ROFF, Henry Arthur
| Service Number: | 3893 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dorset, England, July 1897 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 23 May 1961, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 9 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3893, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3893, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Itonus embarkation_ship_number: A50 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3893, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Itonus, Brisbane | |
| 11 Mar 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3893, 9th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private Henry Arthur Roff (Service No. 3893), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.
On 20 September 2025, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
Henry Arthur Roff was born in July 1897 in Dorset, England, to George Roff and Anna Elizabeth Roff (née Bartlett). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Toowoomba, Queensland, on 14 August 1915, stating his age as 19, his occupation as farmer, and naming his father, George Roff of England, as next of kin. On embarkation, he was posted to the 9th Battalion (12th Reinforcements) and departed for overseas service in late December 1915.
On 19 May 1916, Private Roff was taken on strength in France with the 9th Battalion. In March 1917, he was admitted to hospital suffering from influenza. After a brief period of treatment and recovery, he rejoined his unit. In August 1917, he was granted leave to the United Kingdom and rejoined his battalion upon his return on 8 September. Nearly a year later, on 22 June 1918, he again reported sick and was admitted to hospital for treatment. A week later, he had recovered and rejoined his battalion in France.
Early in 1919, he began the process of returning home, and on 15 November 1919 embarked for Australia aboard the SS Ypiranga. The ship arrived in Australia on 1 January 1920, and he was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 11 March 1920.
Following his return to Australia, he was recorded as living in Brisbane and working as a labourer. In 1923, he married Elizabeth May Donald in Queensland. In later years, he continued to reside in Brisbane with his wife until her death in 1950. The couple had no children.
Private Henry Arthur Roff died on 23 May 1961, aged 64, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
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