KING, WO1 Horace Henry DCM MM MiD
8th Battalion AIF
2nd Brigade AIF (HQ)
1st Division AIF (HQ)
Corps Headquarters AIF
by Robert Simpson
Horace Henry King was born in Tylden, Victoria in March 1884 (his service record says Kyneton, which is 13 kilometres away). His parents were Nash Downes King and Mary Frances Barton, who were married in Collingwood, Victoria on 30th June 1877. Nash had been born in 1829 in Gloucestershire in England. He was a baker, as was his father. This was his second marriage, with a previous marriage in England to Susannah Goddard in 1854. They had a son, Charles Xavier in 1855 (a civil engineer who died in 1903), who was born at sea off Cape Horn. In 1869, Nash filed for divorce on the grounds that Susannah had committed adultery numerous times. The petition was granted in 1870. He then moved to Australia. After marrying Mary, they lived in Collingwood. The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland Register for Lodge No. 436 in Talbot, Victoria shows Nash Downes King was registered on 29th May 1866, with warrants issued on 31st July and 28th August 1866 and Grand Lodge Certificate 570 was issued on 23rd March 1867. He was then recorded in the United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Register for Trentham Lodge No 2303, where he was a petitioner from 798 and a warrant was granted on 21st February 1889. Nash and Mary had ten children, with Horace being the 5th child and 1 of 6 boys. In the 1903 electoral roll, Nash was living at St. Arnaud and was a baker. Mary had passed away there in the same year. Nash passed away in St. Agnes in 1906.
Horace first appears in official records in the 1909 electoral roll, where he is listed at Alma Street, St. Arnaud as a grocer. The 1912 roll shows him at Sea Lake, in the Wimmera area, as a grocer. By 1914, he was in Bealiba in the Grampians, and was still a grocer. The 1915 roll has him back at Sea Lake, but maybe he was just not taken off that roll.
On 18th August 1914, Horace enlisted originally in the 8th Battalion as Private 630 (that was later crossed out, with 36 written). He was born in the Parish of Bealiba, near the town of Kyneton, Victoria. (Kyneton is over 100km away from the town of Bealiba.) He was a natural born British subject of 30 years and 5 months old. His trade or calling was a Manager, he had not been an apprentice, was not married, had no conviction or discharge or previous service. His next of kin was his brother, Arthur King of St Arnaud. He signed the form at Surrey Hills in Victoria. His physical description was: – age 30 years 5 months, height 5 foot 8 inches, weight 10 stone 6 pounds, chest measurement 34 to 37 inches, with a dark complexion and brown eyes with dark hair, going grey. Church of England was his religious denomination. He had a scar on his outer left leg. The medical officer passed him fit for active service on 24th August 1914. Colonel W K Bolton, Commanding Officer of the 8th Battalion, appointed Horace to F Company 8th Battalion on 25th August 1914 at Broadmeadows.
The 8th Battalion embarked on HMAT Benalla A24 from Melbourne on 19th October 1914 and Horace was listed with “F” Company as 630 Corporal Horace Henry King, a single 30 year old manager, living at Bealiba Victoria. His next of kin was his brother, Arthur King of St Arnaud Victoria. He was paid at the rate of 9 shillings a day.
On 5th April 1915, he boarded the Clan McGillivray to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Alexandria, with the 8th Battalion. Horace was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 9th April. The 8th Battalion landed in the second wave at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915. As part of the 2nd Brigade, the Battalion was transferred to Cape Helles 10 days later and was involved on the assault on the village of Krithia, which was a major disaster, losing a third of its’ men for no gain. They then returned to Anzac. At Anzac on Gallipoli, he was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Brigade and promoted to Staff Sergeant and was allotted a new regimental number of 36 on 24th August 1915. On 7th January 1916, he disembarked from HMT Empress of Britain at Alexandria from Lemnos. He then embarked on HT Megantic on 26th March 1916 to join the British Expeditionary Force, disembarking at Marseilles on 31st March.
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Pictures at Anzac Cove.
Staff-Sergeant 36 Horace Henry King of Headquarters 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade was recommended for a Military Medal, by G.O.C. 2nd Infantry Brigade on 10th June 1916. The recommendation read “Staff-Sergeant KING has been conspicuous for self-sacrificing devotion to duty since enlisting in the A.I.F. at Broadmeadows, Victoria, on the 18th.August, 1914, during which time he has not been away from the Brigade or absent from duty except on short leave for a few days in May 1916. He landed at ANZAC on 25/4/15 as orderly Room Clerk of the 8th. Battalion. When all the members of the Headquarters Staff became casualties on 8th. May 1915, Sergt.KING assisted in the capacity of Brigade Headquarters Staff Sergeant from the 9th. To 11th.May inclusive when he returned to his Battalion. During the occupation of the trenches at Steeles Post Anzac by the 8th. Battalion, for many trying and critical weeks Sergt.KING performed his duties excellently in presence of constant danger. He was appointed Staff-Sergeant on Brigade Headquarters Staff on the 24th.August 1915 and since then has performed his difficult and exacting duties unceasingly until the present time in a conspicuously praiseworthy manner. Although never called upon to perform an act of conspicuous personal gallantry, it is felt by all who witnessed his work that his devotion to duty under trying and often extremely dangerous circumstances over so long a period of time merit recognition as much as acts of personal bravery. His services to the Brigade have been invaluable and a fine example to others.” The award was promulgated in the London Gazette of 27th October 1916 on page 10487, position 77.
On 6th October 1916, Staff Sergeant Horace King, 36 of 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade Headquarters was recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal by the G.O.C. 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade, which was signed by General N M Smyth on his behalf. It read “No.36 S/Sgt. H. KING is recommended for conspicuous good work and devotion to duty. He has performed the duties of Brigade clerk since 21st August 1915 faithfully and with disregard of his personal safety; and from that time (except for short leave in England) he has filled the exceeding labourious and responsible position of senior clerk on Bde. Hqrs. in a manner worthy of praise and has performed his duties carefully and with tireless devotion to duty.” The award was promulgated in the London Gazettes of 1st January 1917, Page 51, position 13 and 13th February 1917 on page 1570, position 5.
Horace was transferred from 2nd Australian Brigade Headquarters to 1st Australian Divisional Headquarters in France on 3rd December 1916 and was taken on strength of the 1st ADH on the same day. He was also promoted to Warrant Officer Class I and transferred under provisions of AIF order 213 on that day.
36 H King of 1st Divisional Headquarters was promoted to Warrant Officer Class I on 31st December 1916, under provisions of AIF Order 213 of 19/8/16.
A letter was sent to Mr A King of St Arnaud Victoria from Base Records on 25th April 1917, stating “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20th October, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your brother, No. 36, Staff-Sergeant H.H. King, 8th Battalion.” Awarded the Military Medal. “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer: – No. 36, Staff-Sergeant HORACE HENRY KING.”
Base Records, on 3rd July 1917, sent a letter to Mr A King of St Arnaud Victoria which read:- “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Third Supplement No. 29866 to the London Gazette of 29th December, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your brother, NO. 36, Staff-Sergeant H. H. King, 1st Divisional Head-Quarters.” Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned reward for distinguished service in the Field, dated 1st January, 1917:- No. 36, Staff-Sergeant HORACE HENRY KING.” They wrote another letter on 2nd August from Supplement No. 29940 to the London Gazette of 13th February 1917, adding “the following is the act of gallantry for which the decoration has been awarded: – No. 36 Staff-Sergeant HORACE HENRY KING. For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has set a fine example.”
The St. Arnaud Mercury of Saturday 15th September 1917 had the following article:
“A SOLDIER HONOURED. WARRANT OFFICER HORACE HENRY KING. Many friends will be pleased to hear that Staff sergeant Horace H. King (since promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer), First Divisional Headquarters, a well-known former St. Arnaud resident, who is now on active service in France, has been awarded by His Majesty the King two medals for conspicuous service. The first was the Military Medal for bravery in the field; and the second the Distinguished Conduct Medal for distinguished service in the field, dated 1st January, 1917, the act of gallantry for which the latter decoration was awarded being “For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has set a fine example.” Intimation to the above effect has been received by the soldier’s sister-in-law, Mrs A. C. King, of St. Arnaud, from the Commonwealth Defence Department.”
On 12th October 1917, Horace was on special leave to the UK from France until the 22nd.
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Sergeant’s Mess 1st Australian Divisional Headquarters Christmas Dinner menu and signatures.
Horace was recommended by the G.O.C. 1st Australian Division on 8th March 1918 for a Mention in Despatches. The recommendation was for Warrant Officer Class I Horace Henry King DCM MM, regimental number 36 of Headquarters 1st Australian Division for the period 22nd September 1917 to 24th February 1918. The award was promulgated in the London Gazette of 28th May 1918 on page 6200, position 68.
On 4th June 1918, he was detached from 1st Australian Divisional Headquarters for duty to Australian Corps Headquarters in France, and was attached to them from the 6th. He was transferred to them and taken on strength on 10th June.
On 30th October 1918, Base Records Sent Arthur a letter to his address at St Arnaud, (even though he was serving). It read: – “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Fourth Supplement, No. 30706, to the “London Gazette,” dated 28th May, 1918, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. “The following is a continuation of Sir D. Haig’s despatch of 7th April, 1918, submitting names deserving of special mention:- No. 36, Warrant Officer, Class I, H.H. King, D.C.M., M.M.””
This photo was taken by official photographers of the Australian War Records Section. Horace is in the front row, 4th from the left.
Horace returned to Australia, leaving England on 23rd October 1918. His next of kin was advised on 30th November 1918 that Horace was returning on furlough. Returning to Australia on HT Port Lyttleton, he disembarked at the 3rd Military District on 25th December 1918. There was a note about him going for “special 1914 leave”. He was discharged in Victoria at Australian Corps HQ on 23rd February 1919.
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A minute paper from Major T Thorpe, acting District Paymaster for 3rd Military District, on 13th May 1919 to Base Records read “The undermentioned soldier has been awarded the D.C.M. Please supply the Gazette No. and return. Kindly treat as urgent.” It listed W.O. 36 H.H. King of Australian Corps Headquarters. Base Records replied that “Notification of the award of the D.C.M. to the abovementioned solider appears in C.A.G. No. 116 of 25.7.17.”
The 1919 electoral roll has Horace at Bealiba as a grocer. By the 1922 roll, he was at 45 Villamanta St, Geelong and was a salesman.
Base Records sent Horace his certificate for Mention in Despatches in London Gazette 30706/517 on 18th March 1920, which Horace signed for on 29th March 1920. He then signed for two oak leaves – Mention in Despatches emblems- on 1st October 1920, after they had been sent to him on the 23rd September 1920. On 13th July 1920, Horace signed for his 1914-15 Star, which had 630 Corporal H H King 8th Btn written on the card. His brother, Arthur, witnessed it and the form was returned to Medal Section Victoria on 31st August 1920. Horace signed for his British War Medal on 28th April 1921. The form read 630 WO1 H H King 8th Btn. The Victory medal had the same details and was signed on 18th September 1922.
The Argus of Monday 23rd March 1925 had under Marriages “KING-ELLIS- On the 17th February, at St. Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne, by the Rev. R. Sherwood, Horace Henry King, D.C.M., M.M., (late A.I.F.), to Beatrice Marion, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A Ellis, Vern Villa, Main street, Ulverstone, Tasmania.”
In the 1926 electoral roll, Horace and Beatrice were living at Neerim South in Gippsland, where Horace was a general merchant. On 9th April 1927, their son, John Ellis King was born in Neerim South. In the 1931, 1936 and 1937 electoral rolls, they were living at 85 Kennedy Street, Hamilton and Horace was a manager.
The 1939 electoral roll had Horace and Beatrice living at 50 McIntyre Street, Hamilton with Horace a manager.
John Ellis King served in WW2 in the air-force, joining on 22nd May 1945 at Colac, Melbourne and being discharged on 22nd May 1946 as Leading Aircraftsman 159855 with the 6th RAAF Hospital (Staff). In 1949 he was with his parents at 9 Hesse Street and was a salesman. Somewhere between then and the 1954 electoral roll he married Margaret Ethel. No other details are known about her. From the 1954 to 1968 electoral rolls, they were living at 37 Mortimore Street in Melbourne and he was a manager. John passed away on 17th October 1969, was cremated and his ashes are at Springvale Botanical Cemetery in Brind, Wall T, Niche 464.
By the 1946 electoral roll, they had moved to 19 Hesse Street, Colac; and oddly enough, Horace was listed as doing home duties as well as Beatrice. In the 1949 and 1954 rolls, they were both still there and Horace had no occupation listed. By the 1963 roll, they had moved to 217 McKinnon Road, Bentleigh North in Melbourne and Horace had sales listed as his occupation. In the 1967 and 1968 rolls, they had moved to 5 Normanby Road in Bentleigh East and he had no occupation listed again.
On 8th August 1961, the Repat. Department in Victoria received documents from the Central Army Records Office in Victoria for a request for reference M117826, which included the service and medical documents for 630 Horace Henry King of the 8th Battalion. The Repatriation Department was using those documents to enable a decision of the application to them for benefits under the Repatriation Act for Horace, and had written to CARO on 31st July 1961. On 20th December 1961, CARO replied to Horace saying “You are advised that your letter of 15th December 1961 has been passed onto the Repatriation Department, Victorian Branch, for consideration and reply direct.” The Repatriation Department in Melbourne replied to CARO on 20th December 1961 about 630-36 WO1 Horace Henry King DCM MM, saying “The attached letter, which has been acknowledged and sender advised of action taken, is referred for your consideration and reply direct.”
The Victorian Branch of the Repatriation Department sent The Officer in Charge, Central Army Records Office, “A” Block, Albert Park Barracks, Melbourne SC3 Victoria a letter on 22nd January 1962 which read:-
“KING, Horace Henry “M.M.” “D.C.M.” 36 – W.O.1 – Aust. Corps H.Q. (Div HQ written in pencil) 630 – S/Sgt – 8th Btn. The abovenamed ex-serviceman was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the 1914-18 war. So that I may obtain approval to pay a Decoration Allowance from the authorities in the United Kingdom, would you please supply me with the following information concerning the award. (a) Rank at time of award (b) Rank at time of discharge (c) Date of award (d) London Gazette number (e) Commonwealth of Australia Gazette number (f) Nature of award and whether immediate or periodical (g) Was gratuity paid in respect of the award and the amount paid. Your early attention will be appreciated.”
The letter was written on in pencil and the reply from Caro about Horace is as follows:-
“Your memorandum C117826(P80) of 22nd January 1962 is acknowledged. The following is advised according to the records held at this office:- (a) S/Sgt (b) WO1 (c) 1 January 1917 (d) 29940 of 13 February 1917 (e) 116 of 25 July 1917 (f) Distinguished Conduct Medal (g) Command Pay Office advise that gratuity of £20 was paid approximately 20th June 1919.”
Henry sent a letter on 17th June 1969 which stated “Reg No. 36 Unit 8th Battn & HQ 1st Aus Divn on Gallipoli (Landing until Evacuation san the Notice in Chin Up” which was signed H H King 5 Normanby Road East Bentleigh Victoria. It was ok’ed and receipt acknowledged on 27th June 1967. Presumably he was asking for a Gallipoli Medallion.
Horace Henry King passed away on 16th January 1971 at Brighton in Victoria. He was cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 21st January 1971 and his ashes are in Cassia, Wall AA, Niche 322.
He was still recorded in the 1972 electoral roll at 6 Normanby Road, but Beatrice was not on that list as she had moved to 37 Mortimore Street, Moorabbin, with Margaret Ethel King, her daughter in law. They were both still there in the 1977 and 1980 rolls. Beatrice passed away on 17th March 1983 in Victoria and was cremated on the 21st, with her ashes placed at Springvale Botanical Cemetery at Cassia, Wall AA, Niche 327.
With his brothers and sisters:-
Eva Frances King was born in 1879 in Richmond, Victoria. She married Edward George Logan on 19th July 1905 in St Arnaud. Edward had been born in Victoria in 1876 and died in 1954. Eva died in 1941 in Malvern, Victoria.
Laura Barton King was born in 1880 in Victoria. Nothing else is known about her.
Arthur Cecil King was born in 1882 in Collingwood. He was a motor garage proprietor and served with the Victorian Rangers from 1900 to 1907, rising through the ranks to provisional 2nd Lieutenant, before resigning. He married Eva Ada Rowe in 1912. During WW1, he enlisted on 15th March 1916 as Private 2701 with B Company, 4/38th Reinforcements. His service number was changed to 601, then 3186. For the trip to England in December 1916, he was made a voyage only Corporal. He was appointed Acting Corporal while at 15th Training Battalion and in June 1917 was transferred to 7th Battalion at that rank. In August, he went to France as a Private. In September he was transferred to the 23rd Battalion and was transferred back to the 7th in December. In January 1918, he was attached to Headquarters for duty. In April 1918, he was transferred to Australian Corps Troops M T Company with the rank of Driver. In May he was attached to Headquarters for duty. He returned to Australia on the Persic in July 1919. He was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. He died on 1st October 1928 in Geelong and is buried in Geelong Eastern Cemetery.
Oliver Konrad King was born in 1884 in Tylden, Victoria. He was a grocer. In 1962, he died.
Hubert John King was born in Victoria in 1885. He died in 1900 in St. Agnes, Victoria.
Aenonie Carissma King was born in 1887 in Tylden, Victoria. In various electoral rolls, she was listed as doing home duties. She did not marry. “Nonie” died in 1981 in Victoria.
Cyril Harold King was born in 1890 in Tylden, Victoria. He married Pattie Bailie Twibell in 1914 in Victoria. Cyril was a storeman, then mechanic, then a turner. He died in 1969 in Victoria.
Ida Maude King was born in 1892 in Tylden, but she died in 1893 at the same place.
The last family member was Norman Nash King, born in 1894 in Tylden. At the age of 22 years and 5 months, he enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps, May (11th) Reinforcements, 8th AFC as Private 1910. He was a previously a mechanic and gave his next of kin as his brother, Cyril Harold of Ballarat, as his parents were deceased. Norman had previous military experience with the Cadets, but had previously been rejected due to bad teeth. He enlisted on 12th February 1917 at Melbourne. His description was height 5 foot 9½ inches, weight 138 pounds, chest measurement of 32 to 36 inches, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and black hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. Norman had 2 vaccine marks on his left arm, a mole below breast and between scapulae and the little toe on each foot had been amputated. He embarked from Melbourne on 4th August 1917 on Themistocles. After training in England, he was sent to 8th AFC as a 2nd Aircraft Mechanic, before being posted to the 6th Training Squadron AFC and being to promoted to 2nd Lieutenant after training as a Flying Officer (Pilot) in November 1918. He returned to Australia on Leicestershire in May 1919. His appointment was terminated on 21st July 1919. He was only entitled to the British War Medal. After the war, he lived in Malvern, at 6 Meryl Street in 1924, before moving to 13a Swanston St., Geelong with his occupation back as a mechanic. He moved around the Geelong area, but was still listed as a mechanic in later electoral rolls. He died on 27th January 1963 and his ashes are at Altona Memorial Park Cemetery.
Horace has two records at National Archives Australia, which are open but not online: – M117826 (1914-1971) and H117826 (1964-1971).
His medals are Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal with oak leaf.
With his medals, he had a copy of “The Anzac Book”, the Introduction was by General Sir William Birdwood and the Editor was C. E. W. Bean. This book was produced in the lines at Anzac Cove on Gallipoli in 1915. Virtually every contribution was written or drawn in the trenches under fire. The book was published in London on 25 May 1916.
He signed the front page.
ANZAC Biographies
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