Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

EMONSON, Keith Glanfield

Military Cross

Armentieres December 1916.

"Amidst a shower of enemy bombs he coolly and courageously directed his men in the defence of his section of the trench against a raiding party superior in numbers until he fell seriously wounded. His example so inspired his men that the raid was completely repulsed".

Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116

Date: 25 July 1917

 The Bendigo Advertiser reported:-                                             'LIEUT, KEITH EMONSON of the 38th Battalion, who was awarded the Military Cross for bravery whilst resisting an enemy raid on the Australian trenches. Lieutenant Emonson, whose parents formerly resided at Charleston Road, Bendigo and now of 27 Neptune street. St. Kilda is the first member of both the 38th Battalion and of the 10th Brigade to win the Military Cross. Lieutenant Emonson, before going to the front, was an officer of the 67th Infantry at Bendigo and as a trainee had also been connected with the senior cadets of Area 67B. Lieutenant Emonson was badly wounded in the action, which won for him the Military Cross.'[1]

Keith Emonson entered the AIF as a Sergeant reflecting his period of cadet training prior to the war. His enlistment paper indicates he was an Engine Driver, passing the Board of Examiners requirements in 1914.[2]

Local newspaper reports and Commission papers suggest at the time of enlistment he was assisting in the management of the family’s Soap factory (Kitchen’s Soap). Although, just aged 21, he would gain a Commission as an officer (2nd Lieutenant) in August 1916 as the Third Division trained in the AIF camps of Southern England.

The 38th Battalion was known as the ‘Bendigo Battalion’ and arrived to the front lines December 1916, just nine days before Keith and a party of B Company soldiers repelled a German attack.

The Bendigo Advertiser published a letter from Keith in November 1916: - In letters by the last mail to his mother Lieutenant Emonson relates his experiences both on water, in camp, and during four days leave spent in London. Lieutenant Emonson says he met "Billy" Darwin a few minutes after landing in London, also Mr A. J. Hampson M.P. later at the Commonwealth offices. He also spent an evening with a daughter of Mr. Roberts of Robert's foundry. Speaking of the way in which our men are treated he says: -"It is Australians first always. I was fortunate in seeing the captured mine-laying submarine which was lying in the Thames and was viewed by countess thousands. I was very interested in the methods of locomotion, especially the tube under-ground railways. The country is so beautiful that I could not describe it. I am in the best health and strength and who could wish for more?"

Whilst at Salisbury Plain, Lieutenant Fred. Morrison, well known as a popular officer of the 67th Bendigo Infantry was attached to headquarters as a signal officer thus leaving a vacancy, which was filled by Lieutenant Emonson formally a lieutenant in the 67th infantry, who, having volunteered as a private and left Australia as a company sergeant-major, Well deserved the promotion.[3]

Keith Emonson’s injuries were severe and listed as a gunshot wound to head thorax and right arm. He would return home to Australia following treatment in England in March 1917. He would return to Australia in mid March 1917.

AWM Entry accompanying photo:

Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Keith Glanfield Emonson MC, 38th Battalion, of Bendigo, Victoria. 2nd Lt Emonson was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry for his actions at Armentieres on the night of 8/9 December 1916.[4]

SERVICE DETAILS:

Service Number: 543

Born: January 18, 1895 Sydney

Religion: Church of England

School: Gravel Hill School 

Occupation: Engine driver, Assistant Factory Manager

Address: Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 20

Next of kin: Father, Henry Emonson, Strickland Road, East Bendigo

Enlistment date: 22 November, 1915

Rank on enlistment: Sergeant

Final rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Unit name: 38th & 39th Battalion

Embarked: HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916

Fate: Returned to Australia, March 17, 1917

Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116
Date: 25 July 1917

According to the ‘History of the 38th Battalion’ by Eric Fairey, the 38th had only just arrived at the front and this action was possibly the first encounter with the enemy. 

‘On the night of the 10th December, the observers on Lewis Gun posts in the trench occupied by B Company became suspicious that barbed wire entanglements which protected the trench were being cut. An occasional click could be heard in ‘No Man’s Land’, and presently a shadowy form was observed moving cautiously about in the dark. A Verey light was sent up to illuminate the neighborhood under suspicion, and revealed a Bosche rapidly seeking cover in a shell hole. Shots were fired at him and immediately enemy trench mortars made things lively for B Company men. The shells crashed about the trench for three long minutes. A Lewis gun was put out of action and a bombing post was blown in. Directly the shelling ceased about twelve Bosche rushed the parapet and bombed the trench, but cool and determined men quickly drove them off with rifle fire into the blackness of No Man’s Land. Second Lieutenant K.G Emonson (sic), Trench officer, and three other ranks were wounded whilst pluckily defending their position and routing the enemy. The plucky Lieutenant was awarded the first Military Cross won in the Division.’ [5] 

[1] Bendigo Advertiser, March 13, 1917. P.5
[2] The Bendigo Independent, Tue 6 Oct 1914  Page 6  ENGINE DRIVERS.
[3] Bendigo Advertiser Wed 15 Nov 1916  Page 8  LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS.
[4] Auatralian War Memorial Collection. AWM2016.45.5
[5] ‘History of the 38th Battalion’ by Eric Fairey, Published by Bendigo Advertiser & the Cambridge Press, Bendigo. P. 11