CORPS, Ernest John
| Service Numbers: | 3799, 3799A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 July 1915, Warwick Farm, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 20th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 27 June 1897 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Tempe Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Apprentice in Railway workshops |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 31 August 1918, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3799, Warwick Farm, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 3799, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 3799, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Sydney | |
| 11 Aug 1918: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| 31 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3799A, 20th Infantry Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Ernest John CORPS, (Service Number 3799A) was born on 27 June 1897 at Armidale. He began working for the NSW Railways as a shop boy at Eveleigh Locomotive Works just before his 16th birthday. He retained this job title for his whole career though three years after he was released from duty to join the Expeditionary Force, he was termed a labourer once he turned 21.
On 13th May 1919 Ernest Corps was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.
‘During the attack on the morning of the 11th August 1918, near FRAMERVILLE, east of AMIENS, this N.C.O. took charge of a platoon. On passing through the village of RAINECOURT, the company was held up by machine gun fire. He immediately, with three volunteers, charged the post, killing three and capturing the remainder of the crew, then allowing the advance to continue. Throughout the operation, this N.C.O. did excellent work and gave a fine example to men under his command.’
Submitted 7 June 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Ernest John CORPS, (Service Number 3799A) was born on 27th June 1897 at Armidale. He began working for the NSW Railways as a shop boy at Eveleigh Locomotive Works just before his 16th birthday. He retained this job title for his whole career. When he enlisted in the AIF in July 1915, his occupation was described as ‘shop assistant’ but this may have been a misunderstanding of the term ‘shop boy’ by the military clerk. Although he was just 18 years and one month old, he claimed four years military training in the Area 35 Infantry Battalion at Marrickville.
He left Australia from Sydney on 20th January 1916. He joined the British Expeditionary Force at Alexandria (Egypt). He disembarked at Marseilles (France) and joined the 20th Battalion at Etaples in May. He received a minor gunshot wound to his scalp on 12th November . Upon re-joining the unit a fortnight later was promoted to Lance Corporal. After a bout of Influenza in February 1917 he was wounded with a gunshot to his left arm in May He was evacuated to England. After his recovery he did a course in the Lewis Gun before returning to France ad the 20th Battalion in January 1918. He was promoted to Sergeant in July 1918 and was killed in action on the 31st August 1918. He was at first buried at left side Mont St Quentin- Femillancourt Road, but later re-interred at Péronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
On 13th May 1919 Ernest Corps was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.
‘During the attack on the morning of the 11th August 1918, near FRAMERVILLE, east of AMIENS, this N.C.O. took charge of a platoon. On passing through the village of RAINECOURT, the company was held up by machine gun fire. He immediately, with three volunteers, charged the post, killing three and capturing the remainder of the crew, then allowing the advance to continue. Throughout the operation, this N.C.O. did excellent work and gave a fine example to men under his command.’
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Click images to start slideshow.