Military Records
There are many colourful individuals in the Dorhauer family history pages, some are distant relations, others within the closer family circle. They all have their own stories to tell, but unfortunately these have been lost in time and it has been my task to gather whatever remnants of their lives remain in the memories of living relatives, and old documentation sourced from archives and library records.
War hero"s are abundant throughout the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, and it can be said that all of our service personel who fought for this country can be rightly classed as a hero. Not all hero's receive recognition for their feats so it is of great pride that one of our own has received his reward.
John Munro Bargh, my Grandmother Charlotte Archdall Bargh's uncle was awarded the "Distinguished Conduct Medal" for "Conspicuous Gallantry and Devotion to Duty" the commendation, dated 4th October 1918 is worded as follows;
His Majesty The King has been pleased to award the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned non commissioned officer for gallantry and distinguished service in the field:-
No 377 Sergeant J. M. Bargh
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of a patrol when the enemy launched an attack. seeing the enemy advancing in strengh, he galloped his troop forward, and occupied a cutting in advance of the infantry firing line. He opened fire on the advancing enemy, and by his bold simulation of strengh checked their advance and compelled them to dig in. He showed splendid courage and initiative.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
John Munro Bargh first served with the" NSW Imperial Bushmens" unit during the Boer war from 1899 to 1902 and served with the "Scottish Horse" for 200 days from 5th December 1901 to 19th June 1902 in the Boer campaign, then with the 6th Light Horse Regiment during the 1st world war. He was 44 years old when he won his medal. He also fought at Anzac Cove Gallipoli.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was instigated by the British as a means of recognising acts of gallantry performed by 'other ranks' (i.e. non commissioned officers) during the Crimean War (from 4 December 1854),The DCM was regarded as second only to the 'Victoria Cross' in prestige.
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Five other members of the Bargh family fought in the Great War. One of John's brothers, Robert Bruce Bargh, my grandmother's brother, was killed in action on 12th. October 1917 in Belgium and was buried at Passchendaele (Passendale) Belgium. He was 22 years old.
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OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES
James William Francis Watson My maternal Grandfather served with the light horse brigade in the Middle East during the 1st world war.
Russell Dorhauer My father, served with the Royal Australian Navy during the 2nd world war.
Russell Albert James Dorhauer The author, served with the Royal Australian Navy
Anthony Jon Dorhauer My brother served wiyh the Royal Australian Navy.
Richard Dorhauer An uncle served with the Australian Imperial Forces. 2nd world war
Donald Alan Dorhauer An uncle served with the Royal Australian Airforce. 2nd world war
Donald Robert Bruce Bargh A 1st cousin served with the Royal Australian Navy. 2nd world war
Robert Bruce Bargh My grandmothers brother. Served with the A I F. Killed in action at Passchendale 1917
Kenneth Robert Bargh An uncle served with the Australian Imperial Forces. 2nd world war
John Munro Bargh A great uncle served with the Australian Imperial Bushmens unit & Scottish Horse Unit, Boer War & Australian Imperial Forces. 1st world war
Joshua Bargh An uncle served with the Australian Imperial Forces. 1st world war
Robert Munro Bargh A great uncle served with the Australian Imperial Forces. 1st world war
Edward Anthony Watson My mothers' brother, served with the Royal Australian Navy.
William Robertson My uncle, served with the Australian Expeditionary Force in the 7th. Field
Engineers during the 1st. World War.
James Pierce Cantwell A great uncle served with the Australian Expeditionary forces. 2nd world war
THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
The Battle Of Marston Moor
2nd. July 1644
SIR RICHARD GLEDHILL, KNIGHT
Richard, third son of Thomas Gledhill and Edith Harrison, the 10th. great grand uncle of Judith Ellen Dorhauer (nee Ranger) The 11th. great grand uncle of Jason Russell Dorhauer and the 12th. great grand uncle of Josie Ellen and Jackson Edward Dorhauer, was born December 29th.1616. He supported the Royalist cause and was a Captain of a "Troop of Horse"
The battle of Marston Moor, which took place in the evening of the 2nd July, between the forces of Charles the 1st. and Oliver Cromwell's Parlimentarians is believed to have been the largest battle ever fought on English soil. Despite the Royalists having 10,000 fewer troops than the Parliamentarians, the outcome was by no means a foregone conclusion. But, after initial success on the left and in the centre, Rupert was defeated in dramatic fashion. In just a couple of hours on Marston Moor the the fate of York and control of the North was decided, the Royalist Northern army was effectively destroyed, and Rupert and the Royalist cavalry lost their reputation as an invincible force.
Sir Richard was killed in the battle in 1644 and was buried in St. Martin, Micklegate on July 8th. of that year
Author: Russell Albert James Dorhauer
Findmypast ANZAC Memory Bank. Details for John Munro Bargh
http://www.findmypast.com.au/articles/anzac-day-stories/page-26
Additional site of interest for Military Historians
http://www.maryboroughmuseum.org/
Surnames & Descendancy Charts & Pedigree Charts researched can be found on this link
See attachments below for:
Eyewitness account of death of Robert Bruce Bargh
Letter of Commendation for John Munro Bargh, uncle of Robert Bruce Bargh
Letter advising missing in action Robert Bruce Bargh
To read documents relating to the the person or event click onto corresponding attachment at bottom of page
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