Henry David Rees

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 30/11/2015 - 11:25
First Name: 
Henry
Middle Name: 
David
Last Name: 
Rees
Date of Birth: 
Friday, August 23, 1895
Mother's Name: 
Charlotte Rees (nee Hoffman)
Father's Name: 
William Rees
Date Enlisted: 
Sunday, September 5, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Privatete
Rank at Discharge: 
Corporal
Unit: 
13th Battalion
Company: 
A
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Sunday, February 4, 1917
Place of Death: 
Fleurs, France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Henry Rees (Service No 4279) was born in Woonona, N.S.W. 

Note: Henry's NAA summary sheet papers record his Servce No as 4278. The documents in the file have the correct Service No (4279).

Before he enlisted, Henry has served for 2 years in the Militia.  Henry was single and employed as a carter when he enlisted at the age of 21.

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A60 Aeneas with 13th Reinforcements on 20th December 1915.  When the troops arrived in Egypt Henry was admitted to hospital suffering from pleurisy.   After he recovered he was sent on to France and arrived on 8th June 1916.

Henry served on the Western Front with 4 Platoon, A Company, 13th Battalion.  On 3rd September 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal, and again on 17th December 1916, to Corporal.

On 4th February 1917, at about 10 pm, Henry was involved in fighting with the bombing section when he was hit in the side by a piece of shell.  He died soon after and was buried in the field, but the location of his grave has been lost.

Henry is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France and the Bulli-Woonona War Memorial.

 

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Sources: 
NAA: B2455, REES HENRY DAVID

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