20182
CONIGRAVE, Heaton Fairfax
| Service Number: | 20468 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | 5th Divisional Signal Company |
| Born: | Kent Town, South Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Kent Town, Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Nov 1917: | Involvement Sapper, 20468, 5th Divisional Signal Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 1917: | Embarked Sapper, 20468, 5th Divisional Signal Company, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Sapper, 20468 |
Help us honour Heaton Fairfax Conigrave's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Heaton’s journey began with a trip to Egypt on the Nester which departed from Melbourne to train with various other troop brigades, he was eventually placed in the 12th Field Artillery Brigade and was stationed in France. The first attack (Fromelles) failed miserably forcing them to retreat to the Hindenburg line. Eventually they become involved in the 2nd attack of Bullecourt holding the breach that was gained from counterattacks. After 6 months in the forest and surrounding areas they eventually won the area resulting in a final stand from the central powers which the allies won.
However, in March of the next year they were rushed to Somme to stop a German push they guarded the Somme river bridges in April they counterattacked winning them the town of Villers Bretonneux. They then fought in the battles of Hamel in July and Amiens in August. In September they then pushed Somme River at Peronne and fought onto the Hindenburg line. Eventually the cease-fire was called, and Heaton was returned home two years later.
His troops' memorial is located in the location of their most impressive victory, the Polygon Woods.
Heaton showed his resolve and his ANZAC spirit through his willingness to stop no matter what. Not in Polygon Woods, not when he was too young to go without his father's consent, and not when he had to wait 2 years to come home. 16 years after, he became a lieutenant, showing his clear want to keep fighting for his country, even though he had been and saw the hell of war, he still wished to fight for country.
Click images to start slideshow.