The AIF Project

Philip Edward Michael VOWELS

Regimental number729
Date of birth7 September 1891
Place of birthHorsham, Victoria
SchoolSt Michael's School, Horsham, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationIronmonger
Address407 William Street, Perth, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 9"
Weight139 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs B M Vowels, 407 William Street, Perth, Western Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 5 years with Goldfields Infantry Regiment; resigned.
Enlistment date7 September 1914
Place of enlistmentHelena Vale, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name11th Battalion, F Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll11th Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 11th Battalion
Promotion date: 4 August 1915

Other details from Roll of Honour CircularEnlisted at the outbreak of war, sailed with first contingent from Australia, gained Commission in France, decorated with MC & Bar. Wounded, 22-25 July 1916 and 16 April 1917.
FateKilled in Action 11 May 1918
Place of death or woundingFrance
Age at death27
Place of burialBorre British Cemetery (Plot I, Row A, Grave 33), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
64
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: William Henry and Bridget M VOWELS
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his men with great dash and skill against two enemy machine gun positions, and captured them under heavy fire. When the objective was reached he showed a coolness and determination during the consolidation, under heavy fire, which was an example to all.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With thirty N.C.O.'s and men he carried out a raid which, owing to his previous thorough reconnaissance and able leadership, was a complete success. Without suffering a casualty, he inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and brought back fifteen prisoners and one machine gun.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 150
Date: 24 September 1918

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 2 March 1915.

Admitted to HS 'Newmarket', Gallipoli, 10 June 1915 (cardiac); transferred to HS 'Grantully Castle', 11 June 1915, and admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, 19 June 1915; transferred to A&NZ Convalescent Hospital, Helouan, 30 June 1915; discharged to duty, 6 July 1915; rejoined unit, Gallipoli, 13 July 1915.

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 4 August 1915.

Admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 31 August 1915 (diarrhoea); transferred to HS 'Neuralia', 2 September 1915, and admitted to Blue Sisters Hospital, Malta, 10 September 1915 (debility); invalided to England, 17 September 1915.

Placed on Supernumerary List, 20 January 1916.

Found Fit for General Service by Medical Board assembled at Australian Base Depot, Weymouth, 16 March 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 10 April 1916; joined 11th Bn, C Company, in the field, 8 June 1916.

Wounded in action, and admitted to 57th Field Ambulance, 24 July 1916 (gun shot wounds, legs); transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station, 25 July 1916; to Ambulance Train, 25 July 1916, and admitted to 2nd Stationary Hospital, Abbeville, 27 July 1916; transferred to England, 29 July 1916, and admitted to 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, 30 July 1916 (bullet wound, left buttock).

Marched in to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 31 August 1916.

On Command, School of Instruction, Kandahar Barracks, 31 October 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 20 February 1917.

Wounded in action, 16 April 1917 (gun shot wound, arm: severe), and admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, and transferred same day to 9th Casualty Clearing Station; to No 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 17 April 1917; to England, 20 April 1917, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 22 April 1917.

Appointed Lieutenant, 30 April 1917.

Transferred to 5th Auxiliary Hospital, 11 May 1917; discharged from hospital to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 29 May 1917; marched out to Overseas Training Bn, 12 July 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 23 July 1917; rejoined 11th Bn, in the field, 4 August 1917.

Awarded Military Cross.

Awarded Bar to Military Cross.

Admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 4 December 1917 (pyrexia, unknown origin), and transferred same day to 7th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne; discharged, 14 December 1917.

Granted 14 days sick leave to England, 14 December 1917; rejoined Bn from leave, 28 December 1917.

Detached to 4th Army School of Instruction, 9 February 1918; rejoined Bn from detachment, 10 March 1918.

Killed in action, 11 May 1918.

Medals: Military Cross and Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, VOWELS Philip Edward Michael

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