Henry (Harry) Gissing

Henry (Harry0 Gissing was born in Rockdale, Sydney, in 1888. His family moved to Melbourne soon after his birth but returned to Sydney when he was 11. After a happy childhood and completing his education at Newington College, Stanmore (New South Wales), Harry completed an apprenticeship and qualified as a pharmacist in 1913.

In December 1914, he enlisted in the AIF, initially serving with the 1st Field Ambulance and later with the 14th. His ship arrived in Mudros Harbour from Egypt on 7 April 1915.

Harry served on hospital ships (including evacuating the wounded from Gallipoli to these ships) and on Lemnos between April and June. From July, he was stationed on Lemnos, with No. 1 Australian Stationary Hospital (1ASH) at East Mudros. In October, he rejoined the 1st Field Ambulance at Sarpi Rest Camp, where he remained until leaving Lemnos in January 1916.

On the hospital ships, he dispensed pain relief (morphia and opium), iodine and dressings and helped tend the wounded. With sharp foresight, he wrote in his diary: ‘I will never forget Sunday 25th April. I really believe it will mark an era in Australian history. On this day Australians proved themselves.’ Much of his work on Lemnos consisted of tasks such as assisting in the cook house, erecting tents, standing guard and fatigue duties. From late July till October, he used his pharmacology skills as dispenser at 1ASH, where he witnessed several surgeries.

Harry’s diary reveals a man of strong principles and who was hard working and fun loving. He took great pleasure from the company of others and would swim in Mudros Harbour whenever he could for the pure joy of it.

Harry was promoted from private to corporal on 31 May 1915, and to sergeant on 22 July 1916. Following the Gallipoli campaign, he served out the rest of the war on the Western Front. He was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal in 1918.

Soon after his return to Australia in March 1919, he moved to Wagga Wagga to take up a pharmacist role in the business he later bought. There he met and married Ethel Booty, with whom he had four children. Harry’s service to his community included as councillor, alderman and mayor (twice). He died in 1953 aged 65. A tribute in the local paper described him as a ‘one of [Wagga’s] most distinguished citizens’.