ROLLINS, Bertram Wilfred
| Service Number: | 2487 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 46th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 1893 |
| Home Town: | Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer & carter |
| Died: | Died as a result of injuries from an explosion at Batesford Quarry, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 13 August 1922 |
| Cemetery: |
Geelong Western Cemetery, Victoria WST-MET-01-807-1244H |
| Memorials: | Lovely Banks State School No 1497 Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2487, 46th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Sydney embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 2487, 46th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Sydney, Melbourne | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Medal, Le Hamel - Blueprint for Victory, Sgt Rollins was awarded the Military Medal* with the action occuring 8 Aug 1918. The citation reads ‘For conspicuou gallantry and leadership during the attack east of Hamel, E of Corbie on the morning of 8 Aug 1918. Our attack held up by strong machine gun and rifle fire coming from a wood. Sgt Rollins led two sections forward to reinforce the line and noticing a party of the enemy firing from a house he led his men forward making good use of the dead ground and any cover which offered. He was then able to get close to the house which he rushed, wounding 3 of the enemy and capturing 10 prisoners. The fine example of fearlessness by this N.C.O. and his fine leadership undoubtedly won the position and saved a very awkward situation. This N.C.O. showed great dash and detirmination right throughout the attack. E G Sinclair Maclagan. Major General Commanding 4th Australian Division. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Leigh Treyvaud
SECOND QUARRY VICTIM
Rollins Dies in Hospital
THOMPSON OUT OF DANGER
Bertram Wilfred Rollins, aged 28
years, died at the Geelong Hospital
shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday even-
ing of septic pneumonia, resulting from
burns received when an old powder
charge exploded at the Australian
Portland Cement Co.'s quarries at
Batesford ou August 1st. This makes
the second victim, as Harold Victor
Attwcll, one of the three men in-
jured by the explosion died at the hos-
pital on August 3rd. Rollins was
badly burned and marked with pow-
der, and although liis injuries were
extremely painful he was not at first
thought to be in a very serious condi-
tion. Reports from the hospital indi-
cated that he was holding his own. To
wards the end of last week he deve-
loped pneumonia, which became fur-
ther complicated during the week end.
Rollins, who was a returned soldier,
was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F
Rollins, of 15 Shannon Avenue, New
town, formerly of Lovely Banks. The
burial will take place at the New Gen
eral Cemetery to-morrow afternoon.
The matter was reported to the coro-
ner (Mr. W. G. Smith) who will inspect
the body this morning and an or-
der for burial. An inquiry will prob-
ably be opened and adjourned until
September 1st. The cause of the ex
plosion is still a mystery, and is the
subject of an inquiry which has not
yet been concluded. Another victim
of the explosion John Thompson, is
still in the hospital. Yesterday he
was reported to be out of danger, and
to be in a satisfactory condition.
Speaking at a Memorial service at
North Geelong Presbyterian church
last evening, the Rev. H. V. Gibbons
said he had known Attwell one of the
victims of the explosion, since he was
a boy. He had visited him in the hos-
pital, and asked the dying lad if he
had any message for his parents. His
reply was: 'You can tell them that
everything is all right. Every thing's
beautiful and clear.' Further refer
ence to the sermon will be found under
the heading of churches.
Geelong Advertiser 14 August 1922