SERGEANT HAROLD FEATHERSTONE M.M.
3292 – 1st Tunnelling Company
Harold Featherstone stated he was born at St John’s Chapel, Durham, England about 1884 the son of Joseph and Sarah Featherstone. His mother remarried becoming Sarah Robinson. Harold came to Australia and was working in Bowen, Queensland.
At the recruiting office in Bowen, Qld on December 15, 1915 the almost thirty-three year old miner applied to enlist for service abroad passing the preliminary medical examination. Personal particulars taken reveal he was unmarried and 174cms (5ft 8½ins) tall with a chest measurement of 92-95cms (36-37½ins). His postal address was care of Mr J. Dinsdale of Bowen. The recruiting officer accepted his Application for service abroad.
He presented this Application at the recruiting depot in Townsville, Qld on December 21, 1915 and his medical fitness was confirmed. Due to the Christmas season many volunteers delayed their departure until the New Year. On January 10, 1916 Forms of Attestation were completed giving further information about his height now 173cms (5ft 8ins), weight of 66.8kgs (147lbs) with a chest expansion of 85-94cms (33½-37ins). Complexion was dark with hazel eyes and brown hair. Methodist was his religion. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Sarah Robinson, of Four Lane Ends, St John’s Chapel, Durham, England.
Acknowledgement to the large contingent of volunteers appeared in the Townsville Daily Bulletin on Tuesday January 11, 1916:
Basic training commenced at Enoggera camp, Brisbane on January 14, 1916 with the 11th Depot Battalion until March 5, 1916 when he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot and the reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. He was declared Dentally Fit during his training. On April 1 he was promoted to Acting Sergeant.
The recruits formed part of the No. 4 Company which embarked from Brisbane, Qld early in May, 1916 aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW. Six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks made up the two sections.
At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW on May 10, 1916 he joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training. The rank of Sergeant was granted on May 16, 1916 and the Regimental number 3292 in No. 4 Company was assigned to him.
The 7713-ton transport departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). 1 Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.
Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs departing the same day.
Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training at Perham Down’s camp for the front.
On August 29, 1916 the reinforcements proceeded to France and marched into the 2nd Aust General Base Depot the next day. Sergeant Featherstone was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company on September 25 and taken on strength on December 29, 1916 to complete the new establishment.
Blue Chevrons were issued to him to wear on his uniform after twelve months service.
He was with his Unit as the Company worked at Hill 60 and Larchwood. Lieutenant James Bowry mentions him in the last paragraph of his letter home which appeared in The Northern Miner on Tuesday August 21, 1917. This is an extract from that publication:
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First period of Leave from France was ten days from October 5 to October 10, 1917.
His service continued without any illness or injuries throughout the war.
On March 8, 1918 he proceeded on his second period of leave and rejoined his unit on March 27.
He was detached from the 1st Tunnelling Company on July 14, 1918 to attend the Aust Corps Gas School for a course of instruction and rejoined from detachment on July 20.
On August 16, 1918 he went to the Aust Corps Infantry School and returned on September 23, 1918.
A recommendation was submitted by the C.R.E Corps Troop, Aust Corps on October 5, 1918 for a Military Medal for bravery in the field:
Sergeant Featherstone was with his Unit when Peace was declared and the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of roads and bridges and defusing delayed-action mines and booby traps in their area.
Leave from France was granted and he proceeded on January 16, 1919 to the United Kingdom staying from January 23 to February 2 and included four days ‘King’s Leave.’ On January 10, 1919 he reported to the G. & R. Demobilisation Section.
The following day was taken on strength with the A.I.F. Headquarters and took Non Military Employment granted with pay only until May 11, 1919.
Reason: Farming and attending Sarah Robinson
Address:Four Lane Ends, St John’s Chapel, Durham.
His pay was ten shillings and six pence per Diem and railway warrants of $2.83 (£1.8.3)
A further extension was granted from May 12, 1919 and the same reasons were given.
While working there notification of his award of the Military Medal came through the IX Corps and on June 17, 1919 acknowledgement was printed in The London Gazette on page 7695 in position 53.
The N.M.E. was completed on August 11, 1919 and he was retransferred to the 1st Tunnelling Company and marched out to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General’s section.
He was reported to be Away without Leave on August 25, 1919 but no action was taken.
On September 3, 1919 the following report was recorded by Mrs S. Robinson in regards to his N.M.E.:
I have found Sgt Featherstone to be a steady and contentious worker. His work whilst on my
Farm has given every satisfaction.
Sergeant Featherstone departed England on September 8, 1919 on board the H.T. Raranga for the voyage to Australia. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on October 29, 1919 and two days later he arrived in Brisbane, (1st M.D.) He entered the 6th Aust General Hospital that day for his final medical examination which stated ‘no disability’ to which he agreed and signed their finding. He was recommended for demobilisation and sent to the S.O.I. & R.S. Section.
His mother Mrs S. Robinson at St John’s Chapel, Durham, Eng was advised on November 17, 1919 that her son had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field and given details that notice had appeared in the London Gazette on June 17, 1919 and promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on October 10, 1919.
Military Discharge took place on December 23, 1919 in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on the termination of his period of enlistment.
On March 2, 1920 his Military Medal was forwarded to the Commandant of the 1st Military District for distribution to the ex-member of the A.I.F.
Harold Featherstone married Esther Dinsdale on June 26, 1920. Two years later their home was on a property in the Westwood area at Spring Creek near Rockhampton, Qld. The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Saturday August 26, 1922 reported this news:
To accompany his Military Medal, Sergeant 3292 Harold Featherstone, 1st Tunnelling Company was also issued with the British War Medal (17055) and the Victory Medal (16661) for serving his country.
A few news reports were published in the Morning Bulletin Rockhampton giving glimpses of their life as graziers in the Spring Creek district.
His wife Esther passed away aged forty-four years in November, 1937 and he continued to reside at Spring Creek.
Harold died on September 4, 1953 aged 70 years. Funeral arrangements appeared in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin on Saturday September 5, 1953:
Finalisation of his affairs was advertised later that year:
His grave is located in the Presbyterian compartment of the North Rockhampton Cemetery in section 13, row 11 in grave number 41 beside his wife Esther.
© Donna Baldey 2011/2012