D'ALTON, Howard Hubert
| Service Number: | 1597 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 December 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 52nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia, 21 December 1893 |
| Home Town: | Queenstown, West Coast, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Queenstown State School, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation: | Fireman |
| Died: | 31 October 1968, aged 74 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Carr Villa Memorial Park, Tasmania Monumental, Section A11, 263 |
| Memorials: | Queenstown State School WWI Roll of Honour, Tasmania (Launceston) Garden of Remembrance |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1597, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 1597, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 1597, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Melbourne | |
| 1 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Sep 1917: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches, For good work during period, 22/9/1917 to 24/2/1918 | |
| 10 May 1918: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Dernancourt/Ancre |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Howard Hubert "Hugh" D'Alton was born in Warracknabeal, in the wheat belt of Victoria. During 1899 the family moved to Queenstown, Tasmania, where Howard was employed as a fireman prior to enlisting.
D’Alton joined the 12th Battalion AIF in 1914 and fought at Gallipoli from May 1915 until the evacuation. His name was often recorded as Dalton.
He transferred to the 52nd Battalion and was promoted to Corporal and Sergeant during 1916. Howard was Specially Mentioned in the Dispatch of Sir Douglas Haig of 7 April 1918, for his work during early 1918.
Just after this he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal “For most gallant conduct and great devotion to duty. During the enemy attack on Dernancourt S.W. of Albert on 5th April 1918, this N.C.O.’s coolness, bravery and untiring energy were worthy of the highest praise. Bombing from a very exposed position, he was instrumental in preventing the enemy from gaining a footing on the Railway Embankment, and inspired the men about him by his great courage. Later, when the Company was forced by greatly superior numbers to give some ground, and when all his Officers were casualties, he took command and kept the men well in hand, displaying splendid judgement and leadership under the most trying circumstances.”
He was badly wounded in the side during this epic fight at Dernancourt and he was evacuated to England to recover. Near the end of 1918 he was returned to Australia on special ‘Anzac Leave’, a policy whereby men who been fighting since 1915 were returned to Australia first.
His brother, Talbot D’Alton 12th Battalion AIF, was killed in action during September 1918.
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