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.
William Alan Beevor STEELE was a cadet at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
He enlisted in the AIF on the 15th August 1914 at the age of 19 and was allotted to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, “A” Squadron.
He embarked from Brisbane on board HMAT A15 “Star of England” on the 24th September 1914.
William served in both Gallipoli and on the Western Front.
A report from his Commandant gives his personality as forceful, dominating and determined, but quite frankly cheerful and nice about it all.
Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal.
BAKER Douglas Raymond
Born in Gympie, 15th January 1887 to parents Edward & Mary Augusta (nee RAYMOND). He was an Engine Driver who enlisted in Gympie 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 Egypt, Gallipoli & Western Front, 9th Battalion, 1st Machine Gun Battalion.
Wounded in action on three occasions.
Married Nellie Elizabeth FRY, 3rd August 1918, Sutton UK. Returned to Australia. Died 27th April 1951.
GRANZIN Henry
Born in Gympie he was a labourer who enlisted in Gympie on 21st August 1914 and allocated to 2nd Light Horse Regiment.
He died of Pneumonia on 11th September 1914 in Brisbane General Hospital. Buried in plot MPB-10-303 at Gympie Cemetery with full military attendance.
RICE, George Harold #523 & #2073 Driver
George was educated at Gympie and Mt Morgan and was an 18-year-old butcher when he enlisted initially on 31 Oct 1914. His service number was 523 and he was assigned to 5th Light Horse. He listed his father John as his Next of Kin and his religion as Anglican. He was discharged on 12 Nov 1914 as medically unfit. His eyes were brownish green and he had brown hair and a dark complexion.
His parents were John and Elizabeth RICE {nee LLOYD} and there were at least 4 children born in Queensland
On the 6 Dec 1915 he enlisted and named his mother as next of kin and this time he was a Methodist. He was now of fair complexion. It was also noted that he was her sole support. He was attached to 5th Light Horse but was transferred to 49th Battery Artillery. Embarking on the HMAT WANDILLA A69 Jan 1916 he headed for Egypt and then France. In France he was in most of the heavy fighting. He was discharged 14 Sep 1919. In 1920 he married Ethel Leavinia May KYLE and worked for many years as a butcher in Brisbane. He was living in Maroochydore when he died in 1989. His brother John Emmanuel #4799 enlisted on 31 Dec 1915 and returned home.
MERRIN, Norman Eric #2945A Captain
Norman was an auburn haired 18-year-old Labourer when he enlisted in Brisbane. He was born in Gympie on 17 Nov 1898 He embarked on 13 Apr on the HMT CERAMIC bound for Port Said then from Alexandria to England. He joined 31st Battalion in Armentieres in France. The battalion had just taken over the sector from 4th Seaforth Highlanders. He had several hospital stays for lumbago and influenza and also spent some time in Bulford Hospital. He was docked 2 days pay for the crime of being AWL for 2 hours on 12 Jun 1918. He returned to Australia on the ORINTA on 23 Jun 1919 and was discharged on 24 Sep. He married Helen DICK in 1920. In the 1938 electoral roll he listed himself as a tram conductor. In later years he became involved with RSSAILA and was their pension officer. He enlisted for WW2 on 8 Oct 1939. His service number was QX6296 and on his discharge on 2 Feb 1944 he was Captain. He died in 1971.
LEAHY John Joseph
John was born in Gympie and attended at Gympie State School.
He was a miner living at Ruby Vale Qld, when he enlisted in Rockhampton.
His posting was to 47th Battalion and he embarked from Brisbane on HMAT A46 CLAN MACGILLIVRAY 1 May 1916.
He joined his unit in France 7 Oct 1916. During a battle on 16 Jun 1917 he was wounded with gunshot wounds to his leg and abdomen.
He died of these wounds at 53rd Casualty Clearing Station.
His father Cornelius was deceased, and his mother had a long series of letters to obtain details of her sons’ death and to obtain his personal effects.
He is buried in Bailleul Communal Extension Plot 111 Row C Grave no 215. He is remembered on the AWM Roll of Honour Panel no 144..
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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