HITCHINS, Harold Hussey (1893-1939)Harold Hussy Hitchins was born on 15 May 1893, the son of Frederick Hitchins and Nellie nee Hussey. He was educated as a day student at Geelong College from 1905 to 1909. His address ar enrolment was 54 Myers St, Geelong.
In the Speech Day Prize Lists he is recorded with the following awards:
1906 Dux of 3rd Form
1906 1st English Junior College 3rd Form.
1906 1st Arithmetic Junior College 3rd Form.
1906 2nd Scripture Junior College 3rd Form.
1907 2nd Scripture Lower 4th Form.
1908 1st Scripture Middle 4th Form.
He was employed as a Bank Clerk throughout his civilian life. Before leaving for war he married Olga Robina Morrish, daughter of John and Ann Morrish and lived at 'Ommaru', Laurel Bank Parade, Newtown. The couple had two daughters, Irma Robina Hitchins, born in Geelong in 1916, and Gwenneth Patricia Hitchins, born in Warrnambool in 1920.
He enlisted (No 13301) on 9 July 1915 in the 4th Field Ambulance, AIF, before his embarkation to Egypt on
HMAT A63 Karoola on 7 March 1916, and ultimately France. In 1916 he became ill with trench fever in Amiens.
Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, gazetted 3 June 1919, the citation read:
'This NCO has done excellent work with Resuscitation Team since the inauguration in July 1918. During the period July 4th-September 24th he worked continually with the team which was involved in clearing the casualties from practically all important actions which the Australian Corps was engaged, working at main and at Advanced Dressing Stations with nine Field Ambulances of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Australian Divisions. This NCO was in charge of instruments and equipment. He frequently remained on duty continuously day and night for periods of 48 and 72 hours, exhibiting untiring energy and conscientious enthusiasm. This NCO did excellent work when attached to 107th American Regiment at Dressing Station, Villers Faucon, September 28th-October 6th 1918, materially assisting in the treatment and evacuation of heavy casualties. He has shown great devotion to duty throughout, his work has at all times been painstaking, energetic and highly meritorious.' After the war ended Lance Corporal Harold Hitchins returned to Australia, embarking on 20 May 1919.
Harold Hitchins died in Adelaide at Calvary Private Hospital on 2 February 1939 aged 45. At the time he was an employee of the Bank of Australasia.
His cousin, Gunner H W Purnell, 105 Howitzer Battery (Old Geelong Collegian), was awarded the Military Medal at Ribemont on 16 May 1918, shortly before he met his death on 29 May due to a premature burst on the guns. He is buried at Frechencourt Communal Cemetery.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. pp 213-214 (citing Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives); The Argus (Melb) 6 Feb 1939 p 7.