Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James Summers and Emily PERRY, Corack, Victoria

Pte. H. J. Perry, of Corack East, who was killed in action recently, wrote as follows on March 27th to his mother: — "Just a few lines to let you know that I am well, hoping this  note finds you all the same at home. It is some time since I last wrote to you owing to Fritz doing a retreat, and paper was a scarce item, but now we are on our way out to billets for a spell of a month or two. We have been in and out of the line for two months, so we can do with a rest. "Ben" Kerr got badly knocked on the 20th. We came across some  Huns, and with their machine guns, snipers and artillery, they gave us a hot time of it for a few hours. Ben got a shell all to himself, and how he did not get blown to atoms, I don't know — he is lucky to be alive. He got his left foot blown off, a nasty wound behind the right shoulder, and a few cuts in his right leg. He was in great spirits, and as game as you could make him. I got him a drink and a cigarette, threw a blanket on him till the stretcher bearers came, and helped to put him on the stretcher, which was the last I saw of him. They told me at the dressing station that the doctor operated on him, and he took it like a hero. Steve is alright, only got his overcoat riddled with bullets. Luck was a fortune on us that morning. We were the first company to march into Bapaume and take possession, so you see we have been in the thick of the fray. As paper is scarce I will tell you more when I get my pad out of my pack, as we expect to get them shortly." 

Official intimation reached Wycheproof ou Wednesday that Pte. H. J. (Bert) Perry, son of Mr J. S. Perry, of Corack East, had beeu killed in recent action in France. Mr E A. Perry broke the news to the parents on Wednesday. Pte. Perry, who would have beeu 25 years old this month, was well-known in the Wycheproof, Corack and surrounding districts, and was a popular young man. He was a prominent footballer and tenuis player, and a member of the- I.O.R. and other Corack organisations. He took an interest in the agitation for  telephone facilities aud other public matters, and in the height of his popularity he enlisted at Wycheproof with his cousin (Steve Perry 0, in February, 1916. When waterside  workers threatened to go on strike against handling wheat early last year, Pte. Perry was one who volunteered to go to Melbourne to help to shift the wheat. He was a valiant son, and he was anxious to do his duty in defence of his country. His patriotism cost him his life, but he will live iu the memory of his many friends as one who upheld the traditions of  the British flag. His letters were always cheerful in the assurance that he was enjoying a soldier's life. It was Pte. Perry who went to Pte. Beu Kerr's help in recent fighting and  assisted him when a bomb blew a foot off. The two young fellows had been together from the date of enlistmeut until Pte. Kerr was wounded.
Many will condole with the parents and family in their loss. The Rev. Horton will conduct a memorial service in the Corack church on a date to be fixed.

Herbert James Perry, formerly of Corack East, farmer, and later a soldier on active service in France, who died unmarried on 3rd May, 1917, by his will dated 7th March, 1916, left 
£1912 real estate and £250 personalty to relatives.