AMESBURY, John Andrew
| Service Number: | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 April 1916, Quorn, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Machine Gun Battalion |
| Born: | Beltana, South Australia, 25 November 1891 |
| Home Town: | Lyndhurst, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Beltana School |
| Occupation: | Teamster |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 25 May 1918, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
La Motte-Brebiere Communal Cemetery La Notte-Brebiare Communal Cemetery West Side, La Motte-Brebiere Communal Cemetery, La Motte-Brebiere, Amiens, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Beltana & District WW1 Roll of Honor, Lyndhurst War Memorial |
Biography
3 Battalion
Citation for Military Medal, London Gazette Page 9613 position 1 reads
'On the night 2nd/3rd July, 1917, in the trenches east of MESSINES, the Company to which this man belongs was engaged in a minor operation against an enemy strong point, and two of his comrades were wounded. When the assaulting party withdrew, Privates AMESBURY and REES remained behind and drew the wounded men into a shell hole about 30 yards from the enemy strong point. Private REES set out for some stretchers, and Private AMESBURY immediately attended the wounded men. As the enemy were approaching Private AMESBURY kept up a rapid rifle fire on the advancing troops, and against the enemy strong point, although during the whole period he was subjected to heavy fire both from machine guns and bombs; but was able by his great effort to keep off the enemy, and this prevented them from capturing his comrades. In this action he displayed great coolness and bravery as he was opposed to much superior forces. A total of two Officers and forty men were engaged in this enterprise.'
Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Son of John Andrew and Mary Louisa Amesbury of Lyndhurst Siding, South Australia
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