Lt
Gilbert James Furnell

Informations sur naissance

Année de naissance:
1891
Lieu de naissance:
Newport, Victoria, Australia

Informations générales

Dernière résidence connue:
Gardenvale, Victoria, Australia
Profession:
Forgeron
Religion:
Church of England

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Australia
Force armée:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Lieutenant
Numéro de service:
269
Incorporation date:
16/04/1915
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Unités:
 —  Australian Pioneers, 2nd Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
19/09/1917
Lieu de décès:
Swan Chateau, Ieper, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Died of wounds (D.O.W.)
Âge:
26

Cimetière

The Huts Cemetery
Parcelle: VI
Rangée: B
Tombe: 14

Distinctions et médailles 4

1914-15 Star
Médaille
British War Medal
Médaille
Mentioned in Despatches
Eervolle vermelding
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 3

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Dernière résidence connue
#3 Lieu d'enrôlement

Mon histoire

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.

Rapports avec d'autres militaires 1