Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Rochester, Victoria |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Farmer |
Address | Rochester, Victoria |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Next of kin | Mrs G Rankin, Rochester, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Lieutenant |
Unit name | 4th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/9/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A18 Wiltshire on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Major |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Light Horse Regiment |
Promotions |
Major Unit: 4th Light Horse Promotion date: |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
DSO Recommendation date: Brevet Major Recommendation date: DSO Recommendation date: DSO Recommendation date: Bar to DSO Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' Supplement, 14 June 1918; 'Commonwealth Gazette', 2 September 1920. Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No 31938 (11 June 1920); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 72 (2 September 1920). Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', fifth Supplement, No. 30930 (7 October 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 (12 January 1919). |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'Capture of Jerusalem.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137 Date: DSO and Bar 'For great gallantry, dash and initiative during the operations, from El Kuneitra to Damascus. On the 30th September, 1918, when his regiment acted as advance guard from Sasa to Kaukab, owing to his rapid movements, they captured 340 prisoners, one field gun, and eight machine guns. Kaukab was strongly held by the enemy, and when this officer was ordered to make a frontal attack, his leadership was excellent, and his regiment seized all objectives, capturing nine officers, over 70 other ranks, and eight machine guns. In this action the enemy's cavalry were driven in disorder towards Damascus. On the morning of the 1st October, 1918, when ordered to seize Military Barracks in Damascus, he showed great skill in manoeuvring his troops in such a manner that he was largely instrumental in capturing the whole enemy garrison in Damascus, numbering over 11,000.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10 Date: |
Other details | CO, 4th Light Horse, 1917-18; GOC, 2nd Cavalry Division, 1937-42. MHR, 1937-49; Senator, 1950-56. |
Date of death |