Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Beard C R F Pte  6961    Charles Robert Frederick   14 Inf Bn    21    Draper    Single    C of E        

Address:    Essendon, Brewster St, 66    

Next of Kin:    Beard, A W, father, 66 Brewster St, Essendon    

Enlisted:    20 Oct 1916       

Embarked:     SS Port Napier 17 Nov 1916      

Prior Service:          58 Inf Regt       

Awards:  French Medaille Militaire 

              http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1068006--82-.PDF                                                                                                                                

War Service Commemorated

Essendon Town Hall A-F

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Medaille Militaire

Decoration conferred by the President of the French Republic.  Medaille Militaire.  The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 51, dated 10th June 1920.  Awarded to Temporary Company Quartermaster Sergeant C R F Beard.

"4th Infantry Brigade, 4th Australian Division 21-2-1919  14th Battalion 6961 Private Charles Robert Frederick Beard.  "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near "Ascension Wood" on 18th Sept 1918.  When the advance was checked before "Little Bill Copse", he was No 1 of a Lewis Gun team, immediately got into action in an endeavour to silence the enemy guns.  With great courage and skille he selected the most advantageous position for his gun.  Despite the fact that he was the main Target of the enemy, he fired many Magaines into them, and eventually silenced one gun, thus very materially aiding the advance.  Again later he gave covering fire while his platoon was being withdrawn so as to attach a S P on the flank.  His great gallantry and self sacrifice was a splendid example to everyone at a time when such things count very largely.  Later during a bombing attack, he climed onto the parapet, with his gun, and in spite of heavy Machine Gun fire he ably assisted our bombing party.  He displayed a sound knowledge of tactics, and through showed great skill with his gun, and esxceptional gallantry.   Recommended for Medaille D'Honneur (Glaives Bronze). 

Lieut-Col Commanding 14th Battalion". (From B2455, National Archives of Australia)