AHERN, Francis Daniel
| Service Number: | 2382 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 March 1916, Charters Towers, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Rockhampton, Queensland, 11 October 1874 |
| Home Town: | Hughenden, Flinders, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Queensland, 21 September 1950, aged 75 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2382, Charters Towers, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2382, 47th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Seang Choon, Brisbane | |
| 19 Sep 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2382, 47th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Choon embarkation_ship_number: A49 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Jun 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Aug 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Sep 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 12th Machine Gun Company, Attached to duty | |
| 28 Mar 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, Dernancourt/Ancre, "...this soldier displayed great determination and doggedness..." | |
| 6 Apr 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 12th Machine Gun Company | |
| 25 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 8 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2382, 48th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
'AHERN, Francis Daniel, M.M. L.-Cpl., No. 2382. Born at Rockhampton, Q. Enlisted at Hughenden on 13th March, 1916, at the age of 41 years. Left for overseas on 9th September with 5th Reinf. 4th Battn. Sent to France in May, 1917, and transferred to the 15th Battn., then back to the 47th Battn. Took part in the battles of Messines, Passchendaele, Hollebeck, Villiers Brettoneaux, and Dernacourt. Awarded the Military Medal on the 6th April, 1918, at Dernacourt. Transferred to 48th Battn. in May, 1918, owing to the disbandment of the 47th Battn. Arrived back in Australia in March, 1919, and discharged on 8th April, 1919.' from Queenslanders Who Fought in the Great War. (nla.gov.au)
Awarded the Military Medal (www.awm.gov.au)
"At DERNANCOURT, S.W. of ALBERT on night March 28th 1918 this soldier displayed great determination and doggedness in holding for 48 hours a very important tactical position with a Lewis Gun. Exposed to enemy machine gun and snipers continuously. His crew all became casualties, but he maintained his gun in position and action and beside safe-guarding the line, inflicted severe losses on the enemy. The position was such that he could not afford to leave it for a minute to get fresh men or assistance until relieved." - Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185 Date: 27 November 1918
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