1981 G. NELSON, 3798 P.J. COUCH, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 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
Date of death	3 August 1949
Place of burial	Springvale Cemetery

Robert Geo McSHANE