The AIF Project

Percival Olaf NILSSON

Regimental number175
Place of birthBittern Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationHorseman
AddressMoorooduc, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs S A Nilsson, Moorooduc, Victoria
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll19 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Field Ambulance
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/45/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 19 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll1751
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 10 January 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'At POZIERES, FRANCE, from 16th. to 22nd. August 1916, Pte. NILSSON was carrying patients from the front line and Regimental Aid Posts to the Dressing Station. He was under heavy shell fire the whole time and never rested until the line was cleared of wounded, and continued to carry patients until he was unable to stand. Though on several occasions his fellow bearer was hit, Pte. NILSSON never hesitated to return to the front line for further cases, and when the regimental bearers were all incapacitated by wounds or exhaustion, he volunteered to replace them and did so until the Division was withdrawn.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917

Bar to Military Medal

'This N.C.O. showed great gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of bearer squads on 26th/27th September, 1917, at R.A.P. in the neighbourhood of HELLES, east of YPRES. This R.A.P. was subject to heavy enemy shelling and was within sniping range by enemy rifle and machine gun fire. Notwithstanding this, this N.C.O. proceeded with the evacuation of wounded in a cool and most plucky fashion setting a very fine example to the bearers.'

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death2 July 1982

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