Highly decorated Chinese-Australian serviceman – service record

World War I service record of Caleb James Shang.

Transcript

[Page 1]

[single page of Casualty Form Active Service on pink paper printed in black ink with responses both typed and handwritten in various ink colours]

[the following information is presented in table format]
[table headers, running left to right]
Report
Date
From Whom received

Record of promotions, reductions, transfers, casualties, etc. during active service, as reported on Army Form B. 213. Army Form A. 36. Or in other official documents. The authority to be quoted in each case.
Place
Date
Remarks taken from Army Form b. 213. Army Form A. 36. Or other official documents

[table responses read left to right in line with different columns of the table]
10/3/17
C.O. 47th Battn. [Battalion]
Taken on strength
France
7/3/17
B.213 D15/10 [illegible]
[blank]
[blank]
Re-allotted Regl [sic] No. [number] 2504[?a?]
D013/1862
4/4/17
[illegible] [illegible] No. [number] 369.
Awarded D.C.M. [Distinguished Conduct Medal]
[blank]
[blank]
D048/5807
28-8-17
A.I.F. [Australian Imperial Force] List No. [number] 223.
Awarded the D.C.M. [Distinguished Conduct Medal]

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions. He acted as runner continuously for four days to barrages and fired swept areas, carrying water, food and ammunition to the front line. He attacked enemy's snipers in broad daylight and accounted for them. In addition to this, he constantly volunteered for dangerous patroles [sic] into enemy country where he gained valuable information as a scout, and showed remarkable skill in improvising lamp signals in a very dangerous position whence he could send information to battalion headquarters. His conduct showed a never failing example of fearlessness, resource and initiative,

AK1669/17
26/1/18
C.O. 47th Battn. [Battalion]
Granted Leave
Field
20/1/18
B.213 D15/56
16/2/18
C.O. 47th Battn. [Battalion]
Returned From Leave
Field
7/2/18
B.213 D15/59
12/5/18
Aust. [Australian] HQ [Headquarters] in R.O. [acronym unknown] No. [Number] 24
Pte [Private], awarded BAR [acronym unknown] to D.C.M. [Distinguished Conduct Medal]
France
AK2622/118
DO22/2853
1.6.18
C. O. [Commanding Officer] 47th En. [shorthand unknown] B213 (Pte [Private, handwritten])
Transferred to 45th Battalion and remain detached
Field
28.5.15
D.15/74
D.O.26/3212
1.6.18
C. O. [Commanding Officer] 47th En. [shorthand unknown] B213 (Pte [Private, handwritten])
Taken on Strength 45th Battalion and remain detached
Field
28.5.18
D.13/76
D.O.46/2725
1/6/18
C.O. [Commanding Officer] 47th Btn [Battalion]
Pte [Private] Det [Detached] to 12th A. I. [acronym unknown] Bde [Brigade]
[illegible]
28/5/18
D15/74
D.O.26/3176

About this record

Chinese-Australian Caleb James Shang was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal twice and a Military Medal for his service in the First World War. He was cited for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions’.

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