Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Herbert Harrop was the second eldest son of Charles and Henrietta Harrop. His father, Charles had deserted the family in around 1908. His mother Henrietta, raised five children at Mount Egerton, southeast of Ballarat. Charles Herbert Harrop was known as ‘Bert’ to his family and friends. The two older brothers, Bert and Rupert, and had grown up farming, in and around the Gordon and Egerton areas near Ballarat.

Charles and his brother Rupert enlisted on the same day in March 1915 and left Australia together as original members of the 23rd Battalion AIF. They both landed on Gallipoli when the 23rd Battalion landed there during August 1915. Charles was wounded with abrasions and cuts to his back and head on 22 September and evacuated to Malta.

Bert reunited with his brother Rupert in Egypt after the evacuation of Gallipoli. Bert Harrop was killed in action during his Battalion’s first big battle in France, at Pozieres. In his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file, Bert was reported to have been wounded and in trying to make his way back to a dressing station he was wounded again, this time more serious, and he died on the battlefield shortly after being hit for the second time.

A fellow soldier’s letter to Bert’s mother was published in the Gordon, Egerton and Ballan Advertiser during November 1916.

The Late Pte. Bert Harrop. Tribute From Soldier.

Mrs. H. Harrop, of Ballarat, has received the following letter from France— September 2nd — “No doubt long before you receive this short note you will have learnt of the great loss you have suffered by the death of your boy Bert, and I feel it is my duty to write you these few lines offering you my heart-felt sympathy, and give you a few particulars concerning his sad end. I have known your boy since he joined the battalion, as we joined on the same day. He has been in the same platoon, and at Gallipoli we were both wounded about the same time. We met again at Malta. Since arriving in France Bert had been a company runner or messenger, and was still acting in that capacity at the time of his death.

On the 28th July we made an advance. Of course it was at night, and things were very lively. Bert was carrying out his duties like a true Australian, and was wounded in the back. He was not badly wounded, and after waiting a while he started to make his way

back to the main trenches. It was while making his way back that he was wounded; this time I think in the side. He died within a few minutes.

Poor boy, his last thoughts were of home and the dear ones left behind. When he was hit the second time, he knew his time was short, and said to a corporal beside him that he was not troubled concerning himself but it would be hard on his mother. It is so little we can do at such a time as this, but I can assure you Mrs. Harrop that you have my deepest sympathy, and if there is anything I can do for you at any time I will willingly do it. While in France Bert has done fine work, and on one or two occasions was conspicuous in carrying out his duties under heavy shell fire. He was well-liked by all the boys here, and always led a very clean life. Rupert is with us again and going strong, and I sincerely hope he will be spared to return to you all. Yours in sympathy, Sgt F. M. Dale, D Company, 23 Battalion.”

Bert’s older brother, 1109 Pte. Rupert Marshall Harrop 23rd Battalion AIF, was later killed in action in Belgium on the 3 October 1917, aged 25.

Another brother, 3339 Pte. James Gordon Harrop 5th Machine Gun Battalion AIF, was in 1918 awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in operating his machine guns.