Military History

To Maribyrnong, Victoria with Artillery Reinforcement as Gunner.
Embarked Melbourne, Victoria per ‘Hororata’ 23.11.1916. for England.
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit 11th Reinf. 4th Field Artillery Brigade.
Dell disembarked at Plymouth with his 4th FAB Unit 23.1.1917. He marched in to Perham Downs 30.1.1917 and was transferred to Larkhill 26.3.1917. He proceeded overseas to France with his training unit 22.5.1917. Dell was transferred to 10th FAB, 4th Division Artillery 22.5.1917 and taken on strength as a Gunner. Dell was appointed to the 12th Australian Army Bde (AAB) AFA as a Gunner. The 4th Division fought at the Battle of Messines in June 1917. Dell was appointed Driver when a position became available through sickness of Driver Rawlings 10.7.1917. Dell became sick whilst serving in Belgium 15.1.1918. He was evacuated by the 1st Australian Field Ambulance with a Cardiac Dilation. Dell was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station in the Field and then transferred to Hospital in Boulogne 18.1.1918. On recovery, he rejoined his Unit in Belgium 26.2.1918. He requested to revert back to Gunner from rank of Driver, this request was granted 29.5.1918. During the period from May – November 1918, the 12th AAB AFA fought in the 100 Days Offensive around Amiens and in the Allied offensive that broke through the Hindenburg Line. On the 4th of October 1918 the Germans requested an Armistice. Dell took leave 7.4.1919 –2.6.1919 for training in Cabinet Making at Chalk Hill Farm, London 2.6.1919. He was demobilised 31.7.1919 in London.
He resided for 2 years in England with his wife who joined him from Australia at 43 King Henry Rd. London NW3.
Embarked England per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ 12.3.1920 with wife and child for Australia. .
Returned/Disembarked April 1919.
Discharged 31.7.1919.
Final Rank Gunner 12th Army FAB.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Embarked for Australia 12.3.1920 with wife and child.
Pre war, Dell was employed as a gardener at Guildford Grammar School. His young son was killed by train at the Waylen St. Guildford rail crossing in 1915 (West Australian Newspaper 4.8.1915)
Photos   HMAT 'Hororata'. Photograper unknown, photograph source AWM PB0488
             Artillery Training at Larkhill UK  December 1916. Photograph Donor Captain A.W. McMillan, photograph source AWM H13935
             Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918.  Photographer unknown, image courtesy AWM E01484
             Artillery Column on the Mametzmontauban Road  December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWN E00054

Information Source
AWM  PB0488. HMAT 'Hororata'. Photograper unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War memorial
AWM  H13935. Artillery Training at Larkhill UK  December 1916. Photograph Donor Captain A.W. McMillan, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E01484. Only wall standing in Messines, in the Town Square 17.6.1918.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E00054.Artillery Column on the Mametzmontauban Road  December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictprial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Dell J R
AWM Embarkation Roll- James Robert Dell
NAA:B2455,  J R Dell
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. & Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Ida St. West Guildford. WA.
57-59 Terrace Rd. Guildford. WA.
 

Associated Images