Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Regimental Sergeant Major Lindsay Bucknell Moncrief Hely MC who served under the name Henry Lindsay (Service No. 1701), an Australian World War One veteran who was Mentioned in Despatches twice and awarded the Military Cross, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Lindsay Bucknell Moncrief Hely was born on 11 April 1869 in Brisbane, Queensland, to Henry Hely and Isabel Hely (née Salmond). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in January 1915 at Bundaberg, Queensland, aged 43, and recorded his occupation as a boiler attendant. On 8 April 1915, he embarked from Brisbane for overseas service with the 15th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements, aboard HMAT Star of England. He was later transferred to the 45th Battalion.

In September 1915 he sustained a gunshot wound to his right wrist, and after treatment in England, returned to duty.

1916 - Mention in Despatches
1701 C.S.M. (W.O. Class 2). Henry Lindsay. This warrant officer is a man of long experience as a soldier and his example to, and hold over the men of his company have proved of great assistance. His coolness and courage under fire was exemplary.

1917 - Mention in Despatches
1701 C.S.M. (W.O. Class 2). Henry Lindsay. For consistently good work since March 1916. By personal bravery and soldierly bearing, though not strong, he has set a grand example to his juniors.

1917 - Military Cross
R.S.M. (W.O. Class I) Harry Lindsay. For continuous conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the period 28th February to 20th September 1917. 
Sergeant Major Lindsay’s work has been exceptional as an organiser and a leader especially during the operations at Bullecourt in April 1917 and Messines in June 1917. His soldierly example has achieved excellent results during the whole period whilst acting as Regimental Sergeant Major.

In May 1919 he returned to Australia on the troopship S.S. Trasos Montes and was discharged from the AIF in July.

In May 1922, his English wife Mabel, whom he had married in London in December 1915, wrote to Australian Base Records seeking information about her husband, Henry Lindsay. She stated that she had received no news from him since his return to Australia, and detailed her unsuccessful efforts to trace him through newspaper advertisements, legal inquiries, and Australia House. She noted that he had previously corresponded regularly, making his prolonged silence unexplained and a cause for concern. No further contact between the two was subsequently recorded.

Following his return to Australia, Henry Lindsay was recorded as living at the Queens Hotel, Longreach, and later at Gayndah, where he was employed as a clerk and librarian. By 1943, he was residing at ‘Kingshome’, Taringa, Brisbane, a home for returned soldiers and sailors.

Regimental Sergeant Major Lindsay Bucknell Moncrief Hely who served as Henry Lindsay died on 10 August 1945 at the Brisbane Hospital, aged 76, and was buried three days later in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His death certificate recorded his wife and children as “parties unknown”. In the absence of recorded next of kin, it is likely that his First World War service medals, including the Military Cross, were returned to Army Base Records and subsequently destroyed.

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.