The AIF Project

John RICE

Regimental number4280
Place of birthLiverpool, England
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationSeaman
AddressMelbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 6.5"
Weight148 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs M Rice, 64 Bamber Street, Liverpool, England
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date9 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 29 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll7th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

FateDied of wounds 19 December 1916
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialBancourt British Cemetery (Plot VIII, Row E, Grave No. 4), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
51
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Thomas and Mary RICE, 60 Bamber Street, Liverpool, England
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 29 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 4 April 1916. Taken on strength, 7th Bn, 9e 1916.

Mentioned in Despatches for participation in a very successful raid on the enemy trenches on 30th September 1916. Routine Orders by Mjr-Gen H.B. Walker, 1st Australian Division, dated 6 October 1916.

Wounded in action and listed as missing, 19 December 1916. Court of Enquiry, 16 June 1917, determined fate as 'died of wounds'. No. 4314, Pte F. SCHOLES, 7th Bn, gave evidence, 2 May 1917: '[RICE] was one of a patrol in the charge of Lieut Hill, 7th Battn, that went forward from our trenches during the day of the 19th September, 1916, with a view to discovering a German sniper's post. Neither Rice nor his officer had returned by nightfall, and a party was sent to look for them. Mr Hill was brought in wounded but as far as I know no trace of Rice was discovered.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

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