Lt
Gilbert James Furnell
Information about birth
|
Year of birth: 1891 |
|
Place of birth: Newport, Victoria, Australia |
General information
|
Last known residence: Gardenvale, Victoria, Australia |
|
Profession: Blacksmith |
|
Religion: Church of England |
Army information
|
Country: Australia |
|
Force: Australian Imperial Force |
|
Rank: Lieutenant |
|
Service number: 269 |
|
Enlistment date: 16/04/1915 |
|
Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
|
Units: — Australian Pioneers, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 19/09/1917 |
|
Place of death: Swan Chateau, Ieper, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
|
Age: 26 |
Cemetery
|
The Huts Cemetery Plot: VI Row: B Grave: 14 |
Distinctions and medals 4
|
1914-15 Star Medal |
|
British War Medal Medal |
|
Mentioned in Despatches Honourable mentioning |
|
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place |
My story
Lieutenant Gilbert James Furnell, joined the 8th Field Company Engineers at 18, and although he had no previous experience he progressed quickly and became a Lance Corporal before he got his first uniform. In 1915, the former blacksmith was then a Sergeant; he enlisted with the Naval Bridging Train of the AIF as a Chief Petty Officer and was with from their landing at Suvla Bay until the evacuation.
When the 2nd Pioneers were formed in Egypt he transferred to them and as the war progressed served with them until the end in the meantime having gained his commission. Furnell, recommended for a Military Medal in 1916, was mentioned in despatches by General Birdwood for going out into no man’s land and bringing in a wounded comrade:
“Set splendid example by his courage and coolness during operations at Gird Trench”
In the second half of 1917 the Company worked at the front in Flanders during the Battle of Passchendaele.
Gilbert Furnell was wounded in May 1917 and shortly after returning to his unit suffered terrible wounds when he was badly hit on the 19th September 1917.
On that date, his brother Frederick, a Corporal in the Railway Unit, was visiting him, they in company with others were having dinner in a shack, all that was left of Swan Chateau Ypres, headquarters of the 2nd Pioneers when a 9.5 inch shell struck a tree, exploded and killed 8 of them, including a Major. Frederick died in 20 minutes, Gilbert lived for four hours, dying in a dressing station.
Gilbert Furnell, 26 years old, was buried in The Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch, Belgium plot VI, row B, grave 14.
When the 2nd Pioneers were formed in Egypt he transferred to them and as the war progressed served with them until the end in the meantime having gained his commission. Furnell, recommended for a Military Medal in 1916, was mentioned in despatches by General Birdwood for going out into no man’s land and bringing in a wounded comrade:
“Set splendid example by his courage and coolness during operations at Gird Trench”
In the second half of 1917 the Company worked at the front in Flanders during the Battle of Passchendaele.
Gilbert Furnell was wounded in May 1917 and shortly after returning to his unit suffered terrible wounds when he was badly hit on the 19th September 1917.
On that date, his brother Frederick, a Corporal in the Railway Unit, was visiting him, they in company with others were having dinner in a shack, all that was left of Swan Chateau Ypres, headquarters of the 2nd Pioneers when a 9.5 inch shell struck a tree, exploded and killed 8 of them, including a Major. Frederick died in 20 minutes, Gilbert lived for four hours, dying in a dressing station.
Gilbert Furnell, 26 years old, was buried in The Huts Cemetery, Dickebusch, Belgium plot VI, row B, grave 14.
Connection to other soldiers 1
|
Frederick Furnell
Brother |
Sources 6
|
CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/search-results/?Surname=Furnell&Forename=Gilbert%20James&Page=1 Sources used |
|
Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4001574 Sources used |
|
The AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=105726 Sources used |
|
The Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Furnell&people_service_number=269&people_unit= Sources used |
|
The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/ Sources used |
|
War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347862 Sources used |