'On night of 24th/25th April, 1918, during a counter-attack by their Battalion on strong enemy position South of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX these men [SHANKS, 2762 J. PIANTO, 3934 W.H. SAUNDERS, 3057 E. GILMORE, 4901 E.J. STOKES, 309A F.J. COX, 2913 G.L. McKENZIE, 3927 T.A. PORTER] who are Stretcher-bearers, continually under very heavy machine gun and shell fire, and at great personal risk, collected the wounded. Their untiring energy, bravery, and devotion to duty in clearing casualties were undoubtedly instrumental in saving many lives.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No.15
Date: 4 February 1919

Regimental number	2989
Place of birth	Linlithgowshire Scotland
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Dairy hand
Address	Swan Street, Wanneroo Road, Perth, Western Australia
Marital status	Married
Age at embarkation	36
Next of kin	Wife, Mrs Elizabeth Shanks, Swan Street, Wanneroo Road, Perth, Western Australia
Enlistment date	10 July 1916
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	51st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/68/3
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 9 November 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	51st Battalion
Fate	Returned to Australia 21 June 1919
Medals	Military Medal 'On night of 24th/25th April, 1918, during a counter-attack by their Battalion on strong enemy position South of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX these men [SHANKS, 2762 J. PIANTO, 3934 W.H. SAUNDERS, 3057 E. GILMORE, 4901 E.J. STOKES, 309A F.J. COX, 2913 G.L. McKENZIE, 3927 T.A. PORTER] who are Stretcher-bearers, continually under very heavy machine gun and shell fire, and at great personal risk, collected the wounded. Their untiring energy, bravery, and devotion to duty in clearing casualties were undoubtedly instrumental in saving many lives.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No.15 Date: 4 February 1919
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

David SHANKS