Roland Belfield Glanville M.C.

Birth, Marriage and Death information

     Roland Belfield Glanville M.C. was born in 1893 at Geraldine, CBY, NZ.
     He died on 4 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium; commemorated:
Name: GLANVILLE, ROLAND BELFIELD
Initials: R B
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 8th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 04/10/1917
Awards: M C
Additional information: Son of William John and Edith Annie Glanville, of Pareora, West Timaru, New Zealand.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. B. 27.
Cemetery: Dochy Farm New British Cemetery.

Other information

     At the age of 21 he arrived in Australia. His address in 1914 was Bay View Hotel, Mercer Street, Geelong, Victoria. He was a shop assistant / grocer. Attested at age 22 years and 3 months at Geelong, Melbourne. 5' 10" 11st 10lbs. Dark complexion. Eyes blue. Hair black. COE. Scar 3" long on left arm above elbow. Roland Belfield Glanville M.C. began military service on 18 August 1914 8th Battalion A.I.F. Enlisted as a private 18 August 1914.
Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Diarrheoa 21 Aug. 1915 Gallipoli. Admitted No 2. F. A Dressing Station Anzac & trans to Mudros 21 Aug. 1915.22 Aug. adm. Imbros. Tfd. to H.S. Esmaralda to proceed to England 28 Aug. 1915.
Admitted Reading War Hospital, London, Eng. 17 Sept. 1915.
Abbey Wood Dep. marched in 15 Oct. 1915.
Base Depot Weymouth. Rejoining M.E.F. 22 Dft. 22 Feb. 1916. Disembarked at Alexandria ex Kingstonain from Devonport, Eng. 5 March 1916.
Rejoined unit Serapeum 11 March 1916.
O.C. Troops HMT "Megantic" from Alexandria 26 March 1916 .
Disembarked at Marseilles 31 March 1916.
Absence without leave from Billet from 2030 to 2200 on 20 May 1916. Award 7 days' FP No. 2 France. Total fortitude 7 days pay.
Proceeded to France 13 Feb. 1916
22 Feb. 1917. Taken on strength 5th Batt. (Cadet Bn)
Detached from 8th & proceed to join 4th Officers Cadet Oxford 5th Oct. 1916.
Having been passed as qualified for Commission in Inf. Bns is appointed to be 2.Lieut in A.I.F. & posted to Inf. Rfts 25 Jan. 1917.
13 Feb. 1917 proceeded overseas to France from G.O.C.A.I.F. Depots in UK.
From 1st A.D.B.D. joined base from England at Etaples 16 Feb. 1917
Fit & available awaiting posting 17 Feb. 1917.
Proceeded to join Unit from Etaples 20 Feb. 1917.
Promoted to Lieut. 11 July 1917. Back to 8th Btn from 5th Btn. 20 July 1917.
4th Oct. 1917 KIA in the field in Belgium. & taken off strength. The deceased Officer was killed by a shell in front of objective /D.29.c.6.6. Buried /D.29.c.6.6. (Sheet 28 N.E.) sgn R.R. Wallis, Major. Temp. Commanding Officer 8th Battalion, A.I.F.
Awarded Military Cross (1st ANZAC R.G. No. 8 dated 14 Oct. 1917.) (sgn H.E. Wawn, Captain, Officer i/c Records.) Australian Section, 3rd Echelon, G.H.Q. British Expeditionary Force.
     On 20 September 1917 Military Cross - (Polygon Wood 20 September 1917) 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great dash and skill in an attack. At one period, when he found himself out of touch with his men, and under heavy rifle fire, he went forward, though his revolver ammunition was expended, and captured sixteen of the enemy. He showed great initiative and leadership throughout, (since deceased A.I.F. list 313. 26/3/1918). - 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110- 25/07/1918.