Albert Arthur ORCHARD

Regimental number2000
Date of birth--/07/1888
Place of birthLaunceston Tasmania
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationWarehouse salesman
Address4 Maitland Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Marital statusWidower
Age at embarkation26
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary E Orchard, 4 Maitland Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Previous military service92nd Infantry
Enlistment date27 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentBombardier
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 3, Battery 9
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/31/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board Transport A2 Geelong on 20 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Field Artillery Brigade
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: ART Div 4
Promotion date: 23 February 1917

Lieutenant


Unit: ART Div 4
Promotion date: 1 August 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Unspecified


*Refers April to December 1915. Prior recommendation 9 May 1915.
Recommendation date: "Unspecified *

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 2 October 1918"

FateReturned to Australia 18 July 1919
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations against the Hindenburg line south of Vendhuile, on the nights of 27th-28th September 1918. While he was in charge of ammunition going up to the battery, a heavy hostile barrage came down on the road resulting in asualties to the personnel and horses of the twelve ammunition waggons, and causing much confusion and disorganization. He promptly re-organized his teams, cleared the wounded, and then took two guns and 2,000 rounds of ammunition forward under artillery and machine gun fire to the advanced position selected for the battery. His gallant behaviour and sterling service were most valuable at this urgent period.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 129
Date: 20 November 1919

Family/military connectionsBrother: 2493 Bombardier Arthur William ORCHARD, 10th Field Artillery Brigade, died of wounds, 15 July 1917.
Other detailsMedals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal