2167 Private Lewis George Brown
KIA
32nd Infantry Battalion,
8th Brigade,
5th Division,
1st Australian Imperial Force
1914-1919
This file last updated
8 January, 2024 12:52
Introduction
The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the World War One service record of Lewis George Brown.
The photographs were a project of the Attorney General's Department of South Australia, and intriguingly, Brown appears twice - once as Lewis George Brown in the photograph on the left, and once as George Lewis Brown, in the photograph on the left. Different headgear and different service jacket. His service record is in the name of Lewis George Brown.
This biography of one of the soldiers appearing on the photographs used by the Seachange ANZAC Day Service Committee (ADSC) as representative of the soldiers of World War 1, was prepared by Clive Mitchell-Taylor, 4 November 2018.
Brown was a postal worker aged 24 on enlistment, was taken on strength of the 32nd Battalion in Egypt and was killed in action 26 days after setting foot in France, on the first day of of the Battle of Fromelles, having been in the front line only three days. The battle was a disaster for the Battalion, which lost 718 men - 75% of strength, but in reality closer to 90% of its fighting strength.
His body is buried in the RUE-PETILLON MILITARY CEMETERY,FLEURBAIX at Pas de Calais, France, and details of that burial from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, can be found here . He is also commemorated on panel 120 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial as indicated by the poppy on the plan.
Lewis Brown's documents are:
- Service Record;
- WW1 Nominal Roll;
- Embarkation Roll;
- Commemorative Certificate;
- Red Cross;and
- Where Australians Rest ( A Booklet issued by the Australian Government to the next-of-kin of those who died in the service of their country.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by ? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.
There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here. Abbreviations are inconsistent, even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.
There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records. Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1. Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.
Duplicated Pages
Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon discharge or death in Service.
Service Numbers
Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers
Dates of Occurrence and Reporting
The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.
The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record, and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.
To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence. This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.
For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.
Memorial Plaques
Memorial Plaque - Thomas James Shepherd
Image courtesy of Mark Franzi, grand nephew of Thomas
Memorial Plaques were issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of war.
The plaques are 120mm in diameter, were cast in bronze and came to be know as the "Dead Man's Penny" because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin.
1,355,00 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tons of bronze. 1,500 plaques were issued to commemorate women.
Carter Preston's winning design includes an image of Brittania holding a trident and standing with a lion. The designer's initials, E.CR,P,, appear above the front paw. In her outstretched left hand Britannia holds an olive wreath above the ansate [handled] tablet bearing the deceased's name cast in raised letters. The name does not include rank since there was to be no distiction between sacrifices made by different individuals.
Below the name table, to the right of the lion is an oak spray with acorns. Two dolphins swim around Britannia, symbolizing Britain's sea power, and at the bottom is a second lion tearing apart the German eagle.
The reverse is blank and the plaques were issued in a pack with a commemorative scroll from King George V, although sometimes the letter and scroll arrived first.
Enlistment Details
|
Service Number |
2167 |
|
Name |
Lewis George Brown |
|
Born at |
Wilmington SA |
|
Age |
24 years [Birth dates were not recorded until late in the war] |
|
Trade or Calling |
Postman |
|
Marital Status |
Single |
|
Next of Kin |
Mother - Mrs Elizabeth Brown |
|
Previous Military Service |
No |
|
Attested at |
Adelaide, SA |
|
Date of Enlistment |
30 Sep 1915 |
|
Height |
5 foot 7½ inches [171.5cm] |
|
Weight |
136 pounds [62.7Kg] |
|
Chest |
34-36 inches [86.3cm-91.5cm] |
|
Complexion |
Medium |
|
Eyes |
Hazel |
|
Hair |
Dark |
|
Religious Denomination |
Church of England |
|
Units |
Allocated to 3rd Reinforcements, 32nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 5th Division and assigned to D Company. |
Chronological Events
|
Rank |
Description |
Date |
Remarks |
|
Private |
Enlisted, allocated to E Coy, 2nd Depot Battalion AIF for training. |
30 Mar 1915 |
|
|
Private |
Transferred to A Company, 1st Depot Battalion AIF |
1 Nov 1915 |
|
|
Private |
Embarked for the Middle East from Adelaide aboard His Majesty's Australian Transport (HMAT) "MILITARDES" (A28). |
7 Feb 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Disembarked ex HMAT "MILITADES" at Suez |
11 Mar 1916 |
|
|
Private |
To 8th Training Battalion |
11 Mar 1918 |
|
|
Private |
Proceeded to join 32nd Battalion |
1 Apr 1916 |
Zeitoun |
|
Private |
Taken on strength of 32nd Battalion |
8 Apr 1916 |
Duntroon Plateau |
|
Private |
Embarked from Middle East to join British Expeditionary Force, France aboard HMT "TRANSYLVANIA" |
17 Jun 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Disembarked Marseilles ex HMT "TRANSYLVANIA" |
23 Jun 1916 |
|
|
Private |
A misfiled copy of a hospital report, partly encoded, with no mention of L.G. Brown. |
3 Jul 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Killed in Action (KIA). |
19 Jul 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Buried in Eaton Hall Cemetery, 2¾ miles E(ast) of Laventie, 4½ miles S(outh)S(outh)W(est) of Armentieres. Map Sheet 36, square N.3.b.5.3. Rev F.G. Ward. |
20 Jul 1916 |
|
|
Private |
A misfiled Casualty Form for Private Willie Gordon Croser of the 32nd Battalion appears in the file at this point. He was Killed in Action on 21 Jul 1916. |
21 Jul 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from Mrs Eliza G. Rosser to OIC Base Records, Melbourne
I am writing for the next of kin re a certificate of death for the Lodge for
Private L.G. Brown, Regt No 2167, Reinf 3rd, Company "D", Battalion 32nd Inf.
Being reported deceased on the 17th Jul 1916 |
Undated |
Stamped as received by Base Records 30 Aug 1916 |
|
Private |
Letter from Mrs Elizer G. Rosser, 4 Ballville St, Prospect, SA to OIC Base Records.
Dear Sir, Will you kindly forward to the above address as Aunt is almost blind. Also, is there any likelihood of the lads things being sent on. If so where to. I am quite willing to pay any expenses to have them sent here or to any place I can get them. And obliged [sic] |
Undated |
Stamped as received by Base Records 25 Oct 1916 |
|
Private |
Form letter to Mrs Eliza Rosser from Base Records, Australian Imperial Force
Dear Madam, |
|
|
|
Private |
Note to Mrs E.G. Rosser, No 4 Ballville Street, PROSPECT, SA
Dear Madam, |
1 Nov 1916 |
A copy of the report, with the same covering note was sent to the Secretary, International Order of Oddfellows, Matilda Street, Eastwood, SA. |
|
Private |
Carbon copy of report of the death of the soldier which can be assumed to have been included with the correspondence to Mrs Rosser and the IOOF Secretary.
No. 2167 |
1 Nov 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Letter to Mrs E. Brown, Wilmington, SA from OIC Base Records
Dear Madam,
These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy
of the Department to forrward all information received in connection with
deaths of members of the Australian Imperial force. |
11 Jan 1917 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from Mrs E.G. Rosser (No 4 Ballville St, Prospect, SA on behalf of the family) to OIC Base Records
I am writing for the next of kin of Private L.G. Brown NO 2167 3d Reinforcements 32 Battalion, D Comp |
16 Jan 1917 |
Endorsed with stamp "FORMAL ACKmt SENT 19/1/17" |
|
Private |
Letter from EG Rosser (no 4 Ballville St, Prospect, SA, on behalf of the family) to OIC Base Records
Dear Sir or Madam, Have his personal belongings come to hand yet. If so I would be so glad to have them. Will you notify me When [sic] they will be sent. I remain, |
8 Jun 1917 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from E.G. Rosser (No 4, Ballville St, Prospect, SA, on behalf of the family) to OIC Base Records I wish to make an application for the next of kin of 2167 Pte L.G. Brown, 32nd Battalion, D Company, th Infantry Brigade, killed on 19 July 1916 for a photo of his grave. I had written to his friend in France and he had sent on to England. They referrred us to Melbourne. Can we have more than one! His mother, my aunt, is very old and not able to write. Will you please write to the above address and what expense is attached to it. Yours, The letter continues overleaf:
Pte Brown made his home [?] with me. His parents live up the North. I give
this information in case the photos are only granted to the parents. I hope we will be able to get the photos of grave for we were unfortunate in not receiving any of his personal effects. |
12 Aug 1919 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from OIC Base Records Office to E.G Rosser.
Dear Madam, |
22 Aug 1919 |
|
|
Private |
An undated file note endorsed |
Undated |
Refers to the next item. |
|
Private |
Letter from Mrs E Brown to OIC Base Records
Dear Sir, The letter is marked overleaf with a notation acknowledging receipt of the stamps and the number of the receipt issued, together with signature and date received (29 April) and a notation "Listed for London 'April 1921'". |
22 Apr 1921 |
|
|
Private |
Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Brown signs receipt for three copies of a photograph of the grave of the late 2167 Private L.G. Brown, 32nd Battalion. |
23 Apr 1921 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from OC Base Records to Mrs E Brown, Wilmington S.A.
Dear Madam Yours faithfully M. |
3 May 1921 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from OIC Base Records, Melbourne to Mrs E. Brown
Dear Madam
The provisions of a Will have no bearing upon the distribution of Medals unless
they are specifically mentioned therein, such mementos being handed over in the
following order of relationship, unless good and sufficient reasons for varying
the procedure are stated:-
Thanking you in anticipation of the favour of an early reply. |
8 Nov 1921 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from mother, Mrs Elizabeth Brown to OIC Base Records. Sir, I beg to inform you that [the father] of the late Private L.G. Brown, 32nd Battalion's Address is Charles Brown, Melrose Terrace, Wilmington, S.A. They [sic] are four sisters and two brothers still living.
I Remain
Your Obt. Servant |
15 Nov 1921 |
Endorsed by OIC Base Records "War Medals Etc to father." |
|
Private |
Mother, Elizabeth Brown, signs receipt for four copies of photographs of the grave of her late son, 2167 Pte L.G. Brown, 32nd Battalion. |
22 Dec 1921 |
|
|
Private |
Father, Charles Brown signs receipt for the issue of the British War Medal of his son from 4th Military District (South Australia). |
4 Jan 1922 |
|
|
Private |
Father, Charles Brown signs receipt for the Victory Medal of his son from 4th Military District (South Australia). |
24 Feb 1922 |
Or possibly 1923, the date is almost indecipherable. |
|
Private |
Father, Charles Brown, signs receipt for the Memorial Plaque and King's Message in connexion [sic] with No. 2167 Pte. L.G. Brown. 32nd Battalion |
2 Aug 1922 |
|
|
Private |
Letter to Mr C Brown, Melrose Terrace, Wilmington, SA from Officer in Charge, Base Records, Melbourne Dear Sir, With further reference to the report of burial of your son, the late No.2167 Private L.G. Brown, 32nd Battaion, I am now in receipt of advice from the Imperial War Graves Commission that in order to conform with the uniform layout of the Rue Petillon Military Cemetery, France, it has been found necessary to amend certain former grave registrations, and in consequence the site of the late soldier's final resting place has since been allotted:- Plot 1. Row L. Grave 51. where a permanent headstone of uniform design will be erected and engraved with his full regimental particulars and date of death, together with any verse or epitaph previously submitted in the form of a personal inscription. It is desired to point out tht notwithstanding the above alteration the actual place of burial remains unchanged. Yours faithfully, |
3 Aug 1925 |
|
|
Private |
Father, Charles Brown, signs receipt for the Memorial Scroll and King's Message in connexion [sic] with the late 2167 Pte L.G. Brown, 32nd Battalion. |
22 Dec |
As the previous receipt for the same item is clearly dated 2 Aug 1922, this could either be a duplicate issue or indicative of a lost receipt. |
Medals and Dress Embellishments
British War Medal 1914-1920, not entitled to 1914-15 Star, as although he enlisted in 1915 he did not serve in a declared war zone until 1916, but entitled to Victory Medal.
Not entitled to wear the ANZAC 'A'.
One Long Service Stripes and one Overseas Service Chevrons.
Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information on the badges.
Background - Infantry Battalions
[Based on information in Redcoats to Cams, Ian Kuring.]
In December 1914, battalions of about 1000 men were organised into eight companies each divided into half of 60 men and then into two sections of around 30 men. Command was highly centralised with companies commanded by a Captain, half-companies by Lieutentants and sections by a Sergeant.
In early 1915 Australia reduced the number of Companies to four, but doubled their size to more than 220 men. Each rifle company had a headquarters and four platoons. Each platoon had a headquarters and four rifle sections of 10 men commanded by corporals.
From early 1916 light machineguns replaced medium machine guns and were eventually issued to each rifle platoon.
During 1917 rifle platoons were reorganised to have a light machine gun section, a rifle grenade section, a hand grenade/bombing section and a rifle assault section.
By mid 1918, the number of officers had increased to 38 but the number of other ranks had declined to 900. At the same time, the firepower of the battalion was greatly augmented with hand and rifle grenades and Lewis Guns, of which there was 34 per battalion.
Rifle, Small Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III with sword bayonet
32nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 5th Divison
[Information from http://awm.gov.au]
32ND INFANTRY BATTALION
NOT ENTITLED TO WEAR ANZAC 'A'
The 32nd Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Mitcham, on the outskirts of Adelaide, on 9 August 1915. Only two companies were raised from South Australian enlistees - another two were formed in Western Australia and joined the battalion at the end of September. The battalion sailed from Adelaide on 18 November 1915.
The 8th Brigade joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt, and proceeded to France, destined for the Western Front, in June 1916. The 32nd Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously. The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for the 32nd. "it suffered 718 casualties, almost 75 per cent of the battalion's total strength, but closer to 90 per cent of its actual fighting strength. Although it still spent periods in the front line, the 32nd played no major offensive role for the rest of the year.""
In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line allowing the British front to be advanced and the 32nd Battalion participated in the follow-up operations. The battalion subsequently missed the heavy fighting to breach the Hindenburg Line during the second battle of Bullecourt as the 8th Brigade was deployed to protect the division's flank. The only large battle i n 1917 in which the 32nd Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium on 26 September.
Unlike some AIF battalions, the 32nd had a relatively quiet time during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as the 5th Division was largely kept in reserve. The Allies launched their own offensive with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 32nd Battalion participated. It was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September. The 32nd fought its last major action of the war between 29 September and 1 October when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the 6-kilometre-long St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme.
The 32nd was resting and retraining out of the line when the war ended on 11 November 1918. On 8 Mar 1919, after the gradual repatriation of men to Australia, the remnants of the 32nd Battalion were merged with the 30th Battalion.
Battle Honours:
Albert 1918, Amiens, Ancre 1918, Bapaume, Bullecourt, Egypt 1915-16, France and Flanders 1916-18, Hindenburg Line, Menin Road, Mont St Quentin, Passchendaele, Poelcappelle, Polygon Wood, Somme 1916-1918, St Quentin Canal, Ypres 1917
1914-15 Star
[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]
The decoration consists of a four-pointed star in bright bronze as shown, with the date 1914-15 on the central scroll. The reverse is plain, and is stamped with the name and unit of the recipient. The ribbon is red, white and blue, shaded and watered, worn with the red nearest the centre of the breast. It is atached to the medal through a ring.
It is similar in shape and description to the 1914 Star, to which few, if any, Australians were entitled. Those entitled were those who had already served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) in the operations to capture German New Guinea in 1914.
The decoration, sanctioned in 1918, was issued "to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others eployed with military hospitals, who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war as defined in Appendix 'A'. Individuals in possession of the 1914 Star will not be eligible for the award of this decoration."
Appendix 'A' included the Western, Eastern, Egyptian, African, Asiatic and Australasian Theatres of war, with commencement dates individual to countries and campaigns.
British War Medal 1914-20
[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]
This medal was approved by King George V in 1919 to record the bringing of the war to a successful conclusion and the arduous services rendered by His Majesty's Forces.
The medal, which is supended from its ribbon by means of a straight clasp, without swivel, bears on the obverse the effigy of His Majesty - exactly similar to that on a half-crown - with the legend 'Georgivus V : Omn : Rex et Ind : Imp'.
The reverse bears a design which represents St George on horseback, trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the central powers and a skull and crossbones, the emblems of death. Overhead is the risen sun of victory. The male figure, rather than a symbolical female one, was chosen because man had borne the brunt of the fighting. The figure was mounted on horseback as symbolical of man's mind controlling force (represented by the horse) of far greater strength than his own. The design is thus also symbolical of the mechanical and scientific appliances which helped so largely to win the war.
The ribbon has a orange watered centre with stripes of white and black at each side and with borders of royal blue. It is stated that the colours have no particular signification.
Victory Medal
[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]
This medal, of bronze, bears on the obverse a winged figure of Victory, full length in the middle of the medal and full face; the borders and the backgound plain, without either incription or date. On the reverse is an inscription. "The Great War for Civilization." and either the names of the different Allied and Associated Powers, or their coats of arms.
The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a ring. The ribbon is red in the centre, with green and violet on either side shaded to form the colours of two rainbows.
It has also been approved that any officer or man who has been "mentioned in despatches" shall wear a small bronze oak leaf on the ribbon of this medal. Only one oak leaf is so worn, no matter how many "mentions" the wearer may have received.
The medal is designed to obviate the exchange of Allied Commemorative war medals, and is issued only to those who actually served on the establishment of a unit or ship in a theatre of war. [This is an important distinction, as those Australians who served only in Australia, or only in Australia and England, were not entitled to the award.]
The Rising Sun Badge
This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.
Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.
Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.
In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".
In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".
In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.
The ANZAC 'A'
The brass letter 'A' to represent service related to Gallipoli (ANZAC) was authorised to be worn 'over unit colour patches on both sleeves of the service dress jacket and greatcoat" by Military Order 354 of 18 Aug 17 and AIF Order 937 of 6 Nov 17, as amended in terms of qualification by Military Order 20 of 19 Jan 18 and by AIF Order 1084 of 25 Jan 18.
The size of the letter 'A', introduced as one inch in height (AIF Order 994 of 30 Nov 17), was reduced to three-quarters of an inch by AIF Order 1012 of 11 Dec 17. Provision for wearing the brass letter 'A' was also included in General Routine Order 0.815 of 17 Dec 43 and GRO 310 of 7 Dec 45.
Wound Stripe
Army Order No.204 Headquarters, 1st A.N.Z.A.C., 9th August, 1916. (slightly amended for layout)
DISTINCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED
The following distinction in dress will be worn on the service dress jacket by all officers and soldiers who have been wounded in any of the campaigns since 4th August 1914 :
Stripes of gold Russia braid No.1, two inches [2.5cm] in length sewn perpendicularly on the left forearm sleeve of the jacket to mark each occasion on which wounded.
In the case of officers, the lower end of the first strip of gold braid will be immediately above the upper point of the flap on the cuff.
Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men will wear the gold braid on the left forearm sleeve, the lower edge of the braid to be three inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
Subsequent occasions on which wounded, will be placed on either side of the original one at half inch interval.
Gold braid and sews will be obtained free on indent from the Army Ordnance Department; the sewing on will be carried out regimentally without expense to the public.
Long Service Badges
[Image from http://www.diggerhistory.info]
A.I.F. ORDER No.470, 24 January 1917 (slightly amended for layout)
The question of the issue of a badge to members of the AIF who have completed a certain period of service has received consideration, and approval has been given for the issue of a badge for long service combined with good conduct, subject to the following conditions.
The badge will consist of an inverted single chevron of service braid to be worn on the left forearm - the point of the chevron to be 3 inches [7.6cm] above the edge of the cuff.
Warrant and non-commissioned officers and men, will be eligible for the badge, which will not carry an increased pay or allowance.
One chevron will be worn for each complete year's service in the Australian Imperial Force from the date of embarkation in Australia.
No badge will be issued to any man who, during the 12 months, has incurred a regimental entry (i.e. an entry involving forfeiture of pay) in his sheet.
Time absent from the unit in hospital or elsewhere on account of wounds or sickness, not the result of misconduct, will count as service towards earning the badge.
A man in possession of a badge will forfeit same on being convicted of any offence involving a forfeiture of pay , but will be eligible to regain the badge after 6 months good conduct, from the date of forfeiture.
The illegal wearing of this badge will be a crime under A.A. Section 40.
Overseas Service Chevrons
[http://au.geocities.com/fortysecondbattalion/level2/reference/01nos-standards.htm]
[Image from http://www.diggerhistory.info]
Australian Imperial Force Order No.1053, January 1918 (Slightly amended for layout)
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of chevrons to denote service overseas since the 4th August 1914.
Chevrons of two colours have been approved.
The first chevron if earned on or before 31st December 1914, will be red.
If earned on or after 1st January 1915, it will be blue.
All additional chevrons after the first will be blue.
The chevrons will be worsted embroidery, 1/4 inch [0.63cm] in width, the arms 4 inches [10.2cm] long. They will be worn inverted on the right forearm:
In the case of officers, the apex of the lowest chevron will be 1 inch [2.5cm] above the upper point of the flap on the cuff.
In the case of warrant-officers, non-commissioned officers and men, the apex of the lowest chevron will be midway between the seams and four inches [10.2cm] above the bottom edge of the sleeve.
The red chevron will be worn below the blue one. They will not be worn on greatcoats.
In the case of Australians, the first chevron was earned the date the individual left Australia. Additional chevrons were awarded for each successive aggregate period of 12 months service outside Australia.
Some Government Issued Badges
Nearest Female
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War Widows
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Silver War Badge |
Discharged Returned
|
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|
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|
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Government issued badge in enamel and sterling silver issued to the wife, mother or nearest female relative of a serving soldier. Additional bars were suspended below for further individuals. |
Membership badge of a Kookaburra in sterling silver, issued by the Government to the widows of men
who lost their lives due to their service. Numbered on the reverse. |
Awarded to service personnel who sustained a wound, or contracted sickness of disability in the course of the war as a result of which they were invalided out, or to soldiers who had retired during the course of the war. |
First issued in 1916. Slight variations are indicative of a number of makers. 267,300 were issued. Numbered on the reverse but the numbers have no link withlength of service or Service Number. |