Harold Pope

First World War Following the outbreak of the First World War, Pope volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and was given command of the 16th Battalion. He took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove late in the day on 25 April 1915 and secured a gap in the defences at a feature that would soon be known as Pope's Hill. He continued to lead his battalion over the next months, including through the Battle for Baby 700 and Battle of Sari Bair. In October 1915, he briefly commanded the 4th Brigade before being evacuated sick later that month. By this stage of the campaign he had been mentioned in despatches and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. part of the 5th Division, which was training in Egypt. It was soon transferred to the Western Front and from 19 to 20 July 1916, the brigade was involved in the Attack at Fromelles during which it suffered over 2,000 casualties. His work was demanding and he had to deal with the consequences of poor management by the previous administration, implementing several changes. Having completed the five-year term of the role, in 1925 he was reappointed for a further term. Concurrent with his second term as Commissioner of Railways, Pope was honorary colonel of the 16th Battalion. In 1926, he served for a year as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of Australia. His health declined and in 1928 he resigned.

Pope died of heart disease on 13 May 1938 in a hospital at Perth, where he had been under care for several months. He was survived by his wife and five children. His family declined an offer of a full military funeral and he was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.