Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Contributed from Michael Ganey for the Montbrehain Centenary 5/10/2018

Courtney, Roy. Service Number 1213.

Roy was born ‘Royal’ Courtney in 1891 to Isaac John and Elizabeth Alice Courtney in Launceston Tasmania. He had two older brothers and two sisters.

He schooled at Invermay state school and as a young adult spent five years in the 41st Australian Artillery based in Launceston. He was a member of the rowing club and played football for the North Launceston Football club.

He listed himself as a carpenter when he enlisted in Claremont Tasmania on the 27 April 1915 and was assigned to the 26th Battalion. He embarked with the battalion from Brisbane on the HMAT Aeneas on the 29th June 1915 and he landed at Gallipoli with the 26th Battalion on the 12th of September 1915. He served there until the evacuation and then transferred to the newly formed 2nd Pioneer Battalion in March 1916 and then proceeded to France.

In December 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal in February 1917. In March 1917 he received serious wounds to his shoulder and back and eventually found himself in hospital back in England.

While in hospital he would have learnt that his older brother, Private William Courtney, was killed in action at Bullecourt on the 11th April while serving with the 13th Battalion. William has no known grave.

Roy’s wounds took some time to heal and he was not able to rejoin the battalion until the 23rd June 1918.

He was recommended for a Military Medal for actions at Beaurevoir.

‘During the attack on Beaurevoir line North of St Quentin on the 3rd October 1918, this NCO had charge of a section of road to be cleared and opened up for advance of the artillery. Despite persistent shell-fire and danger of falling debris from buildings, he cleared the road through the village, allowing the awaiting artillery to proceed. His coolness and determination were a fine inspiration to his men until he was severely wounded.’ His Military Medal was noted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 119 dated 17th October, 1919.

He was in fact severely wounded again at Montbrehain on the 5th 1918. He received a penetrating shrapnel wound to the head which left him paralysed on the left side of his body. He was operated on in France to remove bony debris and shell fragments and not all of the shrapnel and bone fragments could be removed. He was finally taken to England in December where they tried to graft a rib bone to his skull.

He was finally evacuated back to the Hornsby Military Hospital in Launceston Tasmania by March 1919. He suffered headaches bouts of fitting and unconsciousness and his condition slowly worsened until he died at the hospital on the 29th July 1919. On the 7th July 1919 he had been ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’ by General Rawlinson. It would seem unlikely if Roy ever knew this.

His family placed a thank-you message in the Launceston Examiner on the 10th August 1919.

Mr. and Mrs. Courtney and family desire to tender their heartfelt thanks to all kind friends for expressions of sympathy, letters and cards od condolence, and floral tributes received in their recent sad bereavement.  They wish to specially mention Lieut. Colonel Harrap, North Esk Rowing club, and Railway band, for their assistance.

The family also placed an ‘In Memoriam’ notice in the Examiner on the 29th July 1920.

On Active Service.

COURTNEY. – In sad and loving memory of our dear son and brother, Corporal Roy Courtney, who died at Hornsey Hospital on the 29th July, 1919, from wounds received in France.

Calmly sleep our darling loved one,

Pain no more shall mark your brow;

All your toil is o’er forever,

You are resting happy now.

A soldier released from duty,

Who stands at his maker’s Throne.

Private Royal Courtney lies in the Carr Villa Cemetery in plot 54 block B2 in Launceston.

He is also remembered on the Roll of Honour in the Holy Trinity Church in Launceston.