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Died: 7th June 1917. Killed in Action Messines, Belgium.
Mother: Catherine McNamara. nee: Schwab. (18..-1946) Died Uralla, N.S.W. Death Cert:22302/1946.
Harold Allan McNamara enlisted with the 4th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion AIF on the 28th of March 1916 and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A30
"Borda" on the 17th October 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 9th of January 1917 where he was marched to the 9th Training Battalion at the
durrington Army Camp, Lark Hill. Three months of training saw Vincent proceed overseas for France via Folkstone on the 5th of April, arriving and marching
in to Estaples, France on the 6th of April 1917. His unit was march to the front on the 23rd of April and Vincent was Taken on in Strength with the 33rd
Battalion on the 28th of April. Harold with the 9th Infantry Brigade were preparing for the push on Messines Ridge in June, wher he was
Killed in Action on the 7th of June 1917 during this action.
7th June 1917
The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offencive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917.
The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first
assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in
reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles.The 3rd
Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th
and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Plugstreet
Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but dispite this they pressed on even
though they received 500 casulties.
They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th
going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind
a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being
the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far
south to the east of Plugstreet Wood.
Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of
Plugstreet Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not detered. The 9th Infantry
Brigade under Brigadier General A JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General
W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight
into the assault from the approach march.
Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at
Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour
and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defence line as
the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th
Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is
testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.
Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the
enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties
and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine
Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comraded who
had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he
dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the
Victoria Cross.
The German foward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting
battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men
were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken
during the offencive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on
beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme
Barn north of Douve.
The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before
the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little
impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received
many casulties from German artillery. (70% of all casulties during WW1 were from artillery).
By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in dissaray, but there was a
major problem as the Australians received less casulties as anticipated and when ordered to dig
into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were
dug in around Seaforth Farm.
The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division
would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn)
were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Plugstreet
Wood was now behind them.
Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrarge to stop and counter attack
was shortnened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00pm this part of the
Oosttaverne Line was abandonded. At 10:45pm General Godley ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to
retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.
The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose
their lives.
| 33rd Battalion. AIF | 8 Officers | 382 Other ranks |
| 34th Battalion. AIF | 10 Officers | 378 Other ranks |
| 35th Battalion. AIF | 5 Officers | 431 Other ranks |
| 36th Battalion. AIF | 9 Officers | 421 Other ranks |
| 9th Machine Gun Company. AIF | 2 Officer | 17 Other ranks |
| 9th Light Trench Mortor Battery. | 1 Officer | 2 Other ranks |
20th October 1917.
Informant; Sergeant: 387 Vincent Percy CONOLLY. On the 12th June between 11 and 12 midnight at Messines Private: 2357 Harold Allan McNAMARA. was killed by a shell in a shell hole waiting to be relieved. He was an intimate friend of informant and recognised his face, although his body was greatly mutilated.
Clapton Hospital, Stratford-on Avon.
"Dates received from informant are not correct as he was buried 2 days prior to the event stated. An honest error under the terrible circumstanced that these men had to endure"
25th October 1917.
Informant; Captain: James William SHREEVE. I assisted at the Burial of these men at the Cemetery at Toronto Cut Ploegsteert Wood on dates between 7th and 10th June last. The map reference to the exact position of the cemetery is:- 28 S.w. Addition 5A U.15c.10.10. (Artillery Map) Private: McNamara's Grave is:- Row C,18.
3rd London General Hospital.
Corporal: 2068 John Henry HASSALL.
Private: 2357 Harold Allan McNAMARA.
Private: 882 George Thomas TAYLOR.
17th November 1917.
Informant; Captain/Chaplain: George Spencer RICHMOND Private: 2357 Harold Allan McNAMARA. is buried in the Toronto Communication Trench Cemetery, Ploegsteert Wood, Messines. I conducted the burial setvice, and a cross was erected over the grave. The number of the plot is "U 15.C.I.I"
No: 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, England.
Harold is remembered with honour and is commemerated in perpetuity by the Commonweath War Graves Commission at the Toronto Military Cemetery.
(Studio Photo; Australian War Memorial: P08377.001)
Harold was a single 22 year old Carpenter from Kentucky via Uralla, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His parents Michael and Catherine McNamara were married in 1886 at Uralla, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:6895/1886 and had 5 children. Catherine M McNamara born 1887 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:31822/1887. Mary J McNamara born 1888 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:32847/1888. Patrick M L McNamara born 1892 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:35574/1892. Harold Allan McNamara born 1894 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:34016/1894 and died 1917 at Messines, Belgium. Josephine M McNamara born 1904 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:7734/1904.
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 30/10/2010-02/02/2011.
