George Anton CHRISTENSEN

Regimental number21994
Place of birthPerth, Western Australia
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationTelephone mechanic
AddressWest Leederville, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, A P Christensen, 326 Railway Parade, West Leederville, Western Australia
Previous military service38th Battery Australian Field Artillery
Enlistment date17 January 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll25 January 1916
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameHowitzer Brigade 23, Battery 107
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/133/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Divisional Signal Company
FateReturned to Australia 16 June 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'On the morning of 9th April, 1918, while in charge of a forward test point situated on the crest of the hill between the ANCRE and the SOMME near the brick kilns, Lance Corporal G.A. CHRISTENSEN showed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, by maintaining telephone lines under heavy shell fire. During the whole of this morning the crest was subjected to heavy shelling and this N.C.O. and a Sapper by constantly going out and repairing breaks, maintained a practically continuous service to Batteries, thus keeping the Group Commander in touch with his Batteries, during a very essential period of the operations.' Second description reads: 'On the night 11th/12th August, 1918, at MORCOURTE, 2nd Corporal G.A. CHRISTENSEN, M.M., by his untiring efforts in patrolling the line, in spite of continuous heavy shelling and bombing, kept Headquarters in constant communication with the Batteries at a most critical moment. On the morning of 27th August, 1918, at SUZANNE, he was in charge of the Cable Wagon laying lines to the Batteries from Headquarters. The Cable Wagon came under heavy shell fire which caused the horses to bolt and upset the Wagon. He showed the greatest coolness in stopping the horses, putting the Cart in working order and then completing the lines a d establishing communication between headquarters and the Batteries. On all occasions the coolness and reliability of this solder under the most trying circumstances has been of the highest standard.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death12 May 1957