Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

His first attempt to join the army was in 1916 but he failed the chest measurement test. His second attempt came a few months later and he was accepted and his photo appeared in The Queenslander as a new recruit. However, he lied about his age stating that he was born in 1897 when he was born in 1899. His mother (a redheaded Irish girl) saw his photo and promptly walked into the nearest recruiting office and demanded her son back. He was subsequently charged with making a false declaration and fined an amount equal to the pay he had earned to that date and was discharged. He was able to join again for the third time after his birthday in October 1918 but the war ended a month later and he was only required for home duties until 1919 when he was discharged. He enlisted again (4th time) in 1932 in the CMF and took his discharge in 1934, and he enlisted for the 5th time in 1940 and he served in Brisbane until his medical discharge in 1942. His service records credit him with 100 days of active service in the Moreton Bay region. He was discharged with the rank of lance corporal. The photo taken in 1916 was found in his wallet after he died. He had never shown it to anyone. Both of his brothers served in World War 1 and both had been wounded. His younger half brother, Harold Ray, died while a crew member of HMAS Sydney 19 November 1941.