CUSHING, Hugh O'Neill
| Service Number: | 29719 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 April 1916, Ararat, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 10th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Lake Goldsmith, Beaufort, Victoria, Australia, 10 December 1870 |
| Home Town: | Beaufort, Pyrenees, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Lake Goldsmith School & Holy Ghost College, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 13 September 1917, aged 46 years |
| Cemetery: |
Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord Pas de Calais, France Plot I, Row B, Grave 30 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Beaufort War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 29719, Ararat, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Oct 1916: | Involvement Driver, 29719, Australian Field Artillery - 116th to 120th Howitzer Batteries: AIF, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 3 Oct 1916: | Embarked Driver, 29719, Australian Field Artillery - 116th to 120th Howitzer Batteries: AIF, HMAT Aeneas, Melbourne | |
| 10 Jan 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Driver, 4th Divisional Ammunition Column | |
| 23 Feb 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Driver, 10th Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 13 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Driver, 29719, 10th Field Artillery Brigade , Multiple sharpnel wounds |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Hugh O'Neill CUSHING was born in Beaufort, Victoria in 1871
His parents were Hugh CUSHING & Bridget MEEHAN
Biography contributed by Michael Silver
The Melbourne Advocate reported on 13 October 1917 that sorrow and gloom spread over Beaufort and district when the news came that Driver Hugh O'Neill Cushing (previously reported wounded and dangerously ill) had died of many wounds at the 37th Clearing Station, France, on 13th September. The deceased soldier was born at Lake Goldsmith on 10th December, 1870, and was the third son of the late Cr. Hugh Cushing and of Mrs. B. Cushing, of Lake Goldsmith. On finishing his education at the Holy Ghost College (now St. Patrick's), Ballarat, he spent a few years farming near Beulah, in connection with his brothers, afterwards settling at Stock Yard Hill and Lake Goldsmith.
Noble and upright in his business dealings, keen, practical, and industrious on his farm — the stamp of man this country so much needs. He sacrificed all, not because he wished to go, but because of his stern sense of duty.
After some months' training at Maribyrnong, he left in October, 1916, with the 119th Howitzer Battery. On their arrival in England they found some of their batteries duplicated, and he transferred as driver, and left for France on 30th December, in the D.A.C. He was with the 38th Battery since March, and, writing to his sister on July 30th, he said that the battery had been in all the heavy engagements, and that, in the course of a few weeks, they would read of the heaviest battles of the war — in one of which his brave life was to end.
A most edifying and devout lover of our Holy Church, a model son and devoted brother to his only sister and brothers, a staunch and true friend, a kind and obliging neighbour, the memory of Driver Cushing will live with all who knew and loved him. A loyal Irish Australian, he longed lor his furlough to visit Ireland — his parents' birthplace, and the homes and tombs of the O'Neills, of whom, through his father, he was a descendant. However, God had willed otherwise. The greatest sympathy has been showered on his stricken relatives by the clergy and laity all over the State, and sympathetic messages have been received from Sir Alex. Peacock, Beaufort Agricultural Society (of which Driver Cushing was a member), and from Captain Sinclair, London, who cabled expressing his deepest sorrow. May his soul and all thie souls of the faithful departed rest In peace.
Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152182539
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