Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Raymond MAYBERRY

Military Medal

'On the 25th September 1917 at HOOGE the enemy, who had attacked our lines, was shelling the valley between HODGE and HALFWAY HOUSE very heavily. For six hours these two men worked backwards and forwards on the line between the Artillery and Infantry in this valley, being almost continuously under the shell fire, and in endeavouring to keep the line in action narrowly escaped with their lives. They were on one occasion partially buried by an areoplane bomb but continued with their work and eventually finding it impossible to keep the line in repair reported at the infantry Headquarters and brought in by hand from the Liaison Officer an important dispatch , through the heavy fire which was the existing. Their conduct throughout was an excellent example of courage and determination.'

Signed: William Napier –Brig-General R.A.                               G.O.C.R.A. 1st A.N.Z.A.C

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 66 May 2, 1918.

The Bendigo Independent published the following on December 14, 1917:- AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL- SAPPER H. R. MAYBERRY.

Mrs. Mayberry, of Wallan Street, California Gully, has received information in a letter dated October 7 from her son, Sapper Harry R. Mayberry, that he has been awarded the Military Medal for special duty in the field. He stated that a cable would be sent by the military authorities but no such cable has yet come to hand. Sapper Mayberry was a fine stamp of Australian manhood. He is 24 years of age, and a sturdy, well-built young fellow. Enlisting in July 1915, he sailed in April of 1915, and after spending some time in training in Egypt and England, was transferred to France in July last, and has consequently been fighting five months. Prior to enlisting he was employed at D. Whyte's Teapot Cash Store, of Pall Mall, and was closely connected with the I.O.R. Gobden Tent (California Gully), and California Gully Free Brotherhood.

As a sportsman Sapper Mayberry also showed out prominently, having played with the Quarry Hill football team and Upper Road Methodist's cricket team, and for some time was instructor of the Eaglehawk West Methodist Athletic Club. It was only a few months ago that his brother, Pte. Charlie Mayberry, had been reported "died of wounds," and at the time of writing he (Harry) had not heard of his brother's death. In a later letter Sapper Mayberry stated that he would be sending the ribbon of the medal home, also a gas mask that he secured from a Fritz prisoner. The news of his distinction will be welcomed by his numerous friends. This is the second California Gully soldier to receive the Military Medal in a month, the other being Sapper W. C. D. Veale"[1]

Sapper Henry Mayberry disembarked in Egypt on May 9, 1916 in transition to the front in France by the end of June. He would be attached to the 6th Artillery Field Brigade (AFB) Signal Sub section.

The Division Signals Company was tasked with providing communications from the Headquarters to those of subordinate formations. This would be by a combination of telephone (requiring the laying of line) and limited radio towards the end of WW1. Laying line was one of the most hazardous jobs in the front line.   The "Linies" had to move above ground carrying a reel of wire. They could often be the only moving thing on the battlefield and thus attracted fire - both small arms and even artillery fire. Hence the task was often performed at night, with the added risk of getting disorientated on the battlefield. The "linies" also had the unenviable task of locating and repairing breaks in the line.[2]

SERVICE DETAILS:  

Regimental No: 8425

Occupation: Grocer

Nearest of Kin: Mother, Mrs Eliza Mayberry, California Gully.

Place of birth: California Gully, Victoria

Date of enlistment: 8 July 1915

Age at enlistment: 21

Embarked:

Final Rank: Sapper

Unit:  6th Field Artillery Brigade

Fate: Returned to Australia 27 June 1919

HOOGE- The battle involving Sappers Henry Mayberry and Paul Coughlan took place on the day that proceeded the larger push of Polygon Wood on September 26. This was the I ANZAC component of a larger British and dominion operation staged as part of the third battle of Ypres. The battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties.[3]

Hooge referred to in the above recommendation was a giant crater created by British and Dominion sappers who detonated one of the war’s largest mines under the German front line in 1916. Fighting ranged around this part of Flanders fields throughout the following two years of the war.

[1] The Bendigo Independent, Fri 14 Dec 1917.  Page 6
[2] Virtual War Memorial Australia Website https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/19

[3] Virtual War Memorial Australia Website https://vwma.org.au/explore/campaigns/19