Add New Content


Please log in or register to add new content.

Login

Report Inaccuracies


Theodore "Theo" Harle (1898-1960)


Willington man served with Australian Army


At twenty years old, Theodore Harle needed his parents’ permission to join the Australian armed forces, so he simply lied about his age, claiming to be 21. He had been a sailor for three years by then but, unable to produce any certificates as they would have his correct age on them, the Australian Navy had no interest in him and he consequently enlisted in the 57th (Infantry) Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force.

Theo was born in Willington on 17 September 1896, the youngest of the three children of Peter Harle and his wife, Agnes (nee Harley). Peter was a colliery manager there, although the family would eventually move into farming.

Leaving school, Theo helped out around the farm before joining the merchant navy as a seaman. By the time Theo decided to join up, he was in Melbourne, Victoria, so consequently enlisted in the Australian infantry on 5 January 1918, as a private in 57th Infantry Battalion. He was just 20 years old, weighing 10 stone 2 pounds (64.4 kgs), 5′ 10″ tall (177.8 cms) and had scars on his left shoulder and wrist.

Just 6 weeks later, he embarked on HMAT “Nester”, arriving in Liverpool on 20 April 1918. Further training followed in England before Theo finally went to France the second week in July, to be taken on the strength of his unit on 24th of the month.

In August 1918, the 57th Battalion joined the Allied offensive that ultimately ended the war. With his battalion, Theo saw his final action at the Battle of St Quentin Canal on 29 September, before being withdrawn from the line the following month.

Theo was finally demobbed on 8 April 1919, choosing to stay in England rather than being returned to Australia. He gave his intended address at South Grange, Shincliffe, Durham.

However, he was not really ready to settle down and returned to a life at sea, being joined by his older brother, William, as they voyaged from back and forth to Australia on the “Terpsichore”, and down the west coast of America from Canada to Washington State on the “London Shipper”. On 30 July 1926, Theo earned his ticket as a Second Mate.

On 28 August 1932, Theo married Isobel (“Bluey”) Richardson and settled down in England. However, the wanderlust had not really left him and he wanted to emigrate to Canada. Bluey preferred north-east England, so the couple stayed and raised their family there.

Theo died on 26 December, 1960, at Burnigill Farm, Browney Colliery, Durham.

Civil Parish: Stockley

Birth date: 17-Sep-1898

Death date: 23-Dec-1960

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 1 Page Bank Farm, civil parish of Stockley, ecclesiastical parish of Willington (1901 & 1911 census)
Picnic Point, Bavinsdale, Victoria, Australia (1918 attestation papers)
Burnigill Farm, Browney Colliery (1960 probate records)

Employment: Seaman, farmer

Family: Father: Peter (b 1867) colliery manager from Willington
Mother: Agnes (Harley) (b 1865) from Lanarkshire
Siblings: William (b 1896), Jeanie Montgomerie (b 1897)
Wife: Isobel (Bluey) Richardson (marriage 26-08-1932)

Military service:

Private
54th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force
SERN 3675

Gender: Male

Contributed by Kelloe Visitor, Trimdon Station

Comments on this story


Comment

My Great Grandpa Peter Harle was married to Agnes Heron not Harley she came from Berrick on Tweed not Leicestershire

Contributed by

dingopuppy

Report abuse

Theo was my Grandfather, though I never knew him.
He had two daughters- my late mother Mary, born 17 Nov 1938, died 18 June 2020 and my favourite Aunt Jean Montgomery I believe she was born on 28 December- though the year is a state secret!
Burnigill Farm is now lived in by Charles Harle.
Theo was also an officer and radio operator on the 1926 British Artic Expedition, under Frank Arthur Worsley.

Contributed by

dingopuppy

Report abuse