100 Days of Heroes: Tragic day of birth and death in the Venus family of Hobart

SEVERAL of Tasmania’s newspapers on July 25-26, 1916, contained the birth notice for Betty Venus just above the notification of the death of her father on active service.

Sergeant Hedley Gordon Venus is remembered at tree 311 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue. Picture: TASMANIANWARCASUALTIES.COM

SEVERAL of Tasmania’s daily newspapers published on July 25-26, 1916, contained the tragic juxtaposition of the birth notice for Betty Venus just above the notification of the death of her father on active service.

Sergeant Hedley Venus had been killed in action in France a month earlier and buried near Armentieres.

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Hedley Venus’ grave in the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France

Born in Launceston in 1885, Hedley was 30 when he enlisted at Claremont in August 1915.

A cabinet-maker by trade, he had grown up in Launceston and appears to have had an inquiring mind, regularly taking part in competitions at the Queen Victoria Museum.

In 1913 he married Hobart girl Eleanor Hawson at her parents’ home in Argyle St and the couple were living on New Town Rd when Hedley enlisted with the 12th Battalion.

He had been an army cadet for five years as a boy, and had served with the Launceston Rifle Regiment for two years.

Hedley shipped out via Melbourne in February 1916 and made his way to war through Egypt and on to France where he was killed in action.

Sergeant George Venus, second from right, in camp at Claremont.

A memorial service was held at the Melville St Methodist Church on August 13.

In 1933 a donation in the name of Betty Venus was made towards the work of the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue, where her father Hedley is remembered at tree 311.

He is also commemorated on honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall and the Wesley Church.

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Sgt Venus’ plaque on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue.