Soldier Record

Whilst on duty in France, during a lull in hostilities my Grandfather, Joseph Beattie, was given permission to leave his group and travel to a nearby village, where some Australian soldiers had recently arrived. It was rumoured that there were some "Beattie's" amongst them!

Joe was able to meet up with two of his older brothers, who had emigrated to Australia some years previously, and were now serving in the Australian Army.

Meanwhile, back at Joseph's group, a stray shell hit and wiped out a number of his fellow soldiers. At first, a body was mistakenly identified as him, due to similar auburn-coloured hair. When Joseph returned to his detachment, some of his mates thought he was his own ghost.

If he hadn't gone to meet up with his brothers, he might well have been killed - and I and my family would not now exist.