MITCHELL Harold Lawson

MITCHELL, HAROLD LAWSON
Q204876/2186a, 15/2 Light Horse Regiment, & 4th Camel Regiment, AIF.
b. 25.08.1891 Moss Vale, NSW.
Enlisted: 18.10.1915 Lismore, NSW.
d. 01.08.1966 Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Next of Kin: Mary Mitchell –Wife.
Next of Kin: Archibald Mitchell –Father
Harold Mitchell was a farmer, 24 years old, the son of Archibald Mitchell and Elizabeth Dimock. He lived in the Eumundi District for more than 43 years.
Mitchell had served 2 years in the 4th Australian Light Horse at his time of enlistment in World War One. He was recorded as standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with dark complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was noted as Presbyterian. He had no distinguishing marks or scars and his physical condition was excellent.
Harold’s first brush with conflict was fought in the hospital at Suez, where he was confined with mumps. He seemed to spend equal time with his regiment and in hospital for some months with malaria, then was transferred to the Camel Corps and marched out for Port Said Rest Camp. He returned to the 5thLight Horse Regiment 23.12.1916 to serve in Moascar and Abbassia. He was discharged 27.09.1919 after being returned to Australia the previous month. He was awarded the 1914-18 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
The Mitchell brothers moved to the Eumundi district about 1925. Harold Mitchell had a dairying property along Sunrise Road at Doonan with his brother Allan Archibald Mitchell. They also farmed bananas and vegetables. The Mitchell home became a popular social and fund raising venue in 1927. Harold played a good game of tennis and was mentioned in the results for November 1927.
In 2007 a request was placed with the Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Water for a hill near Eumundi to be “named after two local farmers who served in the First World War.” The request was granted and subsequently a sign announcing “Mitchell Hill” appeared on Wust Road, Doonan.
Harry married Mary Cecilia “Molly” Bowden in St. Ita’s Roman Catholic Church ,Eumundi in 1930 and they had a daughter, Joan Mitchell. Molly died in 26 June 1997 and was buried in Eumundi Cemetery. Harold’s brother, Allan Archibald Mitchell, also served in the first World War and was buried in Yandina Cemetery in 1960.
Source: National Archives of Australia; Wendy Birrell; Nambour Chronicle 30 September & 18 November 1927; 12 August 1966 p.22; Eumundi History Society.

From the Genealogy Sunshine Coast publication
“AND THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVE FOREVER…”
REMEMBERING MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE OLD MAROOCHY SHIRE CEMETERIES – BOOK 2, THE SMALL CEMETERIES (DIDDILLIBAH, EUMUNDI, GHEERULLA, MAPLETON, OLD NAMBOUR, YANDINA)

Harold first appeared in the local electoral roll as a farmer at Eumundi in 1921