Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT 'Miltiades' A28 for UK 9.8.1916
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 51st Infantry Bn. 4th Reinf. AIF.
Devenish disembarked at Plymouth with the 51st. Bn. 25.9.1916. He marched in to Rollestone to 13th Training Bn. 26.9.1916. After a period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France per ‘Princess Victoria’ 4.12.1916. He reverted to rank on arrival at the 4th Division base at Etaples 5.12.1916. He was admitted to hospital with mumps 11.1.1917. and rejoined his unit in the Field 15.4.1917. Devenish was transferred to the 16th Bn. from the 51st Bn. 5.5.1917. He was promoted to Cpl. 13.5.1917. The 16th Bn. spent much of its time in Belgium advancing towards the Hindenburg line. Devenish returned to England and was selected to attend the No. 4 Officers Cadet Bn. at Oxford 7.6.1917. He was subsequently appointed 2nd Lt. 27.9.1917. He proceeded overseas to France 14.10.1917. He rejoined his Bn. 24.10.1917. In 1918 he was detached to the 2nd Army Musketry School 25.1.1918. Devenish was promoted to Lieut. 1.5.1918.  In April 1918 some of Devensih's platoon were killed in a  shell attack. He wrote to Mr/D Crean of Mullewa  and the letter was published in the Geraldton Express 6.9.1918.of He was wounded in action in the Field with a GSW to his side near Amiens 8.8.1918 and transferred by the 13th Field Ambulance to 14th General Hospital at Wimereux, France. He embarked for England as an invalid and was admitted to the 13th London General Hospital 11.10.1918. On recovery, he proceeded overseas to France 21.10.1918.
Devenish was awarded the Military Cross 3.12.1918 for his bravery near Amiens in August 1918. He was appointed Assistant Adjunct to Vice F.A .Moseley. He was transferred to the Australian HQ in London 20.2.1919. He was granted leave to the UK 29.2.1919, then to proceeded to No.4 Group at Hurdcott. Devenish was demobilised and listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Somali’ as ship's Subaltern 1.6.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 8.7.1919.
Discharged/ Appointment Terminated 22.8.1919.
Final Rank Lieutenant 16th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK (wounded)
Awards and Medals Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Military Cross Citation 3.12.1918
‘for conspicuous and gallant behaviour and devotion to duty when in charge of Tank and Lewis guns during an attack. Just before reaching the final objective his tank was disabled and a number of men were wounded . He immediately got his men together under heavy enfilade fire, advanced and established his post, according to instructions. He then returned to the tank although seriously wounded, to superintend the evacuation of the wounded’.
(London Gazette 2.12.1918 in AWM Honours and Awards)

Photo Lieut. H.A. Devenish Photograph from SGHS  PH2000-102
            HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
            Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03506
            Road to Amiens 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph AWM E01952
Notes His work address was at 187 James Street, Guildford WA
Information Source
AWM  P08559.00. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E03506. Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E01952. Road to Amiens 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph  sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Harold Arthur Devenish
AWM Honours and Awards- Harold Arthur Devenish
Geraldton Express
NAA: B2455, Devenish H A
SGHS PH2000-102. Lieut H.A. Devenish. Photograph source and reproduced courtesy Swan Guildford Historical Society Pictorial Collection 
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

53 Swan Street Guildford, WA.

Associated Images