Norman Peter OLSEN MM

OLSEN, Norman Peter

    Service Numbers: 2455, N45524
    Enlisted: 24 July 1915, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    Last Rank: Captain
    Last Unit: 20/34 Infantry Battalion AMF
    Born: NEWCASTLE, NSW, 28 October 1897
    Home Town: Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales
    Schooling: Newcastle Technical College, New South Wales, Australia
    Occupation: Electrician Apprentice
    Died: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 1 January 1988, aged 90 years, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Newcastle Memorial Park (fmly Beresfield Crematorium)
    Cremated with ashes scattered in a general plot. No memorial at the Newcastle Cemetery
    Memorials: Cook's Hill Superior Public School
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    World War 1 Service

    24 Jul 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2455, 19th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    5 Oct 1915: Embarked Private, 2455, 19th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney
    5 Oct 1915: Involvement Private, 2455, 19th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: ''
    27 Jul 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2455, 19th Infantry Battalion, Transferred to England on 29 June 1916 with multiple wounds
    11 Oct 1918: Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 17th Infantry Battalion, From 19th Battalion
    13 Mar 1919: Honoured Military Medal, Originally recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal but it was not awarded however the Military Medal was. Citation reads: During the operations of August 31st 1918, near Mont St. Quenton, north of Peronne, this N.C.O. showed exceptional bravery. During the crossing of the Somme he laid out two miles of wire and under very heavy Machine Gun fire succeeded in getting communication across the river. At zero hour he went forward with the attacking troops and owing to his excellent work, communication was kept up with Battalion Headquarters and very important information got through on the wire. At all times his devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety were most marked and inspired all those around him. His work with the battalion since 6th January 1916 has been of a very high order and he has done consistently good work under exceedingly difficult conditions during many of the operations this battalion has been engaged in.
    18 Jul 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Corporal, 2455, 17th Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 2nd Military District

    World War 2 Service

    24 Jun 1940: Enlisted N45524
    11 Mar 1942: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Captain, N45524, 20/34 Infantry Battalion AMF

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Son of Peter Olsen and Elizabeth Olsen nee Scott of Scott Street, Newcastle, NSW.

    Apprenticed to H. Bingham of Newcastle, NSW

    Commenced return to Australia on 8 April 1919 aboard HT Tras-os-Montes disembarking on 22 May 1919 at Melbourne for onward travel to Sydney

    Medals: Military Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

    During 1922c Norman married Hazel M. Wilson in Newcastle, NSW

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