IN the dark of night on August 31, 1918, they crossed the River Somme headed for one of the last German strongholds: Mont St Quentin on the Western Front.
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Eglinton man Norman John Dulhunty was among the 2nd Australian Division which stormed the stronghold, a perfect observation point and a vital strategic area.
On this night almost 100 years ago, 26-year-old Mr Dulhunty was killed in battle, but his story lives on thanks to his descendant, Bathurst man David Press.
Mr Press was asked to speak at Eglinton’s Australia Day celebration on Monday on behalf of Mr Dulhunty and three other Eglinton men who were killed in battle in World War I.
He described it as an honour to speak on behalf of his great uncle and the descendants of Robert Alfred Mayberry, Colin Athol Cox and Ernest H. Hawke.
Mr Press’ grandfather Hubert Dulhunty also fought in the Great War.
“We always saw the photos of my grandfather and great uncle in the house. We always knew he [Norman] had been killed over there,” he said.
The two men lived and worked on the Dulhunty farm “Boomerang” at Mount Rankin before they fought overseas.
“Norman enlisted in June 1915 at Liverpool and was appointed to the 17th Battalion AIF,” Mr Press said.
“He left Australia in August and, after training in Egypt, was sent to Gallipoli for the last month of the campaign.”
Norman Dulhunty also fought in France and Belgium, before being promoted to sergeant and sent to a training company in England for eight months.
“He rejoined the 17th Battalion in May 1918 and was promoted to Company Sergeant Major,” Mr Press said.
“On August, 31, 1918, during the battle for Mont St Quentin and the town of Peronne, Norman was killed and is now buried in the Hem Farm Military Cemetery nearby.”
The Australian War Memorial says this Australian operation is “sometimes regarded as the finest achievement of the AIF”.
Mr Press himself was a soldier with the 1st 19th Battalion of the Australian Army Reserve for 15 years and, during this time, was part of a team that took WWI veterans to European battlefronts for the 75th anniversary of Gallipoli.
“It was like they’d come to say g’day and goodbye to their great mates,” he said.
He also visited his great uncle’s grave.
“I was the first family member to visit the cemetery and take photos to bring back to the family,” he said.
Monday’s Australia Day celebration in Eglinton featured a historical display to remember all 17 Eglinton men who fought in World War I.
