FAIRNHAM, Henry Harnan
| Service Number: | 54 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 August 1914, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 1st Field Company Engineers |
| Born: | Glebe, New South Wales, Australia, 1884 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Turner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, 26 May 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
Beach Cemetery - ANZAC Cove Plot 1, Row G, Grave 1 Chaplain J. Green officiated |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sapper, 54, 1st Field Company Engineers, Enlisted at Sydney, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement Sapper, 54, 1st Field Company Engineers, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked Sapper, 54, 1st Field Company Engineers, HMAT Afric, Sydney |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Henry Harman FAIRNHAM, (Service Number 54) born in Sydney in 1883, joined the Tramways as a labourer at Randwick in 1911. In April 1912 he was dismissed, ‘being away from work and playing cards’, but he appealed to the Appeals Board, which accepted the argument of his representative that the required notice had not been given to Fairnham, and he was reinstated. In July 1913 he became a turner’s labourer: in August 1914 when he was released from duty to enlist in the AIF, and did so in Sydney, he stated his ‘trade or calling’ as turner.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 26 May 1915. One of several soldiers who saw him killed recorded that ‘a shell practically blew him to pieces. He was on his way towards the beach, and was hit by one of ‘Beachy Bill’s’ shells. He was a reserved quiet man and a great favourite. He was very highly thought of by all.’ He was buried in Beach Cemetery, at the S point of Anzac Cove.
Submitted 30 June 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Henry and Martha Fairnham of Glebe , NSW. Brother of Jane Fairnham, Margaret Fairnham, Joseph H. Fairnham given as next of kin, William Fairnham and Thomas Fairnham
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Henry Harman FAIRNHAM (Service Number 54) was born in Sydney in 1883. He joined the Tramways as a labourer at Randwick in 1911. In April 1912 he was dismissed, ‘being away from work and playing cards’. He appealed to the Appeals Board, which accepted the argument of his representative that the required notice had not been given to Fairnham. He was reinstated. In July 1913 he became a turner’s labourer. In August 1914 he was released from duty to enlist in the AIF, When he enlisted in Sydney, he stated his occupation as turner.
He embarked from Sydney in October 1914.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 26th May 1915. One of several soldiers who saw him killed recorded that ‘a shell practically blew him to pieces. He was on his way towards the beach, and was hit by one of ‘Beachy Bill’s’ shells. He was a reserved quiet man and a great favourite. He was very highly thought of by all.’ He was buried in Beach Cemetery, at the S point of Anzac Cove.
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
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