Thread: Unmarked grave is soldier's home

Unmarked grave is soldier's home | News | Gympie Times | Gympie Times

ONE of Australia's greatest war heroes rests anonymously and almost forgotten, in an unmarked grave at Gympie Cemetery.

But that may soon change, according to Gympie RSL Sub Branch president Ivan Friske, who says the heroic story of Lt Gilbert Harry will now be remembered, thanks to the efforts of historian Gary Parsons, who stumbled on Lt Harry's records while researching a history of his unit.

A veteran of some of the hardest fighting of World War I, Lt Harry saved uncountable lives and was decorated three times for his fearless and brilliant soldiering.

In actions including Gallipoli and Pozieres (part of the Battle of the Somme), he was repeatedly wounded and gassed.

He is one of only nine members of the AIF ever to win the Military Medal and the Military Cross and Bar.

An immigrant farmer born in the Channel Isles, he won his Military Medal at Pozieres.

He won his first Military Cross as brigade intelligence officer before an attack near Ypres, Belgium. His work under continuous heavy shell-fire meant the battalions of the 7th Brigade suffered no casualties while they were assembling for the assault,” Mr Parsons writes.

The Bar to his Military Cross followed his courage in bringing back vital information even though wounded, in a French conflict.

In civilian life, his dairy farming enterprise at Kanyan, near Theebine, was dogged by misfortune and he died, without family, of an acute respiratory illness, thought to have been related to his gassing in the war.

Mr Friske says it is now hoped that his grave will at last be recognised, thanks to the efforts of the Anzac Day Commemoration Committee in Brisbane.

Gilbert Harry was awarded the following honours:

Military Medal

Service Number 634
Service Army
Rank Sergeant
Unit 26th Bn
Conflict First World War
Date of London Gazette 21 September 1916, page 9205, position 23
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 14 December 1916, page 3380, position 93

Originally recommended for the D.C.M., the Recommendation, dated 16.8.1916, states: ''Previous to the attack on the 4th August 1916, Sergeant Harry although a non-combatant put in a strong plea to take part in the attack. The O.C. Battalion Dump became a casualty on the way up and Sergeant Harry took over his job. Despite the fact that he was once completely buried and later was severely shaken by a high explosive shell he stuck to his job gamely for the 50 hours during which his Battalion occupied the trenches. He personally acted as guide for carrying parties across the open from the dump to the captured trenches on many occasions at great personal risk. In all his duties in the attack on Pozieres Ridge he showed great courage and control.''

Military Cross

Service Army
Rank Lieutenant
Unit 7th Bde HQ (26th Bn)
Conflict First World War
Date of London Gazette 1 January 1918, page 51, position 39
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 18 April 1918, page 847, position 53

The Recommendation, dated 23.9.1917, states: ''Lieut. Harry as Intelligence Officer of the 7th A.I. Brigade during eight days prior to the attack on 20.9.17 on Westhoek Ridge, was occupied reconnoitring the front over which the attack was to be made, and in noting the enemy barrages. This work entailed being constantly under heavy enemy shell fire almost continuously. His courage and devotion to duty cannot be too highly spoken of. As a result of his plucky and clever reconnaissance, Battalions were assembled for the attack in forward positions where they were immune from hostile shelling, and up to the time of their actually taking part in the assault, these Battalions suffered no casualties. It is certain that but for this reconnaissance, many casualties would have occurred during the assembly of these Battalions while they waited to go over.''

Bar to Military Cross

Service Army
Rank Lieutenant
Unit 26th Bn
Conflict First World War
Date of London Gazette 7 November 1918, page 13143, position 5
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 4 March 1919, page 372, position 12

The Recommendation, dated 16.8.1918, states: ''During the operations on the 11th August 1918, South of Framerville, near Amiens, the situation on the right flank was very obscure. Lieut. Harry went forward right out into the gap between the Right Battalion of this Brigade and the Left Battalion of the neighbouring Division, under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. In spite of the enemy barrage, he proceeded to within 100 yards of the Hun posts, and though his clothing was pierced by enemy weapons fire, he went on and obtained information required. He showed remarkable courage and determination.