Lancelot Vicary Horniman

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 31/07/2015 - 12:54

First Name:

Lancelot

Middle Name:

Vicary

Last Name:

Horniman

Mother's Name:

Mary (nee Cameron)

Father's Name:

David Horniman

Date Enlisted:

Friday, April 16, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

2nd Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, September 1, 1918

Place of Death:

Peronne France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Lancelot Horniman was born about 1894. He attended West Kempsey and Shellharbour Public Schools before attending Sydney University for Arts and Law degrees. At the time of enlistment he was a single 21 year old clerk working for the Justice Department in Sydney.

He embarked on HMAT A 63 Karoola on 16th June 1915 with 6th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion.
Lancelot arrived on Gallipoli on 8th October 1915 and saw service there till the evacuation. Back in Egypt he was transferred to 54th Battalion on 14th February 1916. On 24th May 1916 he was promoted to Sergeant. He went to France and was wounded in action at Fromelle on 20th July 1916 with a gun shot wound to his thigh. Lancelot was evacuated to hospital for treatment. In April 1917 he was commissioned and on 17th May 1917 posted as 2nd Lieutenant to 55th Battalion. On 22nd October 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

In August and September 1918 55th Battalion were taking part in the battles for Peronne and St Quentin. On 1st September Lieutenant Horniman was sitting in a shell hole observing when he was hit in the head by a machine gun bullet killing him instantly. He is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Plot I,Row C, Grave 24.

His brother Captain R Horniman of 4th Battalion was awarded the Military Cross.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HORNIMAN L V LIEUTENANT/2146