WITHERS, Roy Barrett
| Service Numbers: | 3136, N278445 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 July 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Special Services AIF |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, 19 October 1893 |
| Home Town: | Lilyfield, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Sailor |
| Died: | Natural causes, New South Wales, 30 January 1976, aged 82 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3136, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Sep 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3136, 13th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 6 Sep 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3136, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Sydney | |
| 27 Feb 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, Special Services AIF |
World War 2 Service
| 30 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, N278445 |
|---|
Elected Alderman of Grafton City Council
Roy Barrett Withers was elected alderman of Grafton City Council at an ordinary council election held on December 12, 1941. Due to his intended departure from Grafton, he resigned from Council in April, 1943. He attended his final Council meeting on April 12, 1943.
Mr Withers was born in Sydney in 1893, son of Arthur T. and Netta C. Withers. He married Lilian Amelia Tilly in Sydney in 1923. His death occurred on January 30, 1976 late of Toowoon Bay, NSW.
Submitted 13 December 2016 by John Johnston
Appointed Governor of Grafton Gaol
Mr. R. B. Withers appointed Governor of Grafton Gaol. For the past three years he has been assistant officer in charge of Emu Plains Prison Farm, and previously six years in charge of Bombala afforestation camp. Mr. Withers is a returned soldier, who served in the 13th Battalion, A.I.F., during the Great War, from early in 1915 to January, 1918. He gained his commission and was recommended for the V.C., being awarded the D.C.M. and twice mentioned in dispatches. In January, 1918, he was attached to the British Army for service with a special force, later known as "Dunsterforce," with the rank of captain. Whilst serving with "Dunsterforce" he saw service in Mesopotamia, Persia and Southern Russia, being mentioned also in dispatches. In January, 1919, he returned to England and was attached to Headquarters Staff Demobilisation, until he returned to Australia in December, 1919. – The Daily Examiner, Grafton, issue dated Saturday February 11, 1939.
Submitted 13 December 2016 by John Johnston
Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Lieut. Roy Withers was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for work performed at Gueudecourt on February 4, 1917;
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He repelled an enemy bombing party and secured his flank at a critical time. Later, although himself wounded, he carried several wounded men back to the dressing station under heavy fire. He set a magnificent example of courage and devotion to duty.” - Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133 Date: 21 August 1917
Submitted 13 December 2016 by John Johnston
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