Week 20 - Lancelot Vicary Horniman

[Merry]

Lancelot Horniman was born in 1894 at Shell Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. His parents were David Ewen Horniman and Mary nee Cameron. Lancelot's grandfather, Robert John Horniman, was born in England and had emigrated to Australia, arriving on the Palmyra on 26 Sept 1838. Lancelot was educated at West Kempsey District School, New South Wales and read law at the University of Sydney.

On 16 April 1915 Lancelot enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement Australian Infantry having previously been employed as a clerk in the Australian Justice Department. On 16 June 1915 he embarked on HMAT Karoola bound for Europe.

Lancelot served 4 months at Gallipoli with 2nd Battalion and was present at the Evacuation. He was transferred to 54th Battalion as a Sergeant and was wounded at Fromelles in July 1916.

He attended Oxford University Cadet School in April 1917 and was commissioned and transferred to 55th Battalion later that year.

Lancelot was killed at Peronne, France on 1 Sept 1918. Peronne had been taken by the German on 24 September 1914. On 18 March 1917, the 40th and 48th Divisions captured the town, but it was recovered by the Germans on the 23rd March 1918. It changed hands for the last time on 1 September 1918, the date Lancelot died, when it was taken by the 2nd Australian Division.

Lancelot was buried at the Peronne Communal Cemetery (Grave ref I. C. 24).