Regimental number | 136 |
Place of birth | Devonport, Tasmania |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Teamster |
Address | Burnie, Tasmania |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 31 |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Johanna Beswick, Stowport, Burnie, Tasmania |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 40th Battalion, A Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/57/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 40th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: Military Medal Recommendation date: Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: Distinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'Near Bony, on 29-30 September, 1918, and 1 October, he acted as company stretcher bearer and displayed great courage and devotion to duty. When a shell exploded among a party of ten, he immediately rendered first aid to the wounded, directed the walking cases to the dressing station, and carried one of the stretcher cases on his back to the same place. He returned, and, with another stretcher bearer under heavy fire, carried the remaining three in turn to the rear. Throughout his energy and disregard of his own safety were most marked.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 20 Date: Military Medal 'Near CLERY from 29th to 31st August, this man performed invaluable services as a stretcher bearer. He was tireless in his efforts to get wounded men out from forward areas throughout the entire period, often under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On several occasions on his own initiative he organised stretcher parties and himself made numerous trips from the outpost line to the R.A.P. passing over difficult country and through valleys filled with gas. His pluck and endurance is praise-worthy in the highest degree and his courageous work was instrumental in saving the lives of numerous of his comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brothers: 1246 Pte Leslie James BESWICK, 26th Bn, killed in action, 18 November 1915; 606 Pte Morton Ernest BESWICK, 40th Bn, killed in action, 28 March 1917. |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Age at death | 76 |
Place of burial | Wivenhoe Cemetery, Tasmania |