Roger Francis Hogan
Private Roger Francis Hogan was a farmer from the Karyrie district near Birchip in Victoria's Mallee region who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on September 5, 1916.
After training at the Royal Park AIF barracks, he embarked from Melbourne aboard the HMAT Medic on December 16, bound for England.
Serving as a stretcher bearer with the 29th Battalion, Private Hogan was killed in action on July 29, 1918, during a confrontation with German forces at Morlancourt on the Somme in France. He was 29 years old.
Before his service, Hogan was a talented athlete and sportsman who was well known across Victoria for his success in athletics and football.
He represented clubs including South Bendigo and Narraport and was recognised for his speed and versatility, excelling in sprinting and hurdles. His name appeared regularly in Bendigo sports reports, where he was remembered as a popular and gifted competitor who demonstrated sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Hogan's family and community have continued to honour his legacy through Anzac Day commemorations and memorial dedications.
A plaque in his honour stands at Karyrie, with family and friends gathering annually to pay tribute to his sacrifice and memory.
The story of Private Roger Francis Hogan — a gifted athlete who became a soldier and gave his life in service to his country — remains a proud testament to the courage and character of Australia's World War I generation.