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Pte. Norman Currie Tyrer
Australian Imperial Force 46th (Victoria) Battalion
from:Footscray, VIC
(d.8th June 1917)
Pte. Norman Currie Tyrer, 2001 46 Btn AIF, a tailor by trade, of Footscray VIC, b.3/10/1894 Malvern VIC, Australia; joined AIF 3/4/1916; embarked 5/6/1916 on HMAT Borda A30; Killed at Messines 7/6/1917.
Norman Tyrer, was killed in action in Green Trench (front line and final objective) at Messines on the afternoon of 8th June 1917. The 4th Australian Division including the 46th Battalion had leap-frogged the New Zealand Division, which had taken Messines. Relief was due that evening by a British Divison. At about 5.30pm in the afternoon, a high explosive shell landed in the trench, killing five soldiers instantly including Norman Tyrer.
Red Cross reports later compiled by unit eyewitnesses varied. Some stated that remains were blasted into no-man's land; and others that death was from concussion and bodies were unearthed and buried in unmarked graves at Gooseberry Farm. Several of those who gave Red Cross statements were from Footscray and knew him personally and of his family. One visited the family after the war. It was reported that Private Tyrer had "been in the thick of the fighting" since arriving in France with reinforcements. On the day of his death he had been on stretcher bearer duties and had brought up the rations.
Norman Tyrer was my grandmother's twin-brother.
