HEMSLEY, Horace
| Service Number: | QX21717 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 June 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/10th Field Regiment |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 5 July 1915 |
| Home Town: | Aramara, Fraser Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Cancer , Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Beaudesert Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 24 Jun 1941: | Involvement QX21717 | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 24 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX21717, 2nd/10th Field Regiment | |
| 16 Jan 1946: | Discharged | |
| 16 Jan 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX21717, 2nd/10th Field Regiment |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Lauren Rae Hutchinson
Horace was the son of Lillian Kathleen Patten and Sidney II Hemsley. When Horace was 7 years old his mother passed away and his father, later that year, abandoned Horace and his 6 siblings. Horace and 2 of his siblings were then placed in the Queen Alexandra Coorperoo Childrens Home. When Horace turned 15 he was sent out to work as a farm hand at Rathdowney, QLD.
He would then go on to marry Dulce May Deacon and they would have four children; Diane Beatrice, David Horace, Cathy and Gaye (my mother). He is grandfather to 7; Michael, Kelli, Kerri, Fiona, Ashleigh, Lauren and Hannah. He is also the great-grandfather of 8 almost 9; Jacob, Brandon, Jamaka, Levi, Riley, Lacey, Archie and Zack.
He was a beekeeper when he returned from the war and it was often spoken about that he would go around and distribute honey and vegetables to families in the Beaudesert area that were doing it tough. There was even an instance when he gave away the family campervan to another family who was homeless.
He passed away at the age of 70 (1985) from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (cancer).
I, unfortunately, did not have the honour of meeting Horace but my mother spoke of him as the most loving and caring person. I am incredibly proud to be his granddaughter and believe that his suffering and sacrifice should never be forgotten.