People Australia

Donald Bain, n.d.

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

DONALD BAIN, son of Mr. George and Mrs. Milly Bain, was born at Malvern, Victoria, on 14th July, 1887. He was educated at Longwarry and Tally-Ho State Schools, and joined the service of the Bank on 20th April, 1912, as a messenger at Melbourne.

Enlisting on 23rd July, 1915, he saw service in Egypt, France and Belgium, and fought at Pozieres, Bapaume, the three Battles of Passchendaele, Lagnicourt, Bullecourt, Villers-Bretonneux, and other engagements.

While serving as linesman, in 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry. His action is recorded in the official records in the following terms:—

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At Brood¬seinde on 9th October, 1917, this linesman laid a telephone wire overland through extremely heavy shelling. Though sniped at incessantly and subjected to machine-gun fire, he continued at his work, and throughout the whole of the operation and the succeeding night he maintained communication and repaired breaks.

“His work proved of the utmost value, and information came quickly back to headquarters, thus facilitating the conduct of the operation.”