Obituaries Australia

Harold Wanliss, n.d.

Australian War Memorial, H16942

A promising career has been cut short by the death, in action on 25th September, in France, of Capt Harold Boyd Wanliss, D.S.O. About a month ago the news was published that Lt Wanliss, as he then was, had been specially mentioned in despatches by the Commander-in-Chief (Sir Douglas Haig) for "distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty." The young officer, who was only 25 years of age, was a son of Mr Newton Wanliss of Ballarat, and a nephew of Sir William Irvine, M.P., and of Lt-Col D. S. Wanliss, C.M.G., now on active service with the Australian Imperial Force. He was educated at the Ballarat College of which he was dux in 1908. Thereafter he went to the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, N.S.W. and was dux of his year. At the outbreak of war he was engaged in farming pursuits in the Otway Forest. He sailed as a lieutenant in the 29th Battalion, and was transferred in Egypt to the 14th Battalion for service in France. In July, 1916, he was mentioned in despatches, and received the D.S.O. for conspicuous gallantry, leading a raid, during which he was severely wounded in three places. In June, 1917, he was again mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty. The Ballarat Old Collegians' Association has sent a telegram to Mr Newton Wanliss, sympathising with him on the death of his son.