Bert Onions

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 09/01/2017 - 14:39

First Name:

Bert

Last Name:

Onions

Mother's Name:

Frances Onions nee Ward

Father's Name:

John Onions

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, February 23, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

53rd Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, April 17, 1981

Details:

Bert Onions (Service No 1967) was born in Hednesford, England around July 1894.

At enlistment, he was single, 21 years old, worked as a miner and lived in Bellambi, N.S.W.

Bert embarked on HMAT A37 Barambah, with 53rd Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement, on 23rd June 1916. He arrived in England on 25th August 1916, and joined 53rd Battalion, in France, on 24th December 1916. Bert saw service on the Western Front.

On 24th June 1917, he attended Signal School, returning to his unit on 5th July 1917, after passing the course. On 26th September 1917, Bert was wounded in action while fighting at Polygon Wood, in Belgium. He was evacuated to hospital in England, for treatment of a severe gun shot wound to his left elbow. Bert returned to his unit on 10th April 1918, and served until the end of the war. He returned to Australia in August 1919, and was discharged on 27th November 1919.

In 1920, Bert married Margaret Elliott, in Wollongong, N.S.W.

Bert died in 1981.

Bert is commemorated on the Corrimal Methodist Honour Roll.

His brother, Reuben Onions, also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, ONIONS BERT