STAPLEDON, Harry Duncan
| Service Number: | WX3246 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Claremont, Western Australia, 8 July 1904 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Perth Modern School, Western Australia 1934-35 |
| Occupation: | Barrister and Solicitor |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Damour, Lebanon, 6 July 1941, aged 36 years |
| Cemetery: |
Beirut War Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Subiaco Perth Modern School WW2 Honour Board |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lieutenant, WX3246 | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, WX3246, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion |
WW2
The details provided are taken from the book "1000 Men at War" the history of the 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion, published 1959, refer to page 68. Harry was born at Claremont WA 8th July 1904, and prior to the war he was a barrister of West Perth WA. He served with the 2nd/16th Inf Bn. Unfortunately, he was Killed In Action 6th July 1941. Rest In Peace. Lest We Forget.
Submitted 28 April 2020 by Maxwell HILL
Biography contributed by Robert Johnson
Sports champion and Collie barrister H. D. Stapledon resigned a lieutenancy in the militia, joined the A.I.F. as a private. The day before the armistice, in Syria he was killed in action. Held to be too old for a commission at 35, he went overseas as regimental sergeant-major.
He was promoted to lieutenant on the field, with a key part in an important offensive for him and his men.
'He is coming into his own.' a brother officer wrote to Lieutenant Stapledon's parents, who live at 8 King's Park Road, Perth. His father, until retiring, was managing director of G. Wood, Son and Co.
Lieutenant Stapledon spent most of his time overseas in Palestine, is understood to have gone to the Western Desert and shortly after been returned for the Syrian campaign.
THOUGHT SAFE
His relatives thought he was safe in Beirut when news of his death was received. He leaves a wife and two children. Educated at Modern School and the University of W.A. he started practising in law about eleven years ago at Collie.
He was well known as a keen sportsman, started winning tennis championships from his school days, had been State champion in singles and doubles, was Collie golf champion. At one time, because of an injury to a knee, he took to bowls. In three months he captained a country team to championship and was runner-up in an Australian Bowls Championship.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/83130437
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