Ambrose Stanley VARLEY MC

VARLEY, Ambrose Stanley

Service Number: 21
Enlisted: 9 March 1916, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery
Born: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 1890
Home Town: Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Engineer
Died: Queensland, Australia, 21 March 1951, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland
Bed 7, Area 15
Memorials: Cook's Hill Superior Public School , Hamilton St. Peter's Anglican Church Honor Roll, Newcastle Surf Club Life Saving Brigade Honor Roll
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World War 1 Service

9 Mar 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 21, 9th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW
4 May 1916: Embarked Driver, 21, 9th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, HMAT Marathon, Sydney
4 May 1916: Involvement Driver, 21, 9th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: ''
9 Jun 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery
22 Apr 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Accidental. Multiple wounds
25 Apr 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Second occasion. Gassed.
1 Feb 1919: Honoured Military Cross, Citations reads: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Bray, on 22nd August 1918. When the infantry were suffering heavily after reaching their first objective from fire of all descriptions, he dashed forward with his mortar and gun team to within 100 yards of the village, and effectively engaged the enemy machine guns and trench mortars. When his men had to fetch more ammunition he ran forward 50 yards and brought a deserted minesweeper into action, silencing a sniper and machine gun. His energy and courage set a splendid example to all ranks. London Gazette on 1 February 1919, page 1738, position 8. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 June 1919, page 951, position 9
11 May 1920: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery, Discharged at the 2nd Military District

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Biography contributed by Carol Foster

Son of George H. Varley and Eleanor Josephine Varley of Gordon Street, Hamilton, Newcastle, NSW. Brother of Clement Varley who returned to Australia having served with the Australian Flying Corps.

Commenced return to Australia on 19 December 1919 aboard HT Matatau 

Medals: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Husband of Helen Varley nee Carlyle-Butler. Ambrose and Helen married in QLD on 24 December 1932