33rd Battalion

Private: 2778 George CARTER.

by

36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2373 - 2778 George CARTER.

Born: 1st February 1895. West Wyalong, New South Wales, Australia. No Birth Cert:

Married: 15th May 1917. Holy Trinity Church, Westminster, England. Marriage Cert:ME:339.

Wife: Maria Carter. nee: Bowden. (1896-19..)

Died: 23rd August 1918. Died of Wounds. France.

Father: Alfred Ernest Carter. (18..-1936) Died at West Wyalong, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13216/1936 .

Mother: Francis Carter. nee: Poolman. 

INFORMATION

George Carter enlisted with the AIF on the 5th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion AIF on the 22nd July 1915 at the Liverpool Army Camp with the service number 2373 and was charged with Desertion from Liverpool Army Camp after serving 164 Days with the AIF. George was absent from camp without leave and a warrant for his arrest had been issued from the 15th of October 1915. 1st Class Constable ROBERTS attended Marengo Station and arrested George for Desertion and conveyed him to Young Police Station to await his Military Escort from the Provost Marshall who retuned him to Liverpool Army Camp. 

George re enlisted with the 6th Reinforcements 36th Battalion at the Liverpool Army Camp before embarking for England on the 25th November 1916 on board HMAT A "Beltana" and disembarked to Devonport, England on the 29th January 1917. George went into camp at Larkhill with the 9th Training Battalion where the Battalion settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.

George proceeded overseas for France on the 29th May via Southampton and disembarked the next morning where the Reinforcements went into billets and was marched out on the 16th June 1917 from Rouelles, France and was Taken on in Strength on the 18th of June in Belgium.  

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 endeavoured 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 reconnoitred 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 organizing 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 organize 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

George was Wounded in Action on the 18th October 1917 and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance for a Contusion of the Shoulder before being sent to the 4th General Hospital the next day. After he was discharged George was transferred to the 6th Convalescent Depot at Trouville on the 23rd of October before re joining the 36th Battalion on the 15th November 1917 in Belgium. On the 8th February, George was Detached to the Tunnel Company until the 24th of February and was granted leave to England on the 17th of March until the 12th of April before the 36th were Disbanded to reinforce the remaining 3 Battalions. George was transferred to the 33rd Battalion on the 30th April 1918.  George received the prefix A after his service number on the 9th July. 

21st August 1918.

Midnight. Fighting Patrols out to exploit Green Area. Plenty of Machine gun Fire. Heavy Fog. Shelling increased, apparently enemy very nervous. 10:am Wire received French captured 10,000 Prisoners and was communicated to all ranks. 12:15. Our planes brought down a hostile balloon. Shelling lighter during the day, at night 10 minute shoot every 30 minutes till midnight. Casualties 5 Other Ranks.

22nd August 1918.

4.45 am. Operation commences, vide report on operation (B.M.33/259/2) of 23.8.1918) vide Appendix 10. Enemy counter attack commences and continues with the result that the English troops on our left (47th Division) and 12th Division farther to the North retreated before the enemy who was making only a half-hearted attempt to gain ground on their front. The Enemy's attitude during this advance was one of hesitation. He was apparently surprised at the English withdrawal for no apparent reason and seemed to suspect it as being somewhat in the nature of a ruse to draw him on. This is the observation of the C.O. Right Battalion who viewed the course of the action from his command post at L.18.a.2.3. The result of these operations was to leave the left flank of the Brigade entirely "in the air" as the English troops became very demoralized during the process of the counter attack - App.10

2.30 p.m. Verbal Orders received from 3rd Australian Division for the Brigade to undertake an operation involving the capture of Bray-sur-Somme and the subsequent exploitation to the Western bank of the Somme running North and South through Squares L.18. and 24.

4.p.m. Above operation postponed until tomorrow morning for the following reasons - Our line is within 150 yards of the Western outskirts of Bray which are known to contain many machine guns. The ground on which our front line lies is a graces slope running Eastwards towards the village. Any movement of even an individual in the vicinity of our front line and for some distance in rear of our front line immediately provokes enemy small arm fire. It would be impossible to rush BRAY without a barrage. It would be equally impossible to barrage the Western outskirts of BRAY without the same time bombarding the area in which our front line lies.

If the operation were performed during the hours of daylight out troops emerging from the Eastern outskirts of the village would come under the direct observation and fire of all arms from the high ground in L.11. L.17. and L.23. and would undoubtedly be held up in the low ground in L.16.a.&c. There would be no advantage in holding a line in L.16.a.& c. and our troops would in all probability be compelled to evacuate it after having suffered many unnecessary casualties.

This operation is now to be undertaken tomorrow morning early under cover of darkness and with the assistance of an artillery barrage which will start on the Western outskirts of BRAY and creep through to the Eastern outskirts whilst the high ground in L.17. and L.23. is being bombarded by Heavy Artillery. The 11th Brigade will co-operate by conforming to our advance on our Northern Flank. This operation finally cancelled owing to enemy counter attack referred to in Appendix 10.

9th Infantry Brigade War Diary.

George received a Severe Gun Shot Wound to his Abdomen during this action on the 22nd August and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance in the field before he was taken by stretched bearers to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station where he Died of Wounds on the 26th of August 1918.   

George is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Plot:6 Row:6 Grave:11. 

Lest We Forget.

Grave of Private: 2778 George CARTER. (1895-1918)

Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Woolwich Foundry.

George's Memorial Plaque: 350166 was issued to his wife Maria in England on the 17th November 1922. 

Family Information

George was a single 21 year old Farm Hand from Yethera, Central West New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Alfred Ernest Carter married Francis Poolman at Wyalong in 1898. Marriage Cert:2153/1898.

 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/09/2026.

Private: 3351 Charles Duncan McINNES

by

33rd BATTALION - 18th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3351 Charles "Charlie" Duncan McINNES

Born: 20th June 1880. Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:23079/1880.

Married: 1924. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:66/1924.

Wife: Alice Lilian McInnes. nee: Jackson. (1889-1954) Died at Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:32072/1954.

Died: 18th August 1965. Bowral, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:24955/1965 .

Father: John McInnes. (1840-1901) Died at Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15084/1901.

Mother: Sarah Jane McInnes. nee: Horrocks. (1842-1925) Died at Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15420/1925.

INFORMATION

Charles "Charlie" Duncan McInnes enlisted with the AIF at Queanbeyan on the 15th January 1917 before he was transferred to the Liverpool Army Camp. On the 3rd May 1917 Charlie was sent to Milson Island after he was diagnosed having Gonorrhoea and was admitted to Hospital on the 3rd May for treatment and after 39 days he was discharged as infection free on the 11th June 1917.

During World War I, Milson Island in the Hawkesbury River was used as a specialized hospital to treat returned Australian soldiers suffering from venereal diseases. Because of its remote location—accessible only by boat—the island provided a secure and isolated environment to quarantine and treat troops before they reintegrated into civilian life.

Wiki

Milson Island

Charlie was transferred back to the Liverpool army Camp where he was allocated to the 8th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board the "Port Melbourne" on the 16th July and disembarked at Liverpool. England on the 16th September 1917. The reinforcements were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill where the reinforcements settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine. 

Charlie proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 17th January 1918 and disembarked the next morning and went into billets before being marched out to be Taken on in Strength with the 33rd on the 20th February 1918 before being transferred to the 18th Battalion in February 1918. He was hospitalised in August with dysentery before rejoining his unit at the end of September and taking part in the attack on the Beaurevoir Line. In March 1919 he was granted leave to attend Halley Industrial (UK) Ltd in Westminster but it was cut short so that he could return to Australia where he was discharged on 11 October 1919. 

War Medal: 75183 to 3351 PTE C.D. MCINNES 33-BN A.I.F.

Charlie's War Medal:75183 to 3351 PTE C.D.MCINNESS 33-BN AIF was acquired in September 2026 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Age (Queanbeyan, NSW : 1904 - 1907), Tuesday 26 January 1904, page 2

BICYCLE ROAD RACE

The bicycle road race, promoted by Messrs J. A. Sullivan and E. T. Walsh, came off as advertised on Saturday. The road was in capital going order. Eighteen nominations were received, but owing to an accident which befell W. Day through severely cut ting his leg, and an accident to his brother (V. Day's) bike only sixteen competitors faced the starter. The starting point was at Mr. Daniel's store, Hoskingtown, and the winning post at the cross streets between the Royal and Lake George Hotels, Bungendore. Mr. E, Daniels acted as starter and Mr. J. A. Sullivan officiated as judge. The competitors all expressed themselves as being well satisfied with their handicaps and praise is undoubtedly due to the handicappers for the very efficient manner in which they discharged their duties. Punctually at the appointed time Doyle, Lewis and Cosier were sent away, Lewis taking up the running.

Barnett and H. Day followed, the latter rider passing Cosier a little more than a mile out. Kennedy, Trussell and Charlie McInnes were next dispatched, McInnes leaving his two men, overhauled the leaders a couple of miles out. The next five who moved off were H. Doyle, T. Davis, A. McInnes, W, Matthieson and I. Rowley. McInnes and Matthieson took up the running but were overtaken by the scratch men Creswick and Bingely, who made the pace very warm for the first five miles when Bingley's tyre blew out, Charlie McInnes and Day, who were now riding on terms, caught the limit men at the half-way and raced locked together to the winning post, where after an exciting finish, C. McInnes gained the judge's verdict by a couple of lengths from H Day with H. Lewis a similar distance away third. B. Doyle was fourth, W. Barnett fifth, W. Kennedy, and W. Matthieson sixth, while the remainder of the starters finished in straggling order.

The competitors and their respective starts were :C. Creswick, H. Bingley, scratch ; H Doyle, T. Davis, A. McInnes, R. Holey, W. Matthieson, 2 minutes; W. Kennedy, T. Trussell, C. McInnes, 3½ minutes, W. Barnett, H. Day, 4 minutes; B. Doyle, A. W, Daniels, H. Lewis and R. Cosier, 6 minutes. Another road race was arranged the same afternoon along the Lake George Road, the distance being two miles. This was won by H. Bingley, 10yds, C. Creswick, scratch, being second, and C. McInnes, 10yds, being third.

I hear that another road race is to take place in about a fortnight's time when large entries are expected. Mr. J. A. Sullivan is proving himself a great acquisition to our town in sporting matters and everything he takes in hand seems to pan out on the right side of the ledger. Some splendid stone is being obtained from the reef near Bungendore, and people are anxiously awaiting the result of a crush in which has been sent away. It is hoped the reef will prove good at a depth.

Trove

Charlie was a single 36 year old Motor Driver from Queanbeyan, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. His brother George Lockhart Nairn McInnes (1876-1959) also served. McInnes moved to the Bowral district after the war and operated a piggery called 'Yedmandale' near Moss Vale in the 1940s. At the time of his death on 18 August 1965 he was living in Bowral. He is buried in Queanbeyan Cemetery.

Charles Duncan McInnes (1880-1965) - Alice Lillian McInnes. (1889-1954) - Colin C McInnes. (1926-1928)

Sarah Jane McInnes. nee: Horrocks. (1842-1925)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 12/09/2026.

Private: 88 John Gottfrid HOLM

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 88 Johan "John" Gottfrid HOLM

Born: 21st December 1894. Defle, Sweden.

Married: 24th September 1919.  Nowendoc, Walcha Shire, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:12603/1919.

Wife: Maud Holm. nee: Stace. (1898-1938) Walcha Cottage Hospital, Walcha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:12926/1938.

Died: 6th April 1971. Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:49591/1971.

Father: Olof Axel Holm. (1855-1946) Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden.

Mother: Anna Sophia Holm. nee: Carlsdotter. (1859-1920)  Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden.

INFORMATION

Johan "John" Gottfrid Holm enlisted with the AIF at Armidale, New South Wales on the 10th December 1915. John was allocated to A Company 33rd Battalion on the 1st April 1916 and was an original member of the Battalion and left Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th of May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th of July 1916 where they were marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at Larkhill. Upon his arrival at the Durrington Army Camp, John was admitted to Hospital and spent the next month recovering and was marched out on the 9th August 1916.  

Sergeant: - Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE - Private: 88 John Gottfrid HOLM - - Private: 

Larkhill 1916.

John was allocated his hut with men from his Battalion and settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine. The Battalion proceeded overseas for France on the 21st of November via Southampton and disembarked the next morning. The Battalion went into billets before being marched out to the lines a few days later and John was admitted again to Hospital on the 20th December 1916. He was given o couple of days to recover and after treatment he was marched out to join the 33rd in the Lines on Christmas Eve. 

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles. The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defence line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved. The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917. 

Nueve Eglise was the billeting area for the battle-weary remnants of the 33rd Battalion, when finally, they were relieved from Messines on June 12th 1917. After 2 short days of rest they were again marched to new billets at Douleu, where they stayed for the next ten days. By then Command must have considered them sufficiently rested for they were ordered back into the front line, to relieve the 10th Cheshire Battalion on June 23rd.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

12th July 1917.

MESSINES Relieved 41st Battalion in Sector u.11.b to u-5-b as per Bn 0.0.47 d/9/7/17 and Intelligence summary d/127/17. Enemy shelled road south of MESSINES and caught tail of relief Killing two. Two men killed and others wounded. Trenches found to be in very bad condition. They had been very badly sited no attention having been paid to conformation of ground. The first principles of trench siding had not been observed and no attention paid to drainage. Communication trenches were straight, shallow and through not having been duck boarded when dug had become quite impassable in places an account of mud. Front Line had rifle on us field of fire and both it and the Support line were crude observation from WARNETON from whence they were directly exploded in places.

(33rd Battalion War Diary)

John was wounded in Action on the 12th July 1917 and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before he we was taken by stretcher bearers to the Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment before he was evacuated from the line to Hospital. John was treated for his wounds and re-joined his unit on the 18th of July. 

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 organizing 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 organize 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

John remained with the Battalion until the 25th of March 1918 when he was once again admitted to Hospital and spent nearly 2 weeks in recovery. 

16th April 1918.

’On the 16th April, the rumours of a new German Offensive against Amiens seemed to be definitely confirmed. A German prisoner, taken by the French, volunteered the that Villers Bretonneux was to be attacked the next day. The 5th Australian Division, which had come line on the night of the 6th/7th April, and held the sector from Villers Bretonneux (inclusive) to the Somme canal was warned to be ready to retake the town, if captured by attack from the north and other preparations and counter-preparations were made. About 4 A.M. on the 17th, Villers Bretonneux, Bois d'Aquenne, to the west of it and the village of Cachy, to the south, were heavily drenched for three hours with phosgene, mustard and irritant gasses. But no assault followed. As soon as possible the local garrison, consisting of the 6/London(58 Devon) and the 33rd Australian Battalion, was got out of the shelters in the town into the trenches around it. The gas shelling was repeated in the evening from 4 to 7 P.M., next morning and on the following days, being increased so as to include Bois I'Abbe, but with greatly reduced results. Nevertheless it was impossible for anyone to move that area without feeling some ill-effects from the mustard gas, and there were, in all, 1,074 gas casualties.’

John was one of the casualties receiving severe Gas Poisoning and on the 17th of April he was evacuated and returned to England for further treatment. On the 24th of April John was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital and remained in England until he embarked for Australia on the 19th February 1919 on board HMAT "Orca" and returned to Australia on the 9th April 1919 and was discharged from the AOF on the 25th May 1919. 

Family Information

Johan left Mauritius on board the "Java" working as a 25 year old Able Seaman and crewman and disembarked at Sydney on the 20th February 1909. John was a single 30 year old Merchant Seaman and Farmer from Armidale, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. Johan was buried at Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden with his parents.

Johan "John" Gottfrid Holm (1894-1971)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 10/07/2026-08/09/2026.

Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE

by

Light Trench Mortar Battery - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE.

Born: 29th June 1896. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 

Died: 13th October 1917. Killed in Action. Zonnebeke. Battle of Passchendaele.

Father: Charles Frederick Pearce. (1857-1929) Died at Culcairn, New South Wales, Australia Death Cert:3605/1929.

Mother: Mary Anne Pearce. nee: Hanschke. (1872-1961) Died at Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:20387/1961.

INFORMATION

Oliver George Pearce enlisted with the AIF on the 16th May 1916 at Cootamundra, New South Wales where he was allocated to the 2nd Depot Battalion before he was transferred to the Goulburn Army Camp on the 22nd June where he was allocated to B Depot Battalion Goulburn until the 4th August when he was transferred to Menangle the next day and allocated to the 5th Reinforcements, 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 29 September 1916, page 2

Send off to Private Pearce. — A large gathering of friends assembled at the residence of Mr. C. F. Pearce, Gobbagaula, on Tuesday evening last for the purpose of bidding farewell to Private Oliver Pearce, who was home on final leave. Mr. Fred Slender occupied the chair and kept things moving until a late hour. In the early part of the evening games were indulged in, after which the company sat down to an excellent supper. Several toasts were honoured, including those of the King, the Church, the Boys at the Front. The returned Soldiers (responded to by returned soldiers, Messers. D. McKenzie and P. Coates), England and her Allies, and the Parents of the Guest (responded to by Mr. C.F. Pearce). Recitations were given and songs were rendered by members of the company, who spent a most enjoyable evening. During the evening several presentations were made to the guest, who suitably acknowledged the compliment paid him.

Trove

Oliver embarked from Sydney on board HMAT  "Ascanius" on the 25th October 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 28th December 1916. He was marched in to the Training Battalion at Larkhill .

Sergeant:  - Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE - Private: 88 John Gottfrid HOLM - - Private: 

Larkhill 1916.

Oliver was transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF on the 6th February 1917 before proceeding overseas for France via Folkstone on the 25th April 1917 and disembarked the next morning where the 33rd went into billets before being marched out to the front lines where he was taken on strength on the 2nd May 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 organizing 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 organize 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

13th October 1917.

Received instructions to take command of the front line. Issued instructions to C.O's 34th and 35th Battalions to re-organize at dawn and to hold as follows; 35th Battalion Right Battalion. 36th Battalion Centre Battalion. 34th Battalion Left Battalion. This was done and consolidation proceeded with shelling of our position immediately in rear of it was at times very heavy. 5.9-4.2 and 77 mm being used. Our bombardment of enemy points appeared to be very light and our barrages throughout the battle much lighter than any yet experienced by this battalion.

On the other hand the Boche bombardment was the heaviest I have ever experienced and only the very soft ground smothering the shell bursts very few men would have got through it. This Battalion was relieved by the 44th Battalion 11th Bde A.I.F. Relief commenced about 7:00 pm and was complete about 11:00 pm. The Battalion moving back along Railway Line to BOSTON FARM. The Battalion to up a shell hole position near JACOB'S HOUSE. All ranks very exhausted.

Oliver was  Killed in Action at Zonnebeke during the Battle of Passchendaele on the 13th October 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 23 November 1917, page 2

NARRANDERA CASUALTIES.

Private O. G. Pearce.

The Rev. S. R. Robbins on Monday evening last received a cable from the Base Records Office to the effect that Private O. G. Pearce, son of Mr. W. Pearce, of Gillenbah, had been killed in action on the 15th of October last. Sincere sympathy is felt for the parents.

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Menin Gate War Memorial

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 15 February 1918, page 4

THE LATE PRIVATE O. PEARCE.

Mr. and Mrs C. F. Pearce have received the following letter from a comrade of their son, Oliver who was recently killed in action: — "Something; moves me to write to you and express my heartfelt sympathy in the recent sad loss of your son, Oliver, whom I had known intimately since we first met at Menangle Park. As I am not gifted with the pen, I cannot express my feelings as I would like. Words seem inadequate to do so. Oliver was loved and respected by all who knew him, and one thing for which he was admired was his will power, which enabled him to resist many temptations which one experiences in this soldier's life. He proved himself to be a fine fellow, and one who was out to do his bit, for he was always anxious to get to the front. Even when he got over to France and saw the perils of war, he was anxious to he amongst his comrades, when owing to circumstances, life might have been a much safer place a few miles behind the line. I regret to state that several of Oliver's mates also made the supreme sacrifice in the last stunt. They have done their duty. Their fight is over, and although they take their long last sleep beneath foreign skies, their memories will remain with us as being among the many brave men who gave their all for their country and died as heroes die. There is no greater or more noble death than to die for one's Country, and this consoling thought should help to relieve the grief which naturally arises at such a sad moment. We all know our own mothers' hearts would be well-nigh broken by such news as you have received. Therefore, it is to the mothers of these fallen heroes that our heartfelt sympathy flows out today. — Yours sincerely, Private: 1393 Robert Walton GAY.

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Family Information

Oliver was a single 19-year-old farmer from Pine Vale Narrandera upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Tuesday 5 February 1929, page 2

OBITUARY

Mr. Chas. F. Pearce, Sen.

Word was received in Narrandera on Sunday last that Mr. Charles Frederick Pearce, sen., had died that day at Culcairn. Mr. Pearce, who was 72 years of age, was a native of Cardiff, Wales, and came to South Australia at the age of 19. After a time, he settled on the land at Wyacca, near Quorn. For many years he successfully carried on farming pursuits at that place, and there the whole of his family was born. He was attracted to this State in 1911 by the opening of the Yanco irrigation area, but after making an inspection of some areas, and considering the conditions laid down by the Irrigation Commission, decided not to settle on the area. He came to Narrandera, purchased "Pine Vale,'' Gobbagaula, near Narrandera, in 1912.

He was greatly im-pressed with the high quality of the land purchased by him, and also of the land generally in the Narrandera district and never tired of singing its praises. He farmed successfully at Gobbagaula until about two years ago, when with age creeping on him, and the majority of his sons and daughters married, he decided to retire from farming. He acquired a small property near Yass, where he resided until the time of his death. His health began to fail him in December and thinking that a change of climate might be beneficial, he went on a visit to his daughter at Culcairn. The change, however, did not benefit him, and his condition grew worse until death occurred on Sunday. While resident in South Australia Mr. Pearce was a keen student of politics and also took an interest in the Agricultural Bureau.

Even after arriving in Narrandera, he interested himself in the Agricultural Bureau movement and was instrumental in forming a branch of the Bureau here; but, owing to lack of support, he allowed it to go out of existence after about 12 months' operations. Besides being a believer in carrying out experiments on the land, he was an ardent follower of the advice furnished by the Department of Agriculture. Up-to-dateness in farm-ing was his motto, and he found the practise of his motto profitable. He was the first to demonstrate that cotton could be profitably grown in the district; but for some reason few landholders have taken up cotton growing, even as a sideline.

Mr. Pearce is survived by his widow and four sons and five daughters. The sons are Charles F. (Narrandera), Arthur (Croydon), Horace (Leeton), and Owen (Yass). The daughters are Gertrude (Mrs. A. Sheather, Culcairn), Alice (Mrs. Geo. Hall, Narrandera), Maud (Mrs. A. Mclnnes (Narrandera), Grace (Mrs. J. Clare, Sandigo), and Miss Olive (Sydney). A son (Oliver) was killed at the war in 1917. The remains were brought to Narrandera on Sunday and placed in the Methodist Church, from which place the funeral moved yesterday (Mon-day) after the holding of a short funeral service. The remains were interred in the Methodist portion of the cemetery. Messrs. Watkins Bros. had charge of the funeral arrangements.

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Narrandera Cemetery

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 10/07/2026-06/09/2026.

Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY

Born: 26th June, 1893. Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:24730/1893.

Married 1: 12th May 1919. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Marriage Cert: ME8808.

Wife 2: Francis J Morley. nee: Siddall. (1900-1995) Died at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 

Married 2: 4th May 1929. Singleton, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8888/1929.

Wife 2:  Clara Morley. nee: Almond. (1903-1989) Gosford District Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:104640/1989.

Died: March 1946. Bingara, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2881/1946.

Father: Albert Edward George Frederick Morley. (1859-1944) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2977/1944.

Mother: Catherine Jane Morley. nee: Wicks. (1865-1943) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:19622/1943.

INFORMATION

Edward Morley enlisted with the AIF on the 8th March 1916 at the Armidale Army Camp.  The composition of the 33rd Infantry Battalion was on a district basis. "A Company" was from Armidale and Tamworth, "B Company" was from Walcha, Uralla, Barraba, Bingara and Manilla. "C Company" was from Narrabri, Moree and Inverell. and "D Company was from Glen Innes, Guyra and Tenterfield.

Armidale Army Camp 1916.

Edward was allocated to C Company 33rd Battalion AIF and commenced his military training before being transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he continued training until early May when embarked from Farley Train Station for Sydney and embarked on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A74 "Marathon".

HMAT A74 Marathon

Arriving in England in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training before departed from Southampton, England on the 21st November 1916 at 4:30 pm and travelled by paddle steamer ‘Mona Queen’ to France arriving November 22, 1916 at 7:00 am in Le Havre. The Battalion moved in to the No:1 Rest Camp just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

S.S Mona Queen S.S. "MONA QUEEN"

Edward was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 15th April 1917 when Lance Corporal: 853 Joseph Harold PAYTEN was promoted to the rank of Corporal. 

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

6th June 1917

Lieutenant: 373 Richard Henry BLOMFIELD wrote "On the day proceeding Messines, it was decided to have a daylight raid to secure two prisoner's. It was a tough proposition with the trenches full of Germans and machine guns ready for anything. C Company was drawn up in a School Courtyard when Captain: Charles Henry LINKLATER called for twenty volunteers to go over in the afternoon. 

Sergeant: HICKS and a Corporal stepped straight out but were send back. "you have been on to may raids" said the Captain. Sergeant:976 Louis John MATHIAS and Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY then stepped forward followed by twenty men. 

At Dusk they went over.  Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY told me afterwards that the trenched seemed full of Germans. The raiders lay behind what cover they could find and fired until their rifles grew hot.  Lieutenant: 716 Francis Joseph BURKE badly wounded told the Doctor at Dressing Station "They chopped us to pieces on the wire".  

7th June 1917

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES
The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles. The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defense line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00 am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917. 

Nueve Eglise was the billeting area for the battle-weary remnants of the 33rd Battalion, when finally, they were relieved from Messines on June 12th 1917. After 2 short days of rest they were again marched to new billets at Douleu, where they stayed for the next ten days. By then Command must have considered them sufficiently rested for they were ordered back into the front line, to relieve the 10th Cheshire Battalion on June 23rd.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

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 reconnoitred 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 organizing 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 organize 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

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)

Edward was Wounded in Action during this advance at Villers-Bretonneux where he received a Gun Shot wound to his thigh and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before being taken to the Casualty Clearing Station. Edward was invalid to England where he was admitted to the Duchess Connaught's Hospital at Taplow on the 9th of April.  Edward received further treatment for his wounds and upon his discharge he attended the 9th Training Battalion before proceeding overseas for France on the 15th August 1918 and re joined his unit on the 21st as the 33rd was going into action at Bray-sur-Somme. 

15th September 1919

Informant. Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY 33rd Battalion. "Sergeant: 1964 Jack Stafford MASON came over from Australia with the 2nd Reinforcements and was in B Company 33rd Battalion. We were advancing about one kilometre from Bray-sur-Somme when he was struck by a shell. I saw him shortly afterwards and discovered he was badly hit in the back. Death must have been instantaneous. He was buried by the boys from his company where he fell. A cross was temporally erected. He came from Armidale, N.S.W. and also had a brother (2nd Lieutenant) in the same Battalion, who has since returned to Australia. He was called "Staff" by his mates. I wrote to his people at Armidale"

HMAT Port Lincoln. 

Edward was promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 9th of November before the Armistice on the 11th November 1918. Edward remained in France and was again promoted to Corporal on the 15th January 1919. Returning to England and then to Australia on board the 'Port Lincoln" where he was interviewed giving informant reports of soldiers killed in action, he arrived in Melbourne on the 14th of September and then on the Sydney on the 20th where he disembarked and was discharged from the AIF on the 25th November 1919. 

Family Information

Edward was a single 21 year old Farmer from The Cedard's, Curlew, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Edward Morley. 1st December 1920.

Edward enlisted with the 29th Battalion Volunteer Defence Force on the 18th October 1942 at Bingara, New South Wales. Number N458772 and was discharged on the 30th September 1945. 

Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1907, 1909 - 1954), Monday 1 April 1946, page 3

Mr. Edward Morley

Mr Edward Morley, a well known returned man from World War I who was accidentally killed when his motor car overturned near Little Plain recently was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Alfred Morley, of Narrabri, and was born on 26th June, 1893 being almost 53 years of age. At the age of 23 he enlisted in the A.I.F. and served throughout the first World War with the 33rd Battalion. On returning the deceased became associated with timber mills and practically his entire life was spent in following this pursuit. He was employed at the local mill for six years and altogether spent over nine years in the employ of Mr J. E. Boyle. On the 4th May, 1929, he was married to Clara, eldest daughter of Mr F Almond, of Doyle's Creek, Singleton, and the late Mrs. Almond. Of the issue there is only one child a daughter, Pattie. During his stay in Bingara, the late Mr Morley associated himself with and took an active part in the affairs of the local sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers' League, and was secretary of Soldiers' League, and was secretary of the sub-branch for twelve months, during which time he spared no time and efforts in the interests of the League. To him mainly can be credited the sub branch's healthy position today. In December last he left Bingara to take up a position with Mr. N. Gardner, of Inverell, and was on his way to Bingara on the morning of the fatality to attend the Diggers' annual reunion that afternoon. Interment took place in the Presbyterian portion of the Bingara cemetery after a service in the Presbyterian Church, where Rev. P. A. Smith, of Warialda, officiated. Members of the Bingara Sub Branch of the Returned Soldiers' League formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the cemetery and at the graveside, and the "Last Post" was sounded.— Bingara "Advocate."

Trove

Edward Morley (1893-1946) Bingara Cemetery, New South Wales.

Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954), Wednesday 23 February 1944, page 2

DEATH AT KURRI OF MR ALBERT MORLEY

Mr Albert Morley, who passed away suddenly at Kurri Kurri had been a resident of the Singleton district for a good many years. He was 83 years of age. For the past 18 months deceased had been living at Kurri. He wife predeceased him by six months. During his sojourn in this district, the late Mr Morley held the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends, and news of his demise will be received with regret. He is survived by three daughters and three sons, the sons being Messrs William (Singleton), Fred. (R.A.A.F.) and Edward (Queensland), and the daughters are Mesdames E. Putman (Melbourne), W. Bradbery (Colac), and H. Cocherill (Kurri Kurri).

Trove

Catherine Jane Morley. nee: Wicks. (1865-1943) - Albert Edward George Frederick Morley. (1859-1944)

Kurri Kurri Cemetery New South Wales.

Clara Morley. nee: Almond. (1903-1989) Singleton, Cemetery, New South Wales.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 15/08/2026-17/08/2026.

Corporal: 2626 George Herbert PARRY

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 2626 George Herbert PARRY

Born: 22nd February 1893. Falconer via Guyra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: No Birth Certificate.

Married: 28th July 1920. Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14614/1920.

Wife: Violet Parry. nee: Jones. (1898-1954) Died at Zetland, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:503/1955.

Died: 20th September 1938. Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15735/1938.

Father: Peter Parry. (1854-1934) Died at Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3974/1934.

Mother: Mary Parry. nee: Parry. (1856-1900) Died at Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:555/1900. 

INFORMATION

George Herbert Parry enlisted with the AIF on the 5th July 1916 at Armidale where he was allocated to the Armidale Depot Battalion before being transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he was allocated to the Reserve Company 33rd Battalion on the 1st September 1916 and later on the 6th October he was attached to the 5th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion AIF.

Rutherford Military Camp 1916. 

The reinforcement en trained from Farley Station for Sydney  where they boarded the S.S "Port Napier" on the 17th November 1917 for England where they disembarked at Devonport on the 29th January 1917 and were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp where their training covered warfare topics and instruction including wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with a gas attack, using bombs (hand grenades), using the bayonet and routines in the trenches. 

George proceeded overseas for France on the 5th of April 1917 via Folkstone and disembarked the next morning where, the troops received an extra 10 days of training at the major British base depot at Estaples near Boulogne, France. George was marched out for the lines and was taken on in strength with the 33rd Battalion on the 28th April 1917 at Erquinghem-Lys, France, where the Battalion was resting. 

30th April 1917.

At 4:10 am enemy opened a heavy bombardment on our on our front line from RIVER LYS to LOWNDES AVENUE, being particularly heavy on left Company Sector. At this point enemy dropped a curtain of shrapnel and H.E. on Supports and Communication Trenches. S.O.S. was at once sent up. Artillery responded at once. Enemy evidently attempted to raid but did not reach our parapet. Barrage slackened at 6:35 am. Enemy used light and heavy Minnewerfere together with all sizes of H.E. Our casualties, 5 killed, 15 wounded, including 1 Officer Lieutenant: Clarence William BODDY slightly wounded.

Private: 2383 John SLATER. 36th Battalion. Killed in Action 30th April 1917.

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

George was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal on the 31st of May 1917 to complete the Battalion establishment before they conducted their first major offensive at Messines. 

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles. The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defence line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved. The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917. 

Nueve Eglise was the billeting area for the battle-weary remnants of the 33rd Battalion, when finally, they were relieved from Messines on June 12th 1917. After 2 short days of rest they were again marched to new billets at Douleu, where they stayed for the next ten days. By then Command must have considered them sufficiently rested for they were ordered back into the front line, to relieve the 10th Cheshire Battalion on June 23rd.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

7th July 1917.

33rd Battalion AIF relieved by the 35th Bn AIF in Support Trenches MESSINES SECTOR 35th Bn went to Billets at NEUVE EGLISE. Casualties during the tour of duty in MESSINES SUPPORTS 28 including 4 killed.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

After the major offensive at Messines, George was promoted the the rank of Corporal to complete the Battalion establishment  on the 21st July 1917, as the 33rd had lost a great many men during this action. 

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 organizing 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 organize 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

The action at Passchendaele had been a complete disaster and the men including George needed a good rest and medical treatment to recover from this action. George was later transferred back to England where he was allocated to the 9th Training Battalion. Here he was sent to the school of instruction on command to the Bombing School at Lyndhurst and the Gas School at Chiseldon. George was attached as a permanent cadre staff member where he remained for the rest of the war and embarked on board HMAT A "Ceramic" on the 25th of January 1919 and disembarked on the 23rd of March 1919 and he was discharged from the AIF on the 2nd of May 1919. 

War Medal: 64857 to 2626 CPL. G.H.PARRY. 33 BN A.I.F. purchased from J B Military Antiques from the Parry family and acquired for the Harrower Collection in September 2025.

Family Information

George was a single 23-year-old Farmer from Guyra, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Guyra Argus (NSW : 1902 - 1954), Thursday 22 September 1938, page 2

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home, Tubbamurra, on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years (states the Guyra 'Argus'). Deceased had not been in good health for some time and death was due to heart trouble. He had been working about his place on Tuesday morning, and, returning home, sat down and immediately collapsed. He is survived by his wife and young family. He was a returned soldier, and was buried in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon. The casket was draped with the Union Jack, and returned soldiers, organised by Mr. W. J. ' Brodie, formed a Guard of Honour. The service was read by the Rev. E. Smythe in the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris. B.A.. and 'The Last Post' was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore. The ceremony was impressive and fitting for one who had always shown the true Digger spirit. The funeral was representatively attended and sincere sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

Trove

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), Friday 23 September 1938, page 7

Obituary

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home at Tubbamurra on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years. Deceased, who was a returned soldier, had been Working during the morning and collapsed when he returned home. He is survived by a wife and young family.

At the burial service in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon, ex-service men organised by Mr. W. Brodie, formed a guard of honour. The casket was draped with the Union Jack and "The Last Post" was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore.

In the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris, Rev. E. Smythe read the burial service. Mr. M. E. Turner had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Trove

Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Saturday 24 September 1938, page 2

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home, Tubbamurra, on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years (states the Guyra 'Argus'). Deceased had not been in good health for some time and death was due to heart trouble. He had been working about his place on Tuesday morning, and, returning home, sat down and immediately collapsed. He is survived by his wife and young family. He was a returned soldier, and was buried in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon. The casket was draped with the Union Jack, and returned soldiers, organised by Mr. W. J. ' Brodie, formed a Guard of Honour. The service was read by the Rev. E. Smythe in the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris. B.A.. and 'The Last Post' was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore. The ceremony was impressive and fitting for one who had always shown the true Digger spirit. The funeral was representatively attended and sincere sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

Trove

George's Great Grandfather Griffith Parry was a convict sent to Australia in 1821. Griffith Parry was transported on the Speke, departing 13th Dec 1820 and arriving 18th May 1821 with 156 passengers.

Name Griffith Parry
Gender Male
Death Age 60
Birth Date 24 Mar. 1799
Conviction Place Middlesex Gaol Delivery
Crime Highway Robbery
Departure Date 13 Dec. 1820
Arrival Date 18 May 1821
Arrival Place New South Wales
Arrival Ship Speke
Death Date 11 Aug. 1859

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 04/09/2025-13/07/2026.

Private: 1865 John Stannan LUFF

by

44th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1865A John Stannan LUFF

Born: 1886. Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 

Married: 1911. Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. 

Wife: Ruby May Luff. nee: McLaughlin. (1895-1968) Died at Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Died: 7 June 1917. Killed in Action. Messines Ridge, Belgium.

Father: John "Jack" Luff. (1848-1904) Died at South Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 

Mother: Margaret Luff. nee: Green. (1868-1935) Died at 59 Wray Avenue, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.

INFORMATION

John Stannan Luff enlisted with the AIF at Fremantle, Western Australia on the 1st March 1916 2nd Reinforcements, 44th Battalion AIF and embarked from Fremantle on board HMAT A28 

"Miltiades". John was Charges with being AWL from Roll Call at Sea. Call 29.8.16. Award 168 Hours Detention  and 3 Day Pay by Lieutenant Colonel: Henry Arthur  GODDARD. The Reinforcements disembarked at Plymouth England on the 25th September 1916 and were marched in to the 11th Training Battalion. 

John was transferred to the 33rd Battalion on the and proceeded overseas for France on the 20th December 1916 and was marched in at Estaples, France the next morning where the reinforcements went into billets. 

11th February 1917. "Eight Patrols operated over the Battalion during the night. The enemy used a great number of Very Lights especially after the shoot at 8:oopm. The patrols were also hampered by the Hun search lights, five at least being used. A new Machine Gun emplacement was located at C.29.c.4.9 which fired particularly on 9 and 10 localities. This is one of the points were a great deal of work has been reported lately.  Two working parties were located in the enemy wire at C.29.a.8.8 and C.29.a.4.2. The snow is still very thick and last night commenced to thaw.

A Very large shell hole about 25 ft across and apparently fairly new was located at C.29.a.2.3. At C.29.a.a.3 a body of a man (Australian) was found. He had his rifle slung and was in a crawling position facing our lines. He was evidently one of the 10th Battalion raiders. He could not be moved as he was frozen to the ground nor cold any of his pockets be opened. His rifle was "cut off" and his number is 4869. No enemy patrols encountered. 

Major: Robert John Allright MASSIE

33rd Battalion AIF Diary

Wounded in Action on the 11th February 1917  when he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Ear and was treated at the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. Upon his discharge the next day he was transferred to the Convalescent Dept until the 24th of February when he was marched out to re join this Battalion. John was marched out to the lines on the 8th March 1917 

9th April 1917.

On the 9th the 33rd once again took over the front line, again at L'Epinette. They moved to Senninghem on the 12th where they were headquartered until the 25th. Then once again they were on the march, via Renescure and Pradelle to Armentieres, Where, on the 28th they gained a well earned rest. On the 21st May the men of the 33rd were moved to Le Touquet to Ploegsteert Wood for the usual working parties, trench maintenance being high on the agenda for the coming offensive. Three days later they were at St Vyes for more of the same, relieved on the 26th May by the 34th Battalion and moved back to billets at Nippe.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

To Aunty Mary from Luff Family 1-7-1916

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles. The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defence line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved. The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917. 

John was killed in Action at Messines, Belgium on the 7th June 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Toronto Avenue Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium.

Toronto Avenue Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium

Family Information

John was a married 29 year old Caretaker of Fremantle Oval and lived with his wife Ruby at 118 Quarry Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. His wife Ruby was recorded as his next if kin. 

The small cottage in South Fremantle that was built by the Ugly Men’s Association in 1918 for Ruby Luff and her children. Ruby had been widowed when her husband, 1865A Private John Stannan Luff, was killed during the Battle of Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917. She lived in this house until her own death in 1968.

AWM

Ruby May Luff  (1895-1968)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/06/2026.

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

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9th Machine Gun Company - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

Born: 11th May 1888. St Lawrence, Queensland, Australia. 

Died: 1st May 1918. Died of Wounds. France.

Father: Frederick William Farber. (1857-1900) Died at Leichardt Downs Station, Dysart, Queensland, Australia.

Mother: Elizabeth Farber. nee: Schneider. (1863-1924) Died at Nebo, Queensland, Australia.

INFORMATION

Frederick William Farber enlisted with the AIF on the 9th of February 1917 at Rockhampton, Queensland and was allocated to the Machine Gun Company and embarked for Melbourne. Frederick embarked on board HMAT A29 "Suevic" on the 21st June 1917 from Melbourne, Victoria for England and disembarked on the 21st August 1917 at Liverpool, England. Frederick was transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF the next day and marched in to the Durrington Army Camp where he settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.

Frederick proceeded overseas for France on the 27th December 1917 via Southampton and was marched in to Rouelles the next morning where he went into billets for the next 2 days before marching out to the lines where he was Taken on in Strength with the 33rd Battalion in the field. 

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER (1888-1918)

8th February 1918, Frederick was detached again to the 9th Machine Gun Company. He reported sick on the 15th February and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance for Scabies and was later transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance. Frederick was discharged for duty on the 22nd 0f February and marched out to the lines the next day. Frederick was marched out from his detachment and re joined to 33rd Battalion on the 17th March 1918. 

About 4 A.M. on the 17th, Villers Bretonneux, Bois d'Aquenne, to the west of it and the village of Cachy, to the south, were heavily drenched for three hours with phosgene, mustard and irritant gasses. But no assault followed. As soon as possible the local garrison, consisting of the 6/London(58 Devon) and the 33rd Australian Battalion, was got out of the shelters in the town into the trenches around it. The gas shelling was repeated in the evening from 4 to 7 P.M., next morning and on the following days, being increased so as to include Bois I'Abbe, but with greatly reduced results. Nevertheless it was impossible for anyone to move that area without feeling some ill-effects from the mustard gas, and there were in all, 1,074 gas casualties.’

33rd War Diary

Villers-Bretonneux

 Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment near Bois de L'Abbe outside Villers-Bretonneux 1918.

Note: 33rd Battalion Colour Patch on Corporal: 1102 Ernest Allan CHARTERS in foreground. (Eggs-a-Cook)

Frederick was treated by the 55th Australian Field Ambulance on the 17th of April for Gas Poisoning, but the effects were so severe he was transferred to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen for further treatment on the 18th of April. Frederick Died of Wounds on the 1st May 1918 from the effects of Mustard Gas Poisoning and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Fredericks memorial plaque was acquired in June 2026 and is now in the Harrower Collection. 

Family Information

Frederick was a single 27 year old Coach Driver upon his enlistment with the AIF. His parents Frederick William Farber was born about 1857 at Konizsberg, PRUSSIA and his mother Elizabeth Schneider was born on the 10th February 1863 at Gruningen, Darmstadt, Hessen, GERMANY, they were married on the 17th of November 1881 at St Lawrence, Queensland after they immigrated to Australia.

Military Records

Under Construction: 26/05/2026.

Corporal: 1187 Thomas McARDLE.

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33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 1187 Thomas McARDLE.

Born: 1897. Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:11445/1896.

Died: 4th April 1918. Killed in Action. Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Father: Thomas E McArdle. (1860-1920) Died at Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:7651/1920.

Mother: Annie Maria McArdle. nee: Nash. (1859-1943) Died at Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17256/1943.

INFORMATION

Studio portrait of 1187 Private (Pte) Thomas McArdle, 33rd Battalion, of Tingha, NSW. A grocer prior to enlistment in January 1916, Pte McArdle embarked on board HMAT Marathon (A74) on 4 May 1916. He was promoted to Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) in May 1917 and wounded in action in Belgium in June. L/Cpl McArdle was promoted to Corporal (Cpl) in February 1918. He was killed in action on 4 April 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France. Cpl McArdle was 22 years of age.

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)

28th June 1919.

Informant: Private: 1139 Marmion  Alexander HAY. "D Company" 33rd Battalion AIF. "I knew McARDLE, his name was "Tom" and he was a Corporal in D Company and came from Tingha were I knew him. He was killed outright at Villers-Bretonneux, shot through the forehead 4/4/18. I saw him when he was carried out, thing he was buried near Villers-Bretonneux but I'm certain he was killed outright as others saw him as well as I, and have confirmed as what I say. He was short and nuggetty. 

Anzac Buffet

Sydney

Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery, France.

Military Records

 

Under Construction: 28/07/2025.

Company Sergeant Major: 1708 Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW

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36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Company Sergeant Major: 1708 Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW

Born: 5th May 1897. Balmain via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:10210/1897.

Married: 15th November 1921. Drummoyne vis Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14729/1921.

Wife: Alice Martha Wilthew. nee: Clarke. (1892-1978)

Died: 15th June 1978. Narrabeen War Veterans Home, Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: William James Wilthew. (1867-1920)

Mother: Mary Ann nee: Sayer. (1863-1912) 

INFORMATION

No.1708 Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW was two months short of his 19th birthday when he enlisted in the AIF at Narrabri on the 15th of March 1916. He nominated his Father, William WILTHEW who was then in New Zealand, as his next-of-kin.
On his Enlistment Attestation Form he was described as being 5’6” (167cm) in height, 126 lbs (57.1kg) in weight, having a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair.
Private Wilthew embarked from Australia as one of the 1st Reinforcements of the 36th BATTALION (Carmichael’s Thousand / Rifle Clubs Thousand) aboard the HMAT (A72) “Beltana” sailing from Sydney on the 13th of May 1916. Its route was via Capetown and Dakar, arriving at Devonport in England on the 9th of July. Upon arrival in England the Battalion travelled by train, via Exeter, to the village of Amesbury in Wiltshire, where they unloaded and then marched the several miles to the AIF Camps at Larkhill. On arrival the 36th Battalion was allocated to the No.4 Camp and the men were then given four days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing their training in England.
The Battalion now became part of the 9th Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, 9th Machine-Gun Company, and the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery), of the newly raised 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next 4 months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the methods of fighting Trench-Warfare, under the Command of Major-General John MONASH.
The 9th Brigade trained and practiced in Musketry, bayonet fighting, the digging of trenches, received their weapons, equipment and field-kitchens, attended various specialist courses, practiced route-marching, improving their fitness, practised trench raids and attacks while coordinating with aircraft and Artillery, culminating in a week in October spent in trenches under active service conditions. They voted in the ‘Conscription Referendum’, were reviewed by His Majesty the King on Salisbury Plain and then completed a final Divisional Route-March of 18 miles. Selected personnel had attended various Promotion and Officer Training Courses, in preparation for the Casualties and losses that were inevitable. In November, the 3rd Division finally received the remainder of their Rifles and Equipment.
The delay in receiving this equipment had ensured that they were now the most highly trained Division to leave England.
On the 22nd of November 1916 the 36th Battalion, minus Reginald, proceeded from England to France, as part of the 9th Brigade’s deployment onto the Western-Front. On arrival the Brigade marched to the Sanvic Rest Camp (located at Bléville, several miles NNW of Le Havre). On the 23rd/24th the Brigade moved by train from Le Havre to Bailleul, in cattle-trucks that were marked “Hommes (people) 40, Chevaux (horses) 8”. On the 26th the 36th Battalion marched from Bailleul to billets in the village of Merris. On the 29th the 36th Battalion moved from Merris to the ‘D’ Battalion area at the village of Armentieres. At 5 p.m. on the 29th of November 1916 the G.O.C. of the 9th Infantry Brigade assumed control of the Armentieres Sector, and the Battalions began their rotations through the front-line trenches.
Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW remained behind in England. On the 17th of October 1916 he marched in to the 15th Training Battalion and on the 4th of December 1917 marched into the 9th Training Battalion. On the 27th of November 1916 he had been appointed an Acting-Sergeant, and then on the 24th of January 1917 he was promoted to the rank of Temporary-Sergeant. He was one of those invaluable personnel, that trained the Reinforcements of the 9th Brigade AIF, that were held in England until needed.
On the 25th of August 1917 he deployed across to France, reverting to the rank of Corporal, and was taken-on-strength by the 36th Battalion on the 1st of September.
He was with the 36th Battalion for the horror of the unsuccessful attack in the mud of ‘PASSCHENDAELE’ in Belgium on the 12th of October 1917. The battlefield was described as a morass and a quagmire – a continuous mass of interconnecting shell-holes filled by liquid mud - with the only semi-dry or firm surface being the high ground where the shell-holes connected together. To go over the high ground meant being exposed to enemy fire, while to take cover meant risking becoming stuck in the liquid mud.
Note - The attack on Passchendaele commenced at 5.25 a.m. on the 12th and by the end of the day the 3rd Australian Division had sustained approximately 2,935 casualties (of which 299 were killed) and after being forced to withdraw from the 2nd Objective, finally held a line only just in front of that morning's starting point. It was reported that men had sunk into the liquid mud in the shell holes under the weight of their own equipment and drowned. If a man became stuck it took several of his comrades to extricate him, and it needed a team of stretcher-bearers just to bring a single man back to the dressing-Stations. The Battlefield could not be held and many men had to be left behind and their bodies were never found again.
In late March of 1918 the 9th Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions) had been rushed south to ‘the Somme’, in response to a huge new German Offensive and then used as a mobile formation being thrown into the line wherever strengthening was needed. The 9th Brigade finally ended up at the village of Villers-Bretonneux, France.
He was with the 36th Battalion for the ‘1st Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’ on the 4th of April 1918, when the 9th Australian Brigade, and a few tired elements of the British 5th Army, held back the German advance and kept the Germans from capturing the village. The 36th Battalion Counter-Attacked in what was considered to be a ‘Forlorn Hope’ counter-attack, but despite suffering heavy casualties was instrumental in halting the German advance. During this battle all the Officers in his Company were casualties, and Reginald took Command of the Company. For his bravery he was nominated for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, although it was not awarded.
The 9th Brigade then defended the village for the next couple of weeks, keeping the Germans to the east of the Village. Unfortunately, the village would be later captured by the Germans after the 9th Brigade had been relieved, thus necessitating its recapture by the 13th and 15th Brigades of the AIF in a heroic night attack on the 25th of April (the 2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux).
On the 30th of April 1918 the 36th Battalion was DISBANDED. This was due to a number of reasons: the falling number of reinforcements arriving from Australia, the losses suffered by the Brigade in the earlier Battle, and also due to the 36th Battalion having lost most of its Senior Officers. The Battalion was one of three Infantry Battalions to be officially disbanded in the AIF, in late April and May of 1918. The remaining men of the 36th were then used as reinforcements to bring the other three Infantry Battalions of the Brigade up to near full strength. Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW was one of the men that were transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF (New England’s Own / the Northern Battalion), being posted into “Charlie” Company.
On the 26th of May 1918 he was promoted as Temporary-Company Sergeant Major (CSM). On the 24th of July he reverted to the rank of Sergeant.
He was then with the 33rd Battalion AIF for the ‘August Offensive of 1918’, the ‘Advance to Bouchavesnes’, and the ‘attack on the Hindenburg Line’.
On the 30th of October 1918 the Ottoman-Empire signed an Armistice ending the fighting in the Middle-East. On the 3rd of November the Austro-Hungarian Government signed an Armistice with the Allies leaving Germany to fight on alone, and on the 11th of November 1918 the Germans finally also sign an ARMISTICE, finally ending the fighting in Europe.
On the 17th of January 1919 he was once again appointed to the position of CSM, looking after the men of the Battalion while they waited for their turn at demobilisation.
He began his own return to Australia on the 22nd of August 1919, but had requested to take leave in South Africa, as his Father was then in that country. He took special leave for the period of 12/9/19 – 19/11/19 and then resumed his return to Australia on the 20th of November, aboard the HMAT Nestor. He was discharged from the AIF on the 7th of February 1920.
Family Information
Reginald was a single 18-year-old Station Hand from "Duane" Orchard Street, Croydon, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF enlisting at Narrabri, N.S.W.
1938. Lieutenant: Reginald Kenneth WILTHEW. (1897-1978) 36th Battalion CMF
Alice Martha Wilthew. nee: Clarke. (1892-1978)
Inscription reads: A loving tribute To the Memory of MARY ANN Wife of WILLIAM WILTHEW DIED 1st JAN 1912 AGE 48 YEARS Also LIEUT HAROLD WILTHEW ELDEST SON OF THE ABOVE KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 4TH NOV 1916 AGED 23 YEARS ALSO WILLIAM Beloved Husband & Father DIED 14TH NOV 1920: AGED 56 YEARS ERECTED BY HER LOVING HUSBAND & CHILDREN ALSO ANNIE WILTHEW DIED 12TH NOV 1949 AGED 77 YEARS (ANNIE is Annie Bryant, wife of Thomas Henry Wilthew)
Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 11/09/2025-24/04/2026.