Joseph BRITTEN

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
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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

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Biography 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.

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