Lawrence Ernest VERNAZONI DCM

VERNAZONI, Lawrence Ernest

    Service Number: 1576
    Enlisted: 5 April 1915, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    Last Rank: Sergeant
    Last Unit: 20th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Christchurch, New Zealand, 1893
    Home Town: Bondi Junction , New South Wales
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Clerk
    Died: New Zealand, 19 October 1972, cause of death not yet discovered
    Cemetery: Christchurch (Bromley) Cemetery NZ
    Block 5, Grave 96
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    5 Apr 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Liverpool, NSW
    6 Jun 1915: Embarked Corporal, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Sydney
    6 Jun 1915: Involvement Corporal, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''
    12 Jun 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Shell shock.
    31 Jul 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Second occasion. Shell shock
    2 May 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Shell wound to the right thigh
    20 Sep 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Fourth occasion. Buried by a shell causing injuries to his back
    20 Nov 1917: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. when his platoon officer had become a casualty, took charge at a critical moment, controlling the men and leading them on. It was largely due to his fearlessness that an enemy "pill box" was successfully dealt with. Throughout he showed himself to be a fine leader, and inspired his men by his fearlessness and determination. London Gazette on 6 February 1918, page 1752, position 8. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 June 1918, page 1398, position 2
    22 Dec 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, Australian Corps School (AIF), From 20th Battalion
    28 Mar 1918: Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, 20th Infantry Battalion, From Australian Corps School
    23 Oct 1918: Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1576, 20th Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 2nd Military District as medically unfit due to shell shock

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    Biography contributed by Carol Foster

    Address at the time of enlistment was given as C/- Mrs Harper of Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, NSW.

    Next of kin given as his sister Viola Vernazoni of Alymer Street, Spraydon, Christchurch, NZ

    Commenced return to Australia on 8 August 1918 aboard HT Carpentaria disembarking on 5 October 1918

    Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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