COLLARD, Alexander Cecil
| Service Number: | 3712 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 July 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Baringhup West, Vic., 3 December 1896 |
| Home Town: | Hawthorn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Baringhup West, Welshman's Reef and Footscray State Schools |
| Occupation: | Broom Maker |
| Died: | Coburg, Vic., 15 November 1970, aged 73 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria 4th Ave Wall Niches (South Side), Wall 1, Section B, Niche 73 |
| Memorials: | Maldon Baringhup West State School WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3712, 8th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 3712, 8th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 3712, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Adelaide |
Help us honour Alexander Cecil Collard's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Daniel Charles and Rachel COLLARD of 39 Weinberg Road, Hawthorn, Vic.
Husband of Ronbina nee CUNNINGHAM
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Herleville Wood on 23 August 1918. He rushed at a nest of machine guns, killed two and wounded three of the enemy. The remainder went back to another post, but, turning their own guns on them, he drove them out of that, too. Later he ran along the parapet of a trench, bombing the enemy with their own bombs until they surrendered. His courage and initiative were amazing.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919
Military Medal
'For conspicuous bravery in the field at LIHONS on the 11th August 1918. When our line was heavily counter-attacked by the enemy, and three of our Lewis Guns were knocked out, this soldier rushed back through the heavy shell and machine gun barrage and brought another Lewis Gun into action. He worked this skilfully single handed with great courage and personally killed many Germans. Again when his Lewis gun had been damaged he went back a second time through the barrage and brought up a supply of bombs. By his brave acts he greatly aided in averting a very serious disaster and throughout the whole day he worked which great cheeriness and a total disregard of danger.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919
Click images to start slideshow.