EARL, Roy
| Service Number: | 889 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 August 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Gosford, New South Wales, Australia , 9 November 1894 |
| Home Town: | Bunbury, Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Margret River, Western Australia, 1 February 1971, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Margaret River Cemetery Margaret River Cemetery Congregational Section |
| Memorials: | Bunbury Picton Roll of Honour, Bunbury Rathmines War Memorial, Carrieton Honour Roll, Carrieton War Memorial, Mallala Wild Horse Plains Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 889, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1914: | Involvement Private, 889, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1914: | Embarked Private, 889, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Fremantle | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 889, 11th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW to head, face and eye. | |
| 29 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 6 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 15 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 11 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 20 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, The Outpost Villages - German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line, 2nd April, Noreuil'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a party of machine gunners and bombers against the enemy, capturing three machine guns and several prisoners. His prompt action and gallantry removed a great danger, and undoubtedly saved many casulaties.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169 | |
| 4 Feb 1919: | Honoured Military Cross and bar, Villers-Bretonneux, At Villers Bretonneaux 24/25 April 1918. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer did excellent work with his platoon during the night counter attack. Finding the advance checked, he brought his platoon up to reinforce, and came across an enemy strong point with machine guns. He at once attacked this post with his Lewis gun and rifle bombing section, killing or capturing the garrison and capturing three machine guns. This work was carried out under very heavy fire, and he set a splendid example as a leader, his coolness and resource enabling the advance to continue.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 | |
| 10 May 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Honorary | |
| 16 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
Summary Roy Earl
Roy Earl was born 1894 in the district of Gosford New South Wales. Records show that he moved to Western Australia with his mother Sarah and father Henry where they took up farming at Glen Iris, Bunbury. He was the eldest son.
Roy enlisted on the 18.8.1914 at the age of 19 years with his address listed at as Glen iris Bunbury, farmer and his father Henry nominated as his next of kin.
He embarked from Fremantle on the 2.11.1914 aboard H.M.A.T. Ascanius as a private attached to 11th Battalion.
He landed at Gallipoli and on 2.5.1915 received a gunshot wound to his head. An article in the South Western Times on 8.7.1915 reports that he was “sniping”. The article reports that he was doing some sniping on the Wednesday morning after having no sleep from the Friday night when he got sniped himself. The bullet went through his peak cap and along the right side of the top of his head. He states he had a close shave or a closer haircut. He was evacuated and arrived in England on 12.5.1915 where he was sent to a hospital in Birmingham meeting up with several men from his battalion, one of them a John Salter late of the Bon Marche Bunbury.
He re-joined his battalion in Gallipoli on 6.9.1915. On the 29.2.1916 he was transferred to the 51st battalion and in March he was promoted to Corporal and a few days later promoted to Sergeant.
By July 1916 the battalion was fighting in the Somme and in August the battalion was fighting at Mouquet Farm Pozieres. On 11.10.1916 Earl was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the field.
In March 1917 the battalion moved to area near Noreuil leading up to the battle of Bullecourt. On the 2.4.1917 on an attack of Noreuil, Lieutenant Earl led a party of Lewis gunners and bombers. For this action he received the Military Cross.
Citation reads;
” On 2nd April 1917 during the advance and attack on NOREUIL, a part of the Battalion was temporarily checked by enemy Machine Guns in the SUNKEN ROAD from NOREUIL to LONGATTE. Lieut. EARL with a party of Lewis Gunners and Bombers got into the road on a flank, and put the three guns out of action, which were holding up the advance. These guns were captured and their Teams either killed or taken prisoners, two at the first gun being shot by Lieut. EARL with his revolver. He then mopped up the dugouts in the road in accordance with instructions previously given and subsequently established a strong post on the left of the road to protect our flank, which was exposed owing to the non-appearance of the troops on our Left. Lieut. EARL’s ready action and gallantry on this occasion removed a great danger and undoubtedly prevented many casualties “
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20.4.1917. Earl was later granted leave and return to England. After several leave periods and training Earl re-joined the battalion in the field in 4.4.1918.
On the night of the counter attack of Villers Bretonneux 24.4.1918 he was attached to “A” Company and was on the right flank of “C” Company where Sergeant Charlie Stokes was attached.
On the night of this counter attack Earl again led a party of Lewis gunners against a position of German machine guns and for this action he received the bar to his Military Cross.
” During a counter-attack by his Battalion South of VILLERS-BRETTONEUX on night 24th/25th April 1918 this officer did excellent work. When the advance was checked, with his platoon, he at once reinforced the Battalion left flank and on reconnoitring the position, he found an enemy strong post with Machine Guns. He at once led his Lewis Gun and Rifle Bombing Section and attacked the post, finally killing or capturing the Garrison and taking three Machine Guns. This work was carried out under very heavy machine Gun and rifle fire, and he set a splendid example as a leader, and his coolness and resourcefulness at a most serious and critical situation, made it possible for the advance to continue “.
After the battle of Villers Bretonneux Earl was granted leave and on 10.5.1919 was granted honorary rank of Captain. In July 1919 he returned to Australia and was discharged from the AIF in October 1919.
In June 1920 Earl married Dagmar Kihlgren at Saint David’s Church South Bunbury where they took up residence in Rathmines Bunbury. In May 1925 he was appointed as a football umpire and conducted umpiring duties throughout the South West of West Australia. Eventually they settled in Cowaramup near Margaret River where he worked for a bank.
From 1940 – 1944 Earl served with the AIF as a Captain with the Western Command Training Depot.
On 1.2.1971 Roy Earl passed away aged 77 years and he is buried in the Margaret River cemetery alongside of his wife Dagmar
Submitted 17 August 2019 by Geoff Tilley
Biography contributed by Geoff Tilley
Roy Earl was born 1894 in the district of Gosford New South Wales. Records show that he moved to Western Australia with his mother Sarah and father Henry where they took up farming at Glen Iris, Bunbury. He was the eldest son.
Roy enlisted on the 18.8.1914 at the age of 19 years with his address listed at as Glen iris Bunbury, farmer and his father Henry nominated as his next of kin.
He embarked from Fremantle on the 2.11.1914 aboard H.M.A.T. Ascanius as a private attached to 11th Battalion.
He landed at Gallipoli and on 2.5.1915 received a gunshot wound to his head. An article in the South Western Times on 8.7.1915 reports that he was “sniping”. The article reports that he was doing some sniping on the Wednesday morning after having no sleep from the Friday night when he got sniped himself. The bullet went through his peak cap and along the right side of the top of his head. He states he had a close shave or a closer haircut. He was evacuated and arrived in England on 12.5.1915 where he was sent to a hospital in Birmingham meeting up with several men from his battalion, one of them a John Salter late of the Bon Marche Bunbury.
He re-joined his battalion in Gallipoli on 6.9.1915. On the 29.2.1916 he was transferred to the 51st battalion and in March he was promoted to Corporal and a few days later promoted to Sergeant.
By July 1916 the battalion was fighting in the Somme and in August the battalion was fighting at Mouquet Farm Pozieres. On 11.10.1916 Earl was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the field.
In March 1917 the battalion moved to area near Noreuil leading up to the battle of Bullecourt. On the 2.4.1917 on an attack of Noreuil, Lieutenant Earl led a party of Lewis gunners and bombers. For this action he received the Military Cross.
Citation reads;
” On 2nd April 1917 during the advance and attack on NOREUIL, a part of the Battalion was temporarily checked by enemy Machine Guns in the SUNKEN ROAD from NOREUIL to LONGATTE. Lieut. EARL with a party of Lewis Gunners and Bombers got into the road on a flank, and put the three guns out of action, which were holding up the advance. These guns were captured and their Teams either killed or taken prisoners, two at the first gun being shot by Lieut. EARL with his revolver. He then mopped up the dugouts in the road in accordance with instructions previously given and subsequently established a strong post on the left of the road to protect our flank, which was exposed owing to the non-appearance of the troops on our Left. Lieut. EARL’s ready action and gallantry on this occasion removed a great danger and undoubtedly prevented many casualties “
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20.4.1917. Earl was later granted leave and return to England. After several leave periods and training Earl re-joined the battalion in the field in 4.4.1918.
On the night of the counter attack of Villers Bretonneux 24.4.1918 he was attached to “A” Company and was on the right flank of “C” Company.
On the night of this counter attack Earl again led a party of Lewis gunners against a position of German machine guns and for this action he received the bar to his Military Cross.
” During a counter-attack by his Battalion South of VILLERS-BRETTONEUX on night 24th/25th April 1918 this officer did excellent work. When the advance was checked, with his platoon, he at once reinforced the Battalion left flank and on reconnoitring the position, he found an enemy strong post with Machine Guns. He at once led his Lewis Gun and Rifle Bombing Section and attacked the post, finally killing or capturing the Garrison and taking three Machine Guns. This work was carried out under very heavy machine Gun and rifle fire, and he set a splendid example as a leader, and his coolness and resourcefulness at a most serious and critical situation, made it possible for the advance to continue “.
After the battle of Villers Bretonneux Earl was granted leave and on 10.5.1919 was granted honorary rank of Captain. In July 1919 he returned to Australia and was discharged from the AIF in October 1919.
In June 1920 Earl married Dagmar Kihlgren at Saint David’s Church South Bunbury where they took up residence in Rathmines Bunbury. In May 1925 he was appointed as a football umpire and conducted umpiring duties throughout the South West of West Australia. Eventually they settled in Cowaramup near Margaret River where he worked for a bank. From 1940 – 1944 Earl served with the AIF as a Captain with the Western Command Training Depot.
On 1.2.1971 Roy Earl passed away aged 77 years and he is buried in the Margaret River cemetery alongside of his wife Dagmar. They had 4 children. Earl’s parents are buried in the Bunbury Cemetery.
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