Lieutenant Albert Chalmers Borella

image: P02939.032 image: P02939.032
Photograph P02939.032
Service number 275
Ranks Held Lieutenant, Private, Sergeant
Birth Date 07/08/1881
Birth Place Australia: Victoria, Borung
Death Date 07/02/1968
Death Place Australia: New South Wales, Albury
Final Rank Lieutenant
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 26th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 26th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Description

In 1918 Albert Borella (1881-1968) led a platoon in an attack to straighten the front line beyond Villers-Bretonneux, from which a major British offensive was to be launched a few weeks later. While ahead of his troops, he single-handedly captured a machine-gun. Then, after clearing a trench and dug-outs, he inspired his men to hold out during heavy enemy counter-attacks. Borella had earlier received the Military Medal and been Mentioned in Despatches.

Although he had enlisted in Townsville (from Darwin), after the war he lived in Victoria as a farmer. Borella also served in the Second World War, and afterwards settled in Albury, New South Wales.

Collection items

    Media


    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. C. 1943-11-06. INSPECTION OF THE GUARD AT THE 51ST AUSTRALIAN GARRISON COMPANY ...

    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. C. 1943-11-06. INSPECTION OF THE GUARD AT THE 51ST AUSTRALIAN GARRISON COMPANY ...

    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. C. 1943-11-06. THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND PARTY, CONSISTING OF AN INTERPRETER, ...

    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. 1943-11-05 TO 1943-11-07. V81550 CAPTAIN A.C. BORELLA, VC, MM., COMMANDING ...

    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. 1943-11-05 TO 1943-11-07. ONE OF THE TWICE DAILY COUNT OF INMATES OF THE 51ST ...

    MYRTLEFORD, VIC. 1943-11-05 TO 1943-11-07. OFFICERS OF THE 51ST AUSTRALIAN GARRISON COMPANY ...

    ALBURY, NSW. 1945-09-19. THE FIRST BATCH OF PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS ...

    Portrait of Lieutenant Albert C. Borella VC MM, 26th Battalion AIF. He was awarded his VC as the ...

    Studio portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) Albert Chalmers Borella VC MM, 26 Battalion. Lt Borella was ...

    HRH The Prince of Wales inspecting Australian recipients of the Victoria Cross during a large ...

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 07/08/1881
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 15/03/1915 A Company, 26th Battalion.
Other 08/09/1915 Admitted to hospital in Egypt.
Date of embarkation 24/05/1915
Other 05/02/1916 Rejoined his unit.
Date of recommendation honour or award 1916
Date wounded 29/07/1916 Wounded in the Battle of Pozieres.
Other 03/1916 Sailed for France
Date of honour or award 02/1917 Although he was recommended for a higher award, he was Mentioned in Despatches for 'devototion to duty and general good work in the trenches'.
Date of recommendation honour or award 11/03/1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 1917
Date of honour or award 03/1917 Awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in action during the attack on Malt Trench, north of Warlencourt.
Date of recommendation honour or award 25/07/1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 31/07/1918
Other 08/1918 Evacuated sick.
Date returned to Australia 06/11/1918
Date of honour or award 1918-07-17 - 1918-07-18 Took part in an assault on a trench at Villers-Bretonneux for which he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order. The award was upgraded to the Victoria Cross.
Other 23/02/1919 AIF appointment ended.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1939 Appointed to the Army and carried out guard duties for prisoners of war.
Date of discharge 1945 Discharged with the rank of captain.
Date of death 07/02/1968 Buried with full military honours in the Presbyterian cemetery in Albury, New South Wales.

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