‘Kind, handsome’: wife’s tribute to last WWII veteran

Henry Maris’ loving wife Margaret and close friends have paid tribute to Charleville’s last World War Two veteran, following his recent passing.

A CHARLEVILLE community hero is being remembered as a caring friend and hardworking husband, by those who loved him most.

Henry Maris, the town's last World War Two veteran passed away on Saturday morning, aged 95.

Mr Maris has long been a pillar of the community in Charleville, where generations know him as a veteran, a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, a talented athlete, and a friend.

His wife of 67 years, Margaret Maris, recalls they day the pair met in 1950, when Mr Maris was still a soldier.

"He looked so handsome in his uniform; he was a handsome young fellow with a vibrant personality," she said.

"Henry was just the man - such a kind man, and an active man, who excelled in everything he did.

"He was the kind of person who did many things for other people, always putting them before himself."

After enlisting in the Army in 1942, aged just 19, Henry's first posting was at home in Charleville; he went on to serve in the Australian Militia, before volunteering for the occupational forces in Japan, and later in Korea.

Since his return, Mr Maris had become a fixture in Charleville's Anzac Day services, leading the parade for decades, as his friend and RSL sub branch president George Donohue remembers.

OUR HEROES: Current, returned and ex-service personnel marching during the Charleville Anzac Day service, led by Lawson Alick, Henry Maris and Glen Brassington. 2014.

"I remember him as a young fella in the 50s as the standard bearer for the morning march, and he did that right up until four years ago," Mr Donohue said.

While a soldier first and foremost, Henry led a colourful life away from the military.

As well as being a butcher, a grazier, and a father of three daughters, Mr Maris is remembered as a formidable sportsman and a generous volunteer in the Charleville community.

"He was only five foot three when he joined the army, and played fly half on the Combined Australian Forces rugby union team," Mr Donohue said.

"There is a saying they have, which I totally agree with: 'it's not about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog', and I think that really sums him up.

"He was a very quiet, unassuming man who didn't make waves, but he would always be one of the first to help out anybody if they needed a hand."

Mr Maris had been a long time volunteer for the Charleville Red Cross, alongside his loving wife, and Mrs Maris said age never stopped him from doing his bit.

"I have been in the Red Cross for nearly 41 years, and Henry was Red Cross too," she said.

"We were both in it, and he was always there with us when we were needed.

"Henry volunteered right up until the end, and I'm still going," she said.

His passing came just a week after Anzac Day, which was an important day for Mr Maris; for decades he marched in the parade, and when he couldn't this year, the people of Charleville brought it to him, hanging banners on the fence of the couple's home and offering their respects.

Mrs Maris said they were touched by the show of community support then, and to see more people offer tributes now was heartening.

"His life was extraordinary," Mrs Maris said.

"I think a lot of people loved him, and he was well respected in our town; in the days since he's passed away, a lot of people have come by to pay their respects."

Second World War veteran Henry Maris. Anzac Day 2015.

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