Regimental number | 3592 |
Place of birth | Bairnsdale, Victoria |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Ship's fireman |
Address | Lindisfarne, Tasmania |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 25 |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Dean, Lindisfarne, Hobart, Tasmania |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 15th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/32/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 11th Field Artillery Brigade |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: Distinguished Conduct Medal (Altered to Bar to Military Medal) Work near Rosieres on 19 August 1918. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Stated to be William Henry Dean on the Nominal Roll. |
Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the vicinity of VILLERS BRETONNEUX on the 2nd June 1918, while the forward section of his Battery was being heavily bombarded, Sergeant DEAN behaved in a very gallant manner in leaving a place of comparative safety to extinguish a fire which had extended from an adjoining gun pit that had been demolished and threatened to envelope the remaining gun and ammunition. This action undoubtedly saved considerable damage to material and set a splendid example to his fellow comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: Bar to Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 19th August 1918 the 42nd Battery - in action to the East of ROSIERES (SE of VILLERS BRETONNEUX) - was heavily shelled by 4.2s and 5.9s. Several shells fell right on the position, wounded the Battery cammander (Major S.F. BODGENS, D.S.O.), ignited the camouflage and started a fire in a gun-pit. Sergeant DEAN and two others, at a great personal risk, remained at the position and carried the wounded officer to a place of safety. This done, he immediately returned to assist in extinguishing the fire. This timely and brave action probably saved the life of the Officer mentioned and prevented the guns and ammunition from being destroyed during a critical period.'
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Discharge date | |
Family/military connections | Brother: 6335 Driver Albert Victor DEAN, 11th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 1 May 1919. |
Other details | Medals: Military Medal and Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | Springvale Cemetery |