Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
Huntly V M Pte 2345 Vernon Miles 37 Inf Bn 18 Farmer Single Pres
Address: Ascot Vale, South St, 26
Next of Kin: Huntly, William A, Benyeo, South Australia
Enlisted: 10 Jun 1916
Embarked: A17 Port Lincoln 20 Oct 1916
Given his young age, Vernon was required to have the written consent of both his parents. Below are the separate letters written by his parents in June 1916.
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Benyeo
Bunamu SA
June 26th - 16
My dear Boy,
Your letter I received last evening, it is dated 18 of June, and must have taken a good while coming. Re going to the war - you have my concent and I give it willingly. I am proud of you. It is every young mans duty to fight and defend his country - and the old mans too, if he can be of any use. If you do go, be a man, do your duty and fear God. I wish you the best of good luck.
I hope to go to Melbourne in August if the Show is held in that month.
Your affect. Father
W R Huntly
B2455 V M Huntly Pte 2345 NAA
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26 South St
Ascot Vale
21.6.16
Dear Vernon,
I received your letter asking me for my written consent to you enlisting - as you seem so earnestly to want to go - I suppose you can go - But I think you are very foolish, for one thing you are too young - and another thing is - I don't think you could stand the camp life, let alone the trenches, there are plenty of able bodied men in the country who ought to go - not boys of your age but as I said if you are set on going I will not stop you.
You have my consent, and I wish you luck with love from all at home.
Your mother
Rachel Huntly.
B2455 V M Huntly Pte 2345 NAA
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Vernon had the misfortune to be gassed in 1917, and wounded again in 1918, receiving a gunshot wound to the left arm, but was repatriated to Australia in 1919.
War Service Commemorated
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours
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