Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry was born on the family farm at Strathdickie on 6th November, 1917, the eldest of 5 boys & 4 girls born to Francis & Edith (Higbid). He was born with his grandmother acting as midwife.
Henry attended the Strathdickie & Proserpine schools, leaving at 13 years to work on his grandfather’s home in Bowen. In 1939 he began as a loco driver at the Proserpine Mill & enlisted in the army 6th September, 1940 in Proserpine, serving at Miowera, Townsville & the Tablelands. He returned to the mill after he was discharged. On 20th March, 1945 he married Ethel Maude Clarke. They had 7 children, Robert, Geoffrey, Caroline, Ronald, Garry, John & Lorraine. Ethel predeceased him & on 10th September, 1977, Henry married Peta Sullivan, becoming step-father to her 7 children & raising the youngest, Peta, as his own. He retired in 1982 but later returned to the mill for another 8 years as nightwatchman. He became a keen gardener & also loved playing Santa Claus at parties until he retired from this role in 1993. He loved making wooden horses for his 7 great grandchildren & repairing pushbikes for 16 grandchildren. His last years were not easy but he bore them well, with his loved wife Peta at his side until he passed away peacefully at the Proserpine hospital on 28th August. He will be missed sadly by all. His funeral took place on 29th August, leaving St Paul’s Anglican Church after a service conducted by Rev Fr Keith Felgate. Fr Felgate then officiated at the graveside where a Returned Serviceman’s funeral service was also held.