19th Battalion – The Harrower Collection

Private: 6883A Walter Herbert STANLEY

February 6, 2022 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 6883A Walter Herbert STANLEY

Born: 1880. Woolloomooloo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Married: 6th December 1908 Boulder City, Western Australia.

Wife: Ida Emma Margaret Stanley. nee: Fisher. (1889-1948)

Died: 28th June 1940. North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:10520/1940.

Father: William Alexander Stanley. (1852-1883)

Mother: Georgina Stanley. nee: Holmes. (1848-1926)

INFORMATION

Walter Henry Stanley enlisted with the AIF on the 10th April 1917 at the Recruitment Depot, Royal Naval House at Grosvenor Street, Sydney where he was sent to the Royal Agricultural Show Ground where he was allocated to the 20th Reinforcements 19th Battalion AIF and entrained to the Liverpool Army Camp. Walter embarked from Sydney with the 19th Battalion on the 16th July on board HMAT A16 and disembarked at Liverpool, England on the 10th October 1917.

Walter proceeded overseas for France on the 23rd of January 1918 to reinforce the 35th Battalion and was marched out to the lines and Taken on in Strength.

8th August 1918.

At about 1:00 am a halt was made a few hundred yards in rear of the assembly tape and hot cocoa was served out to the men. The approach march was over and the Battalion on the tape, which had been ably laid by Lieutenant WARLAND and his scouts by 2.30 am. The enemy was very quiet and we suffered no casualties before Zero hour which was at 4:20 am when the barrage opened and the advance commenced as per App 11. At 6:45 am the objective was reached by the most advanced troops and consolidation commenced. Tanks from the rear came forward and and formed up at the rear with the 4th Australian Division in artillery formation. At 8:20 am as the barrage lifted the whole line went forward through us as if on parade.

(35th Battalion War Diary)

Walter received a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Shoulder on the 8th August 1918 and was evacuated from the lines where he was treated by the Australian Casualty Clearing Station before he was invalided to England for further treatment. Upon his discharge he embarked from England on the 8th January 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 12th April 1919.

Walter's Identification Tag was auctioned in January 2022 and was purchased by a private collector, underbidder and unable to secure for the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Walter was a 37 year old married Labourer from 13 Northcliffe Street, Milsons Point via Sydney, N.S.W.

Walter and Ida Fisher were married on the 6th December 1908 at Boulder City, Western Australia and had 2 children. Georgina Ida Margaret Stanley (1909-1995) William Henry Colin Stanley. (1910-1968)

Maggie Fisher nee: Butler (1859-1942) - Georgina Stanley (1909-1995) - Ida Emma Margaret Stanley nee: Fisher (1889-1948) - William Henry Colin Stanley (1910-1968)

Walter died on the 28th June 1940. North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is buried at the Macquarie Park Cemetery Section S Row 3

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 03/01/2022-06/02/2022.

Private: 5041 Spero Bernard WILSON

October 5, 2021October 4, 2021 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 5041 Spero Bernard WILSON

Born: 1899. Cambridge, Cape Colony, South Africa.

Died: 10th June 1917. Killed in Action, Messines, Belgium.

Father: Edward Thomas Wilson. (1869-...)

Mother: Elizabeth Helena Leonettia Wilson. (1866-1933)

INFORMATION

Spiro Bernard Wilson enlisted with the AIF on the 19th October 1915 and was allocated to the 13th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A31 "Ajana" on the 5th July 1916.

HMAT A31 "Ajana"

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

21st February 1918.

Informant: Private: 5145 J BELL 36th Battalion AIF. "I did not actually seeNo:5041 Private Wilson S.B. killed, it is only from what I heard from No:5077 Private JAMES J.P. 36th Battalion AIF on or about 20.6.17. I could not say when Private WILSON was killed, I was told he was killed in the Messines Battle. No.5077 Private JAMEs J.P. told me he was killed, but he did not say he actually saw the above mentioned soldier killed".

Fovant, France

Menin Gate War Memorial

Family Information

Spero was a single 19 year old Dairyman from 37 Palmer Street, Balmain, N.S.W. He served with the 29th Infantry prior to his enlistment.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 04/10/2021-05/10/2021.

Private: 6807 Walter Harold GRONO.

November 1, 2020October 30, 2020 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 6807 Walter Harold GRONO.

Born: 1895. Newtown via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:5607/1897.

Married: 23rd April 1915. Sydney, New South Wales Australia. Marriage Cert:4329/1915.

Wife: Violet May Grono. nee: March. (1895-1970)

Died: 22nd August 1918. Killed in Action by Friendly Fire at Bray sur Somme, France.

Father: Jonathan Phillip Grono. (1870-1910)

Mother: Eliza Ellen Grono. nee: Marshall. (1847-1915)

INFORMATION

No.6807 Walter Harold GRONO was one of two brothers to serve during World War One. He was a married 21 year old Labourer from Erskineville in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 4th of May 1917.

He embarked from Australia as a member of the 20th Reinforcements to the 19th Battalion, on board the HMAT (A16) ‘Port Melbourne’ that sailed from Sydney on the 16th of July 1917 and arrived at Liverpool in England on the 16th of September. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled by train to Salisbury Plain in the County of Wiltshire, and marched into the 5th Training-Battalion near the village of Rollestone.

Offence - on the 1st of November 1917 at Fovant he was charged with: “AWL from midnight 31/10/17 till 2:30 p.m. 2/11/17”. As punishment he was confined to camp for 4 days and had a total forfeiture of 5 days pay.

On the 23rd of January 1918 he deployed across to France, marching in to the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Rouelles. On the 26th he marched out to the front and was taken-on-strength by the 35th BATTALION (Newcastle’s Own) two days later. (The 35th Battalion War-Diary for the 28th of January recorded: “100 Reinforcements arrived. It was one of the best batches of men received both numerically and physically. They stated that they had been recruited by the Sportsman’s Union. We are hoping for valuable assistance to our sports teams”).

In late March of 1918 the 9th Infantry Brigade (comprising the 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions) was rushed south to ‘the Somme’, in response to a huge new German Offensive (known by the Germans as Operation Michael), and used as a mobile formation being thrown in to strengthen the line wherever needed. He was with the 35th Battalion for the “1ST BATTLE OF VILLERS-BRETONNEUX” on the 4th of April 1918, when the 9th Australian Brigade, and a few tired elements of the British 5th Army, was instrumental in stopping the German advance toward Amiens. Counter-Attacks by the 35th and 36th Battalion were crucial in halting the German attack.

He was with the Battalion on the 8th of August 1918 just east of the village of Hamel, for the start of ‘THE AUGUST OFFENSIVE”, again coming through unscathed.

His luck ran out on the 22nd of August 1918 when he was part of a Lewis-Gun team during the attack on ‘’BRAY-sur-SOMME’’. The 35th Battalion Routine-Orders for the 24th of August recorded him as ‘Missing’. The following Routine-Order on the 28th amended him to being ‘Wounded’, and an Inquiry later still amended his fate to ‘’KILLED-IN-ACTION’’.

(note - an entry in his ‘Red Cross Wounded and Missing File’ records that a British 18 pounder shell burst amongst the Lewis-Gun team, hitting four of the men. His service file contained a notation that he had been “buried 1200 yards west of Bray-sur-Somme - Map-Reference L.14.a.4.2’’, which according to a Trench-Map in the 35th Battalion War-Diary was also the site of a ‘Regimental Aid Post’, so he must have been carried there by the Stretcher-Bearers and subsequently died of wounds).

Unfortunately his Grave was never found by the Graves Services Unit, so he is currently recorded ‘among the missing’, with his name inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.

Villers-Bretonneux War Memorial.

(Bill Durant: October 2020)

23rd May 1919.

Informant: Lance Corporal: 6943 Patrick John PURCELL. C Company 35th Battalion. Private: 6807 Walter Harold GRONO. "Fairly short, medium build, fair complexion, inclined to go bald, clean shaven, had been a signaller previously. In front of Bray on August 22nd we were advancing to take Bray. He was No: 4 or No: 5 in my gun team. One of our own 18 Pounders burst short and hit 4 of our team. I did not see him again as I had to go on . I was wounded myself in the next stunt, so I did not get any more particulars.

On board H.T "Czaritza"

Family Information

Walter was a married 21 year old Labourer from Erskineville in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF. Walter served with the 34th Infantry Citizens Military Forces.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/10/2020-31/10/2020.

Private: 6789 William John DELAHUNTY.

October 25, 2020September 14, 2020 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 6789 William John DELAHUNTY

Born: 1890. Balmain via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:2664/1890.

Died: May 1938. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Father: Thomas Delahunty. (1849-12/12/1895)

Mother: Annie Delahunty. nee: Lewis. (1850-26/04/1934)

INFORMATION

William John Delahunty enlisted with the AIF 27th April 1917 at Newcastle, N.S.W and was en trained to Sydney where he was allocated to the 20th Reinforcements 19th Battalion AIF at the Liverpool Army Camp and embarked from Sydney on the 16th July 1917 for England and disembarked at Liverpool, England on the 16th September 1917.

William was transferred to the 35th Battalion on the 8th February 1918 in France.

13th August 1918.

Informant: Private: 6789 William DELAHUNTY. D Company 35th Battalion AIF. "At 47th Casualty Clearing Station. I saw the grave of Private: 6862A James PARKER who was a 20th Reinforcement of 19th Battalion and transferred to 35th Battalion in January last, and who was knocked in the Hop-Over at Morlancourt".

Westham, England.

William returned to Australia on the 18th February 1918.

Family Information

William was a single 25 year old Labourer from 13 Church Street Balmain where he lived with his mother Annie and sister Elsie Delahunty (1893-19..) and Thomas Joseph Delahunty (1879-1944) prior his enlistment with the AIF. William was charged at Balmain Local Court on the 21st August 1916 with (1) Garroting (2) Assault and Robbery at Balmain. William pleaded Not Guilty and was granted Bail.

Military Records

Under Construction: 14/09/2020.

Lance Corporal: 771A Clarence Henry BATTESE. M.M.

August 6, 2019August 2, 2019 by David Harrower ACM

34th - 19th - 53rd BATTALION AIF

Lance Corporal: 771A Clarence Henry BATTESE. M.M.

Born: 1899. Casino, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 30th September 1918. Killed in Action. Marlancourt, Picardie.

Father: John Battese.

Mother: Margaret Battese. nee: Spencer.

INFORMATION

Clarence Henry Battese enlisted in the 34th Battalion AIF on 14 Feb 1916, at the Age of 16 years ("18 years & 3 months") - birth records show he was born in 1899 at Casino to John BATTESE & Margaret, nee SPENCER
He transferred to the 19th Battalion in September 1916 and then the 53rd Battalion
Wounded in Action - GSW R leg 25 September 1917 Awarded Military Medal for actions at Marlancourt, Picardie on 29th Jul 1918 Killed in Action 30 Sep 1918
Respectfully yours
Chris Steel

The Soldier Corner. (Casino & Kyogle Courier 2nd June 1917)

Richmond River Express.

(Casino & Kyogle Courier 3rd September 1919)

Military Records

Under Construction: 02/08/2019.

Private: 7180 Albert BURGE.

November 30, 2023November 26, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 45th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7180 Albert BURGE.

Born: 3rd October 1891. Cooks Hill via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 24th July 1922. Waratah via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13670/1922.

Father: Joseph E Burge. (1855-1929)

Mother: Amelia Burge. nee: Fisher. (1876-1896)

INFORMATION

Albert Burge enlisted with the AIF on the 4th February 1918 at the Sydney Showground, New South Wales and was marched in the the Amy Camp at Liverpool before being sent to Melbourne Victoria where he embarked on board HMAT A71 "Nestor" for England on the 28th February 1918 and disembarked at Liverpool England on the 20th April 1918. Albert was marched in the the 5th Training Battalion but was later transferred to the 12th Training Battalion at Codford. Albert proceeded overseas via Folkstone and disembarked at Fovant an the 15th July 1918 and was again transferred to the 34th Battalion on the on the 21st July 1918.

25th October 1918.

Evidence

Re No 7708 Pte Blasser K.

This man occupied the same dug-out as myself in the line. In 31.7.18 the dug-out was partly blown in by a shell. Private: 7708 Kurst BLASSER received injuries through part of the dug-out falling on him.

(Sgd) Private: 1780 Albert BURGE. 34th Battalion AIF.

34th Bn.

Here with Army Form3428 concerning accidental injuries of Private: 7708 Kurst BLASSER and Private: QUICK. I have made the necessary enquiries and am of the opinion that neither of them were to blame in there respective cases. I have filled in para 4 to this effect. Would you please obtain the C.O's signature and fill in date when signed to this para.

(Sgd) Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. O.C "A" Coy.

Albert was in the Quota 45 and retuned to England in the 8th May 1919 although Albert had been hospitalised several times with total VD period 68 days whilst in France and England and returned to Australia on the 6th of September on board the "Euripides" and disembarked on the 24th October 1919.

Albert Burge arrived home from active service to Newcastle on Friday night 24 October 1919 and was met by the Mayoress, Mrs J. Lott, members of the Southern Cross League and the Welcome Home Committee and then taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs J. Perry, where a reception was provided with food and music. He was also a guest at a welcome home banquet at the School of Arts at Carrington staged by the Welcome Home Committee on Saturday 29 November 1919.

Albert was discharged from the AIF on the 4th December 1919.

Family Information

Albert was a single Carter from Newcastle, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. Buried at the Catholic Cemetery at Sandgate with his parents and brother; invited to attend the funeral were family and friends as well as officers and members of the City of Newcastle Lodge G.U.U.O.F. and members of the Newcastle and District Trolley Draymen and Carter Union. His brother was Private: 4558 Manuel BURGE. 45th Battalion AIF.

In February 1901 Albert Burge, aged 9, along with two other children was charged under the provisions of the Industrial Schools Act as they were members of a gang of juvenile housebreakers and accordingly they were ordered to be placed on board the nautical training ship Sobraon on the 19th February 1901.

As an adult, Albert Burge was charged and pleaded guilty to riotous behaviour in Hunter Street, Newcastle on 8 November 1920 for damaging a pane of glass and was fined one pound with two pounds damages. Then again he was tried for an event the day before when he had been spoken to about his behaviour in the Federal Hotel and struck the man who subsequently forcibly removed Burge from the hotel. On this occasion he was acquitted.

Once again Burge was in trouble during the Christmas period in 1920 when he was tried at Newcastle Court on 20 December for behaving in a riotous manner in Maitland Road, Tighe's Hill. It seems that a large brawl erupted outside the Federal Hotel between returned soldiers. Several people were charged and found guilty. Albert Burge pleaded not guilty and claimed a man named David Jones called him a 'nigger' (on Burge's enlistment documents he is recorded as having dark complexion, dark eyes and dark hair) and slapped him on the face. This was corroborated by a witness to the event. David Jones claimed that Burge came up to him and asked him if he wanted to fight and then struck him. Burge was fined ten shillings or alternatively 3 days imprisonment.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 26/11/2018-29/11/2023.

Private: 7051 James Henry CROWE.

May 3, 2019July 24, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7051 James Henry CROWE.

Born: 1898. Bethungra via Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:30028/1898.

Died: 22nd of August 1918, during the 9th Brigade attack on Bray-sur-Somme.

Father: Robert Daniel Crowe. (1853-192)

Mother: Emily Elizabeth Crowe. nee: Parish. (1863-1938)

INFORMATION

No.7051 James Henry Crowe was one of two brothers to serve together in WW1. He had completed Senior-Cadets and one year of training with the 43rd Infantry (Werriwa) - Citizens Military Forces, under the Universal Training Scheme, prior to applying to enlist.

Studio group portrait of 7776 Private (Pte) Wilfred Murray Cook, 13th Battalion, of Cootamundra (left), and brothers 7050 Pte John Cecil Crowe, 19th Battalion, of Cootamundra (seated) and 7051 Pte James Henry Crowe, 19th Battalion, of Cootamundra, NSW (right).

Both John Cecil CROWE and James Henry CROWE would transfer to and serve in the 34th Battalion AIF.

He was a 19 year old Pastry-Cook from Cootamundra in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 7th of January 1918. He embarked from Australia as a member of the 21st Reinforcements to the 19th Battalion aboard the HMAT (A71) Nestor, which departed Melbourne on the 28th of February 1918 and arrived at Liverpool in England on the 20th of April. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled by train to Wiltshire, where they marched into the 5th Training-Battalion at Rollestone.

On the 5th of June 1918 the brothers were transferred to the 45th Battalion and on the 15th of July both deployed across from England to France, marching into the Base Depot.

On the 21st of July 1918 he and his brother were transferred and taken-on-strength by the 34th BATTALION (Maitland’s Own). Both were posted into “C” Company.

James Henry CROWE was with the 34th Battalion on the 8th of August 1918 when the Allies commenced the ‘August Offensive’ with the Battle of Amiens and started to drive the Germans out of their trenches and back toward the Hindenburg Line.

On the 22nd of August 1918, during the 9th Brigade attack on Bray-sur-Somme, James Henry CROWE was KILLED-IN-ACTION. The 34th Battalion had taken up positions (Map Reference: L.3.c & d ) in and around a chalk quarry to the North of Bray-sur-Somme, while the 34th Battalion Headquarters and Battle Regimental Aid Post were located in a quarry at Map Reference K.18.a 5.1. The burial ground known as Taille Wood Cemetery was close by.

He was initially buried in the Taille Wood Cemetery not far from where the Battalion HQ had been located, but in 1920 the small Cemetery was exhumed and its 18 dead (16 Australian & 2 UK) were re-interred in the Beacon Military Cemetery at Sailly-Laurette.

Beacon Military Cemetery at Sailly-Laurette.

(Bill Durrant: July 2018)

Family Information

James was a single 19 year old Pastry-Cook from Cootamundra in NSW upon enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

Under Construction: 24/07/2018-31/08/2018.

Private: 7050 John Cecil CROWE.

May 29, 2023July 24, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7050 John Cecil CROWE.

Born: 12th July 1893. Railway line near Bethungra via Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:11818/1893.

Married: 14th March 1921 Auburn, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:4226/1921.

Wife: Nita Alma Crowe. nee: Thatcher. (1897-1974)

Died: 18th of April 1936. Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:10207/1936.

Father: Robert Daniel Crowe. (1853-192)

Mother: Emily Elizabeth Crowe. nee: Parish. (1863-1938)

INFORMATION

No.7050 John Cecil CROWE was the older of two brothers that served together in WW1. He had previously trained with the 11th Light Horse Regiment (Citizens Military Forces) under the Universal Training Scheme.

Both John Cecil CROWE and James Henry CROWE would transfer to and serve in the 34th Battalion AIF.

John was a 24 year old Labourer from Cootamundra in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 6th of December 1917; commencing his service and entering camp on the 10th of January 1918.

John and his brother James embarked from Australia as members of the 21st Reinforcements of the 19th Battalion aboard the HMAT (A71) Nestor, which departed Melbourne on the 28th of February 1918 and arrived at Liverpool in England on the 20th of April. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled by train to Wiltshire, where they marched into the 5th Training-Battalion at Rollestone.

On the 5th of June 1918 the brothers were transferred to the 45th Battalion and on the 15th of July both deployed across from England to France, marching into the Base Depot at Havre.

On the 21st of July 1918 he and his brother were both transferred and taken-on-strength by the 34th BATTALION (Maitland’s Own). Both were posted into “C” Company.

John Cecil CROWE was with the 34th Battalion on the 8th of August 1918 when the Allies commenced the ‘August Offensive’ with the Battle of Amiens and started to drive the Germans out of their trenches and back toward the Hindenburg Line. His brother was KIA on the 22nd of August, in the 9th Brigade attack on Bray-sur-Somme.

John Cecil CROWE was with the 34th Battalion for the August Offensive and then the ‘Advance to the Hindenburg Line’ the following month.

11th November 1918 – the Germans signed an ARMISTICE which finally ends the war in Europe.

On the 29th of January 1919 he was attached to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot. He was granted leave from the 15th to the 29th of April 1919, reporting to the Australian Base Reception Camp (Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Havre on the 30th.

On the 10th of June 1919 he proceeded from France back to England and marched into the No.2 Group Camp at Sutton Veny in Wiltshire.

He returned to Australia in July 1919 on board the Ulysses, disembarking on the 28th of September 1919.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 28th of September 1919.

He died (aged 42) on the 18th of April 1936 and was buried in the Cootamundra Cemetery.

(Bill Durrant: July 2018)

Family Information

John was a single 24 year old Labourer from Cootamundra in N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. John served with the 11th Australian Light Horse prior to WW1. John was an ex Railway Employee.

(Family information supplied by Judith Kelly, Granddaughter of John Cecil Crowe. May 2019)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 24/07/2018-29/05/2023.

Private: 6779 Albert Matthew CLARKE.

July 21, 2018July 21, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

35th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 6779 Albert Matthew CLARKE.

Born: 1898. Warren, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:1898/26488.

Died: 5th April 1918. Killed in Action Villers-Brettoneux, France.

Father: James Clarke. (1858–3/6/1927) died at Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia

Mother: Grace Jane Clarke. nee: New. (1877–16/03/1960) New South Wales, Australia

INFORMATION

Albert Matthew Clarke enlisted with the AIF at the Royal Agricultural Show Ground in Sydney on the 13th April 1917 and was allocated to the 20th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion AIF on the 26th June 1917 before he proceeded overseas for England on the 16th July on board HMAT A16 and disembarked at Liverpool, England on the 16th September 1917. Albert was marched in with the Reinforcements to the 5th Training Battalion where he remained until the Reinforcements proceeded overseas via Southampton on the 23rd January 1918.

After arriving in France they went into billets and Albert was transferred to the 35th Battalion AIF on the 28th of January

4th April 1918.

North of the railway cutting Sayers Company of the 35th Battalion advanced with equal success. The Germans immediately ahead of it numbered not more than 100. As the company approached some of them ran. Lieutenant: Thomas Edward THOMPSON was wounded by a German at fifteen yards range.

(BEAN; History of World War 1 Vol V page 345) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN
4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

The Strength of the 9th Infantry Brigade was about 2,250 but their casualties during the 2 days of fighting numbered 30 Officers and 635 men either killed in action or missing.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.4th-5th April 1918

33rd Battalion. AIF	3 Officers	82 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF	5 Officers	120 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF	9 Officers	282 Other ranks (including 44 missing)
36th Battalion. AIF	12 Officers	133 Other ranks (including 1 missing)
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF	1 Officer	18 Other ranks (including 4 missing)

Albert was reported Missing in Action on the 5th April 1918 but this was reviewed to Killed in Action on the 5th April 1918 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, Hangard, Picardie, France.

Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, Hangard, Picardie, France

Warren War Memorial

Family Information

Albert was a single 18 year old Labourer from Warren, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. James Edward Clarke born 7/6/1893 at Warren, New South Wales, Australia and died 28/11/1966 and is buried at the Warren General Cemetery - Anglican Section. Archibald Ronald Eric Clarke 14/7/1896 at Warren , N.S.W. and died in 18/11/1965 at Warren N.S.W. Grace D Clarke 1901- 19... Marjorie Elizabeth Clarke (1902 at Warren, New South Wales, and died 1/10/1963 at Sydney, N.S.W. Doreen Pearl Clarke born 1908 at Warren, N.S.W.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 28/10/2016-21/07/2017.

Private: 2785 Charles Cameron KNIGHT.

May 14, 2018May 10, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

19th BATTALION AIF.

Private: 2785 Charles Cameron KNIGHT.

Born: 7th April 1898. Blaney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:15398/1889.

Married: 12th October 1929. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:18367/1929.

Wife: Irene Knight. nee: Davis. (18..-1986)

Died: 9th December 1955 Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:28132/1955.

Father:Charles Knight Junior. (18..-31/05/1946)

Mother: Jessie Knight. nee: Cameron. (1873-02/11/1944) Hawksbury District Hospital.

INFORMATIONCharles Cameron Knight enlisted with the 6th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion AIF on the 21st of July 1915 at the age of 16 years as he put his age up to 18 years to enlist. He proceeded overseas to join the British Expeditionary Force at Alexandria on the 2nd June 1916 and disembarked at Arscilles on board the "Kinfauns Castle" on the 8th June and was taken on in strength with the 4th Battalion at Tel-el-Kabir.

Postcard from Charlie to his parents Charles and Jessie Knight whist at the Suez Canal. (Riverstone Historical Society)Charles was Wounded in Action on the 6th August 1916 having a Gun Shot Wound Leg and Thigh and was evacuated to the 2nd Casualty clearing Station. He was later transferred to Boulogne where he embarked for England where he was admitted to the Northampton War Hospital on the 14th August for surgery for a Severe Gun Shot Wound to his Right Knee and Thigh. "A Nurse at the Hospital said "he was too young to have his leg amputated" to the Surgeon who saved Charlies leg but he had to were a Calliper on his right leg for the rest of his life. Charlie's condition was listed as "Seriously Ill" and he remain in hospital until he was discharged and transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on the 30th June 1917 to prepare for his return to Australia. Charlie embarked from England on the 14th September 1917 on board HMAT "Kanowna" for Australia and was discharged Medically Unfit on the 12th of February 1918.

Pre Active Service and post World War 1. Charlie Knight after he returned from England.

Unveiling of the Riverstone War Memorial November 1919Rouse Hill Times. 22nd April 2015.

Back to Riverstone Parade 1934. Float Chas C Knight.Charlie's 14/15 Star:19222, British War Medal:22279, Victory Medal:22054, Wound Badge, and RAS Badge were given to his Grandson David John Harrower JP by Irene Francis Knight "Charlie's Daughter" in the early 1970's.

AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS WW2.

Captain: Charles Cameron KNIGHT.

Commanding Officer (Administration) 19th Volunteer Defence Corps

1940. Left. World War 2

1940. Second Right. World War 2

1940.

1940. Parade.Family InformationCharles was a single 18 year old Railway Porter from Riverstone N.S.W. upon enlistment. After the war Charlie returned to Riverstone. His Parents, Charles and Jessie Cameron were married on the 4th July 1897 at St Pauls Church Sydney. He moved back to Riverstone and lived at 8 Railway Terrace on the corner of Castlereigh Street, Riverstone. N.S.W. Charlie was an Alderman with Blacktown Shire Council from 1937 to 1944 He was also the Chief of the Riverstone Bush Fire Brigade, a Justice of the Peace and served on the Hawkesbury Hospital Committee. He was also a local Store Keeper, their telephone number was Riverstone 7. In 1949 moved the family to 38 Cassier Street, Dee Why. Then to 8 Avon Road Dee Why. Charlie and Irene moved to Pacific Parade Dee Why and after Charlie died. In 1953 Irene moved to 112 Pacific Parade. Charlies ashes were scattered at the Northern Suburbes Cremetorium. There daughter Dorothy Knight married to Kenneth George Harrower and moved to 56 Howard Avenue, Dee Why. New South Wales.

SCHOFIELDS Defeated ROOTY HILL CRICKET CLUB. November 1920. Windsor and Richmond Gazette

Friday 24th August 1923. Windsor and Richmond Gazette

Friday 22nd August 1924.

Friday 5th September 1924.

27th November 1925.

29th January 1926.

25th October 1929.

29th November 1929.

14th July 1933.

21st July 1933.

16th February 1934.

29th June 1934.

27th July 1934.

1st March 1935.

4th October 1935.

2nd October 1936.

19th November 1937.

4th December 1937.

14th January 1938.

13th January 1939.

20th January 1939.

28th June 1940.

26th July 1940.

1st August 1941.

2nd June 1943.

8th November 1944.

5th June 1946.

4th September 1946.

15th December 1948.

25th May 1949.

17th August 1949.

7th December 1949.

21st March 1951.

4th February 1953.

Irene Knight lit a fire in the 44 gallon drum in the back yard in the 1950's and burnt all of Charlies letters and war records telling her children John, Dorothy and Joan that "there were a lot of letters to an English Nurse and she didn't want you kid's to get the wrong idea?". The only thing's Irene kept were Charlies war medals.