Harold Pope (soldier)
Harold Pope | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 October 1873 First World War
|
| Awards | Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
| Other work | Commissioner of Railways, Western Australia |
Born in England in 1873, Pope worked as a clerk in the
After the war he was appointed Commissioner of Railways in Western Australia and implemented a number of changes to a rail service in difficulties. He resigned from the role on account of his health in 1928 and died ten years later in
Early life
Harold Pope was born in England, at the town of
First World War
Following the outbreak of the First World War, Pope volunteered for the
On recovering his health, Pope, resumed command of the 16th Battalion. On 1 May 1916, he was promoted temporary
Having lost his temporary rank, Pope returned to Australia and was discharged from the AIF. Determined to restore his reputation, he agitated the Australian Government for a return to the Western Front. He secured an unpaid position as a continuous service officer aboard a transport ship, the Hororata, which was sailing for England. Once there, he continued to present his case for a return to active duty. Eventually Birdwood offered to make him commander of the 52nd Battalion. He took his new command in March 1917 and led it during the Battle of Messines in June. Wounded at Messines, he was sent home in early 1918, having received a further mention in despatches.[2] Promoted colonel on 31 May and,[3] still seeking a role in the war effort, he performed duties on transport ships in 1919.[2]
Later life
In March 1919, Pope returned to Western Australia and later in the year was made that state's acting Commissioner of Railways. The appointment was made permanent the following year.[1] His work was demanding and he had to deal with the consequences of poor management by the previous administration, implementing several changes. Having completed the five-year term of the role, in 1925 he was reappointed for a further term. Concurrent with his second term as Commissioner of Railways, Pope was honorary colonel of the 16th Battalion. In 1926, he served for a year as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of Australia.[2] His health declined and in 1928 he resigned.[1]
Pope died of heart disease on 13 May 1938 in a hospital at Perth, where he had been under care for several months. He was survived by his wife and five children. His family declined an offer of a full military funeral and he was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "Colonel Pope Dead". The West Australian. 14 May 1938. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- ^ ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Lieutenant Colonel Harold Pope". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ Fitzsimmons 2015, pp. 94–95.
- ^ Fitzsimmons 2015, p. 493.
References
- Fitzsimmons, Peter (2015). Fromelles & Poziéres: In the Trenches of Hell. ISBN 978-0-14-378330-5.
