Maurice Francis Gustavis Hare
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1889 |
| Place of Birth | Perth Western Australia |
| Death | 1970, aged 81 |
| Place of Death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 26 years, 11 months |
| Description |
5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 155 lbs 70.307 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Station book keeper |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Captain Frederick Arthur hare |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3301 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Feb 1916 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Pioneer Battalion / 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Dec 1916 ‒ 16 Feb 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima Fremantle to Devonport |
| Date of Return | before 1925 |
| Ship Returned On | unknown |
| Fate | Wounded in Action 29 Sep 1918 near Templeux, France |
| Monument | Kelmscott War Memorial (North panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Father & Grandfather were previous WA Commissioners of Police. On 2 Aug 1916 a Maurice Francis Hare disembarked from the SS Persic having travelled from Liverpool to Albany alone.
Electoral Roll entries - 1910 - 13 a dairyman in Kelmscott.
War Service
During the voyage to England as a member of the 8th reinforcement draft of the 5th Pioneer Battalion, Maurice acted as a Company Sergeant Major (voyage only, and unpaid). On arrival in England he was sent to Larkhill's Pioneer Training Battalion, where on 11 Mar 1917 he was appointed Temporary Sergeant in the Permanent Cadre. Maurice proceeded to France on 9 Jul 1917 and from 10 - 31 Jul 1917 he was held in the 5th Division's Base Depot before joining the 5th Pioneer Battalion which at that time was at Corbie.
Promoted Lance Corporal on 9 Aug 1917, and on 22 Nov 1917 he was selected to attend officer training at Cambridge in England commencing 7 December. On 3 May 1918 he qualified for a Commission in Infantry at the Cambridge Cadet School, and on 14 May 1918 he marched in to the Pioneer Training Battalion for duties as an acting Sergeant until his commission was granted.
On 1 Jun 1918 Maurice was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, and on 21 Jun 1918 he proceeded overseas from Southampton to France where on 26 Jun 1918 he returned to the 5th Australian Pioneers. Maurice was wounded in action on 29 Sep 1918 near Templeux as the attack on the Hindenberg Line began. Ironically he was promoted Lieutenant the same day.
Treated by 48th Field Ambulance and the 20th Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to the 8th General Hospital in Rouen. Maurice was then evacuated on 6 Oct 1918 to England where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital with a gunshot wound to his left leg, and was discharged on 3 Dec 1918. On 14 Dec 1918 he marched in to the No. 4 Command Depot, having arrived via the Overseas Training Brigade. He moved to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on 13 Jan 1919, but a month later (13 Feb 1919) Maurice was to report to DMS, London for a medical board. However, he fell ill in Ireland during leave, and his board was delayed until he was again fit to travel. On 11 Apr 1919 he was admitted to the 6th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, before being granted paid leave to attend training in Letterfrack, County Galway, Ireland from 6 May 1919 until 6 Aug 1919.
On 8 Aug 1919 he has rejoined the AIF stream for return to Australia, but on 14 Aug 1919 he was granted permission to take his discharge in the UK, and his appointment was terminated in the UK on 21 Sep 1919 in order for him to be Demobilized.
Post War
Married Bertha Henrietta Bailey, (11 years younger) on 7 Oct 1930 in Fremantle.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 fisherman on Rottnest Island; 1936 - 1949 fisherman in Rockingham with wife. 1954 - 1970 at 17 Vista avenue, Rockingham. Maurice died in 1970 aged 81, and Bertha remained in Vista avenue until her death on 9 Jun 1981 at Rockingham aged 81.
Notes
Maurice's file contains copies of telegrams sent to his father at Kelmscott.