Carol Kelly shares the story about her great uncle, Harold Beadle.

Harold Beadle was my great uncle, my grandmother’s brother. Harold never married or had children but he is well remembered by his nieces and nephews.

Harold Beadle was a typical 23 year old Aussie when he enlisted in the Australian Army.  His service number was 440 which shows he was one of the first to enlist. Together with his unit 5th Battalion he sailed on the Orvieto.

After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt. The battalion took part in the Anzac landing on 25th April 1915 as part of the second wave.  Harold’s brother, Ernest, had also enlisted and was part of the 7th Battalion.  Sadly, Ernest was killed on 8 August 1915.

Harold and his battalion were evacuated from Gallipoli and then returned to Egypt, later sailing for France and the Western Front where they fought in many of the battles.  Harold was wounded a number of times but, typical of the times, he was patched up and sent back to battle.  Harold was also a bit of a larrikin and was court marshalled for drunkenness, the punishment being 10 days in confinement.

The family was told Harold was being sent home but, unfortunately, before he could he was killed in action on 10 August 1918, nearly three years to the date when his brother was killed. Harold wasn’t famous or decorated, but he is a hero to me as are all of my family members who fought in both World War I and II.