Tremlett Elias Lieut

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Surname: Tremlett;

Forename(s): Elias;

Initials: E;

Rank: Lieut;

Previous Battalion: 9 of;

Previous Regiment: Devon Regt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 208 Coy;

How killed: DOW;

Where: France;

When killed: 23-May-1917;

Awarded: DSO, MID;

Gallantry Notes: DSO: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised a bombing attack, and succeeded in working his way down 500 yards of the enemy's trench. Throughout the attack he showed admirable coolness and resource, and greatly stimulated the men under his command.

War Diary 3/5/1917 (Bullecourt):"Lt E Tremlett took charge of the 4th gun and got straight into the front line.There was no wire round about here and the trench was empty. He mounted his gun ready for action and went along the trench westward and reconnoitred. Seeing the communication trench manned by the enemy he brought his gun along so that he could fire at them. Meanwhile a few infantry had got into the trench, so he collected a few of these. This officer formed them into a bombing party and proceeded down the trench,the men now following behind. He first encountered a German post firing down the road over a breastwork. They consisted of four men who had not seen his flanking party. Lt Tremlett fired at them, killing one man and the others fled up the road, pursued by shots.He continued along the trench and encountered two more Germans at whom he threw a bomb. The two men then retired along the trench. The party kept on, bombing each fire bay using both Mills and stick bombs.Passing two concrete gun emplacements, the officer threw two bombs into each and then fired at a party of about twenty further along. He left the bombing block and having established his flank, he came back to find his gun in action on the east side of the road. However, strong enemy bombing parties came along the trench both ways, but before abandoning the gun, the No 1 took out the feed block and gave it to the No 2, who subsequently buried it. The No 1 was killed just afterwards. The officer and two gunners managed to get back at night.";

Other Data: NB: previously, erroniously, stated to have been awarded the MC - Aug 1917 Army List. Corrected Army List Dec 1919.
With 208 Coy March 1917 - war diary
death from wounds noted in war diary 23/5/1917
mentioned in "Henry Williamson & The Great War" p 155
University of London
Narrative DSO. Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps. LL.B., University College. Son of Mr and Mrs W. Tremlett of Crediton. Died on 23rd May 1917 of wounds received from a shell near Bullecourt. Buried at Mory Abbey.;

Other Notes: TREMLETT, Lieutenant, ELIAS, DSO, 9th Bn. Devonshire Regiment attd. 208th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). Died of wounds 23rd May 1917. Age 27. Son of William and Grace H. Tremlett, of Hollacombe, Crediton, Devon. I. G. 4. Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory - Pas De Calais, France.
DSO: LG 26/7/1917
MID: LG 21/12/1917 (24/12/1917, France);

END OF RECORD.

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