Numerical List in Collection

Private: 2373 James PUTMAN

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2373 James PUTMAN

Born: 1877. Petersfield, Hampshire, England.

Died: 15th October 1917. Killed in Action. Belgium.

Father: James Lintott Putman.

Mother: Fanny Hoar.

INFORMATION

James Putman enlisted at Armidale N.S.W. on the 1st May 1916 and was allocated to the Armidale Depot Battalion before he was allocated to the 4th Reinforcements 33rd Battalion at the Rutherford Army Camp at West Maitland and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A30 "Borda" on the 17th October 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 9th January 1917. James was marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill for the next few months before proceeding overseas for France on the 13th March 1917 before he was Taken on in Strength on the 19th of March 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

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 Center 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.

14th October 1917.

Resting

15th October 1917.

Moving up to front line and relieved 42nd Battalion in support at AUGUSTUS WOOD relief being complete by 7:00 pm. Enemy heavily shelled our position and ABRAHAM HEIGHTS with 5.9-4.2 and wizz bang a few 8" being noted and much Gas Shell (Mustard)

James was Killed in Action on the 15th October 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

 

Menin Gate War Memorial

The War Graves Photographic Project

www.twgpp.org

Family Information

James served with the Territorial Forces in England before he immigrated to Australia and was a single 39 year old Engine Driver who worked at the Flour Mills at Boggabri, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. His mother Fanny Hoar was recorded as his next oh kin who lived at 9 Wolmer Cottages, Blackmore, Petersfield, Hampshire, England.

Boggabri War Memorial

The granite monument to soldiers who fought in World War I was unveiled by the Governor General in 1929.

James's British War Medal:50385 and Victory Medal:49722 to PTE 2373 J PUTMAN 33 BN AIF were acquired in August 2021 at Auction and are now in the Harrower Collection.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 28/07/2021-06/08/2021.

Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase Carre RIDDELL

by

10 Field Company Engineers- 33rd BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase Carre RIDDELL

Born: 27th August 1891. Brighton, Victoria, Australia. Victorian Birth Cert:10821/1892.

Died: 27th November 1978. Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia. Victorian Death Cert:27613/1978.

Father: Lieutenant Colonel: Thomas William Carre Riddell. (1852-1930)

Mother: Virginia Eleanor Consett Riddell. nee: Stephens. (1855-1898)

INFORMATION

Gervase Carre Riddell enlisted with the AIF in Melbourne, Victoria on the 3rd April 1916 and was allocated to the 10th Field Company Engineers at Seymour, Victoria on the 29th May 1916. 

Together with Victorian Golf Association member's badge in 15ct gold and enamel, reverse inscribed, 'G.Carre Riddell/Swan Hill. 1935'; two small b&w studio photos in uniform of Lt G.C.Riddell; Christmas Greeting card for 1899 from Capt. T.W.Carre Riddell featuring a b&w photo of the Captain in uniform and mounted on a horse; large b&w WWI studio photo of Col Consett Carre Riddell DSO, VD; other photos or copies of photos; a 10-page article by Bill Woolmore titled Colonel Consett Carre Riddell DSO, VD First President in Victoria, Sporting Shooters Association of Australia From Gallipoli To Gun Registration.

Gervase Carre Riddell, station manager, age 24, born at Melbourne, Vic; Enl.03Apr1916 at Melbourne, Vic, with previous voluntary service in Cadets 1908-9; Emb.20Jun1916; to 10 Field Coy Engineers; TOS 33Bn 25May1917; WIA 12Oct1917 GSW left foot France; to L/Cpl 08Jan1918; to 4 Officer Cadet Bn Refts 08Feb1918; to 2/Lt 20Aug1918; to Lieut 12Dec1918; granted leave to study Wool Classing at London Wool Exchange 10Apr1919; RTA 01Aug1919; Appt terminated 06Nov1919.

With copy of Service File.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.

Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase "Geoff" Carre RIDDELL. (1891-1978)

9th September 1919. France.

33rd Battalion Officers. Far Left Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase "Geoff" Carre RIDDELL. 

Dear Miss Phillips
I expect you will be
able to pick me out of this group.
It is not a good photo as it soes
not flatter me at all. I am quite well
& trust you are the same. I hear from
D. & Mrs Monk regularly. They both seem
to be working very hard as usual
With best wishes from Geoff Riddell
1918

Group portrait of nine Officers of the 33rd Battalion 1918. Eight of the men have signed the reverse of the photograph. Lieutenant: Lt Frank Albert Hutchings MC; - Lt Henry Kitching, MC; - Lt Gervase Carre Riddell; - Lt Robert Horner Fletcher, MC; - Lt David McNeil; - Lt John Raymond Paul; - Lt Sydney Muddle.

Australian War Memorial

Rear Row L to R:  Lieutenant: 2559 Robert Horner FLETCHER. MC - Lieutenant: 3072 Frank Albert HUTCHINGS MC. - Lieutenant: 10617 Sidney MUDDLE. - Lieutenant: 17 David McNEIL 

Front Row L to R: Lieutenant: ? MC -Lieutenant: 10336 Gervase Carre RIDDELL - Lieutenant: ? -  Lieutenant: ? - Lieutenant: 806 Henry KITCHING. MC. 

Family Information

 

1913. Elsternwick Golf Club

Club Champion in the same year as his sister Winona at Elsternwick GC (now Kingston Heath) Earlier, at age 12 in 1903, he had a nine hole course laid out at home, Cavers Carre, Elsternwick.

1924. Gervase designed Swan Hill Golf Course. It was said that "farming was his livelyhood, golf was his game".

1936. Soldier Settler at Fish Point near Lake Boga, Victoria. Ran the property with his sister Yolande. Neither ever married.

2nd July 1953, his brother Major: Consett Carre RIDDELL died in Toora, Victoria, when Gervase Carre was 61 years old.

Major: Consett Carre RIDDELL. DSO VD MID (1892-1953)

ANZAC Day this year has been subject to much publicity in recognition of course of the 100 years passing since that fateful landing of Commonwealth troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.  The exploits and suffering of the Australian and New Zealand contingent following their landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 was legendary and has become a symbol for national commemoration for that campaign and others of subsequent military engagements in which Australia has been involved.
The extensive current media coverage, VIP and celebrity involvement, radio, film and television dramatization is fine.  Still it was wonderful to hear our own Dr John Carre-Riddell's pride and feelings come through in his highly personal story of ANZAC Day 1915 as experienced by his father.
John's father studied mining engineering and science at Melbourne prior to the first war.  Following the declaration of war on 4 August 1914 and Australia's support for Britain, Victoria contributed 6,800 men of 20,000 assembled by December 1914 for a promised division.  Consett Carre-Riddell was one of those.  The plan for a second front eventuated and so the Gallipoli and the Anzac landing at which John's father was present.
We learnt of how initially injured and evacuated, Consett Carre-Riddell returned and employed his mining background to fabricate tunnels to penetrate the Turkish lines.
The nature of the terrain and fighting at Gallipoli is well known, but letters from John's father describing aspects of it were fascinating and poignant.  So was the observation that of six student mates at Melbourne only Consett Carre-Riddell returned from the Great War.
We were reminded of the disastrous Gallipoli campaign but highly successful final evacuation but mostly of the horrible statistics.  Of 80,000 Australians, 18,000 were wounded and 8,500 killed.  The British contingent was much larger with similar relative losses.  The impact of the now recognised, overall bad plan, poor preparation (one doctor for 800 patients) and generally inferior strategic and on field management was borne by all there.  The skill and tenacity of the enemy was recalled too.
Thank you John for the opportunity to share in your personal reflection of ANZAC Day.  It will provide a fitting backdrop for members celebration of it.

1965 Gervase retired to Swan Hill and continued a love of golf, formed from his youth. He beat his age when 78 years old. (77 "off the stick") He authored and self published two books: Evolution of Golf in Victoria and Practical Golf Course Design and Construction.

His sister Edith Winona Carre died on 29 August 1974 in Ringwood, Victoria, when Gervase Carre was 83 years old.

 

"Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas William Carre-Riddell served with the Victorian Mounted Rifles under Colonel Tom Price and later commanded the 9th Light Horse Regiment. Honorary aide-de-camp to three successive Victorian Governors he also commanded the military escort for King George's opening of Parliament in 1901." The Victorian Mounted Rifles was formed in June 1885 under the leadership of Colonel Tom Price for the defence of Melbourne and the Colony of Victoria. The First Victorian Contingent to South Africa was a corps of 125 infantrymen embodied at the Victoria Barracks on 17 October 1899, with 89 of them drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles. The Company was led by Captain Duncan McLeish.

Commander of Victorian Mounted Rifles

Lieutenant Colonel: Thomas William Carre Riddell. (1852-1930)

Brighton General Cemetery

Virginia Eleanor Consett Riddell. nee: Stephens. (1855-1898)

Soldier Settler Farm named Camieston at Lake Boga Victoria

Soldier settler farm near Lake Boga Vic. Gervase ran farm with his sister Yolande. Named after Riddell property in Scotland.

Gervase served during World War 2 with the 21st Victorian Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps with the rank of Lieutenant from 1942 to 1945.

Name RIDDELL, GERVASE CARRE
Service Australian Army
Service Number V360432
Date of Birth 27 Aug 1891
Place of Birth BRIGHTON, VIC
Date of Enlistment 13 Jul 1942
Locality on Enlistment LAKE BOGA, VIC
Place of Enlistment SWAN HILL, VIC
Next of Kin RIDDELL, C
Date of Discharge 31 Oct 1945
Rank Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge 21 VIC BN V D C
Prisoner of War No
Honours None for display

Gervase's British War Medal: 47558 and Victory Medal:46750 to Lt 10336 G.C.RIDDELL 33 BN AIF and gold Victorian Golf Association Badge were acquired in August 2021 at Auction from the Bill Woolmore Collection and are now in the Harrower Collection with a World War 2 unnamed pair.

23rd September 2024.

His Identification Tag 10336 G.C.RIDDELL 10 F.C.E and "Overseas Club Melbourne 1915-16" badge numbered to rear "1548" were auctioned but as the underbidder I was unable to secure for the Harrower Collection

0336 G.RIDDELL 10 F.C.E

Overseas Club Melbourne 1915-16. Badge numbered to rear "1548"

Military Records

 

Under Construction: 27/07/2021.

Private: 900 Thomas Saunders WELLS

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 900 Thomas Saunders WELLS

Born: 1887. Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: (Birth Not Registered)

Married: 1922. Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert: 3245/1922.

Wife: Ada Agnes Wells. nee: Wright. (1902-1934)

Died: 14th May 1960. Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18405/1960.

Father: William George Wells. (1850-1919)

Mother: Louisa Maria Wells. nee: Charters. (1868-1915)

INFORMATION

Thomas Saunders Wells was an original Kurrajong and received the Inverell Recruitment Medal.

Early on the morning of 12 January 1916, Inverell witnessed a great day in its young history. A huge crowd assembled in the streets to farewell Inverell’s first contingent of The Kurrajongs. This group of 114 men was one of ten snowball recruiting marches held in NSW to encourage enlistment. At the time, these men were the largest group to leave a country town together for War Service.

Wearing white hats, the men marched from near the corner of Rivers and Otho Streets, to the Town Hall for the official farewell by the Mayor. The huge procession then proceeded down to Byron Street and on to the railway station, passing shops closed for the occasion. Banners were held high by the volunteers. Thousands of people, including women and children in white dresses with shady hats, stood in the streets as bands led the way.

At the railway station the train had been decorated with Kurrajong leaves and flags for the occasion. A special train had been arranged to take them to the Narrabri camp. Along the way the train stopped overnight at Warialda and Moree where further rallies were held and more recruits joined the Kurrajongs.

Inverell Remembers

Inverell Recruitment Medal

Inverell Recruitment Medal presented to Thomas Wells on the 10th January 1916.

The Kurrajongs

Tom was allocated to C Company 33rd Battalion AIF and was entrained with the 33rd Battalion to Sydney and embarked on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th July 1916.

Tom proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916 via Southampton with the 33rd Battalion and traveled by paddle steamer ‘Mona Queen’ to France arriving November 22, 1916 at 7:00 am in Le Havre. The Battalion moved in to the No:1 Rest Camp just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

S.S Mona Queen S.S. "MONA QUEEN"

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles.The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defense line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in disarray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 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

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

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

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

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

Thomas was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance on the 18th April 1918 for Gas Poisoning before he was evacuated to Rouen where he was admitted to the 8th General hospital for further treatment before he was invalided to England where he was admitted to to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley with his condition being recorded as Mental.and he returned to Australia 21 July 1918 suffering from Insanity due to Alcohol. 

War Medal: to PTE 900 T.S.WELLS 33-BN. A.I.F. (Harrower Collection)

Tom's War Medal:44682 to PTE 900 T.S.WELLS 33-BN. A.I.F. was acquired in December 2020 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Pre World War 1. Wells Family Photo

Rear Standing: Thomas,

Middle: ? William George, Ada Agnes, ? ? 

Front Row: ? ?

Tom was a single Wallaby Shooter from Inverell, N.S.W. upon enlistment. 

Wedding Photo of Tom and Ada Wells 1922.

Tom is buried at the Tingha Cemetery

Tom was the Grandson of Thomas Wells (1799-1881) and Martha Wells nee: Shaw. (1808-1862) both were Convicts and sent to Australia from England.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 21/12/2020-22/12/2020.

Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON. M.C.

by

17th BATTALION - 34th BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON. M.C.

Born: 29th December 1889. Woolahra via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:31780/1890.

Married 1: 1914. Waverley, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8561/1914.

Wife 1: Lily E Richardson. nee: Weir. 

Married 2: 5th April 1928. Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife 2: Annie Howieson Richardson. nee: Brown.

Died: 9th November 1949. Queensland, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: George Richardson. (1864-1937)

Mother: Elizabeth Richardson. nee: Hemsley. (1871-1948)

INFORMATION

William Harold Richardson was serving with the Australian Rifles when he enlisted with the AIF on the 5th September 1915 at the Royal Agricultural Showground in Sydney. William was allocated the rank of Corporal. On the 15th of December 1915 William was promoted to the rank of Sergeant with the 9th reinforcements, 17th Battalion AIF and on the 8th January 1916 he was allocated to the 11th reinforcements 17th Battalion AIF.

William commenced Officer training at Duntroon and was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was allocated to the 4th reinforcements 34th Battalion AIF and embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A30 "Borda" on the 17th October 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 9th January 1917. William was marched in with the 4th reinforcements to the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill. 

On the 2nd February he was marched in the the Command School at Weymouth before he was sent to the School of Instruction back at the Durrington Army Camp on the 9th of July 1917. William proceeded overseas for France on the 8th August 1917 and was marched out to the lines where he was taken on in strength with the 34th Battalion at the Aldershot Camp on the 14th August 1917.

The Battalion left Aldershot Camp on the 15th August and marched to Bailleul Station to en train for Wizernes. From here a lone march was carried out to Vaudringhem. this was a quite village and with its peaceful farms and green fields was a very pleasant change from the chaos of the Battle Area. The Billets were in old farm houses and the men trained with zest and Sports were held twice weekly. New formations were practiced and everyone was made ready and fit to again meet the enemy and defeat him.

(34th Battalion War Diary)

On 22nd August 1918 the Battalion less one Company "B" became Brigade Reserve to the 35th and 33rd Battalions plus our "B" Company who were to advance the Line. The enemy now commenced to shell our area with guns of every calibre, Battalion Headquarters and the Regimental Aid Post getting their full share as well as the Transport bringing up the ammunition.

At 7:10 pm the Battalion was orders to move forward, as the Imperial Troops were reported to be retiring on the left flank, under pressure of an enemy counter attack. The 33rd Battalion which was holding the Front Line, sent back for further assistance and "C" Company was sent up, the other two Companies remaining in support. In the meantime Captain: Norman Sydney CAIRNS., O.C. "B" Company, who had been doing good work by organising a number of the Imperial Troops and reinforcing the left flank, repulsed the counter attack, inflicting very heavy losses on the enemy. Later "C" and "D" Companies made a contact with "B" Company.

The position at this point was obscure and the men were badly in need of a meal after their strenuous work. At midnight the Ration Limbers arrived at Battalion Headquarters with a hot meal which was sent forward to where the men were holding the line. With Sergeant: 841 William Samuel MUDFORD. acting as guide, this was delivered, in spite of heavy shell and machine gun fire, to the men, who had a hot meal whilst actually holding the enemy at bay. The Limbers had a rough trip going back to their quarters through a heavy barrage directed on the road. Later all objectives were gained and the Companies linked up and formed a Front Line. In the operation 2 Officers and 40 Other Ranks of the enemy were taken prisoner. These were used as stretcher bearers to assist our own in their heavy work.

Being relieved on the 23rd August by the 39th Battalion, the Companies marched out independently to a reserve position in the vicinity of Sailly le Sac. A hot meal was waiting for the men on arrival, who rested the next day. Next day Orders were received to move forward the following day at short notice. Two days were spent standing by awaiting the movement Order. On 27th August the 44th Battalion was relieved in the vicinity of Vaux Wood, where the men were subjected to heavy shell fire and an intense machine gun barrage from the enemy. The 28th opened with drizzling rain, but it cleared later on. Orders were received to move through the 35th Battalion who were attacking at Curlu. These however were later countermanded, as the Imperial Troops on the left were failing to keep up with the advance.

On 29th August the Battalion relieved the 35th Battalion in the Front Line and at 5:00 am pushed out strong Patrols to gain contact with the enemy, from whom slight opposition was met. The 10th London Regiment was still lagging behind in the attack and a defensive left flank had to be established. The Australian Light Horse having reconnoited the position during the afternoon, another advance was made at 4:00 pm under a light barrage, with slight casualties. This operation resulted in an advance on a front of 1500 yards to a depth of 5000 yards. Again the London Regiment failed to keep up with the advance and defensive flanks had to be established in order to cover the gap. About 30 or 40 of the enemy were killed and 75 prisoners and machine guns captured. At 10:00 pm instructions were received to again attack the enemy position, two objectives being give.

The attack was made before dawn, without a barrage. The first objective was reached with few casualties, in spite of heavy machine gun fire. The advance was continued but owing to the intensity of machine gun fire and the fact that the troops on either flank were held up, it was not possible to completely take the objective. The Battalion consolidated its position and on the left flank, owing to the extremely gallant conduct of Lieutenant: 9152 Alexander John GRUNSELL. M.M who was later killed in action, a strong point was established which played havoc with the enemy in Marriere Wood. At 7:00 am a request was made for a barrage to assist in the complete capture of the position, but it was decided to postpone the operation until the following morning.

The troops subjected to intense machine gun fire and severe shelling throughout the day and during the afternoon, about 50 rounds from our own 4.5 Howitzers fell 1500 yards behind our own Front Line. The enemy troops holding this portion of their Line were from their Second Guards Division and the intensity of machine gun fire may be gauged from the fact that the 33rd Battalion renewed the attack the next morning 100 machine guns were captured on that Sector. During the operation, which gained 1500 yards on a 100 yard frontage, Captain: Alexander Warren MACDONALD. Lieutenant: 9152 Alexander John GRUNSELL. and 15 Other Ranks killed in action whilst Captain: Edmund BEAVER. Lieutenant: 11334 Leslie John Bentley HARTSHORN. and 45 Other Ranks were wounded.

On 31st August the 33rd Battalion having passed through to the attack, our Battalion was relieved by the 11th Brigade. From 1st to 5th September the men spent resting and going to the baths, and also to a Concert at Suzanne, in spite of active bombing by enemy planes. Whilst here the Battalion was standing by awaiting orders for a further move forward. Heavy rain set in on the 8th and continued until the 10th.

(34th Battalion War Diary)

27th November 1917

PONT ROUCE

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

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

(34th Battalion War Diary.)

Military Cross

Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON. 34th Battalion AIF. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Bray on the 22nd August 1918. While the Battalion was forming a defensive flank after having gained its objective, he saw some troops on the left retiring and at once rushed up and collected some men, placing them in position under intense machine-gun fire and shelling. His prompt action and disregard of danger restored the line". 

Commonwealth Gazette: 3rd June 1919. 67  

7th September 1918

Recommended for Bar Military Cross

Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON. 34th Battalion AIF. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in the vicinity of  CLERY-Sur-SOMME on the 28th August 1918. The left flank of the attack was held up by Machine gun fire and this Officer regardless of danger and under heavy Artillery fire collected a party, bombed his way along the trench and killed the enemy crews capturing two Machine Guns. 

He again collected a party and attacking the enemy in the open, capturing 50 prisoners and 5 Machine Guns. Throughout the operation this Officer set his men a magnificent example of courage and resource. 

This Officer was recommended for the Military Cross on 28.8.1918.

William was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 22nd September 1917.

On the morning of 29th September a move was made to Z Copse, where the Transport and Quarter Master's Stores remained. The Battalion moved forward to follow in support of the American Battalions which were to make their first stage of attack on the Hindenburg Line.

After the capture of this by them, our Battalion was to leap frog through them to the Le Catelet Line. Th Americans got through the the opposition after a hard fight but failed to mop up the area, with the result that our Battalion, following in support, came under very severe machine gun fire in the vicinity of Gillemont Farm, where there were a number of casualties, including the C.O. Lieutenant Colonel: Walter Arnold LeRoy FRY. Major: Francis George GRANT. then assumed command. The Battalion pushed forward and occupied a position on the knoll just behind and to the left of Bony, where the whole situation remained very obscure.

During the advance rain fell very heavily making the going extremely difficult. Our casualties were 27, including Lieutenant: 1422 James SNEDDEN. and Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON who were wounded.

(34th Battalion War Diary)

William received a Gunshot wound to the head and leg and was treated by the 55th Casualty Clearing Station before he was evacuated to England on the 25th of October 1918. After William was discharged from Hospital he embarked for Australia and embarked on the 13th December 1918 on board the "Karoola" and he was discharged from the AIF on the 7th November 1919.

Wound Badge A84099 issued to Lieutenant: William Harold RICHARDSON. M.C. was acquired in December 2020 from a dealer in Queensland, Australia and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

William was a single 25 year old Motor Mechanic from 9 Transvaal Avenue Double Bay, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 01/12/2020.

Private: 1985a Austin Thomas O’NEIL.

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1985a Austin Thomas O'NEIL.

Born: 7th September 1895. Richmond, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:36247/1895.

Married 1: 30th April 1919. Liverpool, England. Marriage Cert: ME8819.

Wife 1: Chrystine Desmond O'Neil. nee: Harrington. (1891-1947)

Married 2: 1956. Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:23934/1956.

Wife 2: Dorothea Edith Lillian O'Neil. nee: Rose.  

Died: 2nd July 1982. West Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:16729/1982.

Father: Arthur Joseph O'Neil. (1860-1941)

Mother: Mary Anne O'Neil. nee: Waters. (1863-1930)

INFORMATION

Arthur Thomas O'Neil enlisted with the AIF on the 27th November 1916  and was allocated to the 6th Light Trench Mortar Battery and embarked from Sydney on board RMS "Osterley" on the 20th February 1917 and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 11th April 1917. Arthur was later transferred to the 62nd Battalion before proceeding overseas for France on the 23rd of August to reinforce the 3rd Division. On the 1st of September 1917 Arthur was taken on in strength with the 35th Battalion in the field.

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

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

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

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

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

Arthur was granted leave to England on the 5th September 1918 and was admitted to the 1st Western General Hospital on the 21st of September 1918 whilst on leave. He returned to Australia on the 3rd October 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 10th November 1919.

Arthur's War Medal: 70341 and Victory Medal: 67541 to PTE A.T.O'NEIL 35BN AIF was acquired in November 2020 and are now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Arthur was a single 21 year old Railway Clerk from Sydney, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. After the Great war he lived at Grafton, N.S.W. during the 1930's 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/11/2020.

Private: 584 Reginald John TURNER.

by

36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 584A Reginald John TURNER.

Born: 1896. Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:5630/1896.

Died: 7th June 1917. Died of Wounds received at Messines Ridge, Belgium.

Father: William George (1858-1910)

Mother: Annie Turner. nee: Carroll. (1860-1927)

INFORMATION

Reginald John Turner with the 39th Engineers at Fort Scratchley and transferred to the 16th Infantry prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 22nd of February 1916 at Newcastle and left Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th of May 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth on the 9th July 1916 and was marched in to the Durrington Army Camp at Lark Hill where he commenced training with the 9th Infantry Training Battalion. He proceeded overseas for France on the 2nd of November 1916. 

22nd November 1916.

Larkhill. Troops en trained at Amesbury Station in three trains. 1st Train 7:47 am Compliment-Officers 11 and 327 others, 19 horses, 8 hand carts, 3 4 wheeled wagons and 9 bicycles. Lieutenant Colonel: James William Albert SIMPSON. Officer Commanding. A Company Lieutenant: Herman Augustus ARNOLD. B Company Lieutenant: 3 Harry WOODHAMS. C Company Lieutenant: James Michael JULEFF.

2nd Train 9:15 am-Compliment-Officers 11 and 327 others. 20 horses, 2 two wheeled, 5 four wheeled vehicles. Major: Archibald Clifford BLACKLOW. Officer Commanding. A Company Lieutenant: Richard Henry DOYLE..

3rd Train 11:am- Compliment-Officers 10, 326 other ranks, 20 horses, 2 two wheeled, 5 four wheeled vehicles. Major: Archibald Leeson PRINCE. Officer Commanding. B Company Lieutenant: 1376 William James GORDON.

Embarked "Caesarea" 24 Officers, 811 others. Embarked "African Prince" 8 Officers 168 others, 59 horses, 15 four wheeled vehicles, 12 two wheeled vehicles and 9 bicycles. Total 32 Officers, others 979 left Southampton 6:00 pm. 1 Officer 75 others detailed as sentries and boat guard. 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 20 detailed as Firing Party. 5 Sanitary Police and 10 men as Sanitary Party.

23rd November 1916.

Arrived at La Havre 1:40 am. Disembarked 7:25 am. Marched via town to No:1 Rest Camp arrived 11:40 am. Remained at Rest Camp, Le Harve, till 6:30 am 24th November 1916.

24th November 1916.

36th Battalion, less 8 Officers 250 Other Ranks marched via town to point 3 Railway Station, Le Harve at 8:00am. En trained and left Le Harve at 10:30 am. Proceeded via Montcrolier Buchy, Abbeville 6:10 am. 10 hours late via Boulogne Calais and Bailleul. Arrived at Bailleul at 4:25 pm 25th November 1916.

25th November 1916.

Detrained at Bailleul marched to billets at Merris district. Arrived at billets 10:45 pm. Quartered in 12 billets. Headquarters at Hameur Farm.

26th November 1916.

4 Officers 100 men "A" Company arrived at Merris at 8:30 am. Remainder of Battalion arrived at Merris 4:00 pm. Hostile aircraft shelled overhead 2:15 pm.

27th November 1916.

8 N.C.O's detailed to attend Gas School for 4 days. All Officers instructed in Box Respirator by Divisional Gas Officer. General: Alexander John GODLEY and General: Sir John MONASH visited billets at Hameur Farm at 2:30 pm. Captain: John Martin HAWKEY. and 1 N.C.O. per Company visited forward billets at Armentiers.

28th November 1916.

Battalion left for Armentieres in 16 Motor Lorries. Whole Battalion reported in billets at Armentieres at 5:30 pm. Headquarters established at 6:00 pm Rue De Strasburg.

29th November 1916.

Whole Battalion still in billets-supply Working Parties Only.

30th November 1916.

Visited the front line on left sector of Defenses at Armenteriers.

1917.

22nd January 1917.

Armenteries. Enemy started light shelling at 10:00 am. At 2:00 pm locality 16 & 17 was heavily bombarded also locality 14 which ended in a box barrage being put on at 4:10 pm and an attack by the enemy from Pimple Salient. They entered our trenches but were only in 10 minutes. Our casualties 11 killed, 36 wounded, 4 missing. It is quite possible the 4 missing have been buried by Minnies.

Killed in Action; Lance Sergeant: 11 Francis Anthony ANGELINETTA. (A Company) - Corporal: 937 John Jack WILDRIDGE (A Company) - Private: 172 Charles SLOCOMBE. (A Company)

Wounded in Action; Private: 33 Ralph Albert ASH.

Missing in Action;  Private: 180 William Lionel STALKER. (A Company) - Private: 1706 Andrew WILLIAMS. (A Company) 

Informant; Private: 176 Oscar Norman SMITH "On the 22nd January 1917 at Houplines, Armentieres the German bombarded out trenches heavily before raiding them Private: 180 William Lionel STALKER and another Private: 1706 Andrew WILLIAMS were missing for several days after the bombardment. We then found their bodies buried in a shelter and frozen in the ground and up to the time of my being wounded on the 6th of February their bodies had not been but out owing to the frost. There can be no doubt at all as to the identity of these men. I am surprised they have not been reported killed.

17th February 1917

On the night of 17th-18th February last. Lieutenant: Clarence William BODDY 36th Bn when on patrol in NO MAN'S LAND, crawled close up to a Machine Gun emplacement in the enemy wire when the Gun therein suddenly Opened fire. Sergeant: 731 Gordon Mott COX who was hit and their presence became known to the enemy who thereupon opened up a concentrated fire on them. Lieutenant BODDY who was carrying a demolition charge which was hit by a bullet without causing it to explode, thereupon crawled backwards to within about six yards of the gun, with the charge under him, fired it and he and the Sergeant both dashed away and sheltered in a crater. The charge exploded and the gun at once ceased fire and it is probable that it was destroyed. Corps, Divisional, and Brigade Commanders desire to congratulate Lieutenant BODDY on his successful and hazardous enterprise.

(36th Battalion War Diary)

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles.The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General: Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defense line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in dissaray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm General: Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Field Dressing Station, Messines 07/06/1917

FIELD DRESSING STATION, MESSINES 7th June 1917. 

Reginald was treated for Gunshot Wounds to his Abdomen and Right leg by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance before he was evacuated by Stretcher Bearers to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station where he Died of Wounds received at Messines.

25th July 1917.

Private: 584 Reginald TURNER was admitted to this Station on the night of the 6.6.17 suffering with a severe Gunshot wound of the abdomen. An examination of his wound was made immediately and everything possible was done to relieve his suffering, but there was no hope held for his recovery, and I regret to say that he passed quietly away on the evening of the 7.6.17. He was buried the next day in the Bailleul Military Cemetery, the service at the graveside being conducted by the Reverend Father J FAHEY D.S.O. R.C. Chaplain attached to this Hospital. Particulars of the grave etc, may be obtained on application to the Graves Commission G.H.Q.

The Adjutant.

1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station.    

Reginald is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Bailleul Military Cemetery, France.

Bailleul Military Cemetery, France.

His medals and Memorial Plaque with Scroll were returned when they were sent to 71 Charles Street Cook's Hill via Newcastle on the 20th September 1922 and were later re sent to 22 Laman Street, Cook's Hill in December 1923. Reginald's Memorial Plaque 325297 was issued to his mother Annie on the 18th of December 1923 and was acquired in 2018 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Reginald was a single 20 year old Labourer in the care of Mrs Cleary of Young Street, Broadmeadow, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. In November 2023 Reginald's Memorial Plaque was on sold back to his family in Victoria. 

Family information from Alana Raw

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/07/202006/11/2023.

Private: 510 Herbert James “Jimmy” NORTHEY

by

33rd BATTALION - 2nd BATTALION AIF

Private: 510 Herbert James "Jimmy" NORTHEY

Born: 5th January 1898. Uralla, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:7822/1898.

Married: 1919. Uralla, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:5110/1919.

Wife: Evelyn Mildred Northey. nee: Hopley. (18..-1965) Died at Auburn, N.S.W. Death Cert:21394/1965.

Died: 30th August 1952. Auburn, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:21175/1952.

Buried: Rookwood Cemetery.

Father: James Robert Northey. (1869-1949)

Mother: Ada Mary Northey. nee: Margin. (1874-1932)

INFORMATION

Herbert James "Jimmy" NORTHEY enlisted with the AIF on the 3rd of January 1916 at the Armidale Army Camp and was an original member of the 33rd Battalion AIF. He was allocated to B Company.

The composition of the 33rd Infantry Battalion was on a district basis. "A Company" was from Armidale and Tamworth, "B Company" was from Walcha, Uralla, Barrabra, Bingara and Manilla. "C Company" was from Narrabri, Moree and Inverell. and "D Company was from Glen Innes, Guyra and Tenterfield.

Jimmy en trained from Farley station with the 33rd battalion and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May 1916

Postcards sent home from Jimmy to his mother from the front and the 3rd General Hospital in London.

 

Uralla Public School Honour Roll.

St Johns Church, Uralla.

Studio photo and post cards of Jimmy Northey were acquired in March 2020 and are now in the Harrower Collection

Family Information

Jimmy was a single 18 year old Bakers Apprentice upon enlistment with the AIF.

 

 

 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 07/03/2020-17/03/2020.

Sergeant: 2 Alfred GENDLE.

by

33rd INFANTRY BATTALION. New South Wales Irish Rifles.

Sergeant: 2 Alfred GENDLE.

Born: abt 1866 • Tavistock, Devon, England.

Married: 1895. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:2640/1895.

Wife: Lydia S Gendle. nee: Reeves. (1869-1942) Died at Armidale. Death Cert:15377/1942.

Died: 30th August 1927. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13501/1927.

Father: Samuel Gendle. 

Mother:

INFORMATION

Alfred enlisted with the 33rd Infantry Battalion in abt 1902. Edward was the second man to enlist with the Battalion his service number was 2. He was serving with the 33rd Infantry Battalion at Armidale, N.S.W. with the rank of Sergeant and would have been a member of the AIF recruitment staff helping to raise and train men to serve during World War 1 with the 33rd Battalion AIF.

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No: 176. 7th September 1922. Page 1326.

Alfred was presented with the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal on the 7th of September 1922 with the rank was Sergeant. He received his long service medal with Warrant Officer 1st class: 1 Charles Edward FIELDHOUSE. Sergeant: 2 Alfred GENDLE. 33rd Battalion and Sergeant: 3 Edward John LOCKYER. 33rd Battalion. All were members of the 33rd Battalion, 2nd Military District. The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria for service in the colonies. The medal was issue to volunteer forces and only 1199 medals were issued to Australians. The issue of this medal ceased during the reign of King George the 5th.

Family Information

6th March 1925.
Mr. A. Gendle, ganger in the employ of the Armidale Municipal Council, underwent an operation in the Armidale Hospital on Tuesday. From latest inquiries he was doing as well as could be expected.
31st August 1927. 
MR. ALFRED GENDLE.
The death occurred suddenly on Tuesday, at mid-day of Mr. Alfred Gendle, for thirty-one years an employee of the Armidale City Council, whom he served faithfully and well. Some time ago he strained himself, and had to retire from active work. The Council was so pleased with his honest work that they retained his services in an advisory capacity. He was head ganger for many years. He leaves a widow and two children Eva and Ernie to mourn their loss. The deceased was 62 years of age.
3rd September 1927.
The funeral of the late Mr. Alfred Gendle, who died suddenly at his residence on Tuesday took place, on
Wednesday, the remains being interred in the Methodist Cemetery. The Rev. R. J. Williams officiated. The cortege included several aldermen of the Armidale. City Council, for whom the late Mr. Gendle worked for thirty-one years; the Town Clerk (Mr. F. W.Milner); and members of the outside staff. Many exquisite floral tributes testified to the esteem and respect in which deceased was held by all sections of the community. Piddingtons carried out the funeral arrangements.

TROVE ARTICLE

Armidale Cemetery

Under Construction: 11/11/2019

Private: 1902 Robert Austin “Roy” CRANNIS.

by

54th - 34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy "Snowy" CRANNIS.

Born: 6th April 1897. Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 7th June 1917. Killed in Action at Grays Farm, Messines, Belgium. 

Father: Frederick Joseph Crannis. (1865-14/05/1932) Died at Molong, N.S.W.

Mother: Mary Ann Crannis. nee: Wagner. (1863-21/06/1954) Died at Manildra, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

Robert Austin Roy "Snowy" Crannis enlisted with the AIF at Orange, N.S.W and was allocated to the 3rd Reinforcements 54th Battalion at Dubbo, New South Wales on the 15th January 1916 and embarked from Sydney on boards HMAT A37 "Barambah" for England.

HMAT A37 "Barambah"

Transferred to the 34th Battalion AIF on the 23rd September 1916 and was marched in to the 9th Training Battalion at Larkhill and proceeded overseas for France on the 21st of November 1916. 

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

7th June 1917

The 3rd Australian Divisions first major offensive was at Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917. The Australian 3rd Division was a part of the II Anzac Corps which was allotted to the first assault. The 25th New Zealand, 3rd Australian Division with the 4th Australian Division in reserve. The 4th Division were battle hardened troops who had fought many major battles.The 3rd Australian Division were having problems getting to the "jump off" point. The day before the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades were bombarded by German Gas-Shells around Hill 63 and Ploegsteert Wood. Many of the Aussies were not wearing gas masks, but despite this they pressed on even though they received 500 casualties.

They made it to the "jump off" point but only just with some of the men from the 9th and 10th going straight over the top without stopping. The mines went up and the attack commenced behind a protective barrage. The II Anzac Corps were attacking on the right with their objective being the southern shoulder of the ridge which included Messines, the Dover and St Yves areas as far south to the east of Ploegsteert Wood.

Major General Sir John MONASH's 3rd Division had to contend with a tricky 3 mile approach out of Ploegsteert Wood and after the German gas attack, but they were not deterred. The 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Alexander JOBSON and the 10th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General W R NICHOLL had just made the jumping off point but some of the men did not stop, going straight into the assault from the approach march.

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German defense line as the 9th and 10th Infantry Brigades went over the top. The mine crates forced the 9th and 10th Brigades to veer to the left and right which caused some confusion with the main assault. It is testimony to the quality of training that every man knew the ground, tasks and objectives so well.

Private: 1804 John CARROLL 33rd Battalion, rushed the enemy's trench and bayoneted four of the German occupants. He then noticed a comrade in difficulties and went to his assistance, killing another German. He then attacked single handed a German Machine Gun Team, killing all three of them and capturing the gun. He later rescued two of his comrades who had been buried alive by German Shell Fire, and in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun fire he dug them out alive and saved them from certain death. John was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The German forward zone was completely engulfed and taken by the main assault. The two supporting battalions of each brigade then passed the leading battalion to continue the advance. The men were constantly re-supplied and the ridge was taken. There were many German prisoners taken during the offensive. The 3rd Division was well ahead with the 9th Infantry Brigade pushing on beyond Grey Farm, and on the right the 10th Infantry Brigade were veering left towards Septieme Barn north of Douve.

The German resistance was heavy but was generally brushed aside by tanks and artillery before the infantry had to become too involved.The 4th Bavarian Divisions Artillery had made little impact, but as the day wore on the 3rd Division and later the 4th Australian Division received many casualties from German artillery. (70% of all casualties during WW1 were from artillery).

By 9:00 am nearly 6 hours after the assault began the Germans were in dissaray, but there was a major problem as the Australians received less casualties as anticipated and when ordered to dig into the ridge they had so many men, that some could not find shelter. the 35th battalion were dug in around Seaforth Farm.

The second phase of the operation was to take the Oosttaverne Line. The 3rd Australian Division would now be in reserve with the 4th Division attacking. The 9th Infantry Brigade (33-34-35-36Bn) were near Thatched Cottage facing Warneton. The river Lys was to their right and the Ploegsteert Wood was now behind them.

Once their objectives were taken the troops consolidated. A barrage to stop and counter attack was shortened and caught three battalions which had to retire. By 9:00 pm this part of the Oosttaverne Line was abandoned. At 10:45 pm Lieutenant General: Sir Alexander John GODLEY ordered the 3rd and 4th Divisions to retake it. This they did by the early hours of the 8th of June.

The Battle for Messines Ridge during May-June 1917 saw 35 officers and 1,631 other ranks loose their lives.

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

33rd Battalion. AIF 8 Officers 382 Other ranks
34th Battalion. AIF 10 Officers 378 Other ranks
35th Battalion. AIF 5 Officers 431 Other ranks
36th Battalion. AIF 9 Officers 421 Other ranks
9th Machine Gun Company. AIF 2 Officer 17 Other ranks
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. 1 Officer 2 Other ranks

Robert was Killed in Action on the 7th of June 1917 with Corporal: 1981 Bertie STIBBARD, Private: 210 Leslie Alfred TURNER and Private: 2403 George Grainger STEVENSON.

5th September 1917.

Informant; Sergeant: 1895 George Edward CLARK; A Company, No:1 Platoon, 34th Battalion. Refer to Private: G POWNSBERRY ? 34th Battalion A Company who is in France and who saw Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS killed by a shell at Messines and can give particulars.

3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England.

15th October 1917

Informant: Sergeant: 1935 Henry Tildon HILDER. A Company 34th Battalion AIF. I knew Private: 1902 Robert Austin Roy CRANNIS first at Dubbo Camp N.S.W. and we came over together on the "Barambrah" on the 24th June 1916 as 3rd Reinforcements to the 54th Battalion and were transferred to the 34th at Larkhill, Salisbury Plain. He was blown to pieces by a shell at Grays Farm, Messines after we had taken our objective and were digging in. I saw his remains and believe he was buried behind the trench. But we went forward again that same day and I did not see his grave. He was my great friend and very popular in the company.

No: 2 Australian General Hospital.

Boulogne, France. 

11th December 1917.

Informant: Private: 133 Herbert Arthur MOORING. CRANNIS was my "Cobber" his name was Roy and he came from the 53rd or 54th Battalion and lived near Bathurst or Dubbo. I called him Snowy. He was about 5 ft 8 and white hared about 22 to 25 years and a single man when he was killed. He just round the corner of a trench in Messines on 7th or 8th June last when he was killed outright, by a piece of shell. I saw him that night and again the next morning when he put out of the trench for burial with the body of Corporal: 1981 Bert STIBBARD, who had also been killed that night. STIBBARD lived for about an hour. I do not know who got CRANNIS' things or where he was buried but I am quite sure it was CRANNIS and that he had been killed instantly without suffering. He was a real fine fellow.

No: 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. 

Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium.

Cumnock War Memorial

Victory Medal: 42401 to PTE 1902 R A R CRANNIS 34 BN AIF was acquired in August 2019 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Biography
Robert Arthur Roy Crannis (known as Roy) was born in 1897, registered at Marrickville, and the son of Mary and Frederick Crannis. Frederick Joseph Crannis married Mary Ann Wagner at Sydney on 11 Jun 1886. They had five children: Arthur Courtney 1887-1964; Mary Ann (Roach/Moore) 1889-1968; Frederick Joseph 1893-1983; Robert A Roy 1897-1917; Elizabeth Ida Mary (Nesbitt) 1902-1975.
Frederick and Mary Crannis came to Cumnock in the early 1900s. Their daughter Elizabeth’s birth on
 1 Jan 1902 is registered at Molong. The couple are listed as living in Cumnock in the 1903 & 1906 Federal
Electoral Rolls for Calare and Frederick’s occupation listed as a labourer.
The Crannis children attended the St. Ita’s Convent School, at Cumnock. News reports state that Roy performed in many school concerts. On 20 Jun 1910, the eldest daughter, Mary Crannis, married William
Roach at St Dympna’s Roman Catholic Church. The eldest son, Arthur, was also married at St Dympna’s
Church on 12 Jun 1911 to Johanna Roche, of Barry.The first mention in local newspapers of Frederick Crannis starting a brick works at Cumnock was when he advertised in the Molong Express and Western District Advertiser 
 
 19 Nov 1910, p7.
 
Roy Crannis is mentioned in news reports during 1912 -1915 as playing football for Cumnock. He played as a forward and one report states that he was one of Cumnock’s “gun” players.
Roy Crannis enlisted in the AIF at Orange on 11 Jan 1916 when he was 21yrs old. His medical report stated that he was 5 feet 8¼ inches tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes, light yellow hair, and of the Roman Catholic religious denomination. His father Frederick was his next of kin.
The Molong Argus
 
24 Mar 1916, p4, Cumnock,
Reported that “During the week Privates E Taylor [1999 Pte Edward Taylor  –54th  & 55th  Btns]  and Roy Crannis returned home for a few days leave from Dubbo, returning again on Monday last.” 
 
Molong Argus
 
 5 May 1916, p4, A Send Off, reported:
“On Saturday night last a send off, and incidentally a presentation of a case of pipes, was accorded Pte's
Roy Crannis and E Taylor, who were home on final leave. A large crowd assembled at the hall to do honor to the departing young soldiers… During the interval in the dancing the presentation was made by Mr W Black, JP, who spoke of the upright manly conduct of the guests of the evening in private life, and on that basis he opined that they could be relied on to ‘play the game’ now that they were
going away to fight for their country…” 
 
Cumnock War Memorial

Family Information

Robert was a single Labourer from Cumnock, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF. His sister Elizabeth Ida May Crannis was his next of kin and was born on the 11th June 1902 and died on the 26th December 1974 and married Cecil Raymond Nesbitt. (1900-1981)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 31/08/2019-02/09/2019.

Private: 1927 Samuel Ernest Kennedy BRADLEY.

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1927 Samuel Ernest Kennedy BRADLEY.

Born:  21st June 1894. Glebe via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:13224/1894.

Married:

Wife:

Died: 20th August 1942. Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:29199/1942.

Father: Samuel Richard Bradley. (1861-24/04/1947)

Mother: Margaret Bradley. nee: Wood. (1868-19/11/1938)

INFORMATION

Kennedy Bradley served with the 33rd Infantry prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 3rd April 1916 at the Depot Camp at Goulburn to F Company. On the 5th May when he was transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he was allocated to the 2nd Reinforcements 35th Battalion AIF.

Kennedy embarked from Sydney with the 2nd Reinforcements on the 4th September 1916

21-22 August 1918.

"Zero Hour, August 21st, at thick fog lay across the front. The allied 3rd Army's Guns were clearly audible to the north. As reports filtered to the waiting Diggers, they learned that the Germans had been surprised, all objectives had been achieved and 2,000 prisoners had been taken. Because of the comparative ease of the victory of that first phase, it was decided to extend the second phase of the objectives. Gellibrand issued orders to continue the assault if the British 47th, on the Australian left flank, were successful and Bray was cleared. Unfortunately these orders, being last-minute, did not arrive at all units.

For the Australians their first active involvement in the action was planned for dawn on the 22nd August, at 4:45 am. Zt 2:20 am the Germans, possibly anticipating an attack, opened up with a barrage of artillery which went for an hour. The 33rd was being held in old trenches near Tallis Wood. It was a bright moonlit night, and officers and scouts laying tapes to mark the jumping off point could plainly see the advancing Battalions 800 yards away. A second enemy barrage fell at 4:00 am. This time the 33rd were caught on the Meaulte-Etinechem Road where they had assembled. The men flattened themselves as shells landed around them on the road., continually showering them with dirt. For some reason a forward German post asked their Gunners to lift their range, to the great relief of the 33rd, but it wasn't such a good move for the 3rd Division Machine Gunners who were formed up in the rear ready to cover the flanks, nor for the reserve 11th Brigade. Both reported casualties from the shelling. The 33rd had been lucky to receive only twenty casualties, the 35th a mere six.

The road, well behind the forward posts, had been chosen as the starting point for the simplicity's sake. These posts were withdrawn just before the opening barrage, which began on schedule. From there the 'creep' was slow, the barrage advancing only a hundred yards in four minutes. A number of phosphorous shells were dropped along the way to form a smoke screen, and this, combined with the dust and early morning mist, cut visibility to only ten yards. The enemy counter barrage was fired within two minutes of the opening, but before the area was taken the Germans had cleared out. The 33rd met with a few enemy Machine-Gun posts in the valley bottom, but these were quickly outflanked and subdued. A forward German Battalion Headquarters, of the 124th Imperial Reserves , was also captured, along with its commander, liaison officers, forty men and four Machine-Guns.

Shortly afterwards our own wounded commenced to arrive at the Dressing Station and the Regimental Medical Officer Captain: William Johnstone BINNS. and staff commenced to get busy. He was assisted by Battalion Pardre Chaplain: 12991 Walter Emra Kingscote BIRKITT who was an old field ambulance man. Lieutenant: 2559 Robert Horner FLETCHER- wounded by an aerial bomb - was the first officer to appear and he was able to give us some idea as how things were going. About this time word was received that Captain: Thomas William TOLLIS of C company and Lieutenant. Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH of B Company had been killed by shots from our own barrage".

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

Samuel was Wounded in Action on the 22nd of August 1918 when he received a Severe Gun Shot Wound to the Neck and was invalided to England where he was admitted to the Bath War Hospital on the 31st of August 1918, and after being discharged was returned to Australia on the 20th December 1918.

After returning to Australia he served with Special Services enlisting on the 17th May 1919 as a GUARD for ENEMY DEPORTEES from Australia to Europe with the service number 85769. He embarked from Sydney on board the S.S. "Kursk" 

S S KURSK

 

German Deportees

 Australian Soldiers stand guard at Darling Harbour, Sydney as German Deportees arrive from Concentration Camps at the wharf for their return to their homeland. (Australian War Memorial)

German Deportees
 German Deportees at sea from Australia. Husband were allowed to visit their wives for 1 hour each day. (Australian War Memorial)

German Deportees

 German Deportees for Australia en route to Germany. (Australian War Memorial)

Samuel disembarked in London on the 23rd of July 1919 and spent the next few months in England before embarking from the UK on the 3rd September 1919 on board HMAT "Barambah" and disembarking in Melbourne on the 26th of October 1919. Samuel en trained to Sydney and was later discharged from the AIF on the 19th September 1920.

Victory Medal to PTE 1927 K BRADLEY was acquired in May 2019 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Kennedy was a single 21 year old Harness Maker and was apprenticed at H Hillier on Parramatta Road and lived at 71 Burren Street, Newtown via Sydney, N.S.W. upon enlistment with the AIF.


Military Records

Under Construction: 08/08/2019.