Wednesday, April 25, 2018
ANZAC Day plus Emily's Birthday, Charlie's Birthday and Elodies Birthday... what a lovely day it has been.
Before the Birthday Cakes I read a little bit about my Grandfather Harrie:-
Harrie Cleveland Cobcroft
My Grandfather Harrie was
born in Windsor on the 6th of July 1897 (BTW Nick was born on the same day 61
years later.)
Harrie Enlisted for the Army
on the 6th of May 1916 at Marrickville when he was 18 years old.
Service
number 29048 - 116th Howitzer Battery
Harrie's first Military Medal
was received in Northern France.
The Citation reads :- For bravery and devotion
to duty during the operation at Mont De Merris near Strazeele on the night
2nd/3rd of June 1918.
Gunner
Cobcroft accompanied the F.O.O. (Forwards Operation Officer) during the attack
and in spite of the heavy shelling he performed valuable work mending telephone
wires and maintaining communication with forward Wireless Section from which
information regarding the attack was being passed to Brigades.
(Harrie was almost 21 years
old)
Just three weeks later
Harrie's second Military Medal was awarded after the final successful action in
taking Mont de Merris.
The Citation reads :- In an operation against
the enemy position near Merris on June 28th 1918, Gunner Cobcroft displayed
exceptional bravery and devotion to duty.
When all lines from forward observation posts to Battalion Headquarters
had been cut by enemy barrage, he with utter disregard for his own personal safety
regardless of danger worked continuously for three hours mending breaks in the
telephone lines over ground swept by enemy barrage and machine gun fire.
His
courage and ability greatly assisted in making the operation successful.
Prince
Edward presented Harrie with his Medals and on presenting his second medal said… 'What! you again.'
Harrie
was Discharged on the 18th of September 1919.
I remember Harrie very
fondly, my name for him was Poppa. As a child Rip and Rosie and I lived with
Poppa and Mama in Strathfield. Poppa always had time to play with me or to tell
me stories, he was a very kind and loving person… but he did smoke a lot.
One of the things Harrie
really enjoyed was his 2 way radio which gave him a connection to friends who
also had a 2 way radio, I remember hearing the crackle and the very strange
voice coming from somewhere a long, long way away.
My
Poppa died in his bed in January 1955 at the age of only 57, I was 9 ½
I will never forget my Poppa.
Then it was CAKE Time!!!!!!
Remy helping Elodie blow out her candles!
Yum!!
David doing an Experiment with magnets while Elodie takes a good look at the ANZAC Biscuits.
Then... what do Aussies do on ANZAC Day... teach the young ones how to play 'Two Up'
# posted by Pennie @ April 25, 2018 
