Have you ever wondered if there is an Anzac in the family?
It really is a great time to find out, with the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli this year. That’s what motivated me to investigate if any of our forebears fought for our country in the First World War.
The hubster’s family didn’t arrive in Australia until the 1920’s – so no Anzacs there.
My mother’s family also immigrated to Australia in the 20’s – another dead end.
Some years back when my Dad retired, he did a fair bit of research into the family tree, so I checked with him and finally found the answers I sought.
Introducing Henry – our own Anzac in the Family
My great grandmother’s brother (my great great uncle?) Henry had indeed fought in World War 1. Henry was born in 1898, and enlisted in 1917 when he “was only 19” (to quote the classic song by Redgum). So although he didn’t fight at Gallipoli, at last I could claim an Anzac in the family!
Dad had a copy of an old photo, and knew Henry had survived and returned to Australia after the war, but that was about it.
So I jumped online and entered Henry’s full name, and was astounded by the wealth of information I uncovered – including scanned copies of his original war records. I discovered details like when and where he enlisted; that his parents had already passed away and his brother was acting as his guardian; that he had brown hair and brown eyes, and was 5ft 6in tall.
Henry arrived in England on Christmas Day, 1917, before being sent to France three months later.
The Hospital Mystery
According to his service records, he was admitted to hospital in the middle of the year, and didn’t rejoin his battalion until two months later. I wonder what was wrong with him? Was he recovering from war wounds – or perhaps he came down with the flu that killed so many people in 1918?
Henry returned to Australia at the end of 1919 and was discharged from the army. He received three medals – the Star Medal, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal – which were pretty much given to any soldier who had left his native shore in any part of the British Empire while on service.
At last my Anzac mystery is solved, and I feel like a “real Australian” 😉 – especially seeing as there are no convicts among my forebears!
Were there any Anzacs in your family that you know of?!
How interesting. I honestly have no idea. My father is Dutch with French ancestors and arrived in Australia when he was 5 which would be almost 60 years ago. I think the family tree has been traced to an extent on my mother’s side but not sure of the results. I will have to ask.
They really were so young, weren’t they? Unimaginable. Good on you for playing historian and uncovering a little more about Henry’s heritage. I also have a relative who was involved and I’m planning a little post about him later in the week. Thanks for sharing your family’s story.
Hi Tonia, I’ll keep an eye out for your post!
I’ve been thinking about how there’s so much of our recent history within our own families that we just don’t know. Too many pieces of the puzzle lost along the way. My mum had 5 uncles who fought in WWII, and only one returned. He lost an arm and died a few years later. War is just horrific isn’t it.
My paternal grandfather fought in WW2 in New Guinea; I don’t think my maternal grandfather fought in the war, though I’m not sure why. Medical reasons perhaps?
It is very interesting looking at family history. My grandfather was an ANZAC.
I’ve spoken to 12 children who had parents that survived WWI and wow it was quite an emotional time. I know my mum’s side of family have some ancestors that served in the war but I need to find out more!
Great post! My Anzac ancestor is my grandmother’s uncle, who fought in France and Belgium and was killed in action there. My husband and I visited his grave while we were in Europe last year which was really special, and surprisingly emotional.
I also work at the National Archives for my ‘day job’ so I am surrounded by Anzac stuff constantly at the moment, I sometimes forget it isn’t necessarily front of mind for everyone else. But it’s pretty cool working at the place where all the original service records are kept!!
What a cool job Lauren! I helped with the Forgotten Australians project a few years back.
How wonderful that you now know the past history – you’ve inspired me to find out more about any of my family who may have fought in WWI. My Pop was a WWII veteran and my Nan a WWII nurse – they had some amazing stories to tell, some sad, some funny and some horrific. It makes me sad for what they had to go through and so thankful for all they did.
Tash, it sounds like your grandparents were pretty rare – from what I’ve heard a lot of folk don’t / didn’t like to talk about the war. Did they meet during the war?
You’ve inspired me to look up my family now! My parents were both born in England, so there’s no ANZACs, but I know my grandfather fought in the war.
I love family history. It’s so fascinating. My dad likes playing around on ancestry.com so I must ask him. I think my poppy, my grandmother’s dad, served in world war I. I believe he got a bullet through the eye but survived. You’ve made me curious to find out more.
How wonderful that you were able to find an ANZAC relative. My grandfather on my dad’s side was in WWI, my mum’s dad was in the Bore War but I don’t really know many of the details. Maybe I will do a google and see what happens
Leaving some belated fairy wishes and butterfly kisses from #teamIBOT
Hi Janet,
June sent me your link to this – very interesting. One of the things he suffered from may have been Epidymitis. Now that would stop any high kicking in the trenches and may be considered a ‘debility’! Did you notice he went AWL and lost 2 days pay? It was technically after the war so I don’t think it counts….. 🙂
Hi Janet, Great to read about your ANZAC ancestor. I posted on the ANZAC memorials in Canberra this year for a change. Fran