GILLESPIE, Andrew Bannockburn
| Service Number: | VX12419 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 April 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Glasgow, Scotland, 27 June 1914 |
| Home Town: | Red Cliffs, Mildura Shire, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Truck Driver |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Crete, Greece, 21 May 1941, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Suda Bay War Cemetery (Souda Bay) Greece Plot 1, Row A, Grave 16 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX12419 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX12419, 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion | |
| 21 May 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX12419, 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Andrew Bannockburn GILLESPIE was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 27th June, 1914
His parents were James Peter GILLESPIE & Minnie DEWSTON who married in New Zealand on 5th November, 1903
He enlisted in Caulfield, Victoria on 18th April, 1940 with the 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion
Andrew died of wounds in Crete, Greece on 21st May, 1941 and is buried in the Suda Bay War Cemetery
Biography contributed by Vanessa WAY
Andrew Bannockburn Gillespie, son of James Peter GILLESPIE and Minnie DEWSTOW, was born on 27 June 1914 in Glasgow. He moved with his older brother & sister to live in Dunoon, Arrgyllshire with their Great Aunt Gillespie. He left on 9 May 1934 from Southhampton for Australia with his sister Jennie.
He never married. During the 2nd world war he join up and served in Greece. Advancing to a small creek, the patrol observed two enemy behind cover. While one section engaged these two, the remaining sections moved left to flank to engage possible ememy potitions.
They immediately came under LMG and mortar fire. Using cover to advantage in engagement lasting about two hours, the platoon suucceeded in silencing several posts. It was considered that this force numbered 40 or 50 men with superior fire power, and already having sustained three casulties, Sgt Clark decided to withdraw.
Pte Andrew Gillespie recived a bad groin wound and had fallen on exposed ground. L/Cpl Sydney Baker lassooed Andrew Gillespie's foot and dragged him to cover, later returning to carry him to safety across an area swept by enemy fire. Unfortunately, Pte Gillespie died from his wounds.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to 2/8 Battlion Association, whose book "the second eigthth, provide information regarding the actions in Greece.
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