Military History

Embarked from Fremantle per ‘Katuna’ for Egypt 18.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit ‘C’ Coy. 32nd Bn. AIF.
Helm disembarked with the 32nd Bn. at Suez. This Bn. became part of the newly raised 5th Division in Egypt. Helm was transferred to 14th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) 15.3.1916. He joined the  BEF and disembarked  from Alexandria 20.6.1916 for France. He disembarked at Marseilles  30.6.1916 and was transferred to the 54th Battery 5th Division Ammunition Column. The Fifth Divison moved to the Somme in October 1916 and suffered extreme hardships in the trenches in the winter of 1916-17.
Helm became sick in the Field with a possible appendicitis 21.10.1916, however, he  was discharged back to duties 27.10.1916. Helm was transferred back to the 5th Division Ammunition Column (DAC) 20.11.1916. He again became sick in the Field and was diagnosed with an acute appendicitis 13.2.1917. Helm was admitted to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen, then transported to the UK from Havre per HS ‘Formosa’ 1.3.1917. He was transferred to light duties at Tidworth. Helm was then transferred to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery (RBBAA), then to the 5th Div. Artillery. Helm marched in to Larkhill was promoted to Acting Sgt. 29.5.1917. He reverted to back to Gunner 12.9.1917. Helm was admitted to hospital 5.10.1917 with synovitis of the left knee. This was an accidental injury resulting from a fall from a bicycle at Larkhill UK. He was discharged to the Training Depot at Sutton Veny, and listed as unfit for work general service and home service month 21.1.1918. Helm was listed for return to Australia for a change.
Embarked from England for Australia per ‘Kenilworth Castle’ for a change 12.3.1918, changed at Durban to HT 'Field Marshall'.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 2.5.1918.
Discharged 8.11.1918.
Final Rank Gunner 5th Div. Artillery.
Medical Condition Invalided.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Helm developed influenza and was admitted to  the Adelaide Isolation Hospital on 14.5.1919. He died 4 days later on 18.4.1919, age 21 years and was buried at North Road Church of England Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Plot: Row 35 North. Grave 4702. One of his Christian names was also spelt de Baun.  He was accepted for commemoration as war dead on 4th August 2016.
Photos Australian Artillery Column on the Mametz-Montauban Road December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00054
             Artillery Training at Larkhill. Photograph donor Cptn. A. W. McMillan, photograph source AWM H13935
             Australian soldiers training in fitness at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H00450

Information Source
AWM E00054. Australian Artillery Column on the Mametz-Montauban Road December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H13935. Artillery Training at Larkhill. Photograph donor Cptn. A. W. McMillan, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H00450. Australian soldiers training in fitness at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Terry Noel de Bohun
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Helm T.N.


Motts Survey Camp Darwin. NT. (father)

Associated Images