08/05/1915- To 7th Reinforcements 11th Battalion Blackboy Hill Camp WA as Private
16/05/1915- To 8th Reinforcements 10th Light Horse Regiment Blackboy Hill as Trooper
01/07/1915- To No. 3 Depot Squadron Blackboy Hill
01/08/1915- To 10th Reinforcements 10LHR Blackboy Hill
10/08/1915- Promoted Corporal WA
13/10/1915- Embarked Fremantle WA aboard “Themistocles” bound for Egypt
24/10/1915- Admitted Ships Hospital at Sea (Influenza)
28/10/1915- Discharged to Duty ex Ships Hospital
06/11/1915- Disembarked Alexandria to Overseas Training Base Heliopolis Egypt
16/11/1915- Admitted 4 Auxiliary Hospital Abbassia Egypt (Mumps)
28/12/1915- Discharged to Training Camp Heliopolis ex Hospital
06/03/1916- Transferred to 3rd Light Horse Reserve Regiment Heliopolis
07/04/1916- Transferred to 4th Division Ammunition Column Serapeum Egypt as Gunner
24/04/1916- Promoted to Acting Bombardier Serapeum
20/05/1916- Appointed Temporary Bombardier Serapeum
06/06/1916- Embarked Alexandria with British Expeditionary Forces bound for Marseilles France
13/06/1916- Disembarked Marseilles
25/06/1916- Transferred to Y4 Australian Medium Trench Mortar Battery in the field France
24/07/1916- Promoted Sergeant France
09/12/1916- To Anzac 1st Trench Mortar School France
26/01/1917- Returned to Duty Y4AMTMB France ex School
06/03/1917- Admitted 51st General Hospital Etaples France (Sick) ex Field Ambulance ex 9th Casualty Clearing Station
01/05/1917- To Australian General Base Depot Rouelles France
12/06/1917- Rejoined Y4AMTMB in the field France ex Base Depot
07/11/1917- Mentioned in Despatches
10/11/1917- Detached to 10th Field Artillery Brigade France
28/12/1917- Rejoined Y4AMTMB France ex Detachment
15/02/1918- Granted Leave England
07/03/1918- Detached to 1st Australian Division Trench Mortar Battery France ex Leave
15/03/1918- Rejoined Y4AMTMB France ex Detachment
10/04/1918- Detached to 4th Australian Division APM France
28/04/1918- Rejoined Y4AMTMB France ex Detachment
08/05/1918- Transferred to 8th Medium Trench Mortar Battery France
07/08/1918- Detached to Army Trench Mortar School France
24/08/1918- Rejoined 8MTMB France ex School
11/10/1918- Detached to 11th Field Artillery Brigade France
01/01/1919- Granted Leave England
08/01/1919- Marriage to- Gladys Marjorie JOHNSTON, Bank Clerk, of North Leith, Scotland
24/02/1919- Rejoined 11FAB France ex Leave
14/03/1919- Disembarked Weymouth England ex France
21/06/1919- Embarked England aboard “Konigin Luise” for Return to Australia
02/08/1919- Disembarked Fremantle
25/09/1919- Discharged from Service (Termination of Period of Enlistment).
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
Mention in Despatches (Oak Leaves)
1914/1915 Star – No. 5783
British War Medal – No. 5866
Victory Medal – No. 5853.
RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD OF MILITARY MEDAL
“This N.C.O has faced heavy fire and enemy barrage upon the Somme on four operations, 06/08/1916 at Kay Trench, 19/08/1916 at Mouquet Farm, 25/08/1916 at Quarry, Mouquet Farm and again on 29/08/1916) and by his devotion to duty and careless disregard of danger succeeded on those occasions in maintaining the ammunition supply, and by his judgement has averted casualties. His skill in handling his men and in the construction of emplacements has proved a valuable asset to his Officers”.
(Sergeant STAFFORD did not have this recommendation approved and it is possible that the original document did not reach the Divisional Commander for signature/sign off during this period of heavy casualties , including the horrendous Battle for Pozieres).
MENTION IN DESPATCHES 24th September 1917.
“For valuable services rendered during period 25/02/1917-20/09/1917 especially durin operations in the Bullecourt sector in March and April.
Sergeant Stafford faced heavy fire and enemy barrage on several occasions and by his devotion to duty and careless disregard for danger succeeded in maintaining the ammunition supply, and his judgement has also been the cause of many casualties being averted.
His skill in handling men and also in the construction of emplacements has proved of great value to his Officers”.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 18 April 1918, Page 844, Position 173
London Gazette” 28 December 1917, Page 13568, Position 4.
AUTHOR NOTE
It is interesting to note that both recommendations are almost identical, however, relate to two distinctly separate series of actions at different locations, six months apart.