Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Robert Mules “Hen” was born at Gayndah, Queensland on the 26th November 1919, being the youngest son of Francis and Rose, and siblings Elsie, Frank and Mary.
Frank and Mary also served in World War 2 along with Elsie husband Benjamin Hunt.
The family moved from Gayndah in 1926 taking up farming, where they lived on a property (Mandoona) 2km west of Kalangadoo (property currently owned by Nick Rogers).
Henry attended the Kalangadoo Primary School from June 1926 until February 1933, along with his siblings.
Henry married Eileen (nee Harper) on the 5th January 1942 at the Mount Gambier Methodist Church.
Henry enlisted on the 10th January 1942 in Adelaide. During January & February 1942 Driver Mules completed training and courses.
In March 1942 Driver Mules was detached to the Terowie Staging Camp, situated approximately 140 miles from Adelaide, in the mid north of South Australia.
The staging camp had been established on the 25th February1942. It housed and quartered thousands of troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force, as they were moved north to the war zones. 108 res M.T. Company had a detachment there which assisted with transhipment of personnel and gear from the Station to the Camp.
The Terowie Staging Camp serviced watering stops at Copley, Marree, Anna Creek, William Creek, Oodnadatta and others.
Driver Mules in April 1942 marched out to 108 Res M.T. Company AASC headquarters at Keswick. Mid May 1942 proved to be an exciting time for one hundred members of the unit involved with the arrival of the United States Forces in Australia at Outer Harbour.
108 Res MT Drivers with forty three ton vehicles and twenty four motor cycles were used for various duties, which included towing American vehicles from the ship to an air compressor for tyre pressure checks, filling their petrol tanks and generally preparing them for convoy.
On July 1942, the designation and establishment of 108 Res M.T Company was changed, with a new War Establishment and War Equipment Tables to 121st Australian General Transport Company. Consequently there was reshuffling of Officers and men.
On the 10th of August 1942 Driver Mules with the number 3 Platoon, moved out to Warradale camp and on the 15th August 1942 entrained at Mitcham Railway Station for Alice Springs in the Northern Territory detached to Headquarters # 11 Lines of Communication Sub Area. This platoon was transferred to the 122 Australian General Transport Company on the 29th October 1942.
Duties in the Alice were driving “The Track”. Life on The Track was a continuing hard slog with an eleven day cycle.
Day 1 loading, days 2 to 9 driving up and back, Day 10 unloading and maintenance, day 11 half infantry training, a half rest, then the cycle began again. The average convoy size was thirty vehicles with two drivers per vehicle, a convoy commander in a light vehicle and a repair vehicle bringing up the rear. About one convoy in eight carried perishables which were covered with hessian sacking and hosed down at stopping points, using the Coolgardie Safe method of cooling.
Forward loads comprised rations, fuel & lubricants and ammunition, ordnance, signals, medical, aircraft and engineering stores and troops moving forward. Returning convoys carried 44 gallon drums, returning troops, salvage, empty vehicles and firewood for the staging posts.
November 1943 Private Mules attended and qualified as a number 8 driver mechanic for driving a Mack Lanova Diesel truck.
Upon discharge on the 18th July 1944 Driver Mules returned to Kalangadoo to farm which was located on Rogers Road.
Henry and Eileen had five children, Robert (1942), Peter (1944), Patricia (1950), Ian (1952) and Neil (Bill) (1956) who is currently living in Townsville.
Henry was a keen sportsman representing Kalangadoo in Football, playing in 1950 and 1951 premierships. As well as participating in cricket where his exploits were put to paper by local historian Reg Chuck.
Henry Robert Mules passed away on the 4th January 1972 as the result of an accident and is interned at the Carinya Garden Cemetery, Mt Gambier.

Lest We Forget