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Lance Corporal: 2898 Glen Ovens BOYLE

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34th BATTALION AIF

Lance Corporal: 2898 Glen Ovens BOYLE

Born: 3rd November 1893. Howlong via Corowa, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:17354/1893.

Married: 1921. Tumut, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:2183/1921.

Wife: Mary Vine "Molly" Boyle. nee: Wilson. (1892-1989)

Died: 28th June 1960. Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:24933/1960. 

Father: Armer Oven Boyle. (1835-1906) Died at Howlong via Corowa New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:8430/1906.

Mother: Catherine Boyle. nee: Hamilton. (1863-1948) Died at Howlong via Corowa New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:28824/1948.

INFORMATION

Glen Ovens Boyle enlisted with the AIF at Cootamundra, N.S.W before being marched in to the Liverpool Army Camp where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and then Acting Sergeant on the 1st November before he was allocated to the 6th Reinforcements 36th Battalion AIF on the 24th of November the day before he embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A "Beltana" and disembarked at Devonport England on the 29th January 1917.

Glen was marched in to Details Camp at Fovant when on the 19th February he informed Private: 2902 William John BOZEAT that he had been marked absent from tattoo roll call. BOZEAT struck BOYLE. BOZEAT said "If you report me I will knock your head off with an entrenching tool"   

30th February 1917.

Private: 2902 William John BOZEAT was Charge Striking his superior officer Sergeant: 2859 Glen Ovens BOYLE after he had been informed he had been marked absent from tattoo roll call. Charge Threatening and abusive language to a superior officer. Guilty both charges. To be sentenced to 6 months Detention at the Detention Barracks at Chelmsford.

6th March 1917.

Glen was marched out from Details Camp at Fovant and marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp. where he was later charged at a District Court Martial Hearing at Durrington Camp with. CRIME At Durrington Camp on the 2nd April 1917 without reasonable excuse, allowing to escape a person committed to his charge whom it was his duty to guard. 

Reverts to rank of Acting Corporal by Major Robert Thomas HUNT.

Glen remained with the 9th Training Battalion until he proceeded overseas for France on the 28th August 1917. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

27th November 1917

PONT ROUCE

7:a.m. The Hun heavily strafing Post 28 and 26. Post 26 was blown in, no casualties. 7.7 and light minnies thrown into 15 and 16 Posts, no material damage. 3:p.m. Hun fired 4.2. H.Es and Gas into CONVENT LANE UNA AVENUE and AYR STREET, no casualties. Trenches knocked about a bit. 7:55p.m. A party of the Enemy about 30 strong endeavoured to silently raid our trenched at 21 Post. The Lewis Gunner caught them in the wire and fired on them and they immediately retired. A party under Lieutenant:1790A Russell Stanley BROWN went out to clean up the enemy situation, but were bombed by a second party of the Enemy from an old trench in front of N_21 Post.

As this party of the Enemy retired through PONT ROUCE it was engaged by Lieutenant: Thomas Clifton PITTAWAY and four Scouts but there were too many of them to cut off. He called Lieutenant: William Harold  RICHARDSON who had 20 men an a Lewis Gun on the right flank of PONT ROUCE as a standing Patrol. A second party of enemy got into grips with our left Patrol who fired and the Hun rapidly retired over the PONT ROUCE BRIDGE. One dead Bosche was found and several rifles, Identification normal, 7th I.R 3 M.G. Coy.  

(34th Battalion War Diary.)

30th March 1918.

9:30 am: weather wet, Battalion left CACHY and marched to BOIS LE ABBE, where they bivouacked in readiness to go forward as Counter attack troops. "B" Teams were sent to BLANGY-TRONVILLE. Battalion moved up as support Battalion to 33rd Battalion AIF who were attacking on north side of BOIS DE HANGARD and LANCERS WOOD. Battalion moved West and south of CACHY when approaching BOIS DE HANGARD advanced in Artillery formation. Battalion halted just north of BOIS DE HANGARD in position of readiness to support 33rd Battalion AIF.

6:00 pm: About 6:00 pm A Company 34th Battalion was detailed to go forward to report to Commanding Officer 33rd Battalion AIF who were on left flank of attack. In moving up A Company extended into 4 lines of skirmishes and laid down with cover fire from line near 33rd Battalion Headquarters. Officer Commanding A Company Captain: Telford Graham GILDER went forward to reconnoitre 33rd Battalion's line. B Company 33rd Battalion was found to have suffered heavy casualties and enemy were still holding the top of ridge. It was therefore decided to attack enemy's position on ridge.

Shortly before 8:00 pm A Company 34th Battalion moved forward in two waves each of two platoons. When 100 yards in rear of 33rd Battalion Head Quarters the 2nd wave inclined to the left and came up on the left of the leading wave and the whole Company attacked the ridge in one line. The enemy were driving out of what apparently was there Picquet Line where two Machine Guns were captured. The line extended its advance and drove the enemy out of his continuous line at the point of a bayonet, and advanced a further 50 yards at this point 7 prisoners were captured, 4 of whom actually went prisoners rage.

The number of enemy casualties was estimated at 60 killed and wounded. Machine Gun fire was very heavy from enemy lines on the left flank and was responsible for the death of 2nd Lieutenant: 1973 Reuben PARKES a very gallant officer and most of the casualties were suffered by this company. The enemy continuous trench system was then occupied for about 2 hours. In the meantime patrols were sent out to the right flank to try to establish communication with the 33rd Battalion AIF. These patrols encountered enemy posts behind our own line on this flank. Touch was eventually gained through a patrol of the 33rd Battalion under Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. On information received from Lieutenant: 916 Robert Cecil KING That it was impossible for the 33rd Battalion to push forward on to the line which the 34th Battalion were holding, it was decided to move back to the line which the 33rd Battalion had then dug in on about 250 yards to our rear.

We then dug in our men filling a gap of about 650 yards in the 33rd Battalion line apparently the enemy did not discover our tactical withdrawal until sometime later at about 1:30 am, the enemy appeared on the sky line advancing in extended order. This apparent counter attack was completely broken up by our Machine Gun and Lewis Gun fire. About 3:00 am "A" Company 34th Battalion were relieved by a Survey Regiment Company then moved to CACHY. "B" Company 34th Battalion also occupied a position in 33rd Battalion line but did no actual fighting and had no casualties.

34th Battalion War Diary

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

The Strength of the 9th Infantry Brigade was about 2,250 but their casualties during the 2 days of fighting numbered 30 Officers and 635 men either killed in action or missing.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.4th-5th April 1918

33rd Battalion. AIF 3 Officers 82 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 120 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 282 Other ranks (including 44 missing)
36th Battalion. AIF 12 Officers 133 Other ranks (including 1 missing)
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 1 Officer 18 Other ranks (including 4 missing)

At 1.00 am on 14th June a minor operation was carried out by Sergeant: 784 Percy Clifton MUDFORD D.C.M. M.M. The stokes Mortars put over a heavy Barrage of 300 rounds, and at a given signal switched to the flank. The Party entered the Trench, killing one and taking two prisoners. The raid only occupied seven minutes, the only casualty, unfortunately, being Corporal: 2078 Arthur HARPER, killed. "Harper was not killed only wounded"  The enemy Trenches were found to be in good condition, about 6 feet deep, with a series of Posts joined by tunnels which served as Dugouts. There was no wire in front of the Trenches.

Glen was Wounded in Action on the 12th June 1918 and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before he was admitted to hospital before he was demobilised back to England returning to Australia on board the "Sardina" before he was discharged from the AIF on the 21st July 1917.

Family Information

Glen was a single 20 year old School Teacher from Savernake Public School upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Glen was appointed as a School Teacher on the 5th September 1912 at the Savernake School, in the Southern Riverina, New South Wales. After returning from the Great War in 1919 he married Mary Wilson in 1921. Tumut, New South Wales. 

Public School Savernake, New South Wales. Established 1884.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/12/2025.

Private: 2902 William John BOZEAT

by

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2902 William J0hn BOZEAT

Born: 5th August 1895. Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:1900/1895.

 Died: 3rd June 1953. Paddington, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:9276/1953.

Father: Joseph Henry Bozeat. (1862-1949) Died at Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:27334/1949.

Mother: Margaret Mary Bozeat. nee: Hill. (1868-1921) Died at Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

INFORMATION

William John Bozeat enlisted with the AIF on the on the 7th November 1916 in Sydney and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A "Beltana" on the 26th November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport England on the 29th January 1917. William was marched in to the Details Camp at Fovant and was later admitted to the Military Hospital on the 6th February with a STYE. He was discharged 2 days later to Details Camp and on the 30th March he attended a District Court Martial at Fovant. 

Charge Striking his superior officer Sergeant: 2859 Glen Ovens BOYLE after he had been informed he had been marked absent from tattoo roll call. Charge Threatening and abusive language to a superior officer. Guilty both charges. To be sentenced to 6 months Detention at the Detention Barracks at Chelmsford.

Detention Barracks Chelmsford, England. 

On the 13th August 1917, William proceeded overseas for France from Durrington Camp after he had been discharged from Detention and was taken on in strength with the 34th Battalion in the field on the 28th August. William wad illegally absent from roll call on the 1st September and he faced Military Hearing on the 20th November. 

Charge Illegally Absented himself without leave from the 34th Battalion from the 1st September 1917 and that he is still absent. Tried and Sentenced to 5 years Hard Labour. William was apprehended on the 21st October at Boulogne and admitted to the 39th General Hospital. Upon his discharge he was transferred under Guard to the 7th Convalescent Depot in France.

On the 22nd November William escaped from custody and was arrested at Baillieu on the 27th of November. After he was apprehended he was later transferred to a Military Compound on the 6th December and after a few weeks was admitted to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station with Inflammation of the Eye Lids. The next day William was not in his hospital bed and was Absent again. He was again arrested at Boulogne on the 12th January 1918. 

Whilst William was being transferred from Rouen to Havre he escaped from custody on the 16th of January and was arrested 2 days later in Paris on the 18th of January. 

26th February 1918

District Court Martial. Charge Desertion 

 

 

 

 

before he was escorted back to England.     

 served only 3 weeks with 34Bn in France; at war's end his 10 year sentence was commuted; RTA 04Jul1919; Disch.28Jul1919.

 

 

 

Lot 1395    SESSION 8 (11.30AM WEDNESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $120

PAIR: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19.2902 Pte. W.J.Bozeat. 34-Bn. A.I.F. Both medals impressed. Ribbons poor, medals toned fine - very fine.

Ex Josh Richardson 6/1/1992.

 

Family Information

William was a single 21 year old motor mechanic from Cowra, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. William had a rather checked past spending time onboard the Training Ship "SOBRAON" after being first convicted of stealing when he was only 13 years of age.

The Vernon and Sobraon were ships that served as all-boy public industrial schools and reformatories. The Vernon was replaced by the Sobraon in 1892 and both were moored in Sydney Harbour during their use from 1867-1911.

Boys under the age of 16 were sent to these schools by Justices of the Peace. The children would remain there until they were apprenticed out after the age of 12, discharged, or reached 18 years of age. The schools included religious instruction, moral, industrial, and nautical training, as well as elementary schooling.

Cowra Guardian and Lachlan Agricultural Recorder (NSW : 1898 - 1907), Saturday 3 March 1906, page 2

Police Court.

TUESDAY, 27th ULTIMO. (Before Mr. West, J.P)

William Bozeat, 10 years, was charged with stealing 10s, the property of Ernest. Frost. Constable Hill deposed: On the 13th instant, in consequence of something I was told, I went to the Public School and saw the boy William Bozeat there and said to him, " Were you round at Frost's Shop this morning he replied "yes" and I said "what did you get there?" he replied " A pound of steak," I said " Did you take anything else from there'." he replied "No;" I said "Are you sure you didn't take any money out of the till there, he replied " I picked some up at the new building outside the shop.

I said " What did you do with it" and he replied " I spent it;" said " Where did you spend it?" he replied "At Henry's, I bought some lollies there;"  I said "How much did you spend there?" he replied " Sixpence, that was all that I had." I then called another boy, Sid Muir, who was with him that morning and said to him "Did you see " Willie Bozeat with any money this morning he replied " Yes;" I said . " Do you know where he got it ?" he replied "He told me he got it at Frost's "I said" Do you know what he said "did with it;" he replied " He spent sixpence at Henry's, and gave a shilling to his brother who shouted a lemon squash for me at Fogarty's;" I said " Do you know what he did with the rest of the money ?" he replied " I think he planted it behind the play shed near the tank.

I then looked and found the money, which I produce, behind the tank in the school play ground; I found 8/6 in sixpences and threepences; I said to Willie Bozeat "Are you sure you did not take this from Frost's till, he replied" No I picked it up at the new building outside Frost's shop?' then took accused down to Frost's shop, and said to the shopman, Morrow, "Is this the boy that you saw behind the counter in the shop this morning before you missed the money " he replied " Yes, that is the boy." Then took the boy to the lock up. Ernest Frost, butcher, deposed: My butcher's shop is situated in Macquarie street; was at the shop between half past four and five o'clock on the morning of the 18th instant, and left it about seven o'clock; before leaving the shop I gave the shopman a small parcel containing 10/- in small change, and told him to put it in the till the change consisted of sixpences and threepences it was rolled up in a piece of newspaper besides my shopman Morrow only the assistant shopman had the right to go to the till; the assistant only had authority to serve customers and go to the till in the absence of the shopman did not give the boy, Willie Bozeat, any authority to go to the till.

John Albert Morrow, butcher, deposed. I am shopman for Mr. Ernest Frost; on the morning of the 13th instant prior to Mr. frost leaving the shop he handed me a parcel of small silver. I did not open the parcel but put it in the till just as it was this was half full in the till at the time, shortly after the boy, Willie Bozeat, came in and asked for a pound of rump steak I gave him the steak and he gave me a shilling when I went to the till to put in the till. Had gone while the boy was in the shop I was in the salt house and out of sight of the till for some little time the till is behind the counter and the boy was standing about eighteen inches from it, at the corner of the counter, he wasn't behind the counter but parallel with the back of the counter at the end the counter is about four feet long the till was not locked the slaughterman, who comes up to give us a hand, was present at the time the boy was in the shop did not give the boy or anybody else authority to take the money out of the till nobody else came in while the boy was there he was the first customer that morning.

To accused's father I was in the salt house when the boy came into the shop and did not know he was there until I came out. He listed for the steak when I came out of the Salt house. Sydney Muir deposed. I live with my father and mother and attend the public at Cowra, remember the 13th instant when Constable Hill went round to the school,  know Willie Bozeat saw him first on that morning at school about nine o'clock, he asked me to go down to Henry's with him as he was going to get some lollies he did not say if he had any money went down to Henry's with him and bought some lollies with sixpence which Willie's brother gave me. Joe told me his brother got the money from Frosts. I went back to school and saw Joe with some money, he said be had 10/- and that Willie had got it at Frost's. Willie was there and he did not say anything either Willie or Joe had the money in their pockets. I did not know where they put it all and did not tell Constable Hill where they put it.  The accused pleaded guilty and was released on probation with his father for a period of three years. 

Trove

Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 - 1945), Thursday 19 January 1911, page 2

STARTED AT THIRTEEN.

A respectably dressed youth, named William John Bozeat, 17, appeared before Mr Barnett, at Paddington. on Monday. He had been convicted last week of stealing a lady's silver watch and about 5/- in money, the property of Emanuel Guiffre, at Paddington, on January, 3rd. According to the evidence given last week, the accused went into the shop of the prosecutor, who is a fruiterer carrying on business in Gurner Street, and took the things ill question, the shop at that time being in charge of a boy. The Magistrate said the accused had been remanded for inquiries, and it seemed he had been convicted in 1906 when he was only 13 years old, of stealing from a till in a butcher's shop at Cowra, and was dealt with at the Children's Court. He would now be lined £5., in default, two months hard labour.

Trove

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), Tuesday 28 February 1911, page 2

A Suspected Youth.

William John Bozeat, a youth, appeared before the Bathurst police court yesterday, on a charge of being a suspected person, found on the premises of the Grand, Occidental and Cosmopolitan Hotels. Constable Prowse gave evidence of arrest. Accused, in his evidence, admitted visiting the hotels in question, but said, that he had gone there in search of a jockey named Tom McKell, with whom he had come from Lithgow a few days previously. He also admitted that five years ago he had been before the court at Cowra, on a charge of stealing, and that about a month ago he had been fined £5, or two months, in Sydney, for stealing a watch. As there was some doubt as to whether the accused was under the age 0f 16 years and should, therefore, be dealt with before the Children's Court, a remand for eight days was granted to permit of enquiries being made.

Trove

New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), Wednesday 30 August 1911 (No.35), page 322

Deserting Wives and Families, Service, etc.

Dundas.—Description of Jeremiah Cronin, William John Bozeat, Herman Schumacher, and James Stanford, respectively, who, on the 17th and 18th July last, absconded from Brush Farm Home, Dundas, Cronin is 15½ years of age, 5. feet 5¾ inches high, ordinary build, sallow complexion, brown hair, blue eyes; supposed to have gone to Queensland. Bozeat is 16 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, ordinary build, ruddy complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, “W.B.” tattooed on right arm. Schumacher is 15 years of age, 5 feet 3 inches high, stout build, dark complexion, hair, and eyes; scar on right wrist. Stanford is 16 years and 9 months of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, ordinary build, dark complexion and hair, brown eyes; scar on shin. All dressed in institution clothing. All these boys were formerly on the N.S.S. “Sobraon,” and may go to the country. Arrest desired. (Cronin since returned to the Institution.)

Trove

Medical Record N.S.S. Sobraon William John Bozeat.

New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), Wednesday 29 May 1912 (No.22), page 223

First Offenders Discharged under Crimes Act , of 1900.

The following offenders have been released under the provisions of the above Act:—

John Hancock (28), tried at the Central Police Court on 16th May, 1912, stealing; sentence, six months’ hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

Ralph Murray Elrington (17), tried at the Manly Police Court on 19th April, 1912, stealing; sentence, three months’ hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months, to leave Australia for Fiji by the first steamer, and not to return for twelve months.

Malcolm Leslie Part (17) tried at the North Sydney Police Court on 16th May, 1912, receiving; sentence, six weeks’ hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

Albert Birchall (17), tried at the North Sydney Police Court on 16th May, 1912, receiving; sentence, two months’ hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

Sydney Mutkins (16), tried at the North Sydney Police Court on 16th May, 1912, stealing; sentence, two months’ hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

William Patrick Ryan (22) and William John Bozeat (17), tried at the Burwood Police Court on 23rd May, 1912, play two-up; sentence, fourteen days’ hard labour each. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

Arthur Raymond Whittall (24), Harry Halley (19), and Alfred Craig (18), tried at the Burwood Police Court on 23rd May, 1912, play two-up ; sentence, one month hard labour each. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

Leslie Purcell (19) and Alfred Stevens (21), tried at the Burwood Police Court on 23rd May, 1912, play two-up ; sentence, one month hard labour each. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.

New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), Wednesday 4 September 1912 (No.36), page 358

Apprehensions.

Vide Police Gazette, 1911, page 322.

William John Bozeat (17), charged with absconding from the Brush Farm Home, Dundas, has been arrested by Senior-constable Wilson and Constable Carman, Sydney Police, upon information supplied by Constables Bain and Love, Cowra Police, and returned to the institution.

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Saturday 23 July 1927, page 18

HE KEPT BAD COMPANY

Thief Who Has to Serve Six Months' Gaol

 "The company I have been keeping, led me into, this trouble," said William Bozeat (31), waiter, at the Central Police Court yesterday, when Mr. Laidlaw convicted him 0f two. counts of stealing from motor cars. Bozeat was charged with having stolen a four-valve wireless set, valued at "£20. the property of Alexander Borthwick, and with having stolen a suitcase and articles of jewellery and clothing valued at £60, the property of Mr John Agnew Thompson. The police evidence stated that the goods were stolen from stationary motor cars, the wireless set from Borthwick's car in Hunter Street, and the other articles from Thompson's car in Campbell Street. Examining defendant's record of police convictions, Mr. Laidlaw. S.M., remarked.' It looks as if you have been a thief, judging by this record. Defendant was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on each charge.

Trove

Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), Thursday 13 November 1930, page 3

UNLICENSED HAWKER

William John Bozeat, 30, on a charge of hawking without holding a license was, at the, Goulburn Police Court to-day, fined 10/, in default three days' gaol. Constable Hickman said that Bozeat had been hawking phonograph records, needles and ties. He did not have a license.

Trove

Joseph Henry Bozeat. (1862-1949)

Military Records

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Private: 3284 William COLEMAN.

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36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3284 William COLEMAN.

Born: 1886. Michelango.  New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1907. Grafton, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife: Grace Violet Coleman. nee: Forbes. (1891-1978)

Died: 20th November 1917. Died of Disease. Fovant, England.

Father: Joseph Henry Downs. (1849-18..)

Mother: Matilda Coleman. nee: Barber. (1863-1923) Died at Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:7549/1923.

INFORMATION

William Coleman enlisted with the AIF on the ...8th Reinforcements 36th Battalion AIF.

 

William died from .....and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the

United Kingdom: England, Wiltshire, Fovant. March 1919.
Graves of Australian soldiers in the Fovant Churchyard. Identified, left to right, front row: 3662 Private (Pte) Louis Watt, 28th Battalion, killed in action 1 November 1917; 3284 Pte William Coleman, 36th Battalion, died 20 November 1917, aged 34 years; 7179 Pte Frank Leslie Gardner, 17th Battalion, died of sickness 7 March 1918; 1992 Pte John Wright, 41st Battalion, died of sickness 28 March 1918. Credit : AWM.

Fovant Churchyard England.

Grave of Private: 3284 William COLEMAN (1886-1917)
Brother Private: 7555 Arnold COLEMAN 25th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion AIF.

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Friday 11 May 1923, page 4

OBITUARY.

The death took place on Wednesday morning in hospital at Kempsey of Mrs. Matilda Coleman, aged 60. Her husband predeceased her some six years

ago. Mrs. Coleman's only daughter died some seven years ago. There are three sons living, Arnold Coleman, of Kempsey, Charles Coleman, of Queensland, and Bert Coleman, of Victoria. The late Mrs. Coleman's four sons enlisted for active service and did their bit on the other side, Pte. William Coleman being killed in action. The fourth son, Pte. Charles Coleman, was later rejected. The late Mrs. Coleman, who was a Miss Barber, had been living on the Macleay since she was a little girl. There are five sisters living: Mrs. Thompson, of Macksville; Mrs. W. Nelson, of Nambucca Heads; Mrs. D. Nelson, of East Kempsey; Mrs. Clarke (Pymble), and Mrs. Adams (Macksville). The brothers are Mr. Arthur Barber, of Kempsey, and Messrs. Andy, George, and Charlie Barber. The funeral under the conduct of Mr. Jos. T. Walker, left the Church of England, Frederickton, on Thursday afternoon, after a short service, and proceeded to the Church of England Cemetery, Frederickton, where the body was interred. The Rev. C. J. Chambers conducted the service and officiated at the graveside.

Trove

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Private: 2181 David Joseph GALE

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35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2181 David Joseph GALE "Joe"

Born: 4th March 1891. Taree, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:34058/1891.

Died: 11th May 1936. Swansea, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6906/1936.

Father: John Thomas Gale. (1849-1928) Died in Taree, New South Wales, Australia.

Mother: Mary Ann Gale. nee: Clune. (1865-1934) Died at Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia.

INFORMATION

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
89 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 13th May 1936, Private David Joseph Gale, referred to as Joe, 35th Battalion (Reg No-2181), engine cleaner or loco fireman from Wynter Street, Taree, New South Wales and High Street, Taree, N.S.W. (1917) and Boyd Street, Swansea, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 45. CATHOLIC 2-32. 53.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Tuesday 12 May 1936, page 8

WAR PENSIONER'S DEATH Joseph Gale, 44 a war pensioner was found dead yesterday in a house in Swansea, in which he had been living alone for some time. He had apparently been dead some 30 hours. Detective Sergeant Alford and Detective Emmerson, from Newcastle, went to Gale's house last night, accompanied by Constable Toby to investigate. They found that Gale had fallen off of his bed, but were satisfied that there were no suspicious  circumstances.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139225581 - funeral notice states service.
Never married.
Born at Taree, New South Wales on the 4th March 1891 to John Thomas, died?, and Mary Ann Gale, died?, from 145 High Street, Taree, New South Wales, Joe enlisted on the 8th May 1916 at Werris Creek, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A68 Anchises on the 24th August 1916.
Disembarked Devonport, England 11.10.1916.
Wounded in action - 11.7.1917 (GSW abdomen, chest & right elbow).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166794204 - report that Joe had been wounded.
Invalided to England 21.7.1917.
Granted furlough from 30.8.1917 to 13.9.1917.
Commenced return to Australia 26.9.1917.
Joe arrived home on the 22nd November 1917, being discharged medically unfit on the 27th December 1917.
Mr. Gale’s name has been inscribed on the Taree War Memorial Clock Tower and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
I have placed poppies at Joe’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Grave of Private: 2181 David Joseph Gale (1891-1936)
Service record states Died after Discharge, 11/5/1936.
Older brother Charles Henry Ernest, born 11.11.1884, Taree, New South Wales, single labourer from Scone, N.S.W., enlisted 24.10.1916, 53rd Battalion, Reg No-3154, wounded in action - 21.3.1918 (gassed), RTA 9.8.1919, died 31.12.1956, Taree, N.S.W., age 72, resting at Dawson River Cemetery, Taree, N.S.W., officially commemorated – https://connect.dva.gov.au/.../viewCommemoration.html....
Older brother John David M.M., born 7.12.1887, Taree, New South Wales, single horse driver from Wynter Street, Taree, N.S.W., enlisted 25.2.1915, 13th Battalion, Reg No-4777, awarded Military Medal 29.8.1918, DOD (pneumonia), 13.5.1919, age 31, resting at Plumstead Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa, Plot B1, Row UL, Grave 49 -
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Mitchell: May 2025.
Military Records

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Sergeant: 775 James Arnold HARRIS.

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36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 775 James Arnold HARRIS. MID

Born: 25th May 1897. Peak Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:38083/1897.

Married: 1929. Parkes, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:13885/1929.

Wife: Mary Grace Harris. nee: Gallagher. (1909-1980) 

Died: 25th May 1970. District Hospital, Peak Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: William Harris. (1866-1906)

Mother: Alice Mary Harris. nee: O'Sullivan. (1862-1937)

INFORMATION

James Arnold Harris enlisted with the AIF on the 31st January 1916 with the rank of Private on the 31st January 1916. James was a member of the Peak Hill Rifle Club prior to his enlistment, and 

24th June 1918

Mentioned in Despatches

33rd Battalion AIF. Sergeant: 775 James Arnold HARRIS. "For conspicuous gallantry on the afternoon of 21st June 1918, North East of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. This N.C.O. was one of a party of four N.C.Os. who accompanied Lieutenant: 896 Albert Marshall "Jack" WIDDY. MM on a daylight reconnaissance of NO MAN'S LAND. While on this reconnaissance two German's were observed seated in enemy front line. The party entered the enemy trench in an endeavour to capture the two German's and during the encounter which ensued, Sergeant HARRIS showed great gallantry and fearlessness. His action was an inspiration to the whole of the Battalion.

Peak Hill Rifle Club Members who answered to call.

Family Information

Narromine News and Trangie Advocate (NSW : 1898 - 1955), Friday 30 August 1929, page 5

A quiet wedding was celebrated in
Parkes on Wednesday afternoon last,
when Miss Grace Gallagher, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs Jas. Gallagher, of
Peak Hill, was united in the holy
bonds of matrimony with Mr. James
Harris, of Yeronga Park, Peak Hill.
Military Records

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Sergeant: 512 James NASH.

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35th BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 512 James NASH.

Born: 1876. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1909. Waterloo via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:12866/1909.

Wife: Amelia Nash. nee: Trembath.

Died: 22nd August 1918. Killed in Action. Bray-sur-Somme, France. 

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATION

James Nash enlisted with the AIF on the 8th January 1916 and was an original member of the Battalion

 

On the 24th February 1917, James was promoted to Sergeant when Sergeant: 28 Eric Burton Elliott CHAPMAN received his commission after being transferred from the 33rd Battalion. 

 

James was Killed in Action at Bray on the 22nd August 1918 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Cote-80-French National-Cemetery.

Cote-80-French National-Cemetery

 

Family Information

James was a married 35 year old Labourer from 8 MacCormack Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. He lived in Waterloo via Sydney on the 18th April 1905 and married Amelia Trembath in 1909 at Waterloo, N.S.W.

Military Records

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Private: 1696 Alexander SUTHERLAND.

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36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION  AIF

Private: 1696 Alexander SUTHERLAND.

Born: 28th August 1895. "Dunbury" Macdonald River, Walcha, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 25th June 1925. Ashford, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife: Lillian Thelma Sutherland. nee: Kimmorley. (1904-1956)

Died: 9th February 1971. Newtown, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 

Father: Daniel Sutherland. (1853-1946) Died at Ashford via Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Mother: Mary Jane Sutherland. nee: Grieve. (1857-1934) Died at Ashford via Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

INFORMATION

Inverell Times 1916.

28th March 2016

At the Inverell railway station on Tuesday 28 March 1916 there was another send off for twenty district volunteers.  They were photographed by Mr. H.A. Robertson and the Austral Band played ‘patriotic selections’ as final goodbyes were made.

The previous night these men marched from the Orderly room to the Town Hall for a formal farewell function conducted by the Mayor, Ald. G.B. Ring. After the usual spirited speeches and some musical items, Private Robertson spoke on behalf of the volunteers, thanking the community for their kindness.

The Inverell Times newspaper 28 March 1916 recorded the following names of volunteers in this group:

The Fighting Sutherlands of Inverell, N.S.W.

Family Information

Andrew married Lillian Thelma Kimmorley on the 25th June 1925 which was the first wedding to take place at the St Marks Church of England at Ashford New South Wales. Andrew was buried at the North Ryde City Cemetery. 

 

25th December 1899

Back row, left to right (standing): Bill Sutherland, Mary (nee Grieve) Sutherland, Mary McKenzie, Jessie McKenzie, Eva McKenzie, John (Jack) Sutherland with violin.

Middle row, left to right (standing): Nell Sutherland, Janet Sutherland (Sharon's G Grandmother) Maggie McKenzie, Duncan McKenzie, Grace Sutherland.

Front row: George Off screen at the bottom of the photo is Robert Sutherland two smaller unknown children) and Dave Sutherland.

Mary Jane Grieves was born on board the "John Bunyan" off the Cape of Good Hope on the 20th September 1857 and arrived in Australia on the 27th October 1857. She married Daniel Sutherland at "Brickwall" Walcha, New South Wales on the 26th December 1877. Daniel and Mary moved the family to Ashford. They brought a Settlers Lease of 5,720 acres and named it 'Glencoe'. Glencoe was on the Severn River and not long after arriving he cleared some bush and was one of the first wheat growers in the region. Supplies were brought in every 3 months. Mail was available once a week and the nearest mail route was 3 miles away. At this stage Daniel and Mary had 11 children.

Daniel and Mary had five sons enlist and serve in WW1. The four that deployed were: Private: David SUTHERLAND (29), Private: 880 Robert SUTHERLAND. 33rd Battalion AIF (24) (KIA), Sergeant: 789 George SUTHERLAND. MM 33rd Battalion AIF (22) Private:1696 Alexander SUTHERLAND. 36th-33rd Battalion AIF. (19) and Private: 90124 Adam SUTHERLAND. 

In 1920 Braeside was sold and Daniel and Mary moved to Ashford Glencoe, New South Wales, Australia. Both were active in town and regional affairs. Daniel was the delegate for the Farmers and Settlers, The Graziers Association and Bush Nursing.

Ancestry.

CRAIGBURN PROVINCIAL SCHOOL 18th June 1901.

The Craigburn Provincial School was started by Daniel Sutherland for his children to have an education. 

Daniel Sutherland. (1853-1946)

Mary Jane Sutherland. nee: Grieve. (1857-1934)

Alexander was Cremated et the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. 

Military Records

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Private: 2892 William REARDON

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33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2892 William REARDON

Born: 1880. Tumut, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:25408/1880.

Died: 1943. Gundgai, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:9620/1943.

Father: John Hardy Reardon. 

Mother: Susanna Reardon. 

INFORMATION

No.2892 William REARDON was a 36-year-old Labourer from Cootamundra when he successfully enlisted in the AIF on the 28th of September 1916. He had initially tried to enlist in the AIF on the 25th of August 1915 but had been discharged on the 6th of November as being “Medically Unfit for Military Service”.
He embarked from Australia as a member of the 6th Reinforcements to the 33rd Battalion on board the HMAT (A72) ‘Beltana’, that sailed from Sydney on the 25th of November 1916 and disembarked in England on the 29th of January 1917. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled by train to Salisbury-Plain in Wiltshire, where they marched into the Australian Details Camp. On the 3rd of March 1917 he marched into the 9th Training Battalion to begin his training.
The hard training and cold weather did not treat him kindly, and he soon reported sick. A subsequent medical-board again found him “Medically Unfit for Military Service”.
On the 3rd of August he was transferred to No.2 Command Depot at Weymouth, and on the 27th of September he was returned to Australia for discharge, suffering from ‘chronic rheumatism’.
He was discharged from the AIF on the 24th of December 1917. He was issued a ‘Returned Soldier’s Badge’ and later received the ‘British War Medal’.
Bill Durrant. November 2023.

Family Information

William was a single 34 year old Labourer from Bretts Hotel Cootamundra, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. His brother Bradford Reardon was recorded as his next of kin. 

Military Record

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Private:1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON.

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33rd BATTALION AIF

Private:1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON

Born: 1897. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 

Died: 28th July 1918. Killed in Action. Villers-Bretonneux, France. 

Father: Colin Porteous Wilson. (1870-1904)

Mother: Georgina Josephine Hubbard. nee: Wilson nee: Mant. (1870-1941) 

INFORMATION

St Mark’s Drummoyne, Great War Memorial 1914 – 1918
At the entrance to St Mark’s Church is a Memorial Board on which is recorded the names of ten men from parish families that served and died in World War I.
We honour their spirit and we ask that you to remember them in your prayers

 

Bugler: Colin Godfrey WILSON

26th September 1918.

Informant: Private: 718 Arthur BYRNE. "Private:1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON was a mate of mine and we both came from Moree, N.S.W. where we had long known each other. He was killed at Sailly Laurette while we were holding the lines, a minewerfer bomb killed him instantaneously and he is buried in the cemetery at Boa.

Westham Camp, England.

2nd October 1918.

Informant: Lieutenant: 1470 Leslie Roy BELL. " Private:1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON was killed outright by an almost direct hit from a shall at 11:00 A.M. towards the end of July 1918 during our attack at Sailly Laurette. I saw his body immediately after. It was taken out and buried I believe in a Cemetery at Vaux-sur-Somme. There was no other Wilson in the same platoon but I think no relation who was wounded by a shell and come home. They were in 13th Platoon of D Company and the one man that was killed was C.G. He was a fair tallish man about 22".

3rd London General Hospital.

Wandsworth, England.   

9th October 1918.

Informant; Corporal: 1242 George Easter STARK. D Company 33rd Battalion. Corporal: 1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON was in No: 13 Platoon "D" Company, and I saw him killed at Sailly-le-Sec when death was  instantaneous. I was quite close to him in the trench in the front line at the time of casualty which happened in the night time. He was hit by fragments of shell on the body and head. I knew him well and he lived near Sydney New South Wales and was driving a milk round prior to enlisting: he used to be a bugler in the Company. I cannot give any further details of his burial, but he was sure to be buried. Refer to Corporal HADKINS W 1142, C Coy 33rd Bn, who is now in England wounded, for he saw him killed and I think he took his belongings.

Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England. 

Grave of Private: 1303 Colin Godfrey WILSON

Villers Bretonneux Military Cemetery

 Family Information

Colin was a single 19 year old Porter from the Imperial Hotel at Moree, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF, he also had an older brother, William Robert Wilson, who enlisted in 1917, and a sister, Amy Wilson who lived with her mother at “Turon”, 16 Therry Street Drummoyne.

Georgina Josephine Wilson. nee: Mant. (1870-1941) 

Georgina Josephine Wilson. nee: Mant. (1870-1941) 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 18/05/2022-19/06/2022.

Private/Gunner: 1378 John DICKINSON

by

 

9th Light Trench Mortar Battery - 34th Battalion AIF

Private/Gunner: 1378 John DICKINSON

Born: 1890. Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England.

Married: 1916. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:12518/1916.

Wife: Margaret Dickinson. nee: Walker.

Died:

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATION

4th August 1917.

Informant: Private: 1378 John DICKINSON. A Company 3 Platoon. Lieutenant: Ernest SHANNON was in A Company 3 Platoon. I had known him for 2 or 3 months; he was an Officer commanding my platoon. There was no other Officer of this name in the Battalion. I saw his grave at Camp Dump close to Messines in the new Military Cemetery there just by Clearing Cross at Ploegsteert Wood. There was a rough cross with his name, Battalion and rank on it. I could point it out.

Australian Camp, Rouelles, France.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 12/01/2022.