CRUICKSHANK, George Albert Johnston
| Service Number: | 7543 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 July 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 5th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | St Leonards, New South Wales, 12 December 1890 |
| Home Town: | Manly, Manly Vale, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Gordon's School, Turramurra |
| Occupation: | Builder |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Laviéville, France, 24 April 1918, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Ribemont, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Manly War Memorial NSW |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 7543, 5th Field Artillery Brigade , Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Gunner, 7543, 5th Field Artillery Brigade , Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Gunner, 7543, 5th Field Artillery Brigade , HMAT Persic, Sydney | |
| 24 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 7543, 5th Field Artillery Brigade , Villers-Bretonneux, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 7543 awm_unit: 5th Australian Field Artillery Brigade awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1918-04-24 |
Help us honour George Albert Johnston Cruickshank's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
Enlisted in the AIF in WW1 at Liverpool, NSW. (N 7543) on the 28 July 1915. Served 15th and 5th Field Artillery Brigades in France.
Age: 23 years 7 months
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 126lbs
Chest: 34-36"
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey (Good)
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Embarked - Sydney, NSW, HMAT A34 Persic on 18 November 1915 with 5th Field Artillery Brigade (NSW) 2nd Div
Promoted to Bombardier - 1 July 1916.
Awarded the Military Medal (MM) on the 7 November 1916.
Promoted to Corporal - 19 January 1918.
Promoted to Sargeant - 9 February 1918.
CRUICKSHANK, Sergt. George Albert, 7543, M.M. 5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery. Killed in action 24th April, 1918. Age 26. Son of George and Elsie Rennie CRUICKSHANK, of 24, Foreman St., Tempe, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales. IV. F. 10.
From "Find A Grave" website:-
Birth: 1891
North Sydney
New South Wales, Australia
Death: Apr. 24, 1918
Son of George C. and Elsie Rene Cruickshank of 24 Foreman Street, Tempe, NSW. He enlisted in the AIF on 28/7/1915 and embarked at Sydney for active service abroad on 18/11/1915 per HMAT "Persic" (A34). He was killed in action, aged 26 years.
Copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20th October 1916 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by No. 7543, Bombardier G. A. Cruickshank, 5th Field Artillery Brigade.
AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL.
"HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the M military Medal fro bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer:-
No. 7543, Bombardier GEORGE ALBERT CRUICKSHANK."
5th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery - Service No. 7543
"ROLL OF HONOUR
CRUICKSHANK.- Killed in action April 24 1918. Sergeant-major George A. Cruickshank, M.M., 35th Battery, 5th Artillery Brigade, 2nd Division, loved mate of Driver T.C. Adrian, 14th Battery (on active service).
He lived a noble life.
And died a hero's death.
Sacrificing his life for
The future of the world.
Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. John Adrian, Manly." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 16 Jul 1918
Family links:
Parents: George C Cruickskank (1861 - 1934) and Elsie Cruickshank (1863 - 1920)
Burial: Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension
Ribemont-sur-Ancre
Departement de la Somme
Picardie, France
Plot: IV. F. 10.
Response from Australian War Memorial regarding location of his death and burial:
"In regard to the question of why Sergeant Cruickshank was buried so far from where he died, his unit would have been fighting around the Hamel area at the time of his death. The unit diaries around the time of his death mention a town called Lavieville. You can read more about this place here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavi%C3%A9ville As you can see, that area is really very close to where he was buried. It is actually nowhere near Bailleul. The eyewitness account in the Red cross file says it was Hill 63 but these accounts are notorious for being inaccurate. The diaries don't reflect that position at all.
Knowing this, the Roll of Honour entry won't need to be amended so I will let them know the outcome. I had previously referred your email to them and they were looking into it.
I hope this clears it up for you but you are welcome to get back to us if you have further questions or information.
Yours sincerely
Shelley Blakely
Reference officer
Australian War Memorial"
Click images to start slideshow.