| Date of birth | |
| School | King's School, Canterbury; Cambridge University (MA: Classical Tripos), England |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Address | Burra, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 33 |
| Next of kin | Sister, Miss R Durnford, Short's Lodge, Liphook, Hampshire, England |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Chaplain (4th Class) |
| Unit name | Chaplains' Corps |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Chaplain |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Chaplains' Department |
| Promotions |
Captain Unit: Chaplains' Corps (Church of England) Promotion date: Temporary Major Unit: Chaplains' Corps (Church of England), 4th Infantry Brigade Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Cross 'For gallantry in action as volunteer stretcher bearer, also in keeping Aid Post supplied, etc. (Pozieres).' Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches 'For consistently meritorious work as Chaplain and for untiring efforts and plucky endurance under heavy fire in the front line at duty with the Regimental Aid Post.' Recommendation date: Military Cross 'For conspicuous bravery and most honourable devotion to duty during the action near Bullecourt when he continued his ministrations among the wounded under heavy fire.' Recommendation date: |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Served as Assistant Chaplain to the Church Lads' Brigade, while working as a clergyman, Manchester Diocese. |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'For gallantry in action during the Pozieres operations, when he volunteered for duty as Stretcher-bearer for 2 days (29th and 30th July) and was also in keeping the Aid Post supplied with water, tea, soup, etc for the wounded. The 3 following days he spent in and around Pozieres with the Brigade Burying Party, often under heavy Artillery fire. The example of this Chaplain did not fail to meet the response it deserved.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength, 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, 4 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 26 March 1916. Admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance, 1 April 1917 (measles); transferred to 14th Casualty Clearing Station, 11 April 1917; discharged to duty, 15 April 1917. Awarded Military Cross, 3 June 1917. Appointed Chaplain, 3rd Class (temporary), 3 July 1917. Wounded in action (gun shot wound, left hand, slight), 4 October 1917; admitted to 20th General Hospital, Camiers, 5 October 1917; discharged to Base Depot, Etaples, 8 October 1917; to 66th Australian Divisional Rest Station, 16 November 1917; discharged to duty, 16 November 1917. Attached for duty to 1st Australian General Hospital, 22 March 1918. Transferred to AIF Administrative Headquarters, London, 15 April 1918; to Headquarters, 1st Training Wing, Australian Flying Corps, 8 May 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 14 August 1918; attached to 13th Bn, 25 August 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Raranga', 8 September 1919; discharged, 26 December 1919. Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, DURNFORD Francis Henry |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
