The following biography has been extracted from the Virtual War Memorial Australia Website (with corrections and minor modifications):

Ivan Brunker SHERBON was born 16 February 1893 in Glebe, New South Wales, Australia. His parents were William James Sherbon and Mary Ann Elizabeth Sherbon nee Brunker) who married on 31 March, 1891 at St Peters Church in Maitland – his father was a Major in the Army and Chief Clerk, 2nd Military District at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales – he served for 40 years.

Ivan had been granted a commission in the 20th Infantry (Redfern & Surry Hills in 1913, receiving his second star two years later. He was promoted to Lieutenant 1 January 1915 with the Naval & Military Expeditionary Forces & embarked on the ship “Berrima” to New Guinea and returned to Sydney on the SS “Eastern” on 16 January 1915 – his appointment was terminated on 6 February 1915.

At the outbreak of the war Ivan was working as a Clerk in the Wool Department of Dalgety & Co. Sydney – shortly after the British declared war on Germany Ivan was appointed 2nd Lieutenant to H Company, 1st Tropical Battalion, a small volunteer force sent to seize and destroy German wireless stations in New Guinea. Early in 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant. The Tropical Unit returned to Sydney and many of its soldiers, including Ivan joined the 19th Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, AIF – he was promoted to Captain and left for training in Egypt.

After further training in Egypt, the 19th Battalion proceeded to France in March 1916 and took part in its first major offensive around Pozieres between late July and the end of August, 1916.

In August his battalion landed at Anzac Cove and participated in the last action of the August offensive – the attack on Hill 60, before settling into a defensive action in the trenches defending Popes Hill until the Anzac withdrawal on the night of 19th December.

He served through the latter part of the Gallipoli campaign and after the evacuation left with his battalion for France where he had been steadily in the firing line, until he laid down his life for his Country.

He had served in the Commonwealth Senior Cadets for three and a half years and 2 years in the general ranks and the remainder as a Lieutenant in the CMF for 1 year and 2 months as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was then seconded to the 1st Battalion, Naval Military Expedition Force as a 2nd Lieutenant for 6 months.

Captain Ivan was twice recommended for a Military Cross for actions in the field in France - he was promoted to Temporary Major on 21 August 1916 until 9 November 1916. He was Killed in Action while moving his company into line on 14 November 1916 at the Battle of Gueudecourt - he is buried in Thistle Dump Cemetery in France and his name is memorialised at the Australian War Memorial.

He was awarded the Military Cross on 16 August 1916 for Actions in the Field on 28 July 1916 & also awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

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MILITARY CROSS

For his coolness, resources & courage whilst assisting the Adjutant on the night of 28/29 July 1916 in getting the 28th Battalion into its position for the attack on Pozieres. This Officer took part in an exposed position at the head of a communication trench where many casualities had occurred. He kept the men moving forward and sent them in the correct directions across country to their position for deployment.

This officer has repeatedly during the period 26 July to 4 August 1916 displayed great coolness under shell fire and his work both in Gallipoli and France has been consistently good.

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2nd Recommendation for MC 16 September 1916

This Officer’s work throughout the whole period in France has been most meritorious. He has displayed great devotion to duty, zeal, coolness under heavy fire on numerous occasions and has handled his Company with marked ability.

At Pozieres he assisted in guiding the 28th Batttalion intoits position for the attack on 29 July, 1916, displaying coolness under fire.

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Maitland Daily Mercury 21 November 1916

Major Ivan Sherbon Killed

Major W. J. Sherbon, Chief Clerk, 2nd Military District, Victoria Barracks, Sydney has received the sad news that his only son, Major Ivan Brunker Sherbon was Killed in Action in France in November 14. Major Ivan Sherbon was only 23 years of age.