British War Medal
Name: Henry Ernest George Gornalle
Service No: 7246
Unit: 13th Battalion
Naming Details: British War Medal impressed - 7246 PTE. H.E.G. GORNALLE. 13-BN. A.I.F.
Additional Information
Record of Service:
Henry Gornalle was born on the 12th of October 1899 in Balmain, New South Wales. He enlisted in the A.I.F on the 17th of January 1917 and was allocated service number 7246. He embarked from Sydney on the 7th of February 1917 with the 24th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion.
Henry disembarked at Devonport on the 11th of April 1917 and almost straight away found himself in trouble. Over the next couple of months he was charged with AWL, use of improper language and untidy kit. On the 14th of September 1917 he was Court Martialled for disobeying a lawful command by his superior officer. The following day he was on trial again, this time for attempting to escape custody and when in confinement, escaping. He was sentenced to 10 months detention.
On the 6th of January 1918 his sentence was remitted however Henry was soon to fall fowl of the authorities again, he added AWL, failure to salute a commissioned officer, neglecting to give his name and malingering to his charge list. He returned to Australia on the 12th of March 1918 and was discharged “unlikely to become an efficient soldier.”
On the 3rd of January 1919 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (official number 11067) however this was short lived and he deserted from HMAS Cerberus. He served during WW2 (service number NX152360) in the Middle East with HQ Guard Battalion. Henry died on the 8th of May 1966. The BWM is Henry’s full WW1 medal entitlement.
Notes:
British War Medal impressed 7246 PTE. H.E.G. GORNALLE. 13-BN. A.I.F.