Harry Percy Gadsby

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 03/09/2016 - 13:00

First Name:

Harry

Middle Name:

Percy

Last Name:

Gadsby

Date of Birth:

Thursday, October 15, 1891

Mother's Name:

Harriett Gadsby nee Young

Father's Name:

Samuel Gadsby

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, January 12, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, October 16, 1950

Place of Death:

Sydney

Details:

Harry Gadsby (Service No 1753) was born in London, England and had served 4 years in the Military before coming to Australia.

At enlistment Harry was single, 23 years old, worked as a clerk with the Bank of New South Wales and was living in Kiama, N.S.W.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A9 Shropshire with 4th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion on 17th March 1915. Two days later he was promoted to Corporal.

He arrived on Gallipoli with 13th battalion on 27th May 1915 and served until 27th June when he was evacuated to hospital in Egypt suffering from influenza. He returned to Gallipoli on 28th September 1915 and served until the evacuation.

On 3rd March 1916 he was transferred to 45th Battalion and served with them until the war ended.

Harry arrived in France on 8th June 1916. He was wounded in action on 6th August 1916 while fighting on the Somme and evacuated to hospital in England for treatment of gun shot wounds to his back and spine and finally returned to his unit on 4th December 1916.

Harry was commissioned on 18th July 1917 to 2nd Lieutenant, then promoted to Lieutenant on 24th February 1918.

He attended various schools and courses and was uninjured for the rest of his Western Front service.

After the war Harry attended courses in England, finally returning to Australia in September 1919 and discharged on 29th December 1919.

In 1921 he married Ada Shepherd in Young, N.S.W. and they had one child.

In June 1940, at the age of 51, Harry enlisted for service in World War 2 (Service No NX138986) and served until September 1944. At enlistment Harry was working as a farmer and orchardist.

On 8th May 1942 he was promoted to Captain.

Harry died in Sydney in 1950.

His service is commemorated on the Kiama Memorial Arch & Honour Roll.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, GADSBY H P - empty file, papers transferred to:

NAA: B883, NX138986 (Harry Percy Gadsby)