Maurice James Ronan
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Patersen, New South Wales |
| Death | 14 Mar 1917 |
| Place of Death | Ploegsteert, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'5¼" (1.66m) tall ; 130 lbs 58.967 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Mill hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James Thomas Ronan |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 421 |
| 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 | Killed in Action 14 Mar 1917 at Ploegsteert, Belgium |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Along with his older brother Bert (Hubert Charles) Maurice joined the 44th Battalion on 28 Jan 1916, ten days after they entered Blackboy Hill camp. They trained with the battalion in Australia, travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A29 Suevic, departing from Fremantle on 6 Jun 1916 and disembarking on 21 Jul 1916. On arrival the battalion was based at Larkhill where it undertook training to prepare for trench warfare in France and Belgium. From Southampton, England they proceeded overseas to France on 25 Nov 1916, arriving in Le Havre the next day at 6:30am. They then travelled by train and by foot to Steenwerck where they were in reserve until they travelled to Armentiès. Here they entered the front lines for the first time on 30 Dec 1916.
Maurice remained with his unit until his untimely death said to have occurred on 14 Mar 1917. The Battalion's War Diary contains no reference to any action that may have led to Maurice being killed on that day, but overnight 13-14 Mar 1917, 'B' Company had provided two platoons out of six that had participated in a large raiding force that attempted to raid the German front lines just before midnight. German retaliation had been quick, with artillery pounding the Australian positions and no man's land. We might assume that this was how Maurice was killed.
On his death, his mother received a pension of 40/- per fortnight from 26 May 1917 and on the death of his brother Herbert, the pension was increased to 80/- per fortnight.
RONAN. On March 14, killed in action, somewhere in France, Private Maurice J.Ronan, dearly beloved second son of James and Ellen Ronan, Jarrahdale, and beloved brother of Rene, Rose, Dorry, and Frank, also Bert now on active service, aged 20 years and 7 months.[1]
Notes
- ↑ The Western Mail, Perth 27 April 1917