BRITTEN, Joseph
| Service Numbers: | 4068, 4068A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 November 1915, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 5th Divisional Ammunition Column |
| Born: | Bega, New South Wales, June 1892 |
| Home Town: | Bega, Bega Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Bega Public School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Ypres, Belgium, 6 October 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery Plot I, Row C, Grave 10, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bega District School WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Nov 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4068, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Mar 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4068, 17th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Mar 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4068, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of England, Sydney | |
| 6 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Driver, 4068A, 5th Divisional Ammunition Column, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4068A awm_unit: 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column awm_rank: Driver awm_died_date: 1917-10-06 |
Help us honour Joseph Britten's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Father John BRITTEN and Mother Emma BRITTEN,
lived at Bega, New South Wales
Sister: Evaline Britten, lived at Corp Street, Garfield, Bega, NSW
Best mate:
4128 Private James Augustine Hanscombe MM - 17th Battalion.
Pte Hanscombe was later awarded the Military Medal (MM) for attempting to
rescue Pte Britten, who was killed in action.
Joseph was described on enlisting as 23 years 5 months of age; single; 5' 5.5" tall;
134 lbs; fresh complexion; grey eyes; dark brown hair; Church of England
09/11/1915 enlisted with James Hanscombe in Sydney, NSW
08/03/1916 Both farmers of Bega NSW, they embarked together with the
17th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcements
from Sydney, NSW onboard HMAT Star of England A15
17/04/1916 taken on strength of 5th Divisional Ammunition Column (5 DAC)
and mustered Gunner, Ferry Post East
16/05/1916 appointed Driver
16/06/1916 proceeded overseas to join British Expeditionary Forces, ex Alexandria
onboard HMT Knight Templar
25/06/1916 disembarked into Marseilles, France
17/07/1916 to 15th Field Artillary Brigade, Etaples, France
05/12/1916 sick with Myalgia - admitted to 14 Ambulance Train
08/12/1916 bronchitis - admitted to 1st General Hospital, Etretat
22/12/1916 transferred to England
23/12/1916 admitted to Military Hospital, England
12/04/1917 Driver proceeded overseas to France, ex Folkestone
marched into Etaples, France
18/04/1917 marched out to 5th Divisional Australian Field Artillery
20/04/1917 taken on strength 5 DAC, in the field
20/04/1917 re-allotted regimental number 4068A
Driver Hanscombe's MM was awarded for bravery and devotion to duty, although heavily shocked, while delivering ammunition along the Menin Road whilst the column was being heavily shelled.
06/10/1917 killed in action whilst delivering ammunition
buried at: Birr Cross Roads Cemetery at Zillebeke, Belgium
Plot I, Row C, Grave 10
His name is commemorated on Panel 21 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
His name is commemorated in St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Bega, NSW.
Medals: British War medal (33449), Victory medal (33217) and
Memorial Plaque and Scroll (334172)
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 12/01/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.