Regimental number | 646 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Omeo, Victoria |
Place of birth | Omeo, Victoria |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Labourer |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 23 |
Height | 5' 9" |
Weight | 144 lbs |
Next of kin | Sister, Mrs P Leyden, Skipton, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 22nd Battalion, C Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/39/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 22nd Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Bar to Military Medal 'For most conspicuous gallantry and daring during the attack near Beaurevoir East of Peronne on 3.10.18. Immediately after leaving the Jumping-off Tape heavy machine gun fire was encountered, a fierce fight being put up by an enemy strong post. Seeing that the left flank of the wave was held up, this N.C.O. with magnificent dash and initiative at once rushed forward and charged the post with the bayonet, mopping it up. He captured two MGs and 1 prisoner, and handed them over to a section of the advancing line. The prompt and daring action of this N.C.O. enabled the advance to proceed and had a marked effect on the whole of his platoon.' Military Medal 'Near DOMPIERRE East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX on the 27th August 1918, this N.C.O. was in charge of a section during an advance. While crossing the open in an exposed locality close to the enemy positions his section came under heavy Machine Gun Fire from direct front. Corporal MOODIE at once rallied the section, and despite continued heavy fire reached a trench where he established a post. After he had made this position secure he went out to rescue a wounded man. The ground was flat, and devoid of any cover and was being continually swept by heavy Machine Gun and sniping fire, despite this and the long distance he had to cover and although nearly exhausted he succeeded in carrying the man safely back to our lines and handed him over to stretcher bearers. He showed great courage and coolness and his example of self sacrifice has a great effect on the men under him.' |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: Bar to Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135 Date: |
Discharge date | |
Family/military connections | Brother: 2719 Pte Herbert MOODIE, Australian Army Postal Corps, returned to Australia, 9 July 1919. |
Other details |
War service: enlisted Echuca, Victoria, 10 February 1915. Embarked from Melbourne, 8 May 1915 Served at Gallipoli; disembarked at Alexandria from Mudros, 7 January 1916. Embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 26 March 1916. Found guilty of writing obscene words on an official document (Returned Soldiers' Employment Bureau card), and awarded 120 hours' Field Punishment No. 2, 5 May 1916. Fined three francs for loss of mess tin and braces, 6 May 1916. Appointed Lance Corporal, 12 August 1916. Evacuated sick to England, and admitted to Hursley Camp Military Hospital, 3 December 1916-18 January 1917. Promoted Corporal, 25 September 1917. Attached to 51st training course, Southern Command School, Lyndhurst, 8-24 November 1917; qualified as Instructor or Assistant Instructor. Returned to France, 5 December 1917. Gassed, 17 July 1918; admitted to 47th Casualty Clearing Station, 18 July 1918; discharged to unit, 6 August, and rejoined unit, 7 August 1918. Appointed Lance Sergeant, 11 September 1918. Admitted to hospital with influenza, 22 October 1918; developed broncho-pneumonia. Awarded Military Medal, 9 November 1918. On furlough, 6-20 November 1918. Absent without leave, 20-21 November; forfeited 1 day's pay. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 21 November 1918; discharged 26 January 1919; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 67 days. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Suevic', 23 July 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 10 September 1919; discharged, 9 November 1919. Awarded Bar to Military Medal, 20 August 1919. Medals: Military Medal and Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Also served in World War II as N75604, 25th Australian Line of Communication Salvage Section (enlisted 30 December 1940; discharged 29 May 1947; total service 2339 days, of which 1869 days were on active service). |
Sources | NAA: B2455, MOODIE Wilfred Stephen Robertson |