SERVICE PERSON RESEARCH

‘They Enlisted at My Age’

By: Sophie Austin

SERVICE PERSON DETAILS

Service Person’s Name / Harold William Bardwell
Rank / Private
Service Number / 2275
Regiment/Unit or
Ship or Squadron / 4/41st Battalion
Date of Birth / Not known
Place of Birth / Brisbane
Family Details (married or single, name of wife, names of mother and father) / Single
Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Bardwell
Father: Mr F J Bardwell
Age at Enlistment / 16 years and 3 months
Place of Enlistment / Brisbane
Date of Death / 07/06/1917
Place of Death / Casualty Clearing Station, France
Cemetery or
Memorial Name / Trois Arbres Military Cemetery, France
Grave or Memorial
Number / Plot 1 Row N

PHOTO Unable to locate a photo of Private Harold Bardwell

SERVICE PERSON’S STORY/EULOGY

Private Harold William Bardwell was one of many soldiers who enlisted when he was, in fact, underage. Bardwell was born in Brisbane where he also enlisted. He was the son of Elizabeth and F J Bardwell. Private Bardwell enlisted at the age of 16 years and 3 months which is 1 year and 9 months premature. After his enlistment, he was allocated to the 41st Battalion and they were raised in Bell’s Paddock Camp in Brisbane in February 1916.

The 41st Battalion included recruits from Brisbane, North Queensland and some from New South Wales in the Northern Rivers District. The 41st Battalion formed part of the 11th Brigade and the 3rd Australian Division. The battalion trained in Australia and Britain before travelling to France and arriving on 25 November 1916. The 41st Battalion entered the front line on Christmas Eve and the winter was passed by alternating between training and labouring in the rear area or partaking in front line service. Following this, the 41st Battalion travelled to Belgium where their job was clear. They supported in Messines on 7 June which was the day when Private Harold Bardwell died due to wounds in a Casualty Clearing Station. Private Bardwell was buried in Trois Arbres Military Cemetery.

Private Harold Bardwell was a soldier who demonstrated bravery and carried the true Anzac spirit. As a young man from Indooroopilly in Brisbane which is in close proximity to Brigidine College, my school, we will remember him. Lest we forget.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Australian War Memorial (n.d.), 41st Australian Infantry Battalion, https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51481/ (accessed 22 January 2016)

Australian War Memorial (n.d.), First World War Embarkation Rolls – Harold William Swanson https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1964659/ (accessed 15 January 2016)

Australian War Memorial (n.d.), Roll of Honour – Harold William Bardwell https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1634629/ (accessed 15 January 2016)

Commonwealth War Graves Commission 2013, Bardwell, Harold William http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/203064/BARDWELL,%20HAROLD%20WILLIAM (accessed 15 January 2016)

National Archives of Australia 2006, B2455, BARDWELL H W http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3049220 (accessed 15 January 2016)

SOURCES

Reference: National Archives of Australia 2006, B2455, BARDWELL H W http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3049220

(accessed 15 January 2016)

Reference: Australian War Memorial (n.d.), First World War Embarkation Rolls – Harold William Swanson https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1964659/ (accessed 15 January 2016)