TREACY, Robert James

TREACY, Robert James – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 337
RANK : 2nd Corporal
UNIT : 1st Tunnelling Company
ENLISTMENT DATE : 21/08/1915
AGE : 37
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Yelarbon, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Buckland, Victoria
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Farmer
DATE OF DEATH : 19/09/1949
PLACE OF BURIAL : Toowong, Queensland

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

View Veteran’s Service File : TREACY, Robert James

NOTES :  Robert was the son of Robert James and Mary (nee Scarborough) Treacy. His half brother and sister were George Seward and Maria Helena Treacy.

Originally from Victoria, Robert settled into farming life at Yelarbon, living next door to the McAuliffe family. In 1915 he enlisted in the Australian army and was a member of the famous 1st Tunnelling Company. Hill 60 had been captured by the German army and remained in their hands until the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company created underground mines under the German lines and filled them with 440 long tons and 500 short tons of explosives. When detonated, the blasts created one of the largest explosions in world history at the time. It was reportedly heard as far away as London and Dublin.

Upon his return to Australia, Robert was afforded a warm welcome by the residents of Yelarbon. Following is an extract from a report published in The Warwick Daily News on 22 July 1919.

A red letter day for Yelarbon was recorded on 24th June, the occasion being the return of Sergeant R. McAuliffe, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. McAuliffe, of Cranborne, Yelarbon, and his chum and adjoining neighbour, Corporal B. J. Tracey, after 3 years’ active service in France.

Quite a crowd were present at the platform, to meet them. When the friendly greetings ended the returned heroes were conveyed per motor to their home.

About dusk vehicles began to roll up, and by 7.30 150 friends and relations sat down to the best banquet the district has ever seen. The place was illuminated by gas light, which showed the handsome decorations to great advantage, and the, tables were laden with abundance of eatables of much variety. Mr. Jas. Bobb presided. He said that the assembly was for the purpose of giving a bumper welcome home to the beloved son of the host and hostess, together with his friend and companion, Corporal Tracey. He extended a hearty welcome to all present, and in order to get everyone in the best of humour, he said the first thing to do was to satisfy the wants of the inner man. This was attended to without delay.

Then came the toast list, starting with The King and Empire. The Guests of the Evening, was proposed by, the Chairman in a vivid and impressive speech, which was received with much enthusiasm.

Mr. T. Bacon, in supporting the Chairman’s remarks, called to mind the occasion on which he had acted as chairman at the send-off just after they enlisted, and to be present on this occasion, tendering a hearty welcome home, afforded him unbounded pleasure. The fact that they had the good fortune to return unscathed, coming through the thickest struggles of war thoroughly sound, and rising in the ranks of the Australian army, spoke volumes for their honour and integrity. Such men were a credit to Australia, and residents of the district had every cause to be proud of them.

In responding, Sergeant McAuliffe thanked the gathering for the good feeling exhibited by their presence, and also for the good wishes expressed by the various speakers. He could assure them that there was no one more glad to be back in sunny Australia than himself. He had soon other lands and they were good, of course, and the people were good, but his choice was old Aussie and her people. As for the war, well it was over, and he wanted to think of something else.

Corporal Tracey said he had had some surprises during the last 3 ½ years, but this display of kindly friendship was the greatest surprise of his life. It was such, that all he could say was that he thanked those present from the bottom of his heart. He was present and took part in the blowing up of Hill 60, and could assure them that his feelings were more governable than that now. He concluded by stating how satisfactory it was to come home and find that all the old residents were well end hearty, and full of good hopes for the future….

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

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