Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Herbert Leslie House
Service Number: 85
Place of Birth: Mount Torrens
Date of Birth: 18 June 1895
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 10 January 1916
Age at Enlistment: 20 years 7 months
Next of Kin: Mother, Jane House
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Methodist
Rank: Private
Herbert and his brother Elliott left Adelaide with his unit, the 43rd Battalion on board HMAT A 19 Afric on 9 June1916. He was hospitalised whilst on board for 3 weeks with tonsillitis. Bert proceeded to France with his unit on November 25. He was again hospitalised with tonsillitis on 18 June 1917, rejoining his unit on 29 June.
Whilst fighting in France, Bert was wounded twice and gassed once. He was wounded in action on 4 October 1917and was gassed on 26 May 1918. Bert sustained a severe gunshot wound to his back during action on 2 September 1918. This resulted in being invalided to Bristol Hospital in England on September 5. He returned to Australia on board the Orsova on 25 February 1919 and discharged on 4 April.
Upon returning home to Mount Torrens Bert worked as an apiarist then saved sufficient capital to buy land, cows and sheep in the district. He served with the Volunteer Defence Corps during World War Two. They trained every Saturday so as to maintain their combat effectiveness should it be required.
Bert’s daughter, Erica Redden of Woodside has fond and vivid memories of her father. Once, as a young child Erica asked Bert if he had shot or killed anyone during the war, he hesitated, then replied, “Yes, but I had to kill or be killed.”
Erica has a vast collection of Bert’s wartime memorabilia including a YMCA book, compass, rising sun badges, shaving brush and 1st A.I.F. identity tag. The postcards Bert sent home clearly highlight Erica’s claim that “he thought the world of his mother.”
Due to Bert’s horrific wounds to his back he never took off his shirt in front of his family, except on one occasion. Erica stated she was terrified to see the deeply-rutted scars. As a result of life in the trenches, Bert never allowed the family to leave the front outside light on whilst they sat at night on the verandah, because “... they can see where you are.”
Herbert Leslie House, a proud World War One veteran, a loving family man who was committed to the welfare of his community, died on
13 November 1962, aged 67 and was buried at the Mount Torrens Cemetery.
Information courtesy of Erica Redden, interview 15 October 2012.

Name: Herbert Leslie House
Service Number: 85
Place of Birth: Mount Torrens
Date of Birth: 18 June 1895
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 10 January 1916
Age at Enlistment: 20 years 7 months
Next of Kin: Mother, Jane House
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Methodist
Rank: Private
Herbert and his brother Elliott left Adelaide with his unit, the 43rd Battalion on board HMAT A 19 Afric on 9 June1916. He was hospitalised whilst on board for 3 weeks with tonsillitis. Bert proceeded to France with his unit on November 25. He was again hospitalised with tonsillitis on 18 June 1917, rejoining his unit on 29 June.
Whilst fighting in France, Bert was wounded twice and gassed once. He was wounded in action on 4 October 1917and was gassed on 26 May 1918. Bert sustained a severe gunshot wound to his back during action on 2 September 1918. This resulted in being invalided to Bristol Hospital in England on September 5. He returned to Australia on board the Orsova on 25 February 1919 and discharged on 4 April.