Henry George Bateman was one of the 55 men who enlisted to the first world war from Myrrhee, but unfortunately not one of the 13 who returned 

The History of Henry's life.

Henry George Bateman was born in the year of 1891 in the city of Port Campbell, Warrnambool. Henry at the age of 11 started learning from his father James Bateman in the study of Horse breaking. after one and a half years Henry had to go off to Cobrico state school, at the time, just out of Warrnambool. Henry attended Cobrico state school for five years. before returning to his fathers farm in Milawa, to continue his passion for horse breaking. Henry lived in Milawa for a further 10 years, before enlisting to the arm corps of warrnambool on the 28th of April 1916. Henry went into action of the 29th of may 1916. unfortunately Henry only lasted another year before being shot three times and badly wounded on the 1st of June 1917, Henry was in the field hospital for 12 days before returning to action. after returning to action of the 13th of June 1917, he lasted 5 days, then being shot a further 2 times in the back and killed in action of the 18th of June 1917.

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About the families after their husbands and sons left. 

There were 55 men who enlisted from Myrrhee, this had a devastating impact on the small rural community. The children and the older members of the community were left to fill the gap in the work force. There were no milking machines, and children had to get up early and help with the milking before going to school. They sometimes had to miss school to assist with the farm chores. Tractors were still in the future. Horses had to be fed and stabled for the work ahead. Older men had to do all of the ploughing and harvesting etc .

About life after the War had finished

 War historians document the horrific battles. War cemeteries are stark reminders of the thousands of young men who lost their lives. 
The men who returned were not the carefree young soldiers who had enlisted. They were expected to come home and get on with it. Some turned to alcohol to deaden their memories. One man would flee the house whenever their was a storm, his family were told not to follow him , he would return later that night, calm but shaken.

A little bit about me.

Hi, My name is Emily Croucher, I am in grade 6 at Myrrhee Primary School. The reason I started to do this project is because we have the Myrrhee Honor board from World War One at our school. All of the students in the 3-6 classroom picked one person from the Honor Board. We then had to create  a website, or a poster (which was not preferable for the class). We started this project about two months ago, it has taken us a very long time to complete them but it has been a very good experience meeting lots of people and getting valuable  information. 
When we first started these projects we all got a family that had a connection to someone on the Honor Board, my family were the Flanagan's.
Thank you to everyone that has helped me with this project, it has been a pleasure.
A very special Thank you to Marion and Ian Flanagan for all of the information that you have given me, it has been a pleasure meeting you.
Thank you Emily.
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