Herbert Clarence (Bert) Ronan

Bert's grave in Boulogne courtesy CWGC
Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known 1893
Place of Birth	Clarence Town, New South Wales
Death	4 Apr 1917
Place of Death	No. 13 General Hospital Boulogne, France.
Age at Enlistment	22 years, 8 months
Description	5'5" (1.65m) tall; weight 123 lbs (55.8kg); fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.
Occupation	mill hand
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Post Office Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr James Thomas Ronan
Military Information
Reg Number	265
Date of Enlistment	18 Jan 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	44th Battalion, B Company / 11th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation	6 Jun 1916 - 21 Jul 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A29 Suevic
Fate	Wounded in Action 27 Mar 1917 Ploegsteert Died of Wounds 4 Apr 1917
Monument	Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Electoral Roll entry 1916 No1 Mill Jarrahdale, mill hand.

War Service

10 days after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Bert was allocated to the 44th Battalion which was then in the process of being established, and was posted to B Company. He travelled with them to England and participated in their training there in preparation for service in France and Belgium.

On 25 Nov 1916 the 44th Battalion proceeded overseas to France through Southampton.

Wounded in action on 26 Mar 1917, the day that the 44th Battalion moved back into the line to replace their colleagues in the 42nd Battalion. His injuries were caused by enemy artillery, suffering multiple shell wounds to his back and legs caused when the Germans shelled the front lines occupied by the 44th Battalion near Ploegsteert in Belgium.

Seen first by the 9th Field Ambulance, Bert was then sent to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 28 Mar 1917. Following treatment he was placed aboard Ambulance Train No. 25 for the rear area hospitals. The train deposited Bert at the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne the next day, 29 Mar 1917.

As a result of the injuries received, Bert died on 4 Apr 1917, and was buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France (Plot VIII, Row A, Grave No. 178)

• 

  Boulogne East Cemetery CWGC
• 

  Commonwealth War Graves Commission

==Notes==

Maurice, a younger brother of Bert was Killed in Action on 14 Mar 1917.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial