Henry’s parents were Henry Percy and Eliza Greathead née Hunt both born in England.  They married on 3 March 1889 and in April they set off on the Steam Ship Lusitania in April 1889 on an unassisted passage arriving in Sydney on 4 May 1889 to set up home in Australia.

Their first son was born on 28 January 1890 but died shortly after.  Henry Percy Greathead their second son was born in 1891 in Carlton, Victoria, Australia.  He was educated at Thurlow school in New South Wales, leaving to work as a shearing mechanic.

He enlisted as a Private into the 55th Battalion, Regimental number 1907, 3rd Reinforcement on 11 January 1916.  He was 24 years 4 months old and 5 foot 7½ inches tall.  He weighed 150 lbs with dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair.  His unit embarked with his brother Frederick on board HMAT A37 at Barambah on 23 June 1916.

He died on 2 April 1917 in Blighty Trench, Le Transloi, France and is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery extension Pas de Calais Plot 1, Row B, Grave no 6.

He was awarded the Star medal, Victory medal No 42444 and British War Medal No 42909.

Two of his brothers Frederick William and Bert William also died the same year fighting in other parts of Europe far from home.  Bert died on 9 October in Zonnebeke in Belgium and Frederick on 8 March in Delville Wood in France.

All three brothers are commemorated on a memorial at Rocky Hill in Gouldburn.

1917 was a very sad year for their father as not only did he lose three sons but also his wife Eliza née Hunt on 23 December 1917 in Australia.