Gympie’s Great War Stories 1914 – 1918
This blog post contains a collection of stories from publications put together by Society Members to mark the Centenary of the Great War. There are six books in the collection and they are available either individually or as a set from the Society. You will find more information on our Book Shop page here.
Military Cross – James Loudan Graham #688 Lieutenant
James was born in Gympie on 28 Sep 1894.
He attended One Mile School and won the Smyth Medal in 1909. James was a schoolteacher who enlisted in Gympie on 21 Aug 1914.
He embarked at Pinkenba Wharf aboard HMAT A5 Omrah as a Sergeant in the 9th Battalion. He was in the first landing on Gallipoli and was wounded on the third day but after hospitalisation, he returned until the evacuation some months later.
James was then sent to France with the 49th Battalion, gained promotion to Lieutenant and was decorated with the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
Military Medal – Peter Lawrence Arnold Private # 4360
At 28 years he was a single man working as a labourer in the Gayndah area when he enlisted in Brisbane on 19th November 1915. Born in Gympie his father was Peter Garvin Arnold who also lived in Yerra on the Gayndah line. A soldier with 25th Battalion he earned a Military Medal during operations east of Ypres in September/October 1917.
“Private Arnold was one of a party transporting timber for a road round Bellewaarde Etang on the afternoon of 26th September, 1917. During consistent shelling, a driver of one of the wagons transporting timber was killed. Private Arnold immediately volunteered to drive the team, and handled it skilfully and coolly under very hot fire and difficult traffic conditions. This man does not spare himself in any way, and does more than his share, and sets a splendid example.
Peter was wounded in action on three occasions and returned to Australia for discharge in Brisbane on 27th September 1918. He died on 6th July 1974 and was buried in Kandanga Cemetery.
Arthur Reeve # 279 Private
At the age of 32 years this English born gent enlisted in Gympie on 25th August 1914 where he lived with his wife Martha Gladys on the corner of Hilton & Excelsior Road.
He gave his occupation as a miner.
He sailed aboard H.M.A.T (A5) Omrah being the first ship to leave Queensland with troops for the war then served initially with 9th Battalion, B Company before being transferred to 3rd Field Ambulance.
Returned to Australia as medically unfit and discharged on 24th May 1915 suffering from a serious kidney complaint.
He died on 17th June 1934.
Thomas Arthur Hellmuth # 328 L’Corporal
Born in Gympie on 9th March 1893 to Theodor Johannes Gottfried & Mary Jane (nee WILLIAMS).
He was a grocer who enlisted at Enoggera on 20th August 1914. He embarked at Pinkenba Wharf Brisbane on 24th September aboard H.M.A.T (A5) Omrah being the first ship to leave Queensland with troops for the war.
Served in Gallipoli and France with 9th battalion. Wounded in action twice and returned to Australia then served in WW2 (QX50074) attaining the rank of Honorary Major following service in Japan. Died at Sandgate 14th August 1979.
**A more complete story will be featured in the 1914 book.
Oliver Harris # 624 Private
Born in Gympie his father was John.
Working as a miner he enlisted in Gympie on 21st September 1914.
Served at Gallipoli with 2nd Light Horse Regiment where he was wounded and died on 17th May 1915 aboard the hospital ship Gascon.
Commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, and Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour panel 3.
Henry Lewis Heilbronn # 833
Born in Gympie to mother Ann Elizabeth.
He was a 26 year-old mill worker when he enlisted in Mackay on 19th December 1914. Served Gallipoli & Western Front with 11th Light Horse Regiment & 1st Field Company Engineers.
Returned to Australia and died on 8th December 1964, buried at Mackay Civil Cemetery.
STEWART, John #3842 Sergeant
This young man was aged 20 years when he enlisted in Perth on 4 Aug 1915. He had been born in Gympie where his father James had worked as a miner before heading to Western Australia following the work. John gave his occupation as a plumber and on 2 Dec 1915 he was sailing aboard the troopship Malwa heading to Egypt. He spent time at Zietoun and Abbassia in training camps before the big push to Marseilles in Jun 1916. During a particularly heavy battle near Albert on 5 Apr 1918 he was taken prisoner by the Germans and held at Giessen camp. During his time in camp his brother Gilbert (#304A) wrote to the Red Cross from his hospital bed in England seeking information about John. Owing to his discharge from hospital and the return to his unit the information crossed paths. He never found out about his brother as Gilbert was killed in action in Sep 1918. Following Armistice John was repatriated to England and then back to Australia. He died in Perth on 9 Nov 1982.
McCormack, Malachy James #5823 Private
Malachy was the son of Mary and Jeremiah McCORMACK who lived on Cootharaba Hill.
He was born 16 Jul 1895. He was posted to 15th Battalion and with his unit he embarked HMAT A49 SEANG CHOON 4 May 1916.
On 26 Sept he was wounded in action. He suffered a shell wound to his right forearm in a battle at Polygon Wood.
He returned to France and 6 May 1918 he was transferred to 4th Machine Gun Battalion. He had some hospital stays with trench foot.
His mother Mary had read in the paper that he had died of wounds and would have been relieved to hear that her red-haired boy was still alive.
He returned to Australia 12 May and worked as a labourer in Marian, near Mackay, Stirling Crossing and Pomona. He died in 1971 in Brisbane.
This story was compiled by Kathy Punter
Sources: “Gympie’s Great War”- There are 6 books in this series and they are available either individually or as a set from The Gympie Family History Society and you can order a copies via our Book Store, or, purchase copies from our rooms at 1 Chapple St, Gympie:
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