Studio portrait of 5011 Private (Pte) Henry Thomas Francey, of Brisbane, Qld. A labourer prior to ...

Studio portrait of 5011 Private (Pte) Henry Thomas Francey, of Brisbane, Qld. A labourer prior to enlistement, Pte Francey embarked with his brother 5012 Pte William Power Francey, with the 13th Reinforcements, 25 Battalion, from Brisbane on HMAT Seang Choon on 4 May 1916. Whilst attached to the 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery (31st Battalion), Pte Henry Francey was awarded the Military Medal (MM), gazetted on 17 December 1917 for his actions at Polygon Wood during operations from 26 to 30 September 1917. His recommendation stated that 'This man performed the duties of a runner with the greatest gallantry. He passed throught the enemy barrage carrying important despatches on several occasions, and was very useful in guiding ration and ammunition parties to the Trench Mortar guns on his return journeys. With the utmost prompitude and fearlessness he successfully moved through a very heavy barrage of gas shells, and safely carried a valuable report on the situation to Brigade Headquarters only a few minutes after the taking of the final objective. His magnificent example inspired his comrades with renewed energy.' Pte Henry Francey and his brother William both survived the war. A third brother, 9544 Sapper Samuel Francey, 11th Field Company Engineers, was killed in action in Belgium on 6 July 1917. A fourth brother, 19460 Sapper (Spr) George Francey, enlisted on 7 April 1917, and embarked with the Field Company Engineers, from Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 1 November 1917. Spr George Francey returned to Australia in 1919.