Herbert Clarence (Bert) Ronan
From Our Contribution
 Bert's grave in Boulogne courtesy CWGC | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1893 |
| Place of Birth | Clarence Town, New South Wales |
| Death | 4 Apr 1917 |
| Place of Death | No. 13 General Hospital Boulogne, France. |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 123 lbs 55.792 kg ; fair complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Mill hand |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Post Office Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James Thomas Ronan |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 265 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, B Company / 11th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 ‒ 21 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 27 Mar 1917 Ploegsteert Died of Wounds 4 Apr 1917 |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry 1916 No1 Mill Jarrahdale, mill hand.
War Service
10 days after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Bert was allocated to the 44th Battalion which was then in the process of being established, and he was posted to 'B' Company. He travelled with them to England and participated in their training at Larkhill in preparation for service in France and Belgium. On 25 Nov 1916 the 44th Battalion proceeded overseas to France through Southampton.
Wounded in action on 26 Mar 1917 near Ploegsteert in Belgium, the day that the 44th Battalion were replaced in the line by their colleagues in the 42nd Battalion. He had been a member of a strong raiding party which had run into strong resistance. Follow up artillery action was very strong, with his injuries were caused by enemy artillery, suffering multiple shell wounds to his back and legs.
Seen first by the 9th Field Ambulance, Bert was then sent to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 28 Mar 1917. Following treatment he was placed aboard Ambulance Train No. 25 on 28 Mar 1917 for the rear area hospitals. The train deposited Bert at the 13th General Hospital in Boulogne the next day, 29 Mar 1917.
As a result of the injuries received, Bert died on 4 Apr 1917, and was buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France (Plot VIII, Row A, Grave No. 178)
==Notes==
Maurice, a younger brother of Bert was Killed in Action on 14 Mar 1917.