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Henry Thomas Hackney - Information

Henry was born in Bowral in 1899. Sadly, he lost his father at a young age. His mother then remarried and when the war began, Henry was living with his mother and step-family, the Boardmans, on Myrtle Creek on Bargo Rd in Picton. Here, Henry completed an apprenticeship with the NSW Railways, and began working as a porter at Picton Station. As news of the boys efforts at Gallipoli poured in, Henry decided to do his bit. Aged 18, he signed up on the 5th of August 1915 in Liverpool. He then departed Sydney on the 18th of November 1915 onboard the HMAT Persic as a Gunner with the 5th Field Artillery Brigade.

Henry landed in Suez just before Christmas. In late March 1916, he left Alexandria for France to reinforce the 2nd Division Artillery. He then joined the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column at the end of April. Henry and his unit ensured that artillery units were supplied with their ammo. From the 20th of May until the 5th of July, Henry completed duty at a Base Depot. In July, he returned to the 2nd DAC, re-mustered as a Driver. However, the following month, Henry was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Wimereux with myalgia. He returned to his unit at the end of May. In August 1917, Henry was transferred to the 5th Field Artillery Brigade. On the 18th of October 1918, Henry accidentally injured his left knee. He was taken to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station, and was then admitted to the 56th General Hospital on the 20th. His injury was mild, however, he was not feeling well, fighting an infection. Sadly, on the 28th of October he died of influenza just a few weeks before the war ended. He was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples in France.