Clarence Borman SWEENY

Regimental number14351
Place of birthParramatta New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
AddressCoogee, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation30
Next of kinSister, Mrs A Fletcher, 'Hollington', Bream Street, Coogee, New South Wales
Enlistment date23 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameMay 1916 Reinforcements
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/99/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A37 Barambah on 23 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 7 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'In the vicinity of BRAY on night 22nd/23rd August, 1918, Lance Corporal SWEENY was in charge of the Ambulance Stretcher Bearers attached to the Regimental Aid Post of the 44th Battalion. From 4 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. the neighbourhood of the Regimental Aid Post was intensely bombarded with heavy artillery by the enemy, shells falling at rate of 6 to 10 per minute. Whilst the bombardment was at its height, Lance Corporal SWEENY continued to move amongst his men and found that a dugout occupied by three of his bearers had received a direct hit and three bearers buried. He immediately organised a party and commenced to dig these men out. By his prompt and gallant action one man was unearthed uninjured, a second man was unearthed alive but wounded, the third man was dead when unearthed but was undoubtedly killed by shell fire. During the whole of the bombardment Lance Corporal SWEENEY showed most marked coolness, decision and gallantry and by his prompt action undoubtedly saved the lives of two men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal