HAMERSLEY, Harold Allan
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 February 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Royal Flying Corps |
| Born: | Guildford, Western Australia, Australia, 6 February 1896 |
| Home Town: | Guildford, Swan, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 1967, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bassendean War Memorial, Guildford St. Matthew's Anglican Church Honour Roll, Guildford War Memorial, Guildford and District Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 1915: | Involvement 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 26 Apr 1915: | Embarked 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Hororata, Fremantle | |
| 3 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 Mar 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 19 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Oct 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 48th Infantry Battalion, Discharged to the Royal Flying Corps | |
| 23 Oct 1916: | Involvement Royal Flying Corps | |
| 22 Jun 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Hamersley disembarked at the Dardanelles with the 16th Battalion on the 17 June 1915. Hamersley was wounded in action with a GSW to the thigh whilst serving on the at ANZAC Peninsula on 8 August 1915. He was transferred to Alexandria in Egypt. Hamersley rejoined his unit on Gallipoli for several more weeks until the general evacuation. Back in Egypt he transferred to the 48th Battalion and promoted to Lieutenant. He was in action in France during July 1916 and promoted to Captain during August 1916.
In England, Hamersley received a discharged from the AIF, so he could take up a commission in the Royal Flying Corps. He was posted to the 60 Squadron and flew on the Western Front.
He destroyed 13 German planes and was involved in the famous fight against German pilot Werner Voss on 23 September 1917. Hamersley returned to England in May 1918 as Captain and was awarded the Military Cross.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion whilst leading his patrol he attacked a formation of six enemy planes. In the ensuing fight he destroyed two of these machines, one falling in flames and the second crashing to earth, and during the same engagement assisted another officer in destroying a third. In addition to these he has destroyed five hostile machines and driven down three out of control. He is a magnificent pilot, displaying at all times an utter disregard of fear.”
Hamersley remained with the RAF and had reached the rank of Group Captain by 1940.