honor role

Helsin, John

* MM 3918 Cpl 16th Bn.

Born at Footscray Melbourne. Enlisted at Perth 23 August 1915 age 28, timber worker. Next of kin, first his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Helsin of Battle St Mosman Park, then his wife, Edith Emily Helson (wed in England) Australian address Battle St, and later at Horgan St, Cottesloe Beach. Embarked at Fremantle 22 December 1915 per A31 Ajana and served in France 1916-1918. While on leave or training in England he married Edith Emily Field in London on 28 February 1917. He returned to France and was wounded 26 September 1917 and again on 20 August 1918 when a bullet to the buttocks penetrated his abdomen. John Helsin died of wounds in France 3 September 1918 He is buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, Block R Plot 2 Row J Grave 23. The citation for his Military Medal:  ‘Is brought under notice for the very gallant manner in which he carried out his duties during operations near Zonnebeke on 26 September 1917. He was attached to Company HQ as a runner and his duties carried him through areas that were continually under the heaviest barrages. During one period of the operations he voluntarily carried forward SOS flares to the front line through a heavy barrage and under machine gun fire. On his return he had again to penetrate a heavy enemy barrage and brought back valuable information. (Signed) Major General Sinclair MacLagan Commanding 4th Australian Division.’ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 66 dated 2 May 1918 and in the London Gazette 3rd supplement No. 30431 dated 14 December 1917. Helsin is written incorrectly as Belsin on the Cottesloe and district Honour Rolls. Awards and service medals and award: MM, 1914-15 Star, BWM and VM.

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