Regimental number | 3712 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Baringhup west, Victoria |
School | Baringhup West, Welshman's Reef, and Footscray State Schools, Victoria |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Broom maker |
Address | Mrs R Collard, 39 Weinberg Road, Hawthorn, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 18 |
Next of kin | Father, D.C. Collard, 39 Weinberg Road, Hawthorn, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 8th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/25/4 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'Work at Lihons on 11 August 1918.' Recommendation date: Distinguished Conduct Medal 'Work at Herleville Wood on 23 August 1918.' Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance |
Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Herleville Wood on 23 August 1918. He rushed at a nest of machine guns, killed two and wounded three of the enemy. The remainder went back to another post, but, turning their own guns on them, he drove them out of that, too. Later he ran along the parapet of a trench, bombing the enemy with their own bombs until they surrendered. His courage and initiative were amazing.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67 Date: Military Medal 'For conspicuous bravery in the field at LIHONS on the 11th August 1918. When our line was heavily counter-attacked by the enemy, and three of our Lewis Guns were knocked out, this soldier rushed back through the heavy shell and machine gun barrage and brought another Lewis Gun into action. He worked this skilfully single handed with great courage and personally killed many Germans. Again when his Lewis gun had been damaged he went back a second time through the barrage and brought up a supply of bombs. By his brave acts he greatly aided in averting a very serious disaster and throughout the whole day he worked which great cheeriness and a total disregard of danger.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Belgium, France (Pozieres, buried twice but escaped without injury; Somme). Accidentally injured, February 1917; invalided to England with burns. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | Fawkner Cemetery |