DARNELL, Aubrey Hugh
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dublin, Ireland, 7 May 1886 |
| Home Town: | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Cargilfield Preparatory School (Edinburgh); and Pocklington Grammar (Yorkshire) |
| Occupation: | Civil Servant |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 24 September 1918, aged 32 years |
| Cemetery: |
Tincourt New British Cemetery Plot V, Row G, Grave 1 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Fremantle | |
| 1 Feb 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Jul 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Staff Captain, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Major, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 Sep 1918: | Honoured Companion of the Distinguished Service Order | |
| 24 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Major, Officer, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 11 Battalion awm_rank: Major awm_died_date: 1918-09-24 |
Distinguished Service Order Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led the advance to the first objective and sent back important information regarding the progress of the attack. By his skilful handling of his company the position in his sector was gained with slight loss, and many prisoners taken.
Submitted 24 September 2015 by Nathan Rohrlach
Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Aubrey Hugh DARNELL was born on 7th May, 1886 in Dublin Ireland
His parents were Francis Aubrey DARNELL & Agnes Josephine GREAVES - his father was a Chaplain in the British Army
He received a commission in the 3rd Munsters Fusiliers in 1903 and arrived in Australia in September, 1910 on board the SS Suevic
He enlisted on 17th August, 1914 as a 2nd Lieutenant and embarked with the 11th Infantry Battalion, D Company from Fremantle, Western Australia on the HMAT Ascanius on 2nd November, 1914
He was promoted through the ranks to Major & was Mentioned in Dispatches and received a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 24th September, 1918
Aubrey died of wounds received in action on 24th September, 1918 (enemy bomb) and is buried in Tincourt New British Cemetery
His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial
Aubrey married Helen Dorothea BERKELEY in 1917 at Kingston, Surrey, England
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Details of Honours & Awards
Mention in Despatches
Awarded & promulgated, London Gazette, 5th August 1915
Recommendation date 25th April, 1915
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Mention in Despatches
Awarded & promulgated, London Gazette 25th May, 1918, Commonwealth Gazette, 24th October 1918
Recommendation date 9th June 1918
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Mention in Despatches
Awarded & promulgated, London Gazette 31st December 1918, Commonwealth Gazette 23 May, 1919
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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Recommendation date 9th June 1918
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
He led the advance to the first objective and sent back important information regarding the progress of the attack.
By his skillful handling of his Company, the position in his sector was gained with slight loss & many prisoners taken.
Source: Commonwealth Gazette no. 23 - 12th Feb. 1919
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Other details of his service
Served in Egypt, Gallipoli & the Western Front
Medals: Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
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