Hanlon, Garnet Michael (Private, b.1895 - d.1962)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 3379 Private Garnet Michael Hanlon, 49th Battalion, AIF, Egypt, France, United Kingdom 1915-1917.

The collection consists of a small pocket diary, accompanying spiral-bound transcript, and a paybook.

The diary begins with Hanlon's departure from Brisbane on 21 October 1915 and documents his daily life ship board. Arriving in Egypt five weeks later in late November, Hanlon settles into life at Zietoun camp; digging trenches, route marches and bomb throwing drills.
He enjoys some sightseeing and sees his brother. In April Hanlon moves to Serapeum camp for outpost training and bayonet 'sham' fighting, and in June he embarks with soldiers of the 49th and 50th Battalions for France.
By July he is in the fighting line. The diary observes the carnage of the towns and villages of the Western Front; the vast number of 'our' dead and wounded. He records fighting at Mouquet Farm and at Ypres; marching, rain and being footsore.
Hanlon records his wounding casually 'I got wounded in the right knee- taken to the dressing station where I got dressed and sent back'. Two days later he writes from the 1st AGH in Rouen 'had my right leg amputated today'.
Hanlon is taken to England and entrained to Sprott Road Hospital in Cardiff. He undergoes two further operations on his stump, and is finally well by April 1917 when he mentions meeting up with his father.
The last weeks of Hanlon's diary describe leave in London and being measured for a prosthetic leg. The diary ends 3 June 1917.

Private Garnet Hanlon enlisted in the AIF in July 1915 aged 20. A carpenter from Drayton, Queensland, Hanlon embarked for active service abroad 21 October 1915.
Whilst in training at Enoggera Hanlon's father (3375 Michael Joseph Hanlon 4th Pioneers) and his brother (905 William Thomas Hanlon MC 30th Battalion) enlisted also.
After training in Egypt Garnet Hanlon arrived in France on 12 June 1916.
Five months later he was seriously wounded in action at Delville Wood; a gun shot wound to the knee. He had his right leg amputated, and remained in hospital until mid July 1917 after which he left England for Australia. Reaching Brisbane in mid September 1917, Hanlon was discharged from the AIF on medical grounds. Mick's brother William returned to Australia as a commissioned officer and was awarded the Military Cross. His father Michael served two years with the 4th Pioneers, and was returned to Australia due to 'overage'.
In 1921 Hanlon met his future wife, Irene Blay, in Sydney, and the couple married the following year. Hanlon worked in a company manufacturing aeroplane propellers, and the couple had five children.