Group of Four:1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 39/45. All medals correctly impressed to NX70781 H M HORDERN
Henry Hordern enlisted into the Australian Army in NSW on the 10th February 1941 and it wasn’t long before Henry was chosen for an Officers training course where only three were selected, Henry was chosen along with Bill McMahon (Later Australian Prime Minister) who Henry had become friends with.
Two weeks later the now Lieutenant Hordern was offered and accepted the position of ADC to General Lloyd who was commanding the Second Division Militia.
Six months later Henry was offered a position now with the AIF as assistant to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General (DAAG) responsible for all administration of the Eighth Division.
Months later when the decision was made that a Brigade would move to Singapore with General Bennet and some of his senior staff, Henry was made DAAG still surprisingly with rank of Lieutenant.
About a week before the Japanese invaded Malaysia a vacancy occurred for the Adjutant of No 1 Company AASC, with a compliment of 700 men of which Henry filled.
When Singapore fell Henry was taken POW and sent to Changi camp. In his brief autobiography Henry states that he does not want to go on about how they were treated in camp as he states it is “well documented in the many books which have been published”. He does however mention a few stories of other soldiers’ survival against execution. This then leads on to Henry telling a few of the more severe beatings he took whilst POW.
Henry does try to focus in on the few good moments he had whilst a prisoner, including times like when he taught Alexander Downer (senior) in cost accounting. His short Autobiography tells of many interesting personal moments of his or those close to him giving the reader a good insight into an amazing man.
When hostilities ceased Henry along with the most ill POW’s were quickly placed on a ship bound for home. Due to high seas and the believe that many would not make the trip they were soon sent to North Borneo where an Australian hospital was set up. This was Henry’s home for the next two months before being sent home and Discharging on the 22nd November 1945.
Post war with the occupation as a Chartered Accountant, Henry was Assistant Registrar at the University of Tasmania prior to taking up his appointment as General Registrar of the institute on the 5th February 1968.
Mr Hordern ended his career with the following post nominals; “A.C.A., F.C.I.S., A.I.B.A., A.F.A.I.M., L.H.A.”
Note: Medals comes with two photos of recipient and a seven page autobiography of his war experiences by Lieutenant Henry Malcolm Lothrop Hordern. Also included is a copy of “Googlyman” The story of HV ‘Ranji’ Hordern numbered 2 of 300 by Rick Smith and dedicated to Henry by the author in honour of Henry’s father whom the book is about. Henry’s father, Herbert Vivian Hordern is considered Australia’s father of Leg Spin Bowling which some credit his skills far superior than that of modern-day bowler Shane Warne. The iconic Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park Sydney, NSW is named after him which further reinforces how high he is thought of. The book is undoubtably extremely rare and a great family addition to an already amazing group.
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Near EF SOLD
