Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Thomas Cadwallader, known as "Harry", was born in Bendigo in 1894, the son of Herbert & Sarah Cadwallader.   They lived at "Claremont", 256 Mackenzie-street, Golden Square.   Harry Cadwallader was employed as a Draper in the Manchester Department of the Beehive Store.

Henry Thomas Cadwwallader Enlisted for active service on 7th July, 1915, and Subscribed 12 days later (19.7.15).   He was 21 years & 7 months old.   Whilst in Camp he was appointed to 11th Battalion as a clerk, with the rank of Corporal (20.7.15).   On 4.11.15 he was transferred to the 10th Battalion.

"On Saturday afternoon the employes of the Beehive presented a colt automatic revolver to Corporal H. Cadwallader, a former employe in the Manchester department, who leaves for the front shortly with the 11th Reinforcements.   Miss Whitford, of the office staff, presided, and made a few appropriate remarks concerning Corporal Cadwallader's fine qualities.   On behalf of Major Henderson, who was at the Bendigo camp, Mr A. Mackay made the presentation, Mr. J. Gray, manager of the Manchester department, and Mr M'Callum, one of the senior hands in that department, supporting Mr Mackay's remarks, and praising Corporal Cadwallader for his patriotism.   In the course of his reply, the recipient thanked his former fellow employes for their gift, and mentioned that it was the murderous piratical act of the Germans in sinking the Lusitania that determined him to enlist."  [Bendigonian  30 September 1915]

On 24.11.15 he was appointed to the 13th Reinforcements for the 7th Battalion, with the rank of Private, and Service No. 4160.   He embarked for overseas on 29.12.15 on board "Demosthenes", and disembarked in Egypt.

On 16th March, 1916, Harry Cadwallader wrote a letter in which he described his visit to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and dozens of mosques.   His letter continued: "The training here is pretty solid, about seven hours every day, two and a half hours before breakfast.   All this week we are on musketry - that suits us.   We all like firing our rifles.   Most of the lads fire very welll; all are ready for the firing line now, but I am afraid "Mr Turk" has had enough.   Most of the boys from the Bendigo Camp arrived here last week.   We met them at the station.   They all speak well of the camp there and of the O.C., Major R. O. Henderson.   We have been busy showing them around Cairo and district.   Now that they are here, we will very likely be drafted to a battalion.   All the news in the papers seems to be satisfactory, and we all hope to see France very soon."  [Bendigonian  11 May 1916]

He joined the 7th Battalion at Serapeum on 18.3.16.

"Mrs Cadwallader, of Mackenzie-street, Golden-square, has received a letter from her son, Lance-Corporal H. T. Cadwallader, who is in Egypt, in which he states:- . . . .  Away we went, about 1200 of us, all packed in open trucks - 40 to a truck, away for 150 miles run.   About 3.30 we arrived at our destination, then did a route march through the sand, which reached up to the top of our boots.   We marched about one mile, then sat down on the banks of the canal . . . . after about half an hour's wait we went across on a pontoon bridge.  We are under active service conditions.   This is the worst place I was ever in - 12 men to a tent.   You do not know what dust is.   We spread a piece of jam, and before we have eaten it we will scrape the dirt off four or five times.   Fine sand also gets in your eyes.   We are served with a full water bottle once a day.   This has to serve for drinking, shaving, washing our mess tins, etc.   It will be a bit hard for me, as I am an awful water drinker.   The food is good, but the conditions are bad.   Dust is everywhere."  [Bendigonian  8 June 1916]

The 7th Battalion embarked for France on 26.3.16.   Harry Cadwallader was admitted to hospital on 10.7.16 with a sprained right ankle, and re-joined the battalion on 29.7.16.

In August, 1916, the Australian 1st Division held part of the front at Pozieres, France.   The 7th Battalion War Diary records that the 7th Battalion was ordered to take over the front line starting at 0600 on August 17.   At 14.30 on August 18 an order for assault was received.   

Harry Cadwallader was Wounded in Action 18.8.16.   He was later Posted as Wounded and Missing.  Extensive enquiries were made about his fate, resulting in conflicting reports.   A Court of Enquiry was held on 16.6.17 which concluded that he had been "KIA France 18.8.16". 

"From Adjutant 7th Bn.  26/6/17  Private Cadwallader was posted as "Wounded and Missing" from 18/8/16.   He was wounded in the leg whilst in the front line and was last seen hopping along the trench in the direction of the dressing station.   None of the dressing stations had any record of Pte Cadwallader passing through their station so it seems fairly evident that he did not reach any of them.   We cannot say positively that this man was killed but it is very probable that such was the case."  [Red Cross Society Wounded & Missing Enquiry Bureau files.]

"Amongst the names of those who are reported killed in action in the latest casualty list is that of Private H. T. Cadwallader, who, prior to enlisting in 1915, was employed in the Manchester department of the "Beehive" store.   Some time ago the unfortunate soldier was reported wounded and missing, but now he is stated to have made the supreme sacrifice on 18th August last.   The late soldier, whose father is a well-known employe of the Bendigo City Council, was very popular and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends."  [Bendigonian  2 August 1917]

Harry Cadwallader has No Known Grave.   His Service Record contains a letter written to his father from Base Records Office.     "Melbourne 7th June 1921.  Dear Sir, I regret very much that not withstanding the efforts of our Graves Services Unit, we have so far been unable to obtain any trace of the last resting place of your son the late No 4160 Private H. T. Cadwallader, 7th Battalion . . . . "

He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

"Members of the Beehive Staff Who Served in the Great War": Larna Malone.

Son of Herbert and Sarah CADWALLADER of 256 Mackenzie Street, Golden Square, Vic.

PRIVATE CADWALLADER'S FATE.
BELIEVED TO BE DEAD.
The mystery surroundinig the fate of Private Henry T. Cadwallader, of Golden square, who was reported many months ago to be missing, but who was subsequently believed to be an inmate of an English hospital, has been partly cleared up. Let ters were received on Friday by employees of the Beehive, where Private Cadwallader was employed prior to his enlistment, from Signaller Charles Woods, to the effect that as the result of extensive inquiries, he could come to no other conclusion but that Private Cadwallader had certainly
been killed.