Samuel Cunningham Weeks

Samuel Weeks (Service No 11428) was born in Wollongong in 1895.

At enlistment Samuel was single, 20 years old, worked as an apprentice engineer and lived at Balgownie, NSW.  He had served 2 years with 25th Signal Company Army Engineers.

Samuel served in Australia until 15th January 1916 when he was deployed for overseas duty and embarked from Sydney on RMS Osterley with Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 14.

He arrived in Egypt on 13th February 1916 and then France on 29th March 1916.

On 6th August 1916 on the Somme, Samuel was admitted to hospital with a fractured collar bone which he sustained when he was involved in a shelling attack.

Samuel was promoted to Corporal while in England on 2nd November 1916.  He returned to France on 20th March 1917 where he joined 102nd Battery.

On 2nd November 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant, then on 22nd September 1918 he was made Battery Sergeant Major.

Samuel was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry on 23rd August, 1918.  The Recommendation for his MM reads: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at PROYART on 23rd August, 1918. The 102nd Battery was pushed up to a very forward position, and at Zero hour was subjected to a heavy Barrage from guns of various calibres. Several men were wounded including Lieutenant HEPPINGSTONE and another Officer. These two N.C.O.s, although their detachments were depleted in numbers by casualties, showed great courage and resource in maintaining the fire of guns throughout. They showed a fine spirit of coolness to their detachments and inspired the men to the extra efforts required of them. Neither N.C.O. is in possession of a decoration.' Commonwealth Gazette dated 15th September 1919.

Samuel was returned to Australia in July 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 6th October 1919.

He died in Wollongong in 1959 and is buried in Woronora Cemetery.

Samuel's service is commemorated on the Balgownie Presbyterian Church Honour Roll.