9th Machine Gun Coy – The Harrower Collection

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

June 25, 2026June 3, 2026 by David Harrower ACM

9th Machine Gun Company - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

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

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

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

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

INFORMATION

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

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

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER (1888-1918)

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

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

33rd War Diary

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

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

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

St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

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

Family Information

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

Military Records

Under Construction: 26/05/2026.

Sergeant: 1241 George Edward Charles SMITH.

October 31, 2021October 31, 2021 by David Harrower ACM

36th Battalion - 9th Machine Gun Company - 3rd Machine Gun Battalion AIF

Sergeant: 1241 George Edward Charles SMITH.

Born: 1894. Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:15540/1894.

Married: 1921. Gloucester, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:17894/1921.

Wife: Dora Ellen Smith. nee: Tattersall. (1894-1967) Died at Cundletown, N.S.W. Death Cert:17894/1967.

Died: 24th May 1969. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2729/1969.

Father: George Henry Smith. (1865-1927)

Mother: Elizabeth Catherine Smith. nee: Launt. (1866-1931)

INFORMATION

George Edward Charles Smith enlisted with the AIF on the 15th February 1916 at Taree, New South Wales and was allocated to D Company 36th Battalion AIF at the Broadmeadow Camp on the 5th April 1916 and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport England on the 9th July 1916 where he was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp.

Back row, left to right: Private (Pte) Richardson, Private: 1091 (later Company Sergeant Major) Edmond James CONWAY and Private: 36 (later Lance Sergeant) John Kenneth CLINCH.

Front row: Lance Corporal: 736 Lawrence Patrick COURTNEY. - Private: 1241 George Edward SMITH and Private: 1408 Stanley Herbert BRAZIL.

George was transferred from the 36th Battalion to the 9th Machine Gun Company on the 4th November before he proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916 and disembarked at Havre, France the next day. George reported to the 9th Australian Field Ambulance on the 4th January 1917 with a Sty in his Eye and was treated before being sent to the Divisional Rest Station to recover from his minor eye treatment and rejoined his unit on the 8th January 1917.

George was promoted to the rank of Lance corporal on the 25th of July and was granted leave to Paris on the 23rd October after the advance at Passchendaele. He was promoted again on the 3rd November to the rank of Temporary Corporal and then to Temporary Sergeant on the 13th May 1918 and Sergeant on the 17th July 1918. George was in the 42 Quota and returned to Australia on the 13th November and was discharged from the AIF on the 13 January 1920.

Family Information

George was a single 21 year old Biograph Operator from Maitland, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Dora Ellen Smith (1894-1967) - George Edward Charles Smith (894-1969) Dawson River Cemetery, Cundletown N.S.W. Anglican Section Row X/43

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/10/2021-31/10/2021.

Sergeant: 29 Leslie Rupert FLETCHER.

October 3, 2018October 2, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

9th Machine Gun Company AIF

Sergeant: 29 Leslie Rupert FLETCHER.

Born: 1894. East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:19753/1894.

Married: 1919. Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:2282/1919.

Wife: Lilley May Fletcher. nee: Taylor.

Died: 1st January 1970. East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:16010/1970.

Father: Frederick Fletcher. (1848-05/09/1909)

Mother: Sarah Jane Francis Fletcher. nee: Farley.

INFORMATION

Leslie Rupert Fletcher, enlisted in the AIF on 20th March 1916, being allocated to the original 9^th Brigade Machine Gun Company, 3^rd Division embarking on 1st May 1916.

He was promoted Sergeant on 01.09.16, arriving on the Western Front on 21.11.16, serving there until 21.07.17, when he was severely wounded in action (gunshot wound to buttock, arm & leg), necessitating his evacuation to a hospital in England.

Following treatment it was found that the extent of his wound resulted in his being classified as unfit for active service and returned to Australia on 20.12.17, taking his discharge on 14.05.18.

Fletcher returned to his home town of East Maitland and saw out his life there. He passed away on 01.11.1970, aged 76 years.

War Medal:42087 correctly impressed to: 29 SJT. L.R. FLETCHER – 9 M.G. COY. A.I.F. was auctioned in September 2018 but I was the under bidder and unable to secure for the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Leslie was a single 22-year old single blacksmith from East Maitland Court House, East Maitland, N.S.W upon enlistment with the AIF. Leslie served with the 1904 Quota (Senior Cadets) Leslie was a Colliery Proprietor who lived at 41 Maitland Road Tarro 1958 and 77 Maitland Road in 1968.

Application for land at Stockrington by Leslie Rupert Fletcher 24th August 1950.

(Frederick Harold Fletcher and his wife Ella Matilda Fletcher. East Maitland Cemetery)

Military Records

Under Construction: 02/10/2018.

Gunner: 417 Richard Davies HANSON.

June 24, 2018June 19, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

9th MACHINE GUN COMPANY

Gunner: 417 Richard Davies HANSON

Born: 27 December 1883. Sedan via Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Died: 8th June 1917. Died of Wounds. France.

Father: Richard Davies Hanson.

Mother: Emma Heniretta Hanson. nee: Daebler.

INFORMATION

No.417 Richard Davies HANSON was a 31 year old Mounted-Policemen from Sydney when he enlisted in the AIF on the 21st of June 1916.

He embarked from Australia with the 5th Reinforcements to the 9th Machine-Gun Company, which departed Melbourne aboard the HMAY (38) Ulysses, on the 25th of October 1916 and arrived at Plymouth in England on the 28th of December.

On arrival in England they moved by train to Wiltshire and marched in to the Australian Details Camp at Perham Downs.

On the 3rd of January 1917 Richard marched in to the Machine-Gun Training Depot at Grantham, and commenced a 6 week course on the 'Vickers' Machine-Gun. (He described this period of training in a letter sent to his Uncle).

On the 1st of March 1917 he deployed across to France and marched in to the Machine-Gun Base Depot, at Camiers.

On the 10th of April 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital. He rejoined the Depot on the 27th of the month.

On the 11th of May 1917 he marched out to the front and was taken-on-strength by the 9th MACHINE-GUN COMPANY on the 13th of May.

He was with the Company for the attack on MESSINES Ridge, which commenced at 3:10 a.m. on the 7th of June with the detonation of 19 huge mines that had previously been dug beneath the German positions along the ridge. The 9th Machine-Gun Company provided the Machine-Gun supporting fire to the 9th Infantry Brigade.

On the 8th of June 1917 he was Wounded-in-Action, when struck in the abdomen by a bullet. He was admitted to the 9th Australian Field Ambulance, and was then transferred to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station, where he DIED-OF-WOUNDS later that day.

“Messines 8.6.17 Consolidating guns.
At dawn, our barrage was again opened and continued for a few hours.
During the day the enemy shelled the line again heavily mostly with 5.9 [inch]. In the afternoon, No. A gun moved to its new position in the green line. At dusk, our artillery again opened its barrage, which continued well into the night. The enemy retaliation was heavy.
Barrage /Guns.
Replenished ammunition during the day. Strengthened positions. Answered supposed SOS at about 8.15pm [rounds per minute] fired for 45 minutes. Signal appeared to be enemy flare.
Died of wounds, Pte Hansen R.D.
Wounded in action Lieut Gleeson S.R – Pte Blinman C.J

2nd Lieut Anderson evacuated, resulting from wound received in action 7.6.17 ‘Shock’.

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

Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

(Bill Durrant; June 2018)

Family Information

Francis was a single 31 year old Mounted-Policemen from Sydney, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF and was the grandson of Sir Richard Davies Hanson, Chief Justice of South Australia. He joined the Northern Territory Police on the 1st of December 1911. His prior occupation was recorded as “clerical”. A single man on enlistment, he was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall and 9 stone in weight.

He was posted to Anthony’s Lagoon Station from 3rd March 1912 to the 15th May 1914. From the 18th August 1914, he was stationed at Borroloola. He is also reputed to have served for sometime at Newcastle Waters after leaving Borroloola. It is not known exactly when he left the Northern Territory Police Force. He recorded his occupation when enlisting in the AIF in 1916 as ‘Mounted Police’. Later when supplying information to the Australian War Memorial for the memorial scrolls his family added ‘Commonwealth Force’to his occupation.

Graeme Fry

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 19/06/2018.

Driver: 49 Ernest Morris HUGHES

May 27, 2021May 22, 2018 by David Harrower ACM

9th Machine Gun Company

Driver: 49 Ernest Morris HUGHES. M.M.

Born: Jan 1898. Balmain, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1925. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Marriage Cert:2999/1925.

Wife: Hersee "Esther" May Hughes. nee: Pidgeon.

Died: 11th November 1987. Yerrinbool, New South Wales, Australia.

Father: William "Billy Hughes. Prime Minister of Australia. (1862-1952)

Mother: Elizabeth Hughes. nee: Cutts. (1860-1906)

Step Mother: Mary Ethel Hughes. nee: Campbell.

INFORMATION

- THE 9TH INFANTRY BRIGADE AND THE PRIME-MINISTER'S SON -

No.49 Ernest Morris HUGHES was the eldest son of the then Australian Prime-Minister William Morris (Billy) HUGHES and was an 18 year old Agricultural Student when he enlisted as a PRIVATE in the AIF on the 6th of March 1916.

He embarked from Australia as a Private in the 9th MACHINE GUN COMPANY on board the HMAT (A24) Benalla which departed Sydney on the 1st of May 1916 and arrived in England on the 10th of July.

On the 1st of September 1916 he was appointed a 'Driver' in the 9th Machine-Gun Company and on the 16th of October was recorded as being on a course at the Grantham Transport School. The British Army Machine-Gun Training School was located at Grantham in Lincolnshire, 102 miles from London.

On the 22nd of November 1916 the 9th Machine-Gun Company deployed to France as part of the 9th Brigade, soon moving into the line near Armentieres. The 9th Machine-Gun Company provided the machine-gun fire-support to the Infantry Battalions of the 9th Brigade.

He was with the 9th Machine-Gun Company for the 3rd Division attack on 'Messines Ridge' in June 1917.

On the 24th of June 1917 he was awarded the MILITARY MEDAL for bringing up supplies of ammunition through an enemy barrage, at a critical moment.

On the 26th of July 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to Hospital but quickly rejoined his Unit two days later.

He was with the 9th Machine-Gun Company for the 9th Brigade attack on 'Passchendaele' on the 12th of October 1917.

On the 23rd of January 1918 he was charged with: ''AWL from Reveille 7 a.m. 22/1/18 to 10 a.m. 23/1/18''. As punishment he received a total forfeiture of 6 days pay.

In March 1918 the 9th Machine-Gun Company was re-designated as the 3rd Machine-Gun Battalion.

On the 3rd of April 1918 he was accidentally injured when he fell on a broken bottle, lacerating his left leg. He was admitted to hospital and on the 10th of April was invalided to England and admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital.

On the 29th of June 1918 he was released from Hospital, taken-on-strength in England by the 3rd Machine-Gun Battalion, and ordered to report to AIF Headquarters for duty at Australia House in London.

On the 4th of September 1918 he was transferred to Officer Cadet School and on the 6th joined the No.6 Officer Cadet School at 'Oxford' where he was appointed a Cadet.

On the 19th of December 1918 he was sent to the Overseas Training Depot for return to his Unit, with his Appointment as a Cadet being terminated.

He returned to Australia in January 1919 arriving on the 23rd of March 1919. He was discharged from the AIF, as medically unfit, on the 8th of May 1919.

He died on the 13th of August 1986.

"Photo of Australian Prime-Minister ''Billy'' HUGHES and 2nd Wife, and his eldest son E.M. HUGHES. Printed in the Sydney Mail 17 Sep 1919"

(Bill Durrant; May 2018)

Family Information

William was a single 18 year old Agricultural Student at the Hawkesbury Agricultural School upon enlistment with the AIF. His father in 1886, married Elizabeth Cutts of Sydney. and had seven children: Arthur, Ethel, Lily, Dolly, Ernest, Charles, and a son who died in infancy. Elizabeth Hughes died in 1906. The second marriage, in June 1911, was to Mary Campbell, and there was a daughter, Helen, born in 1915.

Billy Hughes and his Radical Son.

Hughes, William Morris

Member of the House of Representatives 1901–17 (West Sydney), 1917–22 (Bendigo), 1922–49 (North Sydney) and 1949–52 (Bradfield). Hughes was a member of the Labor Party 1901–17, the Nationalist Party 1917–29, an ‘Independent Nationalist’ 1929–31, United Australia Party 1931–44, Liberal Party 1944–52. Prime Minister (1915–23), Hughes still holds the record as Australia’s longest serving parliamentarian. He was a Minister in the governments of Watson (1904), Fisher (1908–09, 1910–13 and 1914–15), Lyons (1932–39), Page (Attorney-General, Minister for Industry and Minister for External Affairs (7 April 1939 – 26 April 1939), Menzies (Attorney-General 26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941, Minister for Industry 26 April 1939 – 28 October 1940, Minister for the Navy 28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941), and Fadden (continuing as Attorney-General and Minister for the Navy 29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941). During the term of his own government he also served as Attorney-General (27 October 1915 – 21 December 1921), Minister for Trade and Customs (29 September 1916 – 14 November 1916), Minister for External Affairs (21 December 1921 – 9 February 1923). As a New South Wales parliamentarian 1894–1901 Hughes was a founding member of the Labor Party in New South Wales. He became a founding member of the Nationalist Party in 1917, the United Australia Party in 1931, and the Liberal Party in 1945.

Military Records

Under Construction: 22/05/2018-27/05/2021.

Corporal: 90 Frank PROPSTING.

October 8, 2017September 2, 2017 by Natalie Crowe Designs

9th MACHINE GUN COMPANY. AIF

Corporal: 90 Frank PROPSTING.

Born: 1871.

Married:

Wife: Ester Propsting. nee:..

Died:

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATIONFrank Propsting enlisted with the 9th Machine-Gun Company AIF on the 21st of January 1916 and left Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916 with the 35th Battalion and returned to Australia on the 27th of July 1917.

Family Information

Frank was a married 45 year old Commercial Traveller from 11 High Street, Manly, N.S.W upon enlistment. His wife Esther lived at 12 Quinton Road, Manly.

Postcard sent to Private: 2893 Oswald WOODS 35th Battalion AIF, 12/11/1916.

Postcard was acquired in August 2007 from a dealer in Sydney, N.S.W and is now in the collection.

Under Construction 29/08/2007.

Lieutenant: 140 Harold Sydney WYNDHAM

July 5, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

9th MACHINE-GUN COMPANY A.I.F.

Lieutenant: 140 Harold Sydney WYNDHAM

Born: 11th September 1895. East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: 1895

Died:

Father: Harold Edward Wyndham

Mother:

INFORMATION

He left Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916

Harold was a single 20 year old Clerk from "Dalwood", 13 Augusta Street, Manly, New South Wales upon enlistment.

(BEAN; History of World War 1 Vol IV page 916)

12th of October 1917

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 MC and Lieutenant: Harold Sydney WYNDHAM were wounded.

(BEAN; History of world War 1 Vol IV page 922)

Manly War Memorial

Under Construction; 30/09/2006-05/07/2017.

Lieutenant: 7 George BARCLAY. M.I.D

September 25, 2019March 8, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

9th MACHINE GUN COY - 34th BATTALION A.I.F.

Lieutenant: 7 George BARCLAY. M.I.D

Born: 16th June 1886. Broulee on the Clyde River, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:20211/1886.

Married: 22nd April 1916. South Balmain, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:6073/1916.

Wife: Ruby Carrington Barclay. nee: Craig. (1888-1976)

Died: 27th October 1967. Maclean, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:42426/1967.

Father: James John Barclay. (1843-1921)

Mother: Teresa Barclay. nee: Backhouse. (1853-1928)

INFORMATION

George Barclay enlisted with the 9th Machine Company, 9th Infantry Brigade on the 3rd of January 1916 and was an original member of the Company and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916 and disembarked in England on the 10th July 1916. George was promoted to Corporal to complete establishment on the 1st September 1916. George proceeded overseas for France with the 9th Infantry Brigade on the 21st November and disembarked at Harve the next day. George was promoted to Temporary Sergeant whilst in the field on the 3rd of February 1917.

Special Mention in Dispatches in Sir Douglas HAIG's Dispatch of 9th April 1917. George was promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major on the 3rd July 1917 before being promoted to the full rank of Company Sergeant Major on the 16th July 1917 to complete establishment. George proceeded to join the No:9 Officers Cadet Battalion at Oxford England on the 24th of November and the No:5 Officers Cadet Battalion at Cambridge.

George was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on the 1st of June 1918 and proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 19th July 1918 and was marched in the the field where he was Taken on in Strength on the 30th July.

20th of August 1918 at Bray sur Somme during a night fighting patrol, out exploiting green areas. 20 men from the ranks were also killed and 14 men were wounded including Lieutenant: 7 George BARCLAY.

George was Wounded in Action and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance for a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Wrist and was evacuated to the No:8 General Hospital at Rouen before being transported to England on the 23rd of August 1918.

George returned to Australia with the 34th Battalion AIF on the 11th of May 1919.

Family Information

George was a married 29 year old Oysterman in the care of Thomas Collins of Yamba on the Clarence River, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His wife Ruby lived at 108 Beattie Street, Rozelle, N.S.W.

Military Records World War 1 Records