54th Battalion

Private: 3441 George Percy PERFECT. Aboriginal Serviceman.

by

54th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3441 George Percy PERFECT. Burramattagal, Darug

Born: 1888. Califat Station, Adelong, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:36515/1888.

Died: 21st November 1921. Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18006/1921.

Father: Arthur Joseph Perfect. (1856-1901) Born Nacka Nacka, Adelong, N.S.W. Australia. Burramattagal, Darug

Mother: Eliza Perfect. nee: Goode. (1856-1937) 

INFORMATION

George Percy Perfect was and Aboriginal Serviceman from the Burramattagal, Darug people from Parramatta area N.S.W. George enlisted at the Liverpool Army Camp on the 29th January 1916 with the 9th Reinforcements, 54th Battalion AIF. George went into camp at Liverpool and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A68 "Anchises" on the 24th January 1917 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 27th March 1917. George was marched in the the Training Battalion where they 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 23rd August 1917 the reinforce the 35th Battalion and was Taken on in Strength in the field on the 1st September as the Battalion was moving into Zouelecke, Belgium.

4th-5th October 1917.

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

35th Battalion War diary

Private: 3341A George Percy PERFECT. 35th BN AIF. Wounded in Action. 4/10/1917. George received a Gun Shot Wound to his left knee and was treated by the 11th Australian Field Ambulance before being admitted to the 16th General Hospital at Le Treport. After he was discharged from hospital George was marched in the the No:3 Command Depot at Rouelles before being marched out to re-join his unit on the on the 29th October 1917. 

30th March 1918

2:00 am, Arrived at CACHY and billeted in Aerodrome. 9:00 am, assembled for counter-attack and remained in formation till 5:00 pm then returned to billets. 10:00 pm, received instruction to move into the line.

35th Battalion War Diary

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)

George was Wounded in Action; 2nd occasion at Villers-Bretonneux where he received a Gun Shot Would to his Left Foot and was treated at the 46th Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to the 2nd Stationary hospital at Abberville, France. He was invalided to England on the 7th of April where he was admitted to the Kitchener War Hospital for further treatment. Upon his discharge George was marched in to the Command Depot of overseas deployment and proceeded overseas for France on the via Folkstone on the 6th September 1918. George was marched in at Rouelles, France the next morning and re joined his unit on the 14th September.   

29th September 1918.

On the 29th September the Battalion woke to Reveille at 4 am and breakfast at 4.30 am. It was a fine day and the Battalion moved forward at 6 am and took overland tracks as roads were for wheeled traffic only. Had 1/2 hour spell before crossing LEMPIRE ROAD.

Lewis guns were unloaded from limbers and carried from here. Got to assembly position at 9.30 am and  came under heavy Machine Gun Fire. Took cover in old trenches. Airplane flying very low was engaged with Lewis Gun and Rifle Fire and brought down. Fair amount of shelling. Battalion HQ was located at derelict tank where the C/O dug in underneath it. Rained during the evening.

(35th Battalion Diary) 

11th November 1918.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

We could now tell by the news in the papers that the war was practically over although we (The Third Division) was told to hold ourselves in readiness to proceed to the line again – the 1st, 4th, and 5th Australian Divisions being already on their way back to the line. On Monday 11th November 1918 (the day the Armistice was signed) we marched to Alleray for a hot steam bath and on passing through Airaides found all the houses decorated with tri colours and the church bells pealing and the Frenchies running about like madmen. We wondered what was wrong and halted in the main street for a rest. The Captain then told us (he had interviewed the Mayor who had received a telegram saying that the Armistice was to be signed) that the Armistice was to be signed at 11 a.m. that morning – it was then about 10 a.m. We gave three cheers and could scarcely realize that the war was over. When we arrived back at Warlus the news had already reached there and the town was decorated &c. Next day we had a holiday from drill to celebrate Peace. The bells of the old French church chimed day and night for several days. Most of us attended the Victory Mass at the Roman Catholic Church and we also had a great Thanksgiving service out on the parade ground. Some of the men broke camp and went to the neighbouring cities and some got as far as Paris. Many were "pinched" and put in clink (gaol) as they had no leave passes – others were caught and sent back to the Battalion.

George attended sick parade on the 17th November and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance where he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital where he was diagnosed as suffering from Pneumonia and was evacuated to England on the 13th December

Domain Anzac Buffet in Sydney on the 19th May 1919 and was sent to the 4th Australian Garrison Hospital at Randwick for further treated discharged from the AIF on the 8th May 1921 and died 6 months later and was laid to rest at the Rookwood Cemetery. 

Medal engraved on back “. To Pte G. Perfect from the Citizens of Batlow 1914-1918. He was my Great Uncle - Grandma’s brother.

Aileen Flenning March 2022.

Family Information

George was a single 28 year old Farm Grazier from Adelong. N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. George's Grandmother was Margaret "Peggy" Reid (1815-1898) Burramatta

George is buried at Rookwood Cemetery, photo courtesy of Gary Heap March 2022.

His cousin Private: 3093 Robert PERFECT. 34th Battalion AIF 

Rookwood Cemetery

Section: H
Row: 25
Inscription: 35th Battn. A.I.F.
Denomination: Old Church Of England

Peggy's Aboriginal Roots

Margaret "Peggy Reid (1815-1898)- Jonothan Goldspink (1801-1876) married 6 Dec 1832

Posted 05 Aug 2020 by morrowbasil49

Margaret Reid, known as "Peggy"  was from the Burramatta clan of the Dharug (Eora) nation in Sydney. Records show that she was removed from Kissing Point (close to Ryde) and put in the first Native Institute which later became the Parramatta girls home.

There has been lots of research done on her history and family tree. The Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation have a research centre which holds much of this information.

The traditional clans of this area are the Burramattagal, as in ‘burra’ the eel (Parramatta area) and the Wallumattagal (Ryde area) as in ‘wallumai’ the snapper fish of the Dharug language group. Wallumattagal and Burramattagal are the Saltwater people who make up the clans at Parramatta. Wallumattagal territory followed the north bank of the Parramatta River up to Turrumburra (Lane Cove River) in the east. Burramatta territory was located from the head of the river to the west.

The curves of the fast moving tidal river was once scattered with sandy beaches littered with midden piles; the leftover shells from the oysters and shellfish the Dharug fished from the river. The settlers later used this as a source of lime for their building mortar. Many of my mum’s family, who were living at Harris Park and later Parramatta in the 1930’s, remember a crescent-shaped beach on the Parramatta River known as ‘Little Coogee’ (known in colonial times as the Crescent). It was where the eels congregated and was known as a great place for camping and eating. My uncles, as young boys, regularly caught eels from the river in a canoe they fashioned out of bitumen and corrugated iron and would take them home to Nan who would cook them up for dinner.

Many stone tools have been found around here; spear points, axes, anvils and grinding stones. These were used to crush grass seeds to make flour for johnny cakes. Larger stones were also used in the camp fires to retain the heat for warmth and cooking. These rounded stones were not from here but were valued trade items brought in by the Hawkesbury and Grose River clans.

The Burramattagal had special sites set up along this river. Some were marked as women’s places and further away, hidden from camp, men’s ceremonies would be carried out. On the north bank of the river is where the female convict factory and later the institutions for girls were built. Before the construction of the institutions, this place was said to be a used as a site for women’s ceremony. It is where the saltwater from the harbour meets with the freshwater of the river.

In 1821 the convict women were relocated to the Female Factory a short distance up river from the gaol and 20 years later Australia’s first Catholic orphanage was built beside the Factory, the orphanage later became Parramatta Girl’s Home – a place where once all I knew of Parramatta were its enclosed sandstone walls.

On the north bank of the river is where the female convict factory and later the institutions for girls were built. Before the construction of the institutions, this place was said to be a woman’s place for collecting and gathering and a site for women’s ceremony. It is where the saltwater from the harbour meets with the freshwater of the river.

On a rise overlooking the river where salt and freshwaters blend beyond the horticultural grounds an allotment of land was set aside in 1827 for a Roman Catholic Chapel for the mostly irish convicts and their families. Here was to be Australia’s earliest Catholic Parish School, the earliest mortuary Chapel, and the first convent (Sisters of Charity).Dedicated to St Patrick by Bishop Polding in 1836 the original building was replaced with a Gothic style structure in 1854 but was badly damaged by fire in 1996. Rebuilt from the ashes St Patricks was once again consecrated in 2003.

Not to be outdone the protestant ruling class determined to build a school and chapel between the Catholics and the river and so rose an imposing edifice- a

In the 1828 Census Margaret Reid is recorded as a "native of the colony".
She is believed to be an aboriginal and was at an early age, placed into a "church home" .
The Rev Thomas Hassall and his wife Ann, (Ann was the daughter of Rev Samuel Marsden), were in charge of the "home" where she was placed.

Margaret Reid was very religious; literate; an extremely fine seamstress; stern and fair. She was a very well respected member of the community, (during her married life).
Margaret Reid (according to the Marriage Banns), was aged 19 when she married Jonathan Goldspink in 1832. This would make her birth date as 25 December 1813. Apparently all aboriginals were "given" their birth date as either "25th December" or "1st July". She would have been "put into service" at the age of 12 or 13. Jonathan was working for Thomas Hassall's son James Hassall (so this is apparently how Jonathan and Margaret met). They were married by Chaplain Thomas Hassall, who, prior to the Goldspink's marriage, had already organised construction of Heber Chapel, (where Jonathan and Margaret were married). The two witnesses on Jonathan and Margaret's Marriage Certificate were Elizabeth Fish, aged 18, daughter of William Fish, who was a groomsman for Hassall; and the other witness was George Horne who was a convict working for, or assigned to Hassall. Their first daughter Ann Goldspink was actually born before they were married and this was possibly because Jonathan already had a wife in England, and seven years had to pass before he was allowed by law to re-marry.

Apparently some of the children of Jonathan and Margaret were named after "influential" people who were probably friends of Thomas Hassall and his wife. (their middle names mostly). Ann, their first daughter was probably named after Ann Campbell, who was the wife of Robert Campbell, who owned a property named "Harrington Park". Margaret was probably working for them, before her marriage, as the Application for Marriage states " late with Robert Campbell". Their son, Samuel Goldspink's middle name was Atkinson, and there was a magistrate who was a friend of the Hassalls around at that time. Another son Edward Walker Goldspink was named similarly. It was apparently really unusual for a convict or an aboriginal to be held in such high esteem, that they would be very successful in their life. (they apparently knew how to curry favour with influentials around them).

Successful they were, for when Jonathan died in 1876, Margaret was a wealthy widow. They had owned Bago Station, (wool sheds), at Tumbarumba, up until they retired to live at Yass NSW, where two months before Jonathan's accidental death, (he was thrown from his horse), he had become an "Alderman" on Yass Council. Margaret did not die until 1898, but had an ornate fence constructed, surrounding Jonathan's grave, with provision for herself, beside him, when her time came. In 1898 she was buried beside Jonathan, but, because she was an aboriginal, was not allowed to have any gravestone or inscription.

Ancestry

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 09/03/2022-22/03/2022.

Private: 1875 John BURNS

by

54th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1875 John BURNS. Indigenous Serviceman. Wailwan People

Born: 1890. Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:11113/1890.

Married:

Wife: Ivy Burns. 

Died:

Father: Edward Burns.

Mother: Margaret.

INFORMATION

John Burns enlisted with the AIF on the 12th February 1916 at Dubbo, New South Wales and was allocated to the 3rd Reinforcements 54th Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A37 "Barambah" on the 23rd June 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 25th August 1916.

John was transferred to the 34th Battalion on the 23rd September 1916 and was marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp at Lark Hill. John settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.

The 34th Battalion left Lark hill on the 21st November and en trained at Amesbury for Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel". The transport section left by S.S. "Princess Victoria". The Battalion arrived at Le Harve, France on the 22nd November 1916. Disembarkation commenced at 8:00 am and the Battalion marched to No;1 camp on the Hill, arriving at 2:00 pm. The men carried heavy loads, in some cases amounting to miniature Q.M.' Stores. The march over cobblestones was very tiring, notwithstanding the many route marches which had been carried out at Larkhill. However, after bathing their feet and receiving treatment, as well partaking of a good meal, some spent a comfortable night.

The following morning the Battalion moved to Le Harve Railway Station, leaving D Company behind. On arrival at the Station en training commenced at 8:00 am and the train left at 11:15 am. The journey was slow and occupied until 4:30 pm on the 24th. On arrival at Bailleul the men de trained and marched to Outtersteene. D Company arrived at 4:00 pm the following day. The Battalion rested here in billets for two days previous to taking over garrison duties in the Line at Armenties. The Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel. Malcolm St John LAMB. with the Adjutant, Company Commanders, N.C.O's and Specialists went into the Line to inspect Trenches, Stores, Plans and to arrange for the taking over this Section of the line on the following day.

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 9:00am 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. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

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 Center 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.

14th October 1917.

John was Wounded in Action, 2nd occasion on the 14th October 1917 when he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Hand and was treated by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance before he was transferred to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station at Calais for his evacuation to England on board the Hospital Ship "Newhaven"     

John returned to Australia on the 2nd February 1919 on board the transport "Saxon" and was discharged from the AIF on the 7th February 1920.

Family Information

John was a single 23 year old Labourer from Bowen Park, Trangie, New South Wales, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Wailwan People

The home country of the group of languages to which Wailwan belongs runs all the way from the north to the south of NSW, from the Barwon River to the Murray at Albury, and west of the Great Dividing Range towards the Darling River.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 18/07/2021.

Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. M.M.

by

54th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

2nd Lieutenant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. M.M.

Born:  2nd July 1890. Lake Cowal, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:21469/1890.

Married: 25th May 1920. Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert: 9177/1920.

Wife: Ruby A Hilder. nee: Starr. (27/07/1890-26/11/1923)

Died: 16th March 1966. Camden, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13627/1966.

Father: Alfred Hilder ( 1856-16/07/1936) Died at Grenfell, N.S.W.

Mother: Mary Hilder. 

INFORMATION

Henry Tildon Hilder enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements 54th Battalion AIF at Dubbo, New South Wales on the 18th January 1916 and embarked from Sydney on boards HMAT A37 "Barambah" for England.

HMAT A37 "Barambah"

Transferred to the 34th Battalion AIF on the 23rd September 1916 and was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at Larkhill and proceeded overseas for France on the 21st of November 1916. 

MILITARY MEDAL

Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. 34th Battalion AIF. On the morning 1st October 1917 when holding the line in ZONNEBEKE Sector prior to 3rd Phase of YPRES Battle the Company on the right came under heavy enemy bombardment during which they suffered many casualties. This N.C.O. displayed the greatest courage and initiative in organising stretcher bearer parties to evacuate the wounded. He worked for several hours exposed to enemy observation, the trenches being subjected to shell fire. He also was repeatedly fired upon by enemy snipers. Although wounded in the hand he continued with the work and personally assisted in carrying out many wounded men. During the 5th Phase of the Battle of YPRES when his platoon commander had been killed he took command and led his platoon forward with great dash to reinforce the Battalion detailed to take the second objective. This battalion was being badly cut up by enfilade machine gun fire. He continued to command his platoon till wounded by a H.E. shell. Throughout he set a fine example of coolness, courage and leadership to his men.

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 27 June 1918 on page 1393 at position 36

 

London Gazette 4 February 1918 on page 1618 at position 91

15th October 1917

Informant: Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. A Company 34th Battalion AIF. I knew Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS first at Dubbo Camp N.S.W. and we came over together on the "Barambrah" on the 24th June 1916 as 3rd Reinforcements to the 54th Battalion and were transferred to the 34th at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain. He was blown to pieces by a shell at Grays Farm, Messines after we had taken our objective and were digging in. I saw his remains and believe he was buried behind the trench. But we went forward again that same day and I did not see his grave. He was my great friend and very popular in the company.

No: 2 Australian General Hospital.

Boulogne, France. 

Informant: Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. A Company 34th Battalion AIF. Private: 210 Leslie Alfred TURNER was in A Company and was completely buried by a shell together with two other men named Private: 208 Thomas TORRENS and Private: 199 George Robert SULLIVAN as they were digging a communication trench in the daytime at Grey's Farm, Messines. I was helping to dig him out when a second shell came over and their bodies were never recovered as there was considerable sniping besides the shelling.

No: 2 Australian General Hospital.

Boulogne, France. 

Henry Returned to Australia on the 1st May 1919 and disembarked in Sydney on the 11th June 1919 and had his commission terminated on the 17th July 1919 from the AIF..

Family Information

Henry was a single 25 year old Labourer from Grenfell, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. After he returned from the Great war he married Ruby Starr on the 25th May 1920. Bathurst, N.S.W. who died on the 26th November 1923. Henry died on the 16th March 1966. Camden, N.S.W.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 09/09/2019.

Corporal: 1981 Bertie STIBBARD.

by

54th - 34th BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 1981 Bertie STIBBARD.

Born: 1895. Orange, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:25378/1895.

Died: 7th June 1917. Died of Wounds Messines, Belgium.

Father: John Stibbard. (1871-1943)

Mother: Francis "Fanny" Stibbard. nee: Mitchell. (1857-12/08/1927) 

INFORMATION

Bertie Stibbard enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements 54th Battalion AIF on the 24th February 1916 before he was transferred to the 34th Battalion AIF.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

7th June 1917

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 9:00 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 Lieutenant General: Sir 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

Corporal: 1981 Bertie STIBBARD Died of Wounds on the 7th of June 1917 with , Private: 210 Leslie Alfred TURNER. Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS. and Private: 2403 George Grainger STEVENSON.

23rd August 1917. 

Informant; Private: 153 John PERKS. 34th Battalion A.I.F. "I know that Lieutenant: Ernest SHANNON was killed on June 1st, 1917 and a man named STIBBARD killed the Hun who shot SHANNON then carried SHANNON's body back STIBBARD himself was killed a week later. Lieutenant SHANNON was killed in a raid on Ploegsteert  and his body was brought back, would without doubt be buried in the Cemetery."

1st London General Hospital

Camberwell, England.

11th December 1917.

Informant: Private: 133 Herbert Arthur MOORING. Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy "Snowy" CRANNIS was my "Cobber" his name was Roy and he came from the 53rd or 54th Battalion and lived near Bathurst or Dubbo. I called him Snowy. He was about 5 ft 8 and white hared about 22 to 25 years and a single man when he was killed. He just round the corner of a trench in Messines on 7th or 8th June last when he was killed outright, by a piece of shell. I saw him that night and again the next morning when he put out of the trench for burial with the body of Corporal: 1981 Bert STIBBARD, who had also been killed that night. STIBBARD lived for about an hour. I do not know who got CRANNIS' things or where he was buried but I am quite sure it was CRANNIS and that he had been killed instantly without suffering. He was a real fine fellow.

No: 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. 

Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.

Family Information

Bertie was a single 20 year old Labourer from Cardia via Orange, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under construction: 05/09/2019.

Private: 1902 Robert Austin “Roy” CRANNIS.

by

54th - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy "Snowy" CRANNIS.

Born: 6th April 1897. Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 7th June 1917. Killed in Action at Grays Farm, Messines, Belgium. 

Father: Frederick Joseph Crannis. (1865-14/05/1932) Died at Molong, N.S.W.

Mother: Mary Ann Crannis. nee: Wagner. (1863-21/06/1954) Died at Manildra, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

Robert Austin Roy "Snowy" Crannis enlisted with the AIF at Orange, N.S.W and was allocated to the 3rd Reinforcements 54th Battalion at Dubbo, New South Wales on the 15th January 1916 and embarked from Sydney on boards HMAT A37 "Barambah" for England.

HMAT A37 "Barambah"

Transferred to the 34th Battalion AIF on the 23rd September 1916 and was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at Larkhill and proceeded overseas for France on the 21st of November 1916. 

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

7th June 1917

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 dissaray, 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 Lieutenant General: Sir 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

Robert was Killed in Action on the 7th of June 1917 with Corporal: 1981 Bertie STIBBARD, Private: 210 Leslie Alfred TURNER and Private: 2403 George Grainger STEVENSON.

5th September 1917.

Informant; Sergeant: 1895 George Edward CLARK; A Company, No:1 Platoon, 34th Battalion. Refer to Private: G POWNSBERRY ? 34th Battalion A Company who is in France and who saw Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS killed by a shell at Messines and can give particulars.

3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England.

15th October 1917

Informant: Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. A Company 34th Battalion AIF. I knew Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS first at Dubbo Camp N.S.W. and we came over together on the "Barambrah" on the 24th June 1916 as 3rd Reinforcements to the 54th Battalion and were transferred to the 34th at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain. He was blown to pieces by a shell at Grays Farm, Messines after we had taken our objective and were digging in. I saw his remains and believe he was buried behind the trench. But we went forward again that same day and I did not see his grave. He was my great friend and very popular in the company.

No: 2 Australian General Hospital.

Boulogne, France. 

11th December 1917.

Informant: Private: 133 Herbert Arthur MOORING. CRANNIS was my "Cobber" his name was Roy and he came from the 53rd or 54th Battalion and lived near Bathurst or Dubbo. I called him Snowy. He was about 5 ft 8 and white hared about 22 to 25 years and a single man when he was killed. He just round the corner of a trench in Messines on 7th or 8th June last when he was killed outright, by a piece of shell. I saw him that night and again the next morning when he put out of the trench for burial with the body of Corporal: 1981 Bert STIBBARD, who had also been killed that night. STIBBARD lived for about an hour. I do not know who got CRANNIS' things or where he was buried but I am quite sure it was CRANNIS and that he had been killed instantly without suffering. He was a real fine fellow.

No: 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. 

Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.

Cumnock War Memorial

Victory Medal: 42401 to PTE 1902 R A R CRANNIS 34 BN AIF was acquired in August 2019 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Biography
Robert Arthur Roy Crannis (known as Roy) was born in 1897, registered at Marrickville, and the son of Mary and Frederick Crannis. Frederick Joseph Crannis married Mary Ann Wagner at Sydney on 11 Jun 1886. They had five children: Arthur Courtney 1887-1964; Mary Ann (Roach/Moore) 1889-1968; Frederick Joseph 1893-1983; Robert A Roy 1897-1917; Elizabeth Ida Mary (Nesbitt) 1902-1975.
Frederick and Mary Crannis came to Cumnock in the early 1900s. Their daughter Elizabeth’s birth on
 1 Jan 1902 is registered at Molong. The couple are listed as living in Cumnock in the 1903 & 1906 Federal
Electoral Rolls for Calare and Frederick’s occupation listed as a labourer.
The Crannis children attended the St. Ita’s Convent School, at Cumnock. News reports state that Roy performed in many school concerts. On 20 Jun 1910, the eldest daughter, Mary Crannis, married William
Roach at St Dympna’s Roman Catholic Church. The eldest son, Arthur, was also married at St Dympna’s
Church on 12 Jun 1911 to Johanna Roche, of Barry.The first mention in local newspapers of Frederick Crannis starting a brick works at Cumnock was when he advertised in the Molong Express and Western District Advertiser 
 
 19 Nov 1910, p7.
 
Roy Crannis is mentioned in news reports during 1912 -1915 as playing football for Cumnock. He played as a forward and one report states that he was one of Cumnock’s “gun” players.
Roy Crannis enlisted in the AIF at Orange on 11 Jan 1916 when he was 21yrs old. His medical report stated that he was 5 feet 8¼ inches tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes, light yellow hair, and of the Roman Catholic religious denomination. His father Frederick was his next of kin.
The Molong Argus
 
24 Mar 1916, p4, Cumnock,
Reported that “During the week Privates E Taylor [1999 Pte Edward Taylor  –54th  & 55th  Btns]  and Roy Crannis returned home for a few days leave from Dubbo, returning again on Monday last.” 
 
Molong Argus
 
 5 May 1916, p4, A Send Off, reported:
“On Saturday night last a send off, and incidentally a presentation of a case of pipes, was accorded Pte's
Roy Crannis and E Taylor, who were home on final leave. A large crowd assembled at the hall to do honor to the departing young soldiers… During the interval in the dancing the presentation was made by Mr W Black, JP, who spoke of the upright manly conduct of the guests of the evening in private life, and on that basis he opined that they could be relied on to ‘play the game’ now that they were
going away to fight for their country…” 
 
Cumnock War Memorial

Family Information

Robert was a single Labourer from Cumnock, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. His sister Elizabeth Ida May Crannis was his next of kin and was born on the 11th June 1902 and died on the 26th December 1974 and married Cecil Raymond Nesbitt. (1900-1981)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 31/08/2019-02/09/2019.

Private: 873 Bert POOLE

by

34th BATTALION - 54th BATTALION AIF

Private: 873 Bert POOLE

Born:

Died:

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATION

No.873 Bert POOLE was a married 25 year old Miner from West-Maitland in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 22nd of January 1916.

He embarked from Australia as a member of “C” Company of the 34th BATTALION (Maitland's Own) on the 2nd of May 1916, on board the HMAT (A20) ‘Hororata’. The route was via: Albany in Western-Australia, Columbo in India, the Suez Canal, and Port Said. At Alexandria in Egypt the Battalion was then transhipped onto the S.S. ‘Aragon’ for the final leg of the voyage to Plymouth in England, arriving on the 23rd of June 1916.

On 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 Australian Camps at Lark Hill. On arrival they were allocated to the No.1 Camp and were then given four days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing training.

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 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the methods of fighting Trench-Warfare.

In the middle of August 1916, the amount of new recruits arriving in England had slowed dramatically, so Army HQ in London ordered that men from the 3rd Australian Division, then in training in England, were to be used as immediate reinforcements to bring the Units of the 2nd Division in France back up to full strength……so 120 men from each Infantry Battalion in the 3rd Division were selected and then sent to the 2nd Division Training-Depot at the village of Rollestone. Bert POOLE was one of the 120 men selected from within the 34th Battalion.

On the 30th of September 1916 he deployed across to France to join the 19th Battalion AIF and on arrival marched in to the 2nd Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples.

On the 12th of October 1916 he was transferred instead to the 54th BATTALION AIF, a Unit of the new 5th Australian Division. He was posted into “C” Company of the 54th Battalion.

The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW 1894 - 1939) Thu 7 Jun 1917

On the 15th of May 1917, at Bullecourt, he was KILLED-IN-ACTION by an enemy shell and was buried close to where he fell. His grave was never located by the Graves Services Unit and he has no known grave.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW 1876 - 1954) Fri 8 Jun 1917

His name is inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, as one of the missing.

The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW 1894 - 1939) Wed 25 Jul 1917

 

(Bill Durant: May 2019)

 

Under Construction: 22/05/2019.

Private: 503 Robert Peter McQUEEN.

by

35th BATTALION - 54th BATTALION AIF.

Private. 503 Robert Peter McQUEEN.

Born: 5th October 1895. Carrington via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:38172/1895.

Died: 5th March 1917. Died of Wounds. France. 

Father: Robert McQueen.

Mother: Ellen McQueen. nee: Wolfgram. (18..1936)

INFORMATION

101 years ago today, on the 5th March 1917, Pte. Robert Peter McQueen, 54th Bn, (runner), dairyman from Gipps Street, Carrington, New South Wales, died of wounds received in battle, age 21. Born Carrington, New South Wales (5.10.1895), Robert enlisted December 1915 with the 35th Bn at Newcastle, N.S.W., and is now resting at St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Block O Plot VII Row C Grave 2. Robert’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Football Club Roll Of Honor, Carrington Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Carrington Memorial Gates, Mosquito Island Roll of Honour and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall. Mr. McQueen has been memorialised at his parent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/…/war-…/index.php…

Lest We Forget.

(Gary Mitchell; March 2018)

Carrington Football Club Honour Board

Carrington War Memorial

Family Information

Robert was a single 20 year old dairyman from Gipps Street, Carrington, N.S.W upon enlistment. Robert served with the Senior Cadet 16 A Infantry Newcastle for 12 months a part of the Compulsory Training Program.

His parents Robert and Ellen McQueen were married in 1891 at Newcastle, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:564/1891.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Tuesday 28 May 1918, page 7

DISTRICT NEWS. MOSQUITO ISLAND. ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED.

Empire Day was celebrated at Mosquito Is land on Saturday, the function being attended by the unveiling of the roll of honour erected by the parents and citizens' committee, in connection with the school. The roll includes the names of all the young men enlisted from the islands, most of whom had passed through the school. Of the eighteen named, seven are those of men who have paid the supreme penalty. The board is a splendid piece of work, made and presented to the committee by Mr. George Towns, senior. Mr. Bedford, president of the committee, who was in the chair, addressed those present, pointing out that the toll of the war had fallen heavily on the residents of the island, some parents having lost two out of three who enlisted. To them he extended his deepest sympathy. He called on Mr Joseph Dempsey to unveil the honour roll. Mr. Dempsey said it was painful for him as on that board were the names of two of his sons who would never return. He was also related to several other brave lads whose names were also there, and some of them had also been killed. Mr. James Turner, for many years secretary for the parents and citizens' committee, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the president for their invitation to be present to do honour to those whose names were enrolled. He had one son's name there. Before the outbreak of this struggle Australian lads were looked upon as altogether given up to sport, but when the call came, and their country was in danger, they proved that they could be both a sport and a soldier. He complimented the president on the splendid singing of the children, and the appropriate ness of the songs selected. An apology was read from Mr. and Mrs. Estell, regretting inability to be present, owing to a prior engagement. The following names appear on the roll, those who have fallen being indicated by S. J. Moore, Chas. Croese, R. Jordan, R. F. Dempsey, J. Tarrant. J. Hughes, R. M'Queen, H. Dempsey, Con. Croese, C. Ross, G. Glover, D. P. Dempsey, J. Williams, A. Morris, C. O. Harrison, T. Jordan, R S. Naylor, S. E. Turner.

Trove

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 09/03/2018.

Private: 1950 Franz MOHR.

by

53rd BATTALION  34th BATTALION  36th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 1950 Franz MOHR.

Born: 11th January 1882. St Jallan, Switzerland.

Married:

Wife:

Died:

Father:

Mother: Mary Mohr. nee:.

INFORMATION
Franz Mohr enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements, 53rd Battalion AIF on the 22nd of February 1916 and left Sydney on board HMAT A40 "Ceramic" on the 14th of April 1916. He was later transfered to A company 36th Battalion.

28th August 1917

Informant; Private: 1950 Franz MOHR A Coy 36th Bn. I saw Private: 227 James Thomas CARROLL killed at Plugstreet Wood by a shell. Death was instantaneous. I do not know place of burial but probaly he would be buried at Plugstreet Wood. I knew him well, he was the only man of that name in the Company.

36th Battalion Headquarters, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England.

Franz retutned to Australia no the 10th of September 1917 with the 36th Battalion.

Family Information
Franz was a single 34 year old Gardener from 44 Riley Street, East Sydney upon enlistment. His next of kin was Miss Emily Sillett of Forest Road, Hurstville.

Military Records
Immigration Records
(Australian National Archives)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION 15/11/2008.

 

Private: 480 George Joseph JONES.

by

British War:42985-Victory Medal PTE 480 G J JONES

36th BATTALION 54th BATTALION A.I.F.

 Private: 480 George Joseph JONES.

Born: April 1879. Merewether via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:19104/1879.

Died: 1959. Hamilton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5516/1959.

Father: George Jones. (1855-23/12/1937) Buried Sandgate Cemetery.

Mother: Caroline Jones. nee:. (1860-15th July 1943) Buried Sandgate Cemetery.

INFORMATION
George Joseph Jones enlisted with B Company 36th Battalion AIF on the 28th February 1916. The 36th Battalion was raised at Broadmeadow Army Camp, in Newcastle, New South Wales in February 1916. The bulk of the Battalion's recruits had enlisted as a result of a recruiting drive conducted among-st the RIFLE CLUBS of New South Wales by the Minister of Public Information in the New South Wales Government, Ambrose CARMICHAEL. Thus the Battalion became known as "CARMICHAEL'S THOUSAND". Carmichael led by example and enlisted as well, serving in the Battalion as a Captain.

The 36th Battalion became part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division which left Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" bound for the United Kingdom on the 13th of May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th July 1916 where the Battalion en trained to the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill to continue there training with 9th Training Battalion. On the 22nd of September George was transferred to Reinforce the 54th Battalion at Hurdcott and commenced with the 14th Training Battalion.

The 54th Reinforcements proceeded overseas for France three days later on the 25th of September and were marched in at Ahrve the next morning. George went into billets until the Reinforcements were marched out on the 4th of October before being taken on in strength with the 54th Battalion in the field on the 6th of October 1916.

George remained in and out of the lines for the next twelve months before he was granted leave to England on the 25th October 1917. Whilst on leave George was detained by Military Police on the 8th of November 1917 and instructed to proceed overseas the next day. George rejoined his unit and remained in France in and out of action and on the 9th July 1918, appointed Batman to Lieutenant: G Lloyd. 54th Battalion. George was Wounded in Action on the 1st of September 1918.

CLERY 1st September 1918. "The Battalion having assembled in square I.7. the opportunity was taken to rest the troops and to allow them to get as much sleep as possible under the circumstances. Early in the night at 11:30 pm the Commanding Officer had been summoned to attend a conference at Brigade Headquarters and had learnt there the cancellation of the instructions issued by Brigade during the previous afternoon. The new orders embodied measures for the assault upon PERONNE at 6:00 am in the morning and the Battalion orders containing the necessary preparatory instruction were issued at 3:00 am following upon these Company's moved into their positions in trench lines I.19.d.0.0. to I.20.a.2.1. The jumping off line being in an exposed position was subjected to energetic attention from enemy artillery, and several casualties were suffered whilst waiting for the Zero Hour.

It is no exaggeration to say that the moral of the men during these hours of waiting was never higher at any period throughout the present campaign. Ever since that morning when, before DAOURS the storm burst upon the German Lines - when the Battalion acted the lesser but necessary role of simply "Follow Up" in support and reserve and disappointment had heaped upon disappointment - a restiveness and impatience had become more and more apparent. This fine spirit was at last to be used in an enterprise needing courage energy and skill, and a few hours were to see the realization of many a long day'd march.

PERONNE had in happier day's held a considerable sway amidst the neighbouring town's. It was the first city in FRANCE to accept the principles of Luther and suffered summary chastisement during the Spanish conquest for its impunity. It was the city of QUENTIN DURWOOD. Later it became the favorite seat of the Dukes of BURGUNDY and prospered until the period of the France-Prussian War of 1870, when it again underwent a devastation siege. The city once proud of its past and conscious of an oppulant future was now in utter ruins and possessed by an enemy who had for a second time in the history of the past 50 years become its destroyer.

The defenses of the place were of considerable strength and were manned by volunteers who had the day previous declared their intention to hold the town against the Australian assault - knowledge of which was known to the Germans. The enemy had employed every artifice to make the front secure, and peculiarly of the town with its marches, its bridges and narrow streets augmented these efforts so considerably as to make its complete subjugation a formidable task. Every approach was manned and covered and the innumerable winding trenches secured by a deep wire assault.

In this way he captured many small parties of prisoners. at about 8:45 am it was found that the swamps and waterways to the SOUTH of the town were impassable; communication was at this time established with the 59th Battalion on the right flank. Messages received at about this time showed that the situation was obscure, and that any comprehensive progress report was out of the question. Trouble was experienced in the narrows by-ways running off the main thoroughfares, and the swamp and broken down bridges in the Southern end of the town had brought progress to a temporary standstill.

At 10:00 a.m the commanding Officer (Lieutenant Colonel: MARSHALL D.S.O.,M.C.) and Intelligence Officer (Lieutenant: K WARK D.C.M.) visited the outpost position and corrected the dispositions. Except for minor alterations here and there this situation remains the same throughout the day. During the afternoon, the C.O. again visited the front positions and upon returning to the Battalion Headquarters reported to Brigade upon the situation.

It was obvious by nightfall that the cover occupied by the machine gun "Nests" in the outskirts of PERONNE were proof against anything but a heavy bombardment. Owing to the slow progress of the attack due to the strenuous opposition, it was found that the artillery programme had run ahead of the infantry attack, and that even those nests silenced by our shells were able to come once again into action before our infantry approached. The casualties throughout the day were heavy. A serious loss was the death of Lieutenant: McARTHUR, who was caught in the chest by fire from Machine Gun which he was endevouring to put out of action single handed. Lieutenant: HOLDER was hit by a shell during the fighting about the approaches to PERONNE and was so badly knocked about that death was instantaneous.

Throughout the night the situation remained the same and despite the artillery activity little movement occurred. At 11:p.m. a hot meal was taken up by the transport as far as Battalion Headquarters, and from there distributed to the outposts by carrying parties. Communication was maintained by runner and visual. At this time no reliable information could be obtained regarding the number of prisoners captured, but vague reports placed the figures at 7 Officers and 180 Other Ranks. Of wounded 8 Officers and 139 other ranks.

54th Battalion War Diary.

George was one of the 139 men from the 54th who were Wounded in Action on that day and he was treated by the 6th Australian Field Ambulance for a Severe Gun Shot Wound to the Head and Buttock and was evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen the next day. George remained there for the next 10 days to stabilise his condition and embarked for England on board the Hospital Ship "Grantully Castle" on the 12th September 1918.

Hospital Ship Grantully Castle
Hospital Ship "GRANTULLY CASTLE"
Upon disembarking in England, George was admitted to the War Hospital at Exeter for further treatment before being transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital were he remained until the 12th of November when he was discharged to the No:2 Command Depot to be returned to Australia. George embarked from England on the 9th December 1918 on board the "Argyllshire" and disembarked on the 1st February 1919 where he attended to Army Medical Board and was discharged from the AIF on the 30th September 1919.

British War Medal PTE 480 G J JONES
George's British War Medal: 42985 to PTE 480 G.J.JONEs 54BN AIF with an unnamed Victory medal were acquired in March 2015 and are now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information
George was a single 36 year old Coal Miner from 70 Macquarie Street, Merewether via Newcastle prior to enlistment. George was buried at the Sandgate Cemetery, Methodist Section 8 Lot 10 on the 14th February 1959 with his parents George and Caroline Jones.

Brother;Private: 1295 Arthur JONES D Company 36th Battalion AIF. Killed in Action

Unmarked Grave of George JonesGrave Marker 11/04/2015
Unmarked Grave of Private: 480 George Joseph Jones 36th-54th Battalion AIF, Before and After Shot.
Gary MitchellGrave Marker 11/04/2015
Garry Mitchell placing Grave Marker to Private: 480 George Joseph Jones 36th-54th Battalion AIF on his Grave at Sandgate Cemetery 11th April 2015.
The memory of the fallen will live on thankfully for the efforts of local historians like Gary Mitchell. It is a pleasure and an honour to assist such dedicated researchers of the calibre of Gary and he deserves the greatest of accolades for his efforts.

David Harrower JP

Newcast Herald Article Sandgate Cemetery Project

Sandgate Cemetery Project

Merewether Public School Roll of Honor

Military Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 07/02/2015-14.02/2018.

 

Private: 480 George Joseph JONES.

by

British War:42985-Victory Medal PTE 480 G J JONES

36th BATTALION 54th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 480 George Joseph JONES.

Born: April 1879. Merewether via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:19104/1879.

Died: 1959. Hamilton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5516/1959.

Father: George Jones. (1855-23/12/1937) Buried Sandgate Cemetery.

Mother: Caroline Jones. nee:. (1860-15th July 1943) Buried Sandgate Cemetery.

INFORMATION
George Joseph Jones enlisted with B Company 36th Battalion AIF on the 28th February 1916. The 36th Battalion was raised at Broadmeadow Army Camp, in Newcastle, New South Wales in February 1916. The bulk of the Battalion's recruits had enlisted as a result of a recruiting drive conducted amongst the RIFLE CLUBS of New South Wales by the Minister of Public Information in the New South Wales Government, Ambrose CARMICHAEL. Thus the Battalion became known as "CARMICHAEL'S THOUSAND". Carmichael led by example and enlisted as well, serving in the Battalion as a Captain.

The 36th Battalion became part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division which left Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" bound for the United Kingdom on the 13th of May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th July 1916 where the Battalion en trained to the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill to continue there training with 9th Training Battalion. On the 22nd of September George was transferred to Reinforce the 54th Battalion at Hurdcott and commenced with the 14th Training Battalion.

The 54th Reinforcements proceeded overseas for France three days later on the 25th of September and were marched in at Ahrve the next morning. George went into billets until the Reinforcements were marched out on the 4th of October before being taken on in strength with the 54th Battalion in the field on the 6th of October 1916.

George remained in and out of the lines for the next twelve months before he was granted leave to England on the 25th October 1917. Whilst on leave George was detained by Military Police on the 8th of November 1917 and instructed to proceed overseas the next day. George rejoined his unit and remained in France in and out of action and on the 9th July 1918, appointed Batman to Lieutenant: G Lloyd. 54th Battalion. George was Wounded in Action on the 1st of September 1918.

CLERY 1st September 1918. "The Battalion having assembled in square I.7. the opportunity was taken to rest the troops and to allow them to get as much sleep as possible under the circumstances. Early in the night at 11:30 pm the Commanding Officer had been summonsed to attend a conference at Brigade Headquarters and had learnt there the cancellation of the instructions issued by Brigade during the previous afternoon. The new orders embodied measures for the assault upon PERONNE at 6:00 am in the morning and the Battalion orders containing the necessary preparatory instruction were issued at 3:00 am following upon these Company's moved into their positions in trench lines I.19.d.0.0. to I.20.a.2.1. The jumping off line being in an exposed position was subjected to energetic attention from enemy artillery, and several casualties were suffered whilst waiting for the Zero Hour.

It is no exaggeration to say that the moral of the men during these hours of waiting was never higher at any period throughout the present campaign. Ever since that morning when, before DAOURS the storm burst upon the German Lines - when the Battalion acted the lesser but necessary role of simply "Follow Up" in support and reserve and disappointment had heaped upon disappointment - a restiveness and impatience had become more and more apparent. This fine spirit was at last to be used in an enterprise needing courage energy and skill, and a few hours were to see the realization of many a long day'd march.

PERONNE had in happier day's held a considerable sway amidst the neighboring town's. It was the first city in FRANCE to accept the principles of Luther and suffered summary chastisement during the Spanish conquest for its impunity. It was the city of QUENTIN DURWOOD. Later it became the favorite seat of the Dukes of BURGUNDY and prospered until the period of the France-Prussian War of 1870, when it again underwent a devastation siege. The city once proud of its past and conscious of an oppulant future was now in utter ruins and possessed by an enemy who had for a second time in the history of the past 50 years become its destroyer.

The defenses of the place were of considerable strength and were manned by volunteers who had the day previous declared their intention to hold the town against the Australian assault - knowledge of which was known to the Germans. The enemy had employed every artifice to make the front secure, and peculiarly of the town with its marches, its bridges and narrow streets augmented these efforts so considerably as to make its complete subjugation a formidable task. Every approach was manned and covered and the innumerable winding trenches secured by a deep wire assault.

In this way he captured many small parties of prisoners. at about 8:45 am it was found that the swamps and waterways to the SOUTH of the town were impassable; communication was at this time established with the 59th Battalion on the right flank. Messages received at about this time showed that the situation was obscure, and that any comprehensive progress report was out of the question. Trouble was experienced in the narrows by-ways running off the main thoroughfares, and the swamp and broken down bridges in the Southern end of the town had brought progress to a temporary standstill.

At 10:00 a.m the commanding Officer (Lieutenant Colonel: MARSHALL D.S.O.,M.C.) and Intelligence Officer (Lieutenant: K WARK D.C.M.) visited the outpost position and corrected the dispositions. Except for minor alterations here and there this situation remains the same throughout the day. During the afternoon, the C.O. again visited the front positions and upon returning to the Battalion Headquarters reported to Brigade upon the situation.

It was obvious by nightfall that the cover occupied by the machine gun "Nests" in the outskirts of PERONNE were proof against anything but a heavy bombardment. Owing to the slow progress of the attack due to the strenuous opposition, it was found that the artillery programe had run ahead of the infantry attack, and that even those nests silenced by our shells were able to come once again into action before our infantry approached. The casualties throughout the day were heavy. A serious loss was the death of Lieutenant: McARTHUR, who was caught in the chest by fire from Machine Gun which he was endevouring to put out of action single handed. Lieutenant: HOLDER was hit by a shell during the fighting about the approaches to PERONNE and was so badly knocked about that death was instantaneous.

Throughout the night the situation remained the same and despite the artillery activity little movement occurred. At 11:p.m. a hot meal was taken up by the transport as far as Battalion Headquarters, and from there distributed to the outposts by carrying parties. Communication was maintained by runner and visual. At this time no reliable information could be obtained regarding the number of prisoners captured, but vague reports placed the figures at 7 Officers and 180 Other Ranks. Of wounded 8 Officers and 139 other ranks.

54th Battalion War Diary.

George was one of the 139 men from the 54th who were Wounded in Action on that day and he was treated by the 6th Australian Field Ambulance for a Severe Gun Shot Wound to the Head and Buttock and was evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen the next day. George remained there for the next 10 days to stabilise his condition and embarked for England on board the Hospital Ship "Grantully Castle" on the 12th September 1918.

Hospital Ship Grantully Castle
Hospital Ship "GRANTULLY CASTLE"
Upon disembarking in England, George was admitted to the War Hospital at Exeter for further treatment before being transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital were he remained until the 12th of November when he was discharged to the No:2 Command Depot to be returned to Australia. George embarked from England on the 9th December 1918 on board the "Argyllshire" and disembarked on the 1st February 1919 where he attended to Army Medical Board and was discharged from the AIF on the 30th September 1919.

British War Medal PTE 480 G J JONES
George's British War Medal: 42985 to PTE 480 G.J.JONES 54BN AIF with an unnamed Victory medal were acquired in March 2015 and are now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information
George was a single 36 year old Coal Miner from 70 Macquarie Street, Merewether via Newcastle prior to enlistment. George was buried at the Sandgate Cemetery, Methodist Section 8 Lot 10 on the 14th February 1959 with his parents George and Caroline Jones.

Brother;Private: 1295 Arthur JONES D Company 36th Battalion AIF. Killed in Action

Unmarked Grave of George JonesGrave Marker 11/04/2015
Unmarked Grave of Private: 480 George Joseph Jones 36th-54th Battalion AIF, Before and After Shot.
Gary MitchellGrave Marker 11/04/2015
Garry Mitchell placing Grave Marker to Private: 480 George Joseph Jones 36th-54th Battalion AIF on his Grave at Sandgate Cemetery 11th April 2015.
The memory of the fallen will live on thankfully for the efforts of local historians like Gary Mitchell. It is a pleasure and an honour to assist such dedicated researchers of the caliber of Gary and he deserves the greatest of accolades for his efforts.

David Harrower JP April 2015

Newcast Herald Article Sandgate Cemetery Project

Sandgate Cemetery Project

Military Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
World War 1 Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 07/02/2015-15/04/2015.