Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

After embarking in Melbourne he sailed with the rest of the 16th Battalion to the Mediterranean where he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force ready for the landing at Gallipoli in April 1915. Herman Fechner landed with the rest of the 16th Battalion at 4pm at ANZAC Cove on the 25th April, 1915.

On the 3rd May, 1915, while still serving on the Peninsula he sprained his right knee and was evacuated eventually to England where he was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospitial in Manchester on the 20th May. It was the first of five eventual woundings that Herman Fechner would suffer. Whilst stilling recovering on the 27th July, 1915, he also committed the first of several crimes. He was sentenced to 56 hours in detention.

On the 30th September, 1915, he rejoined the 16th Battalion at Gallipoli.

After the ANZAC Corp evacuated Gallipoli they underwent further training in Egypt while the AIF underwent its 'doubling' stage.

The 16th Battalion was then transferred to the Western Front. Its first major engagement occured at Pozieres. While fighting at Pozieres on the 20th August, 1916, it was reported that Herman Fechner was wounded with 'shell shock' and was taken to 1st ANZAC Rest Station where he stayed for six days before rejoining his unit. It was the second time he was wounded in action.

Still serving at Pozieres on the 30th August, Herman was wounded again after sustaining a gunshot wound in his right shoulder. He made it back to England where he underwent treatment for the wound and some additional training.

He finally rejoined the 16th Battalion on the 2nd January, 1917.

For the fourth time he was wounded in action receiving a gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was also once again transferred to England to receive further treatment.

He joined the 16th Battalion in the field in France once again on the 7th July, 1917, however, for his fifth and final time Herman was wounded less than a month later on the 5th August, 1917, sustaining a 'slight wound to his right side and shoulder.' As usual he recovered in England and also received some more additional training again before rejoining his unit on the 11th April, 1918.

After this Herman continued to serve in the 16th Battalion until 6th July, 1918 when he deserted his unit at 7pm. He was found four days later at 3:30pm, still in France, on the 10th July, 1918. A court found him guilty and sentenced him to 6 months suspension, however, he was given a mercy count for his good work and great suffering and his sentence was suspended. Instead, he was offered 'Special 1914 Leave' meaning he could go back to Australia since he had being serving since 1914.

He arrived in Australia on Christmas Day 1918 on HMAT Port Lyttleton and discharged on the 23rd February, 1919. 

 His medals were at first refused to him as he deserted, however, he finally received them as his charge for deserting was dropped on mercy.

Awarded:     1914/5 Star - 8437

                    BWM - 3084 

                    Victory Medal - 3057