John (Jack) GARDINER MC

GARDINER, John

Service Numbers: 273, 22943
Enlisted: 12 May 1915, Melbourne, Victoria
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: Medium Trench Mortar Batteries
Born: Euroa, Victoria, Australia, January 1898
Home Town: Caulfield, Glen Eira, Victoria
Schooling: Caulfield Grammar School & Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Medical student
Died: Killed In Action, France, 1 September 1918
Cemetery: Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension
I B 31
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Euroa Fallen of Euroa District Honour Roll, Euroa War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

12 May 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 273, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , Melbourne, Victoria
17 Jul 1915: Embarked Private, 273, Hospital Transport Corps, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne
17 Jul 1915: Involvement Private, 273, Hospital Transport Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '24' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: ''
22 Nov 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 273, Army Medical Corps (AIF), Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '24' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kanowna embarkation_ship_number: A61 public_note: ''
22 Nov 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 273, Army Medical Corps (AIF), HMAT Kanowna, Brisbane
16 Apr 1916: Discharged Private, 273, Army Medical Corps (AIF)
19 Apr 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 22943, Melbourne, Victoria
20 May 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 22943, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
20 May 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Gunner, 22943, 8th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Medic, Melbourne
6 Oct 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery
6 Jan 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Medium Trench Mortar Batteries
11 Feb 1918: Honoured Military Cross, Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of two trench mortars detailed to support a raid. These guns were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the operations, and on one gun being put out of action he transferred all the ammunition to the other gun and carried through his task as ordered with this gun alone. At the end of the shoot he, with six other men, were buried by the bursting of an enemy shell, and after being extricated himself he performed valuable work in saving the lives of the other buried men. By his courageous and gallant behaviour throughout he set a magnificent example to all under him.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 150 Date: 24 September 1918
1 Sep 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Medium Trench Mortar Batteries, Mont St Quentin / Peronne

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Biography contributed by Loretta Mcpherson

Son of Alexander Peden GARDINER and Agnes Steventon GARDINER of 'Palmyra' 88 Orrong Road, Elsternwick, Vic.

John Gardiner, was a medical student at the time of enlisting. His first number was 273. He was discharged so he could finish his studies. He enlisted again under no. 22943. He was awarded the Military Cross in April 1918. 22 years old.

"CROSS WINNER KILLED

Lieut. John Gardiner, M.C., 3rd Divisional Artillery (attached to a Medium Trench Mortar Battery), who is reported to have died on active service on September 1, was born at Euroa in 1898. He was too third son of Mr and Mrs A. P. Gardiner, of Orrong road, Elsternwick, and enlisted on April 19, 1916, gaining his commission on October 6 last year. Lieut. Gardiner, who was a medical student before he joined up, was awarded the Military Crass on April 22 this year for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in France. He was in charge of two trench mortars detailed to support a raid. These guns were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the operation, and when one of the guns was put out of action he transferred all the ammunition to the other gun, and carried through his task with its services alone. At the end of the shoot he and six other men were buried by the bursting of an enemy shell. After he had been extricated he performed valuable work in saving the lives of the other buried men. By his courageous and gallant behavior throughout he set a magnificent example to all under his charge." - from the Melbourne Herald 12 Sep 1918 (nla.gov.au)

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