Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Horace SHUTTLEWORTH

Military Medal

'East of Glencorse Wood during the period 25th to 27th September (1917) Private Shuttleworth showed greatest coolness and courage in carrying out the duty as runner. Owing to many casualties in runners Private Shuttleworth constantly day and night passed through heavy enemy barrages, both forward to the front line and back to Brigade with messages and enabled us to keep the Artillery and Brigade Headquarters advised of the situation. His courage and devotion to duty was of the highest order and deserves recognition.'

Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31

Date: 7 March 1918

The Bendigo Independent reported in mid December, 1917the following : - Information came to hand in a letter dated October 19, received by Mr. and Mrs. Shuttleworth, of Nelson Street, California Gully, from their son, Pte. Horace Shuttleworth to the effect that he had gained the Military Medal for good workin the field. Pte. Shuttleworth, although a native of California Gully, enlisted in Ballarat in 1915, at the time being employed by Messrs. Cuthbert, Morrow and Must, solicitors. He sailed on the 28th November, 4 94 5, and after spending some time in training in Egypt, he was transferred to France June,1916, and with the exception of 10 days' leave in England, has been there ever since, in recent letters received from him by his parents, he stated that he was a despatch runner, and probably it was for this work that he gained the distinction. He was a member of the A.N.A. and was closely connected with the Eaglehawk Baptist Sunday school, and played with the latter's cricket team for a long period. He also followed up the game, in Ballarat, having played with the leading teams. Pte. Shuttleworth was 23 years of age last May, and was known throughout the district, and the news of his honor will be greeted by his many friends.[1]     

Horace Shuttleworth enlisted on September 10, 1914 in Ballarat just a month after the war had been declared. His father Charles in Bendigo would sign a letter of consent. Horace would go into camp with the 14th Infantry Battalion at Broadmeadows however; he would be discharged on November 2nd. Horace would enlist again on July 12, 1915 and this time with the 12th Reinforcements of the 7th Battalion. They would embark on November 23, 1915 believing they would be joining their fellow 7th veterans fighting on the cliffs of the Dardanelles. They would arrive in Egypt in January 1916 to find the Gallipoli survivors progressively returning from the fateful campaign. Horace would be reassigned to the newly formed 57th Battalion, part of the 15th Brigade led by already renowned Lieutenant Colonel Harold (Pompey) Elliot.  

In June 1916, Horace would leave the sand, flies and heat of training camp in Egypt with the 57th bound for the western front in France. The 57th Battalion would provide a support role in the disastrous Fromelles campaign in the second half of 1916 and then in 1917 the battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Following this the battalion took part in the second battle of Bullecourt. Later in the year, the AIF's focus of operations switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 57th's major battle here was at Polygon Wood on 26 September. It was here that Horace was recognised for his brave acts of delivering crucial messages to the front line.

Horace would remain in the front serving with the 57th in the major battles of 1918 through to their final assault on the Hindenburg Line at the St Quentin Canal in late September. He would be promoted to Lance Corporal in early May and then Corporal after the Armistice in late November. He would return to England to be demobilised in early 1919 to return home to Australia arriving May 22, 1919. 

SERVICE DETAILS:

Regimental No. 3921

Place of birth: Eaglehawk Victoria

Religion: Baptist

Occupation:                  Clerk

Address: Nelson Street, California Gully, Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 20

Next of kin:                  Father, Charles Shuttleworth, Nelson Street, California, Gully, Bendigo

Enlistment date: Sept 10, 1914 - 12 July 1915

Unit name: 7th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement, & 57th Battalion

Embarked: HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915

Final Rank: Corporal

Fate: Returned to Australia, May 22, 1919

East of Glencorse Wood during the period 25th to 27th September

The attack commenced at 5.50am 26 September 1917 with the Australian 4th and 5th Divisions and 5 British divisions following an artillery barrage on a 10 kilometre front. The Australian 4th and 5th Divisions were responsible for a front of about 2,500 metres. All northern objectives were taken while on the southern front captured all their objectives as well as some objectives assigned to X Corps. One of the main objectives was Polygon Wood Butts, which in peacetime was the Ypres district rifle range. From the Butts the Germans commanded an excellent view of all targets with their machine guns. This was also taken.

This was designed as the second blow of the Ypres battle. Casualties on both sides were about equal. The Australian 4th Division captured all its objectives and sustained 1,717 casualties. The more heavily engaged Australian 5th Division suffered 5,471 dead and wounded. The Allied forces where now in a position to strike at the main Broodseinde ridge.[2]

[1] Bendigo Independent Dec 15, 1917                                         AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL. - PTE. H SHUTTLEWORTH. 

[2] Anzacs in France Website http://www.anzacsinfrance.com/1917/