Pte
Ernest Biegel
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1895 |
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Place of birth: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 420B |
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Enlistment date: 12/05/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Roma, Queensland, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Machine Gun Corps, 25th Coy. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 05/10/1917 |
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Place of death: White Mill - Mühle, Langemark, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXXIII Row: D Grave: 10 |
Points of interest 5
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #5 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
Ernest Biegel, a former labourer, was born in the year of 1895 in Toowoomba, Queensland in the country of Australia. He was the son of Ernest and Mary Christina Biegel.
Ernest enlisted on the 12th of May 1916 in the city of Roma, Queensland in Australia. He would later serve as a private in the 25th Company of the Australian Machine Gun Corps, part of the 1st Australian Infantry Division.
In the first weeks of October 1917, the 25th Company of the Australian Machine Gun Corps, part of the 1st Australian Infantry Division, was heavily involved in the operations around Ypres, particularly during the Battle of Broodseinde on October 4th.
On October 1st, the company was stationed at “Vijverbeek” in the Ypres area, resting in their machine gun camp while checking gear for shortages. The following day, they began preparations for upcoming operations, with 2nd Lt. Phillips leading a group to Zonnebeke to establish gun positions and an SOS line, working into the early hours of the morning. On October 3rd, the company further solidified their positions in the SOS line, ensuring their guns were ready to support the infantry’s upcoming attack.
On October 4th, the company’s machine guns played a pivotal role during the Battle of Broodseinde. The infantry attacked at 5:25 AM, and the machine gun barrage, starting at 8 AM, effectively disrupted the enemy’s preparations for a counterattack. The barrage lasted 50 minutes, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy as they attempted to mass for an assault. The company suffered four casualties during this operation, but the machine gun fire was successful in delaying enemy movements and supporting the advance of Australian infantry.
By October 5th, the 25th Company continued to hold their position on the SOS line, helping to fend off several counterattacks with machine gun fire. They were eventually relieved by the 5th Australian Machine Gun Company and withdrew to rest at their camp. The company had played an essential role in the success of the attack, contributing significantly to the Australian Division’s efforts at Broodseinde.
Private Biegel, aged 22, was Killed In Action on the 4th of October 1917. His body was initially buried near White Mill, Mülhe, Langemark at 28.D.27.c.50.50. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XXXIII, Row D, Grave 10.
Ernest enlisted on the 12th of May 1916 in the city of Roma, Queensland in Australia. He would later serve as a private in the 25th Company of the Australian Machine Gun Corps, part of the 1st Australian Infantry Division.
In the first weeks of October 1917, the 25th Company of the Australian Machine Gun Corps, part of the 1st Australian Infantry Division, was heavily involved in the operations around Ypres, particularly during the Battle of Broodseinde on October 4th.
On October 1st, the company was stationed at “Vijverbeek” in the Ypres area, resting in their machine gun camp while checking gear for shortages. The following day, they began preparations for upcoming operations, with 2nd Lt. Phillips leading a group to Zonnebeke to establish gun positions and an SOS line, working into the early hours of the morning. On October 3rd, the company further solidified their positions in the SOS line, ensuring their guns were ready to support the infantry’s upcoming attack.
On October 4th, the company’s machine guns played a pivotal role during the Battle of Broodseinde. The infantry attacked at 5:25 AM, and the machine gun barrage, starting at 8 AM, effectively disrupted the enemy’s preparations for a counterattack. The barrage lasted 50 minutes, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy as they attempted to mass for an assault. The company suffered four casualties during this operation, but the machine gun fire was successful in delaying enemy movements and supporting the advance of Australian infantry.
By October 5th, the 25th Company continued to hold their position on the SOS line, helping to fend off several counterattacks with machine gun fire. They were eventually relieved by the 5th Australian Machine Gun Company and withdrew to rest at their camp. The company had played an essential role in the success of the attack, contributing significantly to the Australian Division’s efforts at Broodseinde.
Private Biegel, aged 22, was Killed In Action on the 4th of October 1917. His body was initially buried near White Mill, Mülhe, Langemark at 28.D.27.c.50.50. His remains were later exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XXXIII, Row D, Grave 10.
Sources 9
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Ancestry : Ernest Biegel Sources used |
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Ancestry : Military Records https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/39/?searchOrigin=navigation_header Sources used |
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Australian War Memorial : AWM4 24/25/2 - October 1917 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1355556?image=2 Sources used |
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Common Wealth Wargraves Comission https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/ Sources used |
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National Archives Of Australia : Record Search https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ Sources used |
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Passchendaele : The Day By Day Account Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail : 1st Australian Division https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/1st-australian-division/ Sources used |
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tMapper : WW1 Mapper https://www.tmapper.com/ Sources used |
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Virtual War Memorial Australia : Ernest Biegel https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/229704 Sources used |