The AIF Project

William Russell De La Poer BERESFORD

Regimental number142
Place of birthPort Darwin, Northern Territory
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSurveyor
Address217 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 6.25"
Weight135 lbs
Next of kinFather, A.G. De La Poer Beresford, 217 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide, South Australia
Previous military serviceSenior Cadets (5 years); East Torres Rifle Club
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentCorporal
Unit name10th Battalion, E Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/27/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board Transport A11 Ascanius on 20 October 1914
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his company commander was wounded he took command, and led it into a counter attack under heavy fire. On reaching the objective, the other three company commanders had become casualties, and he reorganized and consolidated all the companies in the positions gained. The following night, under his direction, a wide gap on the left flank was cleared by two fighting patrols, and the gap was connected up with the brigade on the left.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Discharge date23 February 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

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

Admitted to No 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 3 August 1915 (otitis media); transferred to Fleet Sweeper, 4 August 1915; admitted to No General Hospital, Cairo, 4 August 1915; to Mena Convalescent Depot, 10 August 1915; to Helounan Convalescent Depot, 9 September 1915; discharged to Zeitoun, 19 September 1915.

Rejoined 10th Bn, Mudros, 25 November 1915.

Promoted Sergeant, 6 December 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 29 December 1915.

Transferred to 50th Bn, 26 February 1916; taken on strength of 50th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 27 February 1916.

Promoted Second Lieutenant, 17 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 12 June 1916.

Promoted Lieutenant, 10 July 1916.

Wounded in action, 16 August 1916; admitted to Officers' Rest Hospital, 16 August 1916 (shell shock); proceeded to unit, 17 August 1916.

Transferred to 13th Training Bn, 28 October 1916; marched out of Codford, England, to Overseas Training Bde, 4 November 1916; marched into 13th Training Bn, 6 November 1916.

Attending Course of Instruction, Bombing School, Clapham, 28 January 1917.

Admitted to No 1 Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 15 August 1917 (venereal disease); discharged, 3 December 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 111 days.

Proceeded overseas to France, 14 December 1917; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, 15 December 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 17 December 1917; ceased to be seconded to 13th Training Bn, 20 December 1917, and taken on strength of 50th Bn the same day.

Admitted to No 13 Field Ambulance, 18 January 1918 (pyrexia); discharged, and rejoined unit, 30 January 1918.

Promoted Captain, 10 May 1918.

Admitted to No 4 Australian Field Ambulance, 18 June 1918, and transferred to No 5 Casualty Clearing Station the same day (pyrexia); to No 2 British Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 21 June 1918 (influenza); discharged, 1 July 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 4 July 1918.

Proceeded to unit, 6 July 1918; rejoined 50th Bn, 13 July 1918.

Commenced return to Australian from Taranto, Italy, 8 October 1918 (1914 Special Leave); departed Suez, on board HT 'Port Darwin', 15 November 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 24 December 1918; appointment terminated (discharged) Adelaide, 23 February 1919.

Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death13 September 1938
SourcesNAA: B2455, BERESFORD William Russell De La Poer

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