Hawkesbury’s fallen heroes

When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, and started recruiting volunteers for the Australian Infantry Forces (AIF) six days later, Hawkesbury locals were quick to heed the call.

Among the earliest local recruits were:
Alex Teale
Cecil Eather
Fred Hayes
Reg HOlden
Pte Blumer
Tom Jenkins
R M Beveridge
Pte Longworth
E Cambridge
Lt Harold Watkins
Pat Molloy
Mervyn Green
E Kemp
HMAS Emden
Jack Laraghy
Oscar Ward
Frank Eather
Reginald Threlfall
Lt M Bowley
Lt Herbert Holland
Lt MacWhirter
R B Hughes
R N Bradshaw
Capt Bowman Douglas
Dr Fullerton
Dr Helsham
Dr Piero Fiaschi
Nurse A Wright
Dr (Major) Helsham
Students of Hawkesbury Agricultural College

More than 600 locals enlisted in World War I, with most of the earlier enlistments heading to Egypt. Around 100 didn’t make it home. Their deaths were recorded as a result of the war.

A number of local soldiers who died while serving overseas are listed on headstones in the Hawkesbury area.

Roy Charles Streeter’s death is recorded on his mother Maria Streeter’s grave at the Windsor Catholic Cemetery. He died at Gallipoli on May 19, 1915.

Pte O’Brien fell at Passchendaele Ridge, France on October 4, 1917. His mother erected a memorial plaque at St Matthews Anglican, Windsor. The plaque says, “In loving memory of Pte Alfred (Harold) O’Brien D Compy 21st Battalion AIF KIA at Passchendaele Ridge France 4 Oct 1917 AGed 23 years. Peace perfect peace erected by his loving mother.

Sgt Staunton Hope Johnston of Ebenezer died while in active service on May 11, 1918. He died on the Mount of Olives and is listed on a family headstone at Ebenezer.

• Topics:

• ANZAC Day