Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Miltiades’ for England 29.1.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 24th Reinf, 16th Infantry Battalion, AIF.
Minchin disembarked at Devonport 27.3.1917. He marched in to the 4th Training Bn. at Codford. After a period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 9.10.1917. He was taken on Strength in the field with his Bn. 24.10.1917, when the Battalion was moved to Reningherst -Devonshire Camp (AWM 16th Bn War Diaries). Minchin was admitted hospital sick to with mumps 20.9.1917. He was admitted to the 7th General Hospital at St. Omer 21.3.1918 -11.4.1918. He rejoined his Unit 27.4.1918.  In August the 16th battalion advanced towards Villers-Bretonneux in the Abbe Wood/ Warfusee area. There was sporadic bombing in the first few days of August, however, on the night of the 5th August the enemy fired shrapnell, gas and other bombs, causing 11 casualties in the 16th Bn trenches. Minchin was wounded in action with a GSW to his left shoulder 5.8.1918. (reported West Australian Newspaper  16.9.1918). He was transferred by 8th Field Ambulance to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers 7.8.1918. Minchin was transferred by HS ’Newhaven’ to England 13.8.1918. He was transferred to Fort Pitt Hospital, Chatham, Dartford 13.8.1918, then to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital Dartford 16.8.1918. He took furlough 9.9.1918 - 23.9.1918 then marched in to Bn. HQ. Minchin marched in to the Overseas Training Bde. at Sutton Veny 17 10.1918. He marched out to 3rd Training Bde. 28.10.1918. Minchin marched out to the No.15 Camp at Codford 15.1.1919. He reported sick to hospital at Codford 17.2.1919. Minchin was listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Kildonian Castle’ 21.3.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Devonport 12.4.1919.
Discharged 2.5.1919.
Final Rank Private, 16th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Hospitalised at sea.
Photos HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
             Codford Training Camp, Salisbury Plains 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from AWM C01288
             Ruins of Chateau near Villers-Bretonneux 1918. Photographer unnown, photograph source AWM E02983
             Stretcher bearers of the 8th Australian Field Ambulance in the Warfusee region. August 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02843P
             Military Hospital Pitt Hill, Chatham, Kent. Post Card by W.Naylor Rochester
            3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C0504

Information Source
AWM P08559.001. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C01288. Codford Training Camp, Salisbury Plains 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02983 . Ruins of Chateau near Villers-Bretonneux 1918. Photographer unnown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02843P. Stretcher bearers of the 8th Australian Field Ambulance in the Warfusee region. August 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C0504. 3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll; Lionel James Minchin
AWM 4.  3/33/23. 16th infantry Battalion War Diaries October 1918. https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1004815.pdf
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Minchin Lionel James
Postcard by W.Naylor Rochester. Military Hospital, Pitt Hill, Chatham, Kent. 
West Australian Newspaper



Caversham, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images