LEBNER, Henry William
| Service Number: | 1640 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 April 1916, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 38th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Walwa, Victoria, Australia, 17 December 1890 |
| Home Town: | Corryong, Towong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Corryong, Victoria, Australia, 2 July 1979, aged 88 years |
| Cemetery: |
Corryong Cemetery, Victoria |
| Memorials: | Corryong State School No 1309 Honor Roll, Corryong and District Avenue of Honour Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 May 1916: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 1640, 37th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' |
|
| 27 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1640, 37th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Melbourne | |
| 1 Jul 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 1640, 37th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1640, 38th Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1 |
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Discharged from Service on 27 Jul 1919
Biography contributed by Stephen Learmonth
Henry William Lebner was born on 17th December 1890 in Walwa, Victoria, to Charles Lebner and Caroline, nee Schneider.
On 4th April 1916, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 25-year-old farmer from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 1640 and placed in the 1st Reinforcements for the 37th Battalion. Henry gave his next of kin as mother, Caroline Lebner. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius at Melbourne, Victoria, on 2nd May 1916.
During the three years that Henry was enlisted, he remained with the 37th Battalion while fighting on the Western Front. Two months prior to the action described below, Henry was wounded and spent the next few weeks recovering
Harry’s citation for his Military Medal read as follows:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, East of RONSSOY on 29th. September 1918. Owing to his O.C. Becoming [sic] a casualty he acted as Platoon Commander and with splendid initiative, led his men forward under intense machine gun and shell fire. It was largely due to his skill that his company was enabled to advance without suffering the heavy casualties which appeared to be inevitable. His coolness and courage and throughout the action were of the highest Order [sic] and had the most beneficial effect on the morale of the men of his company.”
One month after this action, Henry was transferred to the 38th Battalion and then given two months' leave in the United Kingdom. He would not return to France.
On 30th April 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HT Karagola, with the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged on 27th July 1919, being awarded the Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.
Henry married Gwenneth Mathieson Gay in 1926. He passed away on the 30th June 1979 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Corryong Cemetery.
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