The AIF Project

Thurston George CRANSWICK

Regimental number815
Place of birthStanley Tasmania
SchoolHigh School, Launceston, Tasmania
Other trainingAccountancy
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBank clerk
AddressStanley, Tasmania
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinFather, Harry Cranswick, Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Enlistment date7 February 1916
Rank on enlistmentCorporal
Unit name40th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/57/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Hobart, Tasmania, on board HMAT A35 Berrima on 1 July 1916
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll40th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 30706 (28 May 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 (24 October 1918).

Other details from Roll of Honour CircularDied Clery Copse, north west of Peronne, of tetanus
FateReturned to Australia 5 January 1919
Place of death or woundingPeronne, France
Age at death26
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialCarr Villa Cemetery, Launceston, Tasmania
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
132
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in successfully leading his platoon to its objective and consolidating his portion of the line. His gallant conduct whilst under heavy fire set a magnificent example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 23th August 1918, during an attack on Bray, when his company was held up by machine gun nests. The O.C. being wounded, he took command and re-organizing the company, captured the machine guns and many prisoners, gaining his objective. A few days later he attacked Clery Copse, but it proved an impossible task, and he was severely wounded and had to be evacuated, after showing great pluck and enterprise.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Family/military connectionsBrother: 814 2nd/Lt Jack Stuart CRANSWICK, 40th Bn, killed in action, 13 January 1917.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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