55th Battalion

Private: 1902A Rudolph Sydney FORD.

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55th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1902A Rudolph Sidney FORD.

Born: 27th September 1889. "Wangelo" Peelwood via Crookwell, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:17804/1889. 

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

Father: James Henry Ford. (1858-1949)

Mother: Catherine Ann Ford. nee: Johnson. (1862-1934) 

INFORMATION

Rudolph Sidney Ford enlisted with the AIF at Goulburn, New South Wales on the 11th January 1916 where he was allocated to the 3rd Reinforcements, 55th Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A37 Barambah on 23 June 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 25th August 1916 where he was marched in the the training Battalion.  

HMAT A37 "Barambah"

Rudolph was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp and was taken on in strength with the 35th Battalion AIF on the 23rd September with other men from the 55th Battalion. He proceeded overseas for France with the 35th Battalion on the 21st November 1916.

Rudolph was Wounded in Action on the 2nf June 1917 at Nieppe in France where he received a Gun Shot Wound to his scalp and was treated to the 9th Australian Field Ambulance before being evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment before being transferred to the Australian General Hospital at Boulogne. Rudolph  spent the next few months in recovery and upon his discharge re joined his unit on the 4th August 1917.  

7th March 1918.

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

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

Harve Hospital, France.  

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

23rd April 1918.

Informant: 2009 J INGRAM. 35th Battalion AIF. "Private: 1902A Rudolph Sydney FORD whom I knew well , was some 30 yards to the front of me at Zonnebeke, on the left of the Railway, which was 600 yards off. On October 2nd 1917, when I saw a shell burst just about where he was. A few minutes afterwards in our advance, I passed this place and saw his dead body. He was buried the next day at Zonnebeke. 

No: 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, France.  

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

MENIN GATE WAR MEMORIAL

Family Information

James Henry Ford. (1858-1949)

Military Records

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Private: 1808 Edward Joseph GRIMES.

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55th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1808 Edward Joseph GRIMES.

Born: 11th May 1885. Loftus via Junee, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:24264/1885.

Married: 1928. All Saints Church of England, Condobolin. Marriage Cert:9698/1928.

Wife: Elizabeth Ann Grimes. nee: Bright. (1892-1941) Died at Redfern, N.S.W. 

Died: 5th June 1956. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 

Father: Christopher Grimes. (1857-1947)

Mother: Mary Teresa Grimes. nee: Heaslip. (1860-1947)

INFORMATION

Edward Joseph Grimes enlisted with the AIF on the 27th March 1916 at Goulburn, New South Wales before he was transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he was allocated to the 2nd Reinforcements 35th Battalion . Edward and the Reinforcements entrained from Farley Station on the 3rd September 1916 for Sydney. 

Farley Station 3rd September 1916

The Reinforcements embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A15 "Port Sydney and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 29th October 1916 where they were marched in the to 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp at Lark Hill. Edward proceeded overseas for France via Folkstone on the 20th December and disembarked the next morning at Estaples, France and was marched out the the Front Lines on the 20th January 1917. 

Wounded in Action on the 2nd February 1917 where he received a Gun Shot wound to his Right Shoulder and was treated by the 10th Australian Field Ambulance before his transfer to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment and was invalided to England where he was admitted to the Reading War Hospital.

Edward was discharged from Hospital and proceeded overseas for France on the 26th July 1917 and was Hospitalised with a Septic Arm on the 11st September. Edward was Wounded in Action; 2nd occasion on the 17th April 1918 and was admitted to the No:3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen.  

22nd May 1918.

Informant: Private: 1808 Edward Joseph GRIMES. "I was told by Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE's brother Private: 2039 Alexander Gordon BRAITHWAITE who was making search for his brother, that he had been told that a Stretcher Bearer had taken Private: 7195 Ishmael BRAITHWAITE to the Dressing Station or Aid Post. He was wounded at Passchendaele. The name of the Stretcher Bearer was Private: 1860 Edward James TORPY of D Company, now I believe in Hospital in England.

No:3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen.

Edward returned to Australia on the 20th October 1918 

Family Information

Edward was a single 30 year old Labourer upon his enlistment with the AIF

Edward was buried on the 7th June 1956 at Woden Cemetery Canberra,

Elizabeth Ann Grimes nee Bright (1892-1941) Condobolin Cemetery

Christopher Grimes. (1857-1947) - Mary Teresa Grimes. nee: Heaslip. (1860-1947)

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Private: 3149 Andrew Matthew “Mackie” WILSON.

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55th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1030 - 3149 Andrew Matthew "Mackie" WILSON.

Born: 28th December 1887. Glebe via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:7672/1888.

Married: 1924. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8240/1924

Wife: Gladys Wilson. nee: Robbins. 

Died: 1945. Granville, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:16865/1945.

Father: Andrew Wilson. (1854-1894)

Mother: Rachel Wilson. nee: Willis. (1860-1893)

INFORMATION

Andrew enlisted with the AIF in December 1915 and was allocated to C Company 55th Battalion AIF with the serial number 1030 but Deserted with No Warrant being issued and later enlisted with the AIF on the 10th November 1916 and was allocated to the 33rd Battalion AIF.

30th March 1918

CACHY Orders were received during the early hours of the morning that the Battalion was to move its position in BOIS D'AQUENNE in order to launch a counter attack if required. Either in the direction of VILLERS BRETONNEUX or CENTELLES. The Battalion moved off to the wood at 10:30 a.m. and arrived safely. Rain came on but Companies were served with a good hot meal during morning, thus keeping the men warm and in good spirits. At 2:15 p.m. the order came that the Battalion was to move up and take the line (as per Operation Orders) The B Teams were to be left behind. The 34th Battalion was to be in reserve. Everybody was bust getting ready for the next half hour and then the Companies were formed up in mass and the C.O. spoke to them. 5 minutes afterwards at 3:14 p.m. the Battalion started off in great spirits for the scene of action.

The Battalion had the support of 4 squadrons of Cavalry who moved up with them, and it was a "Never to Be forgotten" sight to see the long column of infantry with the Cavalry on their right moving up together. Gradually the Cavalry outpaced the infantry and on their arrival at the BOIS D'HANGARD found the British Infantry retiring. They at once dismounted and advanced taking the retiring infantry with them drove the advancing Bosche back and re-established the line thus clearing the unnamed wood east of BOIS D'HANGARD before the infantry came up. In the meantime the Battalion came on in a column of threes (the visibility being bad) and deployed when they got behind BOIS D'HANGARD at 3:50 p.m Here they rested till the attack was launched at 5:00 p.m.

33rd Battalion War Diary

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

33RD BATTALION A.I.F

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

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

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

Phillip Charles Gratwicke

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

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

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

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

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

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

30th March 1918

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

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

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

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

Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD.

Commanding 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

Andrew was Wounded in Action during this action where he received a Gun Shot Wound and was evacuated from the line.

9th November 1918.
Informant: Private: 3149 Andrew Matthew WILSON. "Lance Corporal: 2648 Thomas SCOTT, was hit by a Machine Gun Bullet while getting out of a shell hole. He was in a semi comatose state for about 10 minutes. He would be buried close by there, Sailly-le-Sec. He was a married man with one child and came from Red Oak, Glen Innes. He was very popular in the Coy. He was a Scotsman."
No: 4 Convalescent Depot, Hurdcott, England.
Andrew returned to Australia on the 31st March 1919.

Family Information

Andrew was a single 30 year old Labourer from Dixon Street, Newtown via Sydney, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

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Private: 1273 Bert WRIGHT.

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36th BATTALION - 55th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1273 Bert WRIGHT.

Born: 19th January 1891. Moruya, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: 22797/1891.

Married:

Wife:

Died: 7th October 1958. Taree, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 31555/1958.

Father: Walter Wright. (1858-1922)

Mother: Elizabeth Ann Wright. nee: Cole. (1867-1949)

INFORMATION

Bert Wright enlisted with the AIF on the 25th November 1915 and was allocated to the 36th Battalion at West Maitland, N.S.W.

Gold Fob presented to Bert Wright upon his return to Australia from the Great War.

Family Information
Walter and Elizabeth Wright were married in 1883 at Bega, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:4537/1883 and had 13 children, 10 boys and 3 girls. Thomas Wright born 1884 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert: 18604/1884. Steve Wright born 1885 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:19177/1885.Frederick Wright born 1887 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:20675/1887 and died 10th June 1917 Messines Ridge, Belgium.Walter Wright born 1889 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:20173/1889. Bertie Wright born 1891 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:22797/1891. Alice Wright born 1893 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:23405/1893. Frank Wright born 1894 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:21882/1894. William Wright born 1897 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:4955/1897. Elsie Wright born 1899 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:4929/1899. Ernest Wright born 1900 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert: 33258/1900. George Wright born 1903 at Bega, N.S.W. Birth Cert:1432/1903. Annie E Wright born 1904 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:24211/1904. Alick Wright born 1906 at Moruya, N.S.W. Birth Cert:36586/1906.

Brother: Private: 2127 Frederick WRIGHT. 36th Battalion AIF.

Military Records

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Temporary Corporal: 1931A Cecil William INGS

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55th BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Temporary Corporal: 1931A Cecil William INGS

Born:  31 Aug 1895. Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:1895/21861.

Married 1: 25th November 1922. Granville, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:1922/014499.

Wife 1: Marie Katherine Ings. nee: Horn. (24/10/1892-04/03/1926) died in Parramatta, N.S.W. Death Cert:1926/004734.

Married 2:  2nd December 1927. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:1927/19428.

Wife 2: Ann Elizabeth Ings. nee: Rew. (16/06/1903-22/11/1982) died in N.S.W. Death Cert:28104/1982.

Died:  29th December 1976.  Emu Plains, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:485/1977.

Father: Edwin Ings. (15/02/1865-07/12/1924) died at Goulburn, N.S.W. Death Cert:19355/1924.

Mother: Emma Ings. nee: Apps. (11/02/1867-12/04/1898) died at Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:1898/005459.

Step Mother: Leah Fanny Ings. nee: WORNER. ( 1881-1951) died at Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:4549/1951.

INFORMATION

Cecil William Ings enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements, 55th Battalion on the 5th December 1915 at the Goulburn Army Camp.

Cecil en trained with the 3rd Reinforcements for Sydney in June and embarked from Woolloomooloo Wharf on board HMAT A37 "Barambah" on the 23rd June 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 25th August 1916. 

HMAT A37 "Barambah"

The Reinforcements were marched in to the 14th Training Battalion where they settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine. Cecil was transferred to the 35th Battalion AIF on the 23rd September 1916 and was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion and proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November via Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel" and disembarking the next day. Cecil had the prefix  A added to his number on the 3rd February 1917 before the 35th Battalion went into action at Messines.

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

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

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

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

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German 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 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 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 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 intendered direction lay not along the ridge and the Passchendeale road, but diagonally across them, and parallel to the railway, which most of the brigade could not see. As the jumping-off line was practically at right angles to the ridge, the brigade tendered to advance alone the heights. The Machine-Gun fire at the start came, on the 9th Brigade's right, from the ruined house near Defy Crossing; on its centre from, "Hillside Farm"; and on its left from Augustus Wood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

Cecil was granted leave to England from the 19th February 1918 until the 2nd March 1918 after surviving the action at Passchendaele. He rejoined the 35th Battalion and was in France during the Armistice on the 11th November 1918.

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.

Cecil was granted leave in Paris from the 6th of December until the 16th of December and was promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 27th January 1919. Remaining in France as the men from the 35th were being demobilized, Cecil had to wait until he was marched out to the no: 51 Quota for his return to England. On the 19th May Cecil proceeded overseas with the men of the 51 Quota for England where he was marched in to the no: 3 Command Depot at Codford. Cecil returned to Australia on board the "Prinz Hubertus" disembarking on the 27th August 1919.

Prinz Hubertus

Cecil was discharged from the AIF on the 11th of October 1919.

Family Information

Cecil was a single 20 year old Railway Porter from Breadalbane, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. His parents Edwin and Emma Ings were married in 1891 at Argyle via Goulburn, N.S.W. Marriage Cert: 2078/1891.  After Cecil return to Australia in 1922 Cecil lived at 6 Railway Parade, Granville, N.S.W. 1936 occupation was a Butcher from Francis Street, Northmead, N.S.W, district of Parramatta. Cecil served during world war 2. Service Number: N72611 with the 31st  Australian Garrison Battalion with the rank of Sergeant serving from the 14th May 1940 until the 26th August 1946.

Grave of Edwin Ings. (1865-1924) - Leah Fanny Ings ( 1881-1951) Breadalbane Cemetery

Grave of Emma Ings. nee: Apps. (1867-1898) first wife of Edwin. Breadalbane Cemetery

Born:  31 Aug 1895. Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia. NSW Birth Certificate: 1895/21861.
Married (1): 25 Nov 1922, Granville, New South Wales, Australia, NSW Marriage Cert 1922/014499
Wife (1): Marie Katherine Ings nee: Horn. (24 Oct 1892, Harris Park, New South Wales, Australia - 4 Mar 1926, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia) NSW Certificates - Birth: 1892/028893, Death: 1926/004734
Married (2): 2 Dec 1927. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. NSW Marriage Certificate: 1927/19428.
Wife (2) : Ann Elizabeth Ings. nee: Rew. (16 Jun 1903, Glasgow LKS Scotland- 22 Nov 1982, Penrith NSW Australia) NSW Death Certificate 28104/1982, Birth information from Marriage Certificate.
Died:  29 Dec 1976. Emu Plains, New South Wales, Australia. NSW Death Certificate 485/1977.
-
Father: Edwin Ings. (15 Feb 1865, Soapy Flat, New South Wales, Australia - 7 Dec 1924 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia) NSW Certificates - Birth: 1865/005968, Death: 19355/1924.
Mother: Emily Ings nee Apps. (11 Feb 1867, Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia - 12 Apr 1898 Breadalbane, New South Wales, Australia) NSW Certificates - Baptism: 5826 Vol 121c, Death: 1898/005459

(Family Information: Susan Law: August 2020)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 14/07/2018.

Private: 3112 John BRENELL. Aboriginal Serviceman

by

55th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF.

Private: 3112 John BRENELL. (Aboriginal; Brabiralung)

Born: 1880. Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia.

Married: Victoria, Australia.

Wife: Rachael Mary Brenell. (18..-1954) Died at Cessnock, N.S.W. Death Cert:14925/1954.

Died: 14th February 1918. Died of Disease. (Pneumonia) France.

Father: James Brenell. (18..-1914)

Mother: Aboriginal; Brabiralung

INFORMATION

John Brenell enlisted with the AIF at Goulburn N.S.W on the 19th October 1916 where he was allocated to the 8th Reinforcements 55th Battalion AIF and embarked for England on board HMAT A29 "Suevic" on the 11th November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport on the 30th January 1917..

8th Reinforcements, 55th Battalion AIF at Goulburn, N.S.W.

3132 Private Thomas Davis, an aboriginal serviceman originally from Brungle, NSW, and residing in Queanbeyan at the date of his enlistment on 19 October 1916, is fifth from right, fourth row from back.

The soldier in the back row fifth from left is probably 3112 Private John Brenell, an aboriginal miner from Cessnock, NSW. Brenell was possibly residing in Queanbeyan at the date of his enlistment on 19 October 1916 when he was aged thirty six years. Davis and Brenell, enlisted on the same day. Brenell died of sickness in France on 14 February 1918 at the age of thirty seven.

(Australian War Memorial)

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

John recorded his religion as Church of England. I have contacted the Australian War Memorial to ask that his head stone be rectified as he was not of the Jewish Faith.  

  John is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France.

Commonwealth War Graves Project

 

Cessnock War Memorial

Family Information

John was a married 36 year old Labourer from the Racing Stables at Gippsland Victoria. John worked Coal Miner at Cessnock before taking up at job in Victoria when the First World War broke out. His wife Rachael lived at Cessnock, N.S.W. 

John and Rachael Brenell's child Oswald Reuben J Brenell was born 1909 at Barraba, N.S.W. Birth Cert:11968/1909 and died in 1963 at Cessnock, N.S.W. Death Cert:31196/1963. 

The Brabiralung were an Indigenous Australian people, one of the five tribes of Gippsland, in the state of Victoria, Australia, and belonged to a wider regional grouping known as the Kurnai.

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Under construction: 12/04/2018-23/04/2018.

Private: 2938a Francis James LLOYD.

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Rising Sun

55th BATTALION. 36th BATTALION. 33rd BATTALION AIF.

 Private: 2938a Francis James LLOYD.

Born: 17th October 1890. Jugiong, via Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:15595/1890.

Married:

Wife: nee:.

Died: 1953 Gundagai, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:14556/1953.

Father: John Lloyd.

Mother: Catherine Lloyd. nee: Lawler.

INFORMATION
Francis James lloyd enlisted with the 7th Reinforcements, 55th Battalion AIF on the 18th of June 1916 and left Sydney on board HMAT A11 "Ascanius" in Sydney on the 25th of October 1916.

HMAT A11 Ascanius
25th April 1919.

Informant; Private: 2938 Francis James Lloyd, D Company 33rd Battalion AIF states that they both belonged to D Company of which Captain: Charles John DOIG. MC was the Commanding Officer. On 1/10/18 the Battalion was in action at BONNEY on the HINDENBURG LINE. They hopped over at 3:00pm and an hour later the Captain was killed outright by a shell fragment while taking cover under a bank, he was hit in the head. Informant was about 3 yards away and saw the Captain Killed. He was buried near BONNEY, but Informant was not present but was given the details by one of his mate Private: 3420 William Albert KAYLOCK who helped bury the Captain. According to informant Captain DOIG was a very popular Officer indeed.

Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

Family Information
Francis was a single 25 year old Labourer from Jugiong, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His parents John and Catherine Lloyd were married in 1878 at Boorowa, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:2616/1878 and 6 children. Thomas J Lloyd born 1879 Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert:14732/1879 and died in 1897 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Death Cert:11975/1897. Ellen Lloyd born 1880 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert: 15451/1880. Catherine lloyd born 1882 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert:17169/1882 and died in 1900 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Death Cert:9094/1900. Valentine Lloyd born 1888 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert:22991/1888 and died in 1966 at Burwood, N.S.W. Death Cert:18181/1966. Francis James Lloyd born 1890 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert:15595/1890 and died in 1953 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Death Cert:14556/1953. Mary J Lloyd born 1892 at Jugiong, N.S.W. Birth Cert:16005/1892.

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Private: 1664 John Samuel KIBBLE.

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35th BATTALION - 55th BATTALION AIF.

Private: 1664 John Samuel KIBBLE.

Born:  22nd August 1871.  Denman via Muswellbrook,  New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1919. St Leonard via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert: 

Wife: Rosa Alberta Kibble. nee: Manuell. (1875-1948)

Died: 1961. Wyong, Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 

Father: Richard Kibble. (1850-1935)

Mother: Catherine Kibble. nee: Clark. (1853-1886)

INFORMATION

John Samuel Kibble enlisted with the AIF on the 13th February 1916 at Newcastle, New South Wales where he was allocated to the 1st Reinforcements 35th Battalion 

Taken on in Strength with the 55th Battalion on the 23rd September 1916. 

John returned to Australia on board the Hospital Ship "Runic" on the 4th July 1917 for Home Service.

Family Information

Samuel was a single 44 year old Bridge Carpenter from Denman, N.S.W. but was living at Hight Street, Tighes Hill via Newcastle upon enlistment with the AIF.

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Under Construction: 07/05/2019-22/09/2022.

Private: 1976A. Richard Ernest TURNER.

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Medals to Richard Ernest Turner

55th BATTALION  36th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 1976A. Richard Ernest TURNER.

Born: 1885. Berridale via Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:25584/1885.

Married: England?

Wife: R.J Turner. nee:.

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

Father: William Turner.

Mother: Jane Turner. nee:

INFORMATION
Richard Ernest Turner enlisted at Goulburn on the 8th January 1916, 3rd Reinforcements 55th Battalion AIF and on the 23 June 1916 embarked from Sydney onboard HMAT A37 "Barambah" for England and disembarked on the 25th August 1916 at Plymouth.

HMAT A37 "Barambah" Steel single screw steamship by Flensburger Schiffsbau Ges, Flensburg for Deutsche-Australische Line, Hamburg. Triple expansion engine making 12.5 knots. In 1914 the ship was seized by Australia at Melbourne renamed Barambah.

Richard was marched in the the 14th Training Battalion at Hurdcott and was admitted to the Military Hospital suffering from Influenza on the 14th of November at Fovant until the 22nd of November and returned to the 14th Training Battalion. Richard was placed as (Class A) at Hurdcott on the 10th of May 1917 and again admitted to hospital on the 21st of November 1917 suffering from Influenza and was discharged and marched in from No:4 Group Hospital to the 14th Training Battalion on the 24th of November 1917.

richard proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 30th January 1918 and was marched in at Rouelles the next day where he went into billets before being marched out to the Front on the 3rd of February where he was Taken on in Strength with the 36th Battalion on the 7th of February and Re-allocated Regimental Number 1976A.

BWM & Victory pair to 1976 Private Richard Ernest Turner 35/Btn AIF (Australian Infantry Force) who was killed in action on 4th April 1918 in the battle for Amiens. This was a heroic action on behalf of the AIF without whose dogged resistance Amiens may well have fallen to the Germans. He is commemorated on the Australian Military memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. The lot comes with an original military pass permitting Turner to be absent from base. It has been signed by Turner himself as well as his C.O. His papers state that he was a shearer by trade and that his widow returned to UK residing in Wilton Wiltshire. Several pages of soldier's papers.

4th April 1918.

A heavy burst of shelling occurred at CACHY and on some 6" Howitzer Batteries situated under cover of the S.E. corner of the BOIS D'AQUENSE, at about 3.30am. At 5.30am the fire thickened to heavy and general shelling, counter battle work and harassing fire suggestive of preparations for an attack. Just before 6.00am shells fell in the wood near our bivouacs. The troops were hastily got out into the open. The shelling continued to be very heavy for about two hours, in the course of which two men were killed, and Lieutenant: J LANGand 8 other ranks were wounded.

At 9:00am orders were received to "Stand To" as it was expected the enemy would attack.At 11.45am orders were received to proceed to position of readiness at U.5. centrel (South of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX) for defence of the village. Moved at 11.55am and arrived at position of readiness without casualty despite general shelling of the area crossed. Lieutenant: NEWELL (Scout Officer) reported direct to C.O. 35th Battalion, who was defending the line in part of the attack area. As the position of readiness the Battalion took up a position on the reverse slope of the hill on the east side of the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - HANGARD ROAD, with "A" and "B" Companies just below the crest, "C" Company in close support, and "D" Company in reserve.

At 1.45pm the C.O. and Adjacent reported to the C.O. 35th Battalion, at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX the village was being heavily bombarded. At 2.30pm the Adjutant returned with the preliminary instructions to the 2nd in Command and the C.O. awaiting developments. At 4.45pm the C.O returned with information that the Bosch had broken through the English line and was advancing on the village. While he was speaking heavy bursts of Machine Gun fire sprayed over the hill. English troops had been retiring for half an hour through our line but efforts to stop them were in vain.

The C.O ordered "A" Company and "B" Companies to immediately counter-attack. They did so with great spirit and in fine style sweeping along the southern end of the RAILWAY LINE. A party of English troops were seen to be reforming on our right. The Adjutant was sent with an invitation to their C.O to join in a Counter-Attack. Brigadier General: WOOD of the 55th Brigade was found to be Commanding in person and he immediately agreed, and went forward on the right flank of our "C" Company. In the advance great progress was made by "A" Company on the left under Captain: John Edward Wallace BUSHELLE who imbued them with wonderful Spirit and Confidence by his gallant leadership.

Owing however to organized opposition from special M.G. strong points in an orchard and two hay stacks "B" and "C" Companies were not able to keep up to the line of "A" Company's advance and wide gaps were left between all the Company frontages by reason of the extended front on which it was necessary to deliver our Counter Attack. The Reserve Company was however sent up to reinforce the centre, link up the Companies, and, as far as possible, straighten out the line. Two small Companies of the 6th London Regiment who appeared at the time were also sent into the gap between "A" and "B" Companies and our gain was consolidated. Tools and ammunition were hastened forward by a small party from Headquarters - signallers, batman, police and gas personnel, - and this party brought back wounded on the return trip, doing excellent work.

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)

Richard was on the 4th of April 1918 during this Counter Attack at Villers-Bretonneux and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Villers-Bretonneux War Memorial.

Villers-Bretonneux War Memorial, France
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX WAR MEMORIAL, Picardie, France.
War Graves Project
Richard's British War Medal:42931 and Victory Medal: 42466 to PTE 1976A R.E. TURNER 36BN AIF with a Travel pass were sold in England to a private collector. I was the under bidder and was unable to secure for the Harrower Collection.

Family Information
Richard was a single 30 year old Shearer from Teviot Bank, Adaminaby via Cooma, N.S.W upon enlistment. No marriage records prior to enlistment, possibly married in England was his wife R.J. Taylor lived at 3 Bridgecotts, Wilton, England.

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Private: 1228a Albert Raymond RECKENBERG.

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35th BATTALION - 55th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 1228a Albert Raymond RECKENBERG.

Born: 13th October 1893. Plattsburg via Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1920. Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:19105/1920.

Wife: Beatrice M Reckenberg. nee: James.

Died: 8th February 1956. Bellbird Creek, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5224/1956.

Father: Ernest Francis Reckenberg. (1862-1923)

Mother: Jane Sophia Reckenberg nee: Paviour. (1896-03/06/1944) Died at Swamp Creek, Kurri Kurri, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

Albert Raymond Reckenberg was still serving with the 14th Infantry Battalion when he enlisted with the AIF on the 20th December 1915 and was allocated to the 35th Battalion when they were formed in January 1916. The 35th Battalion embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st May 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 9th July 1917. The Battalion was marched in to the Durrington Army Camp at Lark Hill and commenced training with the 9th Training Battalion before Albert was transferred to the 14th Training Battalion where he was transferred to the 56th Battalion AIF on the 9th September 1917. Albert proceeded overseas for Estaples, France on the 25th of September and joined the Battalion in the Field on the 8th October.

Albert was Wounded in Action on the 23rd October in France where he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Hand and was evacuated to Camiers where he was treated by the 11th General Hospital before being transferred to Harve where he was evacuated to England on board the Hospital Ship "Aslurias" on the 28th of October. Albert was admitted to the King George Hospital in London. On the 25th of May 1917 Albert was discharged and granted furlo from the King George Hospital from the 25th May until the 9th June 1917. Returning from furlo Albert was Classified B1a at Perham Downs and proceeded overseas again fro France via Southampton on the 9th July and was marched in at Harve France the next day.

Albert rejoined the 56th Battalion on the 14th August but was treated by the 43rd Australian Field Ambulance for Myalgia but was returned to duty 2 days later. Albert remain with his Battalion until the 3rd of September 1918 where he was granted leave in Paris and rejoined his Battalion on the 21st of September. Albert was in France for the Armistice at the end of the war and was marched out on the 16th of April from Harve and disembarked at Southampton the next day. Albert embarked from Devonport, England on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 2nd June 1919 and disembarked in Australia on the 20th July and was discharged from the AIF on the 4th September 1919.

Family Information

Albert was a single 20 year old Bushman from Elizabeth Street, Abermain prior to enlistment. He was still serving with the 14th Infantry Battalion. His parents Ernest and Jane Reckenberg were married in Victoria and had at least 7 children, with 4 being born in NSW. Ernest William Reckenberg born 1890 Wallsend, N.S.W. Birth Cert:35395/1890 and died 1971 at Cessnock, N.S.W. Death Cert:55164/1971. Hannah B Reckenberg born 1906 at Wallsend, N.S.W. Birth Cert:40085/1906 and died 1906 at Wallsend, N.S.W. Death Cert:14608/1906. Walter Reckenberg born 1908 at West Maitland, N.S.W. Birth Cert:15672/1908 and died 1974 N.S.W. Death Cert:80805/1974. Jessie Reckenberg born 1910 at Kurri Kurri, N.S.W. Birth Cert: 27736/1910. Albert Raymond Reckenberg born 1895? Wallsend, N.S.W (No Birth Record) died 1956 at Newcastle, N.S.W. Death Cert:5224/1956. William Alfred Reckenberg born 1889 Wallsend, N.S.W. (No Birth Record) died 1962 at Kurri Kurri, N.S.W. Death Cert:16764/1962. Percy George Reckenberg died 1965 at Hamilton, N.S.W. 13383/1965. James Henry Reckenberg died 1965 at Newcastle, N.S.W. Death Cert:30680/1965.

Sergeant: 877 William Alfred RECKENBERG. 34th Battalion A.I.F.

Corporal: 878 Ernest Walter RECKENBERG. 34th Battalion A.I.F.

Private: 66063 James Henry Reckenberg. 4th Field Butchery A.I.F. (1899-1965)

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