Donations and Contributions

Private: 2107 John PRITCHARD.

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36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2107 John PRITCHARD

Born: 17th June 1883. Hamilton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:26760/1883.

Married 1: 1914. Wickham via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14221/1914.

Wife 1: Harriet Pritchard. nee: Evans. (1889-1919) Died at Wickham via Newcastle, N.S.W. Death Cert:16486/1919.

Married 2: 1923. Stockton via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9808/1923.

Wife 2: Elizabeth Jane Gibson Pritchard. nee: Griffiths. (1881-1952) Died at Wyong, Central Coast, N.S.W. Death Cert:25602/1952.

Died: August 1945. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18933/1945.

Father: Joseph Pritchard. (1836-1920)

Mother: Agnes Pritchard. nee: Smith. (1848-1898)

INFORMATION

Served during The Great War, died tragically, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?
77 years ago today, on the Saturday afternoon of the 25th August 1945, Private John Pritchard, 36th Battalion (Reg No-2107), horse driver and hooker on of cranes from Fitzroy Street, Carrington, New South Wales and Bourke Street, Carrington, N.S.W. and Wilson Street, Carrington, N.S.W., father of three (Arthur, Vivian, Addie), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 62. ANGLICAN 3-170. 37.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134362201 - funeral notice states service.
Born at Hamilton, New South Wales on the 17th June 1883 to Joseph and Agnes Pritchard; husband of Harriet Pritchard nee Evans (married 1914, Wickham, N.S.W., died 1919 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139439246, sleeping at ANGLICAN 1-27. 109., also Elizabeth Jane G Pritchard nee Griffiths (married 1923, Stockton, N.S.W., died 4.9.1952, Stockton, N.S.W., sleeping here - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133568974, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133564335), John enlisted May 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
John was invalided home June 1917, being discharged medically unfit (deafness) on the 11th July 1917.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134863615 - welcome home and presentation of medals by the Carrington Welcome Home & Farewell to Soldiers' Committee at the Carrington School of Arts.
Not entitled to Victory Medal.
Mr. Pritchard’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Citizens' Memorial Gates (photos, unveiled on the 23rd February 1924, 258 names inscribed, 41 Fallen, located at Connolly Park, corner of Cowper and Fitzroy Streets, Carrington N.S.W. - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139487579, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163223446, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163216989), Carrington Municipal District Roll of Honor and the New Lambton Public School Roll of Honour. Name probably inscribed on the Loyal Carrington Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Roll of Honour, whereabouts unknown.
The tragic circumstances of John’s death were reported.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134356239 - workman dies after loading accident.
WORKMAN DIES AFTER LOADING ACCIDENT
John Pritchard, 62, of Wilson Street, Carrington, was fatally injured at the coal-loading dyke yester day afternoon. He was unhooking chains from a hopper being lowered from a ship when the sling slipped, allowing the hopper to overbalance and fall on him. Newcastle Ambulance took him to the General Hospital with a fractured skull, pelvis and thigh. He died about three hours after admission.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134376708 - coroner verdict of accidental death.
Carrington Man's Death Was Accidental A verdict of accidental death was re turned by the Coroner Mr. A. G. Chiplin at the inquest on John Pritchard, 62, hooker-on, of Wilson street. Carrington. On August 23, Pritchard died in New castle Hospital after being struck by a falling hopper while assisting to load coal into a steamer at the Basin, Carrington, the same day. Inspector Murrell appeared for the Railway Commissioners: Sergeant R. P. Mason for the police.
I have placed poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of John’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Mitchell: September 2022
Family Information
John was a married 32 year old Horse Driver from Fitzroy Street, Carrington, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.  John is buried at Sandgate Cemetery
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 26/09/2022-03/10/2022.

Sergeant:1132 Alec Reeves HORWOOD.

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36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Sergeant:1132 Alec Reeves HORWOOD.

Born:  1886. Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. 

Married: 1916. Marrickville via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:6954/1916.

Wife: Laura Ethel Beattie. (1884-1959) died at Ryde, New South Wales, Australia. 

Died:  9th June 1965. St Leonard via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17599/1965.

Father: John William Horwood. (1844-1915) died in South Australia, Australia. 

Mother: Helen Ann Horwood. nee: Black. (1850-1920) 

INFORMATION

No.1132 Alec Reeves HORWOOD was a 29 year old Clerk working at Newcastle in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 18th of July 1915, nominating his sister as his next-of-kin. He entered the Liverpool Camp on the 28th of July and was soon promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the 1st of October.
In October to December 1915 he attended both the No.4 Officer Training School in Sydney and the No.2 Musketry School at Liverpool. He was soon instructing on Musketry at the Depot. In February of 1916 he was allocated to the newly raised 36th Battalion AIF.
SGT A.R.HORWOOD 3rd Row, 3rd from right. Photo printed in the Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW 1870 - 1919) 27 Oct 1915.
No: 4 School of Instruction for Officers. R.A. Showground Sydney 
He embarked with “D” Company of the 36th BATTALION AIF (Carmichael’s Thousand) on board the HMAT (A72) ‘BELTANA’ which departed ‘Sydney’ on the 13th of May 1916 and ended its voyage at ‘Devonport’ in England on the 9th of July 1916.
On the 29th of August 1916 he was appointed to the position of Acting-Regimental Sergeant Major of the 36th Battalion and was with the Battalion on the 22nd of November when it deployed across to France as part of the 9th Brigade’s entry onto the Western-Front, soon moving into the trenches near the village of ‘Armentieres’.
On the 20th of December 1916 he was promoted to the rank of Warrant-Officer Class One, as the RSM.
On the 13th of February 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital, diagnosed with dyspepsia and debility. He rejoined the Battalion on the 22nd of February.
On the 31st of May 1917 he was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION but remained on duty.
Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. 1855 - 1918) 16 Jun 1917
He was with the 36th Battalion during the attack on ‘MESSINES RIDGE’ in Belgium on the 7th of June 1917.
On the 31st of August he was transferred to the 9th Training-Battalion in England. He marched in on the 3rd of September and became part of the Permanent Training Cadre. On the 18th of September 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to Tidworth Hospital diagnosed with tonsillitis. He was released on the 25th.
On the 5th of December 1917 he returned back to France and rejoined the 36th Battalion on the 14th of December 1917.
He was then with the 36th Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Australian Brigade (comprising the 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th Battalions) was rushed to the ‘SOMME’ and used as a ‘Mobile Unit’, being thrown into the line wherever strengthening was needed. He was then with the Battalion for the “1st Battle of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX” on the 4th of April when the German attack toward ‘Amiens’ was stopped by the 9th Australian Brigade, and he was there for the Defence of ‘Villers-Bretonneux’ up until the 9th Brigade was relieved on the 18th. The relieving British Units subsequently lost the Village to the Germans, and the 13th and 15th Australian Brigades had to re-capture the Village in a night-time attack on the 24th/25th April 1918.
Due to the lack of reinforcements arriving from Australia to replenish the Brigade’s casualties and due to having lost nearly all its senior officers at Villers-Bretonneux, the 36th Battalion was officially DISBANDED on the 30th of April 1918. Alec was one of the men transferred to the 33rd BATTALION (New England’s Own / the Northern Battalion) and was taken-on-strength by them. He was posted into HQ Company.
33rd Battalion Routine-Order No.474 dated 11 of May 1918 records that he reverted to the rank of Sergeant on the orders of the GOC AIF. A duplication of Regimental-Numbers in the Battalion meant that he was allocated the suffix A to add to his Regimental-Number (i.e. 1132A).
On the 12th of May 1918 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital. He was transferred to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station then transferred to the 68th General Hospital. On the 19th of May he was transferred to a Convalescence Depot then released to the Australian Infantry Base Depot. He eventually rejoined the 33rd Battalion on the 10th of October and was posted into “B” Company.
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 signed 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, finally ending the fighting in Europe.
He was granted UK Leave from the 14th of November until he rejoined the Battalion on the 2nd of December 1918.
He is recorded as attending Civil Training School, and on the 12th of March 1919 marched into the Base-Depot in preparation for his return to Australia. He commenced his voyage on the 11th of May 1919.
He was discharged from the AIF on the 12th of August 1919.
Rod Carpenter: July 2022.
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 09/07/2022-29/08/2022.

Corporal: 90 Herbert “Herb” GRAY.

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35th BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 90 Herbert "Herb" GRAY.

Born: 30th March 1892. Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:22310/1892.

Married: 1923. Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14001/1923.

Wife: Esther Isabel Gray. nee: Caldwell. (1904-1985) Married Roland D'Arcy Rowen in 1938 after her Divorce oh Herbert. 

Died: 23rd March March 1956. Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13629/1956.

Father: John Gray. (1858-1915) Died at Merewether, N.S.W.

Mother: Elizabeth Gray. nee: Ferguson. (1864-1929) Died at Merewether, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

Served during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?
66 years ago today, on the 26th March 1956, Corporal Herbert (Herb) Gray, 35th Battalion (Reg No-90), tailor (H.P. Cornish, Newcastle West), from 82 Macquarie Street, Merewether, New South Wales and 28 Berner Street, Merewether, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 63. METHODIST 4-19. 63.
Born at Merewether, New South Wales on the 30th March 1892 to John and Elizabeth Gray; possibly married to Esther I Caldwell on the 20.10.1923, Herb enlisted January 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137093299 - presentation of gold medal by the Merewether Advance Soccer Football Club.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Thursday 20 January 1916, page 3
DISTRICT NEWS, MEREWETHER. FOOTBALLERS' GATHERING.
The Merewether Advance Soccer Foot ball Club, winners of the Ellis and Kerr Cups, 1913-14, and 1915, held a smoke concert in the Merewether School of Arts on Saturday evening. Messrs. Thorpe, Snedden, Johnson, Buxton, and several supporters of ,the club had effectively carried out the decorations of the hall. Mr. J. Campbell, president of the club, presided, and there were about 150 present. The toast of "The King" was followed by that of the British Empire, proposed by Mr. E. Ellis, and the Allies, proposed by Mr. E. Buxton, vice-president of the club. At the request of the chairman, Mr. E. Ellis then handed the cup, presented by his father, to this Watson, the captain of the club team. Mr. Ellis stated that it was about 26 years since his father had given the cup to be competed for. He had watched the Merewether boys very closely, and it was in 1903 that they had first won it. But he was greatly pleased to see that they had won it the last three years running. His father sent his greetings and congratulations to the club. Mr. Watson received the cup, which he duly acknowledged. Mr. Ellis then presented gold medals to the following players: F. Watson (captain), J. Snedden (vice-captain), J. Thorpe, H. Gray, B. El guy, J. Wardhaugh, R. Johnson, F. Alberts, A. Jennings, C. Plckersgill, P. Coppock, J. Wallwork, 0. Nay. The above named players were also presented with the Kerr Cup and medals. The chairman presented the latter set of medals, and he trusted that the boys would still keep up their reputation, and win them again next year. Mr. Ellis, on behalf of the members of the club, presented gold medals to the following for services rendered during the season: Mr. J. Campbell (president), Mr. E. Buxton (vice-president), Mr. James knedd (secretary), and 'Mr. John Chapman (then. "treasurer). Each recipient suitably responded. During the evening, the chairman, on behalf of a few esteemed friends of Mr. F. Peacock, of Railway-street, who is going to the front, presented him with a wristlet watch. The chairman spoke in complifnentnry terms of Mr. Peacock, who was sacridicing his business, and he hoped that be would be spared to come back amongst them again. Mr. Peacock suit ably responded, and" said that he would undleavour to do his little bit at the front, and hoped to be amongst them all again. the following contributed to the harmony. of the evening: Messrs. Elllott (2), Derby shiro, Harlan, Johnson, Dyett, Jones, Derovers, Jennings, and Orrell. Mr. Or rell was the accompanist. The recruiting meetings held in Merewether on Tuesday evening were the means of attracting large crowds. 'At tile Morgan-street centre, addresses were de livered by the Mayor, Alderman Case, Rev. Thos. Davies, Sergeant-Major Lee, and Mr. Jomis' Campbell. The whole of three speakers appealed' specially. to un married men to enlist, and emphasised the necessity of doing so quickly. Tine meeting at the Beach terminus was ad dressed by Aldermen Curry and Geoghan, and Sergeant-major .Lee. Two recruits offered themselves at each meeting. Privates O. Coleman, Edw. Clarke, and Clas. Clarke, who are leaving for tile front, were entertained in the school of arts on Tuesday evening by the members of the Young Men's Club connected with the Park-street Methodist Church. Mr. XV. "Field presided, and during the even Ing Mr. J. Arthur, on behalf of the club, presented tile recruits with a gold medal each and khaki pads. Encll of the recipients suitably responded. Dancing arid parlour games formed the chief amusement, and Miss MPDougall provided the mnnohe. Sapper R. Blair and Private Francis Newburn, who have been on active service in the Dardanelles, returned to their respective homes on Tuesday evening, and were warmly welcomed by their parents and personal friends.
PRESENITATIONS TO SOLDIERS.
Private H. Gray, of Merewether, who before his 'enlistment was In the employ of Mr. I. P. Cornish, of Newcastle West, was, prior to his departure for the front, presented with a wristlet watch as a mark of the esteem in which he was held by the firm and the employees. Mr. Vincer, in handing the gift to Private Gray, said that it carried with it the best wishes of tile donors, and they hoped that he would be successful and return safely. Meesrs. L. Grierson and '. IIudson, members of the clerical staff at the Government dockyard, Newcastle, who have enlisted in the Army Service Corps, were entertained at Way's Cafe on Monday evening, ald were the recipients of presentations. Mr. E. G. Stokes, assistant works manager, presided, and after the loyal toasts had been honoured, Mr. Stlepwiclh proposed the toast of "The Alles." In conclusion be referred to the guests of the evening, and said that they had both been good ohicers while in tile employ of the Government at the dockyard . Mr. Donnelly, foreman of the machine shop, supported the toast. He endorsed the remarks which the previous speaker had made in regard to the excellent service rendered by the guests, and congratulated them on volunteering. The chairman then presented to each of the guests a wristlet watch and a pair of military brushes, and wished them both a safe return. Mr. Stopwich supported the presentation, and the gifts were suitably acknowledged by the recipients. "Success to the Government Dockyard" was proposed by Mr. Goldsmith, foreman of the drafting room, who referred to the activities of the workshops in connection with the war. He said that at the present time they were making shells, torpedoes, machine guns, and an airship. Messrs. M'Dougall and D. Williams supported the toast. Mr. O. Colley, manager of the dockyard proposed the health of "The Chairman," which was honoured and duly responded to. Messrs. Tennant, Hall, and Dubals were thanked for having arranged the 'musical- programme, which was contributed.to by: Messrs. V. Cllhandler, Williams, Bannister;. :Danvcers,. Rhodda, Friazoer,: Lashmore. Ellison; and Warland. MrI..R. Dawson's string band played the accompaniments.- -
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137104876 - presentation of wristlet watch by employees of H. P. Cornish.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140976222 - Herb's name mentioned in letter home from the front.
Admitted to hospital 27.12.1916 (scabies), 11.1.1917 (scabies).
Herb returned home June 1919, being discharged on the 12th August 1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162562976 - report that Herb is returning home.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Monday 30 June 1919, page 3

DISTRICT NEWS, MEREWETHER

At the Merewether School on Arts on Saturday night, the presentation of 31 war service certificates took place, The hall had been decorated with flags by Messrs, W, K, Howard, assistant secretary, A. J. Edwards, and J. Richardson, of the Welcome Home Committee, the ladies committee also being in attendance, and providing refreshments. The Mayor, Alderman Dixon, said he regretted that the attendance was not so large as on the former occasion, but he expected it was on account of the influenza epidemic. He invited all the returned soldiers on to the platform. They had assembled to do a public duty, by presenting each soldier with a war service certificate. Previous to the war a lot had been said about cutting the painter from the Mother land, but, continued the Mayor, the war had proved what nonsense it was for any man to advocate such a step. The Germans were of the opinion that the colonies would not fight for the Union Jack, and they received a setback when they realised that all the colonies had rallied round the old standard.

Aldermen Wells and Campbell supported the Mayor's remarks. The Mayor then presented certificates to Captain E. R. II. Merewether, R.A., Lieutenant A, D. Moreton, Corporal C. Clarke, Comp. Quartermaster Sergeant D. J. P. Jinette, Lance-corporal E. Webb, Lance-corporal E. S. Wright, Lance-corporal W. T. Gilbert, Bombardier W. T. Victor, Sapper S. Stobbard, Sapper E. S. J. Evill, Gunner R. H. Mallen, Privates J. Bryan, D. E. Williams, R. C. Trimmingham, J. T. Hair, J. C. Lamb, W. Hatherley, S. Evans, V, C. Bailey, Driver W. Holli-day, Privates (Drummer) J. Brown, W. R. O'Keefe, L. R. Williams. J. Swift, W. H. Cooper, J. Hodson, W. J. Coleman, P. ,V. Wright, t. S. Minican, M. H. Hughes, J. J. Johnson. Privates J. J. Stoops and H. J. Ellick succumbed to wounds, and the Mayor presented the relatives with certificates. During the evening vocal items, recitations, etc., were rendered by Misses B. Swallow, W. Pearson, Miss Tresidder, Miss Moore, and Mr. J. Swallow. Mr, J. Fraser moved a vote of thanks to the artists, Mr. J. Bevan, pianist, and the Merewether Band. A party of the Welcome Home Committee, accompanied by the secretary, Miss Ivy Stollard. left the hall, and journeyed to Newcastle, to meet the 11.20 p.m. train, and brought five soldiers to the school of arts. where the Mayor gave them a cordial welcome home. The returned men were Privates Smith, Shilling, Foy, Gray, and Jones,

Mr. Gray’s name has been inscribed on the Merewether (Mitchell Park) Memorial Gates, Merewether School of Arts Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138736228, Merewether Public School Roll of Honor
(photo, unveiled on the 21st September 1917, 98 names originally inscribed, 107 names now inscribed, 14 Fallen), Merewether (Glebe) Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Merewether Independent Order of Rechabites' Tent No. 32 Roll of Honour - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133745320 and the Merewether Advance Football Club Roll of Honour and the Wickham Superior Public School Roll of Honour.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139862833 - report that Herb had been run over by a cart (25.9.1925).
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Friday 25 September 1925, page 4
YESTERDAY'S CASUALTIES
Herbert Gray, aged 30 years. living at 82 Macquarie-street, Merewether, was run over by a cart in Union Street, Newcastle yesterday morning, and sustained injuries to the chest and right shoulder.
I located this Forgotten WW1 Hero resting in an unmarked grave, so December 2017 I place a cross adorned with poppies in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
(Gary Mitchell)
Family Information
Herbert was a single 23 year old Tailor at H.P. CORNISH TAILORS of Newcastle upon his enlistment with the AIF and lived at 29 Burner Street, Merewether, N.S.W. from Herbert was buried on the 26th March 1956 at the Sandgate Cemetery via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.  
Waratah House, Newcastle. Tailors H.P. Cornish & Co
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 30/03/2022-14/08/2022.

Private/Driver: 455 Henry HINCKS

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34th BATTALION

Private/Driver: 455 Henry HINCKS

Born: 1894. Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:21206/1894.

Married: 1912. Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:/1912.

Wife: Elsie Irene Hincks. nee: Payne. (1894-1948)

Died: 19th April 1931. Abermain, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6124/1931.

Father: Thomas Henry Hincks. (1861-1910)

Mother: Annie Harris Hincks. nee: Shepherd. (1861-1910)

INFORMATION

No.455 Henry HINCKS was one of two brothers to serve in the 9th Brigade AIF. He was a married 21 year old Clipper working in a coal mine at Abermain in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 17th of January 1916. (note – a clipper was the person in an underground coal-mine that attached / detached the coal-carts to the line that pulled them from the coal-face up to the surface).
He embarked as a member of “B” Company of the 34th BATTALION AIF (Maitland’s Own) on board the HMAT (A20) ‘Hororata’ that departed Sydney on the 2nd of May 1916. The route was via: Albany in Western-Australia, Columbo in India, the Suez Canal, and Port Said. At Alexandria in Egypt the Battalion was then transhipped onto the S.S. ‘Aragon’ for the final leg of the voyage to Plymouth in England, arriving on the 23rd of June 1916.
On arrival in England the Battalion travelled by train, via Exeter, to the village of Amesbury in Wiltshire, where they unloaded and then marched the several miles to the Australian Camps at Lark Hill. On arrival they were allocated to the No.1 Camp and were then given four days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing training.
The Battalion now became part of the 9th Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, 9th Machine-Gun Company, 9th Field-Company Engineers, and the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery), of the 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the methods of fighting Trench-Warfare.
The Brigade trained and practiced in Musketry, bayonet fighting, the digging of trenches, received their weapons, equipment and field-kitchens, attended various courses, practiced route-marching, improving their fitness, practised trench raids and attacks while coordinating with aircraft and Artillery, culminating in a week in October spent in trenches under active service conditions. They voted in the ‘Conscription Referendum’, were reviewed by His Majesty the King on Salisbury Plain, and then completed a final Divisional Route-March of 18 miles. Selected personnel had attended various Promotion and Officer Training Courses, in preparation for the Casualties that were inevitably to occur.
The 3rd Australian Division finally received their full allocation of rifles in early November and was then finally ready to proceed to the Western-Front. The delay in receiving their weapons had ensured that the 3rd Division was the most highly trained Australian Division to leave England.
On the 21st of November 1916 the 34th Battalion of the 9th Brigade deployed across to France as part of the 3rd Australian Division’s entry onto the Western Front. The 9th Brigade soon moved into the trenches near the village of Armentieres.
On the 6th of February 1917 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital, being diagnosed with Influenza and bronchitis. He rejoined the Battalion on the 12th.
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. (25 mines had been prepared for the attack – but only 19 were 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) - was detonated by lightning during a storm in 1955. Two of the five remaining unexploded mines still lay directly under buildings).
He was with the Battalion for the unsuccessful attack on 'PASSCHENDAELE' in Belgium on the 12th of October 1917. Unfortunately the ancient field-drainage systems at Passchendaele had been previously destroyed by shelling and the Artillery fire on Passchendaele combined with heavy rainfall had turned and churned those same flooded fields into a muddy quagmire. The attacking troops were expected to advance 2,500 yards (2.2 km) over wet and muddy shell torn ground, Battalions advancing through Battalions (leapfrogging) after each objective was captured (i.e. objectives being: RED LINE, BLUE LINE, and then GREEN LINE). This distance twice exceeded what would normally be expected for an objective, even in good conditions.
The attack commenced at 5.25 a.m. on the 12th and by the end of the day the 3rd Australian Division had sustained approximately 2,935 casualties (of which 299 were killed) and after being forced to withdraw from the BLUE LINE, finally held a line only just in front of that mornings starting point. It was reported that men had sunk into the liquid mud in the shell holes under the weight of their own equipment and drowned. If a man became stuck it took several of his comrades to extricate him, and it needed a team of stretcher-bearers to bring just one man back to the dressing-Stations, and the wounded were certainly plentiful.
On the 26th of October 1917 he was appointed a ‘Driver’ in the Battalion. Note: a driver in an Infantry Battalion was responsible for the various horses and mules and also for the various types of wagons in the Battalion Transport-Section. This was usually located in the rear area along with the Quartermaster and Cooks, etc. The drivers were often shelled and were often in just as much danger as the men in the frontlines. They and their horses carried the rations and ammunition forward each and every night, and moved the Battalions equipment on wagons when the Battalion moved location.
He was granted Leave to the UK for the period 18th of January 1918 until the 6th of February and was then with the 34th Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Australian Brigade (comprising the 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th Battalions) was rushed to the ‘SOMME’ and used as a ‘Mobile Unit’, being thrown into the line wherever strengthening was needed. He was then with the Battalion for the “1st Battle of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX” on the 4th of April when the German attack toward ‘Amiens’ was stopped by the Australians, and he was there for the Defence of ‘Villers-Bretonneux’ up until the 9th Brigade was relieved on the 18th. The relieving British Units subsequently lost the Village to the Germans, and the 13th and 15th Australian Brigades had to re-capture the Village in a night-time attack on the 24th/25th April 1918 (known now as the ‘2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’).
He was with the Battalion for the ‘AUGUST OFFENSIVE OF 1918, and then for 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 signed 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, finally ending the fighting in Europe.
He was granted UK Leave from 17th of January 1919 until he rejoined the Battalion on the 16th of February. His reason for the delay in his return was accepted. He commenced his return voyage to Australia on the 11th of May 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 18th of August 1919. He died on the 19th of April 1931 and was buried in the Kurri-Kurri Cemetery.

Bill Durrant: July 2022.

Abermain War Memorial

 ABERMAIN WAR MEMORIAL

Family Information

Henry was a married Clipper from Abermain, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. His parents Thomas and Ann Hincks were married in 1881 at Wallsend, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:5608/1881.

Brother: Private: 797 Alexander Richard HINCKS. 35th Battalion AIF

Grave of Henry Hincks. Kurri Kurri Cemetery

Australian Cemeteries Index.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 11/07/2022-11/08/2022.

Private: 2662 Francis “Frank” James SMITH. (Prisoner of War)

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34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2662 Francis "Frank" James SMITH. (Prisoner of War)

Born: 31st October 1890. Scone, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: 31280/1890.

Died: 28th July 1958. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 25014/1958.

Father: Francis Smith. (1863-1948)

Mother: Ellen Smith. nee: White. (1861-1940)

INFORMATION

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.

64 years ago today, on the 28th July 1958, Private Francis James Smith, referred to as Frank, 34th Battalion (Reg No-2662), telegraph & telephone linesman from Guernsey Street, Scone, New South Wales and Concord, N.S.W. (1957) and 29 Kendrick Street, The Junction, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 67. CATHOLIC 2-74. 12. Not married.
Born at Scone, New South Wales on the 31st October 1890 to Francis and Ellen Smith nee White, Frank enlisted August 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 27.4.1917 (scabies), 4.1.1918 (scabies).
Reported Missing in Action 7.5.1918 (Villers-Bretonneux, Northern France).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156914999 - report that Frank is missing.
Reported P.O.W. in German hands 20.6.1918.
Repatriated 21.12.1918.
Arrived in England 26.12.1918.
Frank was invalided home May 1919, being discharged on the 4th August 1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156904465 - report that Frank had returned home.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156897308 - report of interview with Frank being a P.O.W.
Mr. Smith’s name has been inscribed on the Scone District First World War Honour Roll and the Scone War Memorial (as E. J. SMITH). Name not inscribed on the Scone Public School First World War Honor Roll.
I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so September 2021 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I submitted an application to DVA October 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately a decision is still pending, even though Frank should automatically qualify as he was a Prisoner of War.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Mitchell: July 2022.
Family Information
Frank was a single 25 year old Telegraph Linesman from Guernsey Street, Scone, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. After the Great War he returned to the Newcastle Area, living at 16 Livingstone Street, Merewether and still worked as a Linesman. His father and mother are both buried together and Scone Cemetery (Catholic Section) and Frank is buried at the Sandgate Cemetery, Newcastle.
Ellen Smith. nee: White. (1861-1940) - Francis Smith. (1863-1948) Scone Cemetery
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 28/07/2022.

Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL.

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34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL.

Born: 20th February 1897. Barraba, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:10258/1897.

Died: 18th July 1918. Killed in Action. Sailly Laurette, Somme, France.

Father: William James Tyrrell. (18..-20/06/1951)

Mother: Christina Agnes Tyrrell. nee: (18..-11/11/1934)

INFORMATION

Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?
104 years ago today, on the 18th July 1918, Private Sylvanus Henry Tyrrell, 34th Battalion (Reg No-1478), jockey from Martins Creek, New South Wales, was Killed in Action from shell fire at Sailly-le-Sec, France, age 21.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1668969 - Roll of Honour.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1474924 - Red Cross Wounded and Missing.
Born at Barraba, New South Wales on the 20th February 1897 to William James (died 20.6.1951 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134067737, name not inscribed on plaque) and Christina Agnes (died 11.11.1934 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134792403, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134798997) Tyrrell of Martins Creek, New South Wales and 10 Morgan Street, Islington, N.S.W. and Allworth Street, Merewether, N.S.W. and Chalmers Road, Wallsend, N.S.W., Sylvanus enlisted February 1916 at West Maitland, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123405794 - report that Sylvanus had enlisted.
Wounded in action - 8.5.1918 (GSW hand).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140973016 - reported KIA.
Sylvanus is resting at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. Plot IX Row A Grave 7.
Mr. Tyrrell’s name has been inscribed on the Book of Gold, Martins Creek Memorial Hall and First World War Honour Roll, Martins Creek Public School Memorial Gardens and the Gresford School of Arts War Memorials.
There is no memorial inscription on parent’s gravesite plaque to tell us of the tragic loss of their son during The Great War, so I have placed a Memorial cross adorned with poppies in remembrance of Sylvanus’s supreme sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Older brother William James (7th Australian Light Horse Regiment & 13th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Reg No-1798, born 1895, died 13.4.1977, Northern Suburbs Crematorium) also served 1st A.I.F.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.

Gary Mitchell: July 2022.

2nd October 1918.

Informant: Lieutenant: 10480 Robert John "Bob" WIGHT. "It was known in the Battalion about Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL, that he was killed by shell fire about 2,000yards from Sailly Laurette. He was buried in the Military Cemetery just behind the line at that time on the banks of the Somme about 3,000yards West of Sailly Laurette. The grave was marked with a cross. Death instant".

3rd London General Hospital

Wandsworth, England.

18th October 1918.

Informant: Lieutenant: 1422 James SNEDDEN. "It was known in the Battalion that Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL was killed by a shell while we were holding the line about 500 yards east of Sailly-le-Sec. Death was instantaneous. He was buried near Vaus-Sur-Somme in a military cemetery. The ground was held.

3rd London General Hospital

Wandsworth, England. 

18th October 1918.

Informant: Sergeant: 2170 John Vincent TWOMEY. "We were holding the line just behind Sailly Laurette Sector to the left of Corbie on the morning of July 18th 1918. A shell killed Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL, and Lance Corporal: 3182A Walter Elwyn Joseph RADBURN, also wounded me badly. As I was carried away, I did not see what was done with them afterwards, but they certainly would be buried. Their Platoon Sergeant now Sergeant: 799 James JACKSON in France would give particulars of their burial. The ground was held". 

Fulham Military Hospital

Hammersmith, England. 

13th November 1918.

Informant: Sergeant: 799 James JACKSON "Private: 1478 Sylvanus Henry TYRRELL, was in IX Platoon same as I was. At Sailly-le-Sec on 18th July he was killed about 2.a.m in a front line dug out. There were four of them, two killed and two died of wounds. Lance Corporal: 3182A Walter Elwyn Joseph RADBURN was the other man killed. They both had wounds in the chest, probably in heart and Tyrrell also had his wrist broken and neck broken. I arrived about ten minutes later and saw his body which was covered at once. He was buried in rear of Sailly-Le-Sec. I have seen the grave with a good cross on it. The ground was later made into a regular cemetery and the grave would have been registered. I have known Tyrrell since the Battalion sailed, came in the Hororata with him to Egypt and transhipped there arriving in England 23-6-16. He was single about 21, very small and a Private. You might get further information from Sergeant: 2170 John Vincent TWOMEY. who saw him killed. He is now in England wounded. 

Oxford, England.

 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 19/07/2022-15/07/2022.

Corporal:1207 William Wallace PHEE

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34th BATTALION AIF

Corporal:1207 William Wallace PHEE

Born: 1896. Bothwell Scotland. 

Died: 7th June 1917. Killed in Action. Messines Ridge, Belgium.

Father: Henry Gault Phee. (18..-1942) Died at Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:16766/1942.

Mother:

INFORMATION

No1207 William Wallace PHEE was born in Scotland but immigrated to Australia with his family. He was one of two brothers to serve in the same Battalion during the Great War. Prior to departing Scotland the family were living at the mining village of ‘Plean’, in Stirlingshire.
He was a 20 year old Miner from Cessnock in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 22nd of January 1916, nominating his father as his next-of-kin.
He embarked from Australia as a member of “D” Company of the 34th BATTALION AIF (Maitland's Own) on the 2nd of May 1916, on board the HMAT (A20) ‘Hororata’. The route was via: Albany in Western-Australia, Columbo in India, the Suez Canal, and Port Said. At Alexandria in Egypt the Battalion was then transhipped onto the S.S. ‘Aragon’ for the final leg of the voyage to Plymouth in England, arriving on the 23rd of June 1916.
On arrival in England the Battalion travelled by train, via Exeter, to the village of Amesbury in Wiltshire, where they unloaded and then marched the several miles to the Australian Camps at Lark Hill. On arrival they were allocated to the No.1 Camp and were then given four days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing training.
The Battalion now became part of the 9th Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, 9th Machine-Gun Company, 9th Field-Company Engineers, and the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery), of the 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the methods of fighting Trench-Warfare.
They trained and practiced in Musketry, bayonet fighting, the digging of trenches, received their weapons, equipment and field-kitchens, attended various courses, practiced route-marching, improving their fitness, practised trench raids and attacks while coordinating with aircraft and Artillery, culminating in a week in October spent in trenches under active service conditions. They voted in the ‘Conscription Referendum’, were reviewed by the King on Salisbury Plain, and then completed a final Divisional Route-March of 18 miles. Selected personnel had attended various Promotion and Officer Training Courses, in preparation for the Casualties that were inevitably to occur.
He was with the Battalion on the 21st of November 1916 when the 34th Battalion deployed across from England to France as part of the 9th Brigades entry onto the Western Front. The 9th Brigade soon moved into the trenches near the village of Armentieres.
On the 7th of January 1917 he was appointed to the rank of Lance-Corporal.
On the 26th of January he reported sick and was admitted to the 10th Field-Ambulance Hospital with haemorrhoids. On the 31st he was discharged to duty.
On the 10th of February he marched out to attend a course at the ‘Musketry School’ and rejoined the Battalion on the 26th. On the 23rd of March he commenced a two week course at the ‘Bayonet Fighting School’.
On the 29th of April he was detached to a working-party and rejoined the Battalion on the 15th of May.
He was with the 35th Battalion as it made its way through Ploegsteert-Wood toward the start-line for the attack on the ‘MESSINES / WYTSCHAETE RIDGE’ in Belgium on the 7th of June 1917. His Platoon-Sergeant stated that they were both knocked down by a gas-shell. He was not seen again.
After this Battle he was among those reported as MISSING-IN-ACTION. A Court-of-Inquiry held on 20th November 1917 amended his fate to KILLED-IN-ACTION.
As his remains have yet to be discovered, his name is inscribed among the missing on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, in Belgium.
He is also memorialised: on a panel on the ‘WW1 Memorial Gates’ at the entrance to the Abedare Cemetery in NSW, on the Australian Roll-of-Honour in Canberra, and on the War-Memorial in the village of Plean in Stirlingshire, Scotland.
Plean, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
William and Henry PHEE. Plean, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
(note - his brother Private: 872 Henry Gault PHEE was KIA at Messines on the 19th of July 1917)
Bill Durrant: July 2022.
Cessnock War Memorial
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 19/07/ 2022-21/07/2022.

Private: 354 Samuel Leslie APTHORPE

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34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 354 Samuel Leslie APTHORPE

Born: 19th November 1883. Bishop's Bridge via West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:22218/1884.

Married: 8th May 1905. Wollombi, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:5618/1905.

Wife: Katherine Mary Apthorpe. nee: Farrell. (1884-1859)

Died: 27th January 1971. Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:42067/1971.

Father: Samuel Apthorpe. (1857-1934) died at Kearsley, N.S.W.

Mother: Ellen Apthorpe. nee: Whyburn. (1858-1950) died at Cessnock, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

East Maitland Showground

MAITLAND ENLISTMENT CAMP 1916. Tuesday 18th January 1916.

Private: 427 Martin James FARRELL. 3rd from Left. Private: 354 Samuel Leslie APTHORPE. 2nd from Right.

No.354 Samuel Leslie APTHORPE was a married 32 year old Machineman from ‘Sawyers Gully’ at West-Maitland when he enlisted in the AIF on the 4th of January 1916.
He embarked as a member of “B” Company of the 34th BATTALION AIF (Maitland’s Own)(Maitland’s Own) on board the HMAT (A20) ‘Hororata’ that departed Sydney on the 2nd of May 1916. The route was via: Albany in Western-Australia, Columbo in India, the Suez Canal, and Port Said. At Alexandria in Egypt the Battalion was then transhipped onto the S.S. ‘Aragon’ for the final leg of the voyage to Plymouth in England, arriving on the 23rd of June 1916.
On arrival in England the Battalion travelled by train, via Exeter, to the village of Amesbury in Wiltshire, where they unloaded and then marched the several miles to the Australian Camps at Lark Hill. On arrival they were allocated to the No.1 Camp and were then given four days Disembarkation-Leave prior to commencing training.
The Battalion now became part of the 9th Infantry Brigade (33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th Infantry Battalions, 9th Machine-Gun Company, 9th Field-Company Engineers, and the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery), of the 3rd Australian Division (9th, 10th, and 11th Infantry Brigades). It would spend the next couple of months training hard on Salisbury Plain to learn all the methods of fighting Trench-Warfare.
 1916 England. Unknown - Private: 427 Martin James FARRELL - Unknown
Private: 1051 Edwin "Ned" Alexander APTHORPE. - Private: 354 Samuel Leslie APTHORPE
On the 16th of August 1916 he reported sick and was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital diagnosed with influenza. He rejoined the Battalion seven days later.
The Brigade trained and practiced in Musketry, bayonet fighting, the digging of trenches, received their weapons, equipment and field-kitchens, attended various courses, practiced route-marching, improving their fitness, practised trench raids and attacks while coordinating with aircraft and Artillery, culminating in a week in October spent in trenches under active service conditions. They voted in the ‘Conscription Referendum’, were reviewed by His Majesty the King on Salisbury Plain, and then completed a final Divisional Route-March of 18 miles. Selected personnel had attended various Promotion and Officer Training Courses, in preparation for the Casualties that were inevitably to occur.
The 3rd Australian Division finally received their full allocation of rifles in early November and was then finally ready to proceed to the Western-Front. The delay in receiving their weapons had ensured that the 3rd Division was the most highly trained Australian Division to leave England.
On the 21st of November 1916 the 34th Battalion deployed across to France as part of the 9th Brigade's entry onto the Western Front. The 9th Brigade soon moved into the trenches near the village of Armentieres.
On the 28th of December 1916 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital with ‘scabies’. He was released on the 1st of January 1917.
· Offence– on the 17th of January 1917 he was charged with: “Neglect of Duty in that he was drinking in an estaminet during fatigue hours”. He was awarded 2 days of Field-Punishment No.2.
On the 22nd of February he reported sick and was admitted to hospital with myastitis. He was released on the 12th of March.
· Offence – on the 25th of May 1917 he was charged with: “Being absent from tattoo report 13/5/17 to 6 a.m. 24/5/17”. He was awarded 6 days of Field-Punishment No.2 and a total-forfeiture of 7 days pay.
On the 27th of May he was recorded as being WOUNDED-IN-ACTION, suffering a contusion and cut hand and wound to left leg. He was admitted to hospital and then released back to the Battalion on the 25th of June.
On the 3rd of July he reported sick and was admitted to hospital diagnosed with ‘debility’. He was released back to duty on the 16th.
He was with the 34th Battalion on the 12th of October 1917 for the unsuccessful attack on ‘PASSCHENDAELE’. During this attack he was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION, suffering a wound to his left leg. He was admitted to the 83rd (Dublin) General Hospital at Boulogne in France, and then transferred across to England where he was admitted to the Lakenham Military Hospital. On the 3rd of January 1918 he deployed back across to France and rejoined the 34th Battalion on the 10th of the month.
He was with the Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Brigade was sent south to the Somme, to be used as a Mobile-Formation, being thrown into the line wherever the line needed strengthening. The 9th Brigade ended up near the French village of Villers-Bretonneux.
He was with the 34th Battalion for the heroic ‘1st BATTLE OF VILLERS-BRETONNEUX’ on the 4th of April 1918, when the Germans advance toward the City of Amiens was opposed by the 9th Brigade, who were defending the village. The Germans were stopped and held to the East of the Village. He was there for the subsequent defence of the village by the 9th Brigade, up until the 18th of April when they were relieved by tired British Troops. A subsequent German attack several days later was successful in driving those tired British troops from the village, with the result that the 13th and 15th Australian Brigades had to then recapture the village in a courageous night-time attack on the 24th – 25th April 1918 (known now as the ‘2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’).
On the 30th of May 1918 in the Support-Battalion area of the line near ‘Rivery’ he was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION, being hit in the left arm. He was admitted to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station then transferred to No.1 General Hospital at Etaples. On the 21st of June he was transferred from hospital in France across to England, where on the 22nd of June he was admitted to the Kitchener War Hospital at Brighton, also suffering from an unknown fever. On the 5th of July he was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital.
On the 8th of July he was released to No.3 Command-Depot and on the 10th of September was transferred to the No.1 Command-Depot at Sutton-Veny.
On the 11th of November the Germans finally signed an Armistice, ending the fighting on the Western-Front.
· Offence - on the 20th of November 1918 at Sutton-Veny he was charged with: “Absent without leave from 23:59 14/11/18 till 12:20 15/11/18”. As a result he was ‘admonished’ and fined 1 days pay.
He began his return voyage to Australia on the 5th of January 1920 and arrived back on the 29th of February 1920. He was discharged from the AIF on the 22nd of April 1920.
Sawyer's Gully Roll of Honour
Sawyers Gully Memorial
Bill Durrant: June 2022.
Family Information
Samuel was a married 32 year old Machineman from ‘Sawyers Gully’ at West-Maitland when he enlisted in the AIF on the 4th of January 1916. Samuel's brother Aubrey Vincent Apthorpe served with the 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles and died on the 31st January 1902 • Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa from Enteric fever, Bloemfontein Hospital.  
Apthorpe Children. 7th September 1916
Sam (1910-1976) - Les (1907-1920) - Sarah (1916-2009) - Maidie (1912-1980) - Jack (1906-1980)
Frank (1909-1993) - Aubrey (1914-1961)
Grave of Katherine and Samuel Apthorpe and son Leslie Apthorpe. Kurri Kurri Cemetery
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 28/06/2022-02/07/2022.

Private: 3309 Lewis Wilfred GALLARD

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3309 Lewis Wilfred GALLARD

Born: 25th February 1900. Tunbridge, England. 

Married:

Wife:

Died:

Father: John Gallard. 

Mother:

INFORMATION

Another BOY SOLDIER of the 9th Brigade AIF
No.3309 Lewis GALLARD was working as a ‘whip maker’ at Fairfield in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 21st of June 1916. He had lied to the Recruiting Officer regarding his age, stating he was 21, when in reality he was only 17 years of age.
He embarked from Australia as a member of the 8th Reinforcements to the 35th Battalion on board the HMAT (A28) ‘Miltiades’ that sailed from Sydney on the 2nd of August 1917 and disembarked at Glasgow in Scotland on the 2nd of October 1917. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled to England by train, marching into the 9th Training-Battalion at Fovant in Wiltshire, the following day.
· On the 24th of December 1917 he was charged with the offence: “23/12/17 Neglect to obey R.O. in that he was in Fovant about 1:15 p.m. without a pass”. As punishment he was awarded 5 days Confinement to Barracks.
On the 30th of January 1918 he deployed across to France, marching into the 3rd Australian Infantry Base Depot at Rouelles. On the 3rd of February he marched out to the front in a Group of Reinforcements and was taken-on-strength by the 35th BATTALION AIF (Newcastles Own) on the 8th of February.
He was with the Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Brigade was sent south to the Somme, to be used as a Mobile-Formation, being thrown into the line wherever the line needed strengthening. At the end of the month the 9th Brigade had ended up near the French village of Villers-Bretonneux.
He was with the 35th Battalion for the heroic ‘1ST BATTLE OF VILLERS-BRETONNEUX’ on the 4th of April 1918, when the Germans advance toward the City of Amiens was stopped by the 9th Brigade.
The Germans were held to the East of the Village. He was there for the subsequent defence of the village by the 9th Brigade, up until the 18th of April when they were relieved by tired British Troops.
A subsequent German attack several days later was successful in driving these tired British troops from the village, with the result that the 13th and 15th Australian Brigade then had to recapture the village in a courageous night-time attack on the 24th – 25th April 1918.
On the 7th of May 1918 in an attack near Morlancourt he was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION suffering a bullet wound to his right thigh. He was evacuated to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, then transferred through to Rouen on the French Coast and was admitted first to the 12th General hospital, and then to the 72nd General Hospital at Tronville. On the 22nd of June he was released from hospital to the Australian Infantry Base Depot.
On the 28th of June 1918 he made a Statutory Declaration in which he admitted his true age and assumed his true name of ‘Lewis Wilfred GALLARD’, stating he had been born on the 25th of February 1900, and had enlisted under the age of 19 years.
On the 3rd of July he marched out to join the ‘AUSTRALIAN CORPS WORKING PARTY’ and while in transit he reported sick and was admitted to the 5th General Hospital at Rouen. On the 14th of July he was invalided across to the UK and the following day was admitted to the Cambridge Hospital at Aldershot, having been diagnosed with appendicitis.
He was granted a furlough from the 9th until the 23rd of August, with orders to then report to No.2 Command-Depot at Weymouth. On the 10th of October 1918 he marched in to the No.1 Command-Depot at Sutton-Veny.
The following day, on the 11th of November 1918, the Germans sign an Armistice ending the fighting on the Western-Front. On the 31st of the month he was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge-Deverill.
On the 23rd of March 1919 he returned to Sydney. He was discharged from the AIF on the 17th of April 1919.
(Bill Durrant: May 2022)
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 08/05/2022.

Private: 3145 Frank Milton TRITTON.

by

35th BATTALION - 36th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3145A Frank Milton TRITTON.

Born: 16th January 1887. Alexandria via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:11928/1887.

Married: 1916. Glebe via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  Marriage Cert:15001/1916.

Wife: Ethel Mary Tritton. nee: Harris. (1885-1969) 

Died: 14th July 1948. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17835/1948. 

Father: Alfred Thomas Tritton. (1833-1907) Died at Burwood, N.S.W. Death Cert:828/1907.

Mother: Rosina Sarah Tritton. nee: Ashton. (18..-1903) Died at Alexandria, N.S.W. Death Cert:4225/1903.

INFORMATION

No.3145 Frank Milton TRITTON was a married 30 year old Railway-Porter from Mascot in NSW when he enlisted on the 10th of October 1916. He was soon sent to the Depot Signal Training Company.
He embarked from Australia as a member of the 7th Reinforcements to the 35th Battalion on board the HMAT (A68) ‘Anchises’, that sailed from Sydney on the 24th of January 1917 and disembarked at Devonport in England on the 27th of March. On arrival the Reinforcements travelled by train to Wiltshire where they marched into the Australian Details Camp at Fovant. On the 7th of April 1917 he marched into the 9th Training-Battalion at Durrington to be taught the methods of trench-warfare.
On the 13th of April he reported sick and was admitted to the Fargo Hospital with a nasal obstruction. He was released from hospital on the 25th of April and resumed training at the 9th Training-Battalion.
On the 19th of March 1918 he finally deployed across to France and was taken-on-strength by the 36th BATTALION AIF (Carmichael’s Thousand), on the 24th of March. Due to there now being a duplication of Regimental Numbers in the Battalion he was given the suffix “A” becoming identified now as 3145A Private F.M.TRITTON.
He was with the Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Brigade was sent south to the Somme in response to a German breakthrough (Operation Michael) toward the City of Amiens. The Brigade was used as a Mobile-Formation, being thrown into the line wherever the line needed strengthening. The 9th Brigade ended up near the French village of Villers-Bretonneux.
He was with the 36th Battalion for the heroic ‘1st BATTLE of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX’ on the 4th of April 1918, when the Germans advance toward the City of Amiens was stopped by the 9th Brigade, thanks to courageous counter-attacks by both the 35th and the 36th Battalions. He was there for the subsequent defence of the village by the 9th Brigade, up until the 18th of April when they were relieved by tired British Troops. On the 17th and 18th of April the Germans heavily shelled the village and surrounding area, firing an estimated 12,000 shells using a combination of High Explosive and Mustard Gas shells.
On the 18th of April Frank was recorded as WOUNDED-IN-ACTION. He was evacuated and admitted to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from Poison-Gas. He was then transferred to the 3rd General Hospital at Treport on the French Coast. On the 13th of June he was discharged to the Australian Infantry Base Depot.
Due to the lack of new Reinforcements available and due to having lost nearly all its Senior-Officers during and after the Battle, the 36th Battalion had been officially disbanded on the 30th of April 1918. In a foreshadowing of what was to come later in 1918 the 3rd Australian Division (Commanded by General MONASH) had taken the decision to disband one Battalion in each of its three Brigades. The remaining men from each disbanded Battalion were used as Reinforcements for the remaining Battalions within their Brigades.
On the 30th of June 1918 Frank was transferred to and taken-on-strength by the 34th BATTALION AIF (Maitland’s Own).
He was with the Battalion for the Battle of ‘HAMEL’ which commenced on the 8th of August. On the 15th of August 1918 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital. He rejoined the 34th Battalion on the 5th of September and was with them for the ‘ADVANCE TO THE HINDENBURG LINE”.
On the 2nd of October the 9th Brigade was withdrawn from frontline duties for rest and rebuilding. On the 17th of October he was selected to attend a Signals Course at the Brigade Signals School at Yonville in France.
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 in Europe.
He began his return voyage to Australia on the 12th of June 1919 and arrived back on the 11th of August. He was discharged from the AIF on the 18th of September 1919.
Photo cropped from a Group photograph of the Signals course held at the Brigade Signals School at Yonville, in October 1918.

Bill Durrant: May 2022

Family Information

Frank was a married 30 year old Railway-Porter from Mascot in NSW upon his enlistment with the AIF

Ethel Mary Tritton. nee: Harris. (1885-1969)

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Military Records

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Under Construction: 29/05/2022.