Studio portrait of Lt Ernest Tasman Hearne, who served in the First and Second World Wars. 6862 ...

Studio portrait of Lt Ernest Tasman Hearne, who served in the First and Second World Wars.
6862 Gunner (later Major) Ernest Tasman Hearne, a grazier born in Melbourne who enlisted on 30 June 1915 aged 24. Posted to 12 Battery, 4th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), Hearne embarked for overseas service on 18 November aboard HMAT Wiltshire. Hearne disembarked at Suez on 15 December for service with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF). However, he immediately contracted measles and remained in hospital until 21 January 1916 when he rejoined his unit and moved with it to France. Hearne was quickly promoted from Gunner to Bombardier, to 2nd Lieutenant commanding 10 Battery, 4 FAB in July 1916 and Lieutenant attached to the 2nd Divisional Artillery on 1 December 1916. He received gunshot wounds to his head and thigh on 11 August 1916, receiving treatment in England before rejoining his unit on 6 March 1917. These wounds continued trouble him and he returned to hospital in July 1918 for further treatment. Lieutenant Hearne returned to Australia aboard HMAT Derbyshire, disembarking in Sydney on 22 April 1919. During the Second World War, Hearne served as a Major with an Anti Tank Battery of the Royal Australian Artillery under service number N119827.