Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Hororata; A20 for Egypt 26.4.1915.
Roll Rank 2nd Lieut.
Roll Unit 4th Infantry Bde. 16th Bn. 5th Reinf. AIF.
Hamersley disembarked in Egypt. He joined the MEF in Alexandria embarked per ‘Seang Choon’ for Gallipoli 8.6.1915. He disembarked at the Dardanelles with the 16th Bn. 17.6.1915. The 16th Bn. were involved in fighting and maintaining the ANZAC beach head.(AWM 16th Bn. ) Hamersley was wounded in action with a GSW to the thigh whilst serving on the at ANZAC Peninsula 8.8.1915. He was transferred per HS ‘Dongala’ to Alexandria and admitted to 15th General Hospital at Alexandria 14.8.1915. Hamersley rejoined his unit at Mudros 13.10.1915. He developed influenza and was admitted to Hospital at Mudros. On recovery, Hamersley returned to Gallipoli 7.12.1915 and evacuated just 3 weeks later to Alexandria 31.1.1916. Following this evacuation, there was a reorganization of troops and the 48th Bn. was created in Egypt; half of their recruits were new and half Gallipoli veterans. Hamersley was transferred to the 48th Bn. He was promoted 1st Lieut. 12.3.1916. He joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked for France 10.7.1916. Hamersley was promoted to Capt. 19.8.1916.
In England, Hamersley received a discharged from the AIF, so he could take up a commission in the Royal Flying Corps School of Instruction 23.10.1916. He was posted to the 60 Squadron and flew on the Western Front. He destroyed 13 German planes and was involved in the famous fight against German pilot Werner Voss on 23.9.1917. Hamersley returned to England in May 1918 as Captain and was awarded the Military Cross.
Return Became resident of the UK.
Final Rank Captain Royal Flying Corps.(WW1)
Medical Condition NR.
Awards and Medals Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Military Cross Citation

Lt. (T./Capt.) Harold Alan Hamersley, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion whilst leading his patrol he attacked a formation of six enemy planes. In the ensuing fight he destroyed two of these machines, one falling in flames and the second crashing to earth, and during the same engagement assisted another officer in destroying a third. In addition to these he has destroyed five hostile machines and driven down three out of control. He is a magnificent pilot, displaying at all times an utter disregard of fear.’ ) Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7412)
Notes Hamersley lived at 'Lockeridge', in the locality then known as Guildford or West Guildford, but today known as Bassendean.He became an Ace fighter pilot. Post war, he was posted with No. 60 Squadron to Risalpur, India in 1922. He became Squadron Leader and had 13 victories.  From 1920 - 1922 he flew with the 60 Squadron in India. He became a test pilot for Avros, holding the altitude record in a machine powered by an Austin 7 engine. Hamersley became Squadron Leader in March 1935 and in July of that year went to Worthy Downs for engineering duties.
He became CO of the University of London Air Squadron in 1938 and was appointed CO of RAF Hullavington in1940. Later Hamersley became President of the Aircrew Selection Board in Scotland. He retired from the RAF and died in December 1967.

Photo H. A. Hamersley sourced 'Fleeting Peace Golden Age of Aviation in the British Empire' web site
           Troops boarding HMAT 'Hororata' 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB043
           Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman, photograph source AWM P2194.005
           Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.002
           Lieut. H.A.Hamersley. 1915. Photograph source Sunday Times 19.9.1915 p1
           
Information Source
AWM  PB043. Troops boarding HMAT 'Hororata' 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  P2194.005. Australian Troops being towed ashore at Gallipoli. Photographer R.M. Bowman, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  P00591.002. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls- Harold Alan Hamersley
AWM Honours & Awards- Harold Allan Hamersley
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
H.A. Hamersley image sourced 'A Fleeting Peace -a Golden Age of Aviation in the British Empire'. http://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/gallery/gallery/h/harold-a-hamersley-4035
NAA: B2455, Hamersley H A
Sunday Times
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_A._Hamersley).
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Lockeridge, Guildford. WA.

Associated Images