DILGER, Harry Clarence
| Service Number: | 366 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 March 1916, An original of B Company |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 40th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Swansea, Tasmania, Australia, 21 December 1897 |
| Home Town: | Swansea, Glamorgan/Spring Bay, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in action, France, 31 January 1917, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres Plot IV, Row E, Grave No. 3. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Swansea Glamorgan WW1 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 366, 40th Infantry Battalion, An original of B Company | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 366, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 366, 40th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Hobart |
Help us honour Harry Clarence Dilger's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Harry Dilger of Swansea, Tasmania enlisted when he was just 18 years of age. His parents were Mary Elizabeth (Skeggs) and William Dilger. His father died of epilepsy when Harry was only eight years of age. He had seven brothers and sisters, whom his mother Mary raised by herself.
Harry had only been at the front for two months when he was killed in action during a German raid on the 40th Battalion’s trench line. Harry was killed when a shell fragment from the pre raid bombardment struck him.
His oldest brother, 2452 Lce. Cpl. Albert William Dilger, M.M. 12th Battalion AIF, was three times wounded and decorated before he was killed in action 31 May 1918, aged 29.
It was reported in the local paper that Harry 'was a keen athlete, and a fine, manly young fellow, and very popular in the Swansea district.'
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