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Australia

Son of John VEALE and Mary Jane nee CHRISTIAN

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was one of a party who were starting to mark out an assembly position when the officer and three others were seriously wounded. He attended to all their wounds under continuous shell fire, and got them away to safety. He then marked out the assembly position successfully. He showed great courage and initiative.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918
 

Military Cross

'During operation on the Somme, on the night of the 28-29th September, 1918, bridges were required to cross the canal between Eterpigny and Peronne. In spite of the darkness and persistent desultory shell fire, he reconnoitred the banks for suitable sites, and then proceeded with the dangerous work of transporting materials. Constantly harassed by shell fire, darkness, and shortness of time, by his fine example of courage and energy he constructed two excellent bridges in time for use by the infantry next morning.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Town Clerk, City of Adelaide, 1947-65.

Veale Gardens, South Terrace, Adelaide, are named after him.

William Charles Douglas VEALE (Bill)

Distinguished Conduct Medal & Military Cross in the Great War

Bill Veale was the youngest son of the well-known and at times, controversial Bendigo Mine manager John Veale. Bill was just establishing his working career as a civil engineer when he travelled to Moore Park in Sydney to enlist with the 5th Field Company Engineers Reinforcements at the age of 20 in February 1916. He would soon embark after enlisting and be in Egypt by late May 1916. By late August of the same year he would be at the Western Front, serving with the Engineers, designated as a Sapper.

Bill Veale would be recognised for his brave deeds at the battle of Broodseinde Ridge in Belgium on October 9, 1917, and gained promotion to Lance Corporal and in the November was sent to officer’s and Engineer cadet school in Newark, England.  

News in Bill’s achievements would filter back to Bendigo in the following March, 1918 when the Bendigo Independent reported: -

‘Official word has been received by Mr J. T. Veale, manager of the Bendigo Amalgamated field Nelson mine from the Defence Department that his son Sapper William Veale has been awarded the D.C.M.

A copy of the extract of the London Gazette dated Nov. 23. 1917, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by Sapper Veale are forwarded to Mr Veale states: "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to No. 8026 -Sapper W. C. D, Veale for feats of gallantry and devotion to duty in the field."

Sapper Veale, who is attached lo the 5th Field Company Engineers,' was assistant engineer to the Shire of Marong prior to enlistment. He sailed on April 20 1916, and is 22 years of age’. [1]

Bill Veale’s military career was now well established and he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in February 1918.  By April he is back in France with the Field Company of the Australian Engineers and by May he made Lieutenant. In September he would again be recognised for his brave actions by a Military Cross in actions constructing bridges on the Somme under heavy fire as the Allied and Australian Divisions have the German army in retreat to the Hindenburg Line.

In 1919, Bill would be granted 8 months leave to pursue his Municipal Engineering career in England with the Ministry of Transport, returning to Australia in January 1920.

SERVICE DETAILS: 

Regimental No: 8026

Born: California Gully, Bendigo, May 16 1895

Religion: Methodist

School: St Andrew's College and the School of Mines, Bendigo,

Occupation: Civil engineer

Address: Bendigo, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 20

Next of kin:  Father, John Veale, Mt Korong Rd, California Gully

Previous military service: 67th Infantry

Enlistment date: 14 February 1916

Unit name: 5th Field Company Engineers & 2nd Division Engineers

Embarked: From Sydney, SS Hawkes Bay on 20 April 1916

Final Rank in WW1: Lieutenant, 23 May 1918

Fate Returned to Australia 22 November 1919.

Final Rank in WW2: Temporary Brigadier (AMF) Promoted       12 February 1942

Died: 17 August 1971, Adelaide

Medal Source: DCM 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95

Date: 27 June 1918. MC -                                                                           

At Broodseinde, Belgium, beginning on 9 October 1917.

The Battle of Broodseinde Ridge now commenced a few kilometres south of Passchendaele. The Australian 4th and 5th Divisions were replaced by the Australian 1st and 2nd Divisions which were also joined by the Australian 3rd Division as well as a New Zealand division. It was the first time that 4 Anzac divisions had fought together. Twelve divisions would attack on a 12 kilometre front, the 4 Anzac Divisions Australian 1st, 2nd and 3rd facing Broodseinde ridge and the New Zealand division facing Abraham heights.[2]

Somme, on the night of the 28-29th September, 1918: -

Bill’s Veale’s work involved the construction of two critical bridges that would enable the American 27th and 30th Divisions and Australian 3rd and 5th Divisions across the canal in an attempt to break through the infamous Hindenburg Line. The Germans were aware an attack was imminent and were ready. The American advance suffered dearly and many newish troops became lost. A number of American units had pushed through to the Hindenburg Line however, they were forced to retire as the bulk of the force had been held up or lost their way. The AIF 5th Division pushed through heavy fire and mustard gas to the Hindenburg maze of tunnels and wire. The British IX Corp were also able to break through with ample British artillery support that was not afforded the Australians and American’s efforts. 

[1] Bendigo Independent (Vic. : 1891 - 1918)  Thu 21 Mar 1918  Page 5 sapper w. c. d. veale. AWARDED D.C.M.

[2] ANZACS in France website - http://www.anzacsinfrance.com/1917/