Military History

Embarked from Fremantle per ‘Mashobra’ A47 for Egypt 8.2.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 10th Light Horse Regiment, ‘A’ Squadron.
Berry disembarked with the 10th Light Horse in Egypt. He was promoted to Driver and then to Lance Corporal 26.8.1914. In October 1914 he was discharged as medically unfit 5.10.1914. He entrained for Alexandria and embarked with Mediterranean Expeditionary Force for Gallipoli 16.5.1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal 20.10.1915 and worked with Dr. Bentley at Gallipoli (Western Mail 8.10.1932 p2). On contracting Influenza, he was transferred to Mudros by Hospital Ship (West Australian Newspaper reported seriously ill 24.2.1916). Berry was promoted to Lance Corporal 20.12.1915.  Berry detailed some of his experiences in letters to his parents, recorded in the Camp Chronicles 3.12.1915, 16.12.1915, 17.12.1915 . He was evacuated from Gallipoli and transferred from the 10th Light Horse to the Army Medical Corps Details 27.1.1916. Berry was transferred to 5th Division Artillery 1.4.1916. He was mustered as Gunner 7.4.1916. Transferred to 24th Howitzer Brigade 9.4.1916. Transferred to Australian Medical Corps 12.4.1916. Taken on strength with 13th Field Ambulance 25.9.1916. In June, he entrained to Alexandria, joined the British Expeditionary Force and embarked for France 3.6.1916. He was promoted to Corporal 14.12.1916.
In France, in December that year, he was detached from 13th Field Artillery to the Army Medical Corps of the 49th Battalion 16.12.1916. Barry became sick in the field and was admitted to Hospital 12.6.1917.  He fought at Messins and WystaecHe was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Field 30.6.1916 (General Munro’s Despatches) and was mentioned in Despatches for gallantry 11.7.1916. Berry returned to 13th Field Ambulance 21.9.1916. He was wounded/ gassed and transferred to England by Hospital Ship and admitted to Mile End Military Hospital, London 19.10.1916. These incidents are recorded in a letter to his parents (Camp Chronicle 2.11.1916) Whilst Berry was in hospital with Gas poisoning, he attended to patients in the Australian General Hospital whilst suffering effects of gas himself (Western Mail 8.10.1932 p2) Berry was wounded again and described the events in a letter to his parents about the attack at Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines.(Camp Chronicle 20.9.1917) Berry was transferred from France by Hospital Ship ‘Grantully Castle’ 19.11.1917  and was admitted to Bulford with a disability. He rejoined his unit in France 10.8.1918 and was promoted to Temporary Sergeant 14.9.1918. Berry returned to England to join the Officers Cadet Battalion. He was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant 13th Field Ambulance 2.1.1919 and Lieutenant 51st Battalion. 6.4.1919.) Post war Berry was given permission to study – Motor Engineering with British School of Motoring (24.5.1919-26.5.1919) and agricultural leave in America (10.8.1919- 28.9.1920). He married Dorothy Welch of Birmingham 2.8.1919 (West Australian Newspaper 1.11.1919. He embarked from England with his wife for Australia.
Embarked UK for Australia with his wife per ‘Wahehe’ 30.10.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 6.12.1919.
Appointment terminated 20.2.1920.
Final Rank Lieutenant, 51st Infantry Battalion.
Medical Condition NK (previous Gas Poisoning)
Awards and Medals Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Citation Military Medal for bravery in the Field at Messines 30.6.1917, Mentioned in Despatches.

‘This Medical Orderly displayed great pluck in attending to the wounded on more than occasion, and showed great resource and coolness and devotion to his duties. His services have been brought to my notice by two of the Regimental Medical Officers as deserving of special notice. His work has been consistently of high character.’
(AWM Honours and Awards General Munro’s Despatches)

Photos Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.002
            SS 'Mashobra'. Photographer unknown, photograph source Naval Collection AWM P10509.023.001
            Frozen, waterfilled shell crater, Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines 1917. Photograph sourced AWM H17002

Information Source
AWM P00591.00. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10509.023.001. SS 'Mashobra'. Photographer unknown, photograph source Naval Collection  of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Rolls- Henry McPherson Berry
Australian War Memorial Honours and Awards- Henry McPherson Berr
Camp Chronicle
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Berry H M 122
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail

Railway Terrace, West Guildford, WA.

Associated Images