Horniman, Lancelot Vicary (Lieutenant, b.c.1894 - d.1918)

Collection relating to the service of Lieutenant Lancelot Vicary Horniman, 55 Battalion AIF, Egypt, Gallipoli, France, England, 1915-1918. Collection includes photostat copy of a diary covering the period April 1915 to March 1916, and photostat copies of letters written to family members in Australia, between 1915 and 1918. Not all letters are complete. Copies made by Australian War Memorial, Melbourne, 1930. Location of originals unknown.

This collection, consisting chiefly of letters written to family members, reveals Lieutenant Lancelot Vicary Horniman to have been a stoical, pragmatic and patriotic man, with a keen sense of duty to Australia and the British Empire. He shows an obvious pride in his Scottish heritage, as well as tremendous admiration for the British people. He writes lovingly to his mother and sisters and often expresses a deep affection for his family and home.

Biographical note: Lieutenant Lance Vicary Horniman, 55th Bn, AIF - who on 1 September 1918 was killed in action at Peronne. Other biographical details concerning him are: law student (4th year); of Campbelltown, NSW; born Shellharbour, NSW; educated at West Kempsey (NSW) district school, and at Sydney University (B.A.); was employed in the Department of Justice in Sydney; enlisted in the AIF 16 April 1915; served for four months in Gallipoli, being present at the Evacuation; thereafter transferred to the 54th Battalion as a sergeant, and was wounded in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916; attended officer's school at Oxford University, and upon obtaining his commission went to the 55th Battalion; age at time of death, 24.