Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography: Henry Allen Pyatt (1911–1954)

Henry Allen Pyatt was born on 14 October 1911 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was one of two boys adopted by Charles Coulson Pyatt (1882–1921) and Adelaide Emily (née Brooks) Pyatt (1886–1963). Henry and his brother Ronald Anderson Pyatt (1916–1989) spent their early years living in the inner suburbs of Adelaide.

He attended Sturt Street School, where in his final year he received a prize for arithmetic. School records show his admission in 1921 and discharge in 1925 under the guardianship of Adelaide and Charles Pyatt, reflecting a stable family upbringing until Charles' early death in 1921.

In August 1932, aged 20, Henry married Marie Emmelina "Queenie" Segher (1906–1991). The couple settled in Adelaide and had three daughters:

Marie Annette (born 1933)
Paulette Elaine (born 1936)
Yvonne Marcelle (born 1938)

During the 1930s, Henry worked variously as a telegraph messenger and labourer. Records show two hospital admissions in 1933 while working for the Post Office.

Henry's life took a challenging turn in late 1939. Newspapers report he was charged — and later convicted — of forging promissory notes and attempting to obtain money by false pretences, for which he received 18 months imprisonment.

War Service

Henry enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 11 April 1941, stating he was a labourer, Roman Catholic, and supporting a wife and three children. He served as Private / Gunner, Signalman, Army No. SX12196, initially assigned to the 2/10 Battalion, later 2/3rd Australian Field Regiment (RAA).

He served in the Middle East and later in the Pacific, including time in New Guinea. His records show repeated hospitalisations for hernia surgery and complications, time at Daws Road Repatriation Hospital, and various disciplinary entries typical of soldiers enduring long overseas service.

Henry was discharged on 11 January 1946 after 1,976 days' service, of which 579 days were overseas. He received War Badge 219350.

Returning home, Henry struggled to re-establish stability. He trained briefly as a nurse at Parkside Mental Hospital, then worked in kitchens and domestic service. A notice in 1951 shows Marie seeking a legal separation on grounds of desertion, indicating the marriage failed shortly after the war.

Henry later remarried to Ruby Sarah Reuter (date uncertain, early 1950s).

Final Years & Death

Hospital admission records from 1947 and 1950 show Henry was admitted as a labourer and attendant. He lived variously in Adelaide, Henley Beach, and Hectorville during this time.

Henry Allen Pyatt died on 17 March 1954, aged 42, at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. His funeral notice described him as "ex-SX12196, 2/3 Field Regiment AIF". He was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery,

General A, Path 19, Grave 270A.

His headstone lovingly records him as:

Loved husband of "Queenie". Loved father of Marie, Paulette & Yvonne.

Although Marie later remarried, Henry was remembered by his daughters and family for his humour, musical nature, and devotion to his children during the years they were together.

Timeline

14 Oct 1911 – Born, Adelaide SA
1921–1925 – Student at Sturt Street School
1921 – Father Charles Pyatt dies; raised by Mother, Adelaide Pyatt
1932 (Aug) – Married Marie Emmelina Segher
1933–1938 – Three daughters born
1933 (Apr & Nov) – Hospitalised while working as telegraph messenger
Dec 1939 – Charged with attempted false pretences
Jan 1940 – Pleads guilty to forgery offences; sentenced to 18 months
11 Apr 1941 – Enlists AIF, age 29
1941–1945 – Serves Middle East and New Guinea
Multiple 1941–1943 – Hernia operations & hospitalisations
19 Jan 1944 – Discharged hospital, resumes service
11 Jan 1946 – Discharged AIF
1947 / 1950 – Hospital admissions
1951 (Jul) – Wife files court notice for desertion
Early 1950s – Remarries Ruby Sarah Reuter
17 Mar 1954 – Dies at RAH, aged 42
18 Mar 1954 – Burial at Centennial Park Cemetery

Sources 

Civil Records

SA BDM Marriage Register – Henry A. Pyatt & Marie E. Segher, 1932
Sturt Street School Admission Register (1921–1925)
Adelaide Hospital Admissions (1933, 1947, 1950)
Military Records

NAA Service File: NAA B883, SX12196
Enlistment/Oath of Service, Discharge Certificate & Casualty Sheets
Newspapers (Trove)

Advertiser 14 Dec 1939 – attempted false pretences
Chronicle 18 Jan 1940 – conviction & sentence
News 4 Jul 1951 – desertion case notice
Advertiser 18 Mar 1954 – death & funeral notices
Cemetery

Centennial Park Burial Register
Headstone inscription and cemetery plot coordinates
Family & Secondary Sources

Family recollections & prose (Yvonne Dunn)
Photograph evidence and personal family archives

Disclaimer

This biography has been compiled from historical records, newspaper archives, government documents, and family recollections. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details may be incomplete, subject to interpretation, or open to correction as new evidence emerges. Sensitive details (including legal and medical records) are presented factually and respectfully in the context of historical research and family heritage.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 4/11/2025

Researcher's Note:

Henry Allen Pyatt (1911–1954) is my granduncle. I am the grandson of his brother, Ronald Anderson Pyatt (1916–1989). Henry lived a life of service, family, hardship, and resilience. This biography has been compiled to remember his life fully and truthfully, and to ensure that his story continues to be known. The biography is part of my ongoing family history work to honour and preserve the Pyatt family story.