100 years on: war hero
receives Anzac tribute
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 was attended by
almost 2,000 people.
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.”
Harry Dalziel was left with scars on his
back, left leg and left arm, while a gunshot
4 | GPH News – May 2018
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? 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.”
David Dalziel holds framed
memorabilia belonging to his father,
Private Henry Dalziel VC.
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 published a new book
and launched a website in honour of his
father’s achievements.
For more information visit:
www.harrydalzielvc.org