Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Harry Kingcombe Stannard (Service No. 1741), an Australian World War One veteran who was Mentioned in Despatches for conspicuous devotion to duty, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery that we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service to Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans in Anzac Portion 7:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Mentioned in Despatches: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1586761
Date of Recommendation – 22 September 1918
Unit – 15th Australian Field Ambulance, A.I.F.
Regtl. No. – 1741
"Rank & Name – Private Harry Kingcombe STANNARD
Action for which commended – For conspicuous devotion to duty. This man has at all times, under the most trying circumstances, carried out his duties with remarkable energy and ability. While in charge of the evacuation of wounded from the Advanced Dressing Stations at Warfusee-Abancourt and Herbecourt, his handling of the cases and his untiring energy were largely responsible for the timely and efficient evacuation of casualties. His reliability has at all times been remarked."

Harry Kingcombe Stannard was born in 1880 in Holborn, Middlesex, England, to Frederick Henry Stannard and Jessie Stannard (née Kingcombe).

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Toowoomba, Queensland, on 28 August 1915. At the time of enlistment, he was 34 years old, single, and employed as a well borer. He nominated his father, residing in Reading, England, as his next of kin. In mid-October 1915, he embarked for overseas service from Sydney aboard HMAT Port Lincoln with the 1st Australian General Hospital.

After training in Egypt, he served with medical units of the A.I.F., including the 15th Australian Field Ambulance, and proceeded to the Western Front in France in 1917. There, he carried out demanding duties in frontline medical evacuation, working under hazardous conditions to assist the wounded. On 22 September 1918, he was Mentioned in Despatches for his “conspicuous devotion to duty,” particularly for his work overseeing the evacuation of casualties from Advanced Dressing Stations at Warfusee-Abancourt and Herbecourt. His handling of cases and sustained energy were credited with ensuring the timely and efficient removal of the wounded, and his reliability was consistently noted.

During his service, Stannard experienced periods of illness and hospitalisation, including treatment in England, before returning to duty in France. However, ongoing medical issues, including varicose veins and haemorrhoids, eventually rendered him unfit for further service. He returned to Australia in April 1918 and was discharged from the A.I.F. in Brisbane in June 1918, concluding a period of service marked by steady commitment and recognised merit under difficult wartime conditions.

Following his return to Australia, he lived in Brisbane, initially at Bowen Hills, working as a carpenter. He married Annie Caroline Knight in Queensland on 31 May 1922, and the couple welcomed three children over the next eight years. He continued working as a carpenter in the Capricornia region (1925) and Brisbane (1926–1929), before later working as a watchman in Morningside (1934) and Newmarket (1939). By 1943, he had settled in Windsor, Brisbane.

Private Harry Kingcombe Stannard died on 4 December 1947, aged 67, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.