FINNIS, Henry Charles
| Service Number: | 1581 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 May 1915, Geelong, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Camberwell, Victoria, Australia, 14 March 1897 |
| Home Town: | Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Geelong High School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Scholar |
| Died: | 2 July 1959, aged 62 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Boroondara (Kew) General Cemetery, Victoria GDN 4 1 003B |
| Memorials: | Beechworth Christ Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 4 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, Geelong, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne | |
| 28 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 2 Apr 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd Division Signals, France | |
| 3 May 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1581, 2nd Division Signals, Bullecourt (Second) | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1581, 2nd Division Signals, Third Ypres | |
| 22 Jan 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 21st Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 1 Feb 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 21st Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 19 May 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, GSW to foot sustained at Ville sur Ancre (also recommended for MM). Rejoined unit 4 June 1918. | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens | |
| 1 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne | |
| 5 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1581, 21st Infantry Battalion, Montbrehain | |
| 13 Oct 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 24th Infantry Battalion, 21st Battalion was disbanded. | |
| 17 Jun 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, During the attack on MT. ST. QUENTIN North of PERONNE on 1st September 1918 these Non-Commissioned Officers [FINNIS and 263 F.V. PARKER] went forward with the attacking troops, laying a telephone wire as they went. | |
| 25 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1581, 24th Infantry Battalion, RTA 28 March 1919 and discharged (TPE). |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of H C Finnis, H M Gaol, Geelong, Victoria
Military Medal
'During the attack on MT. ST. QUENTIN North of PERONNE on 1st September 1918 these Non-Commissioned Officers [FINNIS and 263 F.V. PARKER] went forward with the attacking troops, laying a telephone wire as they went. They selected an excellent position for a forward Report Centre and by strenuous work and personal disregard of danger they soon established communication with the Companies. The lines were continually cut, but, regardless of artillery and machine gun fire, and very severe sniping, they maintained the lines for the two following days, working day and night to do so. The excellent communications enjoyed by the Battalion throughout the operation were almost entirely due to their personal pluck and splendid endurance.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919