"Died of Wounds 20-10-17"

Re Dvr.H.V.Mauch 1331 14th Btty.  While packing ammunition on Menin Road in the vicinity of Hell Fire Corner, which was being very heavily shelled, a Dvr. named Elder was seen to be hit.  Dvr. Mauch who was about 300 yds. in front, immediately turned his horses about and rode through intense shell fire to see if he could assist Elder. He found Elder and both horses driven by Elder to be killed outright. Dvr. Mauch then prepared to remount his own horses and carry on, when a shell burst at his feet. A Gnr. of the 15th Btty. at once came across to assist Dvr. Mauch, and found that his left arm had been blown off above the elbow and his right foot blown off, leaving his right leg shattered. Dvr. Mauch was taken to the Main dressing station at Ypres and was sucessfully operated upon and seemed to be doing well, even asking for his pipe and tobacco, which were given to him, and he enjoyed a smoke. He died 2 days later after, however, succumbing to shock and was buried by the C/E Chaplain of the 10th Canadian Inf. on 22-10-17. 

... His people reside at Yangan, Queensland. He left Australia in 10th Reinfs. of the 2nd Light Horse. Dvr. Mauch is most regretted in the Btty. where he was extremely well liked, and died of gallantry, trying to help a comrade.

Letter from:- Froude Dvr. E.H. FRANCE, 23-3-18

photo: Hellfire Corner, Ypres, Belgium - 1915oz - Youtube, accessed, June, 2016.

Article below: from Australian War Memorial.

Nev Mauch