ORCHARD, Daniel

Daniel was the eldest son of Francis and Mary Orchard of Old Mill, Tingha NSW.  His birth was registered at Inverell in 1898.  When he enlisted at Armidale in January 1916, he was an eighteen year old Miner at Tingha.  He joined the 33rd Battalion, D Company and sailed from Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916.  After nine weeks at sea the Battalion arrived in England where further training took place.

Daniel was sent to France in September 1916 and three weeks later was wounded in action.  After being invalided back to England he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.  He returned to France in February 1917 and was wounded again in May.  During the Battle of Passchendale he was hit by a shell and killed on 4 October 1917. 

Private Daniel Orchard has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. His few personal possessions which included cards, wallet and photos were returned to his Father.

A Memorial service was held for him at the Tingha Anglican Church on 4 November 1917.  His name is recorded on the Tingha War Memorial, the Tingha Church of England Roll of Honor and the Stannifer and Old Mill Honour Board.

At Inverell his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll and Cenotaph.  In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade, Inverell.

 Image: Daniel Orchard (left) with cousin Leo Thorn. Private Collection