Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021
Private Patrick John Healy, 19, enlisted in February 1916 but only got as far as South Africa on the Kyarra when he died on 1 July 1916 of cerebro spinal meningitis. Originally reported as buried at sea, he was buried in the Durban (Ordnance Road) Military Cemetery.
For his grave his mother requested the below inscription. As it was over the 66-letter limit, only the third line was used:
‘So calmly he sleeps in the arms of his maker,
Released from all sorrow from toil and from pain,
Forever at rest in the arms of his maker,
And humbly we pray we shall meet him again.’
In Healy's file is the following note: ‘I beg to state that my son Patrick Healy (who is 19 years of age – September 21st 1915) and am giving him my consent to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces. As a bugler in the artillery if possible. Yours Truly Bridget Healy.’
Only four months after Patrick's death, his brother, Private Francis Benedict Healy, was killed in action in northern France. In 1922, their mother, Bridget Healy, wrote to the base records office in Melbourne claiming her sons' medals and they were issued to her.
The Kyarra was first used as a hospital ship to carry the 2nd Australian Hospital to Egypt in November 1914. Converted to a troop ship, the Kyarra carried Patrick and another Auburn Memorial man, Albert Walter Page, from Australia in June 1916. After it had been returned to civilian use, the Kyarra was sunk by a German U-boat off the south coast of England on 5 May 1918.
A framed photograph of Patrick Healy is held by the Cumberland Municipal Library.
Patrick Healy is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- Victory Medal
- British War Medal 1914-20
