Hugh John CONNELL

Date of birth12 June 1884
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationSchool teacher
AddressGosford Road, Hamilton West, New South Wales
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation32
Next of kinWife, Mrs Mary Eliz Connell, Gosford Road, Hamilton West, New South Wales
Enlistment date31 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentCaptain
Unit name35th Battalion, C Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/52/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 1 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollMajor
Unit from Nominal Roll35th Battalion
Promotions

Major


Unit: 35th Battalion
Promotion date: 1 June 1918

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 30 June 1917

Bar to Military Cross


Recommendation date: 9 April 1918

Mention in Despatches


Recommendation date: 27 April 1918

Companion of the Distinguished Service Order


Recommendation date: 30 September 1918

Brevet Major


Recommendation date: 8 April 1919

Honorary Captain


Recommendation date: March-September 1918

Unspecified


Recommendation date: 14 May 1918 (Crossed through)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and gazetted, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 30448 (28 December 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 (18 April 1918).

FateReturned to Australia 11 May 1919
Medals

Distinguished Service Order


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His fine leading and continuous display of personal courage during our offensive inspired all who came in contact with him, and during a reconnaissance of assembly trenches he showed great coolness and determination in carrying out the work and getting through with his party when others had failed.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while acting as staff officer during an enemy attack. Several times he personally reconnoitred the ground under heavy fire and ascertained the position. During a critical period he collected stragglers and delayed the enemy's advance until a counter attack could be launched.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Cross & Bar, Distinguished Service Order, British War Medal, Victory Medal