CULTON, David John
| Service Number: | 5810 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 21st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kewell, Victoria, Australia, April 1880 |
| Home Town: | Rupanyup, Yarriambiack, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Concordia College, Murtoa, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Storekeeper |
| Died: | Killed in action, Belgium, 21 September 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Poelcapelle British Cemetery Plot IX, Row A, Grave No. 16. A DEVOTED SON & BROTHER THY WILL BE DONE |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Rupanyup "Killed in Action" Roll of Honour, Rupanyup Masonic Lodge No 118 V.C. Great War Roll of Honor, Rupanyup Memorial Hall Great War Honour Roll, Rupanyup Recreation Reserve Memorial Gates, Rupanyup St. Phillip Anglican Church Great War Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 15 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5810, 22nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 5810, 22nd Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 5810, 22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne | |
| 21 Sep 1917: | Involvement Corporal, 5810, 21st Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 5810 awm_unit: 21st Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-09-21 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
David John Culton was the son of Janet Culton and the late William Culton. He was born at Rupanyup, Victoria, and was associated with the area. His father William had passed away in 1903 when he was 23 years of age. The Culton family ran a general store in Rupanyup for many years. The store unfortunately burnt to the ground during July 1915. David enlisted in 1916 and gave his occupation as storekeeper.
His older brother, Lt. William James Culton 40th Battalion AIF, had been killed in action during a raid on German trenches near Armentieres on 12 February 1917, aged 39.
David had been a Lieutenant in the CMF Rangers for 12 years. On 3 Feb 1917 he obtained 1st Class qualification having a “fair knowledge of Lewis Gun”. He joined his Battalion in France during February 1917, was promoted to Corporal and was killed on 21 September 1917 during the Battle of Menin Ridge. His death was witnessed by a number of Australians, as he was hit by a shell fragment near a pillbox called Anzac House. He was a large man, almost six feet and fourteen stone, and wore a moustache. David was originally buried in Garter Point Cemetery close by which was later destroyed by shell fire, all trace of grave obliterated. After the erection of a memorial cross, his body was located and reburied at Poelcapelle British Cemetery.
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