Henry (Harry) Nankervis

Henry (Harry) Nankervis was born on 11th December 1892 in Corryong, Victoria, to Henry Nankervis and Elizabeth Ann, nee Simpson. 

On 1st September 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 22-year-old labourer from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 1424 and placed in the 1st Reinforcements for the 29th Battalion. Harry gave his next of kin as father, Henry Nankervis. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius at Melbourne, Victoria, on 10th November 1915.

On 26th November 1916, Harry was wounded in action. Eight days later, he rejoined his unit in the field. In early June of 1917, Harry undertook an eye examination and was found to have defective vision. In late September 1917, Harry was wounded for the second time, with a gunshot wound to the left knee. It would be another two months before Harry rejoined his unit. On the 9th August 1918, Harry was wounded for the third time, this time by a gunshot wound to the right arm. In early October, he was discharged from hospital and transferred to the 59th Battalion. 

On the 24th February 1919, he left France and disembarked in England. Three months later, on 31st of May 1919, he boarded the SS Wyreema, with the rank of Private and sailed home to Australia. He was discharged on 7th August 1919, being awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Harry married Effie Cook in Walwa on 23rd March 1921. The couple would settle in Colac Colac, where they would have four children, two boys and two girls. Harry was a very civil-minded person and held positions in a number of organisations, including the Shire of Upper Murray, the R.S.S.A.I.L.A., the Corryong & Upper Murray A & P Society, and the Corryong Waterworks Trust, just to name a few. 

Harry passed away on 2nd March 1962 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Cudgewa Cemetery, Victoria.