C.S.M. James Breeze, 8th Battalion, AIF.

C.S.M. James Breeze, 1345, 8th Battalion, AIF. Won the Distingushed Conduct Medal for his work at Polygon Wood on 20th September 1917.

He enlisted at the age of 24, on 21st September 1914 at Broadmeadows, his next of kin was James David Breeze, 207 Osborne Street, Williamstown, Victoria and he was previously employed as an Accountant.

On his enlistment form it said he served 5 years in the Victorian Scottish Regiment.

He was allocated to the 2nd Reinforcements of the 8th Battalion and embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A46 “Clan Macgillivray” on 2nd February 1915.

He was admitted to Hospital with Dysentery 28th August 1915 and sent to Hospital in Southampton, England. He eventually re-joined the 8th Battalion on 8th August 1916.

His recommendation for the D.C.M. reads:

“During the attack on Polygon Wood near Ypres on 20th September 1917, C.S.M. Breeze did splendid work from start to finish. When some of his Officers became casualties during the advance, he took charge and led the platoons to the attack in a courageous and efficient manner. Throughout the action he showed a fine disregard for his personal safety, and handled his men with great skill and initiative.
At times when the line became disorganised through casualties he showed great ability and courage in reorganising under heavy fire.
He set a splendid example to his men throughout the action.”


He was gassed on 25th September 1917 and subsequently sent on temporary appointment to the 4th Army Musketry School. He rejoined the 8th Battalion on 29th September 1918.

He returned to Australia on 21st March 1919.

Lieutenant Thomas Anderson, 8th Battalion, AIF

Lieutenant Thomas Anderson, 8th Battalion, AIF, was born in July 1886, the son of F. Anderson from Windermere, Ballarat, Victoria.

Lieutenat Thomas Anderson (in the centre of the picture) February 1918.

He enlisted on the 30th December 1914, aged 28, number 1703 and embarked with the 4th Reinforcements of the 8th Battalion from Melbourne on the 14th April 1915 on board HMAT A18 “Wiltshire”.

He was promoted through the ranks and as a Sergeant he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his incredible work on 4th October 1917 at the battle of Broodseinde Ridge. The citation reads:

“During the attack on BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES on 4th October 1917, this N.C.O. who was acting C.S.M. did splendid and courageous work during and after the advance. With 8 men he attacked and captured a pill box, inside our own barrage, which was punishing the attacking line with Machine Gun fire. To do this he had to penetrate our own barrage line.

He rushed the pill box and shot the Machine Gunners and captured the Machine Guns and three men, in spite of a strong resistance by the enemy with bombs and Machine Guns. He also rendered valuable work in reorganisation and consolidation showing no regard for his own personal safety."

He was promoted through the ranks to 2nd Lieutenant on 15th October 1917 and to Lieutenant on 28th February 1918.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his work on the 9th and 11th August 1918, the citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack north of ROSIERES on the 9th August 1918.

Lieutenant Anderson was in charge of the platoon on the extreme right of the battalion and when the troops on our right flank failed to advance, he showed fine judgement and tactical knowledge in forming a defensive flank. He led his platoon with fine dash and personally mopped up several pockets of Germans who were putting up a strong resistance.

When his company commander became a casualty Lieut. Anderson took command of the company and led it in fine style, doing splendid work personally supervising consolidation and fighting the enemy back with Lewis Gun and rifle fire.

During the attack on LIHONS on the 11th August 1918 Lieut. Anderson, who was in charge of the right line company, again distinguished himself by fine leadership and courage.

Throughout the operation he sent frequent and accurate reports of the sistautaion to the rear. On reaching his objective he found that his right flank was in the air on account of the troops on our right not having advanced. He skilfully formed a defensive flank and beat off a strong German counter-attack.

He set his men a splendid example of courage, always leading them, taking his share of the hand-to-hand fighting and inspiring them to such an extent by his own courage that they threw back a far stronger body of the enemy numerically that themselves. He personally supervised the consolidation and established same on such a sound tactical basis that with a very weak garrison he was able to repel several attempts of the enemy to drive him back.”

Lieutenant Anderson returned to Australia on 23rd September 1919.

Sergeant Frank Alberry, 867, 8th Battalion AIF.

Sergeant Frank Alberry, 867, 8th Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his heroic action on 25th July 1916 at the battle of Pozieres on the Somme.

During this action he was badly wounded and had a leg amputated. After he was released from hospital he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he was commissioned as a Lieutenant and qualified as a pilot. He was subsequently wounded again and returned to Australia 20th November 1918.

He enlisted on 24th August 1914, aged 21 at Broadmeadows in Melbourne. He came from Hobart Tasmania. Interestingly on his application form it stated that he had previously served for 1 ½ years in a Welsh Regiment, where he had deserted but had been granted a free pardon.

In March 1916, at the training school he gained a distinguished pass with Lewis Guns.

Below is the official recommendation for the D.C.M.

“At Pozieres France, on the morning of 25th July 1916. Sergeant Alberry controlled 4 Lewis Machine Guns & teams and showed great skill in their disposition. When our Right company “C” was checked during attack this N.C.O. personally took a gun to a flank & by the aid of this fire the Company was able to again push forward.

Whilst the Battalion was digging in, he took a gun forward into a shell hole and gave good covering fire. The following night the Battalion was ordered to establish a Strong Post East of Orchard. Sergeant Alberry again rendered valuable service by establishing his gun on a flank, thus giving good protection for this party. When the Strong Post was established this N.C.O. took a gun there and assisted to hold it during the next two days. He was under constant fire and showed a splendid example to his men. A good deal of success of this attack was due to his splendid handling of L.M. Guns and great credit is due to Sgt. Alberry for this. He was badly wounded whilst being relieved from this Strong Post, and has since had his leg amputated. He had never been away from the Battalion since its formation in August 1914.”

The published citation in the London Gazette on 20th October 1916 reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He controlled four machine guns with great skill and determination and did fine work with them throughout. He was wounded while being relieved from holding a strong post and has since lost his leg.”

Here is a summary of his service record:

24.8.14 Enlisted at Broadmeadows, Victoria, posted to the 8th Battalion.
19.10.14 Embarked from Australia.
5.4.15 Embarked to join M.E.F at Gallipoli.
27.12.15 To be Lance-Corporal.
7.1.16 Disembarked at Alexandria.
26.2.16 Promoted to Corporal.
15.3.16 Promoted to Sergeant.
26.3.16 Proceeded to Join the B.E.F. in France.
31.3.16 Disembarked at Marseilles.
26.7.16 Wounded in action, awarded the D.C.M.
1.8.16 Invalided to England, Leg Amputated.
26.3.17 Discharged ex Hospital to duty.
3.8.17 Joined No.1 School of Aeronautics, Reading.
13.9.17 Attached 29th, Training Squadron as Cadet.
6.11.17 Having graduated as Flying Officer (Pilot) is appointed 2nd Lieutenant in AIF.
4.4.18 Proceeded to France, attached to A.F.C. Depot.
16.6.18 Taken on strength No.2 Squadron.
13.8.18 Wounded in Action (2nd Occasion).
15.8.18 Rejoined No. 2 Squadron.
20.11.18 Embarked for Australia.
5.1.19 Disembarked 3rd. Military District.
6.3.19 Appointment Terminated at Melbourne.

Source : National Archives of Australia

Captain Percy Lay, 8th Battalion, AIF.

LAY, PERCY (1892-1955), soldier and farmer, was born on 8 February 1892 at Ballan, Victoria, son of Edward Lay, farmer, and his wife Annie, née Slack, both Victorian born.
Before enlistment in the Australian Imperial Force on 19 August 1914 he worked as a sheep and cattle dealer for W. J. Andrews of Ballarat.

He was posted to the 8th Battalion and embarked for Egypt on 19 October. The 8th landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and from then until the evacuation Lay continually volunteered for dangerous patrols. He was promoted lance corporal in June, corporal in February 1916 and sergeant next August. On the Western Front particularly, in 1916-17, he showed the remarkable coolness, courage and determination which made him a legend in his own battalion and in the A.I.F.

Lay won his first decoration during fighting near Pozières on 18 August 1916. When the 7th and 8th Battalions attacked, he and three others managed to get into the enemy trenches but were assaulted with bombs. When Lay's bombs were exhausted and he realized that the second attacking wave would not reach the trench he left it, carrying one of his men who was wounded; despite heavy fire he successfully brought him in. When his company was relieved in the front trench he remained behind and assisted the relieving company commander. His own company commander recommended him for the Victoria Cross but on 20 January 1917 he was awarded a Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

For his courageous actions during the 2nd battle of Bullecourt on 8-9 May 1917 Lay was awarded the Military Medal. When his unit was exposed to constant artillery barrage and repeated counter-attacks Lay, wounded during the first few hours, declined to go to the rear until the battalion was relieved. During the attack he was of 'invaluable assistance' and at one stage left a newly captured post to bring in six prisoners, 'belting the hide off them with his tin hat'.

At Polygon Wood near Ypres on 20 September 1917 Lay won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. When his platoon commander was wounded he took charge and led the platoon through a barrage to the assembly position, into the attack, and on to the final objective. The success of the attack was very much due to his inspiration. Nine days later, in the field, he was commissioned second lieutenant. At Broodseinde, east of Ypres, on 4 October he was awarded the Military Cross. After all the other company officers had become casualties he took command during a critical period of the attack. During the final fight for the ridge his unit was opposed by a field-gun firing at point-blank range. Ordering his company to take cover he and two other men worked to the right flank of the gun position. They then attacked with bomb and bayonet, killing the entire crew and capturing the gun. General Sir William Birdwood sent him a personal letter of congratulations.

Before the 3rd battle of Ypres concluded Lay was to again show his courage. During the Canadian attack at Passchendaele he reconnoitred the German forward positions on the Keiberg. C. E. W. Bean described Lay's reconnaissance as 'magnificent scouting'. He was detached in 1918 for special duty with Dunsterforce in Persia and in February was promoted lieutenant, A.I.F. On 9 March 1919 he embarked for Australia and was demobilized in June, soon afterwards establishing a small farm at Alphington, Melbourne.

During World War II Lay served in garrison, works and training units in Victoria, reaching the rank of major. He then remained at Alphington until illness forced him to enter Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. He died there, unmarried, on 28 August 1955 of a cerebral tumour and was cremated. His estate was sworn for probate at £19,459.

An archetypal digger, 'Perce' Lay was greatly admired by his mates. Many felt that he was the bravest man in the A.I.F. and he was often compared to Albert Jacka and others.

Sergeant William Dobson SCORER, DCM, 8th Battalion, AIF.

William Dobson Scorer was a 21 year old Clerk from Essendon, Victoria when he enlisted on 30th July 1915.

During the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge on the 4th October 1917, he was awarded The Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation reads:

“During the attack on Broodseinde Ridge eat of Ypres an 4th Oct., 1917, Sgt. SCORER did splendid work both before and after the advance. He assisted the intelligence office in guiding the Battalion on to the tapes. When the Battalion advanced, Sgt. SCORER maintained direction on the flank in a most efficient manner and when held up by machine gun fire he crept forward and alone rushed the gunners, bayoneted 8 and put the gun out of action. He was wounded in this fight but continued his task of maintaining direction on his flank until the objective was reached when he was again very badly wounded while assisting to supervise consolidation. “

In Ron Austin’s book ‘Cobbers in Khaki’ the following passage mentions him:

“When Chaplain Booth arrived at the RAP to assist the RMO the first man he saw was the Orderly Room Sergeant, “poor old Bill Scorer.” Lying next to Scorer was Lieutenant Goodwin, who was described by Booth as “One of the most courageous officers of the 8th Battalion. Bill Scorer seemed cheerful but we hold very little hope for him, while poor old Goodwin has no chance. We looked him over, he was quite unconscious.” (Goodwin died that day, Scorer died two weeks later).”

Bill Scorer died of wounds on the 24th October 1917 and is buried in Estaples Military Cemetery aged 24.