| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Gueudecourt |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/08612 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Date made | c 1922 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Next of kin plaque: Lieutenant William Edgar Harry Storer, 12th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery, AIF
Description
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'WILLIAM EDGAR HARRY STORER'.
History / Summary
Born in Enmore, Sydney, New South Wales on 30 October 1892, William Edgar Harry 'Harry' Storer was employed as an engineer by Mauri Brothers & Thompson when he enlisted in the AIF on 1 July 1915. He had previously served as a lieutenant in the senior cadets, in the 31st (Leichhardt) Infantry. After initial training Storer was posted a second lieutenant to the 14th Reinforcements for the 13th Battalion. He embarked from Sydney on 16 February 1916, aboard HMAT A70 Ballarat.
In Egypt, in 1916, Storer was briefly posted to the 4th Pioneer Battalion before transferring to the 45th Battalion in May. The battalion arrived in France at the beginning of June. Storer was promoted lieutenant and took part in the battalion's first major battle, at Pozieres. He was promoted lieutenant on 10 August. On 7 September he transferred to the 12th Light Trench Mortar Battery (LTMB).
In January 1917 Storer was seconded to the 52nd Battalion of temporary duty. He returned to 12th LTMB on 20 February but was killed in action the following day, at Gueudecourt. Storer was initially buried close to where he had fallen. His body was exhumed in 1920 and reinterred in the Bancourt British Cemetery near Bapaume.
This commemorative plaque was sent to Harry Storer's father, William , in February 1923. Storer's younger brother, Sergeant John Reginald Storer, was killed at Montbrehain on 5 October 1918, while serving with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion. A third brother, Thomas, born in 1903, was too young to serve.