Regimental number | 1137 |
Place of birth | Camperdown, Victoria |
School | Camperdown State School, Victoria |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Carpenter |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 22 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs H Errey, Scott Street, Camperdown, Victoria |
Previous military service | Camperdown Rifle Club |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 8th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/25/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 8th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Cross Extremely courageous and useful work in patrol work, obtaining important information. A splendid leader and absolutely fearless. (Queant and Phonville 19 April 1917). Recommendation date: Victoria Cross ( Awarded Companion of the Distinguished Service Order) Work during attack on Polygon Wood on the 20 September 1917. Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and gazetted, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 30448 (28 December 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 (18 April 1918). |
Fate | Died of wounds |
Place of death or wounding | Ypres, Belgium |
Age at death | 25 |
Age at death from cemetery records | 25 |
Place of burial | Menin Road South Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row J, Grave No. 9), Ypres, Belgium |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 52 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Commemorated in Camperdown Cemetery, Victoria. Parents: William Henry and Hannah ERREY, Camperdown, Victoria |
Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After the objective had been captured an enemy strong point caused many casualties. With four men he rushed through the barrage and attacked it under heavy machine gun fire, and captured the position, with five officers, 60 other prisoners and two machine guns. His courageous and determined action undoubtedly saved many lives and restored a critical situation.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110 Date: Military Cross ''For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When commanding a patrol he encountered an enemy part of greatly superior numbers. He gave them fight and drove them off. He handled his men with great skill and got back without casualty.''
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 6452 Pte Edwin Benjamin ERREY, 24th Bn, died of wounds, 3 September 1918; Cousin: 876 Pte George Benjamin ERREY, 46th Bn, killed in action, 20 October 1917. |
Other details | Medals: Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |