Herbert Ernest BAENSCH

BAENSCH, Herbert Ernest

Service Number: 519
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 58th Infantry Battalion
Born: Mannum, South Australia, 28 December 1888
Home Town: Dimboola, Hindmarsh, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Killed In Action, France, 22 June 1918, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme
II AA 1
Memorials: Dimboola Memorial High School WWI Honour Roll
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World War 1 Service

19 Oct 1914: Involvement Private, 519, 8th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: ''
19 Oct 1914: Embarked Private, 519, 8th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Melbourne
25 Apr 1915: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 519, 58th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
26 Nov 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 58th Infantry Battalion
6 Aug 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 58th Infantry Battalion
10 Apr 1917: Promoted Sergeant, 58th Infantry Battalion
12 Aug 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 58th Infantry Battalion
15 Mar 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 58th Infantry Battalion
22 Jun 1918: Involvement Lieutenant, 58th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 58th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-06-22

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Johann Gottleib Dinegott BAENSCH and Johanne Louise nee MATTNER

A NOBLE LIFE NOBLY GIVEN

Lieut. Herbert Baensch, of Dimboola, has given his life for his country. At Gallipoli he was so severely wounded by a bullet, which was embedded near the spine that he was forced to remain five months in hospital. For his gallantry on the occasion of the landing, he received his first step in promotion. After the evacuation his regiment was ordered to France, where his courage and daring gained for him further well merited promotion. Since then he had occupied many important positions. He was 29 years of age.

The Late Lieut H.E.
Baensch.
Mrs Baensch, the mother of tthe late Lieut. Baensch, who made the supreme sacrifice on June 22nd last, received the following letter from the chaplain the 58th Battalion,  describing the death of her gallant son :—
France,
June 24, 1918
Dear Mrs Baensch, No doubt you have been informed officially of the sad death of your dear son, Lieut. H.E. Baensch of the 68th Battalion, on the 22nd of June.  I feel sure  though you would like a few lines from me giving any particlars I know in connection with the accident. Mr Baensch was visiting an outpost on that day and while he was with his men there, a shell came and killed your son- being instantaneous. When daylight came his body was reverently brought to a British cemetery, and I was prepared, but feel myself I have lost a friend - it is specially sad because he was just about to go on "leave", and the fact that he had been so long away from his home on active service touches us all very much.
I can feel for you in your sad loss as I have just yesterday received news of the death of my nephew in another battalion, and last week I lost a nephew in the flying Corps - a pi..
am afraid my outlook on the war very sad, but I am not without the "Light of the Resurrection." I do trust it will give you strength to endure your trial and "light" through the dark ness.
With deep sympathy, yours very sincerely,
CHARLES HALL,
Chaplain, 58th Batt, A.I.F.

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