Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert Edward Booker was born on the 17th January 1894 in Port Douglas, North Queensland, the elder son and second child of three children born to Arthur Sidney Booker and Elizabeth Rose Hurley.  His elder sister Mabel Rose was born two years earlier on 29th November 1892 whilst his younger brother, Arthur John was born two years later on 19th February 1896.

Herbert attended Bundaberg Central Boys School in 1906 with his brother Arthur John, known as John.  He later attended the Brisbane Grammar Scool for his secondary education.  He became a clerk in the Bank of Australaisa, working in Brisbane, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Murwillumbah, Ballina, Cairns and Chillagoe,           being a teller in Chillagoe at the time he left for the Western Front.

Herbert enlisted in Cairns on 13 February 1915 aged 21 years.  He was a Bank Clerk and stated his next of kin, his father Arthur Sidney Booker, a Sub Collector Customs, in Cairns. Herbert was 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighed 140 pounds with a fair complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair.  He was Church of England.  He attended the Bundaberg Christ Church as a child and while he worked in Bundaberg as a bank teller.

Herbert joined the 15th Infantry Battalion and embarked from Brisbane on 16th April 1915 on the HMAT Kyarra for Egypt for more training.   His only brother, Arthur John Booker, enlisted on 19 May 1915 and by coincidence embarked on the same ship, the HMAT Kyarra four months later on 16 August 1915 with his 9th Battalion. Sergeant Arthur Booker returned to Australia on 20th May 1919 after 4 years' service with the AIF. 

Private Herbert Brooker landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 13 July 1915.  He was killed in action less than a month later on 8th August 1915 during the infamous Battle of Lone Pine.  

Although given a proper burial after his death by Captain Luther, the well-known Bundaberg Doctor, the exact location of Herbert’s grave could not be found later when the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was creating its proper cemeteries.  It was not unusual for original graves to be exhumed and the soldiers transferred to a proper cemetery.  However, as Herbert’s original grave had not been found, his name was listed on Panel 44 of the Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing as having no known grave. 

The Memorial commemorates the 3,268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. The names of the New Zealanders commemorated are inscribed on stone panels mounted on the south and north sides of the pylon, while those of the Australians are listed on a long wall of panels in front of the pylon and to either side. Names are arranged by unit and rank.

The Memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and the majority of Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here at the Lone Pine Memorial.  This is where The Australian Anzac Day service is held each year in Gallipoli.  

On 11th September 1915, The Cairns Post reported Herbert’s death, noting that Mr Arthur Sidney Brooker had received a postcard the previous Tuesday from Herb in the trenches at Gallipoli.  The postcard was dated July 23rd 1915.  Mr Arthur Brooker’s younger son, Arthur John, aged 19 years, is now in Egypt, on his way to the Dardanelles. 

The Bundaberg Mail published the following on 11th September 1915, the same day as the report in the Cairns Post.

"The sad intelligence was received yesterday by Mr Arthur Booker, Sub-Collector of Customs, Cairns, that his eldest son, Herbert, had been killed in action in the Dardanelles on the 8th August.  Mr Booker, who was 21 years of age, was an official in the Bank of Australia, and prior to enlisting was stationed at Chillago.  He was extremely popular in North Queensland, and was an ardent sport, being prominent in rifle club, cricket and tennis circles.  The deceased young officer was a nephew of Mr C.J. Booker, M.L.A., who recently visited Bundaberg Parliamentary Recruiting Committee.  A host of Bundaberg and Maryborough friends will join in extending to Mr Booker, who has also another son at the Front, sincere sympathy in his bereavement."

Another Bundaberg Mail report appeared on 6th May 1916 about Herbert Booker.

Quarter-Master Sergeant Herb. Booker
Anzac Hero

"From his father, Mr A.S. Booker, who was in town yesterday, we glean a few facts concerning the death of Quarter-Master Sergeant Herb. Booker, an old Bundaberg boy who was killed in action on the 8th August last.  This brave lad belonged to the 15th Battalion and it was Dr Luther who discovered him on the battlefield with four bullets in his body.  Though still breathing, Captain Luther had him carried to the beach but poor Herb expired on the way.  Dr Luther buried him and read the burial service over the grave.  It was not long after this that our popular townsman himself was shot dead by a sniper.  By a peculiar coincidence, Mr Booker received from Major Wall, the disc worn by his son, on the morning of Anzac Day at Cairns."

Herb’s Family received the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal to commemorate his service in the Australian Imperial Force during WWI.  His family also received the Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque.

As well as The Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli, Herbert Edward Booker’s name is inscribed on the following memorials -

1. Australian War Memorial, Canberra: on Panel 43

2. Bundaberg War Memorial: East Facing Panel, 1st Column, Row 17     

3. Bundaberg Christ Church Memorial: Column 4, Line 50 - second last cross
 Brother Arthur John Booker’s name is 5 above Herb’s name.  His name is listed as 
 J. Booker, as he was called John so as not to confuse himself with his father, also named Arthur.
 
4. Cairns Cenotaph
 
5. Brisbane Grammar School Honour Board 

6. Melbourne Bank of Australasia Roll of Honour WWI