| Regimental number | 34 |
| Place of birth | Acton, London, England |
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 33 |
| Height | 5' 9" |
| Weight | 170 lbs |
| Next of kin | Henry Ayres, 5 Princess Road, Acton, London, England |
| Previous military service | Served with the 9th Lancers (8 years with the Colours; 4 with the Reserves); time expired. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Corporal |
| Unit name | 4th Light Horse Regiment, Machine Gun Section |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/9/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board TRANSPORT A18 Wiltshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Company Sergeant Major |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 22nd Corps Light Horse Regiment |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Unspecified Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | DCM |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Henry and Hloe AYRES; Wife: Jane AYRES |
| Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, when a Hotchkiss gun was put out of action through casualties to the team, he left his position with the lead horses, galloped out to the gun under heavy fire, and remained there working it until another team could be organized to relieve him. Throughout the operations his courage and resourcefulness and devotion to duty were most marked.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 9 May 1915. Appointed Sergeant, Gaba Tepe, 19 May 1915. Admitted to No 1 General Hospital, Heliopolis, 6 August 1915 (rheumatism); transferred to A&NZ Convalescent Depot, Helouan, 12 August 1915; discharged to duty, 20 August 1915; rejoined Regiment, Anzac, 17 September 1915. Wounded in action, 17 September 1915 (shrapnel wound, left knee: slight); transferred to Malta, 23 September 1915, and admitted to Military Hospital, St Elmo; transferred to Ghain Tuffieha, 1 October 1915; to England, 26 October 1915, and admitted to Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, 4 November 1915. Embarked to join Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 28 March 1916; disembarked Alexandria, 29 April 1916. Rejoined 4th Light Horse Regiment, 4 May 1916, and posted to D Squadron. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 10 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 17 June 1916. Taken on strength, 2nd Anzac Mounted Regiment, 7 July 1916. Promoted Squadron Sergeant Major, 2 September 1916. Awarded Military Medal. Proceeded on leave, 30 November 1916; rejoined Regiment from leave, 13 December 1916. Proceeded on leave, 9 August 1917; rejoined Regiment from leave, 21 August 1917. On leave to England, 9 February 1918; rejoined 22nd Corps Light Horse Regiment from leave, 26 February 1918. Detached to 49th Division, 28 March 1918; rejoined Regiment from detachment, 12 April 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 7 September 1918; rejoined Regiment from leave, 24 September 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Lyttleton', 23 October 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 25 December 1918; discharged (medically unfit), Melbourne, 23 February 1919. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 45 |
| Place of burial | Fawkner Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, AYRES Harry George |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
