JOHNS, Charles Herbert
| Service Number: | 1212 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 37th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, March 1891 |
| Home Town: | Christmastown, Indigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Inspector (Vermin Destruction Act) |
| Died: | Mentone, Victoria, AUSTRALIA, 10 July 1953, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cheltenham Memorial Park, Victoria, Australia 39*277*N |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1212, 37th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 1212, 37th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 37th Infantry Battalion | |
| 29 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 37th Infantry Battalion | |
| 24 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1212, 37th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines, GSW to chest | |
| 8 Nov 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, At PLOEGSTEERT on the night 18th/19th May, 1917, on the occasion of a heavy bombardment of our lines and an attempted raid by the enemy, this N.C.O. was acting as Trench Sergeant, and although wounded early by enemy shell fire he remained on duty, and so organised his command as to minimise casualties. By his courage and devotion to duty, and disregard for shell fire, he set a splendid example to, and cheered his men. This N.C.O. has, on three previous occasions (two raids on enemy trenches, and one enemy raid) displayed great courage and initiative. The raid on this occasion was repulsed, and casualties inflicted on the enemy | |
| 3 Jun 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1212, 37th Infantry Battalion, 3rd MD: Service Medals - British War Medal & Victory Medal |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From AWM
1212 Sergeant Charles Herbert Johns MM, 37th Battalion was from Christmastown, Victoria. A 24 year old inspector Vermin Destruction Act prior to enlisting in the AIF on 13 January 1916, he embarked for overseas as a Private with D Company from Melbourne on 3 June 1916 aboard HMAT Persic. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 19 September 1916, to Corporal on 1 March 1917 and to Sergeant (Sgt) on 29 April 1917. Sgt Johns was awarded a Military Medal (MM) for his bravery at Poegsteert, Belgium on the night of 18/19 May 1917 when he organized his command to minimize casualties despite being wounded himself. After being wounded for a second time on 7 June 1917, he was evacuated to England and then returned to Australia arriving on 18 November 1917. Sgt Johns was discharged from the AIF on 3 June 1918.
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