Silvester Henshaw

Silvester Henshaw (Service No 11333) was born in Glamorgan, Wales and served 2 years with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

At enlistment Silvester was single, 27 years old, worked as a miner and lived at Helensburgh, N.S.W.  He embarked from Sydney on RMS Osterley with Field Artillery Bridage 1, 14th Reinforcement on 15th January 1916.  He arrived in Egypt and was posted to his unit on 13th February 1916.

On 24th January 1917 Silvester was posted to 2nd Brigade in France. 

On 31st October 1917 he was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gas attack.  Silvester returned to his unit on 6th February 1918 and served on the Western Front.

On 25th March 1919 Silvester was awarded the Military Medal for his actions on 3rd October 1918 when he was serving with 5th Australian Field Artillery Battery as a temporary Bombadier.  The citation in the recommendation for the Military Medal reads:

'On the morning of October 3rd the Battery was very heavily shelled by guns of all calibres including a considerable quantity of Gas shells.  Lieut. S.P. Boutlon and 5 Other Officers were killed, and some men wounded.  This N.C.O. with great bravery attended the wounded and assisted in taking them to the nearest Dressing Station.  Undoubtedly his courage saved the lives of the wounded and set the men a splendid example."

Silvester was discharged in London on 21st March 1919.

At some time Silvester returned to Australia and was in the Taree area of N.S.W. when he enlisted for service in World War II.  He served with Volunteer Defence Corps, Corps Headquarters from 24th March 1942 until 14th October 1943 (Service No N161690), and nominated William Henshaw as next of kin.