DRISCOLL, Vincent
| Service Number: | 3745 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Grose Vale, New South Wales, Australia, 8 April 1895 |
| Home Town: | Richmond (NSW), Hawkesbury, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Drover and Foreman (B.H.P. Rod Mill, Newcastle, N.S.W.) |
| Died: | War related, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 17 May 1944, aged 49 years |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW CATHOLIC 2-35. 35. |
| Memorials: | Richmond War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3745, 3rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3745, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3745, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Bullecourt (First), 'At HERMIES, FRANCE on 13th April Corp. DRISCOLL was command of a covering party whilst his Platoon was digging an advanced post. Although in full view of the enemy and subjected to heavy rifle and machine gun fire which caused casualties, this N.C.O. maintained his position until the Platoon was under cover. Later on 15th April during a strong enemy attack he displayed conspicuous bravery inspiring his men throughout.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169 Date: 4 October 1917 | |
| 19 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3745, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD, Medically unfit due to wounding, Bullecourt II |
Help us honour Vincent Driscoll's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Shayne Cunningham
Son of Archibald Leslie and Alice May (nee Kennedy) Driscoll.
Married: Mary West McHatton 1943
Brother of Timothy Driscoll #417
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served bravely and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
80 years ago today, on the Thursday afternoon of the 18th May 1944, Sergeant Vincent Driscoll, M.M., 3rd Battalion (Reg No-3745), drover and Foreman (B.H.P. Rod Mill, Newcastle, N.S.W.), from North Richmond, New South Wales and 8 Earlcourt Flats, Scott Street, Newcastle, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 49. CATHOLIC 2-35. 35.
Born at Grose Vale, New South Wales on the 8th April 1895 as DRISCOL to Archibald Leslie, died 8.9.1939, Windsor, N.S.W., age 82, and Alice May Driscoll nee Kennedy, died 20.11.1928, Lidcombe, N.S.W., age 59; husband of Mary West Driscoll nee McHatton (married 1943, Newcastle, N.S.W., remarried 1949 to Alfred Noel Swain, Walcha, N.S.W., died?), Vincent enlisted on the 19th August 1915 at Narrabri, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A7 Medic on the 30th December 1915.
Admitted to hospital 27.2.1916 (urticaria - a skin condition characterised by red, itchy bumps or welts on the skin that last for less than six weeks).
Wounded in action - 25.7.1916 (GSW left shin, Battle of Pozieres), 5.5.1917 (GSW back, left thigh, right arm, Second Battle of Bullecourt).
Admitted to hospital in England 21.5.1917.
Awarded Military Medal 9th April 1917.
Commenced return to Australia 31.10.1917.
Vincent arrived home invalided on the 31st December 1917, being discharged medically unfit (GSW back & left side) on the 19th June 1918.
Mr. Driscoll’s name has been inscribed on the Richmond and District Memorial and the Richmond District Municipal Roll of Honor.
I have placed poppies at Vincent’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Officially commemorated – https://connect.dva.gov.au/.../viewCommemoration.html....
Younger brother Timothy (born 22.5.1893, Penrith, N.S.W., wagon driver from Underwood Street, Botany, New South Wales, enlisted 10.1.1916, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reg No-417, DOW (SW right thigh) 29.5.1918, age 25, resting at Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-Sur-Somme, France. Plot II Row E Grave 7) also served 1st A.I.F.
Many thanks to Vincent's daughter Kerrie Ninni for the family history (born 1.5.1944).
His distinguished service career included service in the Middle East, France and England.
He was twice wounded in action and was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty under heavy fire at Hermies on the 13th April 1917.
The citation reads as follows: At Hermies on the 13th April, Corp. Driscoll was in command of a covering party whilst his platoon was digging an advanced post. Although in full view of the enemy and subjected to heavy rifle and machine gun fire which caused casualties, this NCO maintained his position until the platoon was under cover. Later on the 15th April during a strong enemy attack he displayed conspicuous bravery inspiring his men throughout.
His death at age 49 was attributed to injuries sustained at the war and in 2001 his unmarked grave was accorded a plaque by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Shayne Cunningham - August 2022.
I was looking at the Sandgate Cemetery website this morning and saw you have Vincent Driscoll M.M. listed. He is a close relation of mine.
Vincent Driscoll B: 8 Apr 1895 Grose Vale, N.S.W. D: 17 May 1944 Newcastle, N.S.W.
His brother Timothy died on the Somme, France in 1918.
Both the boys are listed in the Family Bible but it’s very battered and hard to read.
My dad has the Richmond District Roll of Honor on his wall which I thought you might like a copy. Vincent and his brother Timothy are in the 2nd row.
I’m related to just over half of all the people listed – I’m a Hawkesbury girl.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.