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By *Mayor Tom Peeples thinks Hilton Head Island should take over some private dredging projects to ensure they're done properly *Debate opens on manatee status
19 November 2003 Hi there Gregory, how's life? I am almost ready to sign on the dotted line to an agreement to co-author a history book on my grandfather 'William Harvey, MC' who was the main man. William served on the Khyber Pass 1906 to 1911 then deserted the British army and came to WA with an Aussie mate whom he met while serving. He was a Sgt in the 'Royal Horse Artillery' and when he arrived home he along with his mate Strahan worked sinking dams in the wheatbelt. Then in 1914 they both joined the 'Old Sixteenth' and Will became a signaller. He was one of the first of the sixteenth ashore on the 25th of April 1915 and was at 'Quinn's' and 'Pope's' for his time there. He also ran with a message to the Pommie lines at what we believe was Sulva bay. When he arrived there he was taken to the pommy CO with the message just to find his ex commander from India seated in the bunker and was arrested for desertion. The Aussies got him back and he went on to stay in charge of '16 battalion signals' for the rest of his time on the peninsular. Then he became an officer in charge of battalion signals and won the 'Military Cross' for taking out a machinegun bunker with just a hand gun. When he came back he became the most legendary policeman this state has ever seen and in that time he was a pioneer outback cop etc. He had a main street moonlight wild west gun fight with a armed bank robber in 1932 of whom he shot in the forehead killing him with a .44 lump. This was possibly the last wild west gunfight in history???? He then went on to be requested to serve in the military as the only man in WA who could form, train and run 'Western Command Provost Corps' so this is where it gets interesting for you and the "Sydney Now we know he had a collection of wooden swords etc taken from the prisoners at some time after detention. My father said one pine sword had beautiful burnt engravings of swash stickers etc. As we Ok William's life was extreme to the max so I have just brushed over it a bit to give you an idea of who he was. He was a most respected soldier and policeman who was also a complete gentleman with a way of dealing with people like few others can. His records prove the admiration that his peers thrust That's about as much as I can give you at this moment so I will get back to it. Cheers Gregory
Thanks for your wonderful message, your grandfather must have been both a great soldier as well as a character. I will be waiting to see if his life can give us any extra light on Sydney versus Kormoron, thru his association with the German POW's from the latter. Thank you for your apology about calling me Gregory, its not a problem, has happened all my life, that is the penalty for having a christian name that doubles for a surname and vice versa. Hear from you when convenient. Mac. ( For short and its much easier. )
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