Private Francis Douglas Ernest Aloysius Asker, 8th Battalion, AIF

Private Francis Douglas Ernest Aloysius Asker, 6383, 8th Battalion, AIF was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 4th October 1917.

He enlisted on 14th August 1916, aged 24, his address being that of his father, W Asker, 618 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy, Victoria

He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 ‘Euripides’ on 11th September 1916. He was allocated to the 8th Battalion, 20th Reinforcements.

On New Years Day 1917, he was sent to hospital sick with Bronco, Catarrh and admitted to Middlesex War Hospital on 17th January 1917. After he was discharged from hospital he had a few weeks furlough before he was allocated to No 1 Com. Depot at Perham Downs.

He rejoined the 8th Battalion on 16th September 1917 and he was recommended and awarded the Military Medal for his work on 4th October 1917. The citation reads:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near ZONNEBEKE east of YPRES, on 4th October, 1917, this man rushed a German Machine Gun and despite resistance killed the crew and put the gun out of action.'

He was gassed on 1st August 1918 and invalided to the U.K. 3 days later.

He returned home to Australia on 20th December 1918.

He had two brothers who both fought with the 24th Battalion, 5786 Pte. Gerald Alphonsus and 5787, Pte. Joseph Anthony, who both survived the war and returned to Australia.

Private Albert Attwood, 8th Battalion, AIF.

Private Albert Attwood, 5330, 8th Battalion AIF won the Military Medal for his work at Broodseinde Ridge on 4th October 1917.

He enlisted in the A.I.F. on 1st February 1916 aged 26; he had been born in Kent, England. His next of kin is named as his mother, Anne Attwood from Ivy House, Orchard Street, Rainham, Kent, England.

His address at enlistment was Ardmona, Mooroopna, Victoria.

He was allocated to the 8th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements and embarked for Europe, from Melbourne on 4th April 1916 aboard HMAT A14 ‘Euripides’.

He was recommended for the Military Medal on 13th October 1917, the recommendation reads:

'During the attack on BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES on 4th October, 1917, this man showed great pluck and devotion to duty after being badly shaken by shell fire. It was mainly due to his guidance and grit that ammunition and stokes ammunition requisitions for the front line reached their destination. In spite of heavy fire this man stuck to his work continually passing over the shelled area where most casualties were inflicted. By his careful guidance fewer casualties were inflicted and the front line supply maintained.'

He was wounded in action in August 1918 and invalided back to Australia on 14th January 1919. However, before he left England on the 30th December 1918 at St. Johns Church, Tunbidge Wells, Kent, he married Miss Ethel Reynolds of 15, Thomas Street, Tunbridge Wells a 21 year old, spinster. On the wedding certificate his father is named as Horace Attwood, a Greengrocer.

Source : National Archives of Australia

Lance Corporal John Schmidt, 8th Battalion, AIF.

Lance Corporal John Schmidt, 6142, 8th Battalion, AIF.

He enlisted on 2nd May 1916 at the age of 26 and a farmer from Quantong, Victoria.

He was awarded the Military Medal for service on the night 13th April 1918, during the battle of LYS.

The official recommendation was initially for the D.C.M, but the Military Medal was awarded.

“For gallant and distinguished service in front of Petit SEC BOIS near STRAZEELE on the night of 13th April, 1918. Lance Corporal SCHMIDT was in charge of a Lewis Gun Section in an isolated post guarding a road through No Man’s Land when he saw a party of the enemy about 40 strong approaching. With great coolness and presence of mind he allowed then to approach to within 10 yards of his gun post when he opened fire, killing 1 officer and 20 Other Ranks, the remainder retiring in disorder, leaving 6 machine guns, ammunition and tripods in our hands. He immediately put the captured Machine Guns into section against the enemy.

The presence of mind and great coolness displayed by him enabled us to inflict numerous casualties upon the enemy and gained valuable identification.”


The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918 by C.E.W. Bean, covering the Battle of Lys records the action taken by Lance Corporal Schmidt.

“The first attack on the 1st Australian Division’s new front at Hazebrouck was made shortly after midnight of the 13th’ when a company of Germans came marching up a cross-country lane leading from Verte Rue to the Rue du Bois, across the Australian front. Behind a hedge bordering this lane was a Lewis gun post (Lance Corporal Schmidt’s) of Lieutenant Murdoch’s’ platoon of the centre company (Captain Fox’s), 8th Battalion.

The approaching troops, who were seen at some distance, were allowed to march without alarm to within twenty yards, when the Victorians blazed at them from every barrel, and continued to pour a withering fire into the Germans, whose survivors panicked and fled. Murdoch and some of his men went out and found a German officer and twenty men of the 141st Infantry Regiment dead and five abandoned machine-guns. Two nights later a sixth gun was found.”

He survived the war and returned to Australia. The West Wimmera Mail, 15th August 1919, reports his arrival and gives some extra details of his deeds on the night he won the Military Medal.

“Corporal C.J. SCHMIDT, of the 8th Battalion, and Sergeant C.A. SCHMIDT, 6th Battalion, who have just recently returned by the Port Darwin, are at present spending a few days with their uncle, Mr. John SCHMIDT, of Natimuk.

Both lads are very well known in the district, being sons of Mr and Mrs W. SCHMIDT, formally of Quantong, but who now reside in Footscray, Melbourne.

Corporal J. SCHMIDT, who has seen three years' service abroad, has been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished conduct in the field, having personally accounted for 40 Germans (killed), 8 machine guns captured, together with a number of rifles, ammunition, etc. "Jack" was keeping night guard (while the battle of Neippe Forest was raging) with six of his comrades who during a lull in the fighting were indulging in a much needed "forty-winks". Seeing a number of shadows advancing, Jack challenged the approachers twice, and on not getting any response unaided, lifted his machine gun over the hedge behind which they were ambushed, to a more advantageous position, but right out in the open road in a very perilous position to himself, and opened fire, with the result as above stated, the rest of the enemy advance party of an estimated number of 60, retreating in wild disorder.

"Charlie," who is now only 21 years, has also seen 3 years' active service abroad, and was twice badly gassed at Paschendaele.”

Private Peter Callinan, MM, 8th Battalion, AIF.

Private Peter Callinan, Number 5978, 8th Battalion A.I.F.

He was born in Carlton Victoria, Son of Edward and Ellen Callinan, of 24, Stanley St., Richmond, Victoria, Australia. His father is noted as deceased at his enlistment.

By all accounts he was a good mate and soldier. He spoke French, had a good education, was missed by all his comrades and won the Military Medal for his splendid work at Polygon Wood, in September 1917, 4 days before his death.

He was educated at Christian Brother’s College, East Melbourne. He did a 4 year Apprenticeship with the Australian Land Department and found employment as an Assistant Surveyor.

He Enlisted at Richmond Victoria on 11th March 1916. His age at enlistment is recorded as 38 years 6 months. He was 5’ 71/2” tall, weighed 143 lbs had grey eyes and Brown hair.

At first he was at sent to Bendigo from 13.03.16 until 6.6.16 when he moved to Broadmeadows.
He Embarked in Melbourne on the ‘Themistocles’ 28.7.16.
On 11-9-16 he disembarked at Plymouth
On 9.10.16 he was admitted to the 1st A.D.H with Venereal Disease.
He was discharged on 7.11.16 to the 2nd Training Battalion.
On the 16.11.16 he left England for France and the next day, he joined the 1st A.D.B.D at Estaples.
On 2.12.16 he was allocated to the 8th Battalion.
In early 1917 he was attached to the 1st Anzac Topographical section, but was admitted to Hospital in March and April suffering from V.D.
After his last stay in hospital on 17.4.17 he was transferred back to the back to the 8th Battalion and went back to Estaples.
Unfortunately on the 30th April he was found guilty of two crimes. Out of Bounds and Being in Possession of Spirits. For which he was sentenced to 7 days field punishment.
Finally on 21st May 1917 he made it to the 8th.

Recommendation for Military Medal for work on 30th September 1917.

“During the attack on POLYGON WOOD east of Ypres on September 30th 1917, when his Company Commander and Section Sergeant had been wounded on the way to the assembling position, Pte Callinan guided his section and company on to the taped lines on which they were to form up, thereby being instrumental in having the Company formed up before zero hour.”

He was killed in action in 4 October 1917, aged 40.

The Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files - 1DRL/0428, contain the following reports.

“I did not actually see him killed, he was buried by A.J Wood, of 8th Btn, near Ypres, by a wood, about 2 miles in front of Anzac Ridge.” (Informant L/cpl Cruickeshank, Ward 30 Harefield).

“The Corporal and myself were walking round trying to identify the dead on October 5th and we came across Callinan. He had been hit on the head and his pay-book and identity disc were gone, but we recognized him by his face and two letters in his pocket. He was buried 6 hours later. We sent out a party to bury him. Shell-shot. Not shattered much.. He was awarded the Military Medal, but did not know it before he died. Eyewitness accounts describe him as: Peter, stout and elderly.” (Informant Lieut Hall, 8th Aus. Imp Force, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London.)

“Re 5978 Peter Callinan he was my mate and I, along with another buried him in the field on 5-10-17. He was killed in the heavy fighting of the morning of the 4-10-17. He was a man of about 38 years of age, of good education, spoke French and English, was a surveyor by occupation before the war. Was a good soldier and comrade and earnt the M.M. on the 20-9-17 by his splendid work and his loss was a great knock to our boys. A rough wooden cross marked his resting place, but it would very likely be knocked down after, as it was a lively sector.” (Wood A.J. 6220, 8th Battn).

“I knew (the) casualty, he was a well built man, about 5’10” tall, medium complexion, about 32 years of age, known as Peter. Casualty was in the advance at Passchendaele. He was a scout and went to No Man’s Land seeking information, when a high explosive shell landed alongside of him, killing him instantly. I did not see him killed but saw his body later and saw him again being buried at Passchendale Ridge. A cross was erected over the grave, with his name, number and unit on it.” (A.R Main 6153, 11/7/19).

He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele.

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.