Daniel Robert Desbois
(Confirmed)
Born: 8 July, 1891
Died: 12 May, 1976
Biographical Summary:
Served at Gallipoli where he was wounded in action. Wounded in action for a second time in France.
Awarded the Military Cross. The commendation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Mont de Merris near Strazeele, France, in 14th April, 1918, Lieut. Desbois was in charge of his Company Sector, and was attacked on both flanks and front.
By his courage and initiative he saved a break in the line and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Though under heavy enfilade (flanking) fire the whole time he showed a careless disregard for his own safety and by his courage and cheerfulness inspired his men with great confidence.
The formation of attacking waves was broken time after time by the gallantry of his post.
[JSB]
Service Number: 2258
Ranks:
- Held rank of Private
- Held rank of Lance Corporal
- Held rank of Corporal
- Held rank of Sergeant
- Held rank of Second Lieutenant
- Held rank of Lieutenant
Birth Records:
Death Records:
Address:
Relationships:
Organisations:
Main Sources:
- Desbois Daniel Robert SERN Lieutenant 2258 POB Cooktown QLD POE Liverpool NSW NOK M Desbois Sarah NAA file (Webpage)
- DESBOIS DANIEL ROBERT Service Number N76149 Date of birth 08 Jul 1891 Place of birth COOKTOWN QLD Place of enlistment VICTORIA BARRACKS NSW Next of Kin DESBOIS ANNE NAA file World War 2 (Webpage)
- Honours and Awards Daniel Robert Desbois Military Cross (Webpage)
- Honours and Awards Daniel Robert Desbois Commendation (Website)
- CASUALTIES SEVENTYFIRST LIST NEW SOUTH WALES WOUNDED (Newspaper Article)
- MORE CASUALTIES NEW SOUTH WALES LOSSES 188TH LIST Wounded (Newspaper Article)
- CORP D R DESBOIS (Newspaper Article)
- HONOURS FOR AUSTRALIANS MANY RECIPIENTS (Newspaper Article)
- RETURNING SOLDIERS BY THE CITY OF POONA (Newspaper Article)
- WEDDING DESBOlSROBERTS (Newspaper Article)
- PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN DANIEL ROBERT DESBOIS MC DESBOIS WAS A LIEUTENANT IN THE 3RD BATTALION AIF IN THE 19141918 WAR WHEN HE WON THE MILITARY CROSS THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN IN THE 193945 WAR WHEN HE WAS A CAPTAIN AWM Collection (Photograph)
- Group portrait of the officers of the 3rd Battalion at Meteren France Identified from left to right back row Lt Daniel Robert Desbois MC from Mosman NSW 9th from left 14 February 1918 AWM Collection (Photograph)
Commemorations:
- DESBOIS D. R. on the South Face of the
- Desbois on the St Peter's Anglican Church World War 1 Honour Roll
