HEALY, Robert Rolf
| Service Number: | 4515 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Nerang, Queensland, Australia, 2 January 1896 |
| Home Town: | Nerang, Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Horse trainer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 22 July 1939, aged 43 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Monumental Portion 4 at Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4515, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4515, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' | |
| 31 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4515, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Brisbane | |
| 6 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4515, 15th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Today we remember Australian First World War veterans and brothers, Private Robert Rolf Healy and Private John Eric Healy, who are buried together in Monumental Portion 4 at Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.
The Healy brothers are among almost 800 previously unmarked First World War veterans’ graves at Lutwyche Cemetery that we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service to Australia. We unveiled their plaques at Lutwyche Cemetery on 16 May 2026, along with a further 184 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian First World War veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
WWI service:
Private Robert Rolf Healy, 4515
Private John Eric Healy, 809B
Private Robert Rolf Healy and Private John Eric Healy were sons of Robert James Healy and Mary Ann Healy, née Walker. Both enlisted in Brisbane, were single at the time of enlistment, and served on the Western Front. They survived the war, returned to Australia in 1919, and were later buried together at Lutwyche Cemetery.
Robert Rolf Healy was born at Nerang, Queensland, on 2 January 1896. Before enlistment, he worked as a horse trainer, and his address was recorded as Post Office, Nerang, Queensland. He enlisted in the AIF at Brisbane on 4 September 1915 and served as Private 4515 with the 15th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement. His next of kin was his father, Robert James Healy, of Emerald, Queensland. Robert embarked from Brisbane on 31 January 1916 aboard HMAT A62 Wandilla and served with the 15th Battalion on the Western Front.
Robert was wounded in action three times. He was first wounded on 28 August 1916, with the injury later recorded as a gunshot wound to the forearm. He was wounded a second time on 1 February 1917, suffering a gunshot wound to the shoulder. On 11 February 1917, he was sent from Rouen to England aboard H.S. Caledonia, and on 13 February 1917 he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. After treatment and recovery, he returned to France and rejoined his unit.
Robert was wounded for a third time on 1 March 1918, suffering a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. His service file records treatment in England, including references to Middle War Hospital, Clacton, and General Military Hospital, Colchester. After recovering, he again returned to France and rejoined his unit in October 1918. Robert returned to Australia in 1919 and was discharged in the 1st Military District. He died in Brisbane on 22 July 1939, aged 43.
The brothers’ service files show two different experiences of the same war. Robert’s service was marked by repeated wounds in action, while John’s was marked by gas exposure and later medical discharge. Both men served overseas, returned to Australia, and were buried together in the same grave at Lutwyche Cemetery.
They were both unmarried, with no known children.
In September 2024, we received notification that the Office of Australian War Graves had accepted our application for an official War Graves commemoration for Private John Eric Healy.
The Australian Remembrance Army received grant funding for Private Robert Rolf Healy’s plaque and plinth from the Australian Government under the Marking First World War Private Graves Grants Program.
After decades without recognition at their place of burial, the Healy brothers’ grave now bears two plaques commemorating their service to Australia.
Their names now endure among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice.
Their identity and dignity have been restored.
We have remembered them.
Lest We Forget
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