Anthony Hare

25Private A.W. Hare, No. 2073 D. Coy., 52 Batt, AIF, who was at one time a member the N.T. Times staff writing to Mr. Tindill from France under date 10 January 1917, says: "I think I have seen more of France than of England, but oh, the way of seeing it-mostly on foot, with terribly heavy packs. The whole place is terribly muddy, particularly at the front, where it is quite usual to sink to the knees. This letter is being written in a dug-out. Batteries are firing all around. But we rather like hearing our own guns bark. Dugouts are small but fairly comfortable, and as there are three of us where two would be squeezed, you can guess there is not too much room. Still it makes for warmth, which is a consideration, as out in the open it is bitterly cold. I have met quite a number of Territory boys over here, including Adam Hutchison, late of the N.T. Survey. Dept. I have not seen Arthur Lauder since leaving Australia. In a later letter, dated England, March 8, Hare writes: "After two months in France I am returned to England with trench feet. There are over 2000 patients in this hospital. Only those who have experienced the hardship of being in the field in winter will ever know what it was really like. No words will ever adequately describe it. But consolation is drawn from the fact that it is the same for one side as the other. We have captured many Germans in their trenches with frost bitten or trench feet, so crippled as to be unable to get away, so we know they are suffering as we are. My experience in France are as nothing compared to some, but all the same I am, quite satisfied. I have been twice covered with mud by exploding shells, and I can assure you that experience does, not lend to make one cheerful. There are plenty other, small incidents that are nice to look back upon, but which were extremely unpleasant at the time, but I am sure you would not like to hear of them now. This hospital is a home, and I suppose is all the more appreciated after the mud, snow, and frost of the Somme. The Australian Red Cross come round weekly, and if there is anything we Australians require they will get it. There are only six Australians in our ward, in which there are 56 other patients. The hospital is at Napbury, about 20 miles from London. I expect to be leaving here shortly, as I am now nearly recovered. The weather has been bitterly cold, and the sun has hardly shown out at all since I have been on this side of the world. How welcome the summer will be, I suppose by now the Darwin wet season will be coming to a close and the grand weather of the dry season setting in. It is a long while since I heard from Darwin. In fact only three letters have reached me from Australia, so there must be a budget of news waiting for me somewhere. I must close now, with kind regards to all. (At the present moment, in all probability Private Hare is playing his part with other Australians in the terrific fight now raging around Bullecourt.) Northern Territory Times and Gazette, 17 May 1917 p.13. The late Corporal A. W. Hare. (Communicated.) In the Methodist Church on Sunday evening, the 25th instant, there was unveiled a handsome memorial tablet to the late Corporal Anthony William Hare. That there was a deep sense of obligation to do the memory of the hero this appropriate honor was evidenced by the greatness of the congregation which taxed the church to more than its ordinary seating capacity, and chairs had to be brought from the Manse adjoining, and even the tennis forms (openly defiant of all weather) were also requisitioned. The soldiers in uniform (some being returned men) were present under Colonel J. L. Johnson and Captain E. Barker. The Rev. Frederick Hof conducted the service. Reference was early made to the recent bereavement sustained by Mrs. Pearce, present at that service, and who had preferred the request that. the hymn " For ever with the Lord " should be sung in memory of her husband, the late Mr Charles William Pearce. (Mr. Pearce had early in the week expressed his intention to attend that service.) Further sympathetic reference was made to the fact that the Rev. Gordon A Burgess had been called Home whilst preparing to take up the aborigines mission work at Goulburn Island. The Minister said he would convey to the widow the sympathy expressed by that large congregation. Appropriate music was rendered during the service. Miss Florence Cook, at the organ, being ably assisted by Mr. Julian on the violin cello and also by Miss Cesca Bleeser on the violin. After tribute had been paid to the life, worth and work of the late Corporal Hare, the Union Jack was removed from the tablet by Colonel Johnson, all the congregation rising spontaneously, and whilst all gazed at the shining metal memorial, the Colonel's voice was heard as he solemnly read the inscription : To the Glory of God and In Loving Memory of CORPORAL ANTHONY WILLIAM HARE, - 52nd Battalion, A.I.F. Born 20th December, 1890. Killed in action in France, 24th April, 1918. Pro Deo et Patria. and in the impressive moments which followed, the silence was broken by the immortality part of Chopin's "Funeral March of a Hero." The sermon sought to exhibit such a life as viewed by the Almighty. In the ordinary language of men such a one as William Hare might be said to have "gone under" in the great war, but really he had been true even unto death, and had therefore faithfully fulfilled the meaning of that word "overcome" so often mentioned in the Book of Revelations. St. Paul found the way to victory when he counted not his life dear unto himself for Christ's sake and the Gospel. Putting his hands on the Union Jack with which the Colonel had draped the pulpit after it removal from the memorial, the preacher said 'It is a grand thing to be under this banner, the flag under which Corporal Hare lived and fought and died, but it is even much grander to be also under the banner of Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation-"His banner floating over me was love."' The tablet rests on the harbor side of the church, close to the seat which used to be occupied by Mr. Hare when here on the "Northern Territory Times," and later on (to better himself) in the Lands Department. "He being dead yet speaketh," and there are engraved in our minds the fact that in giving his life for God and country, this brother had done his brightest and best and had come out, in the spirit of the great apostle, " more than conqueror." "The memory of the just is blessed." Tuesday next, June 3rd (King's Birthday), has been proclaimed a public holiday. Northern Territory Times and Gazette, 31 May 1919: p.16.Darwin Cable Guard, 21/2 years in Senior Cadets, B Coy, Adelaide. Embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A40 'Ceramic' on 7 October 1916.ClerkAustralian Imperial Force52nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcemen