Henry Reginald Booth

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 30/06/2015 - 15:30

First Name:

Henry

Middle Name:

Reginald

Last Name:

Booth

Date of Birth:

Sunday, March 18, 1894

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, August 11, 1914

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

17th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, August 3, 1978

Place of Death:

Gosford NSW

Details:

Henry Booth was born in Leura and was a single 20 year old law clerk living at Thirroul when he enlisted. He had spent 3 years in the CMF. Henry enlisted in the Special Tropical Force (Service No 808) and embarked on HMAT A35 Berrima with H Company. After 6 months service he was discharged at the rank of Corporal.

He then enlisted in the AIF (Service No 2350) on 3rd August 1915 and embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles with 5th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion on 5th October 1915. Henry saw service in Egypt and the Western Front.

On 3rd November 1916 he transferred to 17th battalion. Henry attended numerous schools and promotions were regular. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 17th Battalion on 1st April 1918 and then Lieutenant on 18th August 1918.

Henry was gassed on 3rd October 1918 and admitted to hospital for treatment. He returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged on 12th December 1919.

He enlisted again as a Lieutenant on 27th December 1939 and served in Australia till placed on the retired list on 17th October 1940.

His life is a bit of a mystery as the 3 separate enlistment documents give different places of birth. His WW2 enlistment states he is married and his wife's name is Edith. His WW I service documents have been amalgamated with his WW II service documents. Record number below.

Sources:

NAA: B884, N60082