Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born: 1st August 1885 in Donald, Victoria

Father Solomon Aarons and Mother Annie Aarons lived in Orange, NSW.

Sister: Mrs Rosetta Solomon, Waterloo Street, Glenelg, South Australia

Sister-in-law: Mrs Marion Aarons (John's wife),
                     lived at 6 King's Road, Subiaco, Western Australia

Older Brother in service:
Private 2868 John Fullerton Aarons - 16th Infantry Battalion
10/07/1916  enlisted into WWI in Perth, WA
09/11/1916  embarked Fremantle, WA, onboard HMAT A8 Argyllshire
                   as a Private with 7th reinforcements, 51st Battalion
10/01/1917  disembarked into Devonport, England
11/04/1917  taken on strength 4th Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, France
30/07/1917  taken on strength 16th Infantry Battalion, Etaples, France
05/05/1917  John was transferred to the 16th Infantry Battalion, in which his younger
                   brother, 2nd Lieutenant Daniel Sidney Aarons, also served
11/07/1917  Shell fragment to head, received in action
                   admitted to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Messines, France
                   died of wounds
He was buried in a grave nearby the Casualty Clearing Station, and his brother Captain
Daniel Sidney Aarons MC & Bar ensured that a Star of David cross was placed on it.
buried in:      Trois-Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France
                    Plot I, Row T, Grave 4

Daniel was described on enlisting as 29 years 11 months of age; single; 5' 10 1/4" tall;
175 lbs; dark complexion; brown eyes; black hair; Jewish.

02/08/1915  joined AIF as a Private
08/10/1915  appointed a Sergeant

25/10/1915  enlisted into WWI

01/04/1916  embarked Fremantle, Western Australia, onboard HMAT A38 Ulysses
                   as a 2nd Lieutenant with 15th reinforcements, 16th Battalion

26/04/1916  marched in to Tel-el-Kebir

01/06/1916  taken on strength of 16th Infantry Battalion, Alexandria
                  proceeded to join British Expeditionary Forces
09/06/1916  disembarked ex HMT Canada into Marseilles, France

09/09/1916  promoted to Lieutenant with 16th Infantry Battalion

18/06/1917  Awarded MILITARY CROSS
                   'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his
                    company and led his men forward with great gallantry. Later, he went back
                    under the most intense fire to report the situation.'

11/07/1917  promoted to Captain with 16th Infantry Battalion

27/10/1917  gun shot wounds to legs, right arm and back, received in action
                   admitted to 3rd London General Hospital

19/12/1917  rejoined 16th Infantry Battalion

16/09/1918  Awarded BAR to Military Cross
                   'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in handling his company with
                    great skill. He made a personal reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and
                    rendered valuable and timely support during an attack. During an enemy
                    counter attack he showed a very fine example of courage in encouraging his
                    men to their highest endeavour. Throughout the whole operations his gallantry
                    and powers of leadership were of a very high order.'

06/06/1919  returned to Australia onboard Olympic for America (at own expense)
07/06/1919  granted leave without pay - Reason - business commitments
                   Vacuum Oil Company, 61 Broadway, New York
13/01/1920  embarked San Francisco onboard Sonoma
03/02/1920  disembarked into Sydney, NSW

03/04/1920  discharged from service

Medals:        British War medal (9420) and  Victory medal (9356)
                   Military Medal and Bar

13/06/1970  became a Knight Bachelor for his work as Treasurer of the Liberal Party of NSW.

23/06/1983  passed away of natural causes (97 years of age)

cremated in: Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens
                   Location: Crescent Court; Section: Wall 6

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  30/04/2017.  Lest we forget.