Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry branch Epps was an Anzac soldier from Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia. Before the war, Henry was married to Frederica Harrietta Epps, they had two sons (Cecil Henry Epps Thomas William Epps). Henry worked as a greengrocer, shopkeeper. They lived 113 Parade, Norwood. Henry was born in Portsmouth, England and migrated to Australia later on.

Henry enlisted for the army in Norwood on 13th September 1915. Henry was a Private of the 27th Battalion and was a Cyclist, he was part of the 9th Reinforcement. He embarked on the 7th February 1916 on board HMAT A28 Miltiades. On the 10th of April 1916 Henry went to France at his own request, he arrived in la Chapelle camp grounds in Auge, France. Seeing as Henry was a cyclist, he had the job of riding through the battlefield delivering messages to and from the commanders. 

Henry’s Battalion was involved in the battle of the Somme, this battle started on the 1st of July and ended on the 18th of November in 1916. The battle of the Somme was an offensive attack placed on the Germans. The aim was to create a gap in the Germans lines so the British could stop the supplies from to other German companies (groups). this battle was supposed to create a definite win to the triple entente, but it ended up going to the triple alliance. The battle of the Somme turned out to be one of the biggest battles of the First World War, there were around 420,000 casualties in the battle of the Somme and nearly 60,000 in just the first day.

While Henry was in France his two sons were also fighting, Cecil was in the 10th infantry Battalion while Thomas was in the 27th Battalion C, Company. Like any father you would expect his son’s welfare to be on his mind so through everything that he went through he would most likely thinking of his son’s majority of the time.

On 17th of September 1917 Henry was admitted to the hospital sick, and didn’t return to duty till the 19th of October 1917. But three days later he was again admitted to the hospital. A few months later, on the 6th of January 1918 he was transferred to the England permanent base suffering from age and bronchitis. Bronchitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the airways. On the 12th of June 1918 henry was transported to Melbourne by hospital transport. After being treated he was then sent home. Henry’s sons also came home safe but Cecil was badly injured.

The Anzacs were the Australians and new Zealanders that went to fight in the World War. The spirit of the Anzacs was formed during the First World War; the Anzac spirit is the qualities that the Anzacs showed and possessed while out on the battle field. The Anzac spirit is the spirit, the qualities, and characteristics that the Anzacs showed. Some of the qualities shown were bravery, strength, initiative, and friendship. Bravery was shown in different ways like, rescuing your comrades. Strength wasn’t just physical strength it was emotional strength, going through traumatizing experiences and still go fight for their country. The Anzacs show initiative when the signed up, they signed up at their own will and initiative. Friendship was shown by them staying strong and sticking together in times of need.