LYON, Henry
| Service Numbers: | 2237, 361 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 April 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | London, England, 1882 |
| Home Town: | Wondai, South Burnett, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clockmaker |
| Died: | Killed in action, Mouquet Farm, France, 5 September 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2237, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 361, 26th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 24 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 361, 26th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Brisbane | |
| 5 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2237, 49th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2237 awm_unit: 49th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-09-05 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Henry Lyon was born in England, and his next of kin was his father, Oliver Lyon of Hackney, England. It is not known when he came to Australia. When Henry enlisted at the age of the examiner noted that Henry’s nose “was somewhat flattened and convex towards left side, ‘result of a blow from a stick.’”
Henry served at Gallipoli with the 9th Battalion and arrived in time to take part in the August fighting during which the Anzacs took part in numerous assaults on Turkish positions. He was evacuated sick with dysentery during November 1915.
Henry was guilty of several misdemeanours in Egypt, including AWL from hospital, assaulting a native at Giza during December 1915, and two other absent without leave charges. During May 1915 he was court martialled for disobeying a command from his superior officer, (failing to march off when ordered to do so) and was sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No.2.
By this stage he had transferred to the 49th Battalion and they were sent to France. During unit’s first action, the fighting around Pozieres, Henry was recommended for a gallantry award, “This man displayed great courage in observing during heavy fire. On Sergeant Hobson being killed he immediately proceeded across a heavy field of fire and informed firing line headquarters of what had happened. His conduct in the firing line was an excellent example and a great stimulant to the other members of on the post.” Hobson died on the 16 August 1916 and was also recommended for an award for holding the post.
Henry failed to receive an award, probably because he was killed in action two weeks later near Mouquet Farm. His body was lost.
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