British War Medal 1914-20 : Major T B Slaney, 8 Field Artillery Brigade, AIF

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Thomas Browne Slaney was born in Melbourne on 9 August 1890. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the militia in 1912, serving with 20 Battery, Australian Fortress Artillery. On the outbreak of the First World War Slaney was working as a clerk when he enlisted as a second lieutenant in the AIF on 28 September 1914 as reinforcement to 2nd Australian Field Artillery Brigade (2 FAB).

The reinforcements embarked on HMAT 'Borda' in Melbourne on 22 December 1914, arriving at Mena Camp in Egypt on 10 February 1915. It was around this time that he was promoted to lieutenant. Attached to the brigade's ammunition column, Slaney was temporarily seconded to 1st Division Ammunition Column. During the Gallipoli landings Slaney was present on board the transport 'Atlantian' assisting in offloading horse boats at Cape Helles before the ship anchored offshore at Anzac later in the day. He subsequently returned to Alexandria.

After transferring back to 2 FAB Ammunition Column, Slaney joined his unit on Gallipoli on 2 August. Another secondment followed on 14 August, this time to 2 FAB Headquarters on Anzac as acting adjutant. The following month Slaney was evacuated from the peninsula suffering from enteric fever. He later underwent surgery before returning to Australia in January 1916 for a 'three months change'.

On 29 July he re-embarked on HMAT 'Orsova' in command of 8 FAB reinforcements bound for England. He rejoined 2 FAB's 6th Battery in France on 24 November. Following a promotion to captain on 21 January 1917, Slaney was transferred to 3 FAB Ammunition Column. During the period of Slaney's posting the unit served in operations around Gueudecourt, Hermies, Demicourt, Messines, Menin Road and Polygon Wood.

By the end of September Slaney's work with 3 FAB was being recognised after he had acted as commander of the ammunition column and later an artillery battery. Following operations at Polygon Wood an undefined recommendation was forwarded by the commander of 3 FAB on 20 September noting his excellent work during fighting around Ypres.

Promoted to temporary major on 1 October 1917, the promotion was made substantive on 17 November while he was on leave in England. During January 1918 he completed a Battery Commanders' Artillery Course and on 4 May Slaney was transferred to command 29th Battery of 8 FAB. By the end of the same month Slaney again received recognition for his conspicuous service when he was mentioned in the despatches of Sir Douglas Haig.

On 8 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens, 3 FAB's batteries advanced from Hamel to near Morcourt when the British Division on their left flank was held up, leaving them exposed to observation and enemy fire from Mallard Wood. Continuing to move forward, the batteries reached Morcourt that evening with a relatively light casualty count of 3 killed and 7 wounded. Later in the month Slaney, together with the other battery commanders, reconnoitered north of the Somme before positioning their units forward.

On occasion in the weeks that followed the situation on the flanks, and forward of the batteries as they advanced, was not always clear and officers and men were sent out to gather intelligence. For his actions during this period Slaney was awarded a Distinguished Service Order. Further recognition followed with another Mention in Despatches on 31 December.

Slaney returned to Australia on 25 April 1919 and was discharged on 17 June though his involvement with the militia continued. On 1 August 1926 he was given command of the 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade. The following year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He relinquished his position with the unit in September 1932.

During the Second World War he commanded the Artillery Training Depots in Victoria as temporary colonel. Slaney died at Mornington, Victoria on 6 February 1974.