AVERY, Michael Albert

AVERY, Michael Albert – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 3230
RANK : Private
UNIT : 2nd Light Horse Regiment
ENLISTMENT DATE : 16/01/1917
AGE : 35
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Toowoomba, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Ballarat, Victoria
RELIGION : Roman Cathlic
OCCUPATION : Stockman
DATE OF DEATH : 11/11/1957
PLACE OF BURIAL : Boggabilla, New South Wales

MEMORIALS : Yelarbon War Memorial, Yelarbon Roll of Honour, Goondiwindi War Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : AVERY, Michael Albert

NOTES : AVERY, Michael Albert – By Duncan McLean

Prior to serving with the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment during the First World War, Michael Albert Avery served as a Trooper with the 3rd New South Wales Imperial Bushmen in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). The unit was formed at Klerksdorp, Transvaal on 4th May 1901. From May to October 1901, they operated in the Western Transvaal, where they captured prisoners, wagons and stock.

In October they left Klerksdorp and moved to Eastern Transvaal, where they joined General Bruce Hamilton’s operations. After peace was declared in June 1902, the 3rd New South Wales Imperial Bushmen sailed from Durban, Natal, arriving in Sydney (via Albany and Melbourne) on 11 August. (Source: from the official record of regiment.)

Michael enlisted at Toowoomba on 16 January, 1917, approximately five months after his younger brother Aiden Albert Avery 2683 had been killed at Pozieres in France. At enlistment, Michael gave his addresses as Boggabilla, in New South Wales, where his mother was living, and Goondiwindi, Queensland, where he was working as a stockman. He was 35 years old, 5 ft 6 in tall, and weighed 120 lbs (55kg). He had blue eyes and brown hair.

Michael embarked with the 26th reinforcements of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment at Melbourne on 10 May 1917, arriving at Suez in Egypt on 20 June. After undertaking training, he joined the 2nd Light Horse on 5 August 1917. He was with the Regiment at the Battle of Beersheba (October 1917), the Third Battle of Gaza, the Battle of Mughar Ridge, the Battle of Nebi Samwil (November 1917). The Battle of Jerusalem, the Battle of Jaffa (December 1917), the capture of Jericho (February 1918), and the attack on Amman (March – April 1918).

On 27 April 1918, Michael was admitted to hospital with pyrexia (fever), and he spent much of the next four months in hospital, being diagnosed with malaria and possible phthisis, a wasting or consumptive condition, most commonly referring to pulmonary tuberculosis. Michael was transferred back to Australia on 4 September 1918 due to ‘debility’, and was medically discharged on 20 December 1918.

Michael passed away on 11 November 1957. At which time he was living in Boggabilla.

Copyright 2026 Deborah C Wheeler and Duncan McLean, Southern Downs Military History

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