Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Corporal Henry Thomas Hackshall, an Australian veteran of both World Wars, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

WWI service record:
641A Private 3rd Machine Gun Battalion
WWII service record:
Q302337 Corporal 3rd Camp Hospital

Henry Thomas Hackshall was born on 7 March 1885 in Newcastle, New South Wales, the son of Henry Thomas Hackshall and Isabella Hackshall (née Carmichael). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 13 October 1916, stating his occupation as a hairdresser and nominating his mother, Isabella Hackshall, as next of kin. On 10 May 1917, he embarked for overseas service from Melbourne aboard HMAT Clan MacGillivray.

Following his embarkation, Hackshall arrived in England and undertook further training before proceeding to the Western Front. In February 1918, he was sent to France, where he served with the 11th/6th Machine Gun Company, later transferring to the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion following the reorganisation of Australian machine gun units. During active service, he experienced periods of illness requiring hospitalisation but subsequently returned to duty. On 31 August 1918, during operations in France, he was wounded by gunshot to the right forearm, and was evacuated to England and admitted to Boscombe Military Hospital, where he remained for several months. After treatment and recovery, he was discharged from hospital in November 1918, returned to Australia, and was discharged from the AIF in March 1919.

In 1925, he married Elizabeth Jane Thomas in Burrowa, New South Wales, and together they had three children.

More than twenty years later, with the outbreak of the Second World War, Hackshall again volunteered for military service. Despite being in his mid-fifties and a veteran of the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Military Forces at Caloundra, Queensland, in June 1940. His prior AIF service was noted, and he was accepted for home service duties, reflecting both his age and earlier war wounds. Serving primarily in a support role as a cook, he remained on active duty in Australia for nearly three years. In May 1943, at the age of fifty-eight, he was honourably discharged on medical grounds. His son, Private Ronald Leslie Hackshall, also served during the Second World War and was killed in action in Papua New Guinea on 13 September 1945.

Corporal Henry Thomas Hackshall died on 22 July 1952, aged 67, and was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His wife, Elizabeth, died in March 1953 and was interred with her late husband.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia, ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.