Harvey Schofield

Harvey Schofield was born in 1889 in Crompton, Oldham, Lancashire, England, to John Schofield and Ellen, nee Garfield.

On the 1st September 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria and underwent his medical at Corryong, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 26-year-old grocer. He was allocated Regimental Number 1437 and placed in the 1st Reinforcements for the 29th Battalion. Harvey gave his next of kin as his father, John. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius on 10th November 1915 at Melbourne, Victoria.

He disembarked at Suez on 7th December 1915 and was taken on strength with the 29th Battalion in early March 1916. Three months later, the battalion disembarked at Marseille and proceeded to the Western Front.

On 19th July, the 29th Battalion, as part of the 8th Brigade of the 5th Division, took part in the first battle on the Western Front for Australian forces - Fromelles. By the end of the next day, Harvey was one of the 5533 casualties suffered by the 5th Division. He had taken gunshot wounds in both legs. Within four days of being wounded, Harvey was evacuated to England. His very short war was over.

The 30th November 1916 issue of Corryong Courier included information about Harvey.

“Mr Lacy received a letter this week from Private Harvey Schofield, under date October 18th. Harvey is in hospital in England, and by the context of his letter is having a rather bad time. Some time ago he was wounded, but recovered sufficiently to go back to the trenches. He was not there long before he was severely wounded in a bombing expedition on July 19th last, when he had both legs injured, beside several other wounds.

Judging by his letter he has had his left leg amputated, and was so seriously ill at one period that his parents were sent for. However, he says during the last three weeks that he has made good progress. He wished to be remembered to his Upper Murray friends. Anyone wishing his address may obtain it from Mr Lacy.”

The 4th October 1917 issue of Corryong Courier included further information about Harvey.

“In a letter received recently by Mr A. Lacey from Harvey Schofield from England, Harvey wishes to thank all his kind enquiring friends of Corryong and the Murray for their messages of sympathy, letters and papers. He is at present convalescing in England, and expects that probably he will be sent back to Australia within the next few months.”

On 30th December 1917, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A35 Berrima, with the rank of Private. He was discharged on 1st February 1918, being awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Harvey married Dorothy Isabel Barry in 1922 in Victoria. He died at Heidelberg, Victoria, on 3rd June 1970 and was laid to rest at the Castlemaine General Cemetery.