Casualties of the 9th Infantry Brigade – Page 43

Lieutenant: Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH. MC MID

June 2, 2024December 23, 2016 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF.

Lieutenant: Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH. MC MID

Born: 26th February 1885. Petersham, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: 6229/1885.

Died: 22nd August 1918. Killed in Action. Bray Sur, Somme, Picardie, France.

Father: Edward Manicom Farleigh. (1837-01/10/1909) Died at Rockdale via Sydney, N.S.W.

Mother: Elizabeth Farleigh. nee: Gibson. (1841-26/06/1939) Died at her home. "Cairnsfoot" Loftus Street, Arncliffe, N.S.W.

INFORMATIONAlfred Gordon Farleigh enlisted with AIF on the 1st February 1916 and was allocated to A Company 33rd Battalion AIF with the rank of Lieutenant.

7th March 1918

MILITARY CROSSFor conspicuous gallantry on the night of 4/5th March 1918, during raid on enemy trenches in the vicinity of WARNETON. This Officer was in charge of a party of Right Assault which penetrated to farthest limit of area raided. Owing to strong enemy opposition at point of entry, and in order to avoid delay, he led his party over the top and entered the enemy communication trench in rear on point of entry. With great dash he led his party to final objective, fighting all the way. On reaching his objective his party killed the occupants, scoured fortifications and a machine gun, and then destroyed a dugout. On returning to the front line he took charge of a blocking party on the right flank. Right through the operation this Officer was most courageous and determined.

Strength of Raiding Party-15 Officers, 300 other ranks.

London Gazette. 13th May 1918, page 5706, position 6.

Commonwealth, Australian Gazette. 24th October 1918, page 2054, position 1.

MENTIONED in DISPATCHESFor services rendered from September 22nd 1917 to 24/25th February 1918.

London Gazette. 31st December 1918, page 15228, position 9.

Commonwealth, Australian Gazette. 23rd May 1919, page 879, position 93.

Lieutenant Colonel: Walter Arnold LeRoy FRY. OBE. VD.

Major: Harry Lambert Edward Dixon WHEELER.

Captain: 717 Benjamin Greenup BRODIE.

22nd August 1918.

3:45 am. Evacuated to Reserve Position in K.12.d., k.18.a and b. Enemy started to shell our lines with all calibres. 6:00 am. Three prisoners arrived and stated that the enemy expected out attack and were standing to since midnight. Identifications were normal and forwarded on to Brigade. 7:30 am O.K. received from front line. English troops on the Left Flank. 8:00 am Weather clear and hot. Prisoners 2 Officers and 40 Other Ranks put on stretcher carrying. Enemy artillery fire still very active. All objectives gained and troops on left in position. 9:00 am Artillery slackening and then temporarily ceased. Planes over our lines machine gunning. Men feeling effects of gas, severe abdominal pains.

7:00 pm. Order received from Brigade to move up as Imperial Troops were retiring on our Left Flank. 7:10 pm. Message received from 33rd Battalion asking for assistance and "C" Coy were sent along, "A" and "D" Coy' moved forward to Forward Support Line and got in touch with "B" Coy. The C.O. went forward to original Jumping Off tape but could not get any information. 9:00 pm "B", "C" and "D" Coys arrived at 33rd. Forward Battalion Headquarters then went forward to reconnoitre, got in touch with the Coys who had got in position. 10:30 pm Guides went back to Battalion Headquarters and Limbers came up with hot meals. Situation obscure as and retired to first objective. Our Left Flank 500 yards in the air "C" Coy linked up with our Support Coy on Left and Front Line on Right forming a Front Line.

Alfred was Killed in Action on the 22nd August 1918 at Bray Sur, Somme, Picardie, France and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Bray Military Cemetery.

Bray Military Cemetery

Family InformationAlfred was a single 29 year old Tannery Manager at the Ulladulla Tannery and live at "Cairnsfoot" Loftus Street, Arncliffe upon enlistment. Alfred served with the Australian Light Horse and was a Lieutenant with the 24th Infantry prior to his enlistment with the AIF

Edward and Eliza Farleigh had 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. Alice May Farleigh born 1880 at Newtown, NSW. Birth Cert:5590/1880. Arthur Manican Farleigh born 1883 at Petersham, NSW. Birth Cert: 5874/1883. Alfred Gordon Farleigh born 1885 at Petersham, NSW. Birth Cert: 6229/1885.

Brother Alfred Gordon Farleigh. Lodge 94 Prince Alfred.

(Photo courtesy of Scott Arthur of Kotara, N.S.W)

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Under Construction; 13/10/2008-02/08/2023.

Private: 1270 Harold Hayward UNVERHAU.

May 7, 2018December 5, 2016 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION - 3rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1270 Harold Hayward UNVERHAU.

Born: 7th September 1893. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 5th October 1917. Belgium.

Father: Gottlap Charles Unverhau (circa 1860-1923) Died at Armidale, N.S.W. Death Cert:16747/1923.

Mother: Eliza J Unverhau. nee:. (circa 1860-1925) Died at Armidale, N.S.W. Death Cert:6485/1925.

INFORMATIONHarold Hayward Unverhau enlisted with the AIF on the 14th January 1915 at Armidale, N.S.W. but was rejected as Medically Unfit but re enlisted on the 20th January 1916 with the 33rd Battalion AIF.

A SOUVENIR OF H.M.A.T. MARATHON. THE NORTHERN BATTALION'S TROOPSHIP.

Mrs. C. Unverhau, of "Glenwood" Uralla, forwards us a souvenir of the Marathon's voyage, which she has just received from her son, Private: 1270 Harold Hayman UNVERHAU who is a member of the Northern Battalion. The title page contains a photograph of the ship and a statement of the troops on board. The rest of the letterpress is as follows: Perhaps one of the prettiest, and most affecting sights in the world is an Australian ship's good-bye, especially if the vessel be a transport. The devotion of relatives and friends is amazing. Besides undergoing the discomfort and inconvenience of a long journey to the port of embarkation, they also cheerfully endure the tedium of uncertainty and waiting about incidental to the dispatch of' troops. In this case the anxiety of attachment, saw some taking up a position of advantage a day previous.

Friends assemble on the quay with rolls of colored paper ribbons, one end of which is thrown to the departing one on board and the other retained by a friend ashore. As the vessel moves away; the rolls are unwound till hundreds of bright-hued streamers are suspended like a fairy-chain between the ship and shore till the whole length runs out or snaps asunder through strain. The "Marathon's" departure was particularly auspicious. Every soldier on the ship and every person ashore seemed connected by a rainbow. A thousand strands, irradiated in the morning sun. Not content with that, motor launches filled with well-wishers must needs follow her up some distance when under weigh. Within an hour of sailing the stormy winds were blowing and the ship—one of the most steady and reliable that ever left the docks—a-tossing. Sea legs and sea stomachs would have fetched any price. Misled by the alert appearance and uniform, unfortunately no one had anticipated ,the demand. The disappearing lights of Bondi synchronised with the dwindling spirits of the 33rd, now at a very low ebb indeed.

It was, nobody's fault that the voyage was a little tedious through being unduly long, accentuated a good deal by intermittent bad weather. To enumerate a few is to commence a really long list. Besides the daily parades for drill, etc., when the weather held fine, there were boxing bouts and sports, relieved by band performances and deck concerts . Some of the days, with calm sea and warm, radiant sunshine, were wholly delightful ; while cool moonlight evenings provided ideal conditions for pianofortes and vocal selections. Ports of call, too, gave opportunity to enlarge experience and profit by observation, though in several instances it was a case of distance lending enchantment to the view— one cannot see much on the deck of a steamer half a mile from an object on shore, which strangeness, of course, only heightens interest and foments desire to approach closer. Yet despite all drawbacks every man on the ship got the benefit of a passing acquaintanceship with towns and countries other than his own—a direct contrast, say, in comparing Central Africa with the Commonwealth or, to come nearer home, Western with Eastern Australia, and again his own with the Colony of South Africa.

16th September 1916 transferred to the 3rd Battalion AIF. Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium

11th November 1917.

Informant: Corporal: S RIGNEY. 10th Battalion A.I.F. ""Has possession of the Identity Disk, Paybook and other effects of Pte Unverhau who was killed about 6th of October 1917. Cpl Rigney asks for information as to what he should do with these.

Note wrote to Cpl Rigney either bring these here or sent them to H.Q.

Menin Gate War Memorial

Family InformationHarold was a single 22 year old Farmer from "Glenwood" Uralla, N.S.W. upon enlistment. Raymond Charles Unverhau born 1896 at Uralla, N.S.W. Birth Cert:17129/1896 married Winifred Devine at Armidale, N.S.W. 8775/1924 and died 1943 at Sutherland, N.S.W. Death Cert:5885/1943.

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© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 31/10/2016-06/05/2018.

Private: 14 John AYRE. “Jack”

October 11, 2018December 5, 2016 by David Harrower ACM

35th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 14 John AYRE. "Jack"

Born: 1894. Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:32569/1894.

Died: 1st of June 1917. Died of Accidental Injuries at Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium.

Father: Henry Ayre. (1849-1917)

Mother: Florence E Ayre. nee:.

Step Mother: Sarah Ayre. nee. (1861-1948)

INFORMATIONJohn Ayre enlisted with A Company 35th Battalion AIF on the 9th of December 1915 and was an original member of the Battalion. He left Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916. John served with the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery and died from accidental injuries on the 1st of June 1917 when an ammunition dump exploded at Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium.

7th August 1917.

Informant; Private: 107 Francis William Joseph HARVEY. A Company, No: 1 Platoon. 35th Battalion. Private: 14 John AYRE was in A Company No:3 Platoon. He came from N.S.W. I had known him for about 2 months 2 years and knew him well, and was a personnel friend. His christian name was Jack and his number was 14. I saw his grave between Regent Street and the Strand in PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. There was a cross with his name and battalion.

Australian Camp, ROUELLES.

15th August 1917

Informant; Private: 36 William McIntosh BROWN I was told by Lewis Gunner Private: 67 Cooper Taylor EYRE 35th AIF A Coy, No:1 Platoon, who is I think, wounded that he was with Private: 14 John AYRE when he was killed. He gave no details. Ayre's name was Jack and his No: 14.

No:11 Convalescent Camp, BUCHY, ROUEN.

29th August 1917.

Informant; Private: 67 Cooper Taylor EYRE, A Company No: 1 Platoon 35th Battalion. A.I.F. Private: 14 John AYRE was killed by an explosion in an ammunition dump, which was caused by a pin coming out when unloading shells. There were several of them killed and he was among st the number. I I did not see the casualty, but I saw his grave at Pount-de-Nippe, and it was marked by a cross bearing his number, name, and unit. 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartfrord, England.

1st September 1917.

Informant; Private: 210 Frederick John STAPLETON, A Company 35th Battalion. I saw Private: 14 John AYRE's body in the graveyard, waiting to be buried and later saw his grave. It had a cross erected over it bearing his name, number and battalion. The cemetery is at PLUG-St-WOOD, near ARMENTIERES, and easily traceable. We came over together on the "Benalla" and knew each other quite well.

No:3 Command Depot, EURDCOTT, England.

3rd September 1917.

Informant; Corporal: 244 Richard WILLIAMS A Company No:4 Platoon, Private: 14 John AYRE of the 9th Brigade, Light Trench Mortar Battery, was killed at Hill 163 and buried in ARMENTIERES Cemetery. He had originally been in the 35th Battalion, A Company and I think the No:2 Platoon.

Australian Camp, ROUELLES.

4th October 1917.

Informant; Corporal: 1647 Ernest Albert FRASER, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. I saw Private: 14 John AYRE killed at PLOEGSTEERT WOOD by an explosion, death was instantaneous. He was buried at the rear of PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. I did not see his grave. I knew him well, he was attached to the 9th L.T.M. Battery.

3rd Australian Auxillary Hospital, DARTFORD, England.

STRAND MILITARY WAR CEMETERYJohn is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is buried at the Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.

Family InformationJohn was a single 22 year old Railway Shunter from 20 Johns Street, Tighes Hill, New South Wales prior to enlistment.

Tamworth Cemetery

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Australian National Archives

(Studio Photo, Tamworth Historical Society.)

Under Construction; 27/07/2006-04/10/2018.

Captain: Charles John DOIG. M.C.

December 5, 2025December 5, 2016 by David Harrower ACM

36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION A.I.F.

Captain: Charles John DOIG. M.C.

Born: 25th March 1887. North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 1st October 1918. Killed in Action. Bony, Hindenburg Line.

Father: Alexander Evans Doig.

Mother: Agnes Eadie Doig. nee: Torrance. (1854-1928) died at Chatswood, N.S.W. Death Cert:7590/1928.

INFORMATIONCharles John Doig enlisted on the 15th of November 1915 and was transferred to D Company, 36th Battalion AIF with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and left Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th of May 1916.

Red Cross Report.

The Battalion was about to advance on Le Catelet on the afternoon of 1.10.18 and just after moving across the Bellicourt Tunnell immediately East of Bony the enemy opened up a sharp barrage of 42 and 45s. During this barrage Lieutenant:547 Harold Innes SPENCER MM was killed outright by a fragment of a shell which burst close by. Captain: Charles John DOIG MC was killed at the same time and both were buried together on the Hindenburg Line at 62B (WIANCOURT SHEET) A15.a95. A suitable cross erected by our pioneer section.

11th March 1919

Informant; Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD Commanding Officer 33rd Battalion Headquarters. This Officer was in charge of D Company, 33rd Battalion, and on 1-10-1918 after crossing the HINDENBERG LINE near BRAY and prior to making and advance on LE CHATELET, he was sitting in a shell hole explaining the proposed operation when a enemy 6" shell fell close by and a fragment struck him in the head. Death was instantaneous. He was buried by Chaplain: BURKITT of this Battalion, the C.O. Adjutant, and other Officers attending the funeral. a suitable cross was erected by us. He was buried at WIANCCURT.

A.I.F. Headquarters 13-3-18.

17th March 1919

Informant: Private: 3400 Cecil Ernest WALSH B Company 33rd Battalion AIF. On the 1/10/1918 the Battalion was through the HINDENBURG LINE, advancing on BEAUREVOIR. About 4:00 pm before they reached the village the Huns opened up a "Whiz-bang" and machine gun barrage on them and Captain: Charles John DOIG. M.C was killed outright by a "Whiz-bang" while he was in reserves for the moment. Informant further ahead and was wounded and while being carried out he passed the Captain lying dead on the roadside. One of Informant's Strecher bearers named Jim Finlay pointed the Captain out to him. Informant came straight away to England, but was later told that BEAUREVOIR was captured after darkness set in. According to Informant Captain DOIG was a well liked Officer.

"Horton" Penkivil Street, Willoughby, N.S.W.

24th May 1919.

Informant; Lance Corporal: 1410 Lindsay IRVING 33rd Battalion, Transport Section. During the afternoon of October 1st 1918. Captain: Charles John DOIG was hit by a shell on the head, killing him instantly at BONEY in the front of the HINDENBURG LINE. He would be buried on the field near where he fell. This information was obtained by hearing the men's statements at the unit. I think Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD 33rd Battalion, who was at Tidworth and was in the stunt may be able to give more information.

Ward 5, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital.

25th April 1919.

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

Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

3rd May 1916

Informant: Private: 2553 William DEVLIN 33rd Battalion AIF. Informant states that they both belonged to D Company, of which Captain: Charles John DOIG was Commanding Officer. On the 1st October 1918 the Battalion was in action on the Hindenberg Line. About half and hour before the hop over, which took place at 5:00 am, the Captain was killed outright by a shell while kneeling down in the act of taking cover from the heavy bombardment. Informant was about 5 yards away, and saw the Captain fall, in fact was wounded by the same shell. When informant was taken away the Captain had not been moved. Informant added that the Captain was and exceedingly well liked officer, being one of the best O.C's the Battalion had, and all the boys thought the world of him.

Victoria Barracks, Sydney, N.S.W.

Family InformationCharles was a 28 year old single Commercial Traveller from 29 East Crescent, McMahons Point, N.S.W upon enlistment. Charles served with the rank of Captain with N.S.W. Scottish Rifles prior to WW1. Charles was educated at Sydney Grammar School. His Parents Alexander and Agnes Doig had at least 3 children. Charles John Doig was born in 1887 but no record of his birth is registered in N.S.W. although he stated on his enlistment papers that he was born in South Sydney, N.S.W and died in 1918 during WW1. Alisa Doig born 1888 at St-Leonards, N.S.W. Birth Cert:13478/1888. Allan Torrance Doig born 1896 at St-Leonards, N.S.W. Birth Cert:34483/1896 and died in 1918 during WW1. His brother Allan enlisted with the 17th Battalion.

Lieutenant: Allan Torrance DOIG. M.C. served with the 17th Battalion and Died of Wounds on the 27th of June 1918 as a Prisoner of War.

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