| Regimental number | 8082 |
| Place of birth | Richmond, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Traveller |
| Address | 22 Mayfield Street, East St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Next of kin | Father, William A Bownas, 22 Mayfield Street, East St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Served for 3 years in the Senior Cadets, Richmond; 3 years in the 5th Battery, Australian Field Artillery. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Driver |
| Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 6, Headquarters |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/34/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 12th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Promotions |
2nd Lieutenant Unit: Engineering Reinforcements Promotion date: Lieutenant Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'On the 27th August 1917 at Greonen Dijk the Group Headquarters was shelled with 5.9" and 8", several direct hits being made on the dugouts. The personnel was evacuated. During a lull in the shelling this N.C.O. voluntarily returned to the telephone board and proceeded to put the same in order and get in touch with the Units. He continued at this work although the shelling was renewed. He subsequently volunteered to remain in the dugout at the switch board during the shelling, and continued to perform this duty at risk of his life until he was ordered to evacuate it, when he again offered to remain. He showed throughout great devotion and self-sacrifice.' Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 19 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: recruit, 13th Company, 12th Depot Bn, 14 July-18 August 1915; Sergeant, 18 August -30 October 1915. Appointed Gunner, 16th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 30 October 1915. Embarked, Sydney, 22 November 1915; disembarked Suez, Egypt, 21 December 1915. Embarked Alexandria, 17 March 1916, and proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force; disembarked Marseilles, 23 March 1916. Injured right knee, admitted to St John's Ambulance Brigade, Etaples, 28 July 1916; embarked from Calais on Hospital Ship 'Brighton', 21 August; admitted to City of London War Hospital, 22 August; discharged from hospital, 20 October; granted furlough from No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Tidworth, 25 October-12 November 1916. Marched in to Australian General Base Depot, Etaples, from England, 30 December 1916; transferred to 2nd Division Artillery, 10 January 1917; taken on strength, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, in the field, 12 January 1917. Promoted to Bombardier, 21 April 1917. Transferred to Signal Subsection, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, as 2nd Corporal, 24 June 1917; promoted Corporal, 6 October 1917. Awarded the Military Medal, 6 October 1917. Promoted to Sergeant, 6 December 1917. Admitted to 39th General Hospital, Le Havre, with venereal disease, 23 January 1918; total treatment: 48 days. Rejoined unit, 21 January 1918. Selected to attend course at Signal Cadet School, Royal Engineers Signal Service Training Centre, Bedford, England, 15 March 1918. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the AIF, 17 August 1918, and posted to Engineering Reinforcements; proceeded to France via Southampton, 9 September 1918; taken on strength, Signals Subsection, 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 11 September 1918. Promoted to Lieutenant, 17 November 1918; transferred to Australian Corps Signal Company, 11 March 1919. Marched out from the field for return to Australia, 10 May 1919; embarked from Le Havre for England, 23 May 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Liverpool on board 'Ceramic', 9 August 1919; appointment terminated, 26 November 1919. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
