ENGLAND, Ernest
| Service Number: | 2389 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 May 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Middle Park, Vic., 1896 |
| Home Town: | Boulder, Kalgoorlie/Boulder, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Railway Employee |
| Memorials: | Boulder Roll of Honor, Kalgoorlie Boulder 84th Infantry Goldfields Regiment Roll of Honour, South Boulder School Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 24 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2389, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2389, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Chilka embarkation_ship_number: A51 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2389, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Chilka, Fremantle |
WW1
The details provided are taken from the book "Stealth Raiders - a few daring men in 1918" written by Lucas Jordan, published 2017, refer to page 266. Prior to the war he was a railway employee of Boulder WA. He enlisted 24th May 1915, aged 19 years. He served with the 16th Infantry Battalion, rose through the ranks to reach the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. During this honourable service he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal and bar (won it twice). He survived the war and departed the UK for home 25th Jan 1919.
Submitted 10 February 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Joseph Henry and Elvira ENGLAND nee SMITH of 15 Dwyer Street, Boulder
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst leading a reconnoitring party, consisting of himself and two others, he came on an enemy machine gun post. He took the gun, brought it back, and returned with more men to attack the crew. He captured five, and killed one, without sustaining a casualty. He did fine work.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919
Military Medal
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917
Bar to Military Medal
'The men [ENGLAND, 1595 E. BUSWELL, 3461 P.E. FOX, 1383 R. TAYLOR] are Regimental Stretcher bearers and are brought under notice for conspicuous bravery and determination displayed by them in bringing in wounded in the face of heavy shell, rifle and Machine Gun fire during the attack on the HINDENBURG Line in front of REINCOURT on the 11th April 1917 and on the following day. They showed great eagerness to go out for more wounded as soon as those brought in by them were dressed and stretchers were available for use again. They succeeded in bringing in a number of wounded even during the period when all stretcher bearers who ventured into "No Man's Land" were deliberately fired on by the enemy's Machine Guns. These four men are grouped together because they work in one party. They are all recommended for distinction.'
Click images to start slideshow.