Charles Raymond Hearps

Description

Charles was born in Devonport, Tasmania, 6th of 7 children of Charles Henry Hearps (1857-1946) & Hannah Maria Holloway (1856-1946). He served in the Australian Imperial Force as Driver 207 with the 40th Australian Infantry Battalion.

His cousin Alfred 'Jack' Hearps from the remote mining town of Queenstown, Tasmania was one of the first Aboriginal men to enlist. He was a descendant of Dalrymple 'Dolly' Briggs (1812-1898).

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dalrymple-dolly-12877

Another cousin, George Hearps from Latrobe, Melbourne, also served.

Charles was recognised for his bravery whilst in action, by the awarding of the Military Medal. When the 40th Battalion were in action near Morlancourt, Charles brought his team up a load of ammunition under heavy shell fire and across ground swept by machine gun fire.

He married Helen Brown (1914-), from Scotland, in NZ 24 March 1933