Private YARDY Richard Alfred (Service No. 321)Private

Richard Yardy was born at Bandon Grove, Dungog, New South Wales in 1891 to John and Clara (nee Wand). He attended the Bandon Grove Public School before the family moved to the Gloucester district.

Formed in Australia in early August 1915, the 30^th Battalion concentrated at Liverpool, New South Wales and drew most of its personnel from various parts of New South Wales, with a large contingent coming from Newcastle. Working as a labourer in Gloucester, it was in Newcastle that Richard enlisted with ‘A’ Company, 30^th Battalion on the 3^rd of August 1915, aged 27years 2 months. He gave his next of kin as his father of Gloucester.

Boarding the ‘HMAT A72 Beltana’ at Sydney on the 9^th of November the Battalion disembarked at Suez on the 11^th of December. The next day, Richard was admitted to the 4^th Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia suffering mumps and on the 5^th of January, he was released to Base, Zeiuton, to return to his unit on the 20^th of February. He again reported sick on the 9^th of May to the 15^th Field Ambulance at Ferry Post and rejoined his unit on the 17^th of May.

On the 16^th of June the battalion boarded the ‘HMAT Hororata’ at Alexandria to join the BEF, disembarking at Marseilles on the 23^rd. After arriving at the front, the battalion’s first major action came at Fromelles on 19 July 1916 where they were initially tasked to provide a supporting role, carrying ammunition to the assault troops, but they were later committed to the fighting as the situation deteriorated for the Australians. It was on the fist day that Robert was ‘Killed in Action’, aged 25 years.

An eyewitness reported: ‘On 19th July, 1916, at Armentieres (in front of) we took the first line at 6 p.m. and were waiting to advance. Two shells came and then a third shell struck me, injuring me and killing Yardy. He was just behind me. I saw him dead.’

Private YARDY Richard Alfred (Service No. 321)Private

Richard Yardy was born at Bandon Grove, Dungog, New South Wales in 1891 to John and Clara (nee Wand). He attended the Bandon Grove Public School before the family moved to the Gloucester district.

Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Cemetery: Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France. Plot 1, Row K, Grave 58

Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour;

Bellingen War Memorial;

Coffs Harbour Roll of Honour;

Gloucester Memorial Clock Tower.

“Lest We Forget”