LUTE, Harry, George and Cecil

Harry, George and Cecil were the sons of John and Mary Lute who lived at Howell NSW.

George was the first of the brothers to enlist, joining up at Liverpool NSW is July 1915. He became a member of the 4th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement, which sailed from Australia for Egypt on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln in October 1915. He was transferred to the 56th Battalion and sent to France in March 1916. Four months later he was wounded in action and sent to Northampton War Hospital, England, for treatment of gun shot wounds to his face. He eventually returned to Australia and was medically discharged in March 1918. The residents at Tingha organised a ‘Welcome Home’ function and presented him with a returned soldier’s medal. George died in 1961.

Cecil enlisted at Armidale in May 1916 when he was eighteen. His parents gave their permission for him to serve overseas. He entered camp at Narrabri before being transferred to Armidale where, due to a previous injury, he was found to be unfit and was medically discharged in August 1916. He died in 1974.

Harry was thirty-four years old when he enlisted in Sydney in December 1916. He left Australia in February 1917 as a member of the 6th Reinforcements Light Trench Mortar Battery. After arriving in England, he was transferred to the 63rd Battalion and sent to France in April 1917 to reinforce the 36th Battalion. Harry was wounded and returned to England for treatment at Cheltenham Hospital. He returned to Australia and was medically discharged in July 1918. A ‘Welcome Home’ function was organised for him by residents at Howell. He died in 1974.

George and Harry have their names recorded on the Howell Public School Roll of Honour.