The AIF Project

Athol Percival CROSKELL

Regimental number4762
Place of birthCranburne Victoria
SchoolClyde State School No 118, Victoria
ReligionMethodist
OccupationFarmer
AddressHigh Street, Frankston, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation30
Next of kinFather, Mr J Croskell, High Street, Frankston, Victoria
Enlistment date4 October 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 7 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Valuable services in organising carrying parties and leading them under fire. (East of Ypres on 20 September 1917).
Recommendation date: 28 September 1917

Bar to Military Medal


Work at St.Martin's Wood on 23 August 1918.
Recommendation date: 31 August 1918

FateReturned to Australia 12 June 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Listed on Clyde North State School No 118 Roll of Honor (now in Cranbourne RSL, Victoria).
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operations east of YPRES on 20th September 1917, Sgt. CROSKELL was in charge of a carrying party of twenty attached to the 2nd A.L.T.M. Bty., and whose duty it was to carry forward Stokes shells and charges. He arrived with his first party at the same time as the guns and immediately reorganised his party which had suffered casualties, and returned to CLAPHAN JUNCTION for a further supply of ammunition, continuing his trips to the dump until his party had been reduced to a strength of three.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Bar to Military Medal

'During the attack on ST. MARTIN'S WOOD near FOUCAUCOURT on the morning of the 23rd August, 1918, Sergeant CROSKELL showed great initiative and bravery in gathering small parties of men and clearing enemy posts and dug-outs. When the C.S.M. was wounded Sergeant CROSKELL took over the duties and proved of utmost assistance to his Company Commander in re-organising and consolidating. During the exeptionally heavy gas attack lasting five hours he repeatedly moved up and down the line encouraging the men by his coolness and through his efforts not one man was evacuated suffering with gas.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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