'On the night 2nd/3rd July, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, the Company to which this man belongs was engaged in a minor operation against an enemy strong point, and two of his comrades were wounded. When the assaulting party withdrew, Privates AMESBURY and REES remained behind and drew the wounded men into a shell hole about 30 yards from the enemy strong point. Private REES set out for some stretchers, and Private AMESBURY immediately attended the wounded men. As the enemy were approaching Private AMESBURY kept up a rapid rifle fire on the advancing troops, and against the enemy strong point, although during the whole period he was subjected to heavy fire both from machine guns and bombs; but was able by his great effort to keep off the enemy, and this prevented them from capturing his comrades. In this action he displayed great coolness and bravery as he was opposed to much superior forces. A total of two Officers and forty men were engaged in this enterprise.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Regimental number	2020
Place of birth	Beltana, South Australia
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Teamster
Address	Lyndhurst Siding, South Australia
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	24
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs Mary Louise Amesbury, Lyndhurst Siding, South Australia
Enlistment date	13 April 1916
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	50th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/67/3
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 13 July 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Lance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll	3rd Machine Gun Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Medal Recommendation date: 19 July 1919
Fate	Killed in Action 25 May 1918
Age at death from cemetery records	25
Place of burial	La Notte-Brebiare Communal Cemetery (On West Side), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial	176
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: John and Mary AMESBURY, Beltana, South Australia
Medals	Military Medal 'On the night 2nd/3rd July, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, the Company to which this man belongs was engaged in a minor operation against an enemy strong point, and two of his comrades were wounded. When the assaulting party withdrew, Privates AMESBURY and REES remained behind and drew the wounded men into a shell hole about 30 yards from the enemy strong point. Private REES set out for some stretchers, and Private AMESBURY immediately attended the wounded men. As the enemy were approaching Private AMESBURY kept up a rapid rifle fire on the advancing troops, and against the enemy strong point, although during the whole period he was subjected to heavy fire both from machine guns and bombs; but was able by his great effort to keep off the enemy, and this prevented them from capturing his comrades. In this action he displayed great coolness and bravery as he was opposed to much superior forces. A total of two Officers and forty men were engaged in this enterprise.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

John Andrew AMESBURY