36TH BATTALION AIF. "Carmichael's Thousand"
The 36th Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Liverpool, Rutherford and Broadmeadow Army Camps, in New South Wales in February 1916. The bulk of the Battalion's recruits had enlisted as a result of a recruiting drive conducted amongst the RIFLE CLUBS of New South Wales by the Minister of Public Information in the New South Wales Government, Ambrose CARMICHAEL. Thus the Battalion became known as "CARMICHAEL'S THOUSAND". Carmichael led by example and enlisted as well, serving in the Battalion as a Captain.
The 36th Battalion became part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division. It left Sydney, bound for the United Kingdom on the 13th of May 1916. Arriving there in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training. It crossed to France in late November, and moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on the 4th December, just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.
The Battalion had to wait until the emphasis of the British and Dominion operations switched to the YPRES SECTOR of Belgium in mid 1917 to take part in its first major battle; this was the battle of MESSINES, launched on the 7th of June 1917. With the 9th Brigade held in reserve during the battle of BROODSEINDE RIDGE on the 4th of October, the 36th's next major battle was around PASSCHENDAELE on the 12th of October 1917. Heavy rain, though, had deluged the battlefield, and thick mud tugged at the advancing troops and fouled their weapons. The 36th secured its objective but with open flanks and ineffective artillery support, were forced to withdraw.
36th BATTALION RIFLE CLUB
For the next five months the 36th 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.
The fighting to defend the German offensive had exacted a heavy toll on the 3rd Division, and the 9th Brigade in particular. Reinforcements from Australia were dwindling and thus it was decided to disband one of the 9th Brigade's Battalions to reinforce the other three. The 36th was the Battalion selected. In what one of the Battalion's Officers called an "Unselfish Act" the 36th disbanded on 30th April 1918.
(Extracts from the Australian War Memorial records)
36th Battalion A.I.F, 3rd Australian Infantry Division, 9th Infantry Brigade.
BATTLE HONOURS
Messiness 1917. Ypres. Polygon Wood. Broodseinde. Poelcappele. Passchendaele. Somme 1918. Ancre 1918. Amiens. Albert 1918. Mont St Quentin. Hindenburg Line. St Quentin Canal. France and Flanders 1916-1918.
COMMANDING OFFICERS:
Lieutenant Colonel: John Martin HAWKEY. M.C.
Lieutenant Colonel: Marcus William LOGAN.
Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE. D.S.O.
Lieutenant Colonel: James William Albert SIMPSON. M.C.
DECORATIONS:
Recommended for Victoria Cross
Lieutenant: Albert Marshall WIDDY. MC
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER: 1
Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE. DSO
MILITARY CROSS: 11
Lieutenant Colonel: John Martin HAWKEY. MC
Captain. John Edward Wallace BUSHELLE.MC
Captain: Ambrose Campbell CARMICHAEL. MC
Captain: William James GORDON. MC
Lieutenant: 501499 Albert Bissett AMESS. MC
Lieutenant: 731 Gordon Mott COX. MC
Lieutenant: 746 William Thomas EWING. MC
Lieutenant: 523 Sydney Horace Gordon NEWELL. MC
Lieutenant: Albert Marshall WIDDY. MC
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL: 3
Lieutenant: 561 Stanley Arthur SMITH. DCM MM
Lieutenant: 357 John Thomas STAPLETON. DCM
Lance Corporal: 1480 Stanley Herbert BRAZIL. DCM
MILITARY MEDAL: 34, 6 x BARS
Lieutenant: 561 Stanley Arthur SMITH. DCM MM
Lieutenant: Albert Marshall WIDDY. MC MM
Company Sergeant Major: 484 Ernest Shadrack KEY. MM
Sergeant: 3275 Lawrence Walter BARBER. MM
Sergeant: 1405 George Moffatt CARSON. MM
Sergeant: 457 Sydney Wakefield GREGG. MM
Sergeant: 1142 James Martin JUDD. MM
Sergeant: 858 Sydney Horace PETTETT. MM
Sergeant: 2374 Alfred Ernest Humphrey ROBERTS. MM
Sergeant: 896 Albert Marshall WIDDY. M.M.
Lance Sergeant: 124 Herbert Leslie MARSHALL. MM
Corporal: 1620 Allan Wentworth BRECHT. MM
Corporal: 2932 Ralph Oswald KIRBY. MM
Lance Corporal: 56 Harry CONSTABLE. MM
Lance Corporal: 1104 Osborne William John DYKES. MM
Lance Corporal: 2081A Francis Darnley HOOKEY. MM & Bar.
Private: 466 Walter John HAGAN. + MM
Private: 542 Andrew PRESCOTT. MM
Private: 2646 Thomas PORTER. MM @ Bar
MILITARY SERVICE MEDAL: 3
Company Quartermaster Sergeant: 792 Thomas Wiseman HIGGINS. MSM
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES: 13
Captain: Thomas Rodger MacNEE. M.I.D.
Captain: 261 Raymond Clare NOWLAND. M.I.D.
Lieutenant: 731 Gordon Mott COX. M.C. M.I.D.
Sergeant: S. LANG 33/36bn
Private: 1671 Thomas LOWREY. M.I.D.
FOREIGN AWARDS:
BELGIAN DECORATION MILITAIRE MEDAL.
BELGIUM CROIX-de-GUERRE:
Sergeant: 789 Ernest Percival HAMMOND.
FRENCH CROIX-de-GUERRE:
Corporal: 1959 John Joseph CURRAN.
FRENCH La CROIX De COMBATTANT
Sergeant: 733 Frederick Joseph CAHILL.
FRENCH MEDAILLE Du MERITE
Sergeant: 733 Frederick Joseph CAHILL.
36th Battalion AIF Recruitment Tent, Rutherford Camp 1916
36th Battalion 1916, before leaving Newcastle.
Officers, 36th Battalion. Meteren, France. 24th January 1918.
36th Battalion's last Parade before being disbanded. 30th April 1918.
Presented to The Honorable Joseph Farrier COATES. MLC JP.
I have been researching records for 1408 Stanley Herbert Brazil who was a signaller in the 36th battalion and served in Belguim and France He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal in January 1918. His name is not appearing on the list above. He was transferred to the 33rd battalion in April 1918. His name does not appear there either. Possibly this has been overlooked? Please check. Thank you and kind regards
Hi
I’ve been researching records for 1408 Stanley Herbert Brazil, who enlisted in the 36th battalion and served in France, 1917 and 1918. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal on 1/1/1918. His name is missing from the list above. Could this please be amended, or is there a reason why it’s missing? Please contact me if you need more info. I have quite a lot of info on him, mostly sourced from the National Archives records. I’d love to find out more – particularly chasing a photo of him and would be interested to know what became of his medal? He is not a relative, but was a good friend of my Grandfather, and I have letters he wrote to him from France. He never married, and died in 1978. The correct spelling of his surname is Brazel, but he enlisted as Brazil. Thanks!
Hello Susan, Thank you for your email and membership, I will compile a profile on Stanley over the next few day’s and add him to my records. I have many more men to research, but as information comes to hand I try to priorities members requests first. I was only aware the other day that a 36th man was recommended for a VC. I will try to find a photo of him for you and add to his profile, give me a few days but if you can sent a copy of his letters I’ll add them to his profile.
Regards
Dave Harrower
Hi David.
My name is Brent, reading extracts from the internet I have identified that you may be able to assist.
I am looking for a photo of my Great Uncle; John Manly Bloomfield (Serial No.4978) who was attached to the 36th Battalion between 29-Sep-1916
and 28-Jun-1918. Unfortunately he was either training or hospitalised in England between 3-Jan-1918 through to 28-Jun-1918.
If you have a photo of the 36th Battalion outside the dates he was away or an actual photo of him I would greatly appreciate a copy as any photos that my family have had, have unfortunately been destroyed in a historical house fire.
A copy of these photos will be used alongside his medals to create a memorial picture frame that I am assembling.
Thank you kindly for your time and assistance
Kind Regards,
Brent
Hi Brent, I will see what I can find.
Regards
Dave H
I have a couple of group photos of the 36th from between 1916-1918 as my uncle was in the 36th and was KIA on 4th April 1918 at Villers Bretonneux. The group photos don’t have names unfortunately. But I can look through them if you want
Hi Kirsty,
Would it be possible to get copies so I can have a look at the men, I have a lot of individual named photos to men of the 36th so I may be able to match some names for you.
aif.ww1@live.com
Regards
David Harrower ACM
Hi Kirsty,
My ancestor was also in the 36th from Largs and was also killed on 4.4.18 at Villers Bretonneux. His name was William Henry Garland, painter before the war. He enlisted age 44 which was old for then. Any photos or information on him or the unit would be extremely appreciated. He was killed on a night raid and is mentioned in the diary of accounts by witnesses on the night.
Hi David
My ancestor was also in the 36th from Largs and was also killed on 4.4.18 at Villers Bretonneux. His name was William Henry Garland, painter before the war. He enlisted age 44 which was old for then. Any photos or information on him or the unit would be extremely appreciated. He was killed on a night raid and is mentioned in the diary of accounts by witnesses on the night. His body was never found.
Hi Dave
Thanks so much for adding Stan to the list and for getting back to me. There are about 25 letters, so difficult to send a copy of all to you. I am working on putting them into a booklet form (happy to share that with you when it’s done) and I’ve got a fair bit of info, but anything more would be appreciated! Local paper is putting a story in this week (they are running the Road to Remembrance series) to see if that turns up more info, so hopefully will be able to fill in some gaps. Only photo I have found from Stan’s army time is a group photo of 6 soldiers from 34th and 36th battalion. I don’t know when it was taken, I found it amongst my Grandparent’s things. Looks like a clipping from a magazine – there’s no date. Also have a photo of Stan in later life, but would love one from his army days. Happy to share any with you at any time. How can I get a copy of this photo to you? Thanks again, kind regards, Sue
Hi there
I am researching my great Uncle, Pte Harry Bertram Mortimore (502) of B company, 36th Battalion AIF who died in Steenwerck, Belgium on 10th July 1917. I wondered whether you might have any information, particularly photos of him?
I am currently visiting the battlefields in France and Belgium and will visit his grave tomorrow.
Best wishes
Sally
Hello Sally, yes I have a photo of him, working on his profile and will have on line later this week.
Dave H
David
I have recently been researching my family history. Pvte Cecil Sydney Smith joined the 36th Batt as a rifleman and was to die on 22 Jan 1917 and buried in Bonjean military cemetery .
Any record of his activity would be appreciated
Hi Rob. I will see what I can find.
Regards
Dave H
HI David I have been chasing information on my great uncle who served in the 36th Australian battalion Pvte Fredrick James Albert 2520 who was KIA on the 18 October 1917, any information or photos would be much appreciated as I am a veteran (Navy) and would like to chase his entitled medals.
Hi Warren, I will have a look to see what I have on him. I’ll check his records for his entitlements.
Dave H
Hi David, I’m Looking for any information about Andrew Penney service no 3111. He’s my great, great uncle and my Mum would love to find out more information about him.
I will see what I can find for you.
Hi David, I’m looking for any information on Sidney Edward Foote. On his memorial headstone it states that he was awarded a croix-de-guerre but I can’t find any more information on this. Thank you
Hi Jenny, let me see what I can find for you. Give me at least a week as I have a fair bit on at the moment.
Regards
Dave H
Dear Sir, my great uncle was Herbert William Nixon. I know he was born in Belfast and moved to Australia then joined the army. He died in Belgium on the1st of October 1917. Any information or advice you can provide would be much appreciated.
Hi Cheryl, I have added a profile on Herbert, trying to find a photo of him for you, he was an original member of A Company 36th Battalion, no known grave, his brother received his medals and plaque in New Zealand. I will update his profile further when I find a photo of him
Regards
Dave Harrower JP
Hi David,
any chance of finding information, trying to find photographic for Walter Thomas Ridgway. His brother Kingsley has also enlisted at at the same time.
thanks Jenny.
Hi Jennifer. Walter served with the 33rd Battalion and Kingsley with the 53rd when he enlisted. Give me a couple of days and I will do a search and see what I can find.
Regards
Dave H
Thank you David greatly appreciated.
Jennifer
Hi David,
I am the great-great-great niece of Alexander Forsyth Davidson, who was part of the 36th Australian Infantry Battalion. He died June 11th, 1917. Could you find any more information on him, or a picture? He also had brothers, such as Peter “Scotty” Davidson (Gallipoli) and Stuart Davidson. Would love pictures on them if possible.
Hi Rebecca.
his memorial plaque was auctioned in 2018 but I missed it, I will have another look in my records as I keep updating them and see I I have anything else.
Regards
Dave H
Hello Dave,
My great uncle Private Andrew Williams 1706 was part of the 36th Battalion AIF. Killed 22 January 1917. Buried Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery Armentieres. Apparently buried alive in a dugout during an attack by the Prussian Guards. Any information or photos would be most appreciated.
Hi Dave, I’m just starting my search regarding my great grandfather Hector Clermont Rose. Anything you could point me towards would be wonderful.
Hi Narelle, I have added a bit of info for you to get you started. I have started a profile on him with a few photos, hope to finish later this week.
Born: 1st March 1891. Stanmore, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:
Married: 1911. Waterloo, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:
Wife: Ivy Kathleen Louise Rose. nee: Cecil. (1893-1979)
Died: 1st August 1953. Concord Repatriation Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:
Father: Edward Henry Rose. (1863-1901)
Mother: Florence L Rose. nee: Bullard. (1862-1915)
INFORMATION
Hector Clermont Rose was serving with the Instructional Staff when he enlisted with the AIF at Victoria Barracks on the 19th February 1917 with the rank of Sergeant and was entrained to the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 8th Reinforcements 36th Battalion AIF.
Family Information
Hector was a married 29 year old Timekeeper who worked with the N.S.W. Government Railways upon his enlistment with the AIF. Hector served with the 25th Infantry, Scottish Rifles. Hector served pre World War 2 with the 30th Battalion and attained the rank of Major
Regards
Dave Harrower
Oh wow, that is amazing, I can’t wait to hear more! Thank you,
Hi my grandfather James Arnold Harris was in the 36th Battalion C Company in WW1. I know the War Memorial has his enlistment papers etc but I was wondering if you have any information or photos of him
Hello Denise. Your grandfather was transferred to the 33rd Battalion when the 36th was disbanded on the 30th April 1918 ans as a Sergeant was recommended for a Mention in Dispatches “For conspicuous gallantry on the afternoon of 21st June 1918, North East of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. This NCO was one of a party of four N.C.Os who accompanied Lieutenant WIDDY. M.M. on a daylight reconnaissance on NO MAN’S LAND. While on this reconnaissance two Germans were observed seated in enemy front line. The party entered the enemy trench in an endeavor to capture the two Germans and during the encounter which ensued Sergeant HARRIS showed great gallantry and fearlessness. His action was a great inspiration to the whole Battalion.”
You should be very proud of your Grandfather we was true hero. I will try to find a photo for you and commence a profile on him. Very busy at the moment with ANZAC Day in a few days. Hope this little bit of information helps.
Best Regards
David Harrower ACM
Hello David, my great uncle Spero Bernard Wilson Service No 5041 was in the 36th Battalion. Killed in Action, Belgium, 10 June 1917. Any information or photos you may have and would be happy to share would most appreciated.
Thanks your time and assistance.
Hello Vanessa, I’lltry to find a photo of him. Started a profile.
9th January 1918.
Informant: Private: 5145 J BELL 36th Battalion AIF. “He was blown to pieces by a shell during the hop over at Messines. I could not say if he was buried. He was a runner in the Coy. I knew him well, we came over together with the 13th Reinforcements 19th Battalion, on the transport, Ajana, leaving Sydney July 5th 1916. He came from Sydney.
No: 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, England
Regards
David Harrower ACM
Hello David,
Thank you so much, fingers crossed there is a photo of him.
Thanks again
Hello David,
My Great Great Uncle was William Henry Garland who served in the 36th Battalion in WW1 in Villers Bretonneux, France service no 2069 and was killed defending the village against the Germans. He was apparently in platoon/company 10? I know you’re busy being Anzac Day in a few days but is it possible to try and find a photo of him? I have researched and can’t find one as yet. I’d love to put a face to the hero of ours. Thank you so much David and thank you for your hard work in alloys to know our Anzac heroes
Hi Donna, he enlisted as Henry William Garland, from Branxton. I don’t have a photo of him but I will do some searches after ANZAC Day, and yes I’m rather busy at this time of year. I will stat a profile on him soon.
Regards
Dave H
I am after photos of two great uncles : Michael JCANTY (395)and Philip Denis
Canty( 396). The brothers were in the 36th Battalion Company B in WW1.
I have located the grave site of Michael and although I know the location of Philip’s grave, it is unmarked.
Hi Phil
To check if I’m on the right track, did Philip die in 1927 at Burrowa, N.S.W. Looking for a some photos for you.
Regards
Dave Harrower
Hi,
I am looking for any information or photos of my Grandfather, He joined the 36th Batalion as a 15 year old. Under a fake birth certificate of Francis Edwards. His real name was Fredrick Edwards. His number was 2560 …I’m desperate for anything you can provide me with . Many thanks
Hi Teena,
I will see what I can come up with for you.
Regards
Dave Harrower
Hi,
I’m researching my Grt Uncle THOMAS PATRICK KAVANAGH 5919 , he enlisted under the name Thomas Patrick WELSH (for some unknown reason) .He was in killed in action on 3/10/18
. I was wondering if you have any photos of him ?
Thanks in advance
Regards Vicki
Hi David,
Thank you for all the work you are doing preserving history. I would love some assistance getting any information or photos of my Great Grandfather Wilfred William Craig (SN1087). He served in the 36th Battalion until it was disbanded. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
John
Hi John
I have a photo of the Craig Family, taken at Kempsey, I think in the min 1920’5. Wilfred is wearing his Returned from Active Service Badge on his lapel. I will email you a copy. I will get around to compiling a profile on him at some stage.
Dave Harrower ACM
Hello Dave,
I have only just begun researching the military records of my Great grandfather Charles Roy Howe. According to his papers he was in the 36th Battalion. I am wondering if you might know anything about him or if you have any photos that show him? If not, could you please point me in the direction of how I can find about more about his service?
My mum recently gave me a service medal he received and I would like to learn a little more about the medal and what it was for.
Thanks ever so much.
I have a photo of him and I will email you a copy. As for his service he was discharged as medically unfit on the 28th March 1916 so he never left the country so I don’t think he is entitled to any service overseas medals. I you could send me a photo of the medal I can tell you what it is and how he may have received it.
Regards
David Harrower ACM