Basil BESWICK

Regimental number136
Place of birthDevonport, Tasmania
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationTeamster
AddressBurnie, Tasmania
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation31
Next of kinWife, Mrs Johanna Beswick, Stowport, Burnie, Tasmania
Enlistment date4 April 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name40th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/57/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 1 July 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll40th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 12 September 1918

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 5 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 7 October 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: "29 - 30 September and 1 October 1918"

FateReturned to Australia 16 June 1919
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: 19 February 1920

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: 15 September 1919

Family/military connectionsBrothers: 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 death1 March 1961
Age at death76
Place of burialWivenhoe Cemetery, Tasmania