Roland Parker Shelley
From Our Contribution
AWM p07021.001 | |
Personal Information | |
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Date of Birth | Not known |
Place of Birth | Kerang, Victoria |
Death | 4 Jul 1918 |
Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 5 months |
Description |
5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 171lbs 77.564 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; 3 teeth missing upper jaw, 2 from lower jaw |
Occupation | Railway employee |
Religion | Church of England |
Address | Mills road, Gosnells, Western Australia |
Next of Kin | Father , Mr Arthur John Shelley |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | 1108 |
Date of Enlistment | 15 May 1915 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, C Company transferred to 2nd machine Gun Battalion |
Date of Embarkation | 29 Jun 1915 |
Ship Embarked On | HMAT A11 Ascanius |
Monument |
Gosnells War Memorial Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Member of a Rifle club for 3 years.
War Service
When Roland first presented himself to the Blackboy Hill camp he was allocated to the 8th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment, embarking on HMT Ivernia for Gallipoli on 4 Sep 1915. Ashore, on 23 Sep 1915 he was reallocated to 'C' Company of the 28th Battalion and appointed Lance Corporal. On 25 Oct 1915 he was promoted to Temporary Corporal, and two months later on Christmas Day to Corporal.
Roland arrived back in Alexandria from Mudros on 10 Jan 1916, and was caught up in the reorganisation of the AIF in Egypt as on 2 Mar 1916 he was transferred to the 7th Brigade's Machine Gun Company.
In Belgium, on 20 Aug 1916, he was promoted Sergeant, and on 9 Feb 1917 promoted 2nd Lieutenant. Transferred the same day to the 22nd Machine Gun Company (later part of the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion), he was sent to the Machine Gun Training Depot at Beldon Park, Grantham to learn the craft. At the conclusion of his course it was said of him that "This officer is satisfactory and very keen and efficient but needs more confidence.
Returned to France on 17 Mar 1917, where he was promoted Lieutenant on 13 May 1917. From 2 - 13 Oct 1917 he enjoyed some leave in the UK, before being detached briefly to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade on 4 Dec 1917, rejoining his unit 4 days later.
Roland was hospitalised with the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance for 23 days with VD during Nov - Dec 1917.
On 3 Jun 1918 he was wounded in action (gassed), with treatment provided to him by the 5th Australian Field Ambulance and the 20th Casualty Clearing Station on 3 Jun 1918, the later retaining him for 3 days before sending him to the 41st Stationary Hospital at Pont Remy. Roland returned to duty with his unit on 14 Jun 1918. On 4 Jul 1918 he was Killed in action.
Originally buried in the Blangy-Tronville Communal Cemetery Extension, he was exhumed and reburied in the Longueau British Cemetery during 1924.
Notes