The grave in Fawkner Cemetery of Henri Heremene 'Digger' Tovell a French orphan and former mascot ...

The grave in Fawkner Cemetery of Henri Heremene 'Digger' Tovell a French orphan and former mascot of No 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, when it was stationed at Cologne, Germany. He was smuggled by the Squadron to England and then on to the transport ship Kaisar-I-Hind to accompany the Squadron home. The Queensland Premier was on board the ship and he arranged for the boy to be allowed into the country. In Australia he was adopted by former Private Tim W Tovell, an air mechanic with No 4 Squadron. In 1926 at the age of 18 Henri moved to Melbourne to join the RAAF. He was accepted at Point Cook in a civilian capacity to be considered for entry into the service when he was naturalised at 21. On 24 May 1928 he died from injuries received when his motor cycle collided with a taxi the night before. Henri Heremene 'Digger' Tovell was buried in Fawkner Cemetery where a special memorial stone was erected over his grave. His full story is told in the book Flying Matilda by N Ellison. There is evidence of Henri signing his name as Honore, indicating it maybe his real name.