HARTLEY, Alfred and William

Alfred and William were the sons of Alfred and Helen Hartley. Although their births were registered at Warialda NSW, they were born at Yetman where their father was working at Yetman Station.

William, who had previously been rejected, enlisted at Moree in November 1915. At the time he was a twenty three year old Station Hand. He joined the 33rd Battalion, Machine Gun Section and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916. After further training, his Battalion was sent to France in November. The following year he became ill with bronchitis and was sent back to England for treatment, returning to France in December 1917.

At Rouen in Belgium, William was gassed in April 1918 and then wounded in action in August. After two weeks recovery he rejoined his unit and was promoted to temporary Corporal. He returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged three months later.

Alfred was a twenty four year old Drover when he enlisted at Narrabri in March 1916. He joined the 20th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A29 Suevic in November. He was sent to France in April 1917 where six months later he was wounded in action. The following year he was appointed Lance Corporal and in 1919 mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches (Commonwealth Gazette No 124, 30 October 1919).

Alfred returned to Australia and lived at Moree for many years. He died in Sydney in 1977.

William and Alfred have their names recorded on the Moree WW1 Honor Roll.