Bertram Wilfred ROLLINS MM

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
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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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Biography 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 

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