WRATHALL, Henry Stephen (1883-1917)
Henry Stephen Wrathall, soldier, was killed in action during World War I.
Henry Wrathall was born on 15 September 1883, the son of Stephen Wrathall and Adeline Maria Brown nee Earles, of Eldorado, Buckland’s Hill, Geelong, He was enrolled at Geelong College in 1895. Although no exit date is listed for him he was still at the College in 1898 when he took first place in Latin in the Upper 4th Class.
He became a plantation manager at Gizo, British Solomon Islands but returned to Australia in order to enlist in the AIF as a Private on 3 February 1915. He married Annie Eva Frances Sutton, daughter of George and Frances Elizabeth Sutton. He passed through an officers’ school, and was promoted 2nd Lieutenant, before embarking from Melbourne on SS Makarini with 8 Battalion (8th Reinforcement Group) on 10 September, 1915, seeing service on Gallipoli, and in Egypt, where he transferred to the newly formed 60 Battalion, as part of the ‘doubling’ of the AIF. He embarked for France in March 1916, where he was killed on 15 October 1917.
Corporal John Hilditch (of Battery Point, Hobart) reported to the Red Cross Information Bureau: ‘During a daylight patrol 2nd Lt Wrathall with three men and Cpl on left of Polygon Wood, Ypres on Oct 15th/17, got on to No Man’s Land, when machine guns and rifles opened fire. Lt Wrathall, in advance, was hit by a sniper in the head and died, telling his men to retire.’
Another soldier on the same patrol also reported to the Bureau: ‘Re the death of 2nd Lt H S Wrathall. I was with him when he was killed, but I could not say whether he was buried or not, however I will give you as many details as I can, hoping it will help you, although I fear not. On the morning of 15 October 1917, we were out on patrol about 5 o’clock as near as I can remember, we were about 600 yards away from our line, when we came under machine gun fire. Mr Wrathall was hit in the temple, and must have died instantaneously, I was within an arm’s reach of him, so I am certain of his death. I was laid beside him, but as the fire to which we were subjected was too hot to stay under, we had to retire, leaving Mr Wrathall’s body behind us. We reached our line and the corporal of the party and myself reported the casualty. That night at 11 o’clock, I took out a party of men to try and bring in the body, but when I reached the spot, there was not the slightest trace of it. I searched the place thoroughly but I found nothing. The ground had all been turned over owing to the heavy shell fire, and I came to the conclusion that the body had most probably been blown up and buried that way, which I reported when I got back to my company. I was wounded however very early the following morning so whether his body was eventually recovered or not, I cannot say but my opinion is that he was buried by shell fire, and all trace of the place lost. I have known Mr Wrathall for close on two years.’
His Commanding Officer spoke in the highest terms of his heroism: ‘He deliberately sacrificed his life for his men. He exposed himself intentionally, knowing he hadn’t a chance to come out of it alive, in order to draw the fire of the enemy. His men reverence his memory, for his sacrifice saved over a thousand of them.’
Robin Corfield in Hold Hard, Cobbers noted: ‘Another 60th officer, Lt H S Wrathall, was put forward for an honour regarding the 15th October, the citation read, He was instructed to locate the position of the enemy in front of the 60th Bn sector, and work in conjunction with other Bn patrols. . . . It was daylight when he left the line. He advanced with his patrol between 700 and 800 yards. At this stage enemy machine guns opened fire. Notwithstanding the risk to his own life he communicated all information to the NCO with the patrol and instructed the party to return. When crossing a shell hole this officer was caught by machine gun fire and killed. He displayed great bravery and devotion to duty and although giving his own life was able to send back valuable information.” Lt Wrathall although recommended for the MC received nothing, there being a general reluctance at that time to make posthumous awards. But others engaged in the same action were honoured. Sgt Walker, probably the NCO referred to in Wrathall’s citation, was Mentioned in Despatches (at Anvil Wood).’
Wrathall has no known grave - his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres. Wrathall’s name appeared on the 353rd casualty list, which included 1830 names, 569 killed in action, 65 died of wounds, three died of other causes, one accidentally killed, 1041 wounded, 57 missing, 82 sick, nine injured, two reported prisoners of war, and one nurse ill.
Captain Henry Stephen Wrathall is memorialized in a stained glass window by Mathieson and Gibson at St Paul's Anglican Church, Geelong. Henry Stephen Wrathall's sister was the donor of three windows installed in St. Paul's Church, Geelong. Two of the windows were in memory of her parents, Stephen and Adeline Wrathall, formerly of Virginia Street, Geelong and a third window, placed as a tribute to her only brother 'Harry', killed in action in France in 1917. The windows were dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Griffiths at the morning service on 24 August, 1941. The window inscription is 'To the Glory of God in memory of Captain Henry Stephen Wrathall killed in action October 15th 1917'
Sources: 'Geelong Collegians at the Great War' compiled by J. Affleck. pp 122-123 (citing Robin S Corfield, 'Hold Hard, Cobbers: The Story of the 57th and 60th Infantry Battalions' Volume One; Australian War Memorial; Photo All Australian Memorial (1917)); Heritage Victoria .''