HONEY, William, Ernest and Stanley

William, Ernest and Stanley were the sons of William and Mary Ann Honey of Delungra NSW. William enlisted in August 1915 at Narrabri. At this time he was a twenty five year old Shearer, and a married man. He had previously served two years with the 6th Light Horse. 

He joined the 7th Light Horse Regiment, 13th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia for Egypt on HMAT A60 Aeneas in December 1915. Several months later he became ill with influenza and was eventually returned to Australia and discharged.

Ernest was the next in the family to volunteer for service. He was a twenty one year old Shearer when he enlisted at Inverell in December 1915 and one of 7 recruits given a rousing farewell at the railway station.

Ernest joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment, 18th Reinforcement and departed Australia for Egypt on HMAT A20 Hororata in May 1916. During July 1918 he became ill with Pleurisy and Bronchitis and was invalided back to Australia at the end of that year. He was medically discharged in February 1919.

Stanley enlisted at Inverell in March 1916 when he was eighteen years old.  His Mother gave her permission for him to serve overseas. He was one of seven volunteers given a farewell at Delungra. He joined the 33rd Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement and left Australia on HMAT A15 Port Sydney in September, arriving in England in October. 

Three months later he was sent to France where he was gassed in April 1918. He was working as a stretcher bearer and awarded a Military Medal for ‘bravery in the field’ during the battle at Villers-Bretonneux on 4/5 April. Stanley was invalided to England and hospitalised with a gunshot wound to his leg. He returned to Australia in May 1919.

Privates Ernest and Stanley Honey have their names recorded on the Delungra and Inverell Honor Rolls.

Image: The Australian Worker newspaper 13 July 1916