HARE, Henry John
| Service Number: | 2961 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Company Sergeant Major |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
| Born: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 24 August 1885 |
| Home Town: | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carter |
| Died: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 14 March 1950, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania Church Of England, Cc, Number 024 |
| Memorials: | Hobart Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2961, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2961, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2961, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne | |
| 3 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion, Reorganisation of the AIF | |
| 8 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2961, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières | |
| 21 Dec 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Dec 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 47th Infantry Battalion | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Dernancourt/Ancre | |
| 31 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 12th Infantry Brigade Headquarters , Disbandment of 47th Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Henry Hare enlisted from Hobart, Tasmania just prior to his 30th birthday. He was the son of Henry and Maria Hare of Hobart and was married to Sylvia with one son, about nine years of age.
He was known as ‘Harry’ to his friends and family. He had two older brothers who enlisted, 528 Private Charles Hare 12th Battalion AIF, served at the Anzac landing and was twice wounded at Gallipoli before being sent home with a gunshot injury to his hand. His eldest brother, Lieutenant Herbert Patrick Hare 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade, also served at Gallipoli from the day of the landing. Herbert died of terrible shell wounds at Pozieres on 8 August 1916.
Harry enlisted with the 15th Battalion but was transferred to the 47th Battalion when they arrived in Egypt during early 1916. He was wounded in action at Pozieres on the same day as his brother Herbert died. He rejoined the 47th Battalion during October 1916. Harry was promoted to Sergeant in 1917 and was awarded an Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour during the Battle of Messines. The recommendation shows that during an advance he took out an enemy machine gun post with rifle bombs and grenades. He was promoted to Company Sergeant Major at the end of 1917.
CSM Hare was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On an enemy attack being driven off, he went out with a platoon to exploit the reverse. While out, the platoon came under machine gun fire. Having one officer killed, another wounded, and several casualties, this W.O. took charge, and heavily punished the retiring enemy, then withdrew, bringing in the wounded, carrying the officer himself.”
The 47th Battalion was disbanded shortly after the Dernancourt battle, due to heavy casualties, and Hare was transferred to 12th Brigade HQ. He was returned to Australia during April 1919.
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