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100 years on: Queensland war hero receives Anzac tribute

Apr 25, 2018

WWI soldier Henry “Harry” Dalziel has been honoured on Anzac Day, 100 years after being awarded Australia’s highest military accolade: the Victoria Cross.

Henry Dalziel’s son, David, was the guest speaker at Greenslopes Private Hospital’s Dawn Service, which commenced at 5:30am on Wednesday 25 April 2018.

2018 marks 100 years since the end of WWI, as well as the centenary of the Battle of Hamel in northern France, during which Henry Dalziel fought.

David Dalziel reflected on how his father was awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in action with a Lewis Gun section.”

The Battle of Hamel (1918) was also considered to be the turning point for Allied victory in WWI.

Harry Dalziel was left with scars on his back, left leg and left arm, while a gunshot wound to his head caused a gaping hole above his left temple.

“I have wondered at times about what Harry faced at Hamel in the minutes of his action,” said David. “The descriptions are clear, but questions remain like how far he dashed over double strands of barbed wire, to the Maxim machine gun he captured? Probably quite close, I think. How far was it to the ammunition dump?  He said the dump was 240 yards behind the line. Not in a straight line of course, but running, crawling, and falling a great distance.”

In 1965, Harry Dalziel passed away at Greenslopes Hospital. In 2003, the Henry Dalziel VC Dialysis Centre at Greenslopes Private Hospital was named in his honour.

David Dalziel has just published a new book and launched a website in time for Anzac Day - in honour of his father’s achievements. For more information visit: www.harrydalzielvc.org.

Almost 2,000 people attended this year’s Dawn Service at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The ceremony was also broadcast live to patients via the televisions in their rooms, so that those who were unable to leave their beds could still watch the service.