FITZGERALD, Gerald
| Service Number: | 3295 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 25th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Yuleba, Qld., 1883 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station Manager |
| Died: | 1 February 1951, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld |
| Memorials: | Jackson & District Honour Roll, Yuleba Cenotaph War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3295, 25th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Itonus embarkation_ship_number: A50 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3295, 25th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Itonus, Brisbane |
Help us honour Gerald Fitzgerald's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Military Medal
'East of WESTHOEK on the night 27th/28th September, 1917, Sergeant FITZGERALD showed great bravery and devotion to duty when in charge of a carrying party. His Platoon Officer was rendered incapable through shell shock and Sergeant FITZGERALD took command reorganised his platoon and made six trips to the front line carrying ammunition up to the Advanced Dumps which were being established for the attacking troops of the 1st Australian Division. The splendid example kept the men together and ensured this very important work being completed.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918
Bar to Military Medal
'Near VILLERS BRETONNEUX on 16th May, 1918. A British plane was shot down and fell in No Man's Land in front of our lines. The pilot was wounded and on getting out of the machine was fired on by enemy and wounded again in two placed and was still subjected to machine gun fire. Sergeant FITZGERALD and another N.C.O. went to his assistance regardless of danger, and succeeded in conveying the airman to a shell hole in No Man's Land (the other N.C.O. being mortally wounded). He then returned for assistance. Sergeant DICKSON came out and together they carried the pilot in, the enemy all the time firing on them. These N.C.O.s made another trip and brought the wounded N.C.O. in. Sergeant FITZGERALD displayed gallantry and contempt of danger in a very high degree.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919
2nd Bar to Military Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near LE VERQUIER on the 19th September 1918. Sergeant Fitzgerald took charge of a fighting patrol for the purpose of ascertaining the exact location of troops on the right flank. While moving across the unoccupied trenches to this flank he encountered an enemy strong point. Sergeant Fitzgerald immediately organised his patrols and attacked the strong point, which he cleared, capturing two machine guns and two of the enemy. He then moved on and finally established touch with troops on our flank. Later on in the day Sergeant Fitzgerald again led a bombing party and cleared up a portion of trench occupied by the enemy, capturing another machine gun and killing four of the enemy without sustaining any casualty to his party. His work throughout was a fine example of bravery, determination, and leadership, which greatly encouraged the men working with him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919
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