BIRTLES, Charles Alfred
| Service Number: | 2117 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 July 1915, Liverpool, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 19th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hurdle Flat, Beechworth, Vic., 30 June 1889 |
| Home Town: | Enmore, Inner West Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer / Carpenter |
| Died: | Coronary Arteriosclerosis, Canberra, ACT, 13 December 1956, aged 67 years |
| Cemetery: |
Woden (Canberra) Public Cemetery, ACT |
| Memorials: | Beechworth Christ Church Honour Roll, Beechworth Shire WW1 Honour Roll, Canberra Australian War Memorial Officers of the 19th Battalion Pictorial Honour Roll, Orange Officers of the 19th Battalion Pictorial Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2117, 19th Infantry Battalion, Liverpool, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2117, 19th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2117, 19th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney |
Help us honour Charles Alfred Birtles's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of S BIRTLES, Beechworth, Vic.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his Lewis gun with the greatest skill throughout the operations, and was largely responsible for breaking up an enemy attack.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169
Date: 4 October 1917
Military Medal
'During the attack east of ZONNEBEKE on 9th October, 1917, Sergeant BIRTLES was in charge of the Lewis Guns of his Company and moved forward to attack the enemy in DAISY WOOD. He showed courage and initiative of highest order in moving from gun to gun during heaviest enemy shelling picking targets and giving covering fire. Although wounded in the arm he continued regardless of his own condition and safety to carry out the work of engaging the enemy with great accuracy of fire. His splendid example was largely responsible for the success of the operations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918
Charles enjoyed Rugby, Riding and Wrestling
Husband of Edna Margaret BIRTLES, 11 Ashford Strret, Canterbury, NSW
Collapsed On
Way To Work
A 69-year-old man collapsed while riding his bicycle to work yesterday. He was Mr. Charles Alfred Birtles, of Giles Street, Kingston. The Canberra Ambulance conveyed him to the Canberra Community Hospital, but he was dead on arrival. Mr. Birtles collapsed in King George Terrace, near Parliament House. He was a doorman at the office of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, where he had orked since 1953.
BIRTLES, Charles Alfred.
—Suddenly, at Canberra, Charles Alfred Birtles, D.C.M. and M.M., 1st A.I.F., of 39 Giles Street, Kingston. Loving husband of Stella and fond father of Margaret (Mrs. Colbran, of England) and John, of Sydney. Aged 69 years.
Died After Fall
From Cycle
A man who collapsed and died near Parliament House when riding his bicycle to work on December 13, was found yesterday to have died from coronary arteriosclerosis. He was Charles Alfred Birtles, aged 69, of Giles Street, Kingston. The finding was returned by the Coroner, Mr. F. C. P. Keane. Daniel Hayes, insurance agent, of Haley Street, Ainslie, said he was riding his bicycle in front of Parliament House, in the direction of Barton, when he noticed a cyclist about 30 yards away riding towards him. A car passed the cyclist, who, Hayes noticed, was falling from the bicycle to wards the centre of the road. When Hayes approached him on the road way, he appeared to be in a type of fit. He asked a motorist to call an ambulance, and he waited until Birtles was taken away.
Click images to start slideshow.