Ernest Henry William MEYERS MC+2Bars

MEYERS, Ernest Henry William

Service Numbers: 1903, Q140646
Enlisted: 13 January 1915, Brisbane, Queensland
Last Rank: Colonel
Last Unit: 9th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)
Born: Cairns, Queensland, 18 December 1896
Home Town: Ipswich, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Clerk
Died: Natural causes, Ipswich, Queensland, 14 May 1982, aged 85 years
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Boonah War Memorial, Ipswich Soldier's Memorial Hall Great War, Ipswich Western Suburbs War Memorial, Kalbar Honour Board
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

13 Jan 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1903, 9th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Queensland
16 Apr 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1903, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane
16 Apr 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1903, 9th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: ''
22 Jun 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1903, 9th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
16 Sep 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 9th Infantry Battalion
28 Dec 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Infantry Battalion
4 Sep 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Infantry Battalion

World War 2 Service

4 Mar 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Colonel, Q140646
4 Mar 1942: Enlisted Lieutenant, Q140646, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA), Brisbane, Queensland
5 Mar 1942: Involvement Q140646, 9th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Homeland Defence - Militia and non deployed forces
10 Mar 1945: Discharged Colonel, Q140646, 9th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC)

Tough Bikki saw Hero through War.

WHEN a fresh-faced 19-year-old Ipswich lad sat in the trenches of Gallipoli and carved into the back of an Anzac biscuit, he couldn't have realised he was creating a treasured artefact.

That tough and bitter little rectangle, into which Ernie Meyers etched "Gallipoli Peninsula: 1915", would become a fossil-like treasure a century on from the First World War, especially with the amazing feats of bravery on which this Aussie digger was about to embark.

The ANZAC biscuit that belonged to Lieutenant Ernest Henry William Meyers. He brought it back with him from Gallipoli. Photo: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times
A picture of a female figure Ernie used to refer to as "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" implanted into the front of the biscuit. Rob Williams
Ernie arrived at Gallipoli six weeks after the landing, and stayed until the eventual evacuation of troops six months later, but it was his actions in France that would result in him becoming one of Queensland's most distinguished soldiers.

Hard-earned medals get TLC for Anzac centenary
After being commissioned as a lieutenant in France in 1916, Ernie went on to earn the Military Cross three times - all for separate acts of bravery in battle.

This made him one of only four Australians to claim such an honour.


When Ernie died in 1982, the job of looking after the Anzac biscuit, war medals and all the other memorabilia that the soldier brought back was left with his grandson, Roger.

Although the famous biscuit is not exactly what you'd call delicate (it's actually as hard as a rock), Roger keeps it carefully hidden away to ensure it is preserved in the same condition as when it came back from the battlefields with Ernie.

Roger carefully removed it from its case for the first time in about 50 years before showing it to the Queensland Times recently, revealing the carving in the back and the picture of a female figure Ernie used to refer to as "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" implanted into the front.

Roger, one of seven of the war hero's grandchildren, said he had fond memories of his grandfather, although the war was never spoken about.

"He had photos and he gave me lots of his memorabilia, which I still have," he said.

"The Anzac biscuit was something he always had sitting there amongst his stuff, but he would never really brag about having it. In those days it was just a biscuit."

Dan Penman from the 9th Battalions museum at Enoggera said Ernie Meyers was a wonderful example of a 9th Battalion member.

Ernest Henry Williams Meyer's grandson Roger with the 100 year old ANZAC biscuit. Photo: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times

Read more...
Showing 1 of 1 story

Biography

Thought to be the only Queensland recipiant to receive a second BAR to his Military Cross (as at 1934)