Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Driver Gwydir Balfour Parry (Service No. 1437), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Gwydir Balfour Parry was born on 14 January 1874 at Gwydir River, New South Wales, to George and Catherine Parry. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane in August 1915, stating his occupation as stockman and naming his brother as next of kin. On 4 October 1915, Gwydir embarked for overseas service with the 5th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT Mashobra from Sydney.

He was admitted to hospital at Abbassia on 29 November 1915 with mumps, rejoining his unit a month later. On 1 January 1916 he rejoined the 5th Light Horse Regiment at Maadi, and on 1 March was taken on strength of the 2nd Reserve Regiment. Between April and May he underwent a series of transfers: on 1 April he joined the 13th Field Artillery Brigade; on 8 April he was transferred to the British Army Artillery Column; and on 28 April he was mustered as a driver at Ferry Post. In May 1916 he transferred to the 52nd Battery at Moascar. He embarked on the Tunisia at Alexandria on 16 June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 28 June. On 14 July he transferred from the 13th Field Artillery Brigade to the 25th Field Artillery Brigade and was taken on strength the same day.

In late December 1916 he embarked for England for “P.U.O.” (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). From late 1916 through mid-1917 he was admitted to several hospitals and convalescent depots at Havre, Etaples, Rouen and Leith, and was later posted to various training and depot units. He rejoined the 2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column in March 1917, and throughout April, May and June moved between depots and convalescent centres in England. By late June 1917 he was posted to Weymouth, and on 10 July 1917 he marched into the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, where he remained under orders related to medical classification and return arrangements.

He returned to Australia (overage and malaria) on the troopship SS Port Darwin and disembarked in Australia in March 1918. He was discharged from the AIF on 8 April 1918.

After returning to Australia, he spent a number of years working as a stockman on stations across western Queensland. By 1943 he had moved to Brisbane, where he worked as a labourer, and the following year he took up residence at ‘Kingshome’, the RSL War Veterans Home at Caboolture.

Driver Gwydir Balfour Parry died on 21 February 1954, aged 80, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man who never married and had no known children.

Published in the North Coast and Stanley District News (Caboolture, Qld.), Thursday 25 February 1954, the following obituary recorded his death:
“Another familiar figure has passed on this week. He was Mr. Gwydir Balford Parry, who died on Monday. Regimental No. 1437, he served as a driver in the 52nd Brigade, A/F Artillery, World War I. Born at Moree, N.S.W., on the Gwydir River, he found his way to Queensland and enlisted at Barcaldine; was a member of Julia Creek Sub-branch. Eighty years old, he had been a continuous resident since entering Kingshome in 1944. He was a man of quiet disposition and seldom idle. He specialised in keeping the surroundings of the Home free from fallen leaves and rubbish, and continued this voluntary work until a few weeks ago. The funeral to Lutwyche cemetery took place on Tuesday, and Mr. Winter's simple service of remembrance was held at the same time, under our mango tree. Flag half-mast and "Last Post" by Clive Doe.”

After seven decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.