Brave Dad’s war recalled on eve of centenary

YVONNE Leigh has many fond memories of spending time with her father, a man who has undoubtedly remained her hero for 93 years.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Polygon Wood, she will be front and centre at tomorrow’s com- memorative ceremony to pay tribute to her beloved father Harry Schell and the many others involved in the battle.

Yvonne’s father was a private in the 10th Battalion AIF, an Adelaide-based battalion.

He enlisted on May 1, 1916 as an 18-year-old and disem- barked at Plymouth in January 1917. On May 28, he joined the 10th Battalion in France.

Ms Leigh said her father seldom spoke of the war.

“Every now and then, as I remember as a child, I’d come inside and he’d be there with my mum crying,” she said. “He was a stretcher bearer and he saw some terrible things. But a very happy man.”

Ms Leigh said one of the best memories of her youth, in relation to her father’s war service, was Sunday mornings when a fellow returned soldier would visit their home and speak in glowing terms of her father.

After Mr Schell was discharged at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, in May 1918, he named their family home Polygon Wood.

He sadly passed away at the age of 58, on April 8, 1958. TO COMMEMORATE the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Polygon Wood, Cairns Regional Council has collaborated with the Queensland Government’s Anzac Centenary committee to honour Australian soldiers who fell in the battle.

The community is invited to join an official commemorative service tomorrow, including a tree planting ceremony at 9am at the Cairns War Cemetery.

The Battle of Polygon Wood took place during the second phase of the Third Battle Ypres, in Belgium from September 26 to October 3, 1917.

The name “Polygon Wood” is derived from a young forest plantation (planted in an unusual polygon shape) that lay wrecked along the Allied route of advance, destroyed by the huge quantity of shellfire.

The battle was considered a victory, with the Australians contributing to the successful advance as part of the Western Front.

Sadly, there were more than 5700 Australian casualties (killed and injured) in the Battle of Polygon Wood.

Children can learn about the battle, Anzac values and help build the Polygon Wood patchwork tree on display at Cairns City Library from September 25 to October 3.

The display will feature artwork relating to the five Anzac values of mateship, courage, integrity, teamwork and duty.