Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Image of Adelaide Rowing Club / AWM. Text  adapated from that supplied by Adelaide Rowing Club with additional information

Patrick Howard Auld was the son of George AULD and Ellen Howard nee CLARK, of Edward Street, Norwood, South Australia, and a 20 year old insurance clerk when he enlisted on 4 November 1914.  Patrick had previously served in the served in the 79th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving in 22nd Engineers Signal Troop at time of AIF enlistment. 

Enlisted into the 4th Field Ambulance,  he embarked for overseas as a Private from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 aboard the HMAT Berrima A35.

During the course of service at Gallipoli, he was admitted to the 16th Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 23 July 1915 (malaria); rejoining his unit on 2 August 1915.

He was Promoted Lance Corporal, at Gallipoli, on 25 August 1915. He withdrew with the main body of the evacuation and disembarked in Alexandria, on 24 December 1915.

Backin Egypt the AIF went through the 'doubling' process, and at some point Howard was identified as having leadership attributes and he transferred to the 50th Battalion, and appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 17 March 1916.

He embarked in Alexandria with his Battalion to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916,  disembarking in Marseilles, France, 12 June 1916, whereupon he headed for northern France by rail.

Howard was promoted Lieutenant, in the field,  on the 10 July 1916, bust before the Battalion moved to the Somme sector from Armentieres.  The great offensive had already begun and on 23 July the Australians were committed to action.  The 50th Battalion was spared the losses sustained at Pozieres but they were not so fortunate at Mouquet Farm.  Howard was wounded in action, 3 September 1916 but remained on duty.

He was awarded the Military Cross, 21 October 1916.

By early 1917, the Germans began their extraction to the Hindenburg Line and the 50th Battalion found itself outside the village of Noreuil, one of the so-called "Outpost Villages".  The 50th Battalion sustained a lot of casulaties, particularly among the officers.  Howard was Wounded in Action (second occasion), 2 April 1917 (gun shot wound, left buttock).

He was admitted to the 13th Field Ambulance, and transferred that same day via a Casualty Clearing Station; to the 7th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, on 4 April 1917.  His wound was classifed as "wound: severe" and he was evacuated to England, on 7 April 1917, and admitted the same day to the Research Hospital, Cambridge.  Later he was transferred to 6th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, 11 June 1917 and then to the big personnel depot  No 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, 23 July 1917.

Seconded to No 4 Group as Assistant Staff Captain, 25 July 1917.  Proceeded overseas to France, 6 December 1917; rejoined the 50th Battalion in the field on 15 December 1917 following the travials of the Third Ypres campaign.

Howard was promoted Captain on 1 January 1918. The 50th Battalion was committed to the defence of Dernancourt during the German Spring Offensive called "Operation Michael" in early March 1918, where the 4th Division distinguished itself.  The 13th Brigade was detached in late April with the 15th Brigade from the 5th Division for what was to become one of its major encounters of the War - the counter attack which re-captured the town of Villers Brettoneux and halted the German advance on Amiens on the 24/5th APril 1918 ("Our Other ANZAC Day").

In the turmoil and confusion of the night attack, Howard was reported Missing in Action, 24 April 1918.  Subsequent advice from the Red Cross reported him a prisoner of war in Germany.  He was in the best bureaucratic tradition transferred to the Permanent Supernumerary List, 24 April -918.

He was repatriated to England following the Armistice, and he arrived on 1 December 1918.

Captain Auld returned to Australia on 25 March 1919 and was dischraged from the AIF on 22 May 1919. He later served in the Second World War from 8 September 1942 until 6 February 1943 and was discharged as a Major.

He had a brother, 1826 Lt Stuart AULD, Croix de Guerre (Belg), who served in the same unit, the 50th Battalion, returned to Australia, 15 May 1919.

Steve Larkins Oct 2014

Biography written by Mia Tsimouris, Our Lady Sacred Heart College, SA attached as a document. Winning entry for 2020 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize.

The Military Corss has been gained in France by Lieut. Patrick Howard Auld, a son of Mr. George Auld, the well-known wine merchant of Adelaide.  The official record of the deed which gained this distinction for the young officer, who is only 23 is as follows:- "Although wounded, he led his men forward to reinforce part of the front line, displaying great courage and initiative.  He set a splendid example to his men".

Lieut. Auld, priort to enlisting was in the Adelaide office of the South British Insurance Company.  He left this city as a private in the 4the Field Ambulance in December 1914, and has spent two birthdays in the trenches.  He has seen service in Egypt, Gallipoli and France.  During the time he was a student at St. Peter's College he played in the inter-collegiate football and cricket matches.  He is a grandson of the late Mr. John Howard Clark, formerly Editor of The Register, and of the late Mrs. W.P. Auld, the explorere, who accompanied Mc. Douall Stuart on his memorable expedition.