Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Mr. W. W. and Ada Wren, of Taraganda, Bega, New South Wales.

HE FILLED HIS NICHE AND ACCOMPLISHED HIS TASK

HAROLD ERASIMUS WREN 
Called Hal. 
From "Tarranganda" and "Kanieruka” both near Bega.
At TAS for 3½ years from 1901 to Dec. 1904. Cricket and Tennis. At the "Lamb-singing" in 1901 he "recited a revised version of Jack and Jill with an awe-stricken countenance". He acted in the School  farce in 1903. After leaving school he went to Hawkesbury Agricultural College from July 1905 to December 1907. He received his Diploma in 1907. At Candelo Show he won a special prize for the best  cattle judge under 25. At Bega Show his Jersey Bull, cows and heifers won prizes. On 1915 he wrote to the Principal of Hawkesbury "that he had thrown in his lot with the Expeditionary Forces, to do  his share in relieving the Empire of her perilous position. He is leaving the best farm on the South Coast to do this. He wrote for testimonials as to his efficiency in Vet. Science and ambulance work for  although he was willing to tackle any job in the Forces, he considered that work In A.M.C. or Vet. Corps would be an additional education, also that there was more likelihood of working with old College mates or ex-students" (The Hawkesbury Agricultural College Journal Sept. 191b).     

    
In 1905 the umpired a girls’ cricket match. He managed his father's property at Bega. 

Served In Second Battalion A.I.F. and First Field Artillery Second Battery as a Gunner. He wrote to the Armidalian on 2.9.1916 “Though I cannot name my position, it is one that some time or other  belonged to the highest family of a ruined nation. The ruined homesteads surrounding us, with glorious gardens and parks battered to pieces, still present indicating what a glorious place this must  have been. Though we are a lot closer to the front trenches, we lost no opportunity to hunt round these grounds, battered towns and chateaux. Today we got a few pieces of wallpaper off a once-noted  residence, which I am enclosing as souvenirs. Yesterday two of us walked into a once-famous town that has borne its full, share of Hun brutality, and though an enormous place, has not one solitary  sound house, which shows you how intense artillery fire can get. You can see where the whole of one wall in two and three storey houses has been removed, the floors and rooms all exposed to the  Street. One magnificent Cathedral has been knocked all shapes. We went into one that still had the altar and scores of fine images left, but scores had their heads cut off for souvenirs." He spent some  time in Egypt before crossing over to France. "It was characteristic of the man that, although he was offered a commission if he transferred to another arm of the service, he preferred to stick to his old comrades and remain a Private."

Killed in France one month short of age 30. He was shot in the arm while on observation duty and died of wounds in Number 6 General Hospital. There is handwritten on the back of his photo “wounded at Fleurs on 12th November. Died In hospital at Moulin 15th November, 1916".

Obituary in the Armidalian taken from the Southern Star, Bega 25.11.1916 "In France he took part in all the great fighting the Australians have been in, and his descriptive letters of life at the Front,  which appeared in the press, were greatly appreciated. Hal Wren was a young man admired and loved by everyone from those nearest and dearest to him to the men who worked for and with him.  Comfortably placed, and with the brightest prospects in life, he might have led a life of ease, but early and late he was to be seen at work on his father's estate at "Tarraganda", the management of  which he had for some years before enlisting. He was both an expert and practical farmer, having had several years experience at Hawkesbury College before settling down. He was 1oth to leave the  farm, but the call of duty reached him, and he went forth to do his bit for the Empire. His death is a cruel blow to his parents and brothers and sisters to whom he fervently attached, a distinct loss to  his district and country. In the field of sport, the late Hal Wren was also a popular and prominent patron. A cricketer he was a top-notch batsman, and was one of the mainstays for some seasons of the old Bega Club. He was a keen coursing enthusiast, and was also an active member of the Bega Tennis Club. No young man in his community was held in greater respect, for it can truly be said that was a model in all things, and, although we deeply mourn his death, a hero's death is a fitting and noble end to such a life." Memorial - His name is in the Memorial Hall at Hawkesbury Agricultural College.

Brother. He had a brother A.C. Wren at TAS.