Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Katuna’ 24.11.1915 to Egypt.
Roll Rank Sgt.
Roll Unit 32nd Infantry Battalion, AIF.
Treasure disembarked with his unit at Suez 18.12.1915. He was taken to the Aust. Field Ambulance with typhoid 5.4.1917. Treasure was transferred to Choubra Infectious Diseases Hospital 23.4.1916 with Enteric Colitis. He was discharged as fit to serve, at Tel-el–Kebir 23.6.1916. Treasure was promoted to Capt. 4.7.1916. He joined the BEF in Alexandria and embarkeper HT 'Franconia' for England  2.8.1916.
Treasure marched in to Hurdcott Camp 17.9.1916 and joined the 8th Training Battalion. He proceeded overseas to France with his Unit 16.9.1916  and marched in to the 5th Division Base Depot at Etaples 17.9.1916. Treasure joined the 32nd Bn. in the Field and was taken on strength 24.9.1916. The Battalion had lost almost 90% of its fighting strength at the Battle of Fromelles weeks prior. (AWM 32nd Bn)  He was promoted to 2nd Lieut. 29.1.1917 then seconded to 8th Training Bn. 27.7.1917.  He attended a course at Lyndhurst, here he qualified as an Instructor in bombing. He proceeded to France 30.1.1918 and was taken on strength with the 32nd Battalion 18.2.1918. Treasure was congratulated for his courage and initiative- gallant service whilst on patrol 12.4.1918 at Corbie. Treasure was severely wounded in action 29.7.1918- GSW to throat, in action around Morlancourt. He was taken to the 31st Casualty Clearing Station and admitted to the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport 30.7.1918. Treasure was invalided to England per  HS ‘Warilda'  and admitted to the 3rd  General Hospital London (Wandsworth) 3.8.1918. He was discharged 14.3 1919, as fit for non military duty. After Armistice, he received permission to attend Bradford Technical College for Wool Classing classes.
Embarked per ‘Ypiranga’ for Australia 15.11.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Australia 26.12.1919.
Discharged 22 4.1920.
Final Rank Lieut. 32nd Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided - fit for non military duty.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Recommendation
‘At Bois de Vaire near Corbie on 20th April 1918, Lieut. Treasure displayed great courage and initiative whilst in command of a fighting patrol. Coming suddenly in contact with a large enemy party, he at once attacked and succeeded in accounting for a large number. He captured a prisoner and shot another. By good handling of his patrol, he was successful in accounting for many of the enemy and also drove off further enemy parties which appeared. His coolness and courage he set a splendid example to all ranks.’
(AWM Honours and Awards)

Photos  3rd Command Depot, Hurdcott, near Fovant, Wiltshire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C00610
               Damaged buildings Corbie , France 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02527.019
            Dug out on sunken road, Morlancourt. Photographer unknown, photgraph source AWM E04702
               3rd Australian General Hospital at Wandsworth.UK c 1916. Postcard by Card House

Information Source
AWM C00610. 3rd Command Depot, Hurdcott, near Fovant, Wiltshire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02527.019. Damaged buildings Corbie , France 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04702. Dugout on sunken road at Morlancourt. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll, Treasure Cecil William
AWM Honours and Awards, Cecil William Treasure
AWM 32nd Battalion
Card House. 3rd Australian General Hospital at Wandsworth, UK. c1916. 
NAA: B2455, Treasure Cecil William
St Matthew’s Honour Roll

Collie, WA.

Associated Images