SHEARS, Harry
| Service Number: | 564 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 December 1915, 1 yr Senior Cadets, 4 yrs 16th Infantry |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 14 July 1894 |
| Home Town: | Minmi, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Minmi Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Messines, Belgium, 8 June 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 35), Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Minmi Roll of Honour, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 564, 35th Infantry Battalion, 1 yr Senior Cadets, 4 yrs 16th Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 564, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 564, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney |
Help us honour Harry Shears's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Let us remember a Fallen soldier of The Great War memorialised at Mimi Cemetery, N.S.W.
On the 8th June 1917, Private Harry Shears, also known as Henry, 35th Battalion (Reg No-564), miner from near Workshop (School Hill), Minmi, New South Wales, was Killed in Action during the Battle of Messines, Belgium, age-22 years 11 months. Cause of death unknown.
Born at Minmi, New South Wales on the 14th July 1894 to Frank (died 15.3.1911, Minmi, N.S.W., age 65, buried at Right Hand Side, Section 02, Plot 041), from near Workshop (School Hill), Minmi, N.S.W., and Jane Shears nee Sneddon (died 13.5.1917, Minmi, N.S.W., age 62 years 11 months, mother of 10, sleeping at Right Hand Side, Section 02, Plot 041), from near Workshop (School Hill), Minmi, N.S.W., Harry enlisted on the 20th December 1915, age 21 years 5 months, at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916.
Disembarked Plymouth, England 9.7.1916.
Admitted to Military Hospital, Fargo, Larkhill, Salisbury Plain, England 12.10.1916 (fractured rib, mild).
Discharged from hospital and rejoined unit 21.10.1916.
Proceeded O/Seas to France from Southampton, England 21.11.1916.
Reported wounded in action 8.6.1917.
Now reported KIA 15.6.1917.
Report of a letter (see Links) of sympathy sent home from the front to sister Miss Janet Shears, born 17.5.1882, Minmi, N.S.W., died 18.4.1972, Newcastle, N.S.W., age 89, sleeping at Minmi Cemetery, Right Hand Side, Section 04, Plot 037, unmarked grave.
Harry’s name has been inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 35), Belgium.
Place of Association - Minmi, New South Wales, Australia.
Mr. Shear’s name has also been inscribed on the Minmi Roll of Honour. Name possibly inscribed on the Minmi Lodge No.72 M.U.I.O.O.F. Roll of Honour, unveiled on the 26th July 1916, 19 names inscribed but not stated who they are, no photo and whereabouts unknown. Father Frank was a member.
Older brother Thomas Frederick (sometimes referred to as Frederick or Fred, born 21.2.1880, Minmi, New South Wales, single miner from Minmi, New South Wales, enlisted 28.12.1915, 34th Battalion, Reg No-554, age 35 years 10 months, unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A20 Hororata on the 2nd May 1916, KIA 9th April 1918, Villers-Bretonneux, France, age 38 years 1 month), will research and post.
I have placed poppies at the memorialised Shears gravesite in remembrance of the service and supreme sacrifice of their 2 sons for God, King & Country. Right Hand Side, Section 02, Plot 037.
Many thanks to Pat Healion, Jeanette Park and Ros Cheetham for the notification.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
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