JARVIS, Russell Thomas Sydney
| Service Number: | 11994 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 August 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 9th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, 1 January 1884 |
| Home Town: | Balmain, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Fort Street School, Sydney |
| Occupation: | Proof reader |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 33 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery I F 66 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Petersham Fort Street High School Great War Honour Roll, Sydney Morning Herald and Sydney Mail Record of War Service, Townsville 9th Field Ambulance Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 11994, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 11994, 9th Field Ambulance, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' | |
| 11 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 11994, 9th Field Ambulance, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 11994, 9th Field Ambulance, Broodseinde Ridge, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 11994 awm_unit: 9th Australian Field Ambulance awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-10-04 |
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Add my storyBiography
"Lce.-Corp. Russell Jarvis, M.M.
He gained the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery during the battle of Messines. He went away as a stretcher-bearer with the Field Ambulance in May, 1916. Prior to enlisting he was employed on the reading staff of the "Sydney Morning Herald." His home is at 44 Birchgrove-road, Balmain." - from the Sydney Mail 10 Oct 1917 (nla.gov.au)
"A private cable message has been received by Mrs. Russell Jarvis, of Longnose Point, Balmain, announcing that her husband, Lance-corporal Russell Jarvis, aged 33 years, has been kllled in France. He was previously employed on the staff of the "Sydney Morning Herald," and his mother, Mrs. M. Jarvis, resides at Strathmore, Thompson-avenue. Drummoyne. He was recently awarded the Military Medal." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 12 Oct 1917 (nla.gov.au)
"Drummoyne Player Killed in Action
Mr. George C. Whitney writes: "Lance-Corporal Russell Jarvis, A.M.C., of the Drummoyne Club was killed in action in France on October 2. He left here in May, 1916, with the 9th Field Ambulance. We all know the heroic work our stretcher-bearers have done — exposed without a chance of protecting themselves to a shell or the bullet of some sniper; and the fact that Jarvis was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery at Messines in June shows he was made of the same stuff as thousands of our gallant lads. It came as no surprise to his old club-mates and friends, who were familiar with his fearlessness, and who were saddened by the news of his death so soon after this distinction. He was 33 years of age, and leaves a widow and little boy.
A number of the B Grade players of 1914 and 1915 will doubtless remember Rus Jarvis. In the former season he was the strongest player in the Drummoyne four, who were runners-up in B V.; and he played with great coolness and resource in the semi-final and final engagements. I have repeatedly heard opponents remark what a good sport he was, and though one expects a high standard of sportsmanship in tennis, such tributes sound none the less pleasing. He is the second member of the club to lose his life in the way, Pte. E. J. Cummings having died of wounds at Lemnos, August, 1915." - from the Sydney Arrow 19 Oct 1917 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Charles Jarvis and Margaret Jarvis; husband of Alice Jarvis, of "Soissons," 44, Birchgrove Rd., Balmain, New South Wales.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
Son of the late Mr. C.M. Jarvis and of Mrs. Jarvis, of Drummoyne, Russell was born in 1884, and educated at the Fort Street School. He joined the reading staff of the Sydney Morning Herald in 1913.
In August 1915, he volunteered and was drafted to the 9th Field Ambulance, with which he proceeded to France, with the rank of Lance Corporal. He took part in the operations at Messines, being awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field.
Military Medal
'On 10th June, 1917, at PLOEGSTEERT WOOD, this N.C.O. was on duty evacuating casualties from a temporary R.A.P. in a shell hole in No Man's Land. There was a heavy hostile bombardment on the area at the time. A 5.9 inch shell fell into a neighbouring shell hole in which a party of Divisional Signal Engineers were working, killing many, wounding and burying four others. Lance Corporal JARVIS led his party to this shell hole regardless of hostile barrage, succeeded in digging out the wounded men and then in conveying them to the nearest R.A.P. for attention. By his utter disregard for personal safety and by his bravery and example to his men this N.C.O. undoubtedly saved the lives of these wounded men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219
Date: 20 December 1917
He was killed in action at Menin Road on October 4, 1917.
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