Sapper Henry Alfred Read 17007

SAPPER HENRY ALFRED READ

17007 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

Woolwich, London, England was the birthplace of Henry (Harry) Alfred Read in the third quarter of 1892 and registered there the son of Arthur Henry Read and his wife Sarah. In 1901 the family were residing at 156 Brewery Road, Woolwich, London and residents consisted of Arthur H. (34) Blacksmith’s hammerer, Sarah (30) and Henry A. (8).

Ten years later in 1911 the family were living in a four-roomed house at 46 Conway Road, Plumstead, Woolwich and citizens of the household were Arthur Henry (43) Blacksmith’s striker, Sarah (42), Henry Alfred (18) turner BC Royal Service, Frank (16) scholar and William (8).

He served an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Woolwich Arsenal for five years.

Among the passengers who left London on the steamer Marakini arriving on June 19, 1913 was Mr H. Read (21). The ship’s arrival in Melbourne, Vic was reported in:

Two years later in Sydney, NSW the following occurred and was reported in the:

At Victoria Barracks, Sydney, NSW on October 13, 1916 the twenty-four year old fitter and turner applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination. Personal particulars taken show he was single, residing at 584 Bourke Street, Moore Park, Sydney and had a chest measurement of (32½-36½ins). His application was accepted by the recruiting officer when declared fit for active service. Attestation forms were completed on October 23, 1916 at the Show Ground camp, Sydney, NSW and describe him further being 169cms (5ft 6¾ins) tall, weighing 60.9kgs (134lbs) and a chest expansion of 83-92cms (32½-36½ins). His brown eyes tested to good vision and had a dark complexion and dark brown hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Arthur Henry Read of 46 Conway Road, Woolwich, London, England. He was sworn in the same day.

Basic training commenced at the Show Ground camp from October 25, 1916 with the Engineer Reinforcements, 2nd Military District then at Moore Park camp, Sydney in the rank of Sapper. His regimental number was 17007.

The Reinforcement embarked from Sydney, NSW on the RMS Osterley on February 10, 1917 under the Master of the Ship W.J. Jenks. The Royal Mail Ship docked in Melbourne on February 14 for the day and departed for Adelaide arriving in the Outer Harbour on February 16 but left the same day. An overnight stopover in Fremantle from February 20 to 21st concluded the Australian departures and sailed for Durban, South Africa spending March 6 and 7 in port. Capetown was entered on March 10 and continued the next day for Sierra Leone to refuel from March 25 and departed two days later on the last part of their voyage. Officer Commanding Troops was Lt-Colonel F.B. Heritage who oversaw disembarkation at Plymouth on April 11, 1917 where the men were detrained to Tidworth and Amesbury Stations. They marched into No. 3 camp at Parkhouse the following day to prepare for further training for the front. On April 16, 1917 were sent to the Engineers’ Depot at Brightlingsea.

The following was dealt with at Brightlingsea on June 22, 1917:

Offence: Brightlingsea 21/6/17 A.W.L. from midnight 21/6/17 till 2.30 p.m. 22/6/17

Award: 7 days F.P. No. 2 by Major R.V. Coulter 22/6/17

Total forfeiture: 7 day’s pay

The Reinforcement proceeded to France from Southampton on June 26, 1917 arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles the next day.

With his civil qualifications of fitter and turner his service would be more beneficial to the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was attached on Supernumerary strength on September 3, 1917.

Service continued without incident and was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months overseas.

On February 5, 1918 he proceeded to England on leave and returned to duty on February 19.

He was admitted to the 1st New Zealand Field Ambulance on February 25, 1918 and transferred to the 4th Stationary Hospital in Arques. After fifty-six days treatment for a social disease he returned to Base Details at the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles on April 21 and rejoined to his unit on May 1, 1918.

On August 1, 1918 he was taken on strength with the ‘Alphabetical’ company and was still serving when Peace was declared. The company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies for those rehabilitating their districts.

Leave to Paris was granted from November 18, 1918 and rejoined the unit on November 27.

On March 20, 1919 he returned to the A.G.B.D. in Havre and crossed to England arriving at Southampton a day later and proceeded to the A.A.S.C. camp at Parkhouse. He reported for Repatriation and Demobilisation at London Headquarters where on March 29 was taken on strength. Sapper was granted special leave for Non-Military Exemption (NME) with pay and subsistence on condition of a letter from his employer, from March 28 for Machine Shop Experience with Messrs E.A. Parsons Ltd, Newcastle-on-Tyne until June 28, 1919.

On expiration of leave he returned to London Headquarters and was granted embarkation leave till July 12, 1919 and returned to the residence of his family in Plumstead, London, S.E.8.

He marched out to Sutton Veny camp but later was attached to the A.D.O.S. in London on July 28. He marched out on leave from December 29, 1919 until January 3, 1920. He was on command from January 7 from 900 hours until he marched from Tidworth on January 20.

Three days leave was granted from January 26 until January 29, 1920.

He was detached from A.A.O.S. to the A.E.M.M.B.C. on February 27, 1920 and granted leave subject to recall for return to Australia.

After demobilisation Sapper Read embarked for Australia on March 12, 1920 on board H.T. Ceramic and the ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on May 6 after quarantine clearance. News of their arrival was reported in the:

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D) on June 20, 1920 on termination of his period of enlistment.

The British War Medal (70476) and the Victory Medal (67675) were issued to Sapper 17007 Henry Alfred Read, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company for serving his country.

In 1923 he married Clarice Irene Norman with the marriage registered in Sydney, NSW.

Their residence in 1930 was 6 Nelson Street, Randwick East with his occupation of turner and in 1936 they were living at Beechworth Flats, Vicar Street, Coogee working as a fitter. In 1943 their address was Inglewood Flats, Vicar Street, Coogee.

Clarice I. Read died in Prince Henry Hospital on December 11, 1960 aged 62 years. Burial was in Waverley Cemetery in the Church of England Section 14, Special Row 14 in grave number 6778-9.

Harry’s last years were spent in the War Veteran’s Home at Narrabeen, NSW.

Henry Alfred Read passed away on January 30, 1976 aged 84 years. His family notice was published in the:

REUNIONS

Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:

1928 H. Read 84 Howard Street, Randwick

1928 Harry Reid c/o Bradley Bros, Wentworth Avenue

1934 Read H. c/o Bradley Bros, Wentworth Avenue changed to: Inglewood Flats, Vicar St, Coogee

1960-68 Read H.A. 2 Inglewood Flats, Vicar St, Coogee changed to: 19 Church St, Hunters Hill

Notation: 1968 Reunion

1970-71 Read H.A. 19 Church St, Hunters Hill changed to: 14 West War Veteran’s Home

Narrabeen