1st Battalion

Corporal: 2445 George Julian “Snowy” HOWELL. VC MM

by

1st BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 2445 George Julian "Snowy" HOWELL. VC MM

Born: 19th November 1893. Enfield via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1st March 1919. St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney, New South Wales Australia. Marriage Cert:595/1919.

Wife: Sarah "Sadie" Lillian Howell. nee: Yates. (1892-1953)

Died: 23rd December 1964. Repatriation Hospital. Hollywood, Perth Western Australia. 

Father: Francis John Howell. (1857-1923)

Mother: Marth Howell. nee: Sweeney. (1858-1926)

INFORMATION

History / Summary

George Julian ‘Snowy’ Howell was born to Francis John and Martha (nee Sweeny) Howell at Enfield, Sydney on 19 November 1893. Following his education at Croydon Park and Burwood Public Schools, Howell was apprenticed as a bricklayer to a Mr Shannon of Campsie. He was a keen athlete and enjoyed football, playing with the local team, the Enfield Federals. It was as a bricklayer that he enlisted in the first AIF on 3 June 1915. His father, by now almost 60 years of age, enlisted a year later and was assigned to 54th Battalion.

Posted as private 2445 to the 1st Battalion, Howell embarked for Egypt from Sydney on 14 July 1915, aboard HMAT Orsova. He joined his battalion on Gallipoli on 4 November but returned to Alexandria on 28 December following the evacuation of the peninsula. Embarking again in March 1916, the battalion moved to France. A week after arriving Howell attended mortar training school. During the bitter fighting around Pozieres he was wounded in the back on 23 July and evacuated to England, only returning to his unit on 26 November. Promoted to lance corporal on 10 December, Howell attended a training school prior to a further promotion to corporal on 6 February 1917.

In April the 1st Division was tasked with the capture of three villages used by the Germans as outposts to the Hindenburg Line: Hermies, Boursies and Demicourt. The objectives were part of the larger Arras offensive aimed at smashing the German defences and bringing about a swift end to the war. Although significant advances were made, by the end of the offensive on 19 May, the war dragged on. It was during this offensive that Howell was twice recognised for acts of heroism. For his actions on the first day of the offensive, while leading a section during the capture of Demicourt, Howell was awarded the Military Medal.

In early May, during the Second Battle of Bullecourt, the battalion experienced some of its heaviest fighting of the war. At 9.00pm on 3 May, it moved forward to relieve elements of the 6th Infantry Brigade which were holding a section of the front line near Bullecourt known as OG1(Old German Trench1). The relief was complete by 3.30am the following morning but the trench which the battalion had taken over ‘was in very bad order being badly knocked about by shell fire’. Within 30 minutes the Germans made their first bombing (hand grenade) and flame thrower attack on the relieving troops. These attacks continued over the coming days as well as ‘shelling [that] was exceptionally heavy, destructive and constant.’

On the morning of 6 May, Howell, commanding a post on the right of the position, sent an urgent message to battalion headquarters informing them that the battalion on his right was retiring in the face of a heavy counter attack. Captain McKenzie, commanding 1st Battalion, ordered all headquarters staff, including batmen and signallers to reinforce the failing position. Enemy bombs continued to rain down on Howell’s position as the troops scrambled to retaliate with their own Mills bombs. As the situation became increasingly desperate, Howell was seen to leap on to the exposed trench parapet and run along until he was above the Germans, throwing bombs and forcing them back. After he had exhausted his supply of grenades he continued to pursue to retreating Germans with his bayonet until he fell, badly wounded, into the trench.

Following further desperate and close fighting the Australians recaptured all the ground that had been gained by the enemy counter attacks. By the time the battalion was relieved later that evening it had suffered 281 casualties. For his actions during the attack on Bullecourt Howell was awarded the Victoria Cross. The recommendation for the award reads:

Victoria Cross Ribbon Bar with VC Motive. (Harrower Collection)

‘For gallantry, fearlessness and initiative on 6th May 1917 in trench O.G.1 near BULLECOURT, FRANCE, part of which this Btn. was holding. The enemy attacked the Btn. which was occupying the trench on our right and succeeded in driving them from the trench and were approaching our right flank. Cpl. HOWELL, seeing this, without orders, immediately jumped up on the parapet and then singlehanded, though subjected to heavy bomb and rifle fire, threw bombs on the enemy and advanced on them at the same time. Having exhausted his supply of bombs he advance along the top of the parapet and attacked the enemy with his bayonet until he fell wounded into the trench. Seeing Howell’s action other men had come forward to support him and the enemy were finally driven out of the trench which was again occupied and held, being taken over by the Bn. who had formerly held it. HOWELL’S action in stemming the tide of the advance of the enemy and forcing them to draw back enabled the organisation of the counter attack which was immediately launched and drove the Germans from the position.

Corporal: 2445 George Julian HOWELL VC MM being presented with his Victoria Cross and Military Medal by King George V during an investiture on 21 July 1917.

Sergeant:....VC MM - Corporal: 2445 George Julian HOWELL VC MM. 21 July 1917.

His action was witnessed not only by the whole of his Bn. but also by the Btn. occupying O.G.2. Apart from its great value tactically, his example had a great effect in inspiring other men and undoubtedly was greatly responsible for the enemy’s being driven back immediately, though it was some time before they were driven out of the whole position.

Furthermore the bravery of Cpl. HOWELL on the above occasion had been the topic of conversation in this and neighbouring Btn’s of the Bde, both Officers and men. He has done previous good work and already won the M.M. His wound has proved a very serious one.’

Howell’s survival was extraordinary. He later told reporters that ‘the Germans had thrown every available item of ironmongery at him’. He had sustained over 20 wounds during the action, including grenade damage to his hand and machine gun wounds to both legs, which effectively ended his active service.

In July due to the severity of his son’s wounds, Howell’s father, soon to be returned home after his true age had been discovered, was given special leave from France to visit his son in London. Howell had by now recovered sufficiently to be able to attend the investiture for both his Victoria Cross and Military Medal, which was made by King George V in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace on 21 July. It is thought that his father was able to attend the ceremony as well.

Howell was invalided to Australia on board HMAT Berrima on 31 October 1917. He was discharged on 5 June 1918. Of his two brothers who served, one, Private Frederick Francis Howell, of 1st Pioneer Battalion, survived the war, while Lance Corporal Valentine John Howell, of 18th Battalion, was killed at Morlancourt on 31 May 1918.

Howell did not return to his pre-war occupation, instead choosing to work on the advertising staff for a number of publications in New South Wales and Queensland. He married Sadie Lillian Yates on 1 March 1919.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Howell once again enlisted. The effects of his previous war service were evident in his medical assessment, which noted wound scars in his left forearm and hand, left shoulder, left thigh, left wrist, right chest and left knee. Enlisting on 14 October 1939, he was posted to the 2nd Garrison Battalion at Sydney Showground but was discharged in December. In all probability the posting was not close enough to the front line for Howell’s liking.

In June the following year he again enlisted, understating his age by three years in the hope of seeing overseas action. Disappointment followed with another domestic posting and eight months later he was again discharged. Finally, Howell managed to see fighting when he joined the United States Sea Transport Service in 1944 in time for the invasion of Leyte in the Philippines. He served on tug ST-131 under Captain Norman Philpott through October and November. During this period the tug it was attacked by Japanese suicide bombers. It also survived a monsoon while carrying a cargo of high octane fuel between Hollandia in New Guinea and San Pedro Bay in the Philippines.

In December 1953 Howell moved to Western Australia to live with his daughter, Norma, following the death of his good friend Bede Kenny VC in April and the loss of his wife in September. Kenny and Howell had marched together at every Anzac Day for 29 years. He attended the centenary celebrations of the Victoria Cross in London in 1956. Snowy Howell died in the Repatriation General Hospital in Perth on 23 December 1964, and was accorded a funeral with full military honours. His ashes were interred at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Australian War Memorial

George's Medals are housed in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. His original Victoria Cross Ribbon Bar with VC Motive was acquired in May 2025 from a Military Medal Collector in Queensland and is now in the Harrower Collection. His original Miniature Victoria Cross was sold to a Military Medal Collector in Canada.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 15/05/2025-20/05/2025.

Private: 7228 William Archibald CAMPBELL.

by

1st BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 7228 William Archibald CAMPBELL

Born: 1893. Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:18641/1893.

Married: 1914. St Leonards via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:6795/1914.

Wife: Dora Campbell. nee: Marshall. (1892-1954) 

Died: 30th August 1966. Mount Keira via Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:34074/1966.

Father: William Campbell. 

Mother: Elizabeth Campbell. nee: Swan. 

INFORMATION

William Archibald Campbell enlisted with the AIF on the 30th January 1917 in Sydney before being marched in the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion AIF. Albert embarked from Sydney with the reinforcements on the 10th February 1917 on board HMAT "Osterly" for England and disembarked at Devonport on the 11th of April 1917. 

Albert was marched in the the Durrington Army Camp with the 1st Training Battalion where he and the reinforcements settled down to training and camp routine. 

William proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 23rd August 1917 as a reinforcement for the 3rd Division and was marched out from Harve and was taken on in strength with the 35th Battalion on the 1st September 1917. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

At 1:30 am rain showers began. By 2:30 am it was raining lightly but steadily, by 3:30 fairly heavily. the infantry moved through the pitch dark in single file. In some battalions each man held on to the equipment of the man ahead of him; if touch was broken, those in front had to come back. The news that the line as reported by the 66th division was not held only just reached the incoming troops. Accordingly, in the right brigade (9th) the leading Company Commanders Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. and Captain: Telford Graham GILDER M.C. both of the 34th Battalion stopped their men at the entrance to Broodseinde railway cutting, and themselves went to make sure that their column might not run into the enemy.

At Keerselaarhoek Cemetery they found the tape duly laid, and met the officer of the 36th Battalion who had laid it, and by 3:00 am the time set, the 34th battalion was extended on its jumping-off position. But during the previous halt and afterwards, as it lay on the tape, the battalion was persistently shelled and suffered many casualties.

The first shell killed three signallers. Lieutenant: Albert Leslie WATSON. a signal officer of the 34th Battalion, a brave and enterprising leader who also was at the head of the column was severely wounded and all his staff hit. After establishing a forward command post Lieutenant: Thomas Fraser BRUCE 36th Battalion was also killed. Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE. 36th Battalion supervising the assembly was knocked down by a shell but continued to command. Captain, Chaplain: Charles MURPHY was also wounded.

(BEAN; History of World war 1 Vol IV p911) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Only one Australian Division, the 3rd, was wholly employed in the days offensive. but the division was to capture Passchendaele an in spite of the depressing conditions, it was eager to achieve the distinction of doing so. One unit carried the Australian flag, to be planted in Passchendaele, and although officers and men in general were not enthusiastic concerning such "stunts" the Commander-in-Chief had been informed, and had told General: MONASH that, when this flag was planted, the news would be immediately cabled to Australia.

Some keen spirits looked on the operation simply as a dash for Passchendaele. One young company commander of Monash's reserve battalion, the 33rd, in face of a strict prohibition, led on his company as soon as the barrage fell. Starting from a line 350 yards in rear of the general alignment, the 3rd Division was out of touch with its neighbours from the outset. The heavy shelling on the tapes had made orderly disposition there almost impossible, as German Machine-Guns, undisturbed by the barrage now opened immediately, no opportunity offered of restoring proper formation.

The 9th Brigade went forward in the utmost confusion and a terrible mix up as reported by Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON D.S.O 35th Battalion at 6:40 am and "Great Confusion" was the description given by Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion. Even on the ridge, the mud was difficult, the hope, if there ever was one, of catching up before the quick barrage finished.

The 9th Infantry Brigade's intended direction lay not along the ridge and the Passchendeale road, but diagonally across them, and parallel to the railway, which most of the brigade could not see. As the jumping-off line was practically at right angles to the ridge, the brigade tendered to advance alone the heights. The Machine-Gun fire at the start came, on the 9th Brigade's right, from the ruined house near Defy Crossing; on its center from, "Hillside Farm"; and on its left from Augustus Wood.

The pillbox opposite the center was supported from the rear by a trench in which were Germans with Machine-Guns, and here occurred a delay which threatened to wreck to whole attack. it was not until an hour after the program time that these places were rushed by the neighbouring portion of the line under Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion. The trench contained 35 Germans and 4 Machine-Guns. Part of the line was also held up by a pillbox close to Passchendaele road near the highest point of the ridge.

Here there was practically no shelter from attack, but Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion managed to organise a party, with Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE and another N.C.O Corporal: 2036 Vere Cummings STEVENSON and a dozen men, and outflanking it, charged the place from the rear, capturing 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. These actions set free the advance. The pillbox captured by Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. being not far short of the first objective, the 34th Battalion dug in there.

Great loss had been uncured; the 34th Battalion had only three officers left and there were wide gaps in the line. The right flank had swung far away from the railway, along which the 4th Division was attacking, but on the left Captain: Telford Graham GILDER M.C. of the 34th Battalion who had been wounded by a Machine-Gun bullet, but was carrying on found the 10th Brigade digging in slightly to his left under Captain: LATCHFORD, 38th Battalion, and fell back seventy yards to join it.

The Advance to the second objective was to begin at 8:25, the low clouds had opened, and fleecy cirrus with patches of blue were widening overhead and the sun had come out. The 9th Brigade had been so late in reaching the first objective that, while most of the 34th Battalion dug in, the 35th Battalion, allotted for the second phase, moved straight on. Standing on the Passchendaele road, Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion endevoured to decide where the barrage then was; at first Carr thought it may be behind them, but finally decided that it was ahead.

The confusion at the start had split the brigade into mixed parties of all battalions and many of the 34th went on with the 35th, the main body of which, about 100 in all, now advanced along the south-eastern side of the ridge in order to catch the barrage. The hour was probably a little before that for the second advance. A German Machine-Gun in the gap between the brigade's right and the railway immediately opened with deadly effect.

Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN 36th Battalion, the senior forward officer was killed. At this critical juncture Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion, again accompanied by Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE, led out a few men from the first objective and made for the gun. it was shooting in short bursts, and he was able to work up fairly close. Seizing a moment when it was firing to the north, he and his men rushed at it from the west. It was switched round, killing him, and sending his men to the ground.

But when its fire eased they worked round it, rushed the position, seized 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. This gallant and effective action Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for removing the chief danger to the advance along the crest, but as soon as the 35th Battalion crossed to the eastern side of the hill it became the target of a number of field and heavy guns which, from the hedges and other cover in various parts of the landscape, fired over open sights.

After passing a corpse on its right, the 35th Battalion settled down on what its officers took to be the second objective, although on the extreme right they were actually short of the first. Captain: Henry Vince CARR, now the senior officer on the spot, reported; 8:35. On objective, with about 100 Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. DSO and three officers. Casualties 25 or 30 per cent. Captain: Henry Charles Dight CADELL M.C   Lieutenant: Charles Teesdale MAIN   Lieutenant: Keith Maitland DAY reported killed and Lieutenant: Frank HORNE   Lieutenant: Christopher Kyffin MEARS  Lieutenant: Charles John HENRY were wounded. Prisoners sent back 400-500. Contact on flanks uncertain, being heavily shelled.

Three posts were established under surviving officers, right Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCY M.C centre Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS left Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM. In this brigade the battalion for the final objective was the 36th, and a report came along that it had gone through. Actually, it had advanced with the 35th, but, on the left, penetrated to the second objective, which bad been reconnoitered during the previous halt by the commander of the company Captain Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C.

He went up the road towards Passchendaele. The barrage, he said afterwards was no hindrance to him, although he left the line lying as close to it as possible "or where he thought it was." He was unable to detect the intensification of the barrage for the second phase, but led his men forward at the proper hour.

As no other battalion was there, he now established the line with its left on the road 600 yards from the church, about the point reached by the 66th Division's troops on October 9th. In front of the position Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C. and Lieutenant E.H FLEITER (39th Battalion) found hidden in a shell hole men of the 66th Division. One had a broken arm, the other trench-feet. They took the Australians at first for Germans. When reassured, "we knew the Australians would come," they said, 'We prayed hard."

From the direction of the church, which lay straight down the highway, no fire came. two Germans ran up the road and surrendered. South-east of the village, along the Moorslede road, were the Germans who seemed "very windy," and near the road two 5.9-inch howitzers began to blaze at the troops digging in.

The 9th Brigade had taken its second objective and the 10th its first, but the position of the officers in charge of these advanced lines was full of anxiety. On the eastern slope Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion, the senior officer in this part of the 9th Brigade's front, could see the 4th Division somewhat ahead of its right, and by 10:55 he had discovered that the 36th was on the left, but farther left than the 10th Brigade was far behind on its first objective . The German Guns ahead were sniping with dreadful accuracy. Carr on the western slope, sent back for instructions: "what am I to do?"

Word of the true situation reached headquarters slowly. As on the 9th, the first news was all encouraging. General: MONASH in the Ypres ramparts heard shortly after 7 that both brigades were "well away"; but by 8:26 he had ample evidence that the first objective was taken. At 9:25 the intelligence officer examining prisoners (Lieutenant: Frederick Morley CUTLACK Official War Correspondent) reported having heard from the wounded men that the second objective had been reached.

At 10:28 headquarters was informed of a statement of a wounded man, that the 38th Battalion had gone through. A further report that Australians had been seen at Crest Farm although quickly contradicting but probably true nevertheless. Which confirmed Monash's impression that his division was succeeding. Concerning the New Zealand brigade on his left, however, there was no word until, at 10:50, there arrived the tragic information that the New Zealand Division was stopped by the enemy alone the entire front.

Monash has already heard at 9:55 that the 10th Brigade was held up by fire from Bellevue Spur. Believing that his division was still advancing, he asked that every gun that the New Zealand Division could spare should be turned upon that ridge to suppress the fire. Meanwhile, he would order the reserve (39th) battalion of the 10th Brigade to be ready to assist in holding the ground already won. The reserve battalion the (33rd) of the 9th Brigade he was still keeping back to assist in the capture of Passchendaele.

Shortly after noon news of the true situation arrived. Lieutenant Jackson of the 40th Battalion had established at Waterfields pillbox near the Ravebeek a forward report-centre from which a series of messages, admirably accurate, was flashed by lamp to the headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Lord of the 40th Battalion. Thus Brigadier General McNicoll of the 10th Brigade was able to inform Monash of the precise position of Giblin's Line. He added that the situation was very serious and the casualties very heave. At the same time from the front line of the 9th Brigade arrived a pigeon message, sent by Captain: Richard GADD of the 36th Battalion.

We are on the Blue Line (second objective) with composite force all three battalions, both flanks in the air.

The New Zealand Division was to make a second attempt at 3:00 pm, and Monash was of the opinion that from the 9th Brigade, well forward on the ridge, patrols might still work northward around Crest Farm. His reserve, the 33rd Battalion (9th Brigade), was accordingly ordered to attempt this at 4:30 pm and the 10th Brigade's forward line being meanwhile reinforced by its own reserve, the 39th Battalion.

These orders went out, but none of them were fulfilled. The New Zealand Division had been defeated by obstacles which no hastily renewed bombardment could have overcome. no infantry in the world could have crossed the Ravebeek mud, penetrated the dense wire, and attacked the crowded pillboxes of Bellview with the assistance of a barrage which did not even screen the advance. No blame can attach to the artillery. Its commander, according to the New Zealand official history, had reported on the previous day that his guns might be unable to give efficient support.

This magnificent division, which lost nearly 3,000 men, had been held up in almost exactly the same position as the 49th three days before-the left brigade penetrating half-way to the first objective, the right stopped almost at the start. The Germans were reinforcing. The New Zealand battalion commanders knew that their men had no chance of succeeding by renewed attack, and the order was eventually cancelled.

As for the Australians, of the two battalions that MONASH had now ordered to participate, the 39th had already to a large extent been involved in the fighting, and the 33rd, endevouring to reach its position of readiness for outflanking Passchendaele, had suffered great loss. No less than 6 of its Officers were killed or mortally wounded. Captain: Wilfred Frank HINTON in command of the forward company, Lieutenant Leonard Rockley BROWNLOW  Lieutenant: Thomas Acheson ARMSTRONG   Lieutenant: Albert George KILPATRICK  Lieutenant William REES-REYNOLDS and Lieutenant: Norman Francis GOBLE.

By the time Lieutenant Colonels Henderson DSO 39th Battalion and MORSHEAD attempted to carry Monash's orders, they found that the attacking force of both brigades was back almost at its starting point. What had happened was as follows.

Neither Major: GIBLIN near the Ravenbeek nor Captain: Henry Vince CARR on the ridge had received their messages sent several hours earlier. The 9th Brigade's line was still being battered by the German Guns. Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, whose troops were being wiped out, informed Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O 36th Battalion had now come forward to Hillside Farm. CARR accordingly sent Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O with GADD to explain to Milne the desperate nature of their situation. Milne said that he would try to get their troops relieved after dark, but till relieved they must hold on.

(BEAN; History of Word War 1 Vol IV page 921) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Meanwhile, however, the German artillery was annihilating some parts of their line. All leaders of Carr's three posts were out of action. Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS was Killed in Action and Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCY M.C and Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM were wounded. Of the remaining officers of the 36th Battalion, Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN and Lieutenant: Fredrick William PUTNEY had been Killed in Action and Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK M.C wounded. Farther back Lieutenant: Sydney COOK had been Killed in Action and Lieutenant: William WAND and Lieutenant: Herbert Reginald MAILER were wounded.

At 3 o'clock rain began to fall steadily. at 3:15 pm Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, thought agreeing with  Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that to hold on meant annihilation, refused, in view of his Colonel's orders, to retire. Carr consented to wait while Gadd again sent word to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O. Carr himself at 12: 30 had sent Captain Robert Derwent DIXON.  D.S.O to the headquarters of the 35th Battalion at " Seine", from which no word had been received all day.

At 3:45 pm, no reply having come from Milne, and Dixon not having returned as he had been kept at 35th Battalion headquarters awaiting the arrival of an order from brigade headquarters concerning the projected operation by the reserve battalion, Gadd agreed to withdraw and Carr sent along the line a note: The 35th Battalion will retire.

When visiting Gadd, Carr had warned the troops of the probable order to withdraw, and he now saw that the left had already begun to retire. He told men whom he passed to get back as fast as they could to the 34th Battalion (which he believed to be on the first objective). Captain: William James GORDON M.C 36th Battalion, strongly dissatisfied with the order, went straight to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O urged that the forward position was tenable, and with Milne and Major: John Martin HAWKEY M.C rushed out to stop the withdrawal. But it was too late.

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES  Lieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE   Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organising on the first objective, and the first objective now lay empty. The retiring troops, being without orders as to the position to be taken up, streamed back past Milne's headquarters.

All that Hawkey, Gordon, Gadd, and others could then do was to lead a fraction of them forward again to the first objective, where they remained during the night. Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON.  D.S.O. with Captain: John Grieve PATERSON adjutant of the 35th, went up to organise the 35th there, but could find none of it's men. When eventually re-formed the remnant of the 35th was temporarily attached as a Company to the 33rd Battalion.

9th-12th October 1917 saw the 3rd Division, 9th and 10th Infantry Brigade in action during the Battle of Passchendaele, which saw massive losses and suffering in the Australian ranks. The casualties numbered 3,199 men in 24 hours during the height battle. The 34th Battalion lost every officer that day, either killed or wounded including their Medical Officer, Major: Gother Robert Carlisle CLARKE and some of his staff were killed while dressing the wounded. The spirit of some of the wounded is illustrated by the case of Corporal: 3170 Winsleigh Alexander MURRAY   35th Battalion, (formerly a Methodist Minister from Newcastle) gave up his place in a queue waiting for stretcher bearers and was never heard of again.

The Battle of Passchendaele saw 60 Officers and 1,322 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 11 Officers 273 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 323 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 18 Officers 296 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 383 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 1 Officer 36 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. - Officer 11 Other ranks

12th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM. 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon. I know that Private: 7720 William Archibald CAMPBELL 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon with the Battalion on February 5th 19188, was with Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE. when he was killed. They were both stretcher bearers and CAMPBELL could give you full information. MENERE came with the 24th Reinforcements. He was a very thick set man, about 5ft 8" slightly grey in B VI. He came from Melbourne and was an engineer of some sort. 

No:2 Australian General Hospital

Boulogne, France. 

15th March 1918.

Informant: Private: 7228 William Archibald CAMPBELL. 35th Battalion AIF B Company No: 5 Platoon. Re Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE'S death. The only information I can give you is that he was a comrade of mine ever since leaving Australia and I was close by him when he was killed by a shell and we buried him at night on the battlefield, but to tell you the exact place I can't. He might be numbered but I will ask our Chaplain when I see him and if he knows anymore, I will write and let you know, but you can take my word it is correct as I was alongside him when he was killed. I was going to write to his people, but I did not know their address, but he wasn't buried in a cemetery as it was a pretty hot place. I also have his photo here now if it would be of use to you for identification you can let me know and I will send it to you at the shortest notice. 

London.

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)

William was appointed Lance Corporal on the 12th April 1918 before the 35th Moved into the Morlancourt sector. 

5th-6th May 1918.

MORLANCOURT

A considerable success had been won-except on the two edges of the plateau, both lines of enemy trench had been captured on a front of three-quarters of a mile, and 153 prisoners (including 3 officers), 10 machine-guns, and 3 trench-mortars had been taken at the cost of only some 100 casualties, mostly minor ones.

The 35th lost 5 officers and 47 of other ranks, the 34th 2 officers and 32 other ranks. Lieutenant: 1124 William Henry GLOSSOP (Aberdare. N.S.W.) of the 35th was killed just after crossing the first trench.

Captain: Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN Volume VI page 82.

William was promoted to Corporal on the 10th July 1918 after Lance Sergeant: 1814 Victor Emmanuel COSTA was promoted to Sergeant to complete their complement before moving into the Bray Sector. 

22nd August  1918.

BRAY. Approach march started at 2.15 am. Moonlight night. Enemy very quiet & all Coy's got in position safely by 3.30 am. About 3.45 am the enemy opened a heavy barrage along the whole of our front & kept it up till a few minutes before zero which was at 4.45 am. The enemy put down a counter-barrage almost at the same time as ours & kept it going till our first objective was reached, when it slackened. (see App. 29) The day was warm & bright. Battalion Headquarters was moved to large dugout in Copse at L14b13 at 11 am. & was ordered t move back to original place at 3 pm & was finally established in the Copse at 6 pm. At 5.15 pm parties of the enemy with guns could be seen advancing from CEYLON WOOD & at 5.45 pm a very weak counter attack developed on our left flank, the 33rd Bn’s post in CHALK PITT held up the left of attack, but the 141st & 142nd Bdes, B.E.F. retired for no reason at all & necessitated a defensive flank being formed by 34th Bn. All quietened down at dusk & nothing further developed.

(35th Battalion War Diary)

William returned to Australia on the 5th March 1919 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on board HMAT "City of York" and was discharged from the AIF on the 2nd April 1919

Family Information

William was a married 23 year old Carter from 11 Kingdon Street, North Sydney, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Burial

Wollongong City Memorial Gardens and Crematorium

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/11/2024-10/12/2024.

 

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM.

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1st BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM. MM

Born: 1899. Nymagee, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:5666/1899.

Married: 23rd May1919. Perth, Scotland. Marriage Cert:ME:8944.

Wife: Margaret Adams. Canham. nee: Young. (1898-1968) Died at St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:28181/1968.

Died: 15th April 1978. Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Victoria Death Cert:978/7940.

Father: William Charles Canham. (1869-1945)

Mother: Emma Canham. nee: Miller. (1865-1931)

INFORMATION

John Ernest Canham enlisted with the AIF  on the 14th January 1916 in Sydney before being marched in the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion AIF. Albert embarked from Sydney with the reinforcements on the 10th February 1917 on board HMAT "Osterly" for England and disembarked at Devonport on the 11th of April 1917. 

Albert was marched in the the Durrington Army Camp with the 1st Training Battalion where he and the reinforcements settled down to training and camp routine. 

 

12th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM. 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon. I know that Private: 7720 William Archibald CAMPBELL 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon with the Battalion on February 5th 19188, was with Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE. when he was killed. They were both stretcher bearers and CAMPBELL could give you full information. MENERE came with the 24th Reinforcements. He was a very thick set man, about 5ft 8" slightly grey in B VI. He came from Melbourne and was an engineer of some sort. 

No:2 Australian General Hospital

Boulogne, France. 

7 September 1918.

MILITARY MEDAL

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM 35th Battalion AIF. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at CURLU on 28th August 1918. Private CANHAM was a Company Runner and throughout our attack repeatedly carried messages from his Company Commander to the rear and in doing so had to pass through very heavy shell and machine gun fire. All his messages  were delivered expeditiously and throughout the attack he set a fine example of courage, determination and cheerfulness.  

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 15 September 1919 on page 1364 at position 120.

London Gazette 14th May 1919 on page 6056 at position 24.

 

Returned to Australia 9 Aug 1919.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/11/2024.

Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE

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1st BATTALION - 62nd BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE

Born: 11th March 1880. Hopedale Farm, Coreen, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:8621/1880.

Married: 9th September 1907.  Church of England. Macauley Street, Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:6924/1907.

Wife: Blanche Adeline Edith Menere. nee: Grass. (1884-1965) Died at St Leonards via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 

Died: 2nd October 1917. Killed in Action. Flanders, Zonnebeke, Belgium. 

Father: George Edward Menere. (1849-1885) Died at Normanton, Queensland, Australia.

Mother: Elizabeth Anne Menere. nee: Evans. (1862-1939) Died at 43 Poolman Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 

INFORMATION

Albert Henri Menere enlisted with the AIF on the 27th January 1917 at the Sydney Royal Agricultural Showground before he was marched in the the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion AIF. Albert embarked from Sydney with the reinforcements on the 10th February 1917 on board HMAT "Osterly" for England and disembarked at Devonport on the 11th of April 1917. 

Albert was marched in the the Durrington Army Camp with the 1st Training Battalion where he and the reinforcements settled down to training and camp routine. 

On the 28th of April Albert was transferred to the 62nd Battalion at Windmill Hill. Albert proceeded overseas for France on the 23rd August 1917 to reinforce the 3rd Division and was Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion on the 1st September 1917.  Alberts baptism of fire was only a few weeks away as the 35th were making ready for the push at Passchendaele and he was Killed in Action on the 2nd October at Zonnekebe, Belgium.

11th January 1918.

Informant: Sergeant: 356 Leslie John AVERY. MM Left of Railway cutting Ypres, Zonnebeke. Killed by a shell, I saw Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE'S body but I don't know where buried Pay Corporal Corporal: 3524A Thomas John "Jack" Jordan CLARKE. was in charge of burying at the time.

Ward 39 Harefield, England.

6th February 1918.

Informant: Corporal: 3524A Thomas John "Jack" Jordan CLARKE. (Pay Corporal) 35th Battalion AIF. Re: Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE. "I have to inform you that he was Killed in Action on the night of October 1st  1917. He was on duty as a stretcher bearer in front line when he killed by H.E shell which burst in trench at 8.15 p.m killing him instantly and to bring his body out was almost impossible owing to the trench communication. I buried him along side two comrades in a shell hole just south of Zonnebeke Railway Station and erected a small wooden cross to mark the spot. His pocket wallet etc, were sent on through the Regimental Chaplain to Base. Private MENERE was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Though was not long with this unit yet he soon won the admiration of his comrades by his cheerful disposition.  On the night he was killed just previously to the occurrence I was talking to him and he was in high spirits. Private MENERE was of short build, dark complexion and rather stout.

London.

12th February 1918.

Informant: Private:7221 John Ernest CANHAM. 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon. I know that Private: 7720 William Archibald CAMPBELL 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon with the Battalion on February 5th 19188, was with Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE. when he was killed. They were both stretcher bearers and CAMPBELL could give you full information. MENERE came with the 24th Reinforcements. He was a very thick set man, about 5ft 8" slightly grey in B VI. He came from Melbourne and was an engineer of some sort. 

No:2 Australian General Hospital

Boulogne, France. 

7th March 1918.

Informant: Private: 1871A Henry BRADLEY. B Company No: 6 Platoon. 35th Battalion AIF. " I knew Private: 1902A Rudolph Sydney FORD very well. He was in B Company No: 5 Platoon and came from Junction Point via Crookwell, New South Wales. He was a farm Labourer. I Knew Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE slightly. He was in B Company No: 5 or 6 Platoon. On the 2nd of October we were at Zonnekebe. We were holding the line in the early morning. I was very close to FORD and MENERE when a shell dropped near them, killing them both instantly. They were badly knocked about.

I saw them buried just over the parapet where they fell in the open. There graves were marked with a rough cross with their names. They were buried in separate graves. There would be very little chance of finding the place the ground has been knocked about so much. Private: 2023 Andrew William PARKER of the 35th Battalion B Company 6th Platoon (not listed) was killed at the same time and buried at the same place, and also Private: 1453 George SALTER of the 35th Battalion B Company 7th Platoon (not on the list) was wounded by the same shell, and died on his way down to the Dressing Station."

Harve Hospital, France.  

(Authors Notes: Private: 1453A George SALTER was Wounded in Action on the 12th October 1917 and returned to Australia  on the 9th December 1919)

15th March 1918.

Informant: Private: 7228 William Archibald CAMPBELL. 35th Battalion AIF B Company No: 5 Platoon. Re Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE'S death. The only information I can give you is that he was a comrade of mine ever since leaving Australia and I was close by him when he was killed by a shell and we buried him at night on the battlefield, but to tell you the exact place I can't. He might be numbered but I will ask our Chaplain when I see him and if he knows anymore I will write and let you know, but you can take my word it is correct as I was alongside him when he was killed. I was going to write to his people but I did not know their address, but he wasn't buried in a cemetery as it was a pretty hot place. I also have his photo here now if it would be of use to you for identification you can let me know and I will send it to you at the shortest notice. 

London.

14th October 1918.

Informant: Private: 7234 Robert George DREW. MM. 35 Battalion AIF. "We were holding the front line trenched at Zonnebeke. Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE and tree other stretcher bearers were sitting on the side of a trench when a shell fell among them. A piece hit MENERE and killed him at once. He was buried where he was hit. 

No: 4 Australian General Hospital.

Randwick, New South Wales. 

Private: 6023 William Samuel GRASS (1886-1958)

Albert was Killed in Action at Zonnebeke, Belgium and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

MENIN GATE WAR MEMORIAL

“He was on duty as a stretcher bearer in the frontline trenches when he was killed by a H.E. shell which burst in trench at 8.15pm. He was killed instantly and to bring his body out was almost impossible owing to no trench communication. I buried him along with 2 comrades in a shell hole just south of Zonnebeke Railway Station”.

Account written by J Clarke.

The embroidered pillow case memorabilia sent from France to his wife Blanche Adeline Edith Menere just prior  to his death in Belgium on the 2nd October 1917. A much prized piece of family history and currently held with Brandt Ward of Queensland. 

Family Information

Albert was a married 37 year old Engineer, 56 King Street, St Peters via Sydney, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. He enlisted with his next door neighbour’s son Private: 7274 Hugh Deasey LOWE. Both served with the 24th reinforcements 1st Battalion. Albert was transferred to the 35th Battalion and Hugh was transferred to the 2nd Field Bakery and returned to Australia on the 5th September 1919. 

Albert and Blanches children were:  Aubrey, Raymond, Aureole, Albert, Edward, Leila

Family Research and information Brandt Ward of Queensland. 

 

Blanche Adeline Edith Menere. nee: Grass. (1884-1965)

Military Records

Under Construction: 01/11/2024.

Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE

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1st BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE

Born: 1889. Nowra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:34129/1889.

Married: 1911. Nowra, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:34129/1889.

Wife: Edith A Braithwaite. nee: Keft. Re married Christopher Devitt in 1926. Marriage Cert:5000/1926.

Died: 12th October 1917. Killed in Action. Passchendaele, Belgium.

Father: William Braithwaite. (1847-1928)

Mother: Marion Braithwaite. nee: Bryce. (1856-1919)

INFORMATION

Ishmael Braithwaite enlisted with the AIF on the 25th January 1917 at the Sydney recruitment depot before he was sent to Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements 1st Battalion AIF. Ishmael embarked on RMS Osterley, with the 1st Battalion, 24th Reinforcement on 10th February 1917 and disembarked at Plymouth in England on 11th April 1917. 
The reinforcements were marched in the the 1st Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp where the Battalion settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.
Ishmael was transferred to the 62nd Battalion where he completed his training before proceeding overseas for France on the 23rd August 1917  and disembarked at Rouelles where he went into billets and was transferred to the 3rd Division . Ishmael was marched out to the Front Lines on the 31ts of August and Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion. 
He was allocated to D Company No: 16 Platoon on the 1st of September the same Company as his brother Private: 2039 Alexander Gordon BRAITHWAITE. 
A Sports Day for the 9th Brigade was held on 1st September 1917 at Campagne Lez Bournais. Sports started but was put off on account of the rain.

4th-5th October 1917.

Zouelecke. 35th Battalion relieved and go by motor to Winnezeele Camp. Casualties during period at Zouelecke 81- including 18 Killed.

(35th Battalion War Diary)

 

 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

At 1:30 am rain showers began. By 2:30 am it was raining lightly but steadily, by 3:30 fairly heavily. the infantry moved through the pitch dark in single file. In some battalions each man held on to the equipment of the man ahead of him; if touch was broken, those in front had to come back. The news that the line as reported by the 66th division was not held only just reached the incoming troops. Accordingly, in the right brigade (9th) the leading Company Commanders Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. and Captain: Telford Graham GILDER M.C. both of the 34th Battalion stopped their men at the entrance to Broodseinde railway cutting, and themselves went to make sure that their column might not run into the enemy.

At Keerselaarhoek Cemetery they found the tape duly laid, and met the officer of the 36th Battalion who had laid it, and by 3:00 am the time set, the 34th battalion was extended on its jumping-off position. But during the previous halt and afterwards, as it lay on the tape, the battalion was persistently shelled and suffered many casualties.

The first shell killed three signallers. Lieutenant: Albert Leslie WATSON. a signal officer of the 34th Battalion, a brave and enterprising leader who also was at the head of the column was severely wounded and all his staff hit. After establishing a forward command post Lieutenant: Thomas Fraser BRUCE 36th Battalion was also killed. Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE. 36th Battalion supervising the assembly was knocked down by a shell but continued to command. Captain, Chaplain: Charles MURPHY was also wounded.

(BEAN; History of World war 1 Vol IV p911) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Only one Australian Division, the 3rd, was wholly employed in the days offensive. but the division was to capture Passchendaele an in spite of the depressing conditions, it was eager to achieve the distinction of doing so. One unit carried the Australian flag, to be planted in Passchendaele, and although officers and men in general were not enthusiastic concerning such "stunts" the Commander-in-Chief had been informed, and had told General: MONASH that, when this flag was planted, the news would be immediately cabled to Australia.

Some keen spirits looked on the operation simply as a dash for Passchendaele. One young company commander of Monash's reserve battalion, the 33rd, in face of a strict prohibition, led on his company as soon as the barrage fell. Starting from a line 350 yards in rear of the general alignment, the 3rd Division was out of touch with its neighbours from the outset. The heavy shelling on the tapes had made orderly disposition there almost impossible, as German Machine-Guns, undisturbed by the barrage now opened immediately, no opportunity offered of restoring proper formation.

The 9th Brigade went forward in the utmost confusion and a terrible mix up as reported by Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON D.S.O 35th Battalion at 6:40 am and "Great Confusion" was the description given by Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion. Even on the ridge, the mud was difficult, the hope, if there ever was one, of catching up before the quick barrage finished.

The 9th Infantry Brigade's intended direction lay not along the ridge and the Passchendeale road, but diagonally across them, and parallel to the railway, which most of the brigade could not see. As the jumping-off line was practically at right angles to the ridge, the brigade tendered to advance alone the heights. The Machine-Gun fire at the start came, on the 9th Brigade's right, from the ruined house near Defy Crossing; on its center from, "Hillside Farm"; and on its left from Augustus Wood.

The pillbox opposite the center was supported from the rear by a trench in which were Germans with Machine-Guns, and here occurred a delay which threatened to wreck to whole attack. it was not until an hour after the program time that these places were rushed by the neighbouring portion of the line under Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion. The trench contained 35 Germans and 4 Machine-Guns. Part of the line was also held up by a pillbox close to Passchendaele road near the highest point of the ridge.

Here there was practically no shelter from attack, but Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion managed to organise a party, with Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE and another N.C.O Corporal: 2036 Vere Cummings STEVENSON and a dozen men, and outflanking it, charged the place from the rear, capturing 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. These actions set free the advance. The pillbox captured by Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. being not far short of the first objective, the 34th Battalion dug in there.

Great loss had been uncured; the 34th Battalion had only three officers left and there were wide gaps in the line. The right flank had swung far away from the railway, along which the 4th Division was attacking, but on the left Captain: Telford Graham GILDERM.C. of the 34th Battalion who had been wounded by a Machine-Gun bullet, but was carrying on found the 10th Brigade digging in slightly to his left under Captain: LATCHFORD, 38th Battalion, and fell back seventy yards to join it.

The Advance to the second objective was to begin at 8:25, the low clouds had opened, and fleecy cirrus with patches of blue were widening overhead and the sun had come out. The 9th Brigade had been so late in reaching the first objective that, while most of the 34th Battalion dug in, the 35th Battalion, allotted for the second phase, moved straight on. Standing on the Passchendaele road, Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion endevoured to decide where the barrage then was; at first Carr thought it may be behind them, but finally decided that it was ahead.

The confusion at the start had split the brigade into mixed parties of all battalions and many of the 34th went on with the 35th, the main body of which, about 100 in all, now advanced along the south-eastern side of the ridge in order to catch the barrage. The hour was probably a little before that for the second advance. A German Machine-Gun in the gap between the brigade's right and the railway immediately opened with deadly effect.

Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN 36th Battalion, the senior forward officer was killed. At this critical juncture Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion, again accompanied by Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE, led out a few men from the first objective and made for the gun. it was shooting in short bursts, and he was able to work up fairly close. Seizing a moment when it was firing to the north, he and his men rushed at it from the west. It was switched round, killing him, and sending his men to the ground.

But when its fire eased they worked round it, rushed the position, seized 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. This gallant and effective action Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for removing the chief danger to the advance along the crest, but as soon as the 35th Battalion crossed to the eastern side of the hill it became the target of a number of field and heavy guns which, from the hedges and other cover in various parts of the landscape, fired over open sights.

After passing a corpse on its right, the 35th Battalion settled down on what its officers took to be the second objective, although on the extreme right they were actually short of the first. Captain: Henry Vince CARR, now the senior officer on the spot, reported; 8:35. On objective, with about 100 Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. DSO and three officers. Casualties 25 or 30 per cent. Captain: Henry Charles Dight CADELLM.C Lieutenant: Charles Teesdale MAIN  Lieutenant: Keith Maitland DAY reported killed and Lieutenant: Frank HORNE Lieutenant: Christopher Kyffin MEARS Lieutenant: Charles John HENRY were wounded. Prisoners sent back 400-500. Contact on flanks uncertain, being heavily shelled.

Three posts were established under surviving officers, right Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCYM.C centre Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS left Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM. In this brigade the battalion for the final objective was the 36th, and a report came along that it had gone through. Actually, it had advanced with the 35th, but, on the left, penetrated to the second objective, which bad been reconnoitered during the previous halt by the commander of the company Captain Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C.

He went up the road towards Passchendaele. The barrage, he said afterwards was no hindrance to him, although he left the line lying as close to it as possible "or where he thought it was." He was unable to detect the intensification of the barrage for the second phase, but led his men forward at the proper hour.

As no other battalion was there, he now established the line with its left on the road 600 yards from the church, about the point reached by the 66th Division's troops on October 9th. In front of the position Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C. and Lieutenant E.H FLEITER (39th Battalion) found hidden in a shell hole men of the 66th Division. One had a broken arm, the other trench-feet. They took the Australians at first for Germans. When reassured, "we knew the Australians would come," they said, 'We prayed hard."

From the direction of the church, which lay straight down the highway, no fire came. two Germans ran up the road and surrendered. South-east of the village, along the Moorslede road, were the Germans who seemed "very windy," and near the road two 5.9-inch howitzers began to blaze at the troops digging in.

The 9th Brigade had taken its second objective and the 10th its first, but the position of the officers in charge of these advanced lines was full of anxiety. On the eastern slope Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion, the senior officer in this part of the 9th Brigade's front, could see the 4th Division somewhat ahead of its right, and by 10:55 he had discovered that the 36th was on the left, but farther left than the 10th Brigade was far behind on its first objective . The German Guns ahead were sniping with dreadful accuracy. Carr on the western slope, sent back for instructions: "what am I to do?"

Word of the true situation reached headquarters slowly. As on the 9th, the first news was all encouraging. General: MONASH in the Ypres ramparts heard shortly after 7 that both brigades were "well away"; but by 8:26 he had ample evidence that the first objective was taken. At 9:25 the intelligence officer examining prisoners (Lieutenant: Frederick Morley CUTLACK Official War Correspondent) reported having heard from the wounded men that the second objective had been reached.

At 10:28 headquarters was informed of a statement of a wounded man, that the 38th Battalion had gone through. A further report that Australians had been seen at Crest Farm although quickly contradicting but probably true nevertheless. Which confirmed Monash's impression that his division was succeeding. Concerning the New Zealand brigade on his left, however, there was no word until, at 10:50, there arrived the tragic information that the New Zealand Division was stopped by the enemy alone the entire front.

Monash has already heard at 9:55 that the 10th Brigade was held up by fire from Bellevue Spur. Believing that his division was still advancing, he asked that every gun that the New Zealand Division could spare should be turned upon that ridge to suppress the fire. Meanwhile, he would order the reserve (39th) battalion of the 10th Brigade to be ready to assist in holding the ground already won. The reserve battalion the (33rd) of the 9th Brigade he was still keeping back to assist in the capture of Passchendaele.

Shortly after noon news of the true situation arrived. Lieutenant Jackson of the 40th Battalion had established at Waterfields pillbox near the Ravebeek a forward report-centre from which a series of messages, admirably accurate, was flashed by lamp to the headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Lord of the 40th Battalion. Thus Brigadier General McNicoll of the 10th Brigade was able to inform Monash of the precise position of Giblin's Line. He added that the situation was very serious and the casualties very heave. At the same time from the front line of the 9th Brigade arrived a pigeon message, sent by Captain: Richard GADD of the 36th Battalion.

We are on the Blue Line (second objective) with composite force all three battalions, both flanks in the air.

The New Zealand Division was to make a second attempt at 3:00 pm, and Monash was of the opinion that from the 9th Brigade, well forward on the ridge, patrols might still work northward around Crest Farm. His reserve, the 33rd Battalion (9th Brigade), was accordingly ordered to attempt this at 4:30 pm and the 10th Brigade's forward line being meanwhile reinforced by its own reserve, the 39th Battalion.

These orders went out, but none of them were fulfilled. The New Zealand Division had been defeated by obstacles which no hastily renewed bombardment could have overcome. no infantry in the world could have crossed the Ravebeek mud, penetrated the dense wire, and attacked the crowded pillboxes of Bellview with the assistance of a barrage which did not even screen the advance. No blame can attach to the artillery. Its commander, according to the New Zealand official history, had reported on the previous day that his guns might be unable to give efficient support.

This magnificent division, which lost nearly 3,000 men, had been held up in almost exactly the same position as the 49th three days before-the left brigade penetrating half-way to the first objective, the right stopped almost at the start. The Germans were reinforcing. The New Zealand battalion commanders knew that their men had no chance of succeeding by renewed attack, and the order was eventually cancelled.

As for the Australians, of the two battalions that MONASH had now ordered to participate, the 39th had already to a large extent been involved in the fighting, and the 33rd, endevouring to reach its position of readiness for outflanking Passchendaele, had suffered great loss. No less than 6 of its Officers were killed or mortally wounded. Captain: Wilfred Frank HINTON in command of the forward company, Lieutenant Leonard Rockley BROWNLOW Lieutenant: Thomas Acheson ARMSTRONG Lieutenant: Albert George KILPATRICK Lieutenant William REES-REYNOLDS and Lieutenant: Norman Francis GOBLE.

By the time Lieutenant Colonels Henderson DSO 39th Battalion and MORSHEAD attempted to carry Monash's orders, they found that the attacking force of both brigades was back almost at its starting point. What had happened was as follows.

Neither Major: GIBLIN near the Ravenbeek nor Captain: Henry Vince CARR on the ridge had received their messages sent several hours earlier. The 9th Brigade's line was still being battered by the German Guns. Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, whose troops were being wiped out, informed Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O 36th Battalion had now come forward to Hillside Farm. CARR accordingly sent Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O with GADD to explain to Milne the desperate nature of their situation. Milne said that he would try to get their troops relieved after dark, but till relieved they must hold on.

(BEAN; History of Word War 1 Vol IV page 921) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Meanwhile, however, the German artillery was annihilating some parts of their line. All leaders of Carr's three posts were out of action. Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS was Killed in Action and Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCY M.C and Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM were wounded. Of the remaining officers of the 36th Battalion, Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN and Lieutenant: Fredrick William PUTNEY had been Killed in Action and Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK M.C wounded. Farther back Lieutenant: Sydney COOK had been Killed in Action and Lieutenant: William WAND and Lieutenant: Herbert Reginald MAILER were wounded.

At 3 o'clock rain began to fall steadily. at 3:15 pm Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, thought agreeing with  Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that to hold on meant annihilation, refused, in view of his Colonel's orders, to retire. Carr consented to wait while Gadd again sent word to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O. Carr himself at 12: 30 had sent Captain Robert Derwent DIXON.D.S.O to the headquarters of the 35th Battalion at " Seine", from which no word had been received all day.

At 3:45 pm, no reply having come from Milne, and Dixon not having returned as he had been kept at 35th Battalion headquarters awaiting the arrival of an order from brigade headquarters concerning the projected operation by the reserve battalion, Gadd agreed to withdraw and Carr sent along the line a note: The 35th Battalion will retire.

When visiting Gadd, Carr had warned the troops of the probable order to withdraw, and he now saw that the left had already begun to retire. He told men whom he passed to get back as fast as they could to the 34th Battalion (which he believed to be on the first objective). Captain: William James GORDON M.C 36th Battalion, strongly dissatisfied with the order, went straight to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O urged that the forward position was tenable, and with Milne and Major: John Martin HAWKEY M.C rushed out to stop the withdrawal. But it was too late.

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGESLieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organising on the first objective, and the first objective now lay empty. The retiring troops, being without orders as to the position to be taken up, streamed back past Milne's headquarters.

All that Hawkey, Gordon, Gadd, and others could then do was to lead a fraction of them forward again to the first objective, where they remained during the night. Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON.D.S.O. with Captain: John Grieve PATERSON adjutant of the 35th, went up to organise the 35th there, but could find none of it's men. When eventually re-formed the remnant of the 35th was temporarily attached as a Company to the 33rd Battalion.

9th-12th October 1917 saw the 3rd Division, 9th and 10th Infantry Brigade in action during the Battle of Passchendaele, which saw massive losses and suffering in the Australian ranks. The casualties numbered 3,199 men in 24 hours during the height battle. The 34th Battalion lost every officer that day, either killed or wounded including their Medical Officer, Major: Gother Robert Carlisle CLARKE and some of his staff were killed while dressing the wounded. The spirit of some of the wounded is illustrated by the case of Corporal: 3170 Winsleigh Alexander MURRAY   35th Battalion, (formerly a Methodist Minister from Newcastle) gave up his place in a queue waiting for stretcher bearers and was never heard of again.

The Battle of Passchendaele saw 60 Officers and 1,322 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 11 Officers 273 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 323 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 18 Officers 296 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 383 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 1 Officer 36 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. - Officer 11 Other ranks

Ishmael was listed as missing after the Battle of Passchendaele and declared killed in action. The Red Cross file evidence states, he was hit by a shell while attacking, and his brother was seen looking for him.

20th March 1918. 

Informant: Private: 1860 Edward James TORPY. 35th Battalion AIF. "It was at Passchendaele that I saw Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE wounded through the Left Elbow. I bound him up. I was a stretcher bearer. He was shaken up and I told him to get back to the Dressing Station about a mile away. Fritz was shelling heavily at the time". 

Harefield, London.

15th November 1918.

Informant: Private: 1221 John George PEARCE.  D Company 35th Battalion AIF described Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE as about 5'6" high, medium build, aged about 24/25. Thought to have come from Cootamundra. Informant states that they both came from D Company, No.16 Platoon and the same section. On 12.10.17 the Battalion was in action at Passchendaele. Before the hop over Informant, BRAITHWAITE and three others were in a shell hole. 

While they were there the Germans opened up a barrage and a shell lifted them all out of the shell hole. BRAITHWAITE wanted to go back but just afterwards our barrage opened and then said to his mates "Come on, we'll go over", meaning that they should follow the barrage. After starting they parted by some means and took different directions, and that was the last that Informant saw of BRAITHWAITE.   

Just after they parted Informant saw a couple of shells lob over in BRAITHWAITES direction, and it is Informant's opinion that he was killed. He could learn nothing more although he made enquiries.

(Stretcher's Note. BRAITHWAITE was posted as missing for some time)

No: 2 Ward, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Sydney.

Ishmael has no known grave, and is commemorated for his service on the Menin Gate Memorial, in Ypres, Belgium.

Menin Gate War Memorial

 

Family Information

Ishmael was a married 27 year old Painter from Nowra, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. Ishmael served with the Senior Cadets. His brother also enlisted with the AIF.  In 1911, Ishmael married Edith Keft, in Nowra, N.S.W., and they had 3 children.

Ishmael Braithwaite (1889-1917) Nowra Cemetery

Braithwaite family plot. Nowra Cemetery

Marion Braithwaite (1856-1919) - William Braithwaite (1847-1928)

Illawarra Remembers

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 21/08/2022

Private: 18 Roderick Hamilton BUDSWORTH.

by

33rd BATTALION - 1st BATTALION AIF

Private: 18 Roderick Hamilton BUDSWORTH.  Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi

Born: 24th July 1878. Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 5th November 1916. killed in Action. France.

Father: James Bowen 'Mudgee Jimmy' Budsworth. Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi (1840-1930) 

Mother: Catherine Mary Budsworth. nee: Ryan. (1835-1931)

INFORMATION

No.18 Roderick Hamilton BUDSWORTH was a 37 year old Brick-Maker from West-Tamworth in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF at Armidale on the 22nd of December 1915. He was a man of Indigenous heritage (Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi).
He embarked as a member of “D” Company of the 33rd BATTALION AIF (New England’s Own / the Northern Battalion) on board the HMAT (A74) ‘Marathon’ which departed Sydney for Egypt on the 4th of May 1916. Several days after leaving Albany in Western-Australia, the ship received a wireless message saying that the 9th Brigade’s destination was changed to England, and the troopship was recalled to Western Australia in order to top up with sufficient coal to reach its destination in Europe.
It finally reached Devonport in England on the 9th of July 1916, after the longest recorded voyage for a troopship during WW1. The route of the voyage was via: Albany, Freemantle (twice), Durban, Capetown, Dakar, and arriving in Devonport in England on the 9th of July.
On arrival in England the 33rd Battalion then travelled by train, via Exeter, to Salisbury-Plain in Wiltshire where they unloaded at the village of Amesbury. They then marched the several miles to the Australian Camps at Larkhill where they marched into the No.2 Camp. The men then were given 4 days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing their training.
The Battalion now became part of the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, 9th Machine-Gun Company, and the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery), of the 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the latest methods of War and fighting Trench-Warfare.
In August of 1916, while still in training in England, the 3rd Australian Division was ordered by the 'War Office' in London to release men to reinforce the depleted Divisions already in France and each Infantry Battalion had to supply 120 men. Roderick was one of the men selected from the 33rd Battalion.
Roderick was transferred to the 1st Training Battalion, and from there then he proceeded to France on the 16th of September 1916 as reinforcement for the 1st Battalion AIF, marching into the 1st Australian Infantry Division Base Depot at Etaples. He marched out to the Front on the 30th September and was then taken-on-strength by the 1st BATTALION AIF on the 1st of October 1916.
On the 5th of November near Flers in France, Roderick was first reported as wounded and then missing. A later Court of Inquiry amended his ‘fate’ to KILLED-IN-ACTION.
He was initially buried in the field (450 yards N.N.W. of Gueudecourt) then later exhumed and reinterred at the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery , at Longueval in France.
Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval in France.
(Bill Durrant: August 2020)
Family Information
Roderick was a single 37 year old Brick-Maker from West-Tamworth, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.
Rodericks Grandmother was known as (Black) Kitty

By Jennifer Sanders 2019.

Kitty was born about 1807 into the Warmuli Clan which was centered around what is now the suburb of Prospect, N.S.W. Australia. The Warmuli Clan was part of the Darug Nation who were traditional custodians of much of what is modern day Sydney. The Nation stretched from Broken Bay in the north to Botany Bay in the south and west to the Blue Mountains.
In July 1813, at about the age of 6, Kitty was placed in a missionary`s private home at Parramatta along with 4 other young children from various Darug clans. Eighteen months later on the 28th December 1814 these five children were the first to be admitted to Governor Macquarie's Native Institution in Parramatta. The institution was established by Macquarie to "civilise, educate and foster habits of industry and decency in the Aborigines".
While attending the institution Kitty became friends with Maria. Maria was also one of the first five children to be admitted to the institution and was around the same age as Kitty. Ten years later on the 12th June 1822 Kitty, age 15, married Maria`s brother Colebee, age 39. Both Maria and Colebee were the children of Yarramundi the Chief of the Boorooberongal Clan of the Darug Nation. The Boorooberongal Clan was centred around what is now the town of Richmond, N.S.W. Australia.
After their marriage Kitty and Colebee lived on his 30 acre block of land on the Richmond road. The land had been granted to Colebee three years earlier by Governor Lachlan Macquarie for services rendered. Macquarie had stated on the 31st August 1819 that Aboriginals should be granted land, very few received it, Colebee was one of the lucky ones. The 30 acres was located at what would soon become known as Blacktown, N.S.W. Australia. It was here that Kitty gave birth to her and Colebee`s first and possibly only child, Samuel Colebee, in 1827. Four years later in 1831 her husband Colebee died.
The following year in 1832 Kitty married Joseph Budsworth. Joseph was a convict who had arrived in the colony just over two years earlier. He was transported from England and arrived in Sydney on the 6th December 1829 aboard "Claudine". Shortly after their marriage Kitty and Joseph headed north to the Liverpool Plains on the Peel River. John Oxley had passed through the area in 1818 but the first sheep and cattle stations were only established in 1831, one year before Kitty and Joseph arrived.
It was here at Liverpool Plains on the banks of the Peel River that Kitty and Joseph began their family. Firstly with the birth of Joseph in 1833 and followed with the birth of James in 1840 and John in 1843. Over this time, during the 1830`s, a town began to develop on the Peel`s southwest bank. However it was not until 1850 that a public town was gazetted on the opposite side of the river from the existing settlement. This town would become known as Tamworth and in 1851 the white population was only 254.

Ancestry

Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 08/08/2020.
Comment

Private: 7270 Leslie KEMP.

by

1st BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7270 Leslie KEMP.

Born: 1894. Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:35493/1894.

Married: 1922. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8575/1922.

Wife: Daisey S I Kemp. nee: Nicholls.

Died: 25th April 1990. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Father: George Kemp.

Mother: Jane Kemp. nee: .

INFORMATION

Leslie Kemp enlisted with the AIF on the 18th January 1917 at the Sydney Showground and was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion AIF at Liverpool. Leslie embark from Sydney on board the HMAT  "Osterley" on the 10th February and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 11th April 1917. 

Leslie was marched in to the 1st Training Battalion before proceeding overseas for France on the 23rd of August and was Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion AIF on the 1st September 1917. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

At 1:30 am rain showers began. By 2:30 am it was raining lightly but steadily, by 3:30 fairly heavily. the infantry moved through the pitch dark in single file. In some battalions each man held on to the equipment of the man ahead of him; if touch was broken, those in front had to come back. The news that the line as reported by the 66th division was not held only just reached the incoming troops. Accordingly, in the right brigade (9th) the leading Company Commanders Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. and Captain: Telford Graham GILDER M.C. both of the 34th Battalion stopped their men at the entrance to Broodseinde railway cutting, and themselves went to make sure that their column might not run into the enemy.

At Keerselaarhoek Cemetery they found the tape duly laid, and met the officer of the 36th Battalion who had laid it, and by 3:00 am the time set, the 34th battalion was extended on its jumping-off position. But during the previous halt and afterwards, as it lay on the tape, the battalion was persistently shelled and suffered many casualties.

The first shell killed three signallers. Lieutenant: Albert Leslie WATSON. a signal officer of the 34th Battalion, a brave and enterprising leader who also was at the head of the column was severely wounded and all his staff hit. After establishing a forward command post Lieutenant: Thomas Fraser BRUCE 36th Battalion was also killed. Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE. 36th Battalion supervising the assembly was knocked down by a shell but continued to command. Captain, Chaplain: Charles MURPHY was also wounded.

(BEAN; History of World war 1 Vol IV p911) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Only one Australian Division, the 3rd, was wholly employed in the days offensive. but the division was to capture Passchendaele an in spite of the depressing conditions, it was eager to achieve the distinction of doing so. One unit carried the Australian flag,to be planted in Passchendaele, and although officers and men in general were not enthusiastic concerning such "stunts" the Commander-in-Chief had been informed, and had told General: MONASH that, when this flag was planted, the news would be immediately cabled to Australia.

Some keen spirits looked on the operation simply as a dash for Passchendaele. One young company commander of Monash's reserve battalion, the 33rd, in face of a strict prohibition, led on his company as soon as the barrage fell. Starting from a line 350 yards in rear of the general alignment, the 3rd Division was out of touch with its neighbours from the outset. The heavy shelling on the tapes had made orderly disposition there almost impossible, as German Machine-Guns, undisturbed by the barrage now opened immediately, no opportunity offered of restoring proper formation.

The 9th Brigade went forward in the utmost confusion and a terrible mix up as reported by Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON D.S.O 35th Battalion at 6:40 am and "Great Confusion" was the description given by Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion. Even on the ridge, the mud was difficult, the hope, if there ever was one, of catching up before the quick barrage finished.

The 9th Infantry Brigade's intendered direction lay not along the ridge and the Passchendeale road, but diagonally across them, and parallel to the railway, which most of the brigade could not see. As the jumping-off line was practically at right angles to the ridge, the brigade tendered to advance alone the heights. The Machine-Gun fire at the start came, on the 9th Brigade's right, from the ruined house near Defy Crossing; on its centre from, "Hillside Farm"; and on its left from Augustus Wood.

The pillbox opposite the centre was supported from the rear by a trench in which were Germans with Machine-Guns, and here occurred a delay which threatened to wreck to whole attack. it was not until an hour after the programme time that these places were rushed by the neighbouring portion of the line under Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion. The trench contained 35 Germans and 4 Machine-Guns. Part of the line was also held up by a pillbox close to Passchendaele road near the highest point of the ridge.

Here there was practically no shelter from attack, but Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion managed to organise a party, with Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE and another N.C.O Corporal: 2036 Vere Cummings STEVENSON and a dozen men, and outflanking it, charged the place from the rear, capturing 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. These actions set free the advance. The pillbox captured by Captain Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. being not far short of the first objective, the 34th Battalion dug in there.

Great loss had been uncured; the 34th Battalion had only three officers left and there were wide gaps in the line. The right flank had swung far away from the railway, along which the 4th Division was attacking, but on the left Captain: Telford Graham GILDER M.C. of the 34th Battalion who had been wounded by a Machine-Gun bullet, but was carrying on found the 10th Brigade digging in slightly to his left under Captain: LATCHFORD, 38th Battalion, and fell back seventy yards to join it.

The Advance to the second objective was to begin at 8:25, the low clouds had opened, and fleecy cirrus with patches of blue were widening overhead and the sun had come out. The 9th Brigade had been so late in reaching the first objective that, while most of the 34th Battalion dug in, the 35th Battalion, allotted for the second phase, moved straight on. Standing on the Passchendaele road, Captain: Henry Vince CARR and Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O of the 35th Battalion endevoured to decide where the barrage then was; at first Carr thought it may be behind them, but finally decided that it was ahead.

The confusion at the start had split the brigade into mixed parties of all battalions and many of the 34th went on with the 35th, the main body of which, about 100 in all, now advanced along the south-eastern side of the ridge in order to catch the barrage. The hour was probably a little before that for the second advance. A German Machine-Gun in the gap between the brigade's right and the railway immediately opened with deadly effect.

Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN 36th Battalion, the senior forward officer was killed. At this critical juncture Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. of the 34th Battalion, again accompanied by Sergeant: 21 James BRUCE, led out a few men from the first objective and made for the gun. it was shooting in short bursts, and he was able to work up fairly close. Seizing a moment when it was firing to the north, he and his men rushed at it from the west. It was switched round, killing him, and sending his men to the ground.

But when its fire eased they worked round it, rushed the position, seized 25 Germans and 2 Machine-Guns. This gallant and effective action Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES. V.C. was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for removing the chief danger to the advance along the crest, but as soon as the 35th Battalion crossed to the eastern side of the hill it became the target of a number of field and heavy guns which, from the hedges and other cover in various parts of the landscape, fired over open sights.

After passing a corpse on its right, the 35th Battalion settled down on what its officers took to be the second objective, although on the extreme right they were actually short of the first. Captain: Henry Vince CARR, now the senior officer on the spot, reported; 8:35. On objective, with about 100 Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. DSO and three officers. Casualties 25 or 30 per cent. Captain: Henry Charles Dight CADELL M.C   Lieutenant: Charles Teesdale MAIN   Lieutenant: Keith Maitland DAY reported killed and Lieutenant: Frank HORNE   Lieutenant: Christopher Kyffin MEARS  Lieutenant: Charles John HENRY were wounded. Prisoners sent back 400-500. Contact on flanks uncertain, being heavily shelled.

Three posts were established under surviving officers, right Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCY M.C centre Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS left Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM. In this brigade the battalion for the final objective was the 36th, and a report came along that it had gone through. Actually, it had advanced with the 35th, but, on the left, penetrated to the second objective, which bad been reconnoitered during the previous halt by the commander of the company Captain Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C.

He went up the road towards Passchendaele. The barrage, he said afterwards was no hindrance to him, although he left the line lying as close to it as possible "or where he thought it was." He was unable to detect the intensification of the barrage for the second phase, but led his men forward at the proper hour.

As no other battalion was there, he now established the line with its left on the road 600 yards from the church, about the point reached by the 66th Division's troops on October 9th. In front of the position Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C. and Lieutenant E.H FLEITER (39th Battalion) found hidden in a shell hole men of the 66th Division. One had a broken arm, the other trench-feet. They took the Australians at first for Germans. When reassured,"we knew the Australians would come," they said, 'We prayed hard."

From the direction of the church, which lay straight down the highway, no fire came. two Germans ran up the road and surrendered. South-east of the village, along the Moorslede road, were the Germans who seemed "very windy," and near the road two 5.9-inch howitzers began to blaze at the troops digging in.

The 9th Brigade had taken its second objective and the 10th its first, but the position of the officers in charge of these advanced lines was full of anxiety. On the eastern slope Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion, the senior officer in this part of the 9th Brigade's front, could see the 4th Division somewhat ahead of its right, and by 10:55 he had discovered that the 36th was on the left, but farther left than the 10th Brigade was far behind on its first objective . The German Guns ahead were sniping with dreadful accuracy. Carr on the western slope, sent back for instructions: "what am I to do?"

Word of the true situation reached headquarters slowly. As on the 9th, the first news was all encouraging. General: MONASH in the Ypres ramparts heard shortly after 7 that both brigades were "well away"; but by 8:26 he had ample evidence that the first objective was taken. At 9:25 the intelligence officer examining prisoners (Lieutenant: Frederick Morley CUTLACK Official War Correspondent) reported having heard from the wounded men that the second objective had been reached.

At 10:28 headquarters was informed of a statement of a wounded man, that the 38th Battalion had gone through. A further report that Australians had been seen at Crest Farm although quickly contradicting but probably true nevertheless. Which confirmed Monash's impression that his division was succeeding. Concerning the New Zealand brigade on his left, however, there was no word until, at 10:50, there arrived the tragic information that the New Zealand Division was stopped by the enemy alone the entire front.

Monash has already heard at 9:55 that the 10th Brigade was held up by fire from Bellevue Spur. Believing that his division was still advancing, he asked that every gun that the New Zealand Division could spare should be turned upon that ridge to suppress the fire. Meanwhile, he would order the reserve (39th) battalion of the 10th Brigade to be ready to assist in holding the ground already won. The reserve battalion the (33rd) of the 9th Brigade he was still keeping back to assist in the capture of Passchendaele.

Shortly after noon news of the true situation arrived. Lieutenant Jackson of the 40th Battalion had established at Waterfields pillbox near the Ravebeek a forward report-centre from which a series of messages, admirably accurate, was flashed by lamp to the headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Lord of the 40th Battalion. Thus Brigadier General McNicoll of the 10th Brigade was able to inform Monash of the precise position of Giblin's Line. He added that the situation was very serious and the casualties very heave. At the same time from the front line of the 9th Brigade arrived a pigeon message, sent by Captain: Richard GADD of the 36th Battalion.

We are on the Blue Line (second objective) with composite force all three battalions, both flanks in the air.

The New Zealand Division was to make a second attempt at 3:00 pm, and Monash was of the opinion that from the 9th Brigade, well forward on the ridge, patrols might still work northward around Crest Farm. His reserve, the 33rd Battalion (9th Brigade), was accordingly ordered to attempt this at 4:30 pm and the 10th Brigade's forward line being meanwhile reinforced by its own reserve, the 39th Battalion.

These orders went out, but none of them were fulfilled. The New Zealand Division had been defeated by obstacles which no hastily renewed bombardment could have overcome. no infantry in the world could have crossed the Ravebeek mud, penetrated the dense wire, and attacked the crowded pillboxes of Bellview with the assistance of a barrage which did not even screen the advance. No blame can attach to the artillery. Its commander, according to the New Zealand official history, had reported on the previous day that his guns might be unable to give efficient support.

This magnificent division, which lost nearly 3,000 men, had been held up in almost exactly the same position as the 49th three days before-the left brigade penetrating half-way to the first objective, the right stopped almost at the start.The Germans were reinforcing. The New Zealand battalion commanders knew that their men had no chance of succeeding by renewed attack, and the order was eventually cancelled.

As for the Australians, of the two battalions that MONASH had now ordered to participate, the 39th had already to a large extent been involved in the fighting, and the 33rd, endevouring to reach its position of readiness for outflanking Passchendaele,had suffered great loss. No less than 6 of its Officers were killed or mortally wounded. Captain: Wilfred Frank HINTON in command of the forward company, Lieutenant Leonard Rockley BROWNLOW  Lieutenant: Thomas Acheson ARMSTRONG   Lieutenant: Albert George KILPATRICK  Lieutenant William REES-REYNOLDS and Lieutenant: Norman Francis GOBLE.

By the time Lieutenant Colonels Henderson DSO 39th Battalion and MORSHEAD attempted to carry Monash's orders, they found that the attacking force of both brigades was back almost at its starting point. What had happened was as follows.

Neither Major: GIBLIN near the Ravenbeek nor Captain: Henry Vince CARR on the ridge had received their messages sent several hours earlier. The 9th Brigade's line was still being battered by the German Guns. Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, whose troops were being wiped out, informed Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O 36th Battalion had now come forward to Hillside Farm. CARR accordingly sent Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON. D.S.O with GADD to explain to Milne the desperate nature of their situation. Milne said that he would try to get their troops relieved after dark, but till relieved they must hold on.

(BEAN; History of Word War 1 Vol IV page 921) Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN

Meanwhile, however, the German artillery was annihilating some parts of their line. All leaders of Carr's three posts were out of action. Lieutenant: Joseph Francis ADAMS was Killed in Action and Lieutenant: Norman Beade D'ARCY M.C and Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM were wounded. Of the remaining officers of the 36th Battalion, Major: John Bruce BUCHANAN and Lieutenant: Fredrick William PUTNEY had been Killed in Action and Captain: Robert Austin GOLDRICK M.C wounded. Farther back Lieutenant: Sydney COOK had been Killed in Action and Lieutenant: William WAND and Lieutenant: Herbert Reginald MAILER were wounded.

At 3 o'clock rain began to fall steadily. at 3:15 pm Captain: Richard GADD 36th Battalion, thought agreeing with  Captain: Henry Vince CARR 35th Battalion that to hold on meant annihilation, refused, in view of his Colonel's orders, to retire. Carr consented to wait while Gadd again sent word to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O. Carr himself at 12: 30 had sent Captain Robert Derwent DIXON.  D.S.O to the headquarters of the 35th Battalion at " Seine", from which no word had been received all day.

At 3:45 pm, no reply having come from Milne, and Dixon not having returned as he had been kept at 35th Battalion headquarters awaiting the arrival of an order from brigade headquarters concerning the projected operation by the reserve battalion, Gadd agreed to withdraw and Carr sent along the line a note: The 35th Battalion will retire.

When visiting Gadd, Carr had warned the troops of the probable order to withdraw, and he now saw that the left had already begun to retire. He told men whom he passed to get back as fast as they could to the 34th Battalion (which he believed to be on the first objective). Captain: William James GORDON M.C 36th Battalion, strongly dissatisfied with the order, went straight to Lieutenant Colonel: John Alexander MILNE D.S.O urged that the forward position was tenable, and with Milne and Major: John Martin HAWKEY M.C rushed out to stop the withdrawal. But it was too late.

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES  Lieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE   Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organising on the first objective, and the first objective now lay empty. The retiring troops, being without orders as to the position to be taken up, streamed back past Milne's headquarters.

All that Hawkey, Gordon, Gadd, and others could then do was to lead a fraction of them forward again to the first objective, where they remained during the night. Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON.  D.S.O. with Captain: John Grieve PATERSON adjutant of the 35th, went up to organise the 35th there, but could find none of it's men. When eventually re-formed the remnant of the 35th was temporarily attached as a Company to the 33rd Battalion.

9th-12th October 1917 saw the 3rd Division, 9th and 10th Infantry Brigade in action during the Battle of Passchendaele, which saw massive losses and suffering in the Australian ranks. The casualties numbered 3,199 men in 24 hours during the height battle. The 34th Battalion lost every officer that day, either killed or wounded including their Medical Officer, Major: Gother Robert Carlisle CLARKE and some of his staff were killed while dressing the wounded. The spirit of some of the wounded is illustrated by the case of Corporal: 3170 Winsleigh Alexander MURRAY   35th Battalion, (formerly a Methodist Minister from Newcastle) gave up his place in a queue waiting for stretcher bearers and was never heard of again.

The Battle of Passchendaele saw 60 Officers and 1,322 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 11 Officers 273 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 323 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 18 Officers 296 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 15 Officers 383 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 1 Officer 36 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. - Officer 11 Other ranks

Leslie's War Medal:69806 and Victory Medal:67031 to PTE L KEMP 35 BN AIF were acquired in August 2019 from the Lucas Collection in the ACT and are now in the Harrower Collection. 

Family Information

Leslie was a single 22 year old Factory Hand from Rocky Point Road upon enlistment with the AIF.

Woronora Memorial Park. Aif 15 GG Plot 0142

Military Records

 

Under Construction: 15/08/2019-26/09/2019.

Private: 1163-14 Donald Gordon McLEOD

by

1st BATTALION - 9th INFANTRY BRIGADE AIF

Private: 1163-14 Donald Gordon McLEOD.

Born: 1895. Kogarah via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:33386/1895.

Married: 1919. Kogarah via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14620/1919.

Wife: Winifred McLeod. nee: Buchanan.

Died: 24th of August 1975. New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:22195/1975.

Father: Arthur J McLeod. 

Mother: Sophia Fanny McLeod. (18..-1964) died Burwood, N.S.W. Death Cert:32739/1964.

INFORMATION

1st Enlistment

No.1163 Donald Gordon McLEOD was one of two brothers to serve in the AIF. He stated that he was a 21 year old Driver from Carlton in NSW when he enlisted for the 1st time on the 26th of October 1914.

At Broadmeadows camp on the 23rd of November 1914 he was charged with the offence: “Absent without Leave for 24 hours”. As punishment he was ‘Admonished’.

He embarked from Australia with the 1st Reinforcements to the 1st Battalion on the 22nd of December 1914, on board the HMAT (A32) ‘Themistocles’ and landed in Egypt.

While in Egypt he reported sick and on the 22nd of March 1915 was returned to Australia on board the HMAT “Ulysses”, arriving on the 15th of April 1915. He was then discharged from the AIF on the 24th of April 1915, as Medically Unfit (Heart Disease).

2nd Enlistment

On the 2nd of February 1916 he enlisted in the AIF for the 2nd time, being allocated the Regimental Number of 14. He now gave his address as ‘’Kogarah’’ in NSW. This time his Attestation Paper recorded the remarks “Tattoos’’ on chest:”Advance Australia” and a picture “Ship”, on his Right Forearm: “True love” and a picture of “Crossed Blades”.

On the 7th of August 1916, at the Australian Service Corps Camp at the ‘Royal Agricultural Society’ Showground in Sydney, he was charged with the offence: “Breaking Camp” and fined 10 shillings as punishment.

On the 1st of March 1916 he was transferred to the 9TH INFANTRY BRIGADE, and embarked from Australia as a member of the 9th Brigade Headquarters, on board the HMAT (A74) ‘Marathon’, which departed Sydney on the 4th of May 1916.

During the voyage the Brigades destination was changed to England and the troopship was recalled to Western Australia in order to top up with sufficient coal to reach its destination. It finally reached Devonport in England on the 9th of July 1916, after the longest recorded voyage for a troopship in WW1.

On arrival in England the 9th Brigade Headquarters proceeded by train from Plymouth to Amesbury in Wiltshire, and moved into Camp at Lark Hill. Everyone was then given four days disembarkation Leave.

The 9th Brigade now comprised the Brigade Headquarters, the 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery, and the 9th Machine-Gun Company. They would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain, learning the methods of Trench-Warfare.

On the 22nd of September 1916 was was appointed a ‘Driver’ in the 9th Brigade HQ, but the following day was re-mustered as a Private, at his own request.

On the 21st of November 1916 the 9th Brigade HQ deployed to France, travelling across the English-Channel aboard the H.M.T. ‘Hunlett’. The 9th Brigade (minus the 36th Battalion) crossed the Channel that night under Destroyer Escort, disembarking at ‘Le Havre’ in the early hours of the 22nd. (The 36th Battalion followed across on the 22nd of November). The Brigade soon moved into the front-line near the village of Armentieres in northern France.

At some point in December 1916 he was hospitalised in France and was then transferred to England. On the 5th of December 1916 he was admitted to the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, suffering ‘debility’ after a bout of Influenza. After recovering, he would have proceeded back across to France.

He was granted English-Leave for the period 5th of January 1918 to the 22nd on January 1918 and then again for the period 14th of October 1918 to the 29th of October 1918.

On the 11th of November 1918, the Germans signed an ARMISTICE, finally ending the fighting in Europe.

On the 20th of February 1919 he was attached for duty with the 33rd Battalion. He was returned to Australia in April 1919 and arrived in Australia on the 1st of June 1919.

He was discharged from the AIF as medically unfit, on the 5th of January 1920.

He died on the 24th of August 1975.

(Bill Durant; June 2018)

Family Information

Donald was a single 21 year old Driver from Calton, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 04/06/2018.

Sergeant: 2193 Herbert George REID.

by

1st BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF.

Sergeant: 2193A Herbert George REID.

Born: 1896. Condoblin, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Died: 5th April 1918. Died of Wounds Villers Bretonneux, France.

Father: George Reid. (1866-1918)

Mother: Mary Josephine Reid. nee: (1870-1906) Died at Condobolin, N.S.W. Death Cert:993/1906.

INFORMATION
Herbert George Reid enlisted with the 1st Battalion AIF on the 20th April 1915 

and was transferred to the 7 Reinforcements 33rd Battalion AIF.

COUNTER ATTACK OPERATION. AFTERNOON AND EVENING MARCH 30TH, 1918.

33RD BATTALION A.I.F

At 10;30 a.m. on March 30th the 33rd Battalion moved from billets in CACHY to a position of readiness on the south Western edge of the BOIS D'AQUENNE. The enemy shelled CACHY from 10 a.m. but we suffered no casualties. At 2;15 p.m I reported to you at the Brigade Report Center at H.33,0,35,40 and received your orders to capture and establish a line from the Copse immediately South of the first c in MARCELCAVE to AUBERCOURT, and to capture AUBERCOURT which was in possession of the enemy. The 33rd would work in conjunction with the 12th Lancers, who were 400 strong, and would have the 34th in support.

The following orders were issued by me verbally to Company Commanders at 2;45 P.M. "B" Company Lieutenant: 5017 John Graham Antill POCKLEY will establish a line from the Oppue just South of the first C in MARCELCAVE to a point 100 yards east of the Crossroads to V.14.b. "A" Company Captain: John Lovelock FRY will establish a line from 100 yards East of the Cross Roads in V.14.b. to V.20.b.20.00. "D" Company Captain: James William SHREEVE. will capture AUBERCOURT and establish a line on the Eastern and Southern sides of the village. As DEMUIN is held by the enemy particular attention is to be paid to the roads loading over to do LUCE from BEMUIN and COUXCELLES. "C" Company Captain: Walter John Clare DUNCAN will be in reserve in the valley South East of the BOIS DE HANGARD and to be ready to capture DEMUIN.

Battalion Headquarters will be the Reserve Company "D" Teams, according to S.S. 156, will not take into action but will be sent to BLANCY TRONVILLE. At 3;10 p.m the Battalion marched under the command of Major: Francis George GRANT. from BOIS D'AQUENNE and moved across country to the West of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBECOURT road in U.12. This position was reached at 4;35 p.m. At 3;00 p.m I sent forward two patrols from the Platoon of the 9th Corps Cyclists to reconnoiter North and South of the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD and then as far forward towards AUBERCOURT and MARCELCAVE as possible. I regret to report that the Platoon Commander Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRATWICKE was killed.

Phillip Charles Gratwicke

Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRANTWICKE. 9th Corps, Cyclist Battalion. Killed in Action 30th March 1918.

The 12th Lancers proceeded the Battalion and reached the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD at about 4;15 p.m.(This wood was in future be referred as LANCERS WOOD) My Adjutant, Scout Officer and Cavalry Liaison Officer went ahead with the Cavalry and reconnoiter the position. On our way to LANCER WOOD we passed several bodies of troops particularly had recklessly entrenched in queer places and large parties of stragglers. On reaching the wood we found the whole front line garrison East of LANCER WOOD withdrawing although there was no hostile fire of any kind and no signs of attack. I met two Brigadiers and a Battalion Commander in the wood and informed them what was happening at once. This they promised to do. The Cavalry Commander also helped in this matter by sending a Squadron dismounted to re-establish the line. The infantry went forward with the cavalry but in a reluctant manner. During the whole time we sore forward men constantly leaving the line. The seemed to be no effort to check this straggling.

It was a proud privilege to be allowed to work with such a fine Regiment as the 12th Lancers. Their approach march instilled in the mementos confidence and enthusiasm and I am glad to say greatly counteracted the effect of so much straggling. They lost no time in effectively clearing LANCERS WOOD and get there just in time as the enemy had obtained a footing on the southern and South Eastern edges. The Lancers protected the edges and allowed us to move forward to the attack. On seeing the cavalry there the enemy shelled LANCER WOOD very heavily, chiefly with 5.0s. paying particular attention to our fringes. Fairly heavy casualties to horses were inflicted there, the horses were soon led from the wood to a position West of the VILLER-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. The discipline during the heavy shelling was a subject lesson. During the attack the cavalry protected both our flanks, the left with two Machine Guns. They withdrew at about 7.00 p.m.

All ranks were eager to give every possible help to us, throughout there was whole hearted cooperation. The experience gained in this our first operation with cavalry was invaluable. One was able too judge of the splendid work they are doing for the Army at this present time and they cannot be too highly praised. The 33rd Battalion moved forward from the position of assembly at 3:00 p.m. The formation adapted by Companies was as follows; One Platoon in extended order, followed by two Platoons in line in Artillery formation; the fourth Platoon in reserve also in Artillery formation.

"B" Company moved along the Northern edge of LANCER WOOD and widened its front on clearing the wood. "A" Company moved throughout the wood. Owing to enemy shelling while moving through, the whole company was extended into three lines and resumed normal formation on clearing the wood. No casualties were sustained in the wood. "B" Company worked in single file along the brindle track near the Southern edge of the wood and formed up under cover of the terraced bank on the South East edge. Three casualties were sustained on entering the wood. "C" Company formed up on the sunken road in U.18.a. and not where was first ordered, owing to the hostile shelling.

The movement forward was splendidly carried out. On the right slight opposition was en counted but easily disposed of. no real opposition was not until we were about 200 yards clear of the wood when all three Companies came very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. They deployed at once and moved forward without flinching. All ranks displayed the greatest determination and eagerness to get to the Bosch with the bayonet, this eagerness was to some extent responsible for the heavy casualties as the principle of advancing under covering fire was not sufficiently observed. On the Left most progress was made in spite of heavy losses, and the enemy hurriedly retired but on discovering later in strength he reformed.

30th March 1918

The enemy was well entrenched and in strong force as we had no artillery support his fire was consequently extremely heavy and unfortunately very accurate. Owing to such strong opposition we were not able to reach our objectives. The attached map shows approximately the line we established. The line is well sited and is a very good defensive position. With determined troops the enemy could easily be held, and any advance he attempted would be very expensive. Owing to casualties and to the wide front the Reserve Company to reinforce the right flank. This Company made good the gap between the right and center Companies. At the same time I requested the 34th Battalion which was in support in U.18.a. and U.12.c. West of the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road, to send a Company to reinforce the left flank. I instructed Company Commander Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. to reconnoiter the position first and then move forward at 6.00 p.m. This Company advanced in two lines of two Platoons each and took the newly-made enemy trenches about 250 yards East of the line then held by us, capturing two light machine guns one of which was damaged, and four prisoners belonging to 91st Oldenburg Regiment.

Wilhelm CONZE; Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (03 Apr 1917-14 Oct 1917) Wounded, in Reserve Hospital in Gotha (23 Mar 1918-22 May 1918) Transferred to the Replacement-Battalion of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (22 May 1918-01 Jul 1918) Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (01 Jul 1918-30 Sep 1918) In French Captivity (30 Sep 1918-14 Feb 1920) Released from Captivity and back with the Processing-Office of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (14 Feb 1920-29 Mar 1920)

Captain GILDER withdrew and made good the gap between the left and center Company's. At 10:00 p.m. I requested the C.O. 34th Battalion to send two company's forward, one to the sunken road in U.18.a the other to a position 300 yards North East of LANCER WOOD. At 11:00 p.m. the enemy attempted a local counter attack against my left company but was repelled. Heavy rain fell from early in the afternoon till late at night. Walking over the plowed fields under such conditions affected the Lewis guns and rifles. Every man was drenched to the skin and very cold, but this did not dampen his ardor. All maps were soon rendered useless and the writing of messages was extremely difficult. Our flanks were somewhat in the air, on our left the Warwicks were about 600 yard behind. The 66th Division were on our right, but touch with them was not obtained.

In order to secure my right flank the right Support company, of the 34th Battalion supplied a Platoon for patrolling and also to establish a post South of LANCER WOOD on the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. Our front was well protected by Vickers and Lewis Guns. We had five Vickers guns from the 9th Australian Machine Gun Company - two covered either flank and one the center, and we had 25 Lewis guns. We were relieved by the 10th ESSEX and the ROYAL WEST SURREY Regiment of the 18th Division this morning; the relief Battalion Headquarters were established at V.7.d.30.95. The Pre-arranged position was untonable.

Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD.

Commanding 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

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)

 

 

 

Picquigay British Cemetery, France.

Condobolin War Memorial

Family Information
Herbert was a single 19 year old Carpenter from Condobolin, N.S.W. upon enlistment.

Military Records
(Australian National Archives)

Under Construction; 15/08/2012-07/10/2021.

 

Private: 69 Jack “Joe” FARLEY.

by

33rd BATTALION - 1st BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 69 Jack "Joe" FARLEY. (Prisoner of War)

Born:  8th July 1888. Cavin, Ireland.

Died: 21st June 1921. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5193/1921.

Father: James Farley. 

Mother: Sarah Farley. nee:.

INFORMATION
Jack Farley enlisted with A Company, 33rd Battalion AIF and was a member of the First Contingent to receive the Inverell Recruitment Medal and Departed Inverell 12th January 1916.

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 sox and the Inverell Recruitment Medal.

Inverell Recruitment MedalInverell Recruitment Medal
Inverell Recruitment Medal presented to Pte W.A.E. Patterson by Citizens of Inverell, N.S.W. 10.1.16
The Kurrajongs
Jack embarked on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916 and was an original member of the Battalion. During the voyage via Fremantle in Western Australia where the men disembarked. Jack was Charged with DRUNKENNESS in that he attended Fremantle on the 23rd May 1916 he was brought on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" DRUNK. Award Reprimanded by the C.O.

Major: James William Albert SIMPSON.

A few week later Jack was again in trouble when we was Charged at Sea. DISOBEDIENCE of ORDERS in that he on the 6th June 1916 did light a match between decks at the top of the issue room companion. Contrary to Orders. Award 1 Days Extra Duty. 

Major: James William Albert SIMPSON.

Jack disembarked with the 33rd Battalion on the 9th July 1916 at Devonport, England where he was marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at Larkhill. Jack was transferred to the 1st Battalion on the 16th September and proceeded overseas on the same day. He was Taken on in Strength with the 1st Battalion  

5th November 1916.

Lieutenant YATES returned and reported no trace to be found of Lieutenant FINLAYSON. His operation was not successful. Several bombs had passed through the dressing station and the reported very severe handling, and very heavy losses inflicted by the enemy on the Bombury Platoon. Received instructions from 1sr Brigade HQ to withdraw to their previous position and move immediately to the position of assembly.

Our casualties during the operation were. Officers Killed in Action. 2nd Lt J.H. McINTYRE. 2nd Lt H.M. LANSER. Wounded  Capt R.C. MACGREGOR. 2nd Lt E.C. HURT. Missing Lt FINLAYSON Lt N.J.  MULLARKEY. 2nd Lt F.S. PHILLIPS. Wounded and Missing 2nd Lt A.V. STEEL. Other Ranks. 5 Killed in Action 81 Wounded. 71 Missing.

1st Battalion Unit Diary.

Jack was listed as Missing in Action in this report and it was confirmed that he was in German Hands and was a Prisoner of War on the 8th February 1916. He was reported to have received a Gun Shot Wound to his Left Leg and Left Arm and was being held at the Reservelazarett Stettin III. "Reserve Hospital".

Reservelazarett Stettin III

Jack had his left Leg Amputated at the Thigh and was repatriated to Holland on the 2nd January 1918 before being invalid back to England on the 7th of January where he was admitted to the Tooting Military Hospital. 

Tooting Military Hospital March 1918.

After Jack was discharged from Hospital he was granted a furlo before he embarked for Australia from Southall on board the Hospital Ship on the 30th June 1918 and was discharged from the AIF on the 30th Mach 1919. Author assumes that Jack may have been admitted to the No: 4 Stationary Hospital at Randwick but there is no record from his military records but he survived only a few years after returning from the war.

Lest we Forget.

Family Information
Joe was a single 27 year old Labourer from Inverell, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His father was his next of kin who lived at Cavin, Ireland.

Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction 07/12/2010-19/08/2021.