33rd BATTALION AIF. "New England's Own"
'Strenue Percute' (Strike Vigorously).
33rd Battalion marching through Armidale 1916.
The 33rd Battalion was formed in January 1916 at a camp established at the Armidale Showground in New South Wales. The bulk of the battalion's recruits were drawn from the New England region and thus dubbed "New England's Own". The battalion's first, and only commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie MORSHEAD who became famous as the commanding officer of the 9th Australian Division during the Second World War.
The composition of the 33rd Infantry Battalion was on a district basis. "A Company" was from Armidale and Tamworth, "B Company" was from Walcha, Uralla, Barrabra, Bingara and Manilla. "C Company" was from Narrabri, Moree and Inverell. and "D Company was from Glen Innes, Guyra and Tenterfield.
Armidale Camp 1916
33rd BATTALION COMFORTS FUND.
The hon. secretary, Armidale, forwards the report for six months ending
November 6, 1916. The report is as follows : — The committee of the 33rd Battalion Comforts Fund in placing before you their report and balance sheet for the past six months, propose giving a brief statement of the work done during that period With the assistance of Mrs Jobson (wife of the Brigadier- General of the 9th Brigade), we formed our comforts' committee, with Mrs. F. J. White as president, the committee being: Mesdames Tindal, Buntine, Maunsell, Curtis, and Misses Dight and Blomfield, Mrs. Mallam, hon. treasurer; Mrs. R. N. Hickson, hon. secretary; Miss Maud Martyn, hon. assistant secretary.
Work began in March. Archdeacon Johnstone kindly granted the use of the Sunday School as a depot; here, parcels are received, work is cut out, sewing meetings are held, and packing is done by the committee and those in town who are interested. Work since March has been continuous and earned out in an efficient manner. We have sent five consignments of comforts away; have paid for the Battalion Band; and given the O.C. £200 for immediate necessities, besides providing £25 for board-ship comforts. To date, we have forwarded: 437 shirts, 110 mufflers, 724 handkerchiefs, 70 towels, 1337 socks, 192 caps, 241 Tussore suits, 132 mittens, 704 basil vests, besides tobacco, cigarettes, soaps, sweets, and insecticide, and to all outgoing reinforcements have provided board-ship comforts.
Our Christmas gifts were in a separate consignment of 80 cases, containing— 624 plum puddings, 654 Christmas cakes, 4 cases of tinned fruits and jams, 46 eases of special Xmas gifts, one for each man in the battalion. 'The committee desire to place on record the splendid work and assistance received by relatives and friends of the 33rd, from Armidale and different centers, and trust for similar assistance during the coming year. Following is the statement of income and expenditure from April 1 to November 6, 1916: — , Income: Cash received from subscriptions, etc, £1744/16/4.
Total, £1744/16/4.
Expenditure : Sewing machine £6/2, flannel £135/5/2, wool £71/19/9, basil vests £414/11/6, tobacco and cigarettes £43/13/6, packing cases 7/6, cartage £2/16/9, stamps, telephone, printing, stationery, advertisements £15/15/7, comforts for the 33rd Battalion £244/18/5, Battalion Band £247/, refund to Guyra £53/6/8, the stall expenses £8/14, tussore silk £50/10/3, insurance 12/4, Christmas comforts for the 33rd £157/15, two linen presses £6/9/6, handkerchiefs £24/16/11, sundries, buttons, cottons, tapes, etc, £4.
Total, £1491/14/10.
Balance in Saving's Bank £253/16/.
Grand total, £1744/16/4.
The funds of this comfort fund are now reduced to £68. The committee wishing to increase the sum in hand ask for a small donation from those interested in the 33rd.
The 33rd Battalion became a part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division. The Battalion en trained from Farley Station and embarked from Sydney on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A74 "Marathon".
A SOUVENIR OF H.M.A.T. MARATHON. THE NORTHERN BATTALION'S TROOPSHIP.
Mrs. C. Unverhau, of "Glenwood" Uralla, forwards us a souvenir of the Marathon's voyage, which she has just received from her son, Private: 1270 Harold Hayman UNVERHAU who is a member of the Northern Battalion. The title page contains a photograph of the ship and a statement of the troops on board. The rest of the letterpress is as follows: Perhaps one of the prettiest, and most affecting sights in the world is an Australian ship's good-bye, especially if the vessel be a transport. The devotion of relatives and friends is amazing. Besides undergoing the discomfort and inconvenience of a long journey to the port of embarkation, they also cheerfully endure the tedium of uncertainty and waiting about incidental to the dispatch of' troops. In this case the anxiety of attachment, saw some taking up a position of advantage a day previous.
Friends assemble on the quay with rolls of coloured paper ribbons, one end of which is thrown to the departing one on board and the other retained by a friend ashore. As the vessel moves away; the rolls are unwound till hundreds of bright-hued streamers are suspended like a fairy chain between the ship and shore till the whole length runs out or snaps asunder through strain. The "Marathon's" departure was particularly auspicious. Every soldier on the ship and every person ashore seemed connected by a rainbow. A thousand strands, irradiated in the morning sun. Not content with that, motor launches filled with well wishers must needs follow her up some distance when under weigh. Within an hour of sailing the stormy winds were blowing and the ship one of the most steady and reliable that ever left the docks a tossing. Sea legs and sea stomachs would have fetched any price. Misled by the alert appearance and uniform, unfortunately no one had anticipated ,the demand. The disappearing lights of Bondi synchronized with the dwindling spirits of the 33rd, now at a very low ebb indeed.
It was, nobody's fault that the voyage was a little tedious through being unduly long, accentuated a good deal by intermittent bad weather. To enumerate a few is to commence a really long list. Besides the daily parades for drill, etc., when the weather held fine, there were boxing bouts and sports, relieved by band performances and deck concerts . Some of the days, with calm sea and warm, radiant sunshine, were wholly delightful ; while cool moonlight evenings provided ideal conditions for pianofortes and vocal selections. Ports of call, too, gave opportunity to enlarge experience and profit by observation, though in several instances it was a case of distance lending enchantment to the view one cannot see much on the deck of a steamer half a mile from an object on shore, which strangeness, of course, only heightens interest and foments desire to approach closer. Yet despite all drawbacks every man on the ship got the benefit of a passing acquaintanceship with towns and countries other than his own a direct contrast, say, in comparing Central Africa with the Commonwealth or, to come nearer home, Western with Eastern Australia, and again his own with the Colony of South Africa.
Larkhill 1916
Front Row:
Private: 858 Francis Wyndham QUINN. - Private: 950 William Stanley SMITH. - Private: 955 William John WATSON. - Private: 734 John Harold CHAPMAN. - Private: 956 Richard Alexander WHITE.
Second Row:
Private: 759 Alexander DURRANT. - Private: 771 Alexander Douglas FRATER - Private: 948 Anthony Christian SMITH - Lieutenant: 981 Irving Cadell DIGHT. - Private: 870 James SINTON. - Private: 725 John Henry CARTER. - Private: 725 John Henry CARTER. - Private: 726 George CARTWRIGHT VC. -
Third Row:
Private: 907 Richard WELLINGTON. - Private: 1463 Victor Ressech NEWTON. - Private: 1461 Samuel John FULLER. - HAZEL. - Private: 953 Stanley Henry STARR. - GREEN. - ....- Private: 836 Reginald Thomas McLAUGHLIN
Arriving in England in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training before departed from Southampton, England on the 21st November 1916 at 4:30 pm and travelled by paddle steamer ‘Mona Queen’ to France arriving November 22, 1916 at 7:00 am in Le Havre. The Battalion moved in to the No:1 Rest Camp just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.
S.S. "MONA QUEEN"
The Battalion had to wait until the emphasis of British and Dominion operations switched to the Ypres Section of Belgium in mid-1917 to take part in its first major battle; this was the battle of Messines, launched on the 7th June. The battalion held the ground captured during the battle for several days afterwards and was subjected to intense artillery bombardment. One soldier wrote that holding the line at Messines was far worse than taking it. The battalion's next major battle was around Passchendale on the 12th October. The battlefield, though, had been deluged with rain, and mud tugged the advancing troops and fouled their weapons. The battle ended in a disastrous defeat.
For the next five months the 33rd alternated between periods of rest, training, labouring, and service in the line. When the German Army launched its last great offensive in the spring of 1918, the battalion was part of the force deployed to defend the approaches to Amiens around Villers-Brentonneux. It took part in a counter-attack at Hangard Wood on the 30th March, and helped to defeat a major drive on Villers-Bretonneux on the 4th April. Later in 1918, the 33rd also played a role in the Allies own offensive. It took part in the battle of Amiens on the 8th August, the rapid advance that followed, and in the operation that breached the Hindenburg Line at the end of September, thus sealing Germany's defeat. The 33rd Battalion disbanded in March 1919.
(Extracts from the Australian War Memorial. The Kurrajongs; 2007. Ian Small. Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954) Friday 8 September 1916)
Departure Dated and Transport Ships.
33rd Battalion departed Sydney 4th May 1916-HMAT A74 Marathon.
1st Reinforcements departed Sydney 4th May 1916-HMAT A74 Marathon.
2nd Reinforcements departed Sydney 4th September 1916-HMAT A15 Port Sydney.
3rd Reinforcements departed Sydney 24th August 1916-HMAT A68 Anchises.
4th Reinforcements departed Sydney 17th October 1916-HMAT A30 Borda.
5th Reinforcements departed Sydney 17th November 1916-SS Port Napier.
6th Reinforcements departed Sydney 25th November 1916-HMAT A72 Beltana.
7th Reinforcements departed Sydney 24th January 1917-HMAT A68 Anchises.
8th Reinforcements departed Sydney 16th July 1917-HMAT A16 Port Melbourne.
33rd Battalion AIF
During the time when the older divisions were going through the shattering experiences of Pozieres, and the miseries of the early winter at Flers, they often sardonically listened to reports of the 3rd being paraded before the King on Salisbury Plain, of its proficiency in exercises, of its excellent appearance and freedom from crime ; and, partly through a subconscious-and not altogether justified-feeling that this newcomer was the darling of the Defence Department, but chiefly through a half-humorous but very definite grievance at the lateness of its “entry into the war,” they nicknamed its men “the neutrals,” the “Lark Hill Lancers,” or most generally (from its oval shoulder- patches) the “ Eggs-a-Cook.” When it eventually arrived in its sheltered sector they regarded it much as the rougher boys at a state school might look upon an immaculate, tenderly brought-up little cousin at a neighbouring dame’s school.
The cry of the Egyptian street sellers of boiled eggs. "Eggs-a-Cook"
Official War Diary XIV. p561. Captain: Charles Edwin BEAN.
33rd Battalion A.I.F, 3rd Australian Infantry Division, 9th Infantry Brigade.
BATTLE HONOURS.
Messiness 1917-Ypres 1917-Polygon Wood-Broodseinde-Poelcappelle-Passchendaele-Somme 1918
Ancre 1918-Amiens-Albert 1918-Mont St Quentin-Hindenburg Line-St Quentin Canal-France and Flanders 1916-1918
Casualties. 451 killed, 2052 wounded (including gassed)
COMMANDING OFFICERS:
Lieutenant Colonel: William Huggett DOUGLAS.VD
Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD. CMG D.S.O. 04/06/1916-30/04/1918. WW2 Lieutenant General Sir Leslie Morshead.
Lieutenant Colonel: Clifford Russell RICHARDSON. MC 04/01/1916-03/06/1916. (Australia Only)
Lieutenant Colonel: Harold Fletcher WHITE. CMG DSO. 30/04/1918-16/06/1918
DECORATIONS:
There were actually TWO 33rd Battalion nominations for the VICTORIA CROSS made in the list of nominations for Bravery Awards, after the Battles of 'Road Wood' and 'Bouchavesnes'. The nomination from Lieutenant-Colonel MORSHEAD was located in the 'Papers of the 9th Brigade' compiled by Henry Arthur GODDARD. The nomination for Captain DUNCAN was later downgraded to a Bar to the Military Cross.
(Rod Carpenter)
VICTORIA CROSS: 2
Lance Corporal: 1804 John CARROL. V.C.
Private: 726 George CARTWRIGHT. V.C.
COMMANDER of the ORDER of ST-MICHAEL and ST-GEORGE:1
Lieutenant Colonel. Leslie James MORSHEAD. C.M.G-D.S.O.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER: 6-1 Bar.
Lieutenant Colonel: Robert John Allwright MASSIE. D.S.O.
Lieutenant Colonel. Leslie James MORSHEAD. C.M.G-D.S.O. WW2 Lieutenant General Sir Leslie Morshead.
Lieutenant Colonel. Harold Fletcher WHITE. C.M.G, D.S.O.
Major: Cedric Errol Meyer BRODZIAK D.S.O.
Major William John Clare DUNCAN. D.S.O & Bar MC & Bar
Lieutenant: 716 Francis Joseph BURKE. D.S.O.
MEMBER of the BRITISH EMPIRE: 1.
Lieutenant: Stanley IRWIN. MBE
MILITARY CROSS: 22.
Major William John Clare DUNCAN. DSO & Bar MC & Bar
Major: Melrose Holtam MAILER. M.C. (AAMC)
Major: Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C.
Captain: 1376 William James GORDON. M.C.
Captain: Charles Henry LINKLATER. MC
Captain: Leslie Charles Burrett SMITH. M.C.
Captain: William Johnstone BINNS. M.C. (Regimental Medical Officer)
Lieutenant: 1470 Leslie Roy BELL. M.C.
Lieutenant: Richard Henry BLOMFIELD. M.C.
Lieutenant: 13036 Kenneth John CAMPBELL. M.C.
Lieutenant: William Thomas EWING. M.C.
Lieutenant: 417 Leslie George FAINT. MC **
Lieutenant. Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH. M.C.
Lieutenant: 2559 Robert Horner FLETCHER. M.C.
Lieutenant: 3072 Frank Albert HUTCHINGS. M.C.
Lieutenant: 800 Rupert Charles JONES. M.C.
Lieutenant: 916 "Bert" Robert Cecil KING. M.C.
Lieutenant: 806 Henry KITCHENER. M.C.
Lieutenant: 918 William Douglas McKENZIE. M.C.
Lieutenant: William McLEAN. MC
Lieutenant. 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. M.C.
Lieutenant: 925 Edwyn John MOUNTAIN. M.C.
Lieutenant: Leslie Charles Barnett SMITH. MC
Lieutenant: 869 Walter Willoughby SMITH. M.C.
Lieutenant: 896 Albert Marshall WIDDY. M.C.
Regimental Sergeant Major: 2111 Francis McGRAW. M.C.
Group portrait of nine Officers of the 33rd Battalion 1918. Eight of the men have signed the reverse of the photograph. Lieutenant: Lt Frank Albert Hutchings MC; - Lt Henry Kitching, MC; - Lt Gervase Carre Riddell; - Lt Robert Horner Fletcher, MC; - Lt David McNeil; - Lt John Raymond Paul; - Lt Sydney Muddle.
Rear Row L to R: Lieutenant: 2559 Robert Horner FLETCHER. MC - Lieutenant: 3072 Frank Albert HUTCHINGS MC. - Lieutenant: 10617 Sidney MUDDLE. - Lieutenant: 17 David McNEIL
Front Row L to R: Lieutenant: ? MC -Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase Carre RIDDELL - Lieutenant: ? - Lieutenant: ? - Lieutenant: 806 Henry KITCHING. MC.
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL:19-1 Bar.
Lieutenant: 1441 George Edgar BARR. D.C.M.
Lieutenant: 389 Clive Stanley CROWLEY. D.C.M. (B Coy.)
Lieutenant. 967 Louis John MATHIAS. D.C.M. & Bar. M.M.
Company Sergeant Major: 1510 George Andrew WERNER. + D.C.M.
Scout Sergeant: 867 Harry SHATWELL. D.C.M.
Sergeant: 1791A Frederick Clarence AYLING. D.C.M. 10.01.1920
Sergeant: 389 Clive Stanley CROWLEY. DCM
Sergeant: 1396 Samuel James LANG. DCM MSM
Sergeant: 1193 Archibald McLEAN. D.C.M. M.M. 10/01/1920
Sergeant: 853 Joseph Harold PAYTEN. D.C.M.
Sergeant: 536 Thomas William ROURKE. D.C.M.
Sergeant: 2384 Eric George SHELDON @ SCHMUTTER. D.C.M.
Sergeant: 2384 E G SHELDON. DCM
Corporal: 1254 Godfrey Edward SEE. D.C.M.
Temporary Corporal: 1244 James SPENCE. D.C.M.
Lance Corporal: 1803 Thomas COX. D.C.M.
Lance Corporal: 219 Theodore SMITH. D.C.M.
Private: 1441 George Edgar BARR. D.C.M.
Private: 1803 Thomas COX. D.C.M.
Private: 792 William Allan IRWIN. D.C.M.
Private: 3082 John JENSEN. D.C.M. M.M.
Private: 5136A Thomas David MORTON. D.C.M.
Private: 866 George Frederick SEAGROTT. D.C.M.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL:8.
MILITARY MEDAL: 78, 3 bar, 1-2nd Bar
Lieutenant: 1405 George Moffatt CARSON. MM **
Lieutenant. 967 Louis John MATHIAS. DCM & Bar. 21/10/1918, 05/12/1918. MM
Lieutenant: 548 William Clifford SPENCER. MM
2nd Lieutenant: W.D. GIBBS. MM **
Company Sergeant Major: 484a Ernest Shadrack KEY. M.M
Staff Sergeant: 1880 John Kershaw McLAUGHTON. MM **
Sergeant: 958 William James BEST. MM
Sergeant: 39 Albert BISHENDEN. MM
Sergeant: 1402 Clarence Douglas BLACKADDER. MM
Sergeant: 396 Laurence Joseph CLIFTON. MM
Sergeant: 1425 Cyril Russell EATON. MM
Sergeant: 457 Sydney Wakefield GREGG. MM **
Sergeant: 99 George JARRETT. MM
Sergeant: 811 Clarence James LLOYD. MM
Sergeant: 1193 Archibald McLEAN. DCM - MM
Sergeant: 517 Horace Smith MACLEAN. MM
Sergeant: 1417 John McDONALD. MM **
Sergeant: 1880 John Kershaw McLAUGHLAN. MM
Sergeant: 1193 Archibald McLEAN. MM
Sergeant: 1885 Harold George McLENNAN. M.M. **
Sergeant: 133 David Herbert MOORE. M.M. **
Sergeant: 985 Clement Fairfax MORRISBY. + M.M.
Sergeant: 970 Donald Cranston MURRAY. + M.M.
Sergeant: 521 Walter Vivian PARTRIDGE. M.M.
Sergeant: 2638 G H SEDDON. MM
Sergeant: 879 George SUTHERLAND. MM
Sergeant: 1264 George Leslie TARR. MM **
Sergeant: 1285 Augustus Francis WHITE. MM **
Sergeant: 216 Archibald YOUNG. MM **
Lance Sergeant: 1835 David GUNN. MM **
Acting Sergeant: 547 H I SPENCER. MM
Lance Sergeant: 2000 Richard Charles MAY. MM
Corporal: 1620 Allan Wentworth BRECHT. MM
Corporal: 752 William Charles DELANEY. + MM
Corporal: 1425 Cyril Russell EATON. MM
Corporal: 1432 William John FINNEY. MM
Corporal: 5011A Christopher Edward FOWLER. MM
Corporal: 1121 Norman Lawrence FRAUNFELDER. MM **
Corporal: 1975 Gilbert Arthur HENRY. MM
Corporal: 479 William Robert JAMEISON. MM Bar (shot down plane, Gressaire) **
Corporal: 555 Stanley Archibald REID. MM
Corporal: 1254 Godfrey Edward SEE. MM
Corporal: 1235 Roy Leonard SWADLING. MM **
Corporal: 2140 Frederick Arthur THURSTON. MM and 2 BAR. **
Temporary Corporal: 927 L D McINTYRE. MM
Lance Corporal: 1072 George Harvey BERRY. MM
Lance Corporal: 1403 Edwin Roland BLACKADDER. MM
Lance Corporal: 365 William Douglas BOOTH. MM
Lance Corporal: 1796 Keith Gordon CAMERON. MM
Lance Corporal: 736 Hector William CLARKE. MM
Lance Corporal: 3286 Ernest Charles COWELL. MM
Lance Corporal: 5011A Christopher Edward FOWLER. MM **
Lance Corporal: 94 Alfred Ernest HOGNO. MM
Lance Corporal: 2073 Claude Henry HOWARD. MM
Lance Corporal: 1410 Lindsay IRVING MM 1 of 19 through the war no injury.
Lance Corporal: 189 Victor Reginal SHALDERS. MM
Lance Corporal: 5084 Charles Neal RICHARDSON. MM & BAR
Lance Corporal: 1953 Thomas RICHARDSON. MM
Lance Corporal: 1695 Charles John STEEL. MM
Lance Corporal: 879 George SUTHERLAND. MM.**
Lance Corporal: 896 Malcolm John WALLIS. MM
Private: 1343 Archibald Walter ADDISON. MM.**
Private: 2030 Victor Maurice ARANDALE. MM
Private: 2067a Percival Charles AVERY. MM**
Private: 16 Frederick John BRIGGS. MM (Kamilaroi)
Private: 1100 Arthur CARPENTER. MM
Private: 2823 Robert CASEY. MM **
Private: 736 Hector William CLARKE. MM
Private: 2296 Henry CLARKE. MM
Private: 396 Lawrence Joseph CLIFTON. MM **
Private: 2542 George Henry CROSSINGHAM. MM
Private: 741a Clarence DARRINGTON MM
Private: 752 William Charles DELANEY. MM
Private: 1835 David GUNN. MM
Private: 230 Jack HINKELBEIN. MM
Private: 1841 Stanley Ellis HONEY. MM
Private: 1152 Robert Thomas HULL. MM
Private: .... George JARRETT. MM
Private: 3082 John JENSEN. D.C.M. MM
Private: 2210 Joseph Richard KELLY. MM
Private: 3038 James Alexander Wilson KILLEN. MM
Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE. MM
Private: 111 William John LOBSEY. MM
Private: 1671 Thomas LOWREY. MM
Private: 2354 Stanley MAYBURY. MM
Private: 497 Aubrey McLaren MIDSON. MM
Private: 1180 A C MORTON. MM
Private: 970 Donald Cranston MURRAY. MM **
Private: 3109 Felix NOONAN. MM
Private: 2630 A W A PURVIS. MM
Private: 546 Edward James REILLY. MM
Private: 943 W H ROACH. MM
Private: 945 Patrick RYAN. MM
Private: 2638 George Henry SEDDON. MM **
Private: 2133 John Edward SNAPE. MM **
Private: 3715 Charles Cuthbert James SMITH. MM
Private: 548 William Clifford SPENCER. MM **
Private: 2807 Arthur Ernest WESTON. MM
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL:
Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant: 2043 Walter DOVER @ CASEY. M.S.M.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant: 792 Thomas Wiseman HIGGINS. M.S.M.
Temporary Warrant Officer Class 1: C A GOODWIN. MSM
Sergeant: 1404 William Athol BLAIR. M.S.M.
Acting Lance Sergeant: 220 Alexander William KEITH. M.S.M.
Sergeant: 1396 Samuel James LANG. DCM MSM
Corporal: 1070 Sidney John BUTT. MSM
Corporal: 1181 Walter Maurice LYONS. M.S.M.
Corporal: 1629 Horace Bowen MORRIS. M.S.M.
Corporal: 155 Ernest Eric RALSTON. M.S.M.
Lance Corporal: 544 Lionel Eric RANDALL. M.S.M.
Lance Corporal: 1286 Leslie William YOUMAN. MM
Driver: 810 Ernest Parkes LOBSEY. MSM
Private: 1433 William Edward HOBDAY. M.S.M.
Private: 810 Ernest Parkes LLOYD. M.S.M.
MENTIONED in DISPATCHES: 25.
Lieutenant Colonel: Robert John Allwright MASSIE. D.S.O.
Lieutenant Colonel. Leslie James MORSHEAD. C.M.G. D.S.O.
Lieutenant Colonel. Harold Fletcher WHITE. C.M.G. D.S.O.
Major: Cedric Errol Meyer BRODZIAK. D.S.O.
Major: Walter John Clare DUNCAN. D.S.O. M.C.
Captain: William James GORDON. M.C.
Captain: Charles Henry LINKLATER. MC
Lieutenant: 716 Francis Joseph BOURKE. D.S.O.
Lieutenant: 981 Irving Cadell DIGHT.
Lieutenant. Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH. M.C.
Lieutenant: 1408 John GARRETT.
Lieutenant: 8418 Ernest John HARMAN.
Lieutenant: 916 Robert Cecil KING. M.C.
Lieutenant: 129 Walter Gilligan MASON.
2nd Lieutenant: 1482 George LIND-TAYLOR.
Regimental Company Quarter Master Sergeant: 352 Robert BROWNLIE.
Company Quarter Master Sergeant: 1125 Robert FAKES.
Company Quarter Master Sergeant: 504 Herbert George McCROSSIN.
Company Quarter Master Sergeant: 2047 Thomas Edward DAVIS.
Acting Lance Sergeant: 220 Alexander William KEITH. M.S.M.
Lance Sergeant: 1482 G L TAYLOR. MM
Private: Norman Stanley LLOYD. **
Private. 968 Claude Edward MOORE.
FOREIGN AWARDS- 9.
French Legion of Honour- 1. 5th Class Chevalier.
Lieutenant Colonel. Leslie James MORSHEAD. C.M.G.-D.S.O.
French Order of Merite Agricole - Chevalier. 1
Lieutenant: Stanley IRWIN. MBE
Lieutenant Colonel. Harold Fletcher WHITE. C.M.G. D.S.O.
Sergeant: 38 Francis Caine CLEAR.
Sergeant: 789 Ernest Percival HAMMOND.
Lance Corporal: 875 William SMITH.
Driver: 63 James Francis ELLIS
Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour; 1.
Private: 780 William Cecil HOWARD.
114 Men known as the Kurrajong's lined up against the Drill Hall in Inverell prior to marching to the railway station on the 12th of January 1916. The men all wore a white panama hat and were issued a pair of hand knitted socks and the Inverell Recruitment Medal.
The Kurrajongs march down Otho Street, Inverell, N.S.W. on their way to the station.
Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment near Bois de L'Abbe outside Villers-Bretonneux 1918.
Note: 33rd Battalion Colour Patch on Corporal: 1102 Ernest Allan CHARTERS in foreground. (Eggs-a-Cook)
(Photos: Never a Backward Step. History of the 33rd Battalion AIF.)
Private: 358 Robert Aubery Roland BROWN.
North Western Courier (Narrabri, NSW : 1913 - 1955), Monday 25 February 1918, page 2
Soldiers' Welcome.
DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS TO RE-TURNED MEN.
On Friday night the Narrabri Town Hall was the scene of a hearty welcome home given to a number of soldiers who recently returned from the front. The hall was crowded, and as the soldiers took the platform they were greeted with an outburst of applause. Some of the men bore outward and visible signs of having been in the firing line, which fact assisted those present to realise what real soldiering implies. Despite their injuries
the returned men were bright, cheerful and thoroughly responsive to the warm welcome awarded to them by the citizens of Narrabri. None of them were able to express their feelings in speech. What good soldier was ever eloquent? The real Australian soldier man is more of a man of action than a man of words; he believes in doing rather than saying things, and, having done them he is far too modest to "shoulder his crutch and show how fields were won." There may be some "Bill Adamses" among those who left Australia to fight for Empire, home and beauty, but if such there be the "Courier" has not yet heard of them. The Mayor (Ald. Briscombe) presided, and he was assisted by the Mayor elect (Mr. P. J. Levey), Mr. J. J. Piper, Mrs Campbell (affectionately called "The Soldiers' Mother"), Mr. Crane, P.M., and Lieutenant Fletcher (Recruiting Officer). The speeches were not long, a fact that was appreciated by the large audience. The keynote of the gathering was thankfulness for the safe return of these Narrabri boys, and gratitude to them for having assisted their kinsfolk over the sea to stem the course of the swine-like Hun. A feature of the evening's enjoyment was a vocal and orchestral programme. The orchestra, under the guidance of Mr. Melville, played a number of selections, and vocal numbers were given by Miss Windsor, Miss Campbell, Mr Melville, Mr. Crane, and Mr Walker (West Narrabri). Mr Connington (West Narrabri), contributed monologue stunts that caused much merriment.
Every Item was received with applause, but so apropos was Mr. Crane's rendering of "The Heroes of the Dardanelles," that the audience made a not-to-be-denied demand for more. Unfortunately, Mr. Crane was unable to accede to the request, not having the score of another song with him. At the conclusion of the evening's entertainment a vote of thanks was awarded to all the singers and players that so generously gave their services. Mayor Briscombe said that the object of the gathering was to publicly welcome local boys who had returned from the war. Unfortunately it was not always possible to know when men were returning, but if any had been missed he desired to take this opportunity of thanking them on behalf of the townspeople. If there were any returned soldiers present that had not received a public welcome, he would ask them to come on the plat-form and share the honors with their brothers in arms. If any men had arrived home and had not been welcomed he could assure them that no slight was intended as the people of the town were eager to thank them for the heroic services they had rendered. The men that had gone away offered their lives for others. It was a big thing to offer one's life for some-one else. Not all, however, had had to pay the full price to make the supreme sacrifice. Some were fortunate enough to return safe and sound, and others again came back bearing the marks of battle. To those that had returned and were on the platform he desired, on behalf of the people of Narrabri, to tender a hearty welcome, and to congratulate them upon their safe return. Mrs Campbell, whom every one knew so well, and who had been called "The Soldiers' Mother," would present the medals, subscribed by the public, to the returned men.
He asked the audience to award the return soldiers a hearty welcome by acclamation, and, needless to say, his request was responded to vigorously. The P.M., Mr. Crane, made a brief but telling speech. In Western America, he said, where it was the custom to settle personal disputes by means of a revolver; if a man went out by this method and someone asked what had become of "Broncho Bill," it was said of him that he "spoke out of his turn." In Australia disputes were not settled in this manner, but people wore some-times accused of "batting in where they are not wanted." Whether he was butting in or not he claimed the right to support the welcome to those noble boys who had fought as representatives of the Empire, and as Australians who had raised the name of Australia to such a height as it could not have attained with a hundred years of advertising. He referred to Ashmead Bartlott's vivid description of the work of the Australians at Gallipoli and said that some of those they were welcoming that evening had shared in that heroic enterprise. He was pleased to see so many ladies present for women were a large factor in the present war. He understood their feelings as regards sending their boys away but thought that they, by using their hearts instead of their heads, sometimes did harm. Mr. Crane refer-red to the evidence of German outrages given before the Bryce Commission and quoted some facts relating to the fate of a Padre of a village near Mons and the Padre's niece, both of whom were killed by the Germans. Mr Crane also referred to Buckhardt, the German professor, who was so well received in Sydney during the Science Congress, held just prior to the out-break of war, and who immediately went home to Germany and wrote foul libels against Australian men and wo-
men in the German newspapers. In conclusion he said he was proud to offer his heartfelt congratulations and his humble praise to those boys who had set such a magnificent example to Narrabri, and the whole of Australia. Mr. Levey (Mayor elect), spoke a few words of welcome to the returned men. These soldiers had left Narrabri some two years ago, and had, un-fortunately been ignored by the enemy. They were no doubt glad to be home again in dear old Narrabri and, on behalf of the people of the town, he desired to welcome them home, and to express gratitude for the splendid services they had rendered to their
country. The best assurance the men could have of the feeling of the people towards the returned men was the fine meeting of citizens that had gathered there that evening. The Mayor then proceeded to call upon each man by name and to supply the audience with a few particulars of the soldier's career, after which Mrs Campbell stepped forward and presented the returned men with a gold me-dal, commemorative of the occasion. Private G. Selfe enlisted on May 18, 1916, in the 13th Battalion, and was in the trenches for seven months. He received his injuries at Messines. Private: 1890 Jack NOLAN enlisted in April, 1916, and was in the 33rd Battalion. He also received his medicine at Messines, and was one of the famous "Dinkums." Much applause resulted when the Mayor said it was Private Nolan's intention to return to the front. Private: 2332 Alfred Holland HAYNES was not present when his name was called, but is one of those to whom the public welcome was extended. Private Monte Davis is another returned man who was not present, and one for whom a medal was procured.
Private E. Knapp enlisted in Oct 1915, and saw service in Gallipoli and afterwards in France, where he was wounded. He had two and a half years' service to his credit. Private A. H. G. Sattler, joined the Australian forces in June, 1916, and was a member of the 53rd Battalion. He was wounded at Bullecourt during the great push. The Mayor said that medal were to be presented to the relatives of several of the Narrabri men that had fallen and among these were Private C. A. Witt, Private Orman, Private Peter Nolan and Corporal V. G. P. Brown. The medals for those men were presented to the relatives of the fallen men or were set aside to be forwarded to such relatives, the audience standing as a mark of respect for the fallen soldiers. Private Roy McCumstie, the Mayor explained, was in the hospital in Sydney, but it was hoped that it would not be long before he would be able to return home.
in Private Gates, the Mayor said they had a representative of the famous "Suicide Brigade," He was a machine gunner in the 5th Battalion, that made Australian history at the Peninsula. Lieut. Fletcher returned thanks on behalf of Private Gates, who, although present, was unable to address the audience. The other men present, after shaking hands with Mrs Campbell, made modest little speeches of thanks. Private Yeomans was another soldier who, as the Mayor said, looked hale and hearty after his experience, and who, with the rest, received a medal and a vote of thanks. A collection, taken up while Lieut. Fletcher related some amusing stories from his own experience at the front, realised £8 14s 1½d.
33rd Battalion AIF Farewell Dinner. Codford, England. 10th May 1919.
33rd Battalion AIF Farewell Dinner. Codford, England. 10th May 1919.
Dinner Menu. Private: 3379 Henry Burleigh SAYWELL.
North Western Courier (Narrabri, NSW : 1913 - 1955), Monday 18 August 1919, page 2
Narrabri district School.
WELCOME HOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.
A very pleasant function took place at the Narrabri District School on Thursday afternoon, when the pupils, teaching staff and parents gave a welcome to a number of soldiers who, in early life, were pupils of the school. The welcome home was organised at the instigation of the Parents and Citizens' Association. The Mayor of Narrabri (Ald. P. J. Levey), presided, and welcome addresses were given by the chairman, the Rev. A. J. Cutler and the Rev. A. B. Erskine. Mr. Hodge, the Headmaster, apologised for the absence of the Rev. Canon Villiers-Reid and Mrs. Sheldon.
He said he was glad to see so many visitors present to welcome the soldiers home. The Mayor, in the course of his address, said he was pleased to be present to convey to the returned soldiers, on behalf of the school teacher, pupils and citizens, the gratitude they felt at their safe return to their home town; also to express their appreciation of what those returned soldiers had done for them. The Rev. A. J. Cutler, in the course of a long address, said the large gathering was evidence of the fact that when the people of Narrabri got the opportunity of doing so they were glad to give the soldiers a welcome home. They were glad the men had returned safe and sound and with a considerable experience behind them. The meeting that afternoon should bring to their minds very pleasant memories, for in years gone by they had sat in the school and received instruction. In those days they did not imagine that they would be asked to respond to the call of duty. The result of their training was that when
the call came they answered it, and because they answered it those present were there to extend to them a welcome home. He would ask them to remember that Australia still needed their help, for at present it was anything but a peaceful country, and they would find there was a good deal of domestic trouble to clear up. The people looked to their soldier lads to assist in this work. The Rev. A. B. Erskine, in extending a welcome to the returned soldiers said this was one of the brightest and happiest days they had experienced. After the dark days of the war there was peace and joy and happiness upon their home-coming. Giving them a welcome home was the outward manifestation of the joy they felt.
The soldiers present were, Lieut. R. C. Piper, Serg. Major J. Kirkpatrick, Corporal J. M. Eather, Private G. Loughrey, Private W. Mulholland, Private T. Mayall, Private: 358 Robert Aubery Roland BROWN. and Private: 2332 Alfred Holland HAYNES. These men are not speechmakers, but rather "doers of the word," and although they appreciated the warm welcome extended to them they didn't feel up to the task of expressing their feelings on the matter. During the course of the welcome home the proceedings were enlivened by songs and recitations. Master K. Hardy sang "Welcome to the Homeland"; Miss Gibbs recited "The Dandy Fifth"; Miss Welchman sang "Salaam," and "Coming Home"; Miss Jessie Thorley sang "Anzac"; Miss Bernard gave an amusing recitation, the title of which we are ignorant, but which was new to those present and very acceptable; the brothers Wall sang "Lord Kitcherer" and little Miss Phyllis Eather sang "Australia Will be There." The proceedings closed with the National Anthem, after which the soldiers and the parents were entertained at afternoon tea by the Parents and Citizens' Association.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Friday 25 April 1924 p 8 Article.
Owing to the date originally fixed clashing with that of the 36th Battalion's reunion the 33rd Battalion has decided to postpone its reunion until Saturday, May 10. at 7 p.m. The reunion will take the form of a dinner at the Cafe Ecossais, 99 Phillip-street.
Moree Gwydir Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1901 - 1940) Monday 8 April 1935 p 2 Article.
The 33rd Battalion A.I.F. will be holding their annual reunion on Anzac Night, 25th April, at the Sydney Legacy Club Rooms, Nock and Kirby's buildings, 188 George Street North (Circular Quay) Sydney, at 8 p.m. All country members who will be in Sydney for Anzac Day celebrations are requested to be present. For further particulars apply to the Hon. Secretary, O. R. Cormack, 84 Prince Albert Street, Mosman, or 25-27 Clarence Street, Sydney. (Phone 13929).
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Tuesday 19 May 1953 p 4 Article
The 33rd Battalion, 1st A.I.F., will hold a reunion at Thorne's Cafe, 135 Pitt Street, Sydney, on Friday, May 29, at 8 pm.
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 14th August 1954
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 14th August 1954
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 14th August 1954
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 14th August 1954
Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1907, 1909 - 1954), Monday 16 August 1954, page 1
33rd BATTALION HOLDS RE-UNION
TAMWORTH: Over 150 former members of the 33rd Battalion A.I.F. from many parts of the State attended a reunion dinner held at Tamworth R.S.L. clubrooms on Saturday night.
Nine Inverell men, Messrs. J. Gaukrager, - Leslie Faint, - A. McNeill, L. McGregor, I. Morse, T. Brown, C. Moore, J. Goldman and W. E. Finney were present.
For others, Messrs Harry Shatwell, - Sydney Woodham, - M. Brown and Stan Callinan were too ill to make the trip.
Some of those present had travelled as far south as Goulburn, Wollongong and Sydney. There was a big representation from the north and north-west. Colonel Robert Allwright Massie was second in command of the Battalion m France, presided. Colonel Massie who now resides in Sydney, was wounded in July 1917 and on return to active duty eight months later commanded the Australian Corps School in France until the armistice.
Among the apologies was that of Lieut-General Sir Leslie Morshead who commanded the battalion in France. His rank then was lieutenant - colonel. After the dinner Fallen Comrades were remembered by all standing in a darkened hall with a recorded rendition of the Last Post and Reveille was played after which the gathering observed a minutes silence. Mr. L J. Clifton a member of the reunion organising committee extended a welcome to all present and expressed thanks to all who had helped in making the reunion a success. Other members of the committee he said were Messrs. Edwyn John Mountain,- J Bone. G. -Taylor. -C. Nott. -John Swilks -C. MclLveen and G. Reus.
HISTORY
Mr. Walter Gilligan Mason of Beecroft Sydney, who was a lieutenant in the battalion, told the gathering some of the history of the battalion. It was, formed at Armidale at the latter end of 1915 from recruits from the north and north west of New South Wales. It embarked on May 4, 1916, at Sydney on the troopship Marathon and relieved the Northumberland Fusiliers at Armentieres from November 26 to 29 for its first tour of the trenches, raids and other activities. The first big battle was Messines. Besides Messines, the battalion's battle honours were Warneton, Zonnebeque. Passchendaele, Hangard Wood, Villers Brettonnoux. Morloncourt, Hamel, Proyvnrt. St. Quentin and the. Hindenberg Line.
Mr. Mason then enumerated the battalion's achievements at the various battles, including the prisoners and equipment captured, and casualties sustained. In all 2776 served with the unit in France, and action casualties, not Including sickness were 413 killed in action2766 wounded and 27 prisoners and missing. A total of 3296 That total was really far more than the number of men who went through the ranks of the unit, as some were 1 wounded twice and three times.
Honours won by battalion members were two Victoria Crosses, six DSOs. Bar to DSO. 24 Military Crosses. 16 DCM's, Bar to DCM. 79 MMs Bar to MM. second Bar to MM. 17 MSM's, one Legion of Honour, three Belgian Croix de Guerres one French Croix de Guerre, and I one Italian Bronze Medal.
Mr. Gaukroger proposed the toast to the Red Cross. Nursing Sisters and Women's Auxiliaries He was supported by Mr. Faint.
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 10th August 1957
33rd Battalion AIF Re Union Dinner 10th August 1957
Lance Corporal: 1494 George Harold RAINGER. 33rd Battalion Reunion Program was acquired in June 2016 and is now in the Harrower Collection.
Company Sergeant Major : 416 George Thomas FAINT - Private: 1242 George STARK - Sergeant: 948 Anthony Christian SMITH - Private: 1501 John Frederick "George" SWILKS
The 33rd Battalion of the 1st AIF was disbanded in England in 1919, when the remaining men then returned to Australia. The 33rd Infantry Infantry Battalion (Citizen Military Forces) was later disbanded in 1929. In about 1933 the 33rd Battalion was reformed again as a Militia Unit. I don't have any knowledge of the 2/33rd (2nd AIF) History or its formation, except for what is on Wikipedia. The colours laid up in the Church in Armidale is thought to be the one taken to England and displayed on "PEACE DAY'. The Oval shaped Colour-Patch 'Black over Green' was the OFFICIAL Patch of both the 1st AIF 33rd and also the 2nd AIF 2/33rd, although the 2/33rd selected and used an UNOFFICIAL round colour-patch (circular patch, brown over red) during the war. However, the 2/33rd King's Banner (with the Official Oval patch) is now located at the AWM.
Under Construction; 09/07/2011-12/05/2024.