The AIF Project

Richard SPEARING

Regimental number4612
Place of birthCamperdown, Victoria
SchoolCamperdown State School, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressCamperdown, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinMother, Mrs M Maynard, Camperdown, Victoria
Previous military serviceServed as Cadet in Citizen Forces
Enlistment date15 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name14th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/31/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on 18 February 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Battalion
FateDied of wounds 28 March 1918
Place of death or woundingFrance
Age at death23
Age at death from cemetery records23
Place of burialLa Cauchie Communal Cemetery (Grave No. 9), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
74
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Richard and Margaret SPEARING, Harrison Street, Camperdown, Victoria
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operations near ZONNEBEKE on the 26th September, 1917, Corporal SPEARING displayed great courage in taking our a Lewis gun under heavy fire in front of the position captured an although under heavy shell and machine gun fire continued to work his gun causing many casualties to the enemy. Throughout the operation he displayed the utmost coolness and fine example to his section.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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