Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Harold was a labourer from Geelong, possibly working at Ballarat where he enlisted prior signing up on 21 January 1916. He was initially attached to the 19th Training Depot at Ballarat before transferring to Broadmeadows and the 29th Battalion, 6th Reinforcements. Harold embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916 disembarking Suez, 12 May before heading across to England in June spending time with the 8th Training Battalion.

In September he joined the 29th Battalion in France and was wounded in action in November with a gunshot wound to the hand and knee consequently evacuated to England with those injuries and trench feet in December. Harold appeared not to be one to keep family and friends at home up to date about his health. From London in September Harold sent a letter home in response to an instruction from a superior officer. “I got rather a surprise today to receive word from you as to someone enquiring news of me. I have had late mail from Australia and my peole had received my letters up to date. As regards to how I am getting on: I left France last November 25 and at present stationed at the above address and enjoying the best of health. Thanks for the trouble you have taken to find me”. Following his recovery, he transferred to the 65th Battalion in England before rejoining the 29th Battalion overseas in October 1917.

During 1918, the 29th fought in a minor attack at Morlancourt on 29 July, and then during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive that was launched on 8 August 1918, the battalion took part in the 8th Brigade’s advance up the treacherous Morcourt Valley, subsequently achieving a considerable feat by capturing the town of Vauvillers. Harold’s unit had reached their objective North of Harbonnieres and were holding position. The next day at 11:42 am the battalion moved forward to attack from the left of Harbonnieres under heavy machine gun fire. No other troops were moving on the right flank leaving the battalion open to heavy fire. Tanks that were supposed to support them had been put out of action early in the advance. There were heavy casualties being caused by machine guns firing from in and around Vauvillers. An order arrived to stay in position until it was possible to move without heavy casualties. The Coys marched by short rushes towards the objective and engaged the enemy machine guns with Lewis Gun and rifle fire. After a series of short rushes of crawling they achieved the objective, though one company had advanced through and beyond Vauvillers succeed to establish Lewis Gun Posts to cover the village. The new front line was established as a series of posts. The Commanding Officer noted in his diary that “Great bravery was exhibited by all ranks in advancing against extremely heavy enemy M.G. fire and ultimately silencing all opposition.” AWM 29th Battalion War Diary 9/8/18 On this day 3 officers and 14 other ranks were killed from the battalion. After the morning advance, Harold a stretcher bearer approached some men who were with some German Prisoners thinking there was a wounded man amongst them. He was wounded at first by a pieced of shell in the arm and while he was being attended to another piece of shell hit him in the back and came out the front cutting a piece off his pay book which he had in his pocket. He and many of the prisoners died instantly. He was initially buried three-quarters of a mile North East of Harbonnieres, on the left of road to Rainecourt. A Chaplain officiated at his burial. He is now buried nearby at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France." - SOURCE (togethertheyserved.com)