Brigade and Battalion History

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM.

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1st BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM. MM

Born: 1899. Nymagee, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:5666/1899.

Married: 23rd May1919. Perth, Scotland. Marriage Cert:ME:8944.

Wife: Margaret Adams. Canham. nee: Young. (1898-1968) Died at St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:28181/1968.

Died: 15th April 1978. Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Victoria Death Cert:978/7940.

Father: William Charles Canham. (1869-1945)

Mother: Emma Canham. nee: Miller. (1865-1931)

INFORMATION

John Ernest Canham enlisted with the AIF  on the 14th January 1916 in Sydney before being marched in the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion AIF. Albert embarked from Sydney with the reinforcements on the 10th February 1917 on board HMAT "Osterly" for England and disembarked at Devonport on the 11th of April 1917. 

Albert was marched in the the Durrington Army Camp with the 1st Training Battalion where he and the reinforcements settled down to training and camp routine. 

 

12th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM. 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon. I know that Private: 7720 William Archibald CAMPBELL 35th Battalion AIF. B Company No: 5 Platoon with the Battalion on February 5th 19188, was with Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE. when he was killed. They were both stretcher bearers and CAMPBELL could give you full information. MENERE came with the 24th Reinforcements. He was a very thick set man, about 5ft 8" slightly grey in B VI. He came from Melbourne and was an engineer of some sort. 

No:2 Australian General Hospital

Boulogne, France. 

7 September 1918.

MILITARY MEDAL

Private: 7221 John Ernest CANHAM 35th Battalion AIF. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at CURLU on 28th August 1918. Private CANHAM was a Company Runner and throughout our attack repeatedly carried messages from his Company Commander to the rear and in doing so had to pass through very heavy shell and machine gun fire. All his messages  were delivered expeditiously and throughout the attack he set a fine example of courage, determination and cheerfulness.  

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 15 September 1919 on page 1364 at position 120.

London Gazette 14th May 1919 on page 6056 at position 24.

 

Returned to Australia 9 Aug 1919.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/11/2024.

Lieutenant: 356 Leslie John AVERY. MM

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35th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant: 356 Leslie John AVERY. MM

Born:  1891. Lansdowne via Taree, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:34105/1891. 

Married: 1928. Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:10020/1928.

Wife: Hilda Mabel M Avery. nee: Harrison. (1898-1967) Hamilton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:31792/1967.

Died: 18th June 1955. Hamilton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13300/1955. 

Father: George Robert Avery. (1832-1916)

Mother: Eliza Ann Avery. nee: Crittenden. (1844-1940)

INFORMATION

Leslie John Avery enlisted with the AIF 25th November 1915 at West Maitland, N.S.W. Leslie went onto camp at Rutherford before he was marched in the the Broadmeadow Army Camp were he was allocated to B Company 35th Battalion AIF as an original member where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the 29th April 1916. 

The first ANZAC Day commemorated at Newcastle on 25th April 1916 was attended by thousands of people. A Parade in the morning was followed by several church services and afterwards the 35th and 36th Battalions re-formed and returned to the Gardner Memorial in Hunter Street for wreath laying. In the evening a Concert was held in King Edward Park.

This was surely a poignant day in Newcastle, for as the citizens gathered to remember the young men who had fallen at Gallipoli, they knew that before the end of the month the men of 35th regiment (Newcastle's Own) and the 36th regiment - their sons, brothers, husbands, sweethearts and friends, would embark on their own voyage towards the perils of war.

Newcastle yesterday paid impressive tribute to the memory of the Anzac landing, and the Australians and New Zealanders who fell in that historic fight on Gallipoli. From early morning crowds thronged into the city from the suburbs and from the adjacent centres. Business was practically suspended during the forenoon, for major attention was devoted to the observances arranged by the committee, headed by the Mayor, and the Returned Soldiers' Association.

But though crowds thronged the city streets, there was no appearance of carnival, rather there was an appropriate air of quiet reverence, though the tinge of pride in the achievements of the Australians and New Zealanders was not absent. The services held in churches of all denominations after the military procession were very largely attended. A great many of the ships and other business places, as well as vehicles, were draped in black and purple, and there was also a free display of bunting, all flying at half-mast, and in which the public offices and the ships in port participated.

The procession was formed up at the junction of Porcher street and Hunter street West, and proceeding through the city, was composed of the Naval Band, Naval Contingent, Returned Soldiers. Veterans, Naval Reserves, 35th Battalion with band, 36th Battalion and band, 16th Infantry Band, and Military Cadets. It was a lengthy procession, and the marching of the sailors and soldiers excited admiration. The returned soldiers were greeted with lusty cheering. which was doubled in honour of a number not sufficiently recovered to be able to walk, and a couple of whom were blind, who were conveyed in motor cars.

The two battalions - the 35th and 36th, in training at Broadmeadow were also greeted with encouraging cheers. All the various units of both battalions were in the parade. As the procession passed the Gardner memorial to fallen soldiers in front of the Post Office, beside which were Alderman M. J. Moroney, Mayor of Newcastle, Commander Frank Gardner, the donor, senior military officers, and relatives of deceased soldiers - were impressively saluted. As the procession left Hunter-street and proceeded up Watt street, contingents of men fell out, and were marched to their respective churches, whilst the remainder proceeded to the Cathedral. The soldiers attended the memorial services in large numbers, and so did the civilians.

After the church services the procession was re-formed in Hunter-street, and assembling in the neighbourhood of the Gardner memorial awaited the striking of midday. At that hour a gun was fired from Fort Scratchley, and immediately the band of the 36th Battalion played the National Anthem, all traffic was suspended, and 60 seconds silence was observed. The various units in the procession were immediately afterwards dispersed. During the forenoon proceedings a large number of wreaths were placed on the Gardner memorial, over which was spread the Union Jack and the Australian ensign. The wreaths included tributes from the Mayor and Mayoress, the Northern Branch of the New South Wales Rugby League, Returned Soldiers' Association, the ladies' committee of the Soldiers' Club, the Newcastle Police, the Newcastle Surf Club, numerous citizens and relatives of soldiers who had fallen.

Free settlers a last farewell

Broadmeadow Station 1st May 1916

The 35th Battalion left Sydney on the 1st May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the H.M.A.T. A24 "BENALLA" with 28 Officers and 991 other ranks. The original 35th Battalion had regimental numbers between 1-1513. Compiling of Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, A Company, B Company, C Company and D Company. Arriving in England in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training. It crossed into France on the 21st November, and moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on the 26th of November, just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

Leslie was Wounded in Action ; 1st occasion on the 27th February and again on the 14th October after the big advance at Passchendaele.

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

13th October 1917.

Received instructions to take command of the front line. Issued instructions to C.O's 34th and 35th Battalions to re-organize at dawn and to hold as follows; 35th Battalion Right Battalion. 36th Battalion Centre Battalion. 34th Battalion Left Battalion. This was done and consolidation proceeded with shelling of our position immediately in rear of it was at times very heavy. 5.9-4.2 and 77 mm being used. Our bombardment of enemy points appeared to be very light and our barrages throughout the battle much lighter than any yet experienced by this battalion.

On the other hand the Boche bombardment was the heaviest I have ever experienced and only the very soft ground smothering the shell bursts very few men would have got through it. This Battalion was relieved by the 44th Battalion 11th Bde A.I.F. Relief commenced about 7:00 pm and was complete about 11:00 pm. The Battalion moving back along Railway Line to BOSTON FARM. The Battalion to up a shell hole position near JACOB'S HOUSE. All ranks very exhausted.

11th January 1918.

Informant: Sergeant: 356 Leslie John AVERY. Left of Railway cutting Ypres, Zonnebeke. Killed by a shell, I saw Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE'S body but I don't know where buried Pay Corporal Corporal: 3524A Thomas John "Jack" Jordan CLARKE. was in charge of burying at the time.

Ward 39 Harefield, England.

8th August 1918.

At about 1:00 am a halt was made a few hundred yards in rear of the assembly tape and hot cocoa was served out to the men. The approach march was over and the Battalion on the tape, which had been ably laid by Lieutenant WARLAND and his scouts by 2.30 am. The enemy was very quiet and we suffered no casualties before Zero hour which was at 4:20 am when the barrage opened and the advance commenced as per App 11. At 6:45 am the objective was reached by the most advanced troops and consolidation commenced. Tanks from the rear came forward and and formed up at the rear with the 4th Australian Division in artillery formation. At 8:20 am as the barrage lifted the whole line went forward through us as if on parade.

(35th Battalion War Diary)

Recommended for Distinguished Conduct Medal that was down graded to the Military Medal. 

13th August 1918.

MILITARY MEDAL

Temporary Company Sergeant Major: Sergeant: 356 Leslie John AVERY. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions South of the SOMME East of HAMEL on 8th August 1918. During the attack on ACCROCHE WOOD and afterwards C.M.S. AVERY displayed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in assisting his Company Commander to reorganise the Company during a very difficult advance and keep them together. He carried a spare Lewis Gun throughout the advance though heavily loaded with other stores. Throughout the entire operation he displayed fine leadership and by his bravery and fine fighting spirit inspired all with whom he came into contact."

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 17 June 1919 on page 1015 at position 23

London Gazette: 11 February 1919 on page 2143 at position 2

Leslie was detached to Cadet Training and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant  and then Lieutenant and transferred to the 34th Battalion on the 2nf February 1919 before returning to Australia on the 27th April 1919.

Family Information

Leslie was a single 24 year old Labourer from Lansdowne, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Leslie was cremated at the Beresfield Crematorium and his ashes are in the Drive Wall A1/321. Hilda was also cremated at the Beresfield Crematorium and his ashes are in the Drive Wall A1/322 next to her husband.

Grave of George Robert Avery (1832-1916) -  Eliza Ann Avery. nee: Crittenden. (1844-1940)

Lansdowne Cemetery, Mid North Coast, New South Wales.

The Northern Champion (Taree, NSW) Saturday, 3rd August, 1940. Page 4

Obituary of Eliza Ann Avery. nee: Crittenden. (1844-1940)

Military Records

Under Construction: 28/11/2024.

Private: 7234 Robert George DREW.

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1st BATTALION - 62nd BATTALION - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 7234 Robert George DREW. MM

Born: 10th September 1882. 94 Middle Street, Deal, Kent, England. 

Wife: Iris Joyce Drew. nee: Stephens. (1910-1993) Died at Killarney Vale Nursing Home, Killarney Vale, N.S.W. Death Cert:2082/1993.

Married: 7th October 1931. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:13119/1931.

Died: 15th May 1942. Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:14138/1942.

Father: John William Drew. (1858-1937)

Mother: Dorothy Drew. nee: Norris. (1852-1931)

INFORMATION

Robert George Drew enlisted with the AIF on the 29th January 1916 at the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 24th Reinforcements 1st Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT "Osterley" on the 10th February 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 11th April 1916. The Reinforcements were marched in the the No 1 Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp where they settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.

A few weeks of basic training saw Robert transferred to the 62nd Battalion before they proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 23rd August 1917 to Reinforce the 3rd Division. After going into billets Robert and a few other men were marched out to the lines and were Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion AIF on the 1st September 1917 as the Battalion was making preparation for the advance at Passchendaele. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

13th October 1917.

Received instructions to take command of the front line. Issued instructions to C.O's 34th and 35th Battalions to re-organize at dawn and to hold as follows; 35th Battalion Right Battalion. 36th Battalion Centre Battalion. 34th Battalion Left Battalion. This was done and consolidation proceeded with shelling of our position immediately in rear of it was at times very heavy. 5.9-4.2 and 77 mm being used. Our bombardment of enemy points appeared to be very light and our barrages throughout the battle much lighter than any yet experienced by this battalion.

On the other hand the Boche bombardment was the heaviest I have ever experienced and only the very soft ground smothering the shell bursts very few men would have got through it. This Battalion was relieved by the 44th Battalion 11th Bde A.I.F. Relief commenced about 7:00 pm and was complete about 11:00 pm. The Battalion moving back along Railway Line to BOSTON FARM. The Battalion to up a shell hole position near JACOB'S HOUSE. All ranks very exhausted.

Battalion War Diary.

12th July 1918.

MILITARY MEDAL

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 27 June 1918 on page 1390 at position 25.

London Gazette: 28 January 1918 on page 1402 at position 89.

 

Robert returned to Australia on the 24th August 1918 on board HMAT 'Medic" and was sent to the  No: 4 Australian General Hospital and was discharged from Hospital and the AIF as Medically Unfit for Active Service on the 27th March 1919

14th October 1918.

Informant: Private: 7234 Robert George DREW. MM. 35 Battalion AIF. "We were holding the front line trenched at Zonnebeke. Private: 7283 Albert Henri MENERE and tree other stretcher bearers were sitting on the side of a trench when a shell fell among them. A piece hit MENERE and killed him at once. He was buried where he was hit. 

No: 4 Australian General Hospital.

Randwick, New South Wales. 

Family Information

Robert served with the Imperial Navy enlisting on the 14th May 1900 service number 209885. He served on the HMS Northhampton - HMS Calliope - HMS Pembroke and HMS Jupiter and was discharged on the 8th August 1902.

 

Robert immigrated to Australia and was a single 33 year old Salvation Army Officer from the Aged Men's Retreat at Collaroy Park, Manly, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. His father John William Drew was recorded as his next of kin who lived at Middle Street, Deal, Kent, England. 

Salvation Army Men's Hostel.  Collaroy 

Robert was discharged from the No:4 Australian General Hospital at lived at "Ethelhurst" Slade Street, North Sydney before moving to Windsor.

 Iris Joyce Drew. nee: Stephens. (1910-1993) Palmdale Crematorium

Iris was Cremated on the 6th January 1993 at the Palmdale Crematorium Ourimbah, Central Coast, New South Wales. Palmdale Rose Garden 9 site 35. Robert was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium and his ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance in May 1942. 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 27/11/2024.

Sergeant: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR. MM

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR. MM

Born: 22nd January 1876. Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. 

Married 1: Louisa Taylor. nee: Upperton.

Wife 1: 21st November 1904. Potsmouth, Hampshire, England. 

Married 2: . New South Wales, Australia. 

Wife 2: Jane "Jeanie" Taylor. nee: Rowen. nee: Roy. (1869-1941) Died at Mayfield via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 

Died: 24th May 1957. Mayfield via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13735/1957.

Father: George Taylor. (1846-1920)

Mother: Ann Taylor. nee: Fairhist. (1847-....)

INFORMATION

William Ernest Taylor enlisted with the AIF at West Maitland with the AIF and was allocated to the Machine Gun Section 35th Battalion AIF on the 27th November 1915 with the rank of Corporal. Bill and left Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916.

William proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916. 

On the 16th June 1917 William was promoted from Corporal to Temporary Sergeant after Sergeant: FRANCIS was Wounded in Action and taken off strength when he was evacuated from the lines. 

William was promoted to Sergeant on the 9th August 1917 when Sergeant: 357 Joseph Francis ADAMS received his Commission as Second Lieutenant.

MILITARY MEDAL

24th June 1917. Corporal: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR 35th Battalion AIF. 

Commonwealth Gazette: 20 December 1917 on page 3378 at position 90.

London Gazette: 16 August 1917 on page 8428 at position 121.

Sergeant: William Ernest Taylor.

6th March 1918.

Informant: Sergeant: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR. 35th Battalion. Private: 1481 Evan Archibald DAVIES was hit in the head by a shell and killed instantly. I took his identity disc. I feel sure he was buried.

London, England. 

William proceeded overseas for France via Folkstone on the 20th May 1918 and disembarked at Fovant before marching in at Rouelles where he went into billets. William was marched out to the lines from Rouelles on the 24th May

8th August 1918.

At about 1:00 am a halt was made a few hundred yards in rear of the assembly tape and hot cocoa was served out to the men. The approach march was over and the Battalion on the tape, which had been ably laid by Lieutenant WARLAND and his scouts by 2.30 am. The enemy was very quiet and we suffered no casualties before Zero hour which was at 4:20 am when the barrage opened and the advance commenced as per App 11. At 6:45 am the objective was reached by the most advanced troops and consolidation commenced. Tanks from the rear came forward and and formed up at the rear with the 4th Australian Division in artillery formation. At 8:20 am as the barrage lifted the whole line went forward through us as if on parade.

22nd August  1918.

BRAY. Approach march started at 2.15 am. Moonlight night. Enemy very quiet & all coy's got in position safely by 3.30 am. About 3.45 am the enemy opened a heavy barrage along the whole of our front & kept it up till a few minutes before zero which was at 4.45 am. The enemy put down a counter-barrage almost at the same time as ours & kept it going till our first objective was reached, when it slackened. (see App. 29) The day was warm & bright. Battalion Headquarters was moved to large dugout in Copse at L14b13 at 11 am. & was ordered t move back to original place at 3 pm & was finally established in the Copse at 6 pm. At 5.15 pm parties of the enemy with guns could be seen advancing from CEYLON WOOD & at 5.45 pm a very weak counter attack developed on our left flank, the 33rd Bn’s post in CHALK PITT held up the left of attack, but the 141st & 142nd Bdes, B.E.F. retired for no reason at all & necessitated a defensive flank being formed by 34th Bn. All quietened down at dusk & nothing further developed.

29th September 1918.

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

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

(35th Battalion War Diary)

11th November 1918.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

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

William was demobilised to England on the 12th March 1919 with the 18th Quota and was marched in the the command depot before he embarked on board HMAT "Borda" on the 11th May and disembarked in Australia on the 28th June and was discharged from the AIF on the 12th August 1919.

Family Information

William served with the Hampshire Regiment from the 24th December 1894 and the 3rd Imperial Infantry Regimental Number: 12272 and re enlisted with 115 Company, 25th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War Service Number:16503 prior to immigrating to Australia. William was married 39 year old Storekeeper from Allandale Road, Cessnock N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Queen South Africa Medal. Bars : Cape Colony - Orange Free State - Transvaal.

King South Africa. Bars. 1901 - 1902.

George Taylor (1846-1920)

Ann Taylor nee: Fairhist (1847- ....)

Family Album

Cessnock War Memorial

William and his wife Jane were cremated at the Beresfield Crematorium and his ashes scatted at the Chapel Colonade /34 and /35

William Ernest Taylor (1876-1957)

Jane Rowan Taylor (1869-1941)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 25/06/2024-07/08/2024.

Private: 1275 John Harold WILLIAMS.

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1275 John Harold WILLIAMS. MM

Born: 22nd January 1895. Carrington via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:8877/1895.

Married: 15th December 1918. Barnett Registry Office. Hertfordshire, England.

Wife: Eva Kate Williams. nee: Clark. nee: Dore. (1896-1989)

Died: 23rd April 1972. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:80810/1972.

Father: John Williams. (1876-....)

Mother: Catherine Williams. nee: Christiansen. (1872-....)

INFORMATION

John Harold Williams served with the 16th Infantry (Newcastle) prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 24th December 1915 at Newcastle, New South Wales.  John was marched in the the Broadmeadow Army Camp at Newcastle where he was allocated to D Company 35th Battalion AIF. 

The first ANZAC Day commemorated at Newcastle on 25th April 1916 was attended by thousands of people. A Parade in the morning was followed by several church services and afterwards the 35th and 36th Battalions re-formed and returned to the Gardner Memorial in Hunter Street for wreath laying. In the evening a Concert was held in King Edward Park.

This was surely a poignant day in Newcastle, for as the citizens gathered to remember the young men who had fallen at Gallipoli, they knew that before the end of the month the men of 35th regiment (Newcastle's Own) and the 36th regiment - their sons, brothers, husbands, sweethearts and friends, would embark on their own voyage towards the perils of war.

Newcastle yesterday paid impressive tribute to the memory of the Anzac landing, and the Australians and New Zealanders who fell in that historic fight on Gallipoli. From early morning crowds thronged into the city from the suburbs and from the adjacent centres. Business was practically suspended during the forenoon, for major attention was devoted to the observances arranged by the committee, headed by the Mayor, and the Returned Soldiers' Association.

But though crowds thronged the city streets, there was no appearance of carnival, rather there was an appropriate air of quiet reverence, though the tinge of pride in the achievements of the Australians and New Zealanders was not absent. The services held in churches of all denominations after the military procession were very largely attended. A great many of the ships and other business places, as well as vehicles, were draped in black and purple, and there was also a free display of bunting, all flying at half-mast, and in which the public offices and the ships in port participated.

The procession was formed up at the junction of Porcher street and Hunter street West, and proceeding through the city, was composed of the Naval Band, Naval Contingent, Returned Soldiers. Veterans, Naval Reserves, 35th Battalion with band, 36th Battalion and band, 16th Infantry Band, and Military Cadets. It was a lengthy procession, and the marching of the sailors and soldiers excited admiration. The returned soldiers were greeted with lusty cheering. which was doubled in honour of a number not sufficiently recovered to be able to walk, and a couple of whom were blind, who were conveyed in motor cars.

The two battalions - the 35th and 36th, in training at Broadmeadow were also greeted with encouraging cheers. All the various units of both battalions were in the parade. As the procession passed the Gardner memorial to fallen soldiers in front of the Post Office, beside which were Alderman M. J. Moroney, Mayor of Newcastle, Commander Frank Gardner, the donor, senior military officers, and relatives of deceased soldiers - were impressively saluted. As the procession left Hunter-street and proceeded up Watt street, contingents of men fell out, and were marched to their respective churches, whilst the remainder proceeded to the Cathedral. The soldiers attended the memorial services in large numbers, and so did the civilians.

After the church services the procession was re-formed in Hunter-street, and assembling in the neighbourhood of the Gardner memorial awaited the striking of midday. At that hour a gun was fired from Fort Scratchley, and immediately the band of the 36th Battalion played the National Anthem, all traffic was suspended, and 60 seconds silence was observed. The various units in the procession were immediately afterwards dispersed. During the forenoon proceedings a large number of wreaths were placed on the Gardner memorial, over which was spread the Union Jack and the Australian ensign. The wreaths included tributes from the Mayor and Mayoress, the Northern Branch of the New South Wales Rugby League, Returned Soldiers' Association, the ladies' committee of the Soldiers' Club, the Newcastle Police, the Newcastle Surf Club, numerous citizens and relatives of soldiers who had fallen.

Free settlers a last farewell

Broadmeadow Station 1st May 1916

The 35th Battalion left Sydney on the 1st May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the H.M.A.T. A24 "BENALLA" with 28 Officers and 991 other ranks. The original 35th Battalion had regimental numbers between 1-1513. Compiling of Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, A Company, B Company, C Company and D Company. Arriving in England in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training.

During the voyage at Capetown, John was Charged (1)  Breaking Ship (2) A.W.L. from 17:00 11.6.16 till 10:00 13.6.16. Award 21 days detention by O.C. Troops "Benalla" Total forfeit 24 days pay. 

John was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion on the 22nd July 1916.  

John proceeded overseas for France via Folkstone on the 23rd January 1917 and went into billets before being marched out to the lines on the 29th January 1917. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

John was Wounded in Action (1st Occasion) during this action at Passchendaele where he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Left Foot and was invalided to England where he was admitted to the Beauford  War Hospital at Bristol on the 19th of October. 

John proceeded overseas again for France on the 13th March 1918  and was Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion on the  19th .

5th-6th May 1918.

MORLANCOURT

A considerable success had been won-except on the two edges of the plateau, both lines of enemy trench had been captured on a front of three-quarters of a mile, and 153 prisoners (including 3 officers), 10 machine-guns, and 3 trench-mortars had been taken at the cost of only some 100 casualties, mostly minor ones.

The 35th lost 5 officers and 47 of other ranks, the 34th 2 officers and 32 other ranks. Lieutenant: 1124 William Henry GLOSSOP (Aberdare. N.S.W.) of the 35th was killed just after crossing the first trench.

Captain: Charles Edwin Woodrow BEAN Volume VI page 82.

5th May 1918.

11:45 pm 35th Battalion AIF plus "B" Company and 2 Platoons of "A" Company 34th Battalion and in conjunction "D" Company plus 2 platoons "A" Company 34th Battalion successfully attacked and occupied enemy trenches from grid line running E and W through J12 and K7 to BRAY SUR SOMME - CORBIE Road inclusive.  Enemy trenches from K 13 C 80.94 to K 19 A 95.50 were attacked and occupied by 34th Battalion and thence a series of posts through K 19 C 40.85 joining Picquet Line at J 24 D 75.16. About 30 prisoners of 237 R.I.R., 3rd Bn. 9th,10th,11th and 12th Company's were captured by 34th Battalion. About 70 prisoners were captured by "B" Company 34th Battalion who were working with 35th Battalion. 5 Light and 1 Heavy Machine Guns were also captured by "B" Company 34th Battalion. It was entirely due to the bravery and devotion to duty of Lieutenant: 932 Hector Reginald MCLEOD, that the communication was maintained throughout the operation. On one 1000 yard portion of line no fewer than 62 breaks were mended by Lieutenant: 932 Hector Reginald MCLEOD and his Sergeant, the remainder of his staff having been wounded. Visual communication by Lucas Lamp was also maintained with 35th Battalion on our left.  

MILITARY MEDAL

14th May 1918.

Private: 1275 John Harold WILLIAMS. 35th Bn AIF. "For most gallant conduct and devotion to duty during attack on enemy position near MORLANCOURT on the night of 5/6th May 1918. Private WILLIAMS acted as No:1 of a Lewis Gun. An enemy machine gun opened up on our Company front and threatened to seriously impede the advance, firing his gun from the hip he rushed to position, killed the gun team and captured the gun. Acting alone he showed exemplary courage and initiative, and undoubtedly saved his Company many casualties, and obviated what might have been a serious delay"

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 4 February 1919 on page 129 at position 186
London Gazette: 13 September 1918 on page 10779 at position 13

John was Wounded in Action(2nd Occasion) on the 30th May 1918 and was evacuated to the Casualty clearing Station for treatment to a Gun Shot Wound to his Back and Buttock before he was invalided to England on the 11th June 1918 where he was admitted to the Military hospital at Devonport. After treatment he was discharged and proceeded overseas again for France on the 13th September 1918 and was marched in the his unit on the 16th September.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

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

After to Armistice John was detached to the AIF Kit Store on the 25th February 1919 when back in England and returned to Australia on board the "Dunvegan Castle" on the 26th August 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 10th October 1919. 

Family Information

John was a single 21 year old Blacksmith Striker from Bourke Street, Carrington, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. John married Eva Kate Clark a war widow who's husband Private: 247 William John CLARK 16th Battalion AIF died on the 10th January 1918 aged 25years and is buried at Wilton, Wiltshire, England. William was from Western Australia. 

John and Catherine Williams 3rd February 1894 at Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 

John was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was cremated at the Beresfield Crematorium with his wife Eva .

Eva Kate Williams. nee: Clark. nee: Dore. (1896-1989)

Military Records

Under Construction: 11/03/2024-01/05/2024.

Private: 1061 William BARRETT. MID

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1061 William BARRETT. MID

Born: 25th January 1880. Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:20751/1880. 

Died: 25th March 1934. Wickham, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3350/1934.

Father: John Barrett. (18..-1920) Wickham, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13299/1920.

Mother: Sidney Barrett. nee: ( 1859-1932) Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:7269/1932.

INFORMATION

Served during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
90 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 26th March 1934, Private William Barrett (M.I.D.), 35th Battalion (Reg No-1061), miner and employee of the Wickham Municipal Council, from 37 Downie Street, Maryville (Smedmore), New South Wales and 46 McMichael Street, Maryville, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 54. GENERAL-33. 20. Not married.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139877605 - funeral notice states service.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Monday 26 March 1934, page 9

FUNERALS. BARRETT.-The Relatives and Friends '.' of Mr. B. BARRETT, Mr. and Mrs. J. MUSGROVE, Mrs. E. MITTEN. Mr. and Mrs. R. TURNER, Mr. and Mrs. H. MUIRHEAD and FAMILIES, and Mr. and Mrs. W. FRANCIS are invited to attend the Funeral of their late beloved brother, brother-in-law, and uncle respectively, WILLIAM BARRETT. to move from his late residence, 46 McMichael street, Maryville, This Afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, for Sandgate Cemetery. 1572 DAVID LLOYD, Undertaker. R.S.S.I.L. BARRETT. -Returned Sailors and Soldiers of the Newcastle District are invited to attend the Funeral of the late WILLIAM BARRETT. 1061, 35th Battalion A.I.F., to move from his late residence, 46 McMichael-street, Maryville. This Afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock. for Sandgate Cemetery. G. H. SHAW. President. 1573 IH. G. PETERS, Sec. BEARSON. The Relatives and Friends of the late ADA JANE BEARSON (of 13 William-street, Smedmore) are respectfully invited to attend her Funeral, to leave the Newcastle Hospital, This (Monday) Afternoon, at 2.30, for the Church of England Cemetery, Sand-gate, via Newcastle Railway Station. J. MEIGHAN, Funeral Director. 'Phone 961. 5879

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139885073 - Bereavement Notice.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139891018 - obituary.
Born at Wallsend, New South Wales on the 25th January 1880 to John, died 17.8.1920, Wickham, N.S.W., age 65, buried at ANGLICAN 1-13. 131, unmarked grave? - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138826989, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138827523, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138829273, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177510160/john_barrett, from Downie Street, Maryville (Smedmore), New South Wales and Devenie Street, Smedmore, N.S.W. and 6 Harrison Street, Smedmore, N.S.W., and Sidney Barrett, died 18.6.1932, Newcastle Hospital, N.S.W., age 73, sleeping at ANGLICAN 1-13. 131, unmarked grave?, mother of 6 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136579583, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136586994, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-
article136587050, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177510177/sidney_barrett, of 46 McMichael Street, Maryville, N.S.W., Will enlisted on the 8th January 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137094810 - report of a send-off and presentation of a gold medal to Will and 11 other Smedmore boys at the Smedmore Mechanics' Institute.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137104341 - report that Will and 12 other Smedmore recruits were entertained at a farewell social by the members of the Smedmore Ladies' Social Club.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916.
Granted leave to England from 4.12.1917 to 18.12.1917.
Admitted to hospital 13.9.1918 (anaemia).
Mentioned in Despatches 16.3.1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139442316 - report that Will is returning home soon.
Will arrived home on the 28th June 1919, being discharged on the 12th August 1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139443528 - report of a welcome home for Will.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139444081 - advertisement to welcome home Will and Ben and 5 other Smedmore boys in the Smedmore Hall.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140077766 - report that Will has been Mentioned in Despatches.
Mr. Barrett’s name has been inscribed on the Tighes Hill Public School Honor Roll, Tighes Hill Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Smedmore School of Arts Honour Roll, Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1) and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
I have placed poppies at Will’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
https://www.findagrave.com/memo.../184987788/william-barrett.
Not officially commemorated.
Younger brother Benjamin (born 30.8.1887, Lambton, N.S.W., miner from 37 Downie Street, Maryville (Smedmore), New South Wales and Devenie Street, Smedmore, N.S.W., enlisted 18.7.1915, 19th Battalion, Reg No-2569, admitted to hospital 13.11.1918 (influenza & pneumonia, severe), RTA 17.4.1919, died 20.7.1968, Raymond Terrace, N.S.W., age 80, not officially commemorated - https://www.findagrave.com/mem.../193436726/benjamin-barrett) also served 1st A.I.F.
Private: 2569 Benjamin Barrett (1887-1968) 19th Battalion AIF
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137499681 - report that Ben had been admitted to hospital suffering from severe influenza.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139649585 - report that Ben is returning home soon.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Lest We Forget.
Gary Mitchell: March 2024.
Family Information
William was a single miner and employee of the Wickham Municipal Council upon his enlistment with the AIF. He is buried in a un-maked grave at Sandgate Cemetery. 
Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 26/03/2024-21/04/2024.

Private: 2047 Sydney Randall CARTER. MM

by

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2047 Sydney Randall CARTER. MM

Born: 13th September 1891. Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:22742/1891.

Married: 1923. Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:7464/1923.

Wife: Lucille Carter. nee: Harden. (1903-1970) Died at Maitland, N.S.W. Australia. Death Cert:24702/1970.

Died: 28th September 1970. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5973/1970.

Father: Robert Richard Carter. (18..-1936) Died at Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 14684/1936.

Mother: Eliza Jane Carter. nee: Morrow. (18..-1941) Died at Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:23820/1941.

INFORMATION

No.2047 Sydney Randall CARTER was a 24-year-old farm labourer from Willow Tree in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 10th of April 1916.
He embarked from Australia as a member of the 3rd Reinforcements to the 34th Battalion on board the HMAT (A68) Anchises, which departed Sydney on the 24th of August 1916 and arrived at Devonport in England on the 11th of October. On arrival the reinforcements travelled by train to Wiltshire where they marched into the 9th Training-Battalion. On the 11th of November 1916 Sydney was taken-on-strength of the of the 34th Battalion AIF (Maitland’s Own).
On the 21st November 1916 the 34th Battalion along with the other Units of the 9th Brigade (33rd,35th, and 36th Battalion) deployed from the port of Southampton in England across to the port of Havre in France. They then endured a 48-hour train journey to Bailleul in cattle-trucks that were marked “Hommes (people) 40, Chevaux (horses) 8”. The 34th Battalion arrived at Steenwerck, France on the 24th. The Unit then moved into the trenches at L’Epinette on the 27th/28th of November 1916 to get their first harsh experiences at trench warfare in what was going to be a bitterly cold winter.
On the 13th of December 1916 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital suffering from scabies. He rejoined his Battalion two days before Christmas.
He was with the 34th Battalion for the attack on the ‘MESSINES / WYTSCHAETE RIDGE’ in Belgium on the 7th of June 1917, which commenced at 3:10 a.m. with the detonation of 19 huge ‘mines’ that had been dug under certain key German positions on the Ridge.
* Note - (25 mines had been prepared for the attack – but only 19 were actually detonated at the commencement of the attack. The remainder were left unfired - still containing explosives. The Peckham 2 mine was abandoned due to a tunnel collapse, and the Petit-Douve Farm mine was abandoned after a German camouflet blast in August 1916. One of the four unexploded ‘birdcage mines’ (not needed as the frontline had moved prior to the attack) was detonated by lightning during a storm in 1955. Two of the five remaining unexploded mines still today lay directly under buildings).
On the 30th of September 1917 while in the support line near Zonebeeke, Belgium the 34th Battalion was heavily bombarded. Sydney was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION and was admitted to hospital. He would spend five weeks in hospital and he rejoined the Battalion on the 8th of November 1917.
He was with the Battalion when the 9th Brigade was rushed south to the Somme in late March of 1918, due to a German Offensive there, and was used as a ‘mobile formation’, being used wherever the fighting was heavy and where the line needed strengthening the most.
He was with the 34th Battalion for the ‘1st Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’ on the 4th of April 1918 when the Australians stopped the German Advance towards Amiens. The 9th Brigade then successfully defended the village of Villers-Bretonneux up until the 18th of April when they were relieved by very tired British Troops. The British troops could not stop a renewed German attack a few days later and the village was lost, only being recaptured after a heroic night time counter-attack by the 13th and 15th Australian Brigades.
Over the 17th and 18th of April the Germans had fired an estimated 12,000 Artillery rounds into the Village and its surrounds. The shells comprised a combination of High Explosive and Mustard-Gas, and casualties from the Gas-Poisoning were to prove incredibly high. Men had to wear gas helmets almost continuously, but this did little to protect from skin contact. The effect of the Gas-Poisoning was not always immediately apparent and some men would not show symptoms for days or weeks afterwards.
On the 19th of April 1918 Sydney was one of many evacuated with Gas-Poisoning and was admitted to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station. He was then transferred by Ambulance-Train to the French Coast where he was admitted to a Hospital in Rouen. On the 25th of April he was transferred across to England and admitted to the Boscombe Military Hospital at Bournemouth. At this point he was also diagnosed with Trench-Fever.
On the 8th of August 1918 he once again deployed across to France and marched into the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Rouelles. He rejoined the 34th Battalion on the 13th of August.
The Germans were now being driven back in a mobile style of war and ‘Trench-Warfare’ was a thing of the past. On the 29th of August 1918 during an attack at Clery-sur-Somme his actions with a Lewis-Gun earned him a nomination for a Bravery Award. He remained with the Battalion for the remainder of the battles known as the ‘Advance to the Hindenburg Line’.
On the 30th of October 1918 the Ottoman-Empire signed an Armistice ending the fighting in the Middle-East. On the 3rd of November the Austro-Hungarian Government signs an Armistice with the Allies leaving Germany to fight on alone, and on the 11th of November 1918 the Germans finally also sign an ARMISTICE, ending the fighting on the Western-Front.
On the 21st of April 1919 he sailed for England in preparation for demobilisation.
On the 14th of May 1919 the award of the MILITARY MEDAL to Private S.R. CARTER was printed in the ‘London Gazette’.

Military Medal Group

He departed England on the 12th of June 1919 and arrived back on the 10th of August. He was discharged from the AIF on the 25th of September.
Bill Durrant: November 2023.

Family Information

Sydney was a single Farm Labourer from Morpeth, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. After returning from the Great War he married Lucinda Harden in 1923 at Morpeth, New South Wales. His parents were married in 1887 at Raymond Terrace, New South Wales. Marriage Cert:4890/1887.

Grave of Sydney Randall Carter (1891-1970) - Lucille Carter (1903-1970) East Maitland Cemetery. New South Wales.  

Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 27/11/2023-29/11/2023

Private: 2539 Private Leonard Sydney CROSSINGHAM

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2539 Leonard Sydney CROSSINGHAM

Born: 23rd May 1889. St. Leonards via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:10033/1889.

Married: 1921. Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:16010/1921.

Wife: Janet Grey Crossingham. nee: Saul. (1896-1963)

Died: 14th May 1964. Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17059/1964.

Father: Richard William John Crossingham. (1857-1932)

Mother: Amelia May Crossingham. nee: Townsend. (1858-1918)

INFORMATION

Leonard and George Crossingham continued their training and on April 5, 1917, proceeded along with 70 other reinforcements to France and were taken on strength with the 33rd Battalion billeted in Armentieres on April 28. Both were posted to “C” Company.

Leonard Sydney Crossingham (1889-1964) - William Arthur Crossingham (1885-1917) - George Henry Crossingham (1891-1918)

William Arthur Crossingham was born on February 9, 1885, at his grandfather’s farm at Pipe Clay Creek near Moorland just north of Taree on the NSW coast.

Leonard Sydney Crossingham was born on May 23, 1889 in  St. Leonards Sydney.

George Henry Crossingham was born August 10, 1891at South Solitary Island Lighthouse.

Leonard was wounded in action on three occasions over the course of his deployment in France. On 7th June 1917 during the Battle of Messines he was wounded by poisonous Gas. The enemy had shelled the area around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood and over 500 Australian casualties from Gas were recorded. Len was Treated in France and returned to duty 7 weeks later 25th of July.

On 5th October 1917 in the lead up to the Battle of Passchendaele (9 – 12 October 1917) Len was again wounded, suffering a  Gun Shot Wound (GSW) to the knee – He was treated in France and returned to duty  5 weeks later on 10th November.

George volunteered to be a Stretcher Bearer (SB). He was subsequently transferred to Headquarters along with others in November 1917 into the Battalion Company.

Leonard and George continued to do as much as possible together,  particularly spending leave in England where they would meet with their maternal Grandparents and mother’s family.

Shortly after George’s death on 5th April 2018, Len was seriously wounded in action by Poison Gas on the 17th April –– On the night of the 16th and early morning of the 17th the Germans had saturated the trenches near Villers Bretonneux and Cachey in a 3 hour barrage in the predawn with phosgene, mustard, and irritant gasses. In anticipation of an attack the town Garrison and remnants of the 33rd were moved out quickly from their shelters in the town and into the trenches. The attack did not come! Instead, they were bombarded again in the evening for another 3 hours. Len was wounded – for the third time however this was much more serious than the first time he was gassed. There were many gas casualties in that operation. Len was admitted to hospital in Rouen in France, then transferred to England – firstly to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Edgbaston and then to the First Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. He was improving and allowed leave and then admitted on return to No.3 Command Depot, Hurdcott before being transferred to No 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny.

The exposure to gas at Villers Bretonneux was by far the most serious. For context there were more than 1,027 casualties in that Gas Attack including the Commanding Officer of the 33rd Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel MORSHEAD. He was less serious but was still off the line for some 3 weeks as a result.

Tragedy was to strike the family back home on 3rd September when Leonard’s father Richard received news that his wife Amelia had taken ill while visiting her sister in Sydney. She had been ill over time but had improved lately and made the trip to Sydney. Almost immediately after the first news a second telegram said she had passed away.

“We deeply regret to report that trouble keeps crowding in on Mr. R.W.J. Crossingham of Long Reach, who our readers will remember lost two sons on active service in France, while a third is seriously ill in hospital in England; for yesterday he received a telegram announcing the serious illness of his wife, and an hour or so later a further wire reporting her death. In delicate health for some time, Mrs Crossingham had her illness much aggravated by grief for her sons, but a slight improvement a few weeks ago encouraged her to take a trip to Sydney; and the move has proved a fatal one. Mr Crossingham, accompanied by a daughter, left for Sydney Tuesday Evening.”

(Macleay Chronicle – Wed 4 Sep 1918 UNEXPECTED DEATH)

Leonard eventually returned to his unit in France on the 29th October 1918 after 6 long months in recovery. The 33rd Battalion had been relieved and stood down and was then billeted in Citerene.

On the night before Armistice day  he wrote to his future bride, Janet Saul of Bellimbopinni, Macleay River and was full of hope for a speedy return to Australia.  This would however be a lengthy process. It would be nearly 5 months before Len even saw England again – disembarking on 22nd April 1919.

It would be another seven weeks in England before he embarked the Hospital Transport “Themistocles” leaving England for Australia on 12th June 1919. Len disembarked in Sydney on 10th August 1919 – nine months on from his postcard.

The Macleay Argus of Thursday 21 August 1919, contained a detailed article of a welcome home put on by the “Pride of Clybucca Lodge, G.U.O.O.F “(Grand United Order of Oddfellows) the night before, for Len and another soldier “Trooper Price”.  A big event with a large turnout with local Councillors and dignitaries – the reporter writes of Len –

“On the platform Mr. W. Crossingham and Misses Crossingham and Mrs. Parish, Father and Sisters of Bro. Pte. Crossingham…..”

“Sister Crossingham pinned a medal to her brothers tunic” ”Pte. Crossingham felt very proud to be amongst them. There was no one wished to be back more than he did. He had been looking forward for a long time to getting back to his people and dear old Aussie and he thanked them for the kind way they had shown their wishes to him. He thanked the women workers and all the people that sent parcels across to him in France whilst he was away. There were none of them knew how much the boys appreciated those things in France. (Applause)”

References and Acknowledgements

Story: Brian Roy Crossingham

For information and context within the article: Crossingham Family Collection – Photos and Collective Knowledge

The Harrower Collection 9th Infantry Brigade AIF – David John Harrower ACM. 2015

33rd Battalion 1st AIF – Home | Facebook – Rod Carpenter

Never a Backward Step- A History of the 33rd Battalion: John Edwards 1996

National Archives of Australia – Military Service Records:

NAA: B2455, CROSSINGHAM W A

NAA: B2455, CROSSINGHAM L S

NAA: B2455, CROSSINGHAM G A

Fallen Brothers of the Macleay 1914-1918; Jocelyn Bakewell and Debbie Reynolds; Kempsey Family History Group Publication, 2021

Macleay Fallen – Volunteers from the Macleay River Valley who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the War of 1914-1918; Philip Lee; published by the Macleay River Historical Society 2021

SOLDIER’S LETTER. (1918, July 10). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 – 1952), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174429391

UNEXPECTED DEATH. (1918, September 4). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 – 1952), p. 4.

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), Thursday 21 August 1919, page 5

ODDFELLOWS WELCOME.

PRIDE OF CLYBUCCA HONORS SOLDIER BRETHREN.

The Pride of Clybucca Lodge, G.U. O.O.F., was well represented in the Australian forces and extends a welcome to each brother of the Lodge on his

return from the front. Last night the Clybucca Hall was crowded for the welcome to Bro. Trooper Austin Price, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Price, of East Kempsey, formerly of Summer Is land, and to Bro. Pte. L. S. Crossing ham, son of Mr. W. Crossingham, of Pelican Island. The gathering took a social form and was arranged by the Lodge's Entertainment Committee, which is composed of the following: Sisters V. Burton, who is hon. secretary, A. and B. Crossingham, Bros. J. Burton, C. Peck, A. and H. Sullivan. Sister A. Crossingham, who is at present N.G. of the Pride of Clybucca Lodge, is sister to Pte. Crossingham. Dancing was indulged in till between 10 and 11 o'clock, Mrs. Williams providing the music, assisted by others, and then the speeches commenced. Bro. C. Peck presided and besides the guests, there were on the platform Mr. and Mrs. and the Misses Price (2), mother father and sisters of Bro. Tpr. Price, Mr. W. Crossingham and Misses Crossingham (3) and Mrs. Parrish, father and sisters of Bro. Pte. Crossingham, Bro. Pte. Alexander and Tpr. St. John, together with several prominent Odd fellows and the speakers for the evening. The Chairman mentioned that he had received apologies from Rev. W. H. Butler and Mr. G. D. Johnston. The Chairman extended a hearty welcome home to Bros. Price and Crossingham and remarked that since they left our shores the world had gone through many darkened days of his tory. Those lads showed by their dash and courage that they were there to do something and did it. They let the world in general know that there was such a place as Australia. He had pleasure in welcoming these Oddfellows home and was sure their parents and relatives felt great joy and pleasure at their return. (Applause.)

Cr. J. P. Kissane referred in sympathetic terms to the loss which Clybucca suffered by the war. About three years ago he attended a fare well there to five or six noble lads, al most all members of the Lodge. Sad to say two boys of Mr. Crossingham's paid the supreme sacrifice, Pte. Cooper was also killed in action and Pte. Coleman suffered the loss of a leg. They were pleased that the heroes they had with them that night had returned. They fought for King and country and brought about a peace which we hoped would guarantee our liberty for the remainder of our lives and which would give civilisation what it had been fighting for for the last four years. He was only expressing the sentiments of the people when he said they were grateful to Pte. Crossingham and Tpr. Price for their services. They would never for get their bravery, one on the Western front and the other in Palestine. He expressed his sympathy with Mr. Crossingham in his bereavements and congratulated the relatives of both soldiers on their return, and heartily wel comed them home. (Applause.) The Rev. C. J. Chambers said there was a touch of pathos in that gathering that night, but it was a comfort to know that those who went out to fight from Clybucca and would not return were ready for the greater call when it came to them. They welcomed the

guests and congratulated them on their safe return. They had come home to one of the freest and greatest countries in the world. (Applause.) We said unhesitatingly that the soldiers who left their farms, their offices, their homes and dear ones to do and dare were going to be honoured citizens of this country in the future. They were not going to lose by their action. Mr. Holman had voiced the sentiments of the people of Australia in telling us "soldiers first," and who had a better right to be first than they had? He believed that the majority of soldiers who had gone to the front had deserved Military Medals or V.C.'s or D.C.M.'s, but they could not always catch the umpire's eye. As they had served the country well there, they were wanted to do a great work at home. He asked the soldiers, as they left to free Australia and came back to a free Australia, to determine to keep it a free Australia. They looked to them to do as well in Australia and they did in

Europe. Cr. R. E. Saul said that gathering had its grave and pathetic side, as well as its jubilant aspect. However they were gathered to express their keen appreciation and thanks and their great joy upon the return of these two brave boys. He was pleased to welcome their guests as he had watched them grow up from little fellows. Three years ago three brave, noble boys left a good home to go and fight that we might enjoy the peace of the country, but to-night they saw only one remaining. Clybucca had contributed perhaps more to the great pages of Australia's history written by the blood of our noble boys than any other little centre he knew of. He knew the joy of Mr. and Mrs. Price at their son's return, and he trusted that Pte. Crossingham's return would afford the fullest measure of consola tion to his father in his endeavor to live down the trouble and sorrow he had

been going through. He heartily welcomed the guests. (Applause.) Mr. C. B. Bailey, as a member of the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge, G.U., had very great pleasure in extending a hearty welcome to the guests of the evening and was sure that the members of the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge would join with the Pride of Clybucca in welcoming home brethren who were truly the "pride" of Clybucca. He congratulated the parents of the guests on their return. (Applause.) Bro. J. Burton, Past District Master, was then called upon to make the presentations. He had great pleasure in welcoming back brother oddfellows who had done so much for King and country. The soldier oddfellows of the Pride of Clybucca had made a name for themselves wherever they had been, in France or Palestine. They had with them that night Bro. Alexander, who left here under 20 and had returned a credit to the Lodge. They had also Bros. Crossingham and Price to whom the Pride of Clybucca was to make a presentation, which he hoped would be accepted just as readily as if it were

£1000. He then presented each guest with a medal and a cheque for £5 from the Pride of Clybucca Lodge, as a token of esteem for what they had done. He wished them long life and happiness and hoped they would be as good odd fellows as when they went away. (Applause.) Sister Crossingham pinned the medal to her brother's tunic and Sister Bur ton pinned the medal on Brother Price's tunic. Sister Burton made a neat little speech in which she said the medal was a token of the esteem in which the Lodge held Bro. Price, and they hoped he would have long life to wear it and be blessed with the best of health. (Applause.) The medals were very artistic and bore the inscriptions '' Presented to" (here followed the name) " by Clybucca G.U.O.O.F. on his return from active service. F.L.T. 20/8/19." Trooper Price said he had pleasure in being back amongst them and wished to thank them for the welcome and the Women Workers of Clybucca for the parcels sent whilst he was across the other side. (Applause.) Pte. Crossingham felt very proud to be amongst them. There was no one wished to be back more than he did. He had been looking forward for a long while to getting back to his people and dear old Aussie and he thanked them for the kind way they had shown their wishes to him. He thanked the Women Workers and all the people that sent parcels across to him in France whilst he was away. There were none of them knew how much the boys appreciated those things in France. (Applause.) The audience then sang "For they are jolly good follows" and gave hearty cheers for the guests. Supper, provided by the ladies, followed and then more dancing, the proceedings being of a very pleasant and successful character.

ODDFELLOWS WELCOME. (1919, August 21). Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 – 1907; 1909 – 1910; 1912 – 1913; 1915 – 1916; 1918 – 1954), p. 5.

Coffs Harbour Heritage

Leonard Sydney Crossingham recovered from his wounds, married Janet Saul, raised a family in Smithtown on the Macleay River and lived to the age of 76.

Wedding Family Photo 1921 Leonard Sydney and Janet Grey Crossingham. nee: Saul.

ancestry.com

Leonard enlisted during World War 2 at Smithtown, N.S.W. on the 21st March 1942 with the 30th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps and was discharged on the 30th September 1945. 

Frederickton Cemetery.  Janet Crossingham. (1896-1963) - Leonard Sydney Crossingham (1889-1964)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 12/06/2023-18/07/2023.

Private: 2542 George Henry CROSSINGHAM. MM

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2542 George Henry CROSSINGHAM. MM

Born: 10th August 1891. South Solitary Island Lighthouse. Birth Cert:6766/1891

Died: 5th April 1918. Killed in Action at Villers-Bretonneux, France. 

Father: Richard William John Crossingham. (1857-1932)

Mother: Amelia May Crossingham. nee: Townsend. (1858-1918)

INFORMATION

Richard William John Crossingham and his wife Amelia May (Townsend) were stationed on South Solitary Island for 10 years from 1883 to 1893. Richard was just the 5th Keeper to be appointed to South Solitary Island. He was a builder and stone mason and he and Amelia had married in St Leonards in January 1883 and took his first appointment with the service as 2nd Assistant Keeper, South Solitary in July 1883. He subsequently went on to serve in all three Keeper roles – being promoted to the Principal Lightkeeper’s role in 1890 when the then Principal, Robert Kelly, was transferred to the newly constructed Lighthouse at Smoky Cape.

Robert Kelly ‘s health unfortunately failed a few years on, and he passed away in June of 1893.  Richard was selected as his replacement and was appointed Principal Smoky Cape on 1st July 1893. Following almost 10 years at Smoky Cape, Richard was then selected for the Principal Keepers role at Barrenjoey Lighthouse (Broken Bay) where he served from March 1903 until his retirement from the service in April 1905.

On retirement Richard, Amelia and the family returned to the Macleay Valley and established a dairy farm at Long Reach on the Macleay River  – near the village of Jerseyville ( Pelican Island) and not far from Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

Children of the Island

Richard and Amelia had 10 children in all – seven while at SSIL – five boys and two girls – with their first-born Richard James born on Christmas Day 1883 on board the SS Platypus enroute to Sydney. Two boys were born on the island itself.  They had a further three children while at Smoky Cape – two girls and a boy – all were born at the Light Station.

Their farm was prosperous at Long Reach. However, the world changed with the outbreak of World War I. Three of Richard and Amelia’s sons – William Arthur, Leonard Sydney and George Henry  – born during the days their father was assigned to South Solitary Island, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916.

Leonard Sydney Crossingham (1889-1964) - William Arthur Crossingham (1885-1917) - George Henry Crossingham (1891-1918)

William Arthur Crossingham was born on February 9, 1885, at his grandfather’s farm at Pipe Clay Creek near Moorland just north of Taree on the NSW coast.

Leonard Sydney Crossingham was born on May 23, 1889 in  St. Leonards Sydney.

George Henry CROSSINGHAM was born August 10, 1891at South Solitary Island Lighthouse.

Growing up at South Solitary Island and then Smoky Cape appears to have served them well – perhaps it was the diet based around fish and the coastal life? – whatever it was, in their medicals all three measured just on six feet.

Life would never be the same again

William and George were lost, and Leonard was wounded in action on three occasions. This had a profound effect on the family.

All three brothers enlisted at Kempsey on the 21st July 1916 and went into camp at Rutherford, near Maitland. They were taken into the 33rd Battalion – 5th Reinforcements on 22nd September 1916.

After final leave back home to the Macleay the three brothers transferred to Liverpool Camp to prepare for embarkation.  Embarking on the SS Port Napier in a group of 152 from the 5th Reinforcements they joined other Reinforcement Ranks for other Battalions and sailed from Sydney on 17th November 1916.

The  SS Port Napier steamed to Albany, Western Australia where the convoys were marshalled and then to Durban, South Africa. After a brief stopover they continued west around the Cape of Good Hope and headed northwards along the West African coast – arriving in Devonport on 29 January 1917 – into the dead cold of one of the bleakest winters experienced.

The 5th Reinforcements travelled to Larkhill in Wiltshire (by rail) and were marched into the 9th Australian Training Battalion at Durrington on the 30th January. It was there they trained in the practice of trench warfare.

In a letter to his father and published in the Macleay Chronicle 10 July 1918 Leonard describes the battle leading to what would be George’s last action. An abridged version appears below.

“George and I were on leave to England but got back to France in time to join up with our Battalion on the evening of March 21 when the big battle started. So off we went and were put into battle straight away. As the Australian Divisions used to push the enemy back in one place they were shifted on down the battle front to wherever else a break-through was being attempted; we kept this going till we had covered a hundred miles or so.

After beating back the Germans at every point at which we fought them we had two days spell during which we organised for a bigger stunt on the third day. We had to regain a village and a wood which the enemy had just previously taken from the Tommie’s. After heavy fighting we drove the enemy back 900 yards. In that nights fight we had 170 men killed and wounded and left enemy dead all over next morning, we moved on to the Village of Villers- Bretonneux two miles away. We started the Villers – Bretonneaux battle on April 4 and then we had 3 big battles in 36 hours we never had such a trying time in our lives. On my left the rest of the boys were fighting with the bayonet for 6 hours. We were shooting for all we were worth; the enemy came so thickly that we mowed them down as they came walking along. My Lewis gun team fired nearly all their bullets away and they and we had to take to our rifles. Just then one of the boys yelled out “stretcher bearers”. Of course, George was one and he jumped up about 10 yards from me. As he was bandaging a wounded lad, he got wounded himself. Something made me look around and I saw poor George walking off the field. I looked around saw a faint little smile on his face. I thought to myself that he had a nice little wound that would give him about 3 months spell in England. So I went on fighting and when the stretcher bearers returned from the dressing station they brought me a little note from George in which he said: “Leon I am done this time, say good bye to all my mates for me”

Then I began to worry about him. After a couple of days had passed the second division of Australians relieved us, so we went back a short distance for a spell and ‘eat up. Our big guns were just getting busy and putting gas shells over when our platoon officer sent for me – “Leon I have sad news for you, your brother died at the Casualty Clearing Station. You can go out tonight”. I went but only for a day and a night. The next night we were all gassed and blind so off to hospital went 350 of my battalion. I am now in Birmingham (England) hospital where I find myself doing fairly well. Poor George was wounded through the back and the bullet stopped in his stomach, that is how it came to kill him. He was recommended for the M.M. or D.S.O. One thing dad is he died a hero, did things under heavy shell and machine gun fire that a lot of us would not have done. I am sending you a photo of the last battle in which George and I fought together – where the Australians took Villers – Bretonneaux and saved the British Army.”

George was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for his actions in what has been called the 1st Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

The recommendation read in part

“For conspicuous Gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations of 4th April 1918, east of Villers Bretonneau, Private Crossingham acted as a stretcher bearer. Although under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire, he moved freely in the open attending the wounded. He worked without rest until he himself was wounded on the afternoon of April 5th while tending a wounded man. By his splendid courage and contempt of all danger he set all ranks a high example. He was undoubtedly the means of saving the lives of many men.”

George was buried in the Picquigny British Cemetery in France.

Picquigny British Cemetery, France.

South West Rocks War Memorial

Leonard and George continued their training and on 5 April 1917, proceeded along with 70 other reinforcements to France and joined the 33rd Battalion billeted in Armentieres on April 28. Both were posted to “C” Company.

George volunteered to be a Stretcher Bearer (SB). He was subsequently transferred to Headquarters along with others in November 1917 into the Battalion company.

Leonard and George continued to do as much as possible together,  particularly spending leave in England where they would meet with their maternal Grandparents and mother’s family.

References and Acknowledgements

Story: Brian Roy Crossingham

For information and context within the article: Crossingham Family Collection – Photos and Collective Knowledge

The Harrower Collection 9th Infantry Brigade AIF – David John Harrower ACM. 2015

33rd Battalion 1st AIF – Home | Facebook – Rod Carpenter

Never a Backward Step- A History of the 33rd Battalion: John Edwards 1996

National Archives of Australia – Military Service Records:

Fallen Brothers of the Macleay 1914-1918; Jocelyn Bakewell and Debbie Reynolds; Kempsey Family History Group Publication, 2021

Macleay Fallen – Volunteers from the Macleay River Valley who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the War of 1914-1918; Philip Lee; published by the Macleay River Historical Society 2021

SOLDIER’S LETTER. (1918, July 10). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 – 1952), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174429391

UNEXPECTED DEATH. (1918, September 4). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 – 1952), p. 4.

ODDFELLOWS WELCOME. (1919, August 21). Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 – 1907; 1909 – 1910; 1912 – 1913; 1915 – 1916; 1918 – 1954), p. 5.

Coffs Harbour Heritage

Richard William John Crossingham. (1857-1932)

Richard William John Crossingham. (1857-1932) - Amelia May Crossingham. nee: Townsend. (1858-1918)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 19/05/2023-18/07/2023.

Lieutenant Colonel: Clifford Russell RICHARDSON

by

2nd BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant Colonel: Clifford Russell RICHARDSON. MC

Born: 1890. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:4486/1890.

Married: 1918. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:5998/1918.

Wife: Ethel Mary Richardson. nee: Snape. (1899-1982)

Died: 5th July 1946. 112 Mann Street, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15184/1946. (Residence)

Father: Russell Richardson. (18..-1944) Died at Armidale, N.S.W. Death Cert:621/1944.

Mother: Florence May Richardson. nee: Arnott. (18..-1919) Died at Armidale, N.S.W. Death Cert:8356/1919.

INFORMATION

Clifford Russell Richardson Served with the NSW Senior Cadets for 7 years. He served with the 4th Australian Infantry Regiment and the 14th and 13th Infantry Regiments. He received his Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 5th April 1909 and Lieutenant on the 15th August 1912 and to Captain in August 1913 when serving with the 14th Infantry at Armidale, N.S.W.

The photograph is of Captain Clifford Russell RICHARDSON in the uniform of a 14th Infantry officer and prior to the Great War, was a Captain in "A" Company (Armidale, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Hillgrove, Uralla, and Inverell) of this Battalion.

Captain Richardson. 14th Infantry Militia

Captain Clifford Russell RICHARDSON,  He enlisted on 27 August 1914 and was allotted to the 2nd Battalion, A Company which embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 18 October 1914. Subsequently RICHARDSON was Wounded in Action 25 April 1915. During the Great War RICHARDSON Returned to Australia, 6 July 1916.

Sydney Mail, 26 May 1915, p. 8.

Clifford disembarked in Egypt on the 8th December 1914 and was promoted to the rank of Major on the 5th of April 1915 and disembarked on the 25th April 1915 landing at the Gallipoli Peninsula with the 2nd Battalion where he was recommended for the Military Cross. 

Military Cross

'On 25th April, 1915, during operations near Gaba Tepe, for displaying great coolness and courage, and leading a charge against superior numbers under a heavy cross fire, resulting in the flight of the enemy in disorder.'

Rank Captain
Unit 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion
Service Australian Imperial Force
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Award Military Cross
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 11 September 1915 on page 1747 at position 12
London Gazette 3 June 1915 on page 5331 at position 10
Clifford was Wounded in Action at Gallipoli and was evacuated to Alexandria where he was admitted to the Deaconess War Hospital for a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Arm. Clifford was invalided to Australia on board the Hospital Ship "Karoola" and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the the first Commanding-Officer to the 33rd Battalion AIF. 
Printed in 'The Armidale Chronicle' 23rd Feb 1916.
24th March 1916
Lieutenant Colonel RICHARDSON quickly became ill, and was then replaced by Major: Leslie James MORSHEAD, who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and given the Command. He was then the only Commanding Officer of the Battalion while it was on active service.
Bill Durant: June 2023.
Family Information
Clifford was a single 24 year old Merchant storekeeper from Beardy Street, Armidale, New South Wales. His parents were married in 1889 at Redfern, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:3097/1889.

July 1945

Armidale. New South Wales

In the Will of CLIFFORD RUSSELL RICHARDSON late of Armidale in the State of NDSW Merchant, deceased. Application will be made after 14 days from the publication hereof that Probate of the last Will and Testament of the above named deceased dated 4th July 1945 may be granted to Ethel Mary Richardson and John Russell Richardson the Executrix and Executer in the said Will named. And all notices may be served at the undermentioned address. All creditors in the Estate of the deceased are hereby required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned. A.W. Stimpson & Co. Proctors for the Executors. Armidale.

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), Friday 5 July 1946, page 6

MR. C. R. RICHARDSON

Death Occurs After Lengthy Illness

Mr. Clifford Russell Richardson, managing director of the firm of J. Richardson and Co. Pty. Ltd., of Armidale, passed away this afternoon at the age of 56 years.

The late Mr. Richardson was one of Armidale's best-known and respected citizens. The Richardson family has been associated with Armidale's growth for many years. The firm was established by Hon. John Richardson, who was succeeded by his son, the late Mr. Russell Richardson, who passed away two years ago. In 1918 the late Mr. Clifford Richardson entered business and subsequently assumed control of the company's affairs. He carried on until several

months ago, when failing health forced his retirement. The fourth generation, Mr. John Richardson, then took over, and he is assisted by his brother, Mr. Robert Richardson.

Deceased was a member of the original 2nd Battalion in World War I, and held the rank of captain. He gained his majority on the field. He was wounded at Gallipoli, and was the first Australian officer to be awarded the Military Cross in the war. He was invalided to England, where he assisted in the formation of the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion, and then took reinforcements to Egypt, where he became very ill, and was invalided back to Australia.

The late Mr. C. R. Richardson In civic affairs, he was prominent for over 20 years. In 1923 he was a member of the Armidale City Council, and served as Deputy Mayor. He was foundation president of the Armidale Rotary Club, president of the Armidale Golf Club, and played a leading part in the location and establishment of the club on its present site. He was P.W.M. of the Masonic Lodge, Unity No. 6, patron of the R.S.S. and A.I.L.A., chairman of the Committee of Management of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, chairman of the Armidale and New England Hospital Board for several years, a former director of the New England Building Society, secretary of the Armidale City Tennis Club in 1918-19, treasurer of T.A.S. Old Boys' Union, Guardian of Minors for the Armidale district, a life member of the Armidale Bowling Club, a member of the Committee of the Armidale and New England Jockey Club, trustee of the Baby Health Centre, and during the last war he served as Manpower Officer at Armidale.

In 1918 the late Mr. Richardson married Miss Molly Snape, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Snape, formerly of Armidale, and now resident at Lindfield. He was educated at The Armidale School, and never lost his interest in the school. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Messrs. John Russell and Robert Russell, and one daughter, Miss Phil. Richardson. Both sons served in the last war.

The late Mr. Richardson possessed characteristics which won him firm friends in town and country. To those who did not know him intimately he gave the impression of being extremely reserved, but beneath a seemingly cold exterior he possessed a warm and charitable disposition. No worthy cause found him unresponsive, and his acts of generosity were legion. His advice was sought by old and young, and given as readily as was his money for charitable and patriotic causes. Although war injuries hampered his sporting activities, he never lost interest in club affairs, and he will be as well remembered by sportsmen and sportswomen as he will be by business associates and personal

friends. His uprightness of character and adherence to the highest ethics of the commercial code will be long remembered.

Tomorrow afternoon at 2.15 o'clock at the Masonic Temple a Lodge of Sorrow will be held, and at 3 o'clock a memorial service will be conducted in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church by the Rev. H. McNeil Saunders, M.A. The remains will be taken to Sydney tomorrow night for cremation.

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), Monday 8 July 1946, page 6

SERVICE FOR LATE C. R. RICHARDSON

St. Paul's Filled to Capacity

ARMlDALE'S FINAL

TRIBUTE

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church was filled to overflowing on Saturday afternoon, when a service for the late Mr. C. R. Richardson was held.

Representatives from Armidale sporting bodies, the Armidale sub-branch of the R.S.L and A.I.L.A Armidale and New England Hospital, and the staff of J. Richardson

and Co. attended.

Pall-bearers were Messrs. T. Beesley, J. Mannix. J. O'Dell, F. Snell, B. Halpin and T. Cardwell.

"It could be said of this man, 'Large was his bounty and his soul sincere'," said Rev. H. MacNeil Saunders. M.A., who conducted the service. "From among us has gone forth into another realm hidden from our sight and understanding, a man who sojourned for 66 years amongst us. Life is measured in qualitative values, " and in Clifford  Russell Richardson the measure was not stinted." he said. "As a citizen, it is not necessary that I speak of him. A rich spirit of public service animated his contribution to his fellows and guided his sense of duty.

"As an employer he held high a standard of integrity and justice, tempered with kindly humanity, the challenge and generosity of which will not vanish into the years. He had an intense personal interest in each member of the staff, treating and trusting them as friends rather than servants. He sought out secret ways to comfort and assist the afflicted. Only the imposter discovered his stern abhorrence of fraud and culpable failure.

"As a philanthropist his charity often knew no bounds, not even of prudence. Every worthy- cause awakened his practical sympathy. In deference to his life-long policy of reticence, we must leave his beneficiaries to keep alive in their hearts the good he did to them.

"It was in the Church, however," he continued, "that his deepest convictions found expression in deeds rather than words. Over 20 years ago he was elected to the Committee of Management; during the ministry of the Rev. A. M. Stevenson, M.A. who has remained  his life long friend. For upwards of 10 years he has been the guiding soul of the board, as chairman, being loyal and understanding to his brethren and his Minister, efficient and far sighted with the temporal affairs entrusted to the managers.

"He scorned bigotry and helped all the denominational activities: of the city. But he was immovably loyal to his Presbyterian heritage, which he prized above all other interests in his life. His grandfather was a Minister of the Word, and in his own way he followed in his steps. He spoke for the committee at my social welcome, most of you recall, and there were no honied words.

Those who knew him best loved him most. To them we express our sorrow and commend them to the consolations of Christ which fail not. "He had faults and who has not? and he mourned over them deeply. He did not by clumsy artifice seek to hide that which cannot be hidden from God, and seldom is concealed from men, but rather he strove to overcome his faults. That inner heroism is not given to all men. God knows and God understands. Mr. Saunders concluded.

Bowlers Pay Tribute

At the afternoon tea adjournment at the Bowling Green on Saturday members observed a period of silence out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. C. R. Richardson. The president (Mr. K. Jones) said that Mr. Richardson had been a life member of the club, and although indifferent health had precluded his regular active participation in the game he never lost interest in club affairs, and was ever ready to assist its progress. His death was a loss to the commercial and sporting life of the community.

Trove

Funeral - Clifford Russell Richardson - 3:00pm Monday 8th July 1946 Northern Suburbs Crematorium. 

27-November-2015

87 Douglas Street, The Armidale School, Barney Street entrance, Armidale, 2350
27-November-2015
The Armidale School Gates, Erected in the Memory of Major C.R. Richardson MC 

The gates, at the Barney Street entrance to the school, commemorate Major C. R. Richardson, a former pupil of the school who died in 1946. The gates, a gift from J. Richardson & Co. Limited, were opened and blessed by Bishop Moyes on 18th  August, 1957. 

Clifford Russell Richardson attended the Armidale School from February 1901 to Easter 1907. He was a prefect, vice-captain of the 1st XI, a member of the 1st XV and a sergeant in the cadets. He enlisted soon after war was declared in 1914 and sailed to Egypt later that year. Landing in Gallipoli, he was severely wounded in his right arm. The first Australian officer to be awarded the Military Cross, he died in 1946, aged 56.

Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 14/06/2023.