Corporal William Henry Perraton, 5191, 8th Battalion, A.I.F.
He was born 5th July 1895, Son of William Thomas Crooke Perraton and May Kate Perraton, of 11, Princes St., St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. A native of Maryborough, Victoria.
He went to school in Prahran and was 4 years in the 49th Infantry Battalion, Prahran rising to the rank of Lieutenant. ( His service in the Citizen force consisted of: 12 months as a Sergeant, 4 months as a Colour Sergeant, 6 Months as a 2nd Lieutenant and 2 years as a Lieutenant. He passed the exam for Captain in May 1914).
He was a clerk at the Union Steam Ship Company. At Business College he passed the Standard Certificate and won a Merit Certificate.
27th July 1915 aged 20 he enlisted at Prahran, Victoria.
He was 5’ 9” tall, weighed 10 stone, and had blue eyes and brown hair.
He started his military career at Castlemaine with the 20th Depot Battalion.
6th March 1916 he was transferred to the 39th Battalion at Ballarat and 4 days later on 10th March he was moved to Broadmeadows Camp, Melbourne.
23rd March 1916. He was placed with the 16th Reinforcements for the 8th Battalion with the rank of Acting Corporal.
14th May 1916 he disembarked at the Suez and made it to Marseilles on the 4th June 1916.
7th June 1916 he arrived at 1st A.D.B.D at Etaples and joined the 8th Battalion on the 29th July. A day later he was officially made Lance Corporal on 30th July 1916.
12th August 1916 he was promoted to Corporal.
18th August 1916, 6 Days after the promotion he was killed in action on aged 21, at Pozieres.
A letter to his father from the Australian Red Cross, Dated 6th March 1917 States
Private B Draffin, 4485 on 23rd November stated –
“Perraton was a friend of mine and he was killed by a shell at Pozieres. He and a man named Bailey scraped out a dugout in the parapet of a trench and a shell fell on the top of the trench and killed them. I was told this by Pte. Gregory, late of the 8th Battalion now of the 6th Battalion."
And again a letter dated 12th July 1917, states the following:
Private WT Hamblett, no 1035 on 3rd May, stated,
“He was in C Company. He was killed at Pozieres by a shell it was his first time in the line. I did not see him myself but was told this by Cpl. Brown that he had seen him killed.”
Private G F Fletcher, No 3057 on the 27th April stated-
“He knew Bailey and Perraton (whose name he gave before it was read to him) and they were great friends, both being in A Company. They were both formerly officers in the Australian Citizen’s Force and gave up their commissions to come out to the A.I.F. The casualty was at Pozieres- the second stunt- and they were in the trenches for the first time having joined the Battalion on July 29th. Informant (a very intelligent witness) could not recall names, but clearly remembered several men saying that they saw Perraton and Bailey, who went over together blown up by the same shell in No Man’s Land.”
He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La-Boisselle.
Source : Australian National Archives
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
The South Downs Battalions
The declaration of war reached Australia on the 5th August 1914. Within days Colonel William Bolton of the 70th (Ballarat) Infantry had handed over command and had appointed a Recruiting Officer at Ballarat. Recruiting officially stated on 14th August 1914, thousands answered the call to arms and the 8th Battalion was formed a few days later.
Twelve thousand miles away, men were queuing all over England to enlist and sign up for new infantry Battalions. Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War on the 15th August called for 100,000 volunteers.
On the Sussex coast in the town of Eastbourne, on the 2nd September, at the Town Hall a meeting was held to answer the request. Local land owned Claude Lowther, MP for Eskdale Cumberland who lived at Herstmonceux Castle, formed a countrywide committee and recruiting started. Within 56 hours some 1,100 men had enlisted and on the 7th September 1914, the 1st South Downs Battalion was formed. The recruits were trained at Cooden Camp, near Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, where conditions were basic; bell tents for accommodation, the mess halls were marquees and for washing they used wooden troughs and standpipes.
By the 3rd November the 2nd Battalion had been formed and a while later the 3rd Battalion. They too joined them at a newly constructed camp in Little Common and early 1915 saw them say goodbye to the Kitchener Blue jacket and trousers for the Khaki uniform and peaked cap. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd South Downs Battalions became known to all across Sussex as ‘Lowther’s Lambs’ after the Battalions were handed a orphaned lamb as a mascot in November 1914.
July 1915 and the Battalions were officially embodied into the British Army. The Battalion founder Lieut-Colonel Claude Lowther was replaced by Lieut-Colonel H.J.M. Grisewood. They were moved to Detling Camp, near Maidstone in Kent. The close of September 1915 saw them more to Aldershot and in November, together with the 14th Hampshire Regiment the formed the 116th Infantry Brigade of 39th Division. They were now known as the 11th, 12th and 13th Royal Sussex Regiment, but all original enlisters were allowed to suffix their Regimental Number with the letters ‘SD’.
The 39th Division was stationed at Witley and stayed there until 5th and 6th March 1916 when it was transferred to France. It consisted of three brigades (12 Battalions), 116th, 117th and 118th. They started off at Le Harve and then onto Sailly-sur-Lys.
The first real action was on 30th June 1916 at a diversionary operation at the village of Richebourg L’Avoue in northern France. There a set piece battle had been planned to straighten out the line of a German position known as Boar’s Head, Paul Reed has written an excellent article on this attack, ‘The Boar’s Head.’
The Battle lasted over four hours and although initially the allied bombardment had successfully cut some of the wire, great parts of it remained intact. With smoke shells causing confusion, the attackers had to bunch together to get through the defences and this gave the Germans easy targets. When the front line was eventually breached, violent counter attacks pushed the British back. The cost to the three South Downs Battalions was terrible as in reality no ground was gained. The total causalities were 15 Officers and 364 other ranks killed or died of wounds and 21 Officers and 728 other ranks wounded. In total nearly 1,100. A conservative count of men killed coming from Eastbourne alone stands at 47 , hardly a town in the county escaped without some casualties.
It was also at this battle that the South Down Battalions were awarded their only Victoria Cross. Company Sergeant Major Nelson Victor Carter, 12th Battalion, who was fatally wounded whilst bringing in the wounded.
In additions to the VC for the work that day, an officer was awarded the D.S.O., 4 other officers received the M.C., 8 D.C.M's. and 20 M.M. were also awarded.
Afterwards the South Downs Battalions with new reinforcements fought at Festubert, Beaumont Hamel, and later in 1916, Thiepval. In 1917, Ypres, Passchendaele and St. Julien. In March 1918, the First Battles of the Somme and Battles of the Lys.
The 12th Battalion ceased to exist on 8th February 1918 and some of its surviving members were used to reinforce the 11th and 13th.
The 11th was then sent to North Russia in 1919.
For futher Information, see Paul Reed's website on : 11th Battalion, 12th Battalion, 13th Battalion, The Battle of Boars Head.
Twelve thousand miles away, men were queuing all over England to enlist and sign up for new infantry Battalions. Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War on the 15th August called for 100,000 volunteers.
On the Sussex coast in the town of Eastbourne, on the 2nd September, at the Town Hall a meeting was held to answer the request. Local land owned Claude Lowther, MP for Eskdale Cumberland who lived at Herstmonceux Castle, formed a countrywide committee and recruiting started. Within 56 hours some 1,100 men had enlisted and on the 7th September 1914, the 1st South Downs Battalion was formed. The recruits were trained at Cooden Camp, near Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, where conditions were basic; bell tents for accommodation, the mess halls were marquees and for washing they used wooden troughs and standpipes.
By the 3rd November the 2nd Battalion had been formed and a while later the 3rd Battalion. They too joined them at a newly constructed camp in Little Common and early 1915 saw them say goodbye to the Kitchener Blue jacket and trousers for the Khaki uniform and peaked cap. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd South Downs Battalions became known to all across Sussex as ‘Lowther’s Lambs’ after the Battalions were handed a orphaned lamb as a mascot in November 1914.
July 1915 and the Battalions were officially embodied into the British Army. The Battalion founder Lieut-Colonel Claude Lowther was replaced by Lieut-Colonel H.J.M. Grisewood. They were moved to Detling Camp, near Maidstone in Kent. The close of September 1915 saw them more to Aldershot and in November, together with the 14th Hampshire Regiment the formed the 116th Infantry Brigade of 39th Division. They were now known as the 11th, 12th and 13th Royal Sussex Regiment, but all original enlisters were allowed to suffix their Regimental Number with the letters ‘SD’.
The 39th Division was stationed at Witley and stayed there until 5th and 6th March 1916 when it was transferred to France. It consisted of three brigades (12 Battalions), 116th, 117th and 118th. They started off at Le Harve and then onto Sailly-sur-Lys.
The first real action was on 30th June 1916 at a diversionary operation at the village of Richebourg L’Avoue in northern France. There a set piece battle had been planned to straighten out the line of a German position known as Boar’s Head, Paul Reed has written an excellent article on this attack, ‘The Boar’s Head.’
The Battle lasted over four hours and although initially the allied bombardment had successfully cut some of the wire, great parts of it remained intact. With smoke shells causing confusion, the attackers had to bunch together to get through the defences and this gave the Germans easy targets. When the front line was eventually breached, violent counter attacks pushed the British back. The cost to the three South Downs Battalions was terrible as in reality no ground was gained. The total causalities were 15 Officers and 364 other ranks killed or died of wounds and 21 Officers and 728 other ranks wounded. In total nearly 1,100. A conservative count of men killed coming from Eastbourne alone stands at 47 , hardly a town in the county escaped without some casualties.
It was also at this battle that the South Down Battalions were awarded their only Victoria Cross. Company Sergeant Major Nelson Victor Carter, 12th Battalion, who was fatally wounded whilst bringing in the wounded.
In additions to the VC for the work that day, an officer was awarded the D.S.O., 4 other officers received the M.C., 8 D.C.M's. and 20 M.M. were also awarded.
Afterwards the South Downs Battalions with new reinforcements fought at Festubert, Beaumont Hamel, and later in 1916, Thiepval. In 1917, Ypres, Passchendaele and St. Julien. In March 1918, the First Battles of the Somme and Battles of the Lys.
The 12th Battalion ceased to exist on 8th February 1918 and some of its surviving members were used to reinforce the 11th and 13th.
The 11th was then sent to North Russia in 1919.
For futher Information, see Paul Reed's website on : 11th Battalion, 12th Battalion, 13th Battalion, The Battle of Boars Head.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Royal Berkshire Cemetery Extension, Ploegsteert, Belgium.
The village of Ploegsteert is at the very south of the area associated with Ypres; in fact it is not regarded as part of the 'Ypres Salient' by many. It is only about two miles north of Armenitieres, close to the French border and eight miles south of Ypres. To those who served and fought here during the Great War it became known as "Plugstreet".
Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing.
In the Royal Berkshire Cemetery Extension is the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing. This is a circular structure, supported by pillars, around the outside of which are the panels inscribed with the names of the missing. On the top of the memorial are inscribed the words "Berks Cemetery Extension". Two large stone lions flank the memorial, which was designed by H. Charlton Bradshaw, and opened in 1931. The opening ceremony was attended by large crowds, and pictures published in The Times show some of them using the plinths of the lions in order to secure a better view of the ceremony!
11,369 men with no known grave are commemorated here, with their names (as at other memorials) arranged by Regiment, and then alphabetically within each regiment. The inscription on the interior of the circular top of the memorial shows that the memorial commemorates "those who fell fighting between the River Douve and the towns of Estaires and Furnes". The area covered runs from approximately near Warneton in the north (about three miles north-east of Ploegsteert) to Estaires in the south and includes Armentieres and Bois Grenier. The registers for the Memorial give information on the relevant battles.
11,369 men with no known grave are commemorated here, with their names (as at other memorials) arranged by Regiment, and then alphabetically within each regiment. The inscription on the interior of the circular top of the memorial shows that the memorial commemorates "those who fell fighting between the River Douve and the towns of Estaires and Furnes". The area covered runs from approximately near Warneton in the north (about three miles north-east of Ploegsteert) to Estaires in the south and includes Armentieres and Bois Grenier. The registers for the Memorial give information on the relevant battles.
View from the Memorial to the Cemetery
The Cemetery
The (Royal) Berkshire Cemetery Extension was started in June 1916 and used until September 1917. At the Armistice, the Cemetery consisted of the graves in Plot 1 only (which is to the right of the memorial as you look at the cemetery from the road, with the graves set at an angle to the road). In 1930, Plots 2 and 3 were added by moving graves from Rosenburg Chateau Military Cemetery and Extension, which was located north-west of here. This was an unusual circumstance; many smaller cemeteries and isolated burials had been moved in the years immediately following the Armistice, but these graves were moved much later.
This happened because the Rosenburg Chateau Military Cemetery and Extension stood in the grounds of the chateau of that name, and the owner felt that, as he rebuilt his house, the cemetery would stand too close to it. Despite pleas from the British and Belgian authorities, he remained firm, and eventually the 475 men buried there were exhumed and moved the half mile distance to this, their final resting place. In March 1930 The Times reported that "each body, as it was reverently taken from the earth, was placed in a coffin draped with the Union Jack and removed by motor ambulance to the Royal Berkshire Cemetery Extension". This now contains 876 burials in total.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Battle of the Boots.
The First World War is full of interesting stories; this one is about the ‘Battle of the Boots’.
Australian Boots approx 1915.
During the war friendly rivalries emerged over different styles and equipment between the allies. Bean in his official ‘Australia in the First World War’ mentions about the ‘Battle of the Boots’ between the Australian and the British Army.
‘There was much controversy among experts as to whether the Australian service boot was inferior to the British boot. An English report confidently stated that the boot supplied to the British regiments was ‘the finest boot in the world.’
An equally confident Australian expert reported that ‘Australian boots are absolutely the most comfortable ever issued, and the men receive comfort and correct fit’ There was a real ‘Battle of the Boots’ between rival experts, whose reports upon the departmental file make amusing reading and testify to the conflicts which can rage even about plain matters of fact and experience among men who are undoubted authorities in their trade. Lieutenant-Colonel Leane was instructed to report upon the reports, especially in view of a complaint that had been made that 3,000 pairs of Australian boots were worn out after two marches.
A non-expert reading these reports with a view of determining what was the probable truth may conclude that the differences of opinion arose from making comparisons between boots that had not endured the same kind of service.
A pair of boots which had been several times saturated, and the wearer of which had to march in them several miles over rough cobble-stone roads, went to pieces. Thus, Colonel Leane found that the 3,000 pairs of which complaint was made were worn by the men of a division which had come out of a sector where their boots had become sodden; and, after they had marched from the Somme to the northern area, there was no repairing material available. Consequently, when a parade was ordered, 3,000 men were ineffective because they were without boots. But the same officer also inspected boots which had covered 250 miles and gave no evidence of undue wear. He compared them with boots which had been clump-soled with English leather over the original soles, and these showed the same conditions of wear. The best judges were probably the infantry, and among them Australian boots were always at a high premium on account of their comfort. The owner of an English factory, who had repaired more than 60,000 pairs of Australian boots for the A.I.F., and many thousands of British boots, reported that in his opinion the sole leather of the former was more porous than that of the British army boot. But the design of the Australian boot was considered generally to be very good, particularly in respect to the pliability of the upper leather during the campaign in Sinai and Palestine there was never any complaint about the pattern or material. On the contrary, the boot was lighter in weight than the British service boot, and was perfectly adapted for hard wear in a dry climate.
The difference of opinion arose when the wet conditions of winter warfare in France imposed on footwear a strain which was extraordinarily destructive. The boot was probably too light at first, but the thickness of the sole leather was afterwards increased and the watertight tongue made higher. These improvements gave the Australian soldier a boot which satisfied the officers of the A.I.F. and more than satisfied their men.’
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
2nd Lieutenant Thomas James Mainard, 8th Battalion, AIF.
2nd Lieutenant Thomas James Mainard, 8th Battalion, AIF
28th August 1914, Enlisted at Winton, VIC and was placed in ‘G’ Company. He was a 26 year old widower with a 3 year old daughter, Miss Marjory Ethel Mainard, c/o Mrs. R Warnock, Winton P.O. Victoria.
His job is listed as a Labourer.
He was 5’ 9” tall, weighed 11st 12lbs, had grey eyes and Black hair.
19th October 1914 he embarked on the ‘Benalla.’
10th May 1915 he was admitted to 1st AGH at Heliopolis
23rd June 1915 he rejoined the Battalion.
6th August 1915 he was treated for ‘Shell-shock’ recorded as ‘wounded’.
8th August he rejoined the battalion.
28th August 1915 he was appointed Lance-Corporal
30th August 1915 he was admitted as sick
10th September 1915 he was transferred to St Patrick’s Hospital in Malta with Diarrhea.
24th September 1915 transferred to Ghain Tuffieha.
22nd October 1915 he rejoined the battalion.
26th November appointed Temporary Corporal.
27th December 1915 appointed Lance Sergeant.
7th February 1916 appointed Sergeant Boot-maker Serapeum.
22nd April 1916 Reported as sick.
10th May 1916 rejoined Battalion.
7th November 1916 sick in the field with Myalgia.
4th December 1916 rejoined Battalion.
23rd February 1917 sick with Mumps Orchitis and gum disease.
10th March 1917 discharged from Hospital.
4th June 1917 Transferred to the Cadet Training School northern England.
7th June 1917 at 4th Officer Training Cadet Battalion at Oxford.
28th September 1917 Commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant and posted.
14th October 1917 proceeded to France.
18th October 1917 from 1st A.D.B.D to the Battalion 2 days later.
On the 25th October 1917 he was killed in action aged 29.
In a letter dated 13th November 1919, to his daughter:
“Madam,
your father, the late 2nd Lieutenant T.J.Mainard, 8th Battalion, he was killed in action on 25th October 1917, by burst of a shell while holding the line south of Passchendaele, Belgium and was buried 700 yards South West of Zonnebeke, Belgium.
In cases where members of the Australian Imperial Force have been buried in isolated graves their remains will be exhumed and re-interred in the nearest military cemetery. This work is carried out with every measure of care and reverence in the presence of a chaplain.”
The official record of the 8th Battalion:
“2nd lieutenant T J Mainard was killed by the burst of a shell holding the line 700 yards South West of Zonnebeke.” (Major R.R. Wallis, 8th Battalion, AIF).
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele .
Source : National Archives of Australia
28th August 1914, Enlisted at Winton, VIC and was placed in ‘G’ Company. He was a 26 year old widower with a 3 year old daughter, Miss Marjory Ethel Mainard, c/o Mrs. R Warnock, Winton P.O. Victoria.
His job is listed as a Labourer.
He was 5’ 9” tall, weighed 11st 12lbs, had grey eyes and Black hair.
19th October 1914 he embarked on the ‘Benalla.’
10th May 1915 he was admitted to 1st AGH at Heliopolis
23rd June 1915 he rejoined the Battalion.
6th August 1915 he was treated for ‘Shell-shock’ recorded as ‘wounded’.
8th August he rejoined the battalion.
28th August 1915 he was appointed Lance-Corporal
30th August 1915 he was admitted as sick
10th September 1915 he was transferred to St Patrick’s Hospital in Malta with Diarrhea.
24th September 1915 transferred to Ghain Tuffieha.
22nd October 1915 he rejoined the battalion.
26th November appointed Temporary Corporal.
27th December 1915 appointed Lance Sergeant.
7th February 1916 appointed Sergeant Boot-maker Serapeum.
22nd April 1916 Reported as sick.
10th May 1916 rejoined Battalion.
7th November 1916 sick in the field with Myalgia.
4th December 1916 rejoined Battalion.
23rd February 1917 sick with Mumps Orchitis and gum disease.
10th March 1917 discharged from Hospital.
4th June 1917 Transferred to the Cadet Training School northern England.
7th June 1917 at 4th Officer Training Cadet Battalion at Oxford.
28th September 1917 Commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant and posted.
14th October 1917 proceeded to France.
18th October 1917 from 1st A.D.B.D to the Battalion 2 days later.
On the 25th October 1917 he was killed in action aged 29.
In a letter dated 13th November 1919, to his daughter:
“Madam,
your father, the late 2nd Lieutenant T.J.Mainard, 8th Battalion, he was killed in action on 25th October 1917, by burst of a shell while holding the line south of Passchendaele, Belgium and was buried 700 yards South West of Zonnebeke, Belgium.
In cases where members of the Australian Imperial Force have been buried in isolated graves their remains will be exhumed and re-interred in the nearest military cemetery. This work is carried out with every measure of care and reverence in the presence of a chaplain.”
The official record of the 8th Battalion:
“2nd lieutenant T J Mainard was killed by the burst of a shell holding the line 700 yards South West of Zonnebeke.” (Major R.R. Wallis, 8th Battalion, AIF).
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele .
Source : National Archives of Australia
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Private Albert Vincent Gilchrist, 8th Battalion, AIF.
Private Albert Vincent Gilchrist, No. 3317, 8th Battalion AIF.
Australian War Memorial Negative Number H05604
Born at Sunbury, Victoria, Australia
He was the son of John and Esther Gilchrist, of 193, Rathmines St., Fairfield, Victoria.
Height 5” 8” Tall, Weighed 10 st 8lbs, He had blue eyes and dark Brown hair.
He enlisted at Sunbury Victoria on 22nd July 1915. He was 20 years and 5 Months old and his profession was a carpenter.
16th August 1915 he was allocated to E Company, 8th Depot Battalion, Flemington.
16th September 1915 at Broadmeadows he was transferred to the 11th Reinforcements for 8th Battalion.
11th October 1915 he embarked at Melbourne on the “Nestor.”
7th January 1916 he joined the reinforcements at Tel-el-Kebir.
18th March 1916 He was taken to the Field Ambulance with a fever but rejoined the 8th battalion the same day.
26th March 1916 He left Alexandria for Europe.
31st March 1916 he disembarked at Marseilles.
He was killed in action on 24th June 1916, he was 21 years old.
He is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension (Rosenberg Plateau Plots), Ploegsteert.
Source: National Archives of Australia
Monday, July 23, 2007
The battle for Bullecourt, as reported at the time.
The following are two reports from the 'The War Illustrated' from 1917, regarding the Australians and the Battle for Bullecourt.
The articles are from 'The Great War in a Different Light.'
The War Illustrated, 26th May, 1917
The Great Battle of Arras - The Epic Story of Lievin and Lagnicourt
How the Australians Broke the Prussian Guard
The dominance of a hill is a possession of majesty at any time, but when war is raging in the fields below you it is a throne of opportunity beyond compare.
Fortunately for those who witnessed the last days of the first phase of the Battle of Arras there were thrones innumerable. The slopes of the Vimy Ridge, Notre Dame de Lorette, the heights above the valley of the Souchez were the tiers of so many amphitheatres from which the lucky observer could witness a pageant of war which has hardly been matched from the beginning.
Before him lay a grimy plain beneath which are some of the immense riches of France. About him and behind him were the once-glorious woods, the steep slopes down which the Germans had been driven headlong but a few days before, and the villages whose picturesqueness had defied even the dour enmity of coal. From here he could look at his case down into the very streets of Lens, the capital of this mighty coalfield ; here he could see far away this regiment advancing, that at rest ; could watch the bursting of the mighty shells and boast of his indifference — but, above all, could say that the city was doomed and must speedily be in our possession. It was tragic, too, for though Lens must fall, who should say what of its riches would be left to us ?
Inferno in Lens
Watching the city from a distance we saw ominous things. Now it would be the smoke of some great fire rolling up by the cathedral tower, suggesting for an instant that the church itself was burning — anon, a shattering explosion, the vomit of flame and black vapour from the mouth of a coal-pit, and perhaps upon tills the lingering thunder of sonic building which had come clattering down. In the streets themselves, bordered by the miners' houses with their picturesque red roofs, a human being was rarely to be seen. We pictured the townsfolk hiding in their cellars and listening to that crash of sounds which .said that the enemy was seeking to rob them of their poor riches and their bread. There were moments when scattered figures in the familiar grey-blue darted from street to street carrying neither muck-rake nor lantern, but the deadlier high explosive which should blast the pits and bring down the houses about the people's ears.
And all this, mind you, in a sudden and welcome blaze of the morning sunlight, come as an interlude to wind and wet and snow and misery. Men lifted, their eyes to it and declared it to be an omen. The week that ended on Sunday, April 15th, should go out as it had come in upon the crest of a mighty victory. It was actually on Saturday, April 14th, that the Boche was driven out of Lievin, the famous western suburb of Lens, and on the following day there came their great counter-attack at Lagnicourt, which is down south and not far from Queant, about which we are hearing so much these days. This was a bloody affair, and the Australians have never done a finer thing. By a. concentration of forces, which was astonishing, the Germans massed an army of between forty and fifty thousand bayonets and threw it along the Cambrai-Bapaume road between the villages of Lagnicourt and Hermies. For a moment, overwhelmed by the torrent, we lost some prisoners and machine-guns, but, mustering again behind. Lagnicourt, we reattacked with a ferocity wholly remarkable even in days when men are found dead with the teeth locked in each other's flesh.
Coursing the Prussian Guard
Now, this counter-attack was made by picked troops of no fewer than five regiments of the Guard, and the barrage which heralded it was the best the Boche had put up since the Battle of Arras began. That our own casualties were relatively so few is not a little consoling, but our men took cover with a cleverness which was noteworthy, and, although the impetuosity of the attack overwhelmed them for the moment, they were never, in any sense, demoralised. And everybody agrees that their counter-thrust was superb. They charged with bayonets lowered and the wild. war-whoop of "Down Under."
Inch by inch they recovered the lost ground and drove the Hun back upon the famous Queant switch. What his feelings were when he found himself driven thus, not to the openings he had prepared, but actually back upon his own barbs, we must leave him to relate. This was the cold fact, nevertheless. He retreated in disorder, and then came up against that very entanglement he had prepared for our undoing. Screaming and shouting, he now ran to and fro like a rabbit that is coursed, seeking vainly for a burrow to shelter him. And the Australians watched him, and, seeing, they did not wait.
Australians' Battle Shooting
It was a veritable holocaust. Our men, kneeling down in the open, enjoyed sport of a kind they had hardly known during the war. Aiming carefully, they picked off their men one by one, and were unmoved by the shrieks of the wounded, whose dreadful cries were heard even above the rattle of the machine-guns. Fifteen hundred dead and three hundred prisoners were the fruits of this surprising victory. Lagnicourt has remained in our undisputed possession since this memorable Sunday, and the famous Prussian Guard has long since ceased to be a name with which Hindenburg can conjure. This was a fine finish to the first week's fighting in this titanic battle. Of it all, perhaps, the most deadly work had been done in the neighbourhood of Lievin, which fell finally to us on the Saturday morning. Some of our men who fought at Vimy and in the Souchez valley had but four hours' sleep between the Sunday morning and the Friday night.
They had to prod each other to keep awake in the trenches, but they stuck to it to the end, often advancing up to their knees in mud, meeting every kind of trap that could be set for them, and facing perils whose shape was changed with every hour that passed.
Sometimes their work was almost that of scouts. One officer of a Shire regiment, with half a dozen lusty fellows at his back, found his way into the suburbs and up to the roof of a house, whereupon he sniped a machine-gun party that was holding up our advance four hundred yards away. Others wandered around, discovering a gun emplacement here, or there a heave of the black earth which said that Bodies were buried beneath, and that a spade might find them living.
The Bois de Riaumont, the one prominent green hill between the Vimy Ridge and Lievin, had been fortified upon its western front until it resembled the glacis of an impregnable fortress.
Cunning and Courage
We flanked it cunningly, brave men creeping from ridge to ridge, here ducking into shell-holes, there sheltering a moment behind shattered walls and broken trees, until at last the Boche perceived the glitter of our bayonets and fled incontinently. So was it also with the machine-gun posts we named the Crook and the Crazy line. Their gunners shot by adventurers upon the wings, the posts could be held no longer, and once again the Boche bolted and left his equipment in our hands.
It was a great scene of battle this of the Saturday. Far up and down that valley of the black pits the smoke of the heavy artillery and of tlie light loomed and drifted. A fitful sun shone upon once- green fields and red-roofed houses and the shattered walls of ancient churches. Everywhere there moved the grey figures, leaping to the assault, here a regiment, there a platoon — again but a handful of men in quest of an adventure.
An Old Score Paid
And death was everywhere, and the roar of the great guns, and the aeroplanes soaring like monstrous hawks above, and the ambulances on their grim errands, and the prisoners who laughed or cried, or were silent in their black defiance.
"I knew you would come back to us," said an old Frenchwoman, spitting in the face of an insolent officer. "You always said you would." Others, men; crazy lads, lighted cigarettes with trembling fingers and declared that we had made "hell over yonder." All, perhaps, at heart were thankful to have been dragged from that inferno whose very fons et origo was the line Hindenburg had declared to be impregnable.
We had smashed it, indeed, when Sunday, April 15th, came. By the Friday night there had been 13,000 prisoners taken, including 285 officers. We got 166 guns, among which there were eight 8 in. howitzers and 130 field-guns and ordinary howitzers. Lens was still held, but only upon sufferance. Lievin and the villages round about were in our hands, and northward we had fought successfully over the very ground about Loos where we had suffered so many disappointments in the days which will never be forgotten.
The greatest military operation in the history of the British Army it has been called. Perhaps it is truer to say the greatest in the story of any army.
The War Illustrated 9th June, 1917
The Great Battle of Arras
How Bullecourt Was Won
The articles are from 'The Great War in a Different Light.'
The War Illustrated, 26th May, 1917
The Great Battle of Arras - The Epic Story of Lievin and Lagnicourt
How the Australians Broke the Prussian Guard
The dominance of a hill is a possession of majesty at any time, but when war is raging in the fields below you it is a throne of opportunity beyond compare.
Fortunately for those who witnessed the last days of the first phase of the Battle of Arras there were thrones innumerable. The slopes of the Vimy Ridge, Notre Dame de Lorette, the heights above the valley of the Souchez were the tiers of so many amphitheatres from which the lucky observer could witness a pageant of war which has hardly been matched from the beginning.
Before him lay a grimy plain beneath which are some of the immense riches of France. About him and behind him were the once-glorious woods, the steep slopes down which the Germans had been driven headlong but a few days before, and the villages whose picturesqueness had defied even the dour enmity of coal. From here he could look at his case down into the very streets of Lens, the capital of this mighty coalfield ; here he could see far away this regiment advancing, that at rest ; could watch the bursting of the mighty shells and boast of his indifference — but, above all, could say that the city was doomed and must speedily be in our possession. It was tragic, too, for though Lens must fall, who should say what of its riches would be left to us ?
Inferno in Lens
Watching the city from a distance we saw ominous things. Now it would be the smoke of some great fire rolling up by the cathedral tower, suggesting for an instant that the church itself was burning — anon, a shattering explosion, the vomit of flame and black vapour from the mouth of a coal-pit, and perhaps upon tills the lingering thunder of sonic building which had come clattering down. In the streets themselves, bordered by the miners' houses with their picturesque red roofs, a human being was rarely to be seen. We pictured the townsfolk hiding in their cellars and listening to that crash of sounds which .said that the enemy was seeking to rob them of their poor riches and their bread. There were moments when scattered figures in the familiar grey-blue darted from street to street carrying neither muck-rake nor lantern, but the deadlier high explosive which should blast the pits and bring down the houses about the people's ears.
And all this, mind you, in a sudden and welcome blaze of the morning sunlight, come as an interlude to wind and wet and snow and misery. Men lifted, their eyes to it and declared it to be an omen. The week that ended on Sunday, April 15th, should go out as it had come in upon the crest of a mighty victory. It was actually on Saturday, April 14th, that the Boche was driven out of Lievin, the famous western suburb of Lens, and on the following day there came their great counter-attack at Lagnicourt, which is down south and not far from Queant, about which we are hearing so much these days. This was a bloody affair, and the Australians have never done a finer thing. By a. concentration of forces, which was astonishing, the Germans massed an army of between forty and fifty thousand bayonets and threw it along the Cambrai-Bapaume road between the villages of Lagnicourt and Hermies. For a moment, overwhelmed by the torrent, we lost some prisoners and machine-guns, but, mustering again behind. Lagnicourt, we reattacked with a ferocity wholly remarkable even in days when men are found dead with the teeth locked in each other's flesh.
Coursing the Prussian Guard
Now, this counter-attack was made by picked troops of no fewer than five regiments of the Guard, and the barrage which heralded it was the best the Boche had put up since the Battle of Arras began. That our own casualties were relatively so few is not a little consoling, but our men took cover with a cleverness which was noteworthy, and, although the impetuosity of the attack overwhelmed them for the moment, they were never, in any sense, demoralised. And everybody agrees that their counter-thrust was superb. They charged with bayonets lowered and the wild. war-whoop of "Down Under."
Inch by inch they recovered the lost ground and drove the Hun back upon the famous Queant switch. What his feelings were when he found himself driven thus, not to the openings he had prepared, but actually back upon his own barbs, we must leave him to relate. This was the cold fact, nevertheless. He retreated in disorder, and then came up against that very entanglement he had prepared for our undoing. Screaming and shouting, he now ran to and fro like a rabbit that is coursed, seeking vainly for a burrow to shelter him. And the Australians watched him, and, seeing, they did not wait.
Australians' Battle Shooting
It was a veritable holocaust. Our men, kneeling down in the open, enjoyed sport of a kind they had hardly known during the war. Aiming carefully, they picked off their men one by one, and were unmoved by the shrieks of the wounded, whose dreadful cries were heard even above the rattle of the machine-guns. Fifteen hundred dead and three hundred prisoners were the fruits of this surprising victory. Lagnicourt has remained in our undisputed possession since this memorable Sunday, and the famous Prussian Guard has long since ceased to be a name with which Hindenburg can conjure. This was a fine finish to the first week's fighting in this titanic battle. Of it all, perhaps, the most deadly work had been done in the neighbourhood of Lievin, which fell finally to us on the Saturday morning. Some of our men who fought at Vimy and in the Souchez valley had but four hours' sleep between the Sunday morning and the Friday night.
They had to prod each other to keep awake in the trenches, but they stuck to it to the end, often advancing up to their knees in mud, meeting every kind of trap that could be set for them, and facing perils whose shape was changed with every hour that passed.
Sometimes their work was almost that of scouts. One officer of a Shire regiment, with half a dozen lusty fellows at his back, found his way into the suburbs and up to the roof of a house, whereupon he sniped a machine-gun party that was holding up our advance four hundred yards away. Others wandered around, discovering a gun emplacement here, or there a heave of the black earth which said that Bodies were buried beneath, and that a spade might find them living.
The Bois de Riaumont, the one prominent green hill between the Vimy Ridge and Lievin, had been fortified upon its western front until it resembled the glacis of an impregnable fortress.
Cunning and Courage
We flanked it cunningly, brave men creeping from ridge to ridge, here ducking into shell-holes, there sheltering a moment behind shattered walls and broken trees, until at last the Boche perceived the glitter of our bayonets and fled incontinently. So was it also with the machine-gun posts we named the Crook and the Crazy line. Their gunners shot by adventurers upon the wings, the posts could be held no longer, and once again the Boche bolted and left his equipment in our hands.
It was a great scene of battle this of the Saturday. Far up and down that valley of the black pits the smoke of the heavy artillery and of tlie light loomed and drifted. A fitful sun shone upon once- green fields and red-roofed houses and the shattered walls of ancient churches. Everywhere there moved the grey figures, leaping to the assault, here a regiment, there a platoon — again but a handful of men in quest of an adventure.
An Old Score Paid
And death was everywhere, and the roar of the great guns, and the aeroplanes soaring like monstrous hawks above, and the ambulances on their grim errands, and the prisoners who laughed or cried, or were silent in their black defiance.
"I knew you would come back to us," said an old Frenchwoman, spitting in the face of an insolent officer. "You always said you would." Others, men; crazy lads, lighted cigarettes with trembling fingers and declared that we had made "hell over yonder." All, perhaps, at heart were thankful to have been dragged from that inferno whose very fons et origo was the line Hindenburg had declared to be impregnable.
We had smashed it, indeed, when Sunday, April 15th, came. By the Friday night there had been 13,000 prisoners taken, including 285 officers. We got 166 guns, among which there were eight 8 in. howitzers and 130 field-guns and ordinary howitzers. Lens was still held, but only upon sufferance. Lievin and the villages round about were in our hands, and northward we had fought successfully over the very ground about Loos where we had suffered so many disappointments in the days which will never be forgotten.
The greatest military operation in the history of the British Army it has been called. Perhaps it is truer to say the greatest in the story of any army.
The War Illustrated 9th June, 1917
The Great Battle of Arras
How Bullecourt Was Won
"Busy scene behind the British advance on the Arras front, showing the heavy guns being placed in position and fired while the Lorries were bringing up the ammunition and materials for the dug-outs in course of construction. To the left the field telephone was already at work."
This already historic Bullecourt ! What immortality has been won amid its ghastly ruins ! What a month it will make of this May in the year of grace, 1917, when the whole record of the war is before us I
Not, be it observed, that we did not hear the name of Bullecourt before May set in. There was fighting, hard fighting, there on April 14th, at the end of the first week of the Battle of Arras, when Hindenburg flung the Prussian Guard upon the Australians between Lagnicourt and the village, and for the day averted the peril to his famous switch — -the new line of trenches running from Queant in the south to Drocourt in the north. That was the only set-back we met with during the famous week, and its memory was soon to be wiped out by achievements as magnificent as any the great battle has shown us.
It was natural that the German Higher Command should realise the importance of Bullecourt. Here ran the famous Hindenburg line, long spoken of as impregnable. Behind it was the switch, but the switch was not yet ready, and our airmen reported the feverish haste with which the wire was being set up and the concrete laid down. To gain time for the completion of this work Bullecourt must be held at all costs, the precious Guard hurled upon the Colonials, and on the battered fields about strewn with the German dead.
Fighting Amid the Ruins
This must once have been a pretty village, as pretty villages go in the river valley of the great coal-fields. It lay at the foot of a gentle declivity, was not remote from the vicinity of trees, and had a church and cemetery with some pretence to the picturesque. Red roots there were and pretty little houses, and main streets with byways, winding and tortuous in the best French manner. Now it 'is a blur of brick and timber upon a fair prospect. Not levelled utterly to the ground as were Thiepval, Combtes, and the villages of the Somme in the threat battles of last year, it was yet so destroyed that the oldest inhabitant might have been hard put to it to say, which had been the Grande Rue and which the Petite. The very fact added to the difficulties of the English, the Scots, and the Australians who took it so gallantly.
What fighting was this amid the desolation ! Look at those fellows creeping across the beams of a roof which once covered a house but is now a mass of dust and timber upon a shattered floor. They are figures from a new inferno, surely — powdered to the very helmets, their faces begrimed, their boots caked with the muck, their beards unkempt, their eyes alight to the joy of it. Somewhere below them, they are saying, in a Labyrinth of linked cellars running beneath the houses, are the Germans who have been holding on to Bullecourt these many days. We know of their presence by the witness of our splendid dead who lie, white and still, amid the debris. They hide there in the depths to leap up when the opportunity comes and sweep that desolation with their emplaced machine-guns. And the work done, they go down to their burrows again and listen for British steps on the roof above, or wait shivering for the grenade which shall come with a flash and a roar and strew these sorry caverns with the. corpses of them or their fellows.
Now, this kind of fighting has been going on in Bullecourt since the third day of May. It was then that the Australians broke with magnificent dash into the Hindenburg line upon the right of the village, and, despite the fact that they had formed a most dangerous salient for themselves, held on tenaciously for ten days.
"Corner of the battlefield near Arras, showing a “Tank” about to set forth on its ponderous progress over German trenches and entanglements. The “Tank” did wonders in the battle and were little affected by the new anti “tank” guns devised by the Germans to combat them. "
Heroism of the Australians
Nothing could fetch these fine fellows out. Digging themselves in as they could, cunningly taking advantage of every bit of broken wall or shattered ruin that the wilderness afforded, they lay down and waited for their fellows to come on. There were English and Scottish later on upon the south-west and the west, and in these there rested the hopes of these undaunted pioneers.
"Tommy will stick it all right," they said, when told that he had already deserted the village. "And there are some Scotties who will hold on till all's blue," they added, with a conviction which is as fine a compliment as any paid to the matchless troops from across the border.
Well, the men did hold on, and long days of a swaying conflict resulted. Throughout, there was the ceaseless booming of the rival artillery ; now the Germans shelling those trenches of the Hindenburg line they had lost, now our fellows feeling far and wide upon the horizon for the guns which were doing the mischief. Overhead there soared the "planes," the great birds in a cloudless sky who told us of this concentration or of that, of feverish work by Germans to prepare the Queant switch, of men and machine-guns in the labyrinth of the village, and of the plight of the plucky Anzacs who endured ten days of hell that Bullecourt might be ours.
The latter story has been told us by some of them, but it must ultimately make an epic. From the north, from the east, even from the west, the attacks upon them came. Snipers to the south found open trenches and enfiladed them with bullets. There were rushes of Germans perpetually; the grey waves appearing suddenly from the bowels of the earth and leaping to the attack with savage cries. It was "Stand by !" and again "Stand by !" Their machine-guns rattled like sticks upon a railing ; their rifles were always in their hands. And when night came the whole heaven would be lit up with the blue-white- light of the flaming star-shells and the whirlwind barrage would open, and men would wait for dawn with eyes that had forgotten how to sleep.
Yet this was but the preliminary to the fierce fighting of Sunday, May 13th, by which Bullecourt finally was won for us.
We came in practically from three sides of it upon that great day. There were Scots upon the west and English cheek by jowl with them. Dust-begrimed men with sweat upon their faces, they fought from the early hours as demons possessed. Here were things done and seen which shall not be surpassed in the story of the war. Men fought with men as animals in some ruined arena. You saw Germans upon one side of a shattered barn and British upon the other, and their grenades went over the wreck of the roof and men trod upon their own dead to get at the enemy. Every cellar was a possible refuge for the Boche and his machine-gun. And we must hunt amid the brick and the mortar, turn every stone, lift every beam, that the bomb may go down and the dead be garnered.
Guns in Graveyard Vaults
There was no village now, nor any thought of church or market-place or street that Bullecourt had marked upon its map — only this ruin and the blackened figures leaping from stone to stone of it, and the bayonets flashing in the sunshine, and the cries going up of despair or of appeal as the steel went home and the life's blood gushed out. A fight to the bitter end, beyond all description horrible — yet for us a triumph beyond all expectation magnificent.
Perhaps the climax of all this deadly business came in the cemetery, where the graves were opened and the dead flung out. Here the Boche found in the vaults an emplacement for his machine-guns which could not have been bettered. And he fought to the very death amid the bodies and the bones of those who had lived their humble lives in this once pretty village, and had known, perhaps, the greatness and the glory of France, and had believed .that civilisation would leave those white crosses standing until the end. So little did he know of the German, the corpses of whose proud Foot Guards now he amid the broken coffins, and whose blackened faces send even strong men shuddering from this hallowed acre.
We had taken Bullecourt by the 14th, but there were counter-attacks, of course. We broke them up with a barrage which did great credit to our gunners, and but twenty of many hundreds reached our trenches at the first attempt. These were shot or bayoneted to a man, while a later effort resulted in one wretched Boche arriving at the parapet — to ask himself, it may be, if he were really alive, and to find the question answered immediately in the negative.
"transportation before and behind the Hindenburg Line "
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bullecourt, France
The 4th Division Memorial stands on high ground where the Hindenburg Line once barred the Allied approach. The memorial is located on a farm road at the hamlet of le Petit Arbre, which is situated beyond the town of Vandancourt.
4th Divison Memorial
"In the allied offensive of April 1917 around Arras and Vimy, the German line was broken but in the south it held, particularly around Bullecourt in the main section of the formidable German "Hindenburg Line". To pressure the Germans the British high command ordered an Australian advance here across open, snow-covered ground. In the dark on the morning of 11 April, without artillery or tank support the Australians took the forward German lines. The Germans counter-attacked from three sides and forced a desperate retreat. The 5,000 Australians incurred 3,300 casualties including 1,170 prisoners.
A second better planned assault occurred on 8 may. this time a heavy pre-dawn bombardment preceded the assault and, as before, the Australians captured the Bullecourt trenches and held firm on a narrow front near' where the plaque stands today. In a fierce battle they gradually expanded their perimeter despite courageous German counter-attacks. Both sides fought to a stand-still and finally the Germans abandoned the area on 20 may. These allied gains were lost in the German advances of 1918. The second battle caused 7.000 Australian, 2,700 British and 6,000 German casualties."
Bullecourt in 1920.
"The Hindenberg Line at Bullecourt. Three trench lines and communications are here shown, with acres of wire entanglements in the left foreground protecting first-line positions. Beyond Bullecourt runs the St. Quentin Canal and tunnel, which was taken late in September by the Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth American divisions."
The Literary Digest History of the World War", volume V, p. 384
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Lady Recruiting Sergeants.
I Loved this article in the 'British Nursing Journal' dated 19th September 1914. Two young ladies on horse back recruiting in Hyde Park.
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TWO LADY RECRUITING "SERGEANTS."
Recruiting Sergeant is already in our midst.
"Who could resist these sweet-looking girls
Miss Winifred and Miss Ivy Mulroney,
who are working hard on behalf of the King's appeal for recruits.
According to ‘The Gentlewoman’ to which we are
indebted for the use of the block, they ride in
Hyde Park and personally request young men
to join the British Army, We surmise they have
some success."
According to ‘The Gentlewoman’ to which we are
indebted for the use of the block, they ride in
Hyde Park and personally request young men
to join the British Army, We surmise they have
some success."
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Private Henry Alfred Braden, 26th Battalion, AIF
Private Henry Alfred Braden, no.4089, 26th Battalion A.I.F.
Private H.A. Braden is a name that I came across on the war memorial in the Church at Alfriston, East Sussex, England. I was fascinated that a man from Alfriston should fight for the Australian Infantry. On discovering his details I found that he was born in the village but traveled to Australia at the age of 24 and enlisted in Queensland some 10 years later. Anyway here are his records:-
He was born in Alfriston, Sussex, England. The son of Henry and Jane Braden; 25 Winton Street, Alfriston, Sussex.
He was 5’ 7” tall, weighed 140 lbs, Blue eyes, and Brown hair.
At the age of 24 he left England for Australia and found employment as a Laborer.
He served 2 years in the Auckland Rifles.
20th September 1915. He enlisted at Wallangarra, Queensland.
He embarked from Queensland on the ‘Commonwealth’ on 28th March 1916.
He was sent to the 7th Training battalion but on 22nd July 1916, he was found guilty of not complying with orders, being in Salisbury with out a pass and got a 24 hour detention.
Three days later 25th July 1916 he was sent to the 2nd Division base at Estaples and on the 4th August 1916 joined the 26th Battalion.
In December 1916 he was taken sick with a Pyrexia (fever) of an uncertain nature and eventually moved to the 3rd AGH at Brighton.
He was discharged from hospital on 8th February 1917 and given a furlough until the 23rd.
On 22nd February 1917 he married Elisa Louisa Haines, of Battersea London a 36 year old spinster; he was 34 at Wandsworth Registry Office. He changed his next of kin records on 30th April 1918.
On 22nd March 1917 he was temporarily attached to Head Quarters of the 3rd Company Depot at Hurdcott. Over the next few months he moved between 4th Company Depot at Wareham and the 3rd Company Depot until on 8th May 1918 he rejoined the 26th May in France.
He was killed in Action on the 8th August 1918, aged 35.
He was originally buried in Card Copse Cemetery, Marcelcave, on the road to Fouilloy. 35 Australian soldiers were buried there by the 2nd Divison, between July and August 1918.
He was later moved and is now buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, France.
I have been unable to find any images of Pte. Braden. However i came across these of the 26th Battalion in August 1918, a few days after he died.
Private H.A. Braden is a name that I came across on the war memorial in the Church at Alfriston, East Sussex, England. I was fascinated that a man from Alfriston should fight for the Australian Infantry. On discovering his details I found that he was born in the village but traveled to Australia at the age of 24 and enlisted in Queensland some 10 years later. Anyway here are his records:-
He was born in Alfriston, Sussex, England. The son of Henry and Jane Braden; 25 Winton Street, Alfriston, Sussex.
He was 5’ 7” tall, weighed 140 lbs, Blue eyes, and Brown hair.
At the age of 24 he left England for Australia and found employment as a Laborer.
He served 2 years in the Auckland Rifles.
20th September 1915. He enlisted at Wallangarra, Queensland.
He embarked from Queensland on the ‘Commonwealth’ on 28th March 1916.
He was sent to the 7th Training battalion but on 22nd July 1916, he was found guilty of not complying with orders, being in Salisbury with out a pass and got a 24 hour detention.
Three days later 25th July 1916 he was sent to the 2nd Division base at Estaples and on the 4th August 1916 joined the 26th Battalion.
In December 1916 he was taken sick with a Pyrexia (fever) of an uncertain nature and eventually moved to the 3rd AGH at Brighton.
He was discharged from hospital on 8th February 1917 and given a furlough until the 23rd.
On 22nd February 1917 he married Elisa Louisa Haines, of Battersea London a 36 year old spinster; he was 34 at Wandsworth Registry Office. He changed his next of kin records on 30th April 1918.
On 22nd March 1917 he was temporarily attached to Head Quarters of the 3rd Company Depot at Hurdcott. Over the next few months he moved between 4th Company Depot at Wareham and the 3rd Company Depot until on 8th May 1918 he rejoined the 26th May in France.
He was killed in Action on the 8th August 1918, aged 35.
He was originally buried in Card Copse Cemetery, Marcelcave, on the road to Fouilloy. 35 Australian soldiers were buried there by the 2nd Divison, between July and August 1918.
He was later moved and is now buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, France.
I have been unable to find any images of Pte. Braden. However i came across these of the 26th Battalion in August 1918, a few days after he died.
Australian War Memorial Negative Number E02941
11th August 1918, France: Picardie, Somme Framerville
Men of the 26th Battalion resting and reading their mail by their dugouts not far from the front line. Shown, a communication trench leading into the front line forward of Vauvillers, and from which the 7th Infantry Brigade moved into position for the attack beyond Framerville towards Lihons the same morning. At left, sitting on the barrel is Corporal W. Gill, and standing behind, on the left, is Private C. Frost.
Australian War Memorial Negative Number E03091
31st August 1918, France: Picardie, Somme Herbecourt
The 26th Battalion on the road on their way to the front line.
Source : National Archives of Australia.
Photographes : Australian War Museum
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Mrs. St. Clair Stobart - Antwerp 1914.
Mrs. St. Clair Stobart and her nurses set sail in September 1914 for Antwerp, when she returned after Antwerp fell into German Hands the British Nursing Journal on 17th October 1914 gave this report.
The nurses arriving in Belgium.
WOMEN'S NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE HOSPITAL.
Mrs. St. Clair Stobart, of the Women's National Service League, and her fine band of medical women and nurses, had a most exciting time. Their hospital corps which went to Antwerp on
September 22nd, was working in a concert hall at Burchem, in the direct line of shell fire from he south, and close to a large ammunition depot. Dr. Florence Stoney, who acted as medical superintendent, and who with the 'staff has arrived in England, has given to the press a most graphic account of the terrible twenty-four hours under fire, and she speaks with much ratitude of the help given by an English colour-sergeant, T. Cunningham, of Chatham, who behaved splendidly in spite of a bad wound in the head. “Not one of the staff of women doctors, nurses, and orderlies lost her head."
Mrs. St. Clair Stobart, of the Women's National Service League, and her fine band of medical women and nurses, had a most exciting time. Their hospital corps which went to Antwerp on
September 22nd, was working in a concert hall at Burchem, in the direct line of shell fire from he south, and close to a large ammunition depot. Dr. Florence Stoney, who acted as medical superintendent, and who with the 'staff has arrived in England, has given to the press a most graphic account of the terrible twenty-four hours under fire, and she speaks with much ratitude of the help given by an English colour-sergeant, T. Cunningham, of Chatham, who behaved splendidly in spite of a bad wound in the head. “Not one of the staff of women doctors, nurses, and orderlies lost her head."
Mrs. St. Clair Stobart described the escape in the Daily Mail -
"We arranged, if a bombardment began, to remove our wounded into the cellars - three dirty little caves under our kitchen. At midnight on Wednesday the bombardment began. We were roused by a rushing, fluttering sound through the air that seemed to go burr-bump. '' One shot came into the house next to us and ripped the roof clean off. The house on the other side received another shot which went through the middle of it. It caught fire. Another shot made a hole 6ft. deep near the main door of our hospital. Another fell in the road just outside ; another thirty yards away, and another ten yards beyond. They might have been firing at the hospital.
‘ The staff that, night walked to their sleeping place in the convent across the road with shells flying about. But first they had got their wounded patients safely to the cellars. Slight, frail nurses carried heavy men on their shoulders-the men’s arms around their necks. Shells were bursting all round, but never once did I see anyone taking the slightest notice of them. The nurses’ coolness was marvellous. In half an hour all our 130 patients were packed in the cellars.
‘(Next day), Thursday, we found nearly all ’ Antwerp had fled. All the shops were shut; no food, not even bread, was to be got. Not a soul was to be seen. At last I found a motor lorry to take away our six most serious cases. We were left with sixteen, who could not move.
At two o’clock on Thursday we found a second motor-lorry, and on this we packed sixteen wounded, a woman doctor, three nurses, and an interpreter. The loading was done with the shells still dropping around us. “we waited for help-three hours, four, five -and nothing came. Then, in desperation, I went out on the main road, the Chausske de Malines, to see if I could see anyone. Imagine my delight at seeing whirring along the road towards me, at a breakneck pace, three London motor-omnibuses. I stood in the middle of the road, stretched out my arms and shouted. They were carrying ammunition. I urged them to take our staff along. “ If you’ll be as quick as lightning,” said the driver of one, “we’ll take you along. But we must get beyond the bridge of boats before it is blown up.” I rushed into our hospital, hurried up the staff, and in a few minutes we were sitting in the omnibus, right on the cases of ammunition they were carrying. There were sixteen of us. We rushed down into Antwerp and over the bridge just before it was blown up. On the other side we were put down, and after going a short way we found ourselves among lines of soldiers. A Belgian general and three of his staff were there. I went to him and asked could he lend us motor-cars to get to somewhere whence we could get to Ostend. He let us have motor-cars to take us as far as St. Gilles. Thence we got to Ostend and over by boat.”
‘ The staff that, night walked to their sleeping place in the convent across the road with shells flying about. But first they had got their wounded patients safely to the cellars. Slight, frail nurses carried heavy men on their shoulders-the men’s arms around their necks. Shells were bursting all round, but never once did I see anyone taking the slightest notice of them. The nurses’ coolness was marvellous. In half an hour all our 130 patients were packed in the cellars.
‘(Next day), Thursday, we found nearly all ’ Antwerp had fled. All the shops were shut; no food, not even bread, was to be got. Not a soul was to be seen. At last I found a motor lorry to take away our six most serious cases. We were left with sixteen, who could not move.
At two o’clock on Thursday we found a second motor-lorry, and on this we packed sixteen wounded, a woman doctor, three nurses, and an interpreter. The loading was done with the shells still dropping around us. “we waited for help-three hours, four, five -and nothing came. Then, in desperation, I went out on the main road, the Chausske de Malines, to see if I could see anyone. Imagine my delight at seeing whirring along the road towards me, at a breakneck pace, three London motor-omnibuses. I stood in the middle of the road, stretched out my arms and shouted. They were carrying ammunition. I urged them to take our staff along. “ If you’ll be as quick as lightning,” said the driver of one, “we’ll take you along. But we must get beyond the bridge of boats before it is blown up.” I rushed into our hospital, hurried up the staff, and in a few minutes we were sitting in the omnibus, right on the cases of ammunition they were carrying. There were sixteen of us. We rushed down into Antwerp and over the bridge just before it was blown up. On the other side we were put down, and after going a short way we found ourselves among lines of soldiers. A Belgian general and three of his staff were there. I went to him and asked could he lend us motor-cars to get to somewhere whence we could get to Ostend. He let us have motor-cars to take us as far as St. Gilles. Thence we got to Ostend and over by boat.”
Photos from - The Great War in Different Light
Friday, July 13, 2007
Lieutenant Horace Lisle Rintel, 8th Battalion, AIF.
Lieutenant Horace Lisle Rintel, 8th Battalion. A.I.F.
He was born on 26th August 1891, at Clunes Victoria, Son of Henri and Jane Rintel, of Warragul, Victoria, Australia
He was 5’ 11”, weighed 12st 10lbs, and had brown eyes and brown hair.
He attended Melbourne University, where the qualified as a Bachelor of Arts - Diploma of Education. He was in his 3rd year as a Bachelor of Law.
He was working at the time of his enlistment as a teacher.
He was 11 years a member of the Senior Cadets and in 1909 passed an exam which made him a Lieutenant.
He enlisted at Warragul, Victoria on 20th July 1915.
On 17th November 1916 he was secretly married to married Gwendoline of ‘Fairlight’, Girls Grammar School, Alma Road, East St. Kilda, Victoria, without the knowledge of his family.
He embarked at Melbourne on the ‘Hororata’ on 23rd November 1916, and disembarked on 29th January 1917 at Devonport.
30th January 1917 was sent to 2nd Training Battalion at Durrington.
20th April 1917 joined 1st A.D.B.D at Estaples.
11th May 1917 joined the 8th Battalion.
2nd August 1917 promoted to Lieutenant.
On 20 September 1917 Aged 26, he was killed in action.
The official report read:-
“Killed in Action 20-9-917- Killed instantaneously by a shell in the advance about 800 yards East of Clapham Junction, Belgium”. (Major. R.R. Wallis O.C. 8th Btn.)
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Source - National Archives of Australia
He was born on 26th August 1891, at Clunes Victoria, Son of Henri and Jane Rintel, of Warragul, Victoria, Australia
He was 5’ 11”, weighed 12st 10lbs, and had brown eyes and brown hair.
He attended Melbourne University, where the qualified as a Bachelor of Arts - Diploma of Education. He was in his 3rd year as a Bachelor of Law.
He was working at the time of his enlistment as a teacher.
He was 11 years a member of the Senior Cadets and in 1909 passed an exam which made him a Lieutenant.
He enlisted at Warragul, Victoria on 20th July 1915.
On 17th November 1916 he was secretly married to married Gwendoline of ‘Fairlight’, Girls Grammar School, Alma Road, East St. Kilda, Victoria, without the knowledge of his family.
He embarked at Melbourne on the ‘Hororata’ on 23rd November 1916, and disembarked on 29th January 1917 at Devonport.
30th January 1917 was sent to 2nd Training Battalion at Durrington.
20th April 1917 joined 1st A.D.B.D at Estaples.
11th May 1917 joined the 8th Battalion.
2nd August 1917 promoted to Lieutenant.
On 20 September 1917 Aged 26, he was killed in action.
The official report read:-
“Killed in Action 20-9-917- Killed instantaneously by a shell in the advance about 800 yards East of Clapham Junction, Belgium”. (Major. R.R. Wallis O.C. 8th Btn.)
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Source - National Archives of Australia
Australian War Memorial Negative Number E01031
Western Front: Western Front (Belgium), Ypres Area Ypres .
This photograph is dated 20th September 1917, the very day Lieut. Rintel was killed.
He was killed just 800 yards east of Clapham Junction.
"Australian soldiers occupying a position at Clapham Junction, in the Ypres sector when the 1st Division with the 2nd Division in support, advanced over the enemy positions at Glencourse Wood, Nonne Bosschen and the western position of Polygon Wood."
Source - Australian War Memorial
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Private Archibald Sneddon, 8th Battalion, AIF.
Private Archibald Sneddon, no. 5231, 8th Battalion A.I.F.
He was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The son of William and Emily Sneddon, 8 Boyle Street, Ballarat East. (Father Deceased at time of enlistment).
He went to State School at Godden Point and was a Blacksmith by trade.
He served in the 7th A.I.R for five years prior to the war.
On the 29th January 1916 he enlisted at Ballarat East, Victoria, aged 38 years 1 month.
He was 5’ 11” in height, weighed 150 lbs, had blue eyes and dark hair.
1st April 1916 embarked at Melbourne on the Suffolk.
14th May 1916, He disembarked from the ‘Suffolk’ at the Suez for the 2nd Training Battalion.
31st May 1916 He embarked on the ‘Huntsgreen’ for England.
12th June 1916 he disembarked at Plymouth and proceeded to the 2nd Training battalion at Perhams Downs.
29th August 1916 sent to France, arrives the next day at Estaples.
10th September 1916 joins the 8th Battalion.
He was killed in action on 20th September 1917 at Polygon Wood aged 39.
The Red Cross reports of his death state the following:
“I knew the casualty, he was of medium complexion, slim build, 5’9” in height, 40 years of age, known as ‘Archie’. He went away with the 16th Reinforcements.
The casualty was taking part in an attack on a trench between two posts at Ypres, whena shell landed near him, a piece entering his body. We carried him out on a waterproof sheet, but he only lived for about 20 minutes. He died at Battalion Headquarters Clapham Junction, Ypres. We left him there and I do not know where he was buried.” (C. Winchcombe, 7172,)
“On September 29th Sneddon , who was in B company was at Menin gate and went over for an attack on the German lines. I was just behind his company and while we were advancing the shelling was very heavy and Sneddon was hit by a piece of shrapnel and though I did not see him fall word was given to me by men of his won platoon that he was killed. There were a great number of casualties at the time and I am afraid there was no chance of his being taken out for burial and he must have been put under with a good many others on the spot.” (W. Whittington, 5256, 8.C.I.).
“We were dug into a trench and cramped for room so he jumped into a shell hole alongside us, at Polygon Wood and half an hour after a German shell landed fairly in the hole, and he was badly wounded. He was carried away and died at the dressing station. We had gained the ground and were consolidating.” Description – tall, dark moustache, thin. (Lieut. Hall, 8th AIF).
“I knew the casualty, he was a tall man, slightly built, dark complexion, about 30 years of age, known as Archie. He was advancing on Polygon Wood, I was in the same advance, an High Explosive shell exploded near the casualty, killing him instantly. I saw him fall and I passed his body as I was going forward. He was most severely wounded about the face, but I do not know where he was buried.” (J. Boot, 5342).
Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Source - National Archives of Australia
He was born in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. The son of William and Emily Sneddon, 8 Boyle Street, Ballarat East. (Father Deceased at time of enlistment).
He went to State School at Godden Point and was a Blacksmith by trade.
He served in the 7th A.I.R for five years prior to the war.
On the 29th January 1916 he enlisted at Ballarat East, Victoria, aged 38 years 1 month.
He was 5’ 11” in height, weighed 150 lbs, had blue eyes and dark hair.
1st April 1916 embarked at Melbourne on the Suffolk.
14th May 1916, He disembarked from the ‘Suffolk’ at the Suez for the 2nd Training Battalion.
31st May 1916 He embarked on the ‘Huntsgreen’ for England.
12th June 1916 he disembarked at Plymouth and proceeded to the 2nd Training battalion at Perhams Downs.
29th August 1916 sent to France, arrives the next day at Estaples.
10th September 1916 joins the 8th Battalion.
He was killed in action on 20th September 1917 at Polygon Wood aged 39.
The Red Cross reports of his death state the following:
“I knew the casualty, he was of medium complexion, slim build, 5’9” in height, 40 years of age, known as ‘Archie’. He went away with the 16th Reinforcements.
The casualty was taking part in an attack on a trench between two posts at Ypres, whena shell landed near him, a piece entering his body. We carried him out on a waterproof sheet, but he only lived for about 20 minutes. He died at Battalion Headquarters Clapham Junction, Ypres. We left him there and I do not know where he was buried.” (C. Winchcombe, 7172,)
“On September 29th Sneddon , who was in B company was at Menin gate and went over for an attack on the German lines. I was just behind his company and while we were advancing the shelling was very heavy and Sneddon was hit by a piece of shrapnel and though I did not see him fall word was given to me by men of his won platoon that he was killed. There were a great number of casualties at the time and I am afraid there was no chance of his being taken out for burial and he must have been put under with a good many others on the spot.” (W. Whittington, 5256, 8.C.I.).
“We were dug into a trench and cramped for room so he jumped into a shell hole alongside us, at Polygon Wood and half an hour after a German shell landed fairly in the hole, and he was badly wounded. He was carried away and died at the dressing station. We had gained the ground and were consolidating.” Description – tall, dark moustache, thin. (Lieut. Hall, 8th AIF).
“I knew the casualty, he was a tall man, slightly built, dark complexion, about 30 years of age, known as Archie. He was advancing on Polygon Wood, I was in the same advance, an High Explosive shell exploded near the casualty, killing him instantly. I saw him fall and I passed his body as I was going forward. He was most severely wounded about the face, but I do not know where he was buried.” (J. Boot, 5342).
Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Source - National Archives of Australia
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial ground for the dead of World War I located in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front
The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.
It is the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, for any war. The cemetery and its surrounding memorial are located outside of Passchendaele, near Zonnebeke in Belgium.
It is the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, for any war. The cemetery and its surrounding memorial are located outside of Passchendaele, near Zonnebeke in Belgium.
The name "Tyne Cot" is said to come from the Northumberland Fusiliers seeing a resemblance between the German concrete pill boxes, which still stand in the middle of the cemetery, and typical Tyneside workers' cottages - Tyne Cots.
The cemetery lies on a broad rise in the landscape which overlooks the surrounding countryside. As such, it was strategically important to both sides fighting in the area. The area was captured by the 3rd Australian Division, 1 AIF, on 4 October 1917 and two days later a cemetery for British and Canadian war dead was begun. The cemetery was recaptured by German forces on 13 April 1918 and was finally liberated by Belgian forces on 28 September.
After the Armistice in November 1918 the cemetery was massively enlarged from its original 343 graves by concentrating graves from the battlefields, smaller cemeteries nearby and from Langemark.
The cemetery lies on a broad rise in the landscape which overlooks the surrounding countryside. As such, it was strategically important to both sides fighting in the area. The area was captured by the 3rd Australian Division, 1 AIF, on 4 October 1917 and two days later a cemetery for British and Canadian war dead was begun. The cemetery was recaptured by German forces on 13 April 1918 and was finally liberated by Belgian forces on 28 September.
After the Armistice in November 1918 the cemetery was massively enlarged from its original 343 graves by concentrating graves from the battlefields, smaller cemeteries nearby and from Langemark.
The "Cross of Sacrifice" that marks most CWGC cemeteries was built on top of a German pill box in the centre of the cemetery, purportedly at the suggestion of King George V of the United Kingdom, who visited the cemetery in 1922 as it neared completion.
The Inscription reads:THIS WAS THE
TYNE COT BLOCKHOUSE
CAPTURED BY THE
3rd AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
4th OCTOBER 1917
Until the mid 1990s the capture of the blockhouse was mistakenly attributed to the 2nd Australian Division. Correspondence with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission resulted in an amendment being made in the engraved stone tablet, where "2nd" was changed to "3rd".
The Memorial to the Missing.
The stone wall surrounding the cemetery makes up the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. On completion of the Menin Gate memorial to the missing in Ypres, it was discovered to be too small to contain all the names as originally planned.
An arbitrary cut-off point of 15 August 1917 was chosen and the names of the UK missing after this date were inscribed on the Tyne Cot memorial instead. Additionally, the New Zealand contingent of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission declined to have its missing soldiers names listed on the main memorials, choosing instead to have names listed near the appropriate battles. Tyne Cot was chosen as one of these locations.
The memorial contains the names of 33,783 soldiers of the UK forces, plus a further 1,176 New Zealanders. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, with sculptures by F V Blundstone, who also sculpted part of the Newfoundland National War Memorial
Soldiers of 8th Battalion, AIF, buried here.
Beard LCE Pte, 1717, 20.09.17.
Callinan P Pte, 5978, 04.09.17.
Chitty SB Pte, 2341, 25.10.17.
Long SV Pte, 5715, 25.10.17.
Mainard TJ 2nd Lieut, 26.10.17
Mehegan TWJ Cpl, 3716, 25.10.17.
Mundy PRR Pte, 7019, 04.10.17.
Ramage NM Pte, 2760, 25.10.17.
Rintel HL Lieut, 20.09.17.
Schunke EE Cpl, 717, 25.10.17.
Sneddon A Pte, 5231, 20.09.17.
Stent RG, Pte 4230, 25.10.17
Stone ER Pte, 6346, 20.09.17
Wallin OW Pte, 2317, 20.09.17.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Private Norman Marshall Ramage, 8th Battalion, AIF.
Private Norman Marshall Ramage (2760) 8th Battalion A.I.F.
Australian War Memorial Negative Number DA11730
He was the son of John and Dinah Ramage, of Bayswater, Victoria, Australia.
He is remember, “Who answered the call of duty and died as he believed a Patriot and a man.”
He went to school at State School Bayswater and was employed as a farmer and land owner.
On 16th July 1915 he enlisted at Bayswater, Victoria at the age of 22 and 1 month.
He is described as height 6’0”, weight 12 Stone, blue eyes and brown hair.
He embarked on the “Ulysses” at Melbourne on 27th October 1915.
24th February 1916 he was allocated to 8th Battalion from the 24th Battalion.
26th March 1916 left Alexandria on the “Megantic” for France
31st March 1916 arrived at Marsailles.
18th October 1916 he was sent to hospital with a Blistered Ankle.
26th October 1916 He embarked on “St. Denis” at Boulogue for England for hospital.
27th October admitted to 3rd Northern. General Hospital – with Blistered Ankle
22nd November 1916 transferred to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital
3rd December 1916 Discharged from hospital to Weymouth.
5th December 1916 sent to No.2 Company Depot at Southall.
23rd March 1917 transferred to 65th battalion and on 19th September transferred back.
14th October 1917 proceeded to France
18th October 1917 he re joins the 8th Battalion.
25th October 1917 he is Killed in Action, aged 24.
The Red Cross reports of his death state the following: -
“Was in D Company 13th Platoon, called “Norman”. He was going along a communication trench at Passchendaele on October 25th when a shell got him and killed him instantly. He was very badly knocked about. He was buried in the communication trench near where knocked. I did not see it happen and the person who was with Ramage at the time and saw it has since been killed. He told me about it. I know the above information is correct and the orderly Sgt. 6th Battalion France can verify my statement. He has a complete record of Ramage’s Death and Burial.” (Sgt. G.R. Short 8th Battalion).
“We regret to inform you that we have received two further unofficial reports, respecting your brother-in-law – 2760 Pte. H.M.Ramage which though very unsatisfactory, confirm the report of his death.
2783 Sgt. G.R.Short, of the same unit, interviewed in hospital in England, stated he knows Pte. Ramage was killed by a shell, but he did not witness the csulaty and – 3049 Pte Jenkins stated that he knows for a fact from enquires made among the men, that Pte. Ramage and another were killed near Passchendaele on 29-10-17.”
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, Belgium.
Source - National Archives of Australia
Photograph - Australian War Museum.
The Life Expectancy of a Junior Officer.
There has been a common legend that the life expectation of a junior Officer in a front line battalion was only 3 weeks. While it is true that battalions suffered severe losses, Martin Middlebrook in his book 'The Kaiser Battle' points out that the 3 week life expectation is an exaggeration.
He studied an Infantry bridage in the 17th Northern Division. The 10th West Yorks was the 1st Btn listed it served on the Western Front from Aug 1915 until the Armistice, taking part in all the major battles.
It was found that 174 officers joined the battalion as lieutenants or 2nd lieutenants. After the allowances for temporary absence had been made, it was found that the average subaltern spent not 3 weeks but 6-17 months of front line service with the battalion before becoming a casualty or leaving for some other reason. Only 1 in 5 of these subalterns was actually killed and almost half left the battalion unhurt.
Killed 37 (21.3%)
Wounded 48 (27.6%)
Prisoners 6 (3.4%)
Other Reasons 83 (47.7%)
The 'wounded' total does not include those slightly wounded who returned to the battalion. The 'other reasons' include transfer to other units usually trench-mortar, machine-gun, tank or flying units those officers returned to England for various reasons, and those still with the unit at the Armistice. The shortest stay was 2nd Lieutenant Banks who arrives at the battalion on 23 August 1918 and was killed 4 days later.
Although these figures debunk the '3 week theory' it should not be forgotten that the figure of 174 subalterns serving with the 10th West Yorks during a period of 38 months service on the Western Front shows that the battalion had to replace its original complement of junior offices 6 times.
In contrast no 56 squadron RFC which served on the Western Front April 1917 until the Armistice.A total of 109 pilots were included in the survey; a further small number, who were transferred to other squadrons almost as soon as they arrived or who returned home, presumably as unsuitable for front line duties. The average stay with the squadron worked out at 10 weeks. five days.
Killed 45 (41.3%)
Wounded 17 (15.6%)
Prisoners 31 (28.4%)
To home establishments 16 (14.7%)
It can be seen that comparing the 10th West Yorks to the 56 Squadron, being a pilot was far more hazardous that a front line junior officer.
A junior Officer could hope for a stay of 6-17 months, while you were lucky to last beyond 11 weeks as a pilot and if you were not killed, it was more that likely you would be captured.
He studied an Infantry bridage in the 17th Northern Division. The 10th West Yorks was the 1st Btn listed it served on the Western Front from Aug 1915 until the Armistice, taking part in all the major battles.
It was found that 174 officers joined the battalion as lieutenants or 2nd lieutenants. After the allowances for temporary absence had been made, it was found that the average subaltern spent not 3 weeks but 6-17 months of front line service with the battalion before becoming a casualty or leaving for some other reason. Only 1 in 5 of these subalterns was actually killed and almost half left the battalion unhurt.
Killed 37 (21.3%)
Wounded 48 (27.6%)
Prisoners 6 (3.4%)
Other Reasons 83 (47.7%)
The 'wounded' total does not include those slightly wounded who returned to the battalion. The 'other reasons' include transfer to other units usually trench-mortar, machine-gun, tank or flying units those officers returned to England for various reasons, and those still with the unit at the Armistice. The shortest stay was 2nd Lieutenant Banks who arrives at the battalion on 23 August 1918 and was killed 4 days later.
Although these figures debunk the '3 week theory' it should not be forgotten that the figure of 174 subalterns serving with the 10th West Yorks during a period of 38 months service on the Western Front shows that the battalion had to replace its original complement of junior offices 6 times.
In contrast no 56 squadron RFC which served on the Western Front April 1917 until the Armistice.A total of 109 pilots were included in the survey; a further small number, who were transferred to other squadrons almost as soon as they arrived or who returned home, presumably as unsuitable for front line duties. The average stay with the squadron worked out at 10 weeks. five days.
Killed 45 (41.3%)
Wounded 17 (15.6%)
Prisoners 31 (28.4%)
To home establishments 16 (14.7%)
It can be seen that comparing the 10th West Yorks to the 56 Squadron, being a pilot was far more hazardous that a front line junior officer.
A junior Officer could hope for a stay of 6-17 months, while you were lucky to last beyond 11 weeks as a pilot and if you were not killed, it was more that likely you would be captured.
Monday, July 09, 2007
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
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
Friday, July 06, 2007
Nelson Victor Carter, VC
Nelson Victor Carter was born at Eastbourne on the 9th April 1887 and was educated at Hailsham. In December 1902 he enlisted under the name of Nelson Smith into the Royal Field Artillery, where he attained the rank of Bombardier, but was discharged on the 17th August 1903 as medically unfit. Declared fully fit in August 1906 he again enlisted into the RFA and served three years with the regiment. However, whilst on service with the RFA in Singapore he was once again declared medically unfit and returned to England and discharged.
On Friday 13 October 1911 he married Catherine Camfield at St Mary's Parish Church in Old Town, Eastbourne and they set up home at 33 Greys Road, Eastbourne. He then went on to work, following a serious operation in 1912, as a commissionaire at the Old Town Cinema in the High Street, Eastbourne.
At the outbreak of war, he joined the Southdown Battalions in September 1914; he was promoted to corporal on the same day, then sergeant and later Warrant Officer Class II. He was sent to France attached to 'A' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
He distinguished himself on 30th June 1916 at the battle of Richbourg.
CSM Carter took the fourth wave into action under heavy shell and machine gun fire. Bombing matches took place, but after heavy casualties were suffered the men were forced to withdraw. He attacked a machine gun post which was causing particular trouble, shot one, or more, of the crew with his pistol before, apparently, turning the machine gun on the Germans. This bought much needed time to withdraw safely, and with this having been done he finally left the position.
The action in the support line had lasted only thirty minutes. He continued to aid in the withdrawal to the first line, and later in the day, whilst bringing in the wounded, was shot in the chest, dying almost immediately. For his actions that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Citation read as follows:
London Gazette, 9 September 1916,
Boar's Head, Richebourg l'Avoué, France, 30 June 1916, Company Sergeant-Major Nelson Victor Carter, 4th Company, 12th Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment.
"For most conspicuous bravery. During an Attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent."
This is a part of a letter written by Lieutenant Howard Robinson, Carter's Company Commander to his wife.
"When I last saw him he was close to the German line, acting as leader to a small party of four or five men. I was afterwards told that he had entered the German second line, and had brought back an enemy machine gun, having put the gun team out of action. I heard that he shot one them with his revolver. I next saw him about an hour later (I had been wounded in the meanwhile and was lying in our trench). Your husband repeatedly went over the parapet. I saw him going over alone and carrying in our wounded men from 'No Man's Land'. He brought them in on his back, and he could not have done this had he not possessed exceptional physical strength as well as courage. It was in going over for the sixth or seventh time that he was shot through the chest. I saw him fall just inside our trench.
Somebody told me that about a month previously your husband carried a man about 400 yards across the open under machine gun fire and brought him safely into our trench. For this act I recommended him for the Military Cross. On every occasion, no matter how tight the hole we were in, he was always cheerful and hopeful, and never spared any pains to make the men comfortable and keep them cheery."
Company Sergeant Nelson Carter is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Cemetery, Laventie, France.
Eastbourne Council gave permission in October 1916 for cinemas in the town to hold benefit performances for the Nelson Carter Memorial Fund. By July 1918 the fund reached £472.
I was shopping in Hailsham town center two weeks ago when I read his name on the war memorial there.
On Friday 13 October 1911 he married Catherine Camfield at St Mary's Parish Church in Old Town, Eastbourne and they set up home at 33 Greys Road, Eastbourne. He then went on to work, following a serious operation in 1912, as a commissionaire at the Old Town Cinema in the High Street, Eastbourne.
At the outbreak of war, he joined the Southdown Battalions in September 1914; he was promoted to corporal on the same day, then sergeant and later Warrant Officer Class II. He was sent to France attached to 'A' Company, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
He distinguished himself on 30th June 1916 at the battle of Richbourg.
CSM Carter took the fourth wave into action under heavy shell and machine gun fire. Bombing matches took place, but after heavy casualties were suffered the men were forced to withdraw. He attacked a machine gun post which was causing particular trouble, shot one, or more, of the crew with his pistol before, apparently, turning the machine gun on the Germans. This bought much needed time to withdraw safely, and with this having been done he finally left the position.
The action in the support line had lasted only thirty minutes. He continued to aid in the withdrawal to the first line, and later in the day, whilst bringing in the wounded, was shot in the chest, dying almost immediately. For his actions that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Citation read as follows:
London Gazette, 9 September 1916,
Boar's Head, Richebourg l'Avoué, France, 30 June 1916, Company Sergeant-Major Nelson Victor Carter, 4th Company, 12th Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment.
"For most conspicuous bravery. During an Attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent."
This is a part of a letter written by Lieutenant Howard Robinson, Carter's Company Commander to his wife.
"When I last saw him he was close to the German line, acting as leader to a small party of four or five men. I was afterwards told that he had entered the German second line, and had brought back an enemy machine gun, having put the gun team out of action. I heard that he shot one them with his revolver. I next saw him about an hour later (I had been wounded in the meanwhile and was lying in our trench). Your husband repeatedly went over the parapet. I saw him going over alone and carrying in our wounded men from 'No Man's Land'. He brought them in on his back, and he could not have done this had he not possessed exceptional physical strength as well as courage. It was in going over for the sixth or seventh time that he was shot through the chest. I saw him fall just inside our trench.
Somebody told me that about a month previously your husband carried a man about 400 yards across the open under machine gun fire and brought him safely into our trench. For this act I recommended him for the Military Cross. On every occasion, no matter how tight the hole we were in, he was always cheerful and hopeful, and never spared any pains to make the men comfortable and keep them cheery."
Company Sergeant Nelson Carter is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Cemetery, Laventie, France.
Eastbourne Council gave permission in October 1916 for cinemas in the town to hold benefit performances for the Nelson Carter Memorial Fund. By July 1918 the fund reached £472.
I was shopping in Hailsham town center two weeks ago when I read his name on the war memorial there.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Crown & Anchor
An Army gambling game I came across in the John Masters book ‘Now God be Thanked’ was Crown and Anchor.
After some investigation I found that Crown and Anchor was a popular game in the ranks and involved a dice and a piece of cloth marked with six symbols: a crown, an anchor, a club, a heart, a spade and a diamond. These were lovingly referred to as the Major, the Mud-hook, the Shamrock, the Jam-tart, the Curse and the Kinkie. The stake was put on one symbol and if it came up when the dice was thrown the banker paid out.
A Guards private Stephen Graham looked upon the whole game with a philosophical twist: ‘The experience of a soldier’s life in escaping death and wounds impresses him with the idea of a lucky chance. War breeds gambling as a natural and inevitable fruit.’ For many soldiers the choosing of the right symbol was an addictive pastime.
The banker, of course, as in all gambling enterprises wins in the long run. The odds were very much in his favour and many men at the front have related seeing a banker cleaning up a thousand francs in one or two days. The Crown and Anchor banker usually gave a machine-gun relentless patter to entice his punters to play. “Here we are again, The Sweaty socks! Cox and Co., the Army bankers, badly bent but never broken, safe as the Bank of England, undefeated because they never fought; the rough and the tough, the old and bold! Where you lay, we pay, If you don’t speculate, you can’t accumulate.’
After some investigation I found that Crown and Anchor was a popular game in the ranks and involved a dice and a piece of cloth marked with six symbols: a crown, an anchor, a club, a heart, a spade and a diamond. These were lovingly referred to as the Major, the Mud-hook, the Shamrock, the Jam-tart, the Curse and the Kinkie. The stake was put on one symbol and if it came up when the dice was thrown the banker paid out.
A Guards private Stephen Graham looked upon the whole game with a philosophical twist: ‘The experience of a soldier’s life in escaping death and wounds impresses him with the idea of a lucky chance. War breeds gambling as a natural and inevitable fruit.’ For many soldiers the choosing of the right symbol was an addictive pastime.
The banker, of course, as in all gambling enterprises wins in the long run. The odds were very much in his favour and many men at the front have related seeing a banker cleaning up a thousand francs in one or two days. The Crown and Anchor banker usually gave a machine-gun relentless patter to entice his punters to play. “Here we are again, The Sweaty socks! Cox and Co., the Army bankers, badly bent but never broken, safe as the Bank of England, undefeated because they never fought; the rough and the tough, the old and bold! Where you lay, we pay, If you don’t speculate, you can’t accumulate.’
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Mont St Quentin, Peronne, France.
The 2nd Australian Division memorial is located at the side of the Bapaume-Peronne road in the village of Mont St. Quentin. The occupying German army removed the original memorial, depicting a Digger about to bayonet a German eagle, in 1940. It was replaced with a 2.5 metre tall slouch-hatted Digger in battle dress.
2nd Australian Division Memorial
"Battle Honours 2nd Australian Division, August 8th 1918: Bullecourt, Menin Road , Broodseinde, Passchendaele, Ville sur Ancre, Morlancourt, Hamel, Villers Bretonneux, Herleville, Herbecourt, Biache, Mont St Quentin, Beaurevoir Line, Montbrehain".
The Plaque to the side gives the following information : Mont St. Quentin
"The great German offensive of March 1918 was halted near Amiens and by august the allies has forced the Germans back to a major defence line on the east bank of the Somme river.
This hill, Mont St. Quentin, although only 100 metres high was a key position in this line and with a maze of interconnecting trenches and barbed wire was considered impregnable. It provided imposing westerly views over the allied lines across the Somme River and was protected by Peronne 1.5 kilometres to the south.
A small force of 1,300 Australian troops "yelling like bushrangers" attacked up the rise before you at dawn on 31 august and completely overran the Germans. The summit was held briefly in the region of today's road (n37) but the Germans with numbers forced the Australians back.
Early next morning Australian reinforcements renewed the assault capturing the summit and beyond. At the same time Peronne was captured by the Australians. The loss of these positions and defeats by the British and Canadians near Cambrai forced the Germans to rapidly withdraw along much of their front. Their last and most formidable defence position, lay 22 kilometres to the east the Hindenburg line. "
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