The AIF Project

Henry Alfred CRESSY

Regimental number4179
Place of birthTamworth, New South Wales
SchoolBoolaroo Public School, New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationLoco driver
AddressCreek Road, Boolaroo, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 7.25"
Weight146 lbs
Next of kinFather, B Cressy, Creek Road, Boolaroo, New South Wales
Enlistment date16 August 1915
Place of enlistmentNewcastle, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 13th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 20 December 1915
Regimental number from Nominal Roll4179A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll54th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFromelles, France
Age at death22.7
Age at death from cemetery records22
Place of burialFromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row C, Grave No 11), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Brougham and Ann CRESSY, Creek Road, Boolaroo, New South Wales. Native of Tamworth
Family/military connectionsBrother: 4163 Lance Corporal Edward Brougham CRESSY, 54th Bn, returned to Australia, 20 December 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to and proceeded to 54th Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; joined 54th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Found guilty, Ferry Post, 13 April 1916, of using obscene language, 12 April 1916; admonished.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 19/20 July 1916.

On 9 August 1922, the Officer in Charge of Base Records wrote to Pte Cressy's father and noted: 'It is regretted no advice of the registration of the burial location of your son, the late No. 4179A. Private H. A. Cressy, 54th Battalion, has been received at this office to date and in view of the length of time that has elapsed since the report of his regrettable loss it must reluctantly be concluded that the Graves Services have not succeeded in locating it.'

Red Cross File No 830807: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16.'

'2 Identity disc received at Kit Store from Germany. Despatched to N/K. 24.1.17 and 20.6.17.'

Translation of German Death Voucher ... passed on to A.I.F. Hdqrs 21/10/19: "The Austr. Private Cressy H.A.C. No 4179 AI Meth. fell on 19/7/16 in the neighborhood of Fromelles.'

Red Cross File No 830807: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4.11.16.'

'Identity disc received at Kit Store from Germany. Despatched to N/K. 24.1.17. and 20.6.17.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 10), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2010) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.
SourcesNAA: B2455, CRESSY Henry Alfred
Red Cross File No 830807

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