Thomas William DRISCOLL MM+Bar

DRISCOLL, Thomas William

Service Numbers: 1904, V80330
Enlisted: 3 April 1916, Melbourne, Victoria
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: 6th Infantry Training Battalion
Born: Cheltenham, Victoria , 11 January 1891
Home Town: Black Rock, Bayside, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Fisherman
Died: Natural causes, Victoria, September 1957
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Black Rock St. Agnes Anglican Church Roll of Honour WW1
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World War 1 Service

3 Apr 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1904, Melbourne, Victoria
20 May 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1904, 46th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: ''
20 May 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1904, 46th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Melbourne
29 Sep 1917: Honoured Military Medal, Polygon Wood, For action in the field near Zonnebecke 29-9-1917. Recommendation 4-10-1917; Gazzetted London 17-12-1917.
3 Apr 1918: Honoured Military Medal and bar, Dernancourt/Ancre, For action in the field near Albert 3-4-1918. Recommendation 4-4-1918; Gazzetted London 16-7-1918.
3 Apr 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1904, 46th Infantry Battalion, Dernancourt/Ancre, Remaining on duty.
8 Aug 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1904, 46th Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens, 2nd occasion - GSW (knee)
11 Jun 1919: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, Australian Army Medical Corps WW1, Txfrd to A.A.M.C. Details; M/O to 1st AGH 9-7-1919.
15 Dec 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1904, Australian Army Medical Corps WW1

World War 2 Service

4 Oct 1939: Enlisted Private, V80330, Melbourne, Victoria
4 Oct 1939: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, V80330
17 Apr 1943: Discharged Sergeant, V80330, 6th Infantry Training Battalion

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Biography contributed by Karen Standen

Despite a checkered military career and personal life, no one can question Thomas William Driscoll’s courage and determination on the battlefield. His efforts in the First World War were formally recognised on two occasions.

Military Medal: On 29/9/1917 near ZONNEBEKE a shell buried a number of men; L/Cpl. DRISCOLL immediately organised a party to dig them out. Twice he and his party were covered with debris resulting from the continuous shelling, but succeeded in getting them out and saving the lives of two men.During the whole of the time in the line the route to the R.A.P. was heavily shelled day and night but by his organisation and example all the wounded were evacuated without delay although four of his detachment were wounded.

Bar to Military Medal: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the morning of April 3rd [1918] during an enemy attack on our positions near ALBRT. Private Driscoll, who is a stretcher bearer showed great devotion to duty by carrying in wounded men from the top of the Railway Embankment, and binding up their wounds. He made at least six trips to bring in wounded men, regardless of his own danger, and despite the fact that he was exposed to heavy frontal and enfilade machine gun fire. He continued working until late in the afternoon assisting to carry wounded to the R.A.P. His work is a striking example of devotion to duty.

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