Haberfield World War One Roll of Honour

England declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914. As a dominion of the British Empire, Australia was automatically at war. Haberfield was a young suburb at that time with some 3,500 residents. Enlistees came from almost every street and included fifty-seven sets of brothers. The youngest enlistee was aged fifteen years and four months, the oldest fifty-one years. 

The youngest to lose his life was just seventeen years and eight months, the oldest forty-four years and seven months. 

The men and women who enlisted deprived the young suburb of their input for upwards of four years. One hundred and two men made the ultimate sacrifice. Another fifteen would die within five years of the armistice. Some led shortened or disturbed lives as a result of the physical and mental detriments caused by war. Others went on to fruitful lives, raising families and contributing to the growth of Australia. 

Their service records provide a commentary on the nature of war and the effects on individual soldiers. 

Mumps, fever, tuberculosis, pneumonia and influenza were commonplace amongst the troops. Shell shock was common. Gunshot and shrapnel wounds saw many soldiers taken to the casualty clearing stations where infection was rife. 

Conduct amongst the troops ranged from roguish, undisciplined or subordinate behaviour to acts of courage and bravery. In some cases, such a difference in attitudes could be displayed by the same individual. 

Absence without leave, disobeying orders, not attending parades or church services and drunkenness were quite common. Some soldiers suffered from the pursuit of off-camp entertainment with female company. Considering their circumstances on battlefields it is difficult to criticise such behaviours. 

Of the six hundred and twenty-eight enlistees from Haberfield, thirty-five were awarded medals for bravery and conspicuous service or mentioned is despatches on the various battlefields. Seven soldiers were taken prisoners of war. 

Sixty-seven men who served during the Great War would enlist during World War Two. Four made the ultimate sacrifice during that conflict. 

Some enlistees who appear on the board have not been properly identified due to commonality of names and any further information is welcomed. These are not intended as biographies, rather as profiles of important instances during their war service and where available, in their personal lives. 

Some entries on this web page may only have a slight connection to Haberfield by way of parents or relatives shown as next of kin. More substantial details may come to light in the future.

Their stories are at the same time poignant but invigorating. Some details may be upsetting to relatives, however all details come directly from service records and news reports from their later lives.

It is my hope that this work will lead to an appreciation of the personal sacrifices of the serving men and women of Haberfield. 

We must not forget the sacrifices they made, nor the generational effect on their families.

All names sourced from the 1914-19 Haberfield Roll of Honour board unless otherwise noted. Links cited are correct at time of publication.