DEVINE, William
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) |
| Last Unit: | Australian Army Chaplains' Department |
| Born: | Castlederg, County Tyrone, Ireland, 5 October 1887 |
| Home Town: | Coburg, Moreland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Drumnabey National School, St Columb's College, Derry |
| Occupation: | Clergyman |
| Died: | Dublin, Ireland, 19 October 1959, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) , Australian Army Chaplains' Department | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Captain (Chaplain 4th Class) , Australian Army Chaplains' Department | |
| 16 Jul 1915: | Involvement Australian Army Chaplains' Department, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jul 1915: | Embarked Australian Army Chaplains' Department, HMAT Demosthenes, Melbourne |
Awarded Croix de Guerre
Awarded Croix de Guerre
'For continuous conspicuous gallantry during operations at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Diependaal and Gueudecourt over a period of four months, August to December 1916. Under intense artillery fire this gallant Officer unceasingly tended the wounded and dying, ministering to their comforts, aiding the stretcher bearers, inspiring them and all ranks by his fearless conduct, constantly exposing himself in his efforts to reach the wounded and succour them, digging himself their graves single handed, saying it was too dangerous for men to help him; going into No Man's Land on more than one occasion. He is a man without fear, careless of danger, and his inspiring example has been a source of admiration and emulation to all those who he has come into contact with. He has buried over three hundred men in exposed positions and provided suitable memorials.'
Submitted 11 March 2016 by Faithe Jones
Biography
Born 05 October 1887 at Castlederg, Co Tyrone, Ireland
Aged 27 years
Resided St. Paul's, Coburg, Vic.
Enlisted 28 May 1915 for Continuous Service
Embarked 16 July 1915 per 'HMAT Demosthenes' from Melbourne, Vic
Pay rate of 19s 0d after embarkation
Served in Egypt and on the Western Front
Awarded Military Cross
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He followed closely up with an advance, assisting the wounded, and after the objective was captured, he remained with the front line troops under heavy artillery fire. Later, during an enemy bombing attack, he went out and brought in a wounded man. He behaved splendidly.'
Awarded Croix de Guerre
'For continuous conspicuous gallantry during operations at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Diependaal and Gueudecourt over a period of four months, August to December 1916. Under intense artillery fire this gallant Officer unceasingly tended the wounded and dying, ministering to their comforts, aiding the stretcher bearers, inspiring them and all ranks by his fearless conduct, constantly exposing himself in his efforts to reach the wounded and succour them, digging himself their graves single handed, saying it was too dangerous for men to help him; going into No Man's Land on more than one occasion. He is a man without fear, careless of danger, and his inspiring example has been a source of admiration and emulation to all those who he has come into contact with. He has buried over three hundred men in exposed positions and provided suitable memorials.'
Discharged 08 September 1919
Died 19 October 1959 in Dublin, Ireland
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