| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P07811.001 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 5466 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) William Robert Bear MM and Bar, 23rd Battalion, of ...
Description
Studio portrait of 5466 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) William Robert Bear MM and Bar, 23rd Battalion, of Sandringham, Victoria. A leather worker prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 14th Reinforcements from Melbourne aboard HMAT Miltiades on 1 August 1916. While serving in Belgium in October 1917, Private (Pte) Bear was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for conspicuous gallantry at Broodseinde for his work maintaining communication lines under heavy fire. Promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in December 1917, Pte Bear was again recognised for his courage and coolness under fire as a linesman at Herleville in August 1918, and was awarded the Bar to MM. During the battle for Mont St Quentin, L Cpl Bear was killed in action on 1 September 1918, aged 27, and was buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, France.