Basil BESWICK MM, DCM

BESWICK, Basil

    Service Number: 136
    Enlisted: Not yet discovered
    Last Rank: Private
    Last Unit: 40th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, 1885
    Home Town: Burnie, Burnie, Tasmania
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Teamster
    Died: 1 March 1961, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Wivenhoe General Cemetery, Burnie, Tasmania
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    1 Jul 1916: Involvement Private, 136, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''
    1 Jul 1916: Embarked Private, 136, 40th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Hobart
    15 Sep 1919: Honoured Military Medal, 'Near CLERY from 29th to 31st August, this man performed invaluable services as a stretcher bearer. He was tireless in his efforts to get wounded men out from forward areas throughout the entire period, often under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. On several occasions on his own initiative he organised stretcher parties and himself made numerous trips from the outpost line to the R.A.P. passing over difficult country and through valleys filled with gas. His pluck and endurance is praise-worthy in the highest degree and his courageous work was instrumental in saving the lives of numerous of his comrades.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109 Date: 15 September 1919
    19 Feb 1920: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, 'Near Bony, on 29-30 September, 1918, and 1 October, he acted as company stretcher bearer and displayed great courage and devotion to duty. When a shell exploded among a party of ten, he immediately rendered first aid to the wounded, directed the walking cases to the dressing station, and carried one of the stretcher cases on his back to the same place. He returned, and, with another stretcher bearer under heavy fire, carried the remaining three in turn to the rear. Throughout his energy and disregard of his own safety were most marked.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 20 Date: 19 February 1920

    Help us honour Basil Beswick's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

    Biography contributed by Daryl Jones

    Wife, Mrs Johanna Beswick, Stowport, Burnie, Tasmania

    Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

    His brothers: 1246 Pte Leslie James Beswick, 26th Battalion was killed in action at Gallipoli 18 November 1915 and 606 Pte Morton Ernest Beswick, 40th Battalion was killed in action at Heilly France at the start of the German Counteroffensive 28 March 1918.

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