Henry Gordon ROURKE

Date of birth26 June 1896
Place of birthAshfield, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSoldier
Address'Meroo', Beresford Road, Homebush, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height6' 0.12"
Weight168 lbs
Next of kinFather, B Rourke, 'Meroo', Beresford Road, Homebush, New South Wales
Previous military serviceRoyal Military College
Enlistment date4 April 1916
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant (Provisional)
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 7, Battery 26
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/35/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 11 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollMajor
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Division Artillery
Promotions

Captain


Unit: 3rd Division Artillery
Promotion date: 23 June 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Not awarded.
Recommendation date: 18 September 1917

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 4 March 1918

FateReturned to Australia 20 July 1919
Medals

Military Cross


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165
Date: 24 October 1918

Discharge date13 October 1919
Family/military connectionsBrother: 38807 Gunner John ROURKE, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.
Other details

Graduated from Royal Military College, Duntroon, 4 April 1916, and appointed Lieutenant in the AIF.

War service: embarked Sydney, 11 May 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 10 July 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 29 December 1916.

Admitted to 9th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 February 1917 (debility); transferred to 2nd Anzac Officers' Rest Station, Chateau La Motte, 20 February 1917; rejoined unit, 6 March 1917.

On leave to Paris, 18 June 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 28 June 1917.

Promoted Captain to complete establishment, 23 June 1917. Transferred to 27th Battery, 15 July 1917. Proceeded on England on leave, 27 October 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 14 November 1917.

Awarded Military Cross.

Seconded for duty with Royal Horse Artillery, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 29 July 1918.

Disembarked Alexandria, 17 August 1918; attached for administrative purposes to Australian Headquarters, and posted for duty to 'B' Battery, HAC, 24 August 1918.

Admitted to 31st General Hospital, 29 December 1918; transferred to 14th Australian General Hospital, Abbassia, 29 December 1918 (diarrhoea); discharged to duty, 31 December 1918. Granted 14 days' sick leave with allowances, 4 January 1919.

Attached to 1/1 Ayrshire, RHA, 30 January 1919; attachment ceased, 31 January 1919. Attached to Australian HQ, Cairo, 31 January 1919.

Marched in to Depot Stores, Ghezireh, 3 February 1919. Appointed Camp Commandant, Cairo, 7 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia from Kantara on board HT 'Morvada', 22 July 1919; disembarked Sydney, 28 August 1919; appointment terminated, 13 October 1919.

Medals: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II as VX14282. Enlisted Melbourne, Victoria, 4 April 1940; discharged, 26 June 1951, as Brigadier, 8th Division General List Headquarters.