ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018: Sharing Victoria's Stories

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WWI Stories – Harry Vasey Wood

Birregurra, Melbourne University

Natalie Stone shares the story of Harry Vasey Wood.

Harry-Vasey-WoodHarry Vasey Wood, known as Vasey, was born in Birregurra, Victoria, in 1888. He was the eldest child of James Edwin Wood and Marion Stocks. Vasey studies to become at dentist at Melbourne University, and went on to have his own dental practice in Moonee Ponds.

On 16 July 1915, Vasey enlisted to serve with the Australian Imperial Force. He was 27 years old. During training, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and was appointed to the 29th Battalion as the officer in charge of the 8th Reinforcement.

He departed from Melbourne on 1 August, 1916, on board the HMAT A67 Orsova.  The Orsova arrived in Plymouth, England and the men spent some time training at Codford before departing for France.

The 8th Reinforcements joined the 29th Battalion during November 1916 near Gueudecourt, France in the region which formed part of the Western Front Battle of the Somme. The 29th Battalion moved in and out of the intermediate and frontline several times.

In December 1916, Vasey was promoted to Lieutenant. On 2 March 1917, Vasey was in charge of an attacking party near Gueudecourt.  Sadly, he was seriously wounded and died on the way to the dressing station. He was nearly 29 years old.

Vasey was initially buried at Needle Dump, a temporary burial site close to where he died between Lesbœufs and Flers. After the war he was re-interred at Guards’ Cemetery, Lesbœufs.