HARKISS, Alexander Walter

HARKISS, Alexander Walter – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWII
SERVICE NO : Q22531
RANK : Corporal
UNIT : 25th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 19/08/1940
AGE : 22
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Warwick, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Warwick, Queensland
RELIGION : Presbyterian
OCCUPATION : Clerk
DATE OF DEATH : 26/08/1942
PLACE OF BURIAL : Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

MEMORIALS : Warwick State High School Roll of Honour 1939-1945, Warwick The Fallen 1939-1945, Warwick War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

View this person’s Service File : HARKISS, Alexander Walter

NOTES : Alex as he was known, was in Papua New Guinea with the 25th Battalion under the command of fellow Warwick soldier, Major General Cyril Clowes CBE, DSO, MC at the time of his death.

He was the second son of the late William Alexander Harkiss and Margaret Alice Harkiss of Locke Street, Warwick.

A week after Alex’s death, his mother was informed her elder son, Archibald Thomas Harkiss QX386842 had died of illness. A cruel blow for a woman who had only lost her husband seven years previously.

Alex attended school at Warwick Central State School and Warwick State High School. An enthusiastic sportsman, Alex gained his colours in three sports, football, cricket and tennis.

He left school in 1935 upon the death of his father and joined the family firm Harkiss Brothers who ran a produce store in Grafton Street, Warwick.

Sport remained a big influence in his life and he represented Warwick in hockey and played cricket during the period when his uncle captained the Diggers Cricket Club. District representation honours were presented to him as a wicket keeper on several occasions.

Alex was survived by his mother and five sisters.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.