Doing our bit, Mosman 1914-1918 -- William Montgomery Rockliff (enlisted as William Rockliff Montgomery)

confirmed

Born: 25 February 1883

Died: 20 November 1944

A miner who enlisted in the AIF on 24 August 1914 under the name of William Rockliff Montgomery. He embarked for Egypt with the 10th Battalion on 20 October and arrived on 7 December 1914.

The 10th Battalion landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. He was wounded (head) in action the same day but returned to the firing line three days later. He was recommended for, but did not receive, an award for gallantry as follows:

"Has done excellent work whilst in charge of grenadiers. Showed great gallantry during a number of bomb attacks by the enemy, and during May 19th when an attack was made by the enemy showed exceptional gallantry in repelling same."

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli he arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 29 December 1915.

The 10th Battalion arrived at Marseilles, France on 3 April 1916 and moved immediately to Godewaersvelde in northern France. He was attached, from 8 May, to the 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery as a sergeant and then was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 9 August 1916.

He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) but there is no specific recommendation in the Australian War Memorial records. He was also awarded the Military Cross (MC). It is possible that the award of the MM is also based on the following recommendation which covers two events, one before and another after his promotion to Second Lieutenant. The MC was awarded to officers and the MM to other ranks.

"For gallantry and devotion to duty in that he when in the trenches at Ypres on the 28th September 1916 during a duel between our Stokes Mortars and the enemy's minemwerfers and light mortars, one of our covered mortar emplacements was blown in by a minemwerfer shell burying 2nd Lt Montgomery and two men. He extricated himself with difficulty being severely bruised and shaken, but at once set to work to get the buried men out giving directions to those assisting him, after two hours work the men were got out one of them dead. All this time 2/Lieut Montgomery directed the fire of two other mortars and kept them firing, to draw the hostile fire. Most of the time hostile shell and trench mortar fire was maintained on our position causing several casualties. 2/Lieut Montgomery has been evacuated wounded with shock, bruises and etc since above date.

"At Pozieres, France, from 19th July to 26th August, 2/Lieut Montgomery did consistent good work in the firing line, especially during active operations at Pozieres from 21-25th July, where he commanded his section under heavy shell fire, and when his supplies of ammunition for his mortars was expended, rendered material assistance by bombing, at which he is an expert."

He was evacuated to hospital in France on 6 October where he was diagnosed as suffering from trench fever and dysentery. He was then transferred to England for treatment and convalescence. It was decided that he should return to Australia for 6 months change.

He embarked on 14 January 1917 and arrived on 11 March then his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 8 August 1917. [JSB]