Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Researched by Nat Lemar 

Henry (Harry) HARVEY was born on 28.12.1885 in Leyton, Essex, England, the son of David and Jane HARVEY.

Harry arrived in Australia in about 1907.

Harry served in the AIF in 1915 but was discharged soon after 292 days service.

On returning to Australia, he travelled from Sydney to Adelaide with an intended address of Block Rd, Gawler.

Whilst in England, Harry had met widow Sarah AYRES (nee WOODBRIDGE) at Dover which is where she was stationed with the WRAF.   Sarah already had a daughter Emily.

Harry and Sarah were married on 24.12.1919 at Essex, West Ham Registry office.   Harry’s address at the time was given as 71 Ashville Rd, Leytonstone. His father was listed as a dock labourer.

Sarah, her daughter Emily and her friend Lillian Fanny PARKER (see separate file) sailed to Australia on RMS Osterley arriving at Port Adelaide on 03.07.1920.   It is believed Harry worked his way aboard the same ship.

They had a daughter Beryl Alice Harvey born on 26.04.1923 at 42 Seventh St, Bowden.   Sadly, Beryl died on 12.01.1924 however tragically, Harry had died on 25.01.1923 a mere three months before Beryl was born.

His wife and daughter went on to live with Emily and Ralph STEPHENS for a time (the STEPHENS are the family that provided the information about this family)  

Military

Henry (Harry) HARVEY joined the AIF aboard transport ship ‘Hymettus’ on 13.02.1915. He listed his mother Jane HARVEY of 5 Buckland Rd, Leyton, England as his next of kin.   He gave his permanent address in Australia as 42 Seventh St, Bowden.

Harry was allocated service number 801 and his unit as the 7th Light Horse, 3rd Reinforcements. He is also recorded as having service number 757.

After enlistment on 16.02.1915, he disembarked in Egypt and remained in Egypt for a short time. During his time in Egypt, he was found to be medically unfit due to flat feet and arthritis in his feet.

He embarked at Suez on 10.06.1915 bound for Australia and disembarked at Melbourne on 17.07.1915. He was discharged from the AIF on 01.12.1915 as medically unfit. He was awarded the 1914/15 star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

At some stage in the next few years, he returned to England.

Death and burial at Hindmarsh

Harry HARVEY died on 25.01.1923 at Adelaide Hospital from a malignant growth in his small bowel at the young age of 39 years. He was buried at Hindmarsh Cemetery in grave Q1. His daughter was buried in the same grave three months later and when his wife Sarah died in 1943, she too was buried in the same grave.