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Australia

From: In Remembrance: Hungerford and Associated Families in the Great War 1914-1918

Maj Rupert Edward FANNING DSO
Officer - Permanent Forces (Lieutenant, Captain, Major)

Unit Name:   Field Artillery Brigade 4, Head-Quarters

Religion:   Church of England

Occupation:   Soldier
Address:   'Cooramin', Westbury Street, St Kilda, Vic.

Age at Enlistment:   26 years

Enlistment Date:   7 October 1915

Next of Kin:   Father, E. Fanning, 'Cooramin', Westbury Street,

St Kilda, Vic.

Rank on Enlistment:   LT (Orderly Officer)

Embarkation Details:   Unit embarked from Melbourne, Vic,

on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire, on 18 November 1915

Rank from Nominal Roll:   Major

Unit from Nominal Roll:   2nd Division Artillery

Campaigns Served:   Egypt; France; Belgium

War Service/Promotions:   He was a Gunner on 20 February 1910

and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, 20 February 1911, Australian Field Artillery. By 1 July 1912 he was in the 8th Battery A.F.A., attached to 5th Light Horse Brigade. On 20 February 1914 he was made a 2nd Lieutenant (Probationary) in the 2nd Battery Royal Australian Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F.; Lieutenant (Probationary) 30 October 1914 - 7 October 1915, 2nd Battery R.A.F.A.; Lieutenant (Orderly Officer): 8 October 1915 Head Quarters Staff, 4th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F. He disembarked at Suez, Egypt, 13 December 1915, and was transferred on 1 March 1916 to 5th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F. He was promoted to Captain on 12 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria, Egypt, to Marseilles, France on 25 March 1916. Attended School of Gunnery, Westcliffe, England from 18 January to 15 February 1917, rejoining his unit in France on that date, having been promoted to Major on 21 January 1917, Battery Commander, 14th Battery 5th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F. Major Fanning was Mentioned in Despatches, 9 April 1917. Awarded Distinguished Service Order on 3 June 1917. Between 7 July and 16 July 1918 he attended a Staff course at Clare College, Cambridge. Wounded in Action (1st occurrence) in France 20 July 1917 with gunshot wound to scalp, eventually being transferred to England on 26 July 1917, and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. Released from there to Perham Downs, Salisbury Plains, Wiltshire, on 20 August 1917. Returned to France on 28 August 1917, where he rejoined his unit on 31 August 1917. He was then Wounded in action (2nd occurrence) in Belgium on 15 October 1917 with shell gas, mustard. Transferred to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, France, and admitted to 35 General Hospital in Calais, France, on 16 October 1917, and from there to England on 15 November 1917 and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. On 16 February 1918 he returned to 3rd Division Artillery as Brigade Major Trainee, being fit for general service and returned to France 18 February 1918. Next promotion was to Honorary Captain on 3 June 1918, Australian Military Forces. Then 20 October 1918 to 31 October 1918, he became Brigade Major 3rd Division Artillery A.I.F. Evacuated sick to hospital, France, on 31 October 1918 with influenza. On 3 November 1917 admitted 8th General Hospital, Rouen, France. On 6 November 1918 embarked on Grantully Castle, to England and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital. Discharged from hospital on 6 January 1919, and proceeded overseas to France on 11 January 1919. On 20 January 1919 to 1 May 1919 Commanding Officer 7th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F. His appointment to A.I.F. was terminated on 29 September 1919.

Fate:   Returned to Australia per HT Orita, 23 June 1919, disembarking 6 August 1919. He married Marjorie Florence Lindeman, 21 February 1929, St Mark's Church, Darling Point, NSW. Rupert had a long a distinguished career in the Military. He was promoted to Colonel in 1952.

Place of Wounding:   (1) Gunshot wound, scalp, 20 July 1917, France. (2) Gassed (mustard shell), 15 October 1917, Belgium.

Place of Death:   17 May 1954, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic.

Place of Burial:   Ashes scattered at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Vic.

Medals/Citations:   1914/15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal

Recommendations (medals and awards):  Military Cross (Companion of the Distinguished Service Order awarded)

'A skilful and reliable officer having shown resource and consistent gallantry, his work always being of high standard and carried out in all circumstances.'

Recommendation date: 4 March 1917

D.S.O. awarded 3 June 1917 – 'As Officer Commanding 14th Battery has shown consistent gallantry and determination in effecting immediate registrations under heavy fire during the Somme operations.'

Source: Commonwealth Gazette, No. 169. (Date: 4 October 1917)

Mentioned in Despatches, 9 April 1917, Sir Douglas Haig Despatch P.S.C.T.