Alexander Cecil COLLARD

Regimental number3712
Date of birth3 December 1896
Place of birthBaringhup west, Victoria
SchoolBaringhup West, Welshman's Reef, and Footscray State Schools, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBroom maker
AddressMrs R Collard, 39 Weinberg Road, Hawthorn, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, D.C. Collard, 39 Weinberg Road, Hawthorn, Victoria
Enlistment date10 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work at Lihons on 11 August 1918.'
Recommendation date: 17 August 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal


'Work at Herleville Wood on 23 August 1918.'
Recommendation date: 30 August 1918

FateReturned to Australia 28 March 1919
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: 3 June 1919

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: 15 September 1919

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 death15 November 1970
Place of burialFawkner Cemetery