McHARRY, Victor (1889-1951)
Victor McHarry was born in Geelong on 17 May 1889. He was the youngest of fourteen children of David McHarry and Margaret nee Milledge. In 1904 he was enrolled as a day student at Geelong College. His address at the time was La Trobe Terrace, Geelong.
During World War I, he was working as a carpenter following a three year apprenticeship with J Mills when he enlisted (No 1941) in the AIF on 5 February 1916, embarking with the 58 Battalion (3rd Reinforcement Group) on HMAT A31 Ajana on 8 July 1916. He was at the 15th Training Battalion, Larkhill, on 31 August, and embarked for France by SS Princess Henrietta on 6 December. He served in France throughout the last years of the war, suffering rheumatism, necessitating evacuation by HS St Patrick on 18 April 1917, to Canterbury Military Hospital. He took furlough in mid-May, returned to France on 9 July, then took leave to England in September 1918, and March 1919. Private Victor McHarry returned to Australia on HMT Orontes, embarking on 15 May 1919.
Shortly after his return he married Mary Ann Isabella Johnson, daughter of John and Barbara Johnson.
Victor McHarry died on the 12 July 1951.
His brother, John Thomas McHarry, was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 251 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).