The AIF Project

Rodger DOUGLAS

Regimental number816
Place of birthRainbow Road, Charters Towers, Queensland
Other NamesDOUGLAS, Roger
SchoolState School
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPrinter
AddressChurch Street, Charters Towers, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs Alice Douglas, Church Street, Charters Towers, Queensland
Previous military serviceServed in the Cadets - 6 months on Thursday Island
Enlistment date11 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name25th Battalion, Machine Gun Section
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/42/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 29 June 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal RollAustralian Flying Corps
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 7th Machine Gun Company
Promotion date: 16 August 1916

Lieutenant


Unit: 7th Machine Gun Company
Promotion date: 25 November 1916

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 16 August 1916

Chevalier De L'Ordre De La Couronne


Recommendation date: 29 June 1917

Military Cross


Recommendation date: 24 September 1917

FateDied as a result of accident 13 November 1919
Place of death or woundingSurbiton, England
Age at death25
Place of burialBrookwood Cemetery (Australian Military Burial Ground, Grave No. 184090), Surrey, England, England
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
188
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He rallied part of the infantry, and guided them over the captured positions under heavy fire when they were without leaders and disorganized. He helped materially to repel counter attacks.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184
Date: 14 December 1916

Military Cross

'At Westhoek Ridge 20.9.17. For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. This Officer took his M.G. section over with the attacking infantry, and had them in position in a very short space of time. He selected excellent defensive positions. He was absolutely fearless and set a splendid example to all the men around him. His conduct cannot be too highly commended.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57
Date: 18 April 1918

Other details

War service: embarked from Brisbane, 29 June 1915; disembarked Suez, 2 August 1915. Embarked from Alexandria for Gallipoli, 5 September 1915; disembarked Anzac Cove, 11 September 1915.

Promoted Corporal, 5 October 1915; Sergeant, 21 October 1915 (backdated to 20 September 1915). Disembarked Alexandria from Gallipoli, 9 January 1916.

Taken on strength, 7th Machine Gun Company, 3 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 14 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 21 March 1916.

Fought at Pozieres, August 1916; awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 2 September 1916. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, 16 August 1916; promoted Lieutenant, 25 November 1916. Fought on the Somme and in Belgium. Recommended for Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne, 29 June 1917; Military Cross, 24 September 1917 (subsequently awarded).

Transferred to Australian Flying Corps, 26 November 1917; joined No. 1 School of Military Aeronautics, Royal Flying Corps, Reading, Berkshire, for pilot training. Transferred to AFC Training Depot, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, 26 February 1918; to HQ, 1st Wing, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, 14 March 1918; thence to No. 6 (Training) Squadron, AFC, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. Appointed Flying Officer, 5 May 1918. Appointed Assistant Instructor, No. 6 (Training) Squadron, 23 July 1918.

Post-hostilities prepared to compete for the 10,000 pound prize offered by the Australian Government for the first Australian airman to fly from England to Australia. Killed at Surbiton, London, shortly after take-off for flight to Australia, 13 November 1919.

Medals: Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Date of death13 November 1919

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