Cornelius Ambrose SILK

Regimental number3003
Place of birthGlen Innes, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationCoach driver
AddressBathurst Road, Katoomba, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation32
Height5' 5"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Susan Silk, Bathurst Road, Katoomba, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date30 March 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Field Ambulance
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A31 Ajana on 31 May 1915
Regimental number from Nominal Roll3004
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 13 April 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Mary SILK
Medals

Military Medal

'While conveying 4 stretcher casualties in the Horses Ambulance Wagon of which he was Wagon Corporal along the Corduroy Road from WESTHOEK RIDGE to MENIN ROAD, south east of YPRES on the afternoon of 12th October, 1917, he came under heavy hostile shell fire, which destroyed a team of mules in a limber and blew up the track over which his wagon had to pass. He steadied the Drivers and cleared the track where it was blocked by broken limbers and dead mules and then repaired the corduroy tracks sufficiently for the wagons to pass along. He practically did the work himself while the shelling continued. The 4 patients were brought slowly and safely to BIRR CROSS ROADS.....'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Discharge date27 September 1919
Other details

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Commonwealth', 18 April 1919; arrived Melbourne, 8 June 1919, to disembark Sydney; discharged (medically unfit), Sydney, 27 September 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death attributed to war service.
Date of death11 June 1933
Age at death50
Place of burialKatoomba Cemetery, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, SILK Cornelius Ambrose