April 23, 2015
Ninety-four men from Yarraman and surrounding districts enlisted in World War I … 20 did not return. These are amazing figures when you realise the population of the town at the time was just 350 people.
Historian Liz Caffery addressed the monthly dinner meeting of the Yarraman Historical Society at Heritage House on Friday night and shared some of the research that has been gathered recently through Anzac Centenary projects.
She said the Yarraman World War I Honour Board was created in 1919, just a year after the conflict ended, so is one of the most accurate in the South Burnett.
However, like a lot of other monuments and boards in the region, names sometimes overlap with other towns.
She thanked Terry Reid for preparing the information on the Yarraman men who served:
- There were seven Yarraman men at Gallipoli, and two died: Robert Dunsdon, whose name is recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial as his body was never found; and Phillip O’Brien, who died of his wounds and was buried at sea.
- Yarraman men also died in Egypt (one), France and Belgium.
- Tragically, two Yarraman brothers, E.S. Lougheed and G. Lougheed, were both killed at the Somme, just 21 days apart and only two months before the Armistice.
- Another two brothers who served were S. Glanville (killed in action in Belgium) and C. Glanville (wounded and awarded the Military Medal)
- In total, eight Yarraman men died in France and another eight died in Belgium – four whose names are recorded on the Menin Gate as their bodies were never found.
- Two Yarraman men were mentioned in despatches for their actions: J. Bass as a stretcher-bearer, and E. Bryans (who was wounded). James Bass was killed in action in Belgium on August 9, 1917, and is buried in the Cabin Hill Cemetery at Wytschaete, Belgium.
- Incredibly, five Yarraman men were awarded the Military Medal: T. Dobe, C. Glanville, T. Heritage, F. Patch and D. Turner.
Liz has left a copy of her presentation – a Powerpoint display – at Heritage House for their records.
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The Yarraman Saddler … Harry Wells
A well-known Yarraman man to have served abroad during World War I is Henry Lister (“Harry”) Wells.
Harry was born in Melbourne in 1892 and enlisted for service in the 2nd Light Horse at Mowbray Park in Brisbane.
He progressed through the ranks to Staff Sergeant and was discharged in 1919.
During his war service, he kept meticulous war diaries in beautiful copybook writing. Those diaries are now on display today at the Australian War Museum in Canberra.
Harry operated the old saddlery shop in Margaret Street, Yarraman, which was located near the old picture theatre, The shop was destroyed by fire in about 1932.
He was later mill manager at Sibbles Mill at Upper Yarraman, taking over the position from Les Juillerat. Harry’s son-in-law, Peter Perkins, took over as the mill manager when Harry moved to the Yarraman Forestry office.
Harry joined the Yarraman RSL in 1919 and remained a member until he died in 1983.
During that time he held several positions:
- President – 1927-1931 and 1939-1942
- Acting President – 1931
- Vice President – 1931, 1940-1941, 1943-1944, 1948-1949
- Secretary – 1933-39
- Treasurer – 1926-1927, 1941-1942, 1960-1966
- Auditor – 1941-1942
During World War II, he was the recruiting officer in Yarraman.
Harry was presented with a gold badge and Life Membership of the RSL in 1966.
He was also the first Secretary of the Yarraman Bowls Club which was established in 1963, and served in that role until 1966.
He also worked to raise funds for the building of the new Memorial Hall.
Harry moved from Yarraman to Sandgate, where he died in 1983, aged 91.
[From information held at Yarraman & District Historical Society Inc. and supplied by Mrs Joan Perkins (nee Wells)]
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Also At The Heritage House Dinner
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 from Yarraman |
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