Sohier, Norman Henry by Central Coast Council

Gosford District Casualties of World War One Bragg, Norman EdmundHenry Allen Sohier,

Service Service Number Number 1494 1826 Killed in Action 19th May 1915 Killed in Action 13th July 1915 Gallipoli Gallipoli Peninsula Peninsula

Gosford City Council gratefully acknowledges the voluntary efforts of Benalyn Campbell And Vivienne Tranter in compiling this resource

The information in this file has been extracted from official records held in the The Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia (ÂŠ Commonwealth of Australia [National Archives of Australia] 2013) Further information on this soldier may be found online at: Commonwealth War Graves The AIF project Content advisory: This file may potentially contain disturbing accounts of service-related injury and death, disease and family grief. Adult supervision is recommended for children using these resources. Individual files should be viewed within the context provided by wider research on service conditions in the 1 st AIF. This resource is presented by Gosford City Council for research purposes only. Please note that copyright for resources contained within remains with the original copyright owners.

NAME

Sohier, Norman Henry

SERVICE NO

1826

UNIT

4th Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade/

RANK

Private

AGE at Enlistment

19 yrs 6 mths

PLACE OF BIRTH

Ourimbah, NSW

ADDRESS OCCUPATION

Teamster

DATE OF ENLISTMENT

28 Jan 1915

PLACE OF ENLISTMENT

Liverpool, NSW

PREVIOUS SERVICE

NEXT OF KIN

Father;- Jules Francis (mother Ellen)Sohier, PO Narara, NSW

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Height-6’. Weight-11st.6lbs. Chest-35½-38”. Complexion-Fair. Eyes-Blue. Hair-Brown.

RELIGION

R/C

EMBARKED DISEMBARKED NOTES WOUNDED/ILLNESS DIED

13 Jul 1915-Gallipoli Peninsula

BURIED

Shrapnel Valley Cem., Anzac 400yds SE of Anzac Cove

MEDALS

1914-15 Star-17731, British War Medal-9798, Victory Medal-9756. Memorial Plaque & Scroll-302724.

DEPENDANTS PERSONAL EFFECTS

Money belt, note-book/

WILL

Beneficiary;- Mother

CORRESPONDENCE

G A Arden, 97 Renwick St, Alexandria, NSW

Sydney Morning Herald—13th August 1915 pg. 10—WAR HEROES.

Gosford Times 30th July 1915 A cable was received on Australia Day announcing that Private N. H. Sohier, of Narara, had been killed in action.

Gosford Times 30th July 1915 POINT CLARE (From Our Correspondent) Among the many items that took the attention on Friday last, nothing was more dramatic or touching than the following:- Mr Kirkness was giving a short and interesting address, and the band, thinking he had concluded, started to play, “Let me Like a Soldier Fall.” They played it through, while Mr Kirkness was in conversation with Mr Stafford and a young man, and as the speaker raised his hand to the Band to signal silence, they played the last triumphant, “He like a Soldier fell,” and Mr Kirkness announced that a cable had just been received that Private N. H. Sohier had been killed in action.

Gosford Times 6th August 1915 A cable was received on Australia Day announcing that Private N. H. Sohier, of Narara, had been killed in action.

Sydney Morning Herald 11th August 1915 pg. 10 SOHIER – Killed in action at the Dardanelles on July 13, 1915. Norman Henry Sohier, aged 19 years and 10 months, dearly beloved son of Mr and Mrs J.F. Sohier, Narara. God rest his soul. Inserted by his sorrowing sisters and brother, Mrs M. Duffell, N. and G. Arden.

Sydney Morning Herald 11th August 1915 pg. 7 MEN OF DARDANELLES. PRIVATE N. H. SOHIER. Private N.H. Sohier, reported to have been killed in action at the Dardanelles, was one of the seven sons of Mr Jules F Sohier, of Narara, near Gosford. He was 20 years of age, born at Ourimbah, and educated at Narara Public School. When he enlisted he was employed on his father’s farm. The father is a native of France, and fought through the Franco-Prussian war, being wounded by bullet and saber on a number of occasions. He has no fewer than 57 relations in France fighting against the Germans.

Gosford Times 13th August 1915 The late N. H. Sohier, of Narara, killed in action at the Dardanelles, was 20 years of age, born at Ourimbah, and educated at Narara Public School. One of seven sons, he worked on his father’s farm up to the time he enlisted. His father, Mr Jules F Sohier, fought right through the FrancoPrussian war, and has no less than 57 relatives fighting for France and the Allies against the hated Hun.

Gosford Times 10th December 1915 A GALLIPOLI GRAVE. Lieutenant N. H. Hobbs of Gosford, who has just won his commission on the field of battle, writes as follows to Mr Jules Sohier, of Narara:Dear Mr Sohier – Yesterday afternoon, while going round to the right front to see Tom Humphries, of Gosford district, I noticed the name of Sohier on a grave, and at once thought of your son who was killed. The grave was very nearly covered, and had a row of large pebbles around it, and also fine gravel. At the head was a wooden cross, on which was the following inscription – In lving memory of No. 2826, Pte W.H. Sohier, 4th Battalion, A.I.F. Killed in action 13/7/15. R.I.P. The grave is one of hundreds in a big military Cemetery in “Shrapnel Gully,” which is quite close to Anzac Cove, where the Australians first landed in Gallipoli. You will know for certain by the Regimental No. whether it is your son’s grave, and if so, you can rest assured that he, at least, had a decent burial. Please accept my deepest sympathy, with you in your bereavement. Although it must be hard for you to lose your son so early in his career, still you have consolation that he died nobly. Must close now, with kindest regards, - Yours sincerely, - N.H. Hobbs, 2nd Lieut.

Gosford Times 14th July 1916 IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – In memory of my son, Norman Henry, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 13th July, 1915. He heard his country’s call, He gave his best, his life his all Inserted by his father, Jules F. Sohier. IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte N.H. Sohier, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 13th July, 1915. Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Nellie and George Arden. IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – In loving memory of our dar brother, Norman Henry Sohier, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 13th July 1915. Away in a foreign land, Beneath a lonely sod; Lies a hero brave. Resting in peace with Gos. Inserted by his brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Laura.

IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – In memory of my dear wife who departed this life on the 9th July, 1916 At rest Inserted by her sorrowing husband, Jules F. Sohier. SOHIER – In memory of my son, Norman Henry, who was killed in action at Gallipoi on the 13th July 1915. Too far away thy grave to see In that distant land Gallipoli But not too far to think of thee. Inserted by his father, Jukes F Sohier.

IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – In loving memory of our dear mother, Ellen Sohier, who died July 9, 1916; also our dear brother Norman, killed in action at Gallipoli, July 13, 1915. Rest in Peace. Inserted by Eugene and Laura Sohier. IN MEMORIUM SOHIER – loving memory of our dear mother, Ellen Sohier, who passed away July 9, 1916. Gentle in manner, patient in pain, Our dear mother left us, heaven to gain. Also our dear brother, Private N.H. Sohier, killed in action at Gallipoli, July 13, 1915. Aged 19 years. A brave young life that promised well, At the will of God, a hero fell. Inserted by his loving brother and sister-in-law, E.F. and E.S. Sohier.

Abridged record/s courtesy of the National Archives of Australia (NAA) Series No: B2455 Item Barcode: 11985296