Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Howard Milton Pope was born at Blinman in the State’s far north (Flinders Ranges) region, in 1897.  His parents were Mr George and Mrs Annie Pope. Blinman was at that time a mining town based around the Blinman copper mine.  It was a tough environment and it went through the classic boom and bust  so often associated with mining.

Howard's family moved to the city in due course, and were resident at 5 Bowen Street Kensington.  After leaving school Howard served an apprenticeship at Holden's Carriage Builders (which later became General Motors Holden) as a saddler.  He also served in the Senior Cadets and transferred to 78 Battalion Citizen's Forces and was still serving when War broke out.  He enlisted in Adelaide on 2 October 1916, and after his initial training embarked on HMAT Afric on 7 November 1916 with the 17th Reinforcements.

On arrival in the UK he was assigned to the 7th Training Battalion before embarking for France to join the 27th Battalion on 5 April 1917.

Howard was wounded just three weeks later on 26 April 1917 at (First) Bullecourt.  His wounds required evacuation to the United Kingdom.  After recuperation, he returned to France and the 27th Battalion on 20 October 1917.  

Howard subsequently served in every major action of the 27th Battalion until war's end, including the remiander of hte Third Ypres campaign, Morlancourt 5-15 June 1918, Amiens 8th August 1918, Mont St Quentin on 2 September 1918 and the Hindenburg Line on 9 September 1918.

He was promoted Lance Corporal on 7 September 1918. 

He survived the war and returned to Australia on the HMAT Peisic on 13 July 1919, taking his discharge in Adelaide on 4 October 1919 almost three years to the day since his service began.

He resumed work at Holden’s shortly thereafter where he rendered a total of 52 years service.  He became a keen and accomplished Lawn Bowls exponent and played into his 90s. Howard was invited to join the Commemoration of ANZAC in 1985.  From that time on, Howard felt he owed a debt to his fallen comrades and he became active in commemoration activities.  He led the ANZAC Day March in Adelaide for many years, walking erect and unassisted until well into his 90s.

He was one of four surviving veterans to travel to France in 1998, aged 101,  along  with the 10th/27th Battalion, to take part in four key commemorative events on the 3rd and 4th of July 1998.

He was awarded the Legion d'Honneur (Fr) by the French Government at the Australian National Memorial, on the 4th July 1998  to mark the appreciation of the French Government during the 80th Anniversary year of the end of hostilities in the Great War.  While travelling with the official party he remarked that he came through the period from late 1917 onwards without a scratch while many around him were killed or wounded, a fact that played on his mind for years afterwards.

Howard passed away suddenly the following year (1999) having to that point remained relatively healthy and mobile.  A Memorial Service was conducted at the Repatriation Hospital at Daw Park in Adelaide's south, which was attended by many of the soldiers who had accompnied the veterans including Howard, to France the previous year.

British War Medal

Victory Medal 

French Legion d'Honeur

Submitted by Steve Larkins:  Steve commanded the Honour Guard from the 10th/27th Battalion that escorted the veterans to France in 1998.