 |
|
Many thousands of Australian soldiers were buried ‘in the field’ with their grave marked by their rifle and/or tin hat. The service record for Charles Hargraves indicates that this is exactly what happened to him in August 1916. Whilst serving with the 22nd Battery his position was heavily shelled killing Corporal Hargraves and wounding five others as the enemy attempted to destroy the nearby battery headquarters.
Charles Hargraves was a 28 year old single carpenter and orchardist from Launceston when he volunteered for enlistment in September 1915. He had spent seven years in the infantry and was a prominent member of the Launceston Rifle Club. He was initially taken on with the 2nd Division Ammunition Column but later transferred to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade and then to the 22nd Field Artillery Brigade.
Post war, where possible, the remains of soldiers buried in isolated graves were located and then moved with great dignity to nearby cemeteries. The remains of Charles Hargraves were located thanks to the recording of the exact location of his grave, to be re-interred at Flatiron Copse Cemetery at Memetz, France.