The AIF Project

Walter October RABEY

Regimental number1760
Place of birthLeichhardt New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFencing
AddressKelwin 43 Leichhardt Steeet, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinWife, Mrs J A Rabey, Kelwin Leichhardt Street, Leichhardt, New South Wales
Enlistment date19 May 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll16 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name17th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/34/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 28 July 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll17th Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: INF17
Promotion date: 9 November 1918

Lieutenant


Unit: INF17
Promotion date: 9 February 1919

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'Work at Passchendaele Ridge on 9 October 1917.'
Recommendation date: 14 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 13 July 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his section through a barrage to the final objective. Then, as most of the section had become casualties he organized the remainder of the platoon, and led them forward to the second objective. Being held up by a concrete machine gun position, he left most of his men to maintain fire on it, worked round the flank with a few men, and captured the gun and seven of the crew. When all but two of his men had become casualties, he took up a position in a shell hole, and continued sniping all day. He drove back with his rifle six of the enemy who attempted to recapture the gun position, killing two of them.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918

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