2466 WO Class II Battery Sergeant Major Frederick Creeke DCM

2466 Warrant Officer Class II Frederick Creeke DCM

Born January 1891 Tauranga New Zealand

Occupation: Fireman

Service: NSWFB, Joined 5 March 1909, Second Class Fireman

•   11 Paddington
•   39 Randwick
•   3 Circular Quay
•   53 Ben Boyd
•   2 George Street West
•   15 Burwood
•   44 Auburn

  Resigned 14 September 1914

First AIF

Enlisted 10 September 1914, 6th Brigade Australian Field Artillery 

•   Gallipoli
•   France
•   Belgium

  WIA three times:

•   Gallipoli Gunshot wound scalp
•   26 July 1917 Gunshot wound scalp, Messines, Belgium
•   1 September 1917 Gassed and gas shell burns, Ypres, Belgium

  Discharged Medical Unfitness 26 August 1918

  Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal, London Gazette 25 August 1917

Recommendation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal

2466 W.O. Class II Battery Sergeant Major Frederick Creeke, 16th Battery, 6th Army Brigade, Australian Field Artillery

On the afternoon of the 21st June 1917, at Messines, the 16th Battery was heavily shelled and all ranks were ordered to leave the gun pits, and seek cover, five casualties having previously occurred. At 3.30pm the camouflage on No 1 pit caught fire and burnt fiercely endangering about 300 rounds of shrapnel and H.E. stored in the pit alongside the gun.

BSM Creeke called for volunteers to assist him to put out the fire. No 7976 Bdr Brown J B, No 8090 Dvr Bishop R G, No 8003 A/Cpl McSweeney J, and No 9479 Gunner Baker T C R, immediately volunteered, and these other ranks at great personal risk succeeded in putting the fire out by throwing buckets of water over it, the water being obtained from shell holes and a well nearby.

The whole of the camouflage was destroyed and many sandbags set alight also a few rounds of ammunition were charred. All the above took place under very heavy shell fire from the enemy 5.9s.

London Gazette 25th August 1917

2466 Battery Sergeant Major Frederick Creeke, 6th Field Artillery Brigade

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Non – Commissioned Officers and Men for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the field.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under most critical and dangerous conditions.

His battery was under heavy shell fire, and the whole of the camouflage was burning. At great personal risk he led a party of volunteers to extinguish the fire, which was threatening very serious explosions amongst the ammunition at any moment, and by his energy and courage disaster was averted.

NSWFB

Rejoined 30 August 1918, Promoted to Sub Station Officer 1 September 1928

•   1 Headquarters
•   2 George Street West
•   9 Woollahra
•   6 North Sydney
•   46 Hunters Hill
•   Cronulla

Retired on the grounds of Physical Incapacity 21 October 1946

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1914/15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NSWFB LS&GC