Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Aeneas’ 17.4.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 7th Infantry Brigade, 28th Battalion, 7th Reinf.
Demasson disembarked in England with his Bn. He marched in to 7th Training Bn. at No. 2 Camp Weymouth. After several months of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 15.9.1916. Demasson was taken on strength with 28th Bn. 30.9.1916. The 28th Bn. fought near Flers on the Somme, in October 1916. Demasson was admitted sick to hospital with scabies 11.10.1916. On recovery, he rejoined his Bn. 1.11.1916. He was again admitted sick to hospital with rheumatism 16.11.1916 and with myalgia 29.11.1916. He was evacuated from the field and admitted to the No.6 General Hospital at Rouen 4.12.1916. Demasson was invalided to England, and admitted to the Reading War Hospital, with adenitis of the groin 20.12.1916. He was discharged to Perham Downs and later marched out to Wareham 17.3.1917. Demasson contracted mumps in the overcrowded hospital 19.3.1917. After a period of convalescence, he marched in to Hurdcott Camp, with the 69th Draft Bn. After a brief training period, he proceeded overseas to France 14.10.1917. He was taken on strength with 28th Bn. ‘D’ Coy. V Platoon 20.10.1971 and fought at Pozieres and Bullecourt. The 28th Bn. , fought to turn back the German Spring Offensive in April 1918. Demasson was severely wounded in action in the field, whilst on duty outside Mericourt (Red Cross File) at Villers–sur-Ancre 23.5.1918. He received serious skull fracture from the GSW to his head. He was admitted to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of wounds received, at 9am 24.5.1918.( Reported West Australian Newspaper 17.6.1918 ). He was buried near the First Aid Post and a cross erected to his memory (AWM Red Cross File). Records show him to be buried 25.5.1918. AWM Red Cross Files note he was buried at Fransvillers, Vignacourt British Cemetery, Amiens (on the Amiens- Albert Road), France. Plot 2, Row C, Grave 18.
Final Rank Private, 28th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, died of wounds.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes His father received his War Medals.
Photos Cyril Demasson.  Photograph source Battye Library slwa_b3108746_1
             Ruined main Street Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A05776
            3rd Division Infantry digging trenches at Mericourt  March 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01849
            Vignacourt British Cemetery, Somme, France. Photograph source CWGC website

Information Source
AWM A05776. Ruined main Street Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01849. 3rd Division Infantry digging trenches at Mericourt  March 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Autralian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Cyril Augustus Demasson
AWM Red Cross File -Cyril Augustus Demasson​
AWM Roll of Honour – Cyril Augustus Demasson
CWGC. Vignacourt British Cemetery, Somme, France. Photograph source Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=6202
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford Volunteer Fire Brigade Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Demasson C A
SLWA B3108746    http://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b3108746_1
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Coy Western Australian Post Office Directories.

49 Swan Street, Guildford, WA.



 

Associated Images