HOLLINGWORTH, Albert
| Service Number: | 1852 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 38th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Marong, Victoria, Australia, 1898 |
| Home Town: | Marong, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1852, 38th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 1852, 38th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Orontes embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 16 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 1852, 38th Infantry Battalion, RMS Orontes, Melbourne | |
| 1 Sep 1918: | Honoured Military Medal and bar, The Battle of Amiens, Croix de Guerre (France) (not bar to Military Medal) ‘During the recent fighting on the SOMME this man acted as runner to the Battalion Intelligence Officer, and did many trips under intense barrages of artillery and machine gun fire. He had to find his way by night in strange country and had most important messages to carry, but despite all difficulties performed his duties with the greatest satisfaction to all concerned. He set a splendid example of courage, intelligence, resourcefulness and cheerfulness to all with whom he came in contact. It was greatly owing to this man’s splendid work that operations of the Battalion went so well’. Croix de Guerre (France) Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: 23 May 1919 | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Medal, Third Ypres, 'On 12th October 1917, East of YPRES, (Passchendaele) he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This soldier was employed as a Runner between Battalion Headquarters and the front line, and did exceedingly good work carrying messages during most severe bombardment. On his return journey from the front line, he used to assist in carrying back wounded. His courage and cheerfulness in danger were an inspiration to others.' Recommendation: October 20, 1917 Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Military Medal
'On 12th October 1917, Est of YPRES, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This soldier was employed as a Runner between Battalion Headquarters and the front line, and did exceedingly good work carrying messages during most severe bombardment. On his return journey from the front line, he used to assist in carrying back wounded. His courage and cheerfulness in danger were an inspiration to others.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918
Croix de Guerre (France)
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919
Biography contributed by Jack Coyne
Albert HOLLINGWORTH
Military Medal & Croix de Guerre (French medal)
Military Medal Recommnedation
'On 12th October 1917, East of YPRES, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. This soldier was employed as a Runner between Battalion Headquarters and the front line, and did exceedingly good work carrying messages during most severe bombardment. On his return journey from the front line, he used to assist in carrying back wounded. His courage and cheerfulness in danger were an inspiration to others.'
Recommendation: October 20, 1917 Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918
Recommendation with Croix de Guerre (French award)
‘During the recent fighting on the SOMME this man acted as runner to the Battalion Intelligence Officer, and did many trips under intense barrages of artillery and machine gun fire. He had to find his way by night in strange country and had most important messages to carry, but despite all difficulties performed his duties with the greatest satisfaction to all concerned. He set a splendid example of courage, intelligence, resourcefulness and cheerfulness to all with whom he came in contact. It was greatly owing to this man’s splendid work that operations of the Battalion went so well’.
Croix de Guerre (France)
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919
The Bendigoian published the following on July 25, 1918. SOLDIERS HONORED PRIVATE A. HOLLINGWORTH, M.M.
‘Mr. D. A. Hollingworth, of Marong, has received word that his son, Albert, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous services rendered by him on the battlefield. Private Hollingworth is the second Marong boy to receive this distinction. He left Australia about two years and three months ago, and has been in the trenches for nearly two years, having taken part in a number of engagements, fortunately without injury. The Military Medal was presented to Private Hollingworth by General Birdwood, and the soldier has notified his parents that he is forwarding it to them’.[1]
The same paper would print on five months later on December 5, 1918: - BAR TO MILITARY MEDAL.
‘Mr. D. Hollingworth, of the Marong Hotel, Marong, has received word that his son, Private A. Hollingworth, who was some time ago awarded the Military Medal for a conspicuous act of bravery on tho field, has been awarded a further decoration, in the form of a bar to the medal, previously won, for a further act of bravery. Private Hollingworth has been on active service for over three years, and has proved himself a brave and fearless soldier’.[2]
Albert was not awarded the British military award of 'Bar to the Military Medal as the newspaper indicated. He was however, awarded the French bravery award known as the Croix de Guerre.
The Croix de Guerre, Cross of War is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts. The Croix de Guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France.
The Croix de Guerre may either be awarded as an individual or unit award to those soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy. The medal is awarded to those who have been "mentioned in dispatches", meaning a heroic deed or deeds were performed meriting a citation from an individual's headquarters unit. [3]
Service file of Albert Hollingworth SN 1852. P.22 https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/206075/22
SERVICE DETAILS:
Regimental No. 1852
Place of birth: Marong Vic
Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Clerk
Address: Marong Hotel, Victoria
Marital status: Single
Age at enlistment: 18
Next of kin: Father, Daniel Albert Hollingworth, Marong
Enlistment date: 25 February 1916
Unit name: 38th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
Embarked: RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916
Final Rank: Private
Fate: Returned to Australia 30 April 1919 SS Raragola
[1] The Bendigoian, July 25, 1918. Page 18
[2] The Bendigoian, December 5, 1918. Page 17
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_de_Guerre
Photo: Bendigoian, February 14, 1918. Page 16 Photo: Replica in Bendigo Soldiers Memorial.
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