| Regimental number | 662 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Maryborough, Queensland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Address | Targo Street, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 31 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Dorothy Christie, c/o Mrs A Christie, Targo Street, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Served for 6.8 years in the Wide Bay Infantry Regiment, Queensland; 4.3 years in the Instructional Staff, Citizen Military Forces (still serving at time of AIF enlistment). |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant |
| Unit name | 5th Light Horse Regiment, Headquarters |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/10/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A34 Persic on |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A44 Vestalia on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Light Horse Regiment |
| Promotions |
QMR & HON LT Unit: 5th Light Horse Regiment Promotion date: Captain Unit: 51st Battalion Promotion date: Major Unit: 51st Battalion Promotion date: Lieutenant Colonel Unit: 51st Battalion Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Congratulatory Card 'The Army Corps commander wishes to express his appreciation of the gallant services rendered by the undermentioned Officer [Major R. CHRISTIE] during the recent operations.' Promulgated in Australian Military Order No. 11 (12 January 1918). Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, Fourth Supplement, No. 30706 (28 May 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 (24 October 1918). Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Fifth Supplement, No. 31089 (27 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919). |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. Owing to his excellent arrangements the approach march and deployment wee carried out without casualties. He went forward with the battalion in the attack and established his headquarters close to the final objective. His tactical handling of the battalion reflected great credit upon him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 150 Date: Bar to DSO 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded his battalion in a difficult night operation. The battalion, having already marched six miles, was ordered to counter attack and recover a village. The ground was strange to every one, and there was no time for reconnaissance, but the approach march and deployment was carried out without a hitch, and the attack was a brilliant success. He moved about amongst the troops encouraging them, and, finally established his headquarters in an open trench under heavy shell fire, from which he could see and control his Battalion to the best advantage.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 Date: Croix de Guerre (Belgium) Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 91 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 410 Pte Archibald Wallace CHRISTIE, 3rd Machine Gun Bn, returned to Australia, 10 December 1918; Cousin: 1699 Sergeant George William HELMES, 47th Bn, killed in action, Wytschaete, Belgium, 18 August 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Admitted to No. 1 Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 25 June 1915 (sprained ankle); returned to duty, Gallipoli, 8 July 1915. Appointed Hon. Lt, Quarter Master, Gallipoli, 5 July 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 25 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to 51st Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 12 June 1916. Promoted Captain, 27 March 1916; Temporary Major, 9 September 1916. Admitted to No. 2 Stationary Hospital, Abbeville, 2 November 1916 (influenza), and transferred to No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station; discharged to Bn, 14 November 1916; rejoined Bn, 17 November 1916. Relinquished rank of Temporary Major on evacuating sick, 2 November 1916. Embarked for England on duty, 6 July 1917; reported to Commandant, Senior Officer School, Aldershot, 8 July 1917. Confidential Report read: 'A determined and cheerful Officer with plenty of energy. Most conscientious. His powers of imparting knowledge are good. He has a fair military knowledge. He knows his drill and handles troops well in the Field. He has taken great interest in his work throughout the course and has made good progress.' Brigadier General R.K. Kentish, Commandant, reported, 15 September 1917:' I agree. A very hardworking Officer who has done very well indeed here.' Rejoined unit from Officer School, 19 September 1917. Promoted Temporary Lt Colonel, 23 October 1917, to temporarily command Bn; Lt Colonel, 23 October 1917. Awarded DSO, 9 November 1917. On leave to England, 20 January 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 6 February 1918. Awarded Bar to DSO. On leave to England, 24 September 1918; rejoined Bn from leave, 10 October 1918. Attached to 13th Infantry Brigade as Temporary Commanding Officer, 22 January 1919; rejoined 51st Bn from detachment, 8 March 1919. On leave to Paris, 13 March 1919; rejoined Bn from leave, 28 March 1919. Marched out to England for return to Australia, 20 March 1919; marched into No. 4 Group, Hurdcott, 21 May 1919. On duty with War Records to 31 May 1919; granted leave to 15 June 1919 to report to No. 4 Group. Commenced return to Australia on board 'City of Exeter', 12 July 1919; AIF appointment terminated, 27 October 1919. Medals: Distinguished Service Order & Bar, Croix de Guerre (B), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
