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Henry or Dick as he was affectionately known, was born in Kapunda on the 4th July 1914 to Ernest Harold and Mary Ann Boothey. He had five siblings including Margaret, Ernest Harold John, Amanda Hilda Mary, Ellen Emily (Nell) and William Joseph.
Dick grew up in the Riverland town of Renmark where he attended the local school and proved to be a talented sportsman. Playing football for Paruna, Dick was a reliable and accurate goal scorer playing in the forward lines and frequently appearing in the best player list. He was selected in the Loxton-Brown’s Well team to play against the Upper Murray Representative team in ’30. In the match, he was a hard worker in the forward line with accurate kicking. Dick was also pivotal in Paruna going through the ’31 season undefeated, a remarkable achievement. Similarly, he was also a capable cricketer, particularly as a bowler for Renmark West.
Dick was 23 when tragedy first struck the family with the unfortunate, early death of his 26-year-old brother, Ernest (Ern). Riding a motorbike, Ern had collided at speed with an on-coming car at a pot-holed Renmark intersection whilst returning home on a Friday evening. Despite being taken by the local policemen to hospital in a serious condition, Ern died of his injuries. At a later inquest these were described as ‘a compound fracture of the skull, a compound fracture of the lower jaw, fractures of both forearms, and probably fractured ribs. He was treated for shock and was in a deep coma.’
The Murray Pioneer wrote a poignant tribute to Ern. ‘The late Harold John Boothey had lived with his parents in Renmark for over 20 years and was an eldest son. He was a member of the Renmark Motor Cycle Club, and liked by all who knew him. At the time of his death, he was employed by Mr. Mengler of Berri, and is spoken highly of as a thorough workman and one who could be relied on to always give of his best. As a son he was always conscious of his duty to his parents, and he leaves behind him many sorrowing relatives and friends. The funeral which took place on Sunday, was well attended.’
Three years after Ern’s death, Dick, a labourer, enlisted to serve in WWII on the 29th June 1940 with close friend, Harold Roy becoming SX6839 and SX6876 respectively. A young Harry Lock also enlisted the same day as SX6846. All were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. They trained at Wayville, now the Adelaide Showgrounds before marching to Woodside for more training. During this time, Dick experienced a pre-cursor to kidney stones (renal colic) whilst training, earning a bout of treatment in hospital.
He and many others from the region returned to Renmark on pre-embarkation leave visiting friends and relatives in September. Many of the 17 young men were in his 2/48th Battalion, including SX8176 Dick Smith, SX8039 Donald F. Priester, SX8184 Walter Smith, SX6876 Harold A. J. Roy, SX6866 Roy T. Loveday. SX8179 Howard J. Trenwith, SX6846 Harry Lock, SX6839 Boothey, SX7996 Colin Roger R. Jacka and SX8274 Andrew Kelly.
The young men were able to have time home on leave in October when presentations were made at the Renmark Institute to those who had enlisted. Over 500 people attended to hear speeches and watch the presentations of propelling pencils and cigarettes made to the 20 local men, including Dick. The Mayor said that “he felt the huge crowd present was more expressive than anything he could say of the regard in which they were held. He felt that the lads they had met to honour were brimful of the true British spirit. Right through history, England had fought for tolerance, freedom, and honour. So was it any wonder that the men of Australia had answered the call as they had.”
Following their brief leave the new soldiers returned to the 2/48th with their contingent then embarking on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Whilst on-board, Dick had a recurrence of kidney trouble, having further days in the ship’s hospital. There the recruits completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. Dick celebrated being off the ship in January, but he was admonished for being drunk, fortunately avoiding a fine. The battalion was soon on its way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. In March Dick was diagnosed with painful kidney stones and had a week in hospital. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Whilst in the Middle East, Dick learned that his 59-year-old father had unexpectedly died on the 25th April ’41. Little did Dick or his family know that he was to survive his father by just a month.
Aged 26, and ten months after enlisting, Dick was killed in a tragic accident in Egypt on the 21st May ’41. He was the same age as his older brother who had been killed in the motor bike accident just over three years earlier.
Mark Johnston recently published Derrick VC In His Own Words documenting the diary entries of ‘Diver’. For the 22nd May it read “Just the same, stand to is over and again its “All Quiet”. Some bad news One of our trucks ran over our own mine field, Dick Boothy (sic) riding on mudguard was blown to pieces. Don Flannagan in cabin badly injured in both legs, driver uninjured but badly shaken.’
The incident was also described by John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan. ‘The minefields hereabouts were very hard to locate, covered as they were with sand, and they claimed a number of victims. Major Batten, whilst visiting B Echelon for administrative purposes in the ‘I’ truck, overran his destination and returned by the same track, only to disappear in a cloud of dust and smoke, with disastrous results to the vehicle. By some freak of luck it had passed unscathed through the minefield, but trying it a second time, was perhaps tempting fate a little too much. Even though no one as hurt, the driver’s murmur about a blowout was certainly not appreciated. Not so fortunate was an A Company truck which ran onto a mine field the next day; Private H.J. Boothey was killed, and another member of the battalion was seriously injured.’
Inevitably, a Court of Enquiry was held in the field on the 26th May, with the finding that ‘During the course of duty a truck was driven on to a minefield; the explosion killed SX6839 Pte Boothey H.J. and wounded SX6562 Pte Flanegan D.J.’ Dick’s death was therefore ‘due to a truck being blown up on a minefield. The accident was not due to misconduct or negligence.’ Dominic Flanegan SX6562, who was also involved in the accident received injuries including a lacerated left foot and right calf. These were deemed to be ‘of a slight nature and unlikely to interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier.’ He survived the war, living to be 73.
The local Murray Pioneer shared the tragic news. “Advice has been received by Mrs. M. A. Boothey that her son, SX6839 H. J. Boothey was killed in action on May 21. Pte. Boothey would have been 27 years of age had he lived until July 23. He played football and cricket and was a lover of children and a wonderful boy for his home. He was educated at Renmark and from inquiries made it is found his services were always in demand. One well known Renmark fruit grower, could not speak too highly of the sterling qualities of this man. "He never had to be told what to do," he said. The lad's father, Mr. B. H. Boothey died in Renmark only recently.”
Margaret placed a ‘thank you’ in the local paper to all who had supported her. ‘MRS M. BOOTHEY and FAMILY desire to THANK all kind friends and relatives for cards, letters, and expressions of sympathy In sad loss of their dear son and brother, Dick (on active service abroad). Too far away, your grave to see, But not too far to think of thee.’
Dick was initially buried in grave 364 then formally buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Plot 5 Row J Grave 9. He rests with other soldiers from the 2/7th 2/9th 2/10th 2/12th 2/15th and 2/23rd Battalions. His mother chose the inscription ‘”Dick” died as he lived, upholding Honour, Defending Truth’.
Back home in Renmark, the family marked the deaths of the two brothers, Ern and Dick with a headstone in the Cemetery where both parents were eventually laid to rest. Each year the family continued to remember Dick.
Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record Thursday 21 May 1942, BOOTHEY- in loving memory of our dear son and brother, Henry James Boothey, who was accidentally killed on active service, on the 21st of May, 1941. One year has passed since that sad day, The one we love was called away. Deep in our hearts his memory is kept; We, who loved him, will never forget. -Inserted by his loving Mother, sisters, and brothers. BOOTHEY- in loving memory of my dear son and brother, Private H. J. Dick, killed at Tobruk, on 21st May, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, Within a silent grave; His comrades laid him down to rest. Among the honoured brave. Always unselfish, thoughtful and kind; A loving memory to leave behind. -Inserted by his loving Mother, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law Mick and Joe. BOOTHEY- In loving memory of Henry James, who was accidentally killed on active service, May 21st, 1941. Deep in our hearts, a memory is kept, Of one we loved and will never forget; Loved to life, honoured in death, A treasured memory is all we have left. Ever remembered by Freda, Norm and family. Advertiser Friday 22 May 1942, page 10 BOOTHEY, Henry James, of Renmark. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Henry (Dick), who was killed at Tobruk on May 21, 1941. Not just today, but every day, For ever we'll remember. —Inserted by his loving mother, brother and sisters.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 25 May 1944, page 5 BOOTHEY — In loving memory of our dear son and brother H. J. (Dick), who was accident-ally killed on active service at Tobruk on the 21st of May, 1941. "Time has passed since that sad day, The one we love was called away, Deep in our hearts a memory is kept, We who loved him will never forget." —Inserted by his loving moth-er, sisters and brothers. BOOTHEY—In loving memory of our dear son and brother killed in action 21st May, 1941. Gone from us his smiling face Those pleasant cheerful days. A heart that won so many Friends In happy bygone days. —Ever remembered by his mother, brother and sisters.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 24 May 1945, BOOTHEY —In memory of our dear son and brother Private H. J. (Dick) Boothey killed in action 21st May, 1941. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him." —Inserted by his loving mother, brother and sisters.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 29 May 1947, BOOTHEY— In loving memory of Pte. H. J. Boothey, who was killed at Tobruk, 21st May, 1941. The waves of the ocean divide us. And you sleep in a soldier's grave, We remember you as a hero. And treasure the life you gave. —Always remembered by his loving mother, sisters and brother.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 26 May 1949, BOOTHEY—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Private H, J. (Dick) died May 21, 1941. Eight sad years ago. Memory is a golden chain That links us till we meet again. —Inserted by his loving mother, brother and sisters.

Having lost two sons and the girls two brothers, tragedy again struck the family. Dick’s sister Hilda married Frederick Dolan and the two had a son, Murray. Just prior to his second birthday whilst Fred was chopping wood, the children were playing nearby when Murray disappeared. Unfortunately, the gate leading to an underground tank had been left open. A frantic Fred squeezed through the very narrow 15-inch opening of the tank, which was filled to within four inches of the top. Diving several times, Fred finally located his small son’s body and despite all attempts to resuscitate him, was unsuccessful.
Dick’s mother Mary died in April ’64 and was interred with Ernest in the Renmark Cemetery. She rests near a memorial to her two sons and grandson.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.