9th Infantry Brigade – Page 2 – The Harrower Collection

Chaplain. Major: Adam Stuart McCOOK.

July 29, 2024March 8, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

34th BATTALION - 9th INFANTRY BRIGADE A.I.F.

Chaplain. Major: Adam Stuart McCOOK.

Born: 29th March 1872. Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:16117/1872.

Married: 1904. Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:6072/1904.

Wife: Jessie McCook. nee: Campbell. (1876-1969)

Died: 5th March1952. Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2963/1952.

Father: Robert McCook. (1842-1917)

Mother: Sarah McCook. nee: Sharpe. (1840-1924)

INFORMATION

Adam Stuart McCook enlisted with Headquarter Company, 34th Battalion AIF on the 1st of March 1916 as Battalion Chaplain and left Sydney on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" on the 2nd May 1916

16th May 1917.

Private: 787 Richard HILL Jnr enlisted with C Company 34th Battalion AIF on the 10 of January 1916 and was an original member of the battalion. He left Sydney on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" on the 2nd of May 1916. Richard was Killed in Action by a German Shell at Le Touquet near Armentieres, Belgium on the 16th of May 1917 and was buried by Sergeant: 744 William DAVIES of the 34th Battalion AIF also buried was Private: 2348 Eric John LIPSCOMB of C Company, and a service was conducted by the Chaplain: Captain Adam Stuart McCOOK.

Date: 5 June 1917

From: Chaplain 3rd Class: Captain: Adam Stuart McCOOK. 34th Battalion, AIF

To: Wm. J. Lipscombe (sic) Esq., Wahroonga, N.S.W.

Dear Mr Lipscombe, It is with deepest sorrow and sincere regret that I write you in connection with the death of your fine young son. Private: 2348 Eric John LIPSCOMB. You will have been advised that he was killed in action on May 16th last. Though a comparatively (sic) short time with us he had already made many good friends and had shown many fine manly and soldierly qualities. All the officers and men of this Battalion deeply regret the loss of so promising a comrade. He was buried in the little military cemetery known as Tancrez Farm. The service being conducted by Rev J.W. Davis, Methodist Chaplain with this Brigade. The grave will be marked and cared for, and a suitable memorial cross will be erected over it by the Battalion, of which a photograph will probably be sent to you later on. I trust that you and all who sorrow with you may be comforted and sustained in your sore trial, and that future days may reveal that the great sacrifices have not been in vain.

Yours most Sincerely, A.S.M. McCook. Chaplain 34th Battalion A.I.F.

24th July 1917.

Sergeant: 165 William James RICHMOND. 34th Battalion, was Buried at the Cite Bonjean Cemetery, Armenitieres by Reverend Adam Stuart McCOOK.

4th August 1917.

Informant: Lieutenant: 4559 Frederick Murchinson WAUGH. C Company 2 Platoon" I saw Lieutenant: Ernest SHANNON early on the morning after his death. He had taken a patrol into the German Lines the night before. His leg had been badly shattered above the knee. I was present at his burial which took place at Ploegsteert Wood on June 1st. The cemetery was conducted by Chaplain-Captain: Adam Stuart McCOOK 34th A.I.F. All Officers of Battalion were present at the burial.

Exeter No:7 Hospital.

14th August 1917.

Informant; Private: 367 Harry BENNETT. "I helped sew Lieutenant: Ernest SHANNON's body in a blanket at the Dressing Station at Prowse Point in Ploegsteert at Messines on the afternoon of June 2nd. He had been killed by a shell or bomb and the body was badly knocked about. The body was buried at Hyde Park Corner on the 2nd of June in a regular cemetery there. A burial service was held by a chaplain, probably by Captain-Chaplain McCOOK. I saw the grave but at the time had no cross erected.

No: 4 Command Depot, Codford, England.

October 1917 Adam was detailed for duty in England,

10th November 1917.

Informant: Sergeant: 11 Archie Harold BELL. A Company No: II Platoon 34th Battalion AIF. "I have made many enquiries about Gibbons? Private: 73 Thomas GILLONS but cannot trace him beyond the dressing station in Ploegsteert Wood. Our Chaplain, Captain McCOOK, told me that he saw and talked to Gibbons in that dressing station on the morning after the attack. Gibbons never got to his objective, he had only got 700 or 800 yards when he was wounded in the thigh. He was my pal, I think he was a coal miner before he joined up. He came from Lambton, and he joined up on the Wallaby March, Branxton. He was in II Platoon, A Company.

5th Southern General Hospital

Portsmouth, England.

12th December 1917.

Informant: Captain/Chaplain: Adam Stuart McCOOK. "This should be Private: 73 Thomas GILLONS not GIBBONS. I do not recollect the conversation with Sergeant: 11 Archie Harold BELL but most likely he is correct. I have an entry in my books of GILLONS being wounded but no further particulars nor can I remember any information.

No: 3 Command Depot.

Hurdcott, England.

Captain McCook spent December in London Hospitals and early in 1918 Senior Chaplain in Hurdcott Area among convalescents and returning Australia via America for demobilisation on the 16th October 1918.

Family Information

Adam Stuart McCook was a married 44 year old Minister of Religion (Presbyterian) from "The Manse", West Maitland, N.S.W upon enlistment. His wife Jessie lived at "Bonnington" Margaret Street, Woolwich, N.S.W. His parents Robert and Sarah McCook were married in 1869 at St-George, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:1503/1869.

325—McCOOK, Adam Stuart, B.A., 1897 (1897), N.S.W. Warren 1899-1904; West Maitland 1904-23; Albury 1923-33; Moderator 1922; overseas chaplain World War I; BB 1938, p. 211; 1941, p. 203.

MINISTERS ROLL

The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954) Mon 10 Apr 1922

Chaplain McCOOK enlisted towards the close of 1915, and on the formation of the third division under General Monash he was appointed as Presbyterian chaplain to the 9th Brigade, and attached to the 34th Battalion. He went into Rutherford camp, and left with the battalion on May 2, 1916. Instead of landing in Egypt, as anticipated, the troopship went on to Plymouth, and the troops were encamped at Lark Hill, on Salisbury Plain. After five strenuous months of training, the division was transferred to France, and the new troops were give their first experience of trench warfare around Armentiers.

Wherever the 34th was, there was their chaplain, absorbed in the various duties which the padre Is called upon to perform. With his boys he moved on to Ploegsteert Wood, and was in the great battle of Messines. Thence the battalion moved north, and was engaged in the operations at Zonnebeke and Broedsinde.

Just prior to the fatal battle of Passchendaele, Chaplain McCook was transferred, after a year's front lines service, to England, and It was a sad day for him in England when news came across that so many of his old comrades had fallen in the quagmires of Flanders. In England he was appointed to the third command depot, a convalescent camp at Hurdcott. Through this camp hundreds of men passed every week on their way to hospital, or to either France or Australia.

The Maitland padre naturally took special interest, in boys from this district, and esteems it a privilege that he was able to befriend so many. He received promotion from chaplain of the fourth class to that of the third class, with

the rank of major. Later he was given further service among wounded men, by appointments at Dartford Hospital, and to an itinerant position as visitor to London and district hospitals for the care of Australian soldiers.

Right Reverend Adam Stuart McCook was laid to rest at the Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, N.S.W. Section D 5 Row 2. Denomination Presbyterian.

Military Records World War 1 Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction 16/07/2007-11/01/2022.

Captain/Chaplain: George Spencer RICHMOND

December 6, 2020February 12, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

Army Chaplain

33rd BATTALION A.I.F.

Captain: George Spencer RICHMOND. (Chaplain 3rd Class)

Born: 1st July 1887. Koolungra, South Australia.

Married:

Wife: Ione Richmond. nee:.

Died: 18th May 1953. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:8709/1953.

Father: Reverend Frederick Richmond. (1843-1948)

Mother: Mary Matilda G Richmond. nee:. (18..-1940) Died Eden, N.S.W. Death Cert:5798/1940.

INFORMATION

George enlisted with the A.I.F. on the 1st of April 1916 and was allocated Chaplain 4th Class to the 33rd Battalion Headquarters and was an original member of the Battalion and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916.

George disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th July 1916 and was posted to the 9th Brigade Headquarters in London. He proceeded overseas for France via Southapmton on the 21st November 1916.

25th March 1917.

Informant; Private: 84 Kenneth FINLAYSON No: 2 Platoon A company 36th Battalion. I know Private: 180 William Lionel STALKER and Private: 1706 Andrew WILLIAMS were buried alive during an attack by the Prussian Guard. The dug-out fell in. By the time the Prussians retired (with several of our men as prisoners) the dug-out was so frozen that we could not get to the men in time to save them. I was on of those who tried to dig them out. This was at Armentieres about January 22nd 1917. Description: was in same Platoon as informant, short, dark.

King George Hospital. Stamford Street, S.E.

Private: 180 William Lionel STALKER and Private: 1706 Andrew WILLIAMS were buried on the 2nd March 1917 at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery by Captain: George Spencer RICHMOND. (Chaplain 3rd Class) 33rd Battalion.

27th September 1917.

Informant; Chaplain; George Spencer RICHMOND. The Officer Commanding this unit has asked me to reply to your inquiry of the 24th instant, re Private: 1276 Hampton WILLIS. I have pleasure in giving you the following particulars. He was brought into this hospital on the 7th instant suffering from internal wounds received in action. Although everything possible was done for him, he passed away the same day. He was buried in the Trois Arbres British Cemetery, a cross is erected over the grave. All particulars were sent to his father, addressed Strathgarne, Dalveen, Queensland.

2nd Australian Casualty clearing Station, France.

25th October 1917.

Informant; Captain: James William SHREEVE. I assisted at the Burial of these men at the Cemetery at Toronto Cut Ploegsteert Wood on dates between 7th and 10th June last. The map reference to the exact position of the cemetery is:- 28 S.W. Addition 5A.U.15c.10.10. (Artillery Map)

3rd London General Hospital.

Private: 1817 George DENNY.

Corporal: 2068 John Henry HASSALL.

Private: 882 George Thomas TAYLOR.

Private: 2357 Harold Allan McNAMARA.

17th November 1917.

Informant; Captain/Chaplain: George Spencer RICHMOND these men are buried in the Toronto Communication Trench Cemetery, Ploegsteert Wood, Messines. I conducted the burial service, and a cross was erected over the grave. The number of the plot is "U 15.C.I.I"

No: 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, England.

3rd May 1919.

CONFIDENTIAL

Brigadier General 1/C Administration Headquarters, A.I.F.

The following report has been received and is transmitted to you:- "I have to report that it was necessary for me to place Chaplain RICHMOND, 3rd Class of C of E, under arrest at EL KANTARA, for disobedience of orders. The chaplain applied for permission to go ashore, which was not granted. About half an hour later I saw the Chaplain ashore taking photographs. I went down the gangway and instructed him to come aboard; he continued to take photographs, and afterwards returned aboard.

Later he came to me in my cabin, and complained that I did not speak to him as a Gentleman when he was ashore, and also in a threatening manner stated that the A.I.F. Instructions regarding gambling were not being carried out on this Transport, at the same time tapping his pocket, his manner inferring that he would report me on arrival in AUSTRALIA. I asked him to leave my Cabin, he refused, and after asking him four times he went.

I instructed the Adjutant to place him under arrest, and then arrange with the A.A.&Q.M.G. at EL KANTARA for the case to be brought at once before the G.O.C. at El KANTARA. This was done at 2:00 pm, which the chaplain received a reprimand from the G.O.C.

Signed Major: M PHILLIPS. O.C Troops, HMAT A "Euripites"

George returned to Australia on the 3rd May 1919.

Family Information

George was a single 28 year old Chaplain from "Earlswood" Rocklands Road, Wollstonecraft, N.S.W. George served at the Leura Chuch of England Church after World War 1. George enlisted during World War 2, Service Number:NX70300 at Paddington, N.S.W. on the 9th September 1940 with the rank of Captain. His last posting was the 2/1 Hospital Ship, and he was discharged on the 6th October 1941. George also worked at Lord Howe Island.

24th April 1915.

The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Archbishop, Dr Wright, held a licencing service at Bishopcourt on April 15, when the following clergy attended to receive licence; Percy Linker curate St Peters Sydney. George Spencer Richmond curate St David's Sydney; Percival John Sharp. B.A. curate St Thomas North Sydney; John Newton Stephen. B.A curate Woollarah and Edgecliff; Frederick William Tugwell B.A. St Clement's Marrickville; Soloman Clive Wiseman St Mark's Darling Point.

19th May 1953

The Sydney Morning Herald. (Death Notice)

RICHMOND, Rev George Spencer- May 18 1953 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and late of Hurstville and Lord Howe Island dearly beloved husband of Ione RICHMOND.

Reverend Frederick Richmond. (1843-1948)

OBITUARY - REV. Frederick RICHMOND

"The oldest priest on the clergy list of the Diocese of Goulburn died on Saturday last in the person of the Reverend Frederick Richmond; He was 95 years of age and had been living at Hunter's Hill since his retirement in 1914. Trained at St. Augustine's College, Canterbury, he was ordained to the diaconate by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1872. He was priested the following year by the Bishop of Brisbane. He served his first curacy at Ipswich, Queensland, from 1872 to 1873. From 1873 to 1876 he was rector of Stanthorpe, then for three years a mission priest from 1877 to 1879 in

the Diocese of Brisbane. Moving to South Australia he was incumbent of Port Augusta from 1879 to 1881, the Burra from 1881 to 1892, Yorke's Peninsula from 1883 to 1884 and of Koolagna from 1884 to 1889.

Coming to the Diocese of Goulburn he was rector of Boorowa from 1889 to 1900, of Bombala from 1900 to 1905 and Marulan from 1905-14. He retired in 1914, and lived for a while in the West Goulburn rectory, where he was warden of a small training hostel established by Bishop Barlow. The experiment did not last long and on the resumption of clergy training at St. John's College, Armidale, Mr. Richmond and his family moved to Sydney, where he lived until now.

He was a kindly devoted parish priest, still affectionately remembered in the parishes in this diocese in which he served. Mrs. C. Ashley Wilson, of Gunning, is a daughter and the Rev. George

Richmond, of Hurstville, a son. The diocese was represented at the funeral by the Rev. C. Ashley Wilson."

Posted 27 Jul 2016 by Elizabeth Smithson