Corporal: 144 Michael Eugene MOYLAN

35th BATTALION AIF - 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Corporal: 144 Michael Eugene MOYLAN


Born: 1884. Crookwell, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:12718/1884.

Married: 12th January 1918. St George Catholic Church. Fisher Gate, Norfolk, England. Marriage Cert:ME 4240.

Wife: Josephine Moylan. nee: Howrican. (1892-1977)

Died: 3rd March 1950. Cremorne, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3502/1950. 


Father: Michael Moylan. (1839-1910)

Mother: Elizabeth Moylan. nee: Byrne. (1852-1926)


INFORMATION

Michael Eugene Moylan enlisted with the AIF on the 9th November 1915 at West Maitland, N.S.W. before he was allocated to A Company 35th Battalion AIF with the rank of Private. Michael was march into the Broadmeadow Army Camp where he commenced his introduction to Army Camp conditions and training.

35th Battalion AIF leaving Broadmeadow Station, Newcastle for Sydney 30th April 1916.

The 35th embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st May 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth England on the 9th July 1916 where they were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp. Aaron and the 35th Battalion proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916. 

Michael's Victory Medal: to CPL 144 Michael Eugene MOYLAN. 9 LTMB AIF was auctioned in October 2023. I was unable to secure for the Harrower Collection as I was the under bidder.

Family Information

Michael was a single 30 year old Farmer from Denman, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. His mother Elizabeth Moylan lived at "Seacombe" 41 Darley Road, Manly, N.S.W. He married Josephine Howrican on the 12th January 1918. Josephine was a Staff Nurse at the Norfolk War Hospital. 

Corporal: 144 Michael Eugene MOYLAN (1884-1950)

Captain: John Bede MOYLAN died 28th September 1918.  15th Light Horse. Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.

Private: 1406 Septimius Stanislaus Moylan Died of Illness on the 24th December 1916 at the Somme, France. 4th Battalion AIF

Frenchs Forrest Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 09/10/2023.

Lieutenant: Alfred Charles EADE

Garrison Reserve - 34th BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant-Honorary Captain: Alfred Charles EADE


Born: 30th March 1884. Croydon, Middlesex, England. 

Married: 1913. Mosman, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:13491/1913.

Wife: Emily Louise Eade. nee: Turnidge. (1884- 01/06/1971) Died at St Leonards via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:48951/1971.

Died: 27th February 1949. Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5713/1950.


Father: Henry Eade. 

Mother: Hannah Eade. (1853-16/05/1913) Died in New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6788/1913. 


INFORMATION

Men participating in the March to Freedom guide two horse-drawn and loaded carts across the Great Dividing Range. One of 12 images relating to a 1918 "March to Freedom" First World War recruiting march. Led by Captain (Capt) Alfred Charles Eade, Officer Commanding Lithgow Camp, this march ran for a month starting on the New England Tableland, across the Great Dividing Range and through the Hunter Valley, arriving in Cessnock on 6 June 1918. Initially planning to finish in Newcastle the men were directed to Sydney and 300 men arrived there on 10 June. Following the success of this march, a southern march was organised and commenced on 2 July from Albury. Capt Eade was an experienced militia officer, serving with the 43rd Regiment, he accompanied the Coo-ee recruitment march in 1915 and spent time as an AIF instructor in 1915. He later was commandant at Bathurst and Lithgow camps before his own enlistment in the AIF in April 1918. He embarked as a general service reinforcement (Paybook number 513115) in July 1918 and on arrival was attached to the 34th Battalion. He was hospitalised with nephritis for a month and returned to Australia in June 1919.

"Pipe playing one column into Cessnock. Capt Eade O.C. [right] and Lieut Colyer, 2nd in command on horseback". 

 

"No lack of cheering here. A Strong Post at Kurri-Kurri Welcoming the March to Freedom column". Young children, humorously described as a [military] strong post, some with flags line the road as the new recruits of the March to Freedom pass by. 

 

"Capt Eade commanding March to Freedom being welcomed by the Mayors of Newcastle & Hamilton". Captain Eade on horseback approaches dignitaries in front of an archway decorated with flags, material and a sign over the arch reading "Welcome to Newcastle, through to Berlin". Alderman Kilgour, mayor of Newcastle is fourth from the left at front in a dark suit.

 

Alfresco meal at Broadmeadow, Newcastle, of soldiers and recruits during the March to Freedom.

 

Alderman R G Kilgour, Mayor of Newcastle welcomes the men of the "March to Freedom" recruiting column. In front of the post office, the flag-covered dais is flanked by children, some with small flags. Captain Eade is turning his head away and the war memorial dedicated in 1916 is to the right of the image.

 

The March to Freedom column leaves Singleton (caption on back of print). Townspeople line the road.

Australian War Memorial

Alfred Charles Eade a bank officer who was appointed to the AIF on 27 April 1918. He embarked for England 17 July and arrived on 27 September 1918. On 6 January 1919 he joined the 34th Battalion in France. He embarked for Australia on 3 May and arrived on 21 June 1919. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 7 August 1919. Prior to his enlistment in the AIF he had been a Captain in the Citizen Military Force and was in full time service in Australia. He was involved in the organization of the Cooee March in 1915 from Gilgandra to Sydney and the March to Freedom from Armidale to Sydney in 1918. He ran the recruiting centre at Lithgow from July 1915. Then he was in command of the recruit training camp at Bathurst between late 1915 and 1917 and then continued his involvement in recruit training at the Liverpool camp.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Monday 24 July 1916, page 9


A CAPTAIN FINED.

ABUSED AN EDITOR.

Sydney, July 23.

Alfred Charles Eade, a captain in the A.I.F, was fined £1, with 27/ costs at the Bathurst court yesterday, for having used insulting words to Absalom Gartrell, managing editor of the "Bathurst Times." The evidence showed that the defendant abused the editor for publishing a few lines of verse which the defendant said were against the site of the Bathurst camp, and all drunken lies. He called Gartrell liar and a drunken skunk.

Family Information

He is the brother of Captain: Henry Arthur EADE  35th Battalion AIF and brother-in-law of Private: 9147 Arthur Linnett TURNIDGE 1st Field Ambulance and Private: 7200 Harold Gladstone TURNIDGE 2nd Battalion AIF.

The Honour Roll is located in what was the main banking chamber of the former Commercial Bank of Sydney's head office.

Bronze plaque mounted on wooden carved backing

The Honour Roll was recently unveiled in the banking-chamber at the head office in the presence of the directors, general manager, and members of the metropolitan staff. The ceremony was performed by Mr. O. J. Cohen, who mentioned that 345 officers of the bank enlisted for active service and 58 failed to return. Special honours gained were:— D.S.O., 5; O.B.E., 1 ; M.B.E., 1; M.O., 8; D.C.M.,1; M.S.M., 1; M.M., 5; mentioned in despatches, 9; Card of Honour awarded by Brigadier, 1.

Sydney Mail, 20 October 1926.

IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS OF THIS BANK
WHO SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 -1919

On the 23rd of April 1938 Alfred attended the 34th Battalion AIF reunion at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney at 7:30pm followed by a Smoko at Sargents, Market Street, Sydney commencing at 8:00pm sharp. Alfred signed the card belonging to Lieutenant: Augustus Gibson FARLEIGH

34th Battalion Reunion Card 1938

Family Information

Alfred was a married 34 year old Bank Officer from "Bunyah" Mustow Street, Mosman, N.S.W upon his enlistment with the AIF. He served as Captain with the 43rd Infantry for 1913. Emily Louise Eade was Cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. 

Warialda Standard and Northern Districts' Advertiser (NSW : 1900 - 1954), Monday 9 January 1950, page 3


Sudden Death of Mr. A. C. Eade

LED FAMOUS RECRUITING MARCH

Alfred Charles Eade (65), collapsed and died in his room at the Hotel Criterion, Moree. The body was discovered by the housekeeper, Mrs. McGrath. The late Mr. Eade was born in England and came to Australia as a boy. He joined the staff of the Commercial Banking Co of Sydney at the age of 16. Stationed at Gilgandra on the outbreak of World War 1, he led the famous "Cooee" recruiting march from that centre to Sydney where he enlisted with the A.I.F., and went overseas with the 34th Battalion, in which he served with the rank of lieutenant. At the cessation of hostilities he re joined the bank where he remained until he retired some three years ago, having been made a relieving manager. In all he served 46 years with the bank. The late Mr. Eade came to Moree about three years ago and took an active interest in the Bowling Club. Keenly interested in gardening, he did much to improve the surroundings of the Bowling Club. He was also a member of the Services Club. Interment took place in the Moree cemetery after a service in the Church of England conducted by Archdeacon Border. Pall bearers were members of the Bowling Club. A guard of honour was formed by members of the Returned Servicemen's League. The Last Post was sounded at the graveside.

graveside.—"N.W. Champion."

Trove Article

Grave of Hannah Eade (1853-1913) Gore Hill Cemetery via Western Sydney.

Australian Cemeteries Index

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 22/08/2023

 

Lieutenant: 11110 Theodore Norman STOATE.

Army Service Corps - 35th BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant: 11110 Theodore Norman STOATE. (Doctor)


Born: 13th January 1895. Stepney, Adelaide, South Australia. 

Married: 7th July 1924. Busselton, Western Australia.

Wife: Marion Frances Josephine Stoate. nee: Brockman. (1896-09/06/1930)

Died: 12th April 1979. Busselton, Western Australia. 


Father: Alfred Thorne Stoate. (1862-1941)

Mother: Bessie Emily Stoate. nee: Haskins. (1862-1945)


INFORMATION

Stoate, Theodore Norman (Bill) (1895–1979)

by Jenny Mills

This article was published:

Theodore Norman Stoate (1895-1979), was born on 13 January 1895 at Stepney, Adelaide, son of Alfred Thorne Stoate, draper, and his wife Bessie, née Haskins. 'Bill', as he was nicknamed, attended the Collegiate School of St Peter and studied forestry at the University of Adelaide (B.Sc., 1918; M.Sc., 1934; D.Sc., 1953). On 20 December 1915 he suspended his course and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. In March 1917 he was commissioned and posted to the 35th Battalion on the Western Front. He was gassed at Messines, Belgium, in June and invalided home; at this time his hair turned prematurely white. Lieutenant Stoate's A.I.F. appointment terminated in Adelaide on 14 January 1918.

After graduating, Stoate joined the Forestry Commission of New South Wales in 1919. Three years later he was seconded to the Forests Department, Western Australia, for six months. He was to stay there for thirty-one years. In 1923 he was appointed assistant working plans officer; by 1927 he was assistant-conservator to S. L. Kessell. On 7 July 1924 at St Mary's Church of England, Busselton, he had married Marion Frances Josephine Brockman; they had two sons before she died in 1930. Awarded a (Sir) Russell Grimwade scholarship that year, he sailed for England and entered the University of Oxford (Dip.For., 1931).

Back in Western Australia, Stoate investigated suspected nutrient deficiencies in Pinus radiata and Pinus pinaster plantations. When he observed trees near a wire fence thriving more than others, he deduced that they did so because zinc from the fence had leached into the soil. He subsequently found that 'irregular and abnormal' growth was due to a lack of superphosphate and minor elements. In 1939-40 he was seconded to the Woods and Forests Department, South Australia. Returning to Perth, he served as deputy-conservator (1941-45) and conservator (1946-53).

A solitary, academic widower, Stoate disliked the hurly-burly of political manoeuvring and detested what he called 'pannikin bosses'. He was happiest in the bush. Even there he always wore a neat suit and polished boots. Once, after a day's work, he helped to fight a karri wildfire. Removing his jacket and braces, and using his tie as a belt, he borrowed a shovel and toiled all night beside a bulldozer to build a fire-line. He returned to his office early in the morning. The bulldozer driver later asked: 'who was that old bugger swamping for me last night, he wasn't bad!'

The royal commission into forestry and timber matters reported in 1952 that 'the forest policy of the State is considered to be sound in principle, and soundly administered'. Nevertheless, after pressure from some timber merchants and a change of government, the new Labor minister and former forests department draftsman H. E. Graham did not renew Stoate's appointment in 1953.

Stoate became an international forestry consultant. Between 1963 and 1971 he held a series of research positions at the college of forestry, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America. He encouraged young Australian foresters to undertake postgraduate study at the university, helped many with their research, and often treated them to a hearty steak and a pint. In Perth and at Seattle he lived in a sparse hotel room. At the age of 70 he still bounded joyfully up four flights of stairs to his office. Survived by one son, he died on 12 April 1979 at Busselton, Western Australia, and was buried in Karrakatta cemetery, Perth. Eucalyptus stoatei was named after him.

Eucalyptus stoatei, commonly known as scarlet pear gum or Stoate's mallee, is a tree that is native to a small area along the south coast of Western Australia.[2]

Select Bibliography

  • A. Rule, Forests of Australia (Syd, 1967)
  • 50 Years of Forestry in Western Australia (Perth, 1969)
  • L. T. Carron, A History of Forestry in Australia (Canb, 1985)
  • J. Mills, The Timber People (Perth, 1986)
  • Australian Forestry, 42, no 2, 1979, p 61
  • family papers (privately held)
  • private information.

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

Jenny Mills, 'Stoate, Theodore Norman (Bill) (1895–1979)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stoate-theodore-norman-bill-11775/text21061, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 30 June 2023.

This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16, (Melbourne University Press), 2002


Theodore Norman Stoate enlisted with the AIF on the 20th December 1915 in Adelaide, South Australia and was posted to the Australian Service Corps as a Driver and embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A19 "Afric" on the 9th June 1916 and disembarked at Southampton on the 24th July 1916. Theodore was marched in the the No:4 Officer Cadet Battalion on the 5th October and was later promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 

Theodore was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 1st March 1917 and  proceeded overseas for France on the 14th March 1917 where he was Taken on in Strength with the 35th Battalion AIF in the field. 

31st March 1917.

LAUDATORY G.O.C 9th Infantry Brigade wishes to congratulate Lieutenant: 933 Sydney George Byron WIGGINTON. The night of 31st March with Lieutenant: 11110 Theodore Norman STOATE and Sergeant: 1247 Donald SHORT. He entered the enemy trenches and remained for 20 minutes. Were able to place German literature in conspicuous position.

9th Brigade.

1st April 1917.

During the night, 2 Strong Patrols of the 35th Battalion entered enemy trenches without difficulty no enemy was encountered, trenched greatly damaged, Patrols returned without and casualties.  

9th Brigade Headquarters.

Theodore was Wounded in Action on the 1st April but remained on duty.

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 defence 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. 

After the action at Messines Theodore was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance on the 21st June and was transferred to the 24th General Hospital at Estaples for further treatment as he was  suffering from Myalgia. He was invalided to England on the 6th of July where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital. 

Theodore returned to Australia 10 September 1917 on board the HMAT A11 "Ulyssess" where he was discharged for Active Service but remained on the Reserve Officers List. 

Lieutenant Theodore Norman Stoate's Wrist Bracelet from World War 1

Lieutenant Theodore Norman Stoate's ID Wrist Bracelet from World War 1 was acquired in July 2023 and is now in the Harrower Collection. 

Family Information

Theodore served with the Naval Cadets and Senior Cadets before enlisting with the 20th Army Service Corps prior to enlisting with the AIF when he was a single 20 year old University Student (Forestry). He served during World War 2, service number W82137. Bunbury Western Australia. 

Who's Who in Australia. 1944

Dr Theodore Norman Stoate was buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery, Nedlands City, Western Australia, Australia with his wife Marion and sons Hugh and John

Marion Frances Josephine Stoate. nee: Brockman. (1896-1930)

In Loving Memory Of Marion Frances. Beloved Wife Of T.N. Stoate.
Died 9th June 1930. Aged 32 Years.

Hugh Stoate (1922-1966) Karrakatta Cemetery

John Stoate (1930-2022) - Betty Stoate (1932-1988)

John Stoate, known as "Chief" or "Jack" to his family, staff and close friends, was the passionate patriarch of Anna Plains Station about 250km south of Broome, with the western border being Eighty Mile Beach and stretching across to the desert on the eastern border. Just over 300,000ha with extensive plains and 18,000 head of cattle, it is one of the Kimberley's most productive cattle stations.

John's association with Anna Plains spanned four decades.

John was born on May 4, 1930 and was raised on a cattle farm on the outskirts of Busselton. He attended Hale School as a boarder from 1941 to 1946 and then went back to work on the family farm at Busselton.

In 1956, John married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Brockman, a daughter of a well known pioneering farming family in Busselton. They went on to have three children, Jonathon, Meredith and David.

John was a man of many talents who accumulated a wealth of experience in a variety of career jobs, business enterprises and in horse training and racing.

John worked as a clerk for WA Police, had a short stint at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, before joining the marketing and economics branch of the WA Department of Agriculture. John was appointed as the Department's regional economist in Albany in 1970. John was there for six years and spent a lot of time on Rural Adjustment Authority work — assessing and helping farmers qualify for low interest loans through some pretty tough times for livestock and grain farmers.

In February 1976, he was reassigned to the farm management section of the marketing and economics branch in Perth, where he continued Rural Adjustment assessments and assisting with the compilation of market outlooks, farm management articles and analyses and policy advice for the beef industry.

In early 1985, he was appointed head of the beef cattle branch of the animal production division of the Department of Agriculture. He held this position until he left the Department in 1988.

One project that John championed and was particularly proud of, was a revolutionary new innovation for selling cattle in sight unseen auctions by description. Known as CLASS, which stood for Computer Livestock Auction Selling System, it was the pioneer of direct selling by description which challenged the traditional practice of moving cattle around the State to auction yards with the consequent stress on cattle and extra transport costs involved.

John left the Department in December 1988 in the same year that sadly his much-loved wife, Betty, died of cancer.

In 1994, he moved from Perth to manage Anna Plains Station, and eventually, the Stoate family fully acquired the station after a few iterations of partnerships.

John instituted many innovations at Anna, including a program of extensive fencing and rotational grazing and irrigation to produce hay. He was a strong advocate of limiting the distance cattle had to walk to water to no more than five kilometres and invested a large amount of money in turkey nest dams and water points to achieve this, together with innovative ways to remotely monitor water points and solar-powered pumps.

He also invested heavily in top bulls to continually improve their Brahman herd and recently the family introduced the Wagyu breed. He made many trips to Indonesia to understand the market there and he developed an association with an Indonesian importer and started his own cattle exporting company to send live cattle to feedlots in Indonesia.

Eighty Mile Beach, on the western boundary of Anna Plains Station, is the habitat for a number of important species of shorebirds. John always supported the Global Flyway Network scientists and field workers, who came to the station to study the various species that made the beach their home for part of the year.

Alongside his professional career at the Department and as a pastoralist, John has had many business interests that built him a unique experience and perspective on agribusiness, literally from paddock to plate. Over the years, he had interests in a cattle farm at Busselton, was a major shareholder in the Busselton Meats abattoir, a joint owner of the Esplanade Hotel in Albany, and a director of a futures trading business on the Sydney Futures Exchange.

After he left the Department, John also provided management advice to many Aboriginal owned stations in the Kimberley and Pilbara through the Indigenous Land Corporation and the Aboriginal Development Commission. During his full-time management of Anna Plains, John was a long-time member of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association. He also served for a long period on the North Australia Beef Research Council until 2006.

John will be sadly missed by his many friends and family members, who will always cherish his memory as a most generous man with a wonderful optimistic outlook. As John would often say, "I am so, so lucky".

We are all lucky to have known and shared time with John.

Ron Parkin and Ian Longson

Find a Grave

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 30/06/2023-06/07/2023.

Lieutenant Colonel: Clifford Russell RICHARDSON

2nd BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant Colonel: Clifford Russell RICHARDSON. MC


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

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

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

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


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

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


INFORMATION

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

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

Captain Richardson. 14th Infantry Militia

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

Sydney Mail, 26 May 1915, p. 8.

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

Military Cross

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

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

July 1945

Armidale. New South Wales

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

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


MR. C. R. RICHARDSON

Death Occurs After Lengthy Illness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


SERVICE FOR LATE C. R. RICHARDSON

St. Paul's Filled to Capacity

ARMlDALE'S FINAL

TRIBUTE

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

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

and Co. attended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bowlers Pay Tribute

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

Trove

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

27-November-2015

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

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

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

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

Corporal: 4471 Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE.

1st BATTALION - 13th BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 4471 Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE


Born: 1896. Redfern via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:6817/1896.

Died: 12th November 1916. Died of Wounds whilst Prisoner of War in German Hands.


Father: Richard Ratcliffe. 

Mother: Elizabeth Ratcliffe.


INFORMATION

Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE served with the 14th Hunter River Infantry prior to his enlistment with the AIF and was a member of the 1911-12 Senior Cadet Champion Team under Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES. + French Master, East Maitland High School, N.S.W. (Captain and Commanding Officer 14th Infantry 1911-1916) Captained the Winning Company, Senior Cadets,  Brigade Championship, 1911-12, 1912-13.

Senior Cadet: Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE. 14th Infantry Battalion. 1911-1912 Senior Cadet Brigade Champions.

1911-1912 Senior Cadet Brigade Cloth Patch

Sydney enlisted with the AIF on the 9th September 1915 at Holdsworthy via Liverpool New South Wales and was allocated to the 14th Reinforcements 1st Battalion AIF. Sydney commenced his training at the Liverpool Amy Camp and entrained to Sydney before embarking on board R.M.S. "Osterly" with the rank of Acting Sergeant on the 15th January 1916. Sydney disembarked in England and went in to Training Camp before proceeding overseas for France where he was taken on in strength with the 13th Battalion on the 4th March 1916. Sydney was promoted to the rank of Corporal on the 26th August and was reported as Missing in Action on the 29th August 1916. 

Reports from the Red Cross in Germany confirmed that Sydney was Wounded in Action and was in German Hands as a Prisoner of War on the 12th November 1916.

4th January 1919.

Prisoner of War - Died

Corporal: 4471 Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE "Came into Hospital at Gottingen with a severe thigh wound. He was attended by a capable doctor, bur underwent an operation and never recovered. I was moved from this Hospital. Two good English orderlies were in attendance, but the food was bad. Lance Corporal: 1781 Wisbey Harrington SINCLAIR 28th Battalion AIF was in the same ward and could probably give fuller information". 

Informant. Lance Corporal: 2637 John MAY. 5th Battalion AIF.

London.

7th January 1919.

Prisoner of War

Corporal: 4471 Sydney Thomas RATCLIFFE Died 13th September 1916 at Gottingen Hospital from wounds. Cause of death:- Mortification of Right Leg which had been amputated above the knee. Buried with Military Honours Gottingen Cemetery. Nearest Relative (Aunt) Mrs J. Spires. 7 Halldorrah Grove, Lark Lane, Sefton Park Liverpool, England. 

He arrived with us on the same transport 7th August. He was in my barracks, he suffered a great deal of pain. Amputated Right Leg. I attended the operation. The Doctor_ Dr Gregory Rueper, thought a great deal of the English and did all he could. He used to clean things every day. The food was the best German food I saw. Medical treatment was splendid. 

Sergeant: Bruce DRAYTON.

London.

Niederzwehren War Cemetery, Germany.

Sydney is buried at the Niederzwehren Cemetery, Niederzwehren, Stadtkreis Kassel, Hessen, Germany. VII C.9

GIVE UNTO HIM O LORD ETERNAL REST

Family Information

Sydney was a single 21 year old Clerk upon his enlistment with the AIF. Sydney had served for 3 years with the 14th Infantry Senior Cadets prior to his enlistment. His parents lived at 12 Beckman Street, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 12/04/2023-05/06/2023.

Private: 3099 Evin Louis Eugene NIXON

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3099 Evin Louis Eugene NIXON. Signaller.


Born: 31st July 1883 Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married 1: 1911. Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife 1: Alice Maude Mary Nixon. nee: Johnson. (1882-1927)

Married 2: 1932. Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:5254/1932.

Wife 2: Grace Nixon. nee: Tuffin. (1888-1984) 

Died: 24th February 1962. Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:


Father: Arthur Nixon. (1852-1899)

Mother: Mary Jane Nixon. nee: Thompson. (1857-1943) Buried at the Point Clare Cemetery. Sect. CE 5 Row 3 Plot 82. Unmarked Grave.


INFORMATION

Eion "Evin" Louis Eugene Nixon enlisted with the AIF on the 12th November 1917 at the Royal Agricultural Showground Camp  in Sydney and was allocated to the 7th Reinforcements 35th Battalion AIF where he was marched in the the Signal School, Engineering Depot. Evin embarked with the 7th Reinforcements for England from Sydney on board HMAT A68 "Anchises" on the 24th January 1917 and disembarked at Devonport on the 27th March 1917.

Photo printed in the Sydney Mail 13th June 1917.

Photograph of 35th Battalion 7th Reinforcements Signallers aboard the HMAT A68 "Anchises" on their way to England.

L-R: Private: 3079 Eric Elliott LLOYD - 35th Bn, Private: 3613 John Kenneth SCHOLER (6th Light Horse), Private: 3099 Evin Louis Eugene NIXON -35th Bn, Private: 3147 William TYRELL - 35th Bn.

Evin was transferred from the 35th Battalion to the 33rd Battalion AIF on the 2nd November 1918 and proceeded overseas for France to Reinforce the 33rd Battalion at Fovant before he was marched out to the lines. 

COUNTER ATTACK OPERATION. AFTERNOON AND EVENING MARCH 30TH, 1918.

33RD BATTALION A.I.F

At 10;30 a.m. on March 30th the 33rd Battalion moved from billets in CACHY to a position of readiness on the south Western edge of the BOIS D'AQUENNE. The enemy shelled CACHY from 10 a.m. but we suffered no casualties. At 2;15 p.m I reported to you at the Brigade Report Center at H.33,0,35,40 and received your orders to capture and establish a line from the Copse immediately South of the first c in MARCELCAVE to AUBERCOURT, and to capture AUBERCOURT which was in possession of the enemy. The 33rd would work in conjunction with the 12th Lancers, who were 400 strong, and would have the 34th in support.

The following orders were issued by me verbally to Company Commanders at 2;45 P.M. "B" Company Lieutenant: 5017 John Graham Antill POCKLEY will establish a line from the Oppue just South of the first C in MARCELCAVE to a point 100 yards east of the Crossroads to V.14.b. "A" Company Captain: John Lovelock FRY will establish a line from 100 yards East of the Cross Roads in V.14.b. to V.20.b.20.00. "D" Company Captain: James William SHREEVE. will capture AUBERCOURT and establish a line on the Eastern and Southern sides of the village. As DEMUIN is held by the enemy particular attention is to be paid to the roads loading over to do LUCE from BEMUIN and COUXCELLES. "C" Company Captain: Walter John Clare DUNCAN will be in reserve in the valley South East of the BOIS DE HANGARD and to be ready to capture DEMUIN.

Battalion Headquarters will be the Reserve Company "D" Teams, according to S.S. 156, will not take into action but will be sent to BLANCY TRONVILLE. At 3;10 p.m the Battalion marched under the command of Major: Francis George GRANT. from BOIS D'AQUENNE and moved across country to the West of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBECOURT road in U.12. This position was reached at 4;35 p.m. At 3;00 p.m I sent forward two patrols from the Platoon of the 9th Corps Cyclists to reconnoiter North and South of the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD and then as far forward towards AUBERCOURT and MARCELCAVE as possible. I regret to report that the Platoon Commander Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRATWICKE was killed.

Phillip Charles Gratwicke

Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRANTWICKE. 9th Corps, Cyclist Battalion. Killed in Action 30th March 1918.

The 12th Lancers proceeded the Battalion and reached the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD at about 4;15 p.m.(This wood was in future be referred as LANCERS WOOD) My Adjutant, Scout Officer and Cavalry Liaison Officer went ahead with the Cavalry and reconnoiter the position. On our way to LANCER WOOD we passed several bodies of troops particularly had recklessly entrenched in queer places and large parties of stragglers. On reaching the wood we found the whole front line garrison East of LANCER WOOD withdrawing although there was no hostile fire of any kind and no signs of attack. I met two Brigadiers and a Battalion Commander in the wood and informed them what was happening at once. This they promised to do. The Cavalry Commander also helped in this matter by sending a Squadron dismounted to re-establish the line. The infantry went forward with the cavalry but in a reluctant manner. During the whole time we sore forward men constantly leaving the line. The seemed to be no effort to check this straggling.

It was a proud privilege to be allowed to work with such a fine Regiment as the 12th Lancers. Their approach march instilled in the mementos confidence and enthusiasm and I am glad to say greatly counteracted the effect of so much straggling. They lost no time in effectively clearing LANCERS WOOD and get there just in time as the enemy had obtained a footing on the southern and South Eastern edges. The Lancers protected the edges and allowed us to move forward to the attack. On seeing the cavalry there the enemy shelled LANCER WOOD very heavily, chiefly with 5.0s. paying particular attention to our fringes. Fairly heavy casualties to horses were inflicted there, the horses were soon led from the wood to a position West of the VILLER-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. The discipline during the heavy shelling was a subject lesson. During the attack the cavalry protected both our flanks, the left with two Machine Guns. They withdrew at about 7.00 p.m.

All ranks were eager to give every possible help to us, throughout there was whole hearted cooperation. The experience gained in this our first operation with cavalry was invaluable. One was able too judge of the splendid work they are doing for the Army at this present time and they cannot be too highly praised. The 33rd Battalion moved forward from the position of assembly at 3:00 p.m. The formation adapted by Companies was as follows; One Platoon in extended order, followed by two Platoons in line in Artillery formation; the fourth Platoon in reserve also in Artillery formation.

"B" Company moved along the Northern edge of LANCER WOOD and widened its front on clearing the wood. "A" Company moved throughout the wood. Owing to enemy shelling while moving through, the whole company was extended into three lines and resumed normal formation on clearing the wood. No casualties were sustained in the wood. "B" Company worked in single file along the brindle track near the Southern edge of the wood and formed up under cover of the terraced bank on the South East edge. Three casualties were sustained on entering the wood. "C" Company formed up on the sunken road in U.18.a. and not where was first ordered, owing to the hostile shelling.

The movement forward was splendidly carried out. On the right slight opposition was en counted but easily disposed of. no real opposition was not until we were about 200 yards clear of the wood when all three Companies came very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. They deployed at once and moved forward without flinching. All ranks displayed the greatest determination and eagerness to get to the Bosch with the bayonet, this eagerness was to some extent responsible for the heavy casualties as the principle of advancing under covering fire was not sufficiently observed. On the Left most progress was made in spite of heavy losses, and the enemy hurriedly retired but on discovering later in strength he reformed.

30th March 1918

The enemy was well entrenched and in strong force as we had no artillery support his fire was consequently extremely heavy and unfortunately very accurate. Owing to such strong opposition we were not able to reach our objectives. The attached map shows approximately the line we established. The line is well sited and is a very good defensive position. With determined troops the enemy could easily be held, and any advance he attempted would be very expensive. Owing to casualties and to the wide front the Reserve Company to reinforce the right flank. This Company made good the gap between the right and center Companies. At the same time I requested the 34th Battalion which was in support in U.18.a. and U.12.c. West of the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road, to send a Company to reinforce the left flank. I instructed Company Commander Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. to reconnoiter the position first and then move forward at 6.00 p.m. This Company advanced in two lines of two Platoons each and took the newly-made enemy trenches about 250 yards East of the line then held by us, capturing two light machine guns one of which was damaged, and four prisoners belonging to 91st Oldenburg Regiment.

Wilhelm CONZE; Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (03 Apr 1917-14 Oct 1917) Wounded, in Reserve Hospital in Gotha (23 Mar 1918-22 May 1918) Transferred to the Replacement-Battalion of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (22 May 1918-01 Jul 1918) Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (01 Jul 1918-30 Sep 1918) In French Captivity (30 Sep 1918-14 Feb 1920) Released from Captivity and back with the Processing-Office of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (14 Feb 1920-29 Mar 1920)

Captain GILDER withdrew and made good the gap between the left and center Company's. At 10:00 p.m. I requested the C.O. 34th Battalion to send two company's forward, one to the sunken road in U.18.a the other to a position 300 yards North East of LANCER WOOD. At 11:00 p.m. the enemy attempted a local counter attack against my left company but was repelled. Heavy rain fell from early in the afternoon till late at night. Walking over the ploughed fields under such conditions affected the Lewis guns and rifles. Every man was drenched to the skin and very cold, but this did not dampen his ardour. All maps were soon rendered useless and the writing of messages was extremely difficult. Our flanks were somewhat in the air, on our left the Warwicks were about 600 yard behind. The 66th Division were on our right, but touch with them was not obtained.

In order to secure my right flank the right Support company, of the 34th Battalion supplied a Platoon for patrolling and also to establish a post South of LANCER WOOD on the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. Our front was well protected by Vickers and Lewis Guns. We had five Vickers guns from the 9th Australian Machine Gun Company - two covered either flank and one the center, and we had 25 Lewis guns. We were relieved by the 10th ESSEX and the ROYAL WEST SURREY Regiment of the 18th Division this morning; the relief Battalion Headquarters were established at V.7.d.30.95. The Pre-arranged position was unatonable.

Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD.

Commanding 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

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)

On the 4th April Evin attended the 3rd Southern Hospital and was evacuated to the next day on board the Hospital Ship "Panama" and after he disembarked was admitted to the War Hospital at Exeter. Upon his discharge he proceeded overseas for France on the 22nd of November where he remained until the 21st April 1919 when he was demobilised bay to England and embarked for Australia on the 12th June 1919. After he returned to Australia he was discharged from the AIF on the 27th February 1920.

Family Information

Evin was a married 33 year old Motor Fitter from "Levuka" McKern Street, Campsie via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. He served for 5 years with the Junior and Senior Cadets until he left School. His first wife Alice Maude Mary Nixon nee: Johnson. (1882-1927) was a patient for 2 years at Callan Park Mental Hospital before she died in 1927. Eion "Evin" Nixon died in 1962 and is buried with his mother at the Point Clare Cemetery on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Sect. CE 5 Row 3 Plot 82 in an unmarked grave.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 25/05/2023-31/05/2023.

Company Sergeant Major: 416 George Thomas FAINT

33rd BATTALION AIF

Company Sergeant Major: 416 George Thomas FAINT


Born: 5th August 1894. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:34058/1894.

Married 1:  1922. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:3621/1922.

Wife 1: Jean Winter Faint. nee: Head. (1900-1924) Died at Newtown, N.S.W. Death Cert:7191/1924.

Married 2: 1927. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:12297/1927.

Wife 2: Clarice Josephine Faint. nee: Post. (1906-1978)

Died: 12th August 1978. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:105397/1978.


Father: Joseph Faint. (1866-1939)

Mother: Jane Faint. nee: Smyth. (1868-1928)


INFORMATION

George Thomas Faint enlisted with the AIF on the 10th November 1915 at Armidale New South Wales. He had served for 2 years with the 4th Infantry and 4 years with the 13th Infantry Citizens Forces before his enlistment.  

George was marched in at Armidale Showground where the Military Camp was established. 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, Barabra, Bingara and Manilla. "C Company" was from Narrabri, Moree and Inverell. and "D Company was from Glen Innes, Guyra and Tenterfield.

The 33rd Battalion became a part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division. George was promoted to the rank of Sergeant the same day as the Battalion left Sydney on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A47 "Marathon" and disembarked at Devonport England on the 9th July 1917. After disembarkation the Battalion entrained during the afternoon for Amesbury, arriving at midnight and marching to hutments at No: 1 Camp, at the Durrington Army Camp at Larkhill. Here the Battalion settled down to hard training with the 9th Training Battalion, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and general Camp Routine. Later the Battalion moved to the No: 25 Camp and finished off their training, which included six days' battle practice and field work at the Bustard Trenches.

On the 21st November 1916 the 33rd Battalion left Larkhill and entrained at Amesbury for Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel". The transport section left by S.S. "Princess Victoria". The Battalion arrived at Le Harve, France on the 22nd November 1916. Disembarkation commenced at 8:00am and the Battalion marched to No;1 camp on the Hill, arriving at 2:00pm. The men carried heavy loads, in some cases amounting to miniature Q.M.' Stores. The march over cobblestones was very tiring, notwithstanding the many route marches which had been carried out at Larkhill. However, after bathing their feet and receiving treatment, as well partaking of a good meal, some spent a comfortable night.

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 defence 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. 

George was Wounded in Action; 1st occasion on the 7th June 1917 at Messines and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance before we was evacuated to the Field Dressing Station for further treatment. George was transferred to the 56th General Hospital at Estaples the next day and upon his discharge he was invalided to England on the 20th June on board the Hospital Ship where he was admitted to the 1st London General Hospital at Camberwell suffering from a Gun Shot Wound to his Forearm. 

After George was discharged from hospital he was granter a furlo before he had to report to the No:1 Command Depot at Perham Downs for overseas deployment from Southampton on the 23rd November 1917.   

COUNTER ATTACK OPERATION. AFTERNOON AND EVENING MARCH 30TH, 1918.

33RD BATTALION A.I.F

At 10;30 a.m. on March 30th the 33rd Battalion moved from billets in CACHY to a position of readiness on the south Western edge of the BOIS D'AQUENNE. The enemy shelled CACHY from 10 a.m. but we suffered no casualties. At 2;15 p.m I reported to you at the Brigade Report Center at H.33,0,35,40 and received your orders to capture and establish a line from the Copse immediately South of the first c in MARCELCAVE to AUBERCOURT, and to capture AUBERCOURT which was in possession of the enemy. The 33rd would work in conjunction with the 12th Lancers, who were 400 strong, and would have the 34th in support.

The following orders were issued by me verbally to Company Commanders at 2;45 P.M. "B" Company Lieutenant: 5017 John Graham Antill POCKLEY will establish a line from the Oppue just South of the first C in MARCELCAVE to a point 100 yards east of the Crossroads to V.14.b. "A" Company Captain: John Lovelock FRY will establish a line from 100 yards East of the Cross Roads in V.14.b. to V.20.b.20.00. "D" Company Captain: James William SHREEVE. will capture AUBERCOURT and establish a line on the Eastern and Southern sides of the village. As DEMUIN is held by the enemy particular attention is to be paid to the roads loading over to do LUCE from BEMUIN and COUXCELLES. "C" Company Captain: Walter John Clare DUNCAN will be in reserve in the valley South East of the BOIS DE HANGARD and to be ready to capture DEMUIN.

Battalion Headquarters will be the Reserve Company "D" Teams, according to S.S. 156, will not take into action but will be sent to BLANCY TRONVILLE. At 3;10 p.m the Battalion marched under the command of Major: Francis George GRANT. from BOIS D'AQUENNE and moved across country to the West of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBECOURT road in U.12. This position was reached at 4;35 p.m. At 3;00 p.m I sent forward two patrols from the Platoon of the 9th Corps Cyclists to reconnoiter North and South of the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD and then as far forward towards AUBERCOURT and MARCELCAVE as possible. I regret to report that the Platoon Commander Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRATWICKE was killed.

Phillip Charles Gratwicke

Lieutenant: Phillip Charles GRANTWICKE. 9th Corps, Cyclist Battalion. Killed in Action 30th March 1918.

The 12th Lancers proceeded the Battalion and reached the wood East of BOIS DE HANGARD at about 4;15 p.m.(This wood was in future be referred as LANCERS WOOD) My Adjutant, Scout Officer and Cavalry Liaison Officer went ahead with the Cavalry and reconnoiter the position. On our way to LANCER WOOD we passed several bodies of troops particularly had recklessly entrenched in queer places and large parties of stragglers. On reaching the wood we found the whole front line garrison East of LANCER WOOD withdrawing although there was no hostile fire of any kind and no signs of attack. I met two Brigadiers and a Battalion Commander in the wood and informed them what was happening at once. This they promised to do. The Cavalry Commander also helped in this matter by sending a Squadron dismounted to re-establish the line. The infantry went forward with the cavalry but in a reluctant manner. During the whole time we sore forward men constantly leaving the line. The seemed to be no effort to check this straggling.

It was a proud privilege to be allowed to work with such a fine Regiment as the 12th Lancers. Their approach march instilled in the mementos confidence and enthusiasm and I am glad to say greatly counteracted the effect of so much straggling. They lost no time in effectively clearing LANCERS WOOD and get there just in time as the enemy had obtained a footing on the southern and South Eastern edges. The Lancers protected the edges and allowed us to move forward to the attack. On seeing the cavalry there the enemy shelled LANCER WOOD very heavily, chiefly with 5.0s. paying particular attention to our fringes. Fairly heavy casualties to horses were inflicted there, the horses were soon led from the wood to a position West of the VILLER-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. The discipline during the heavy shelling was a subject lesson. During the attack the cavalry protected both our flanks, the left with two Machine Guns. They withdrew at about 7.00 p.m.

All ranks were eager to give every possible help to us, throughout there was whole hearted cooperation. The experience gained in this our first operation with cavalry was invaluable. One was able too judge of the splendid work they are doing for the Army at this present time and they cannot be too highly praised. The 33rd Battalion moved forward from the position of assembly at 3:00 p.m. The formation adapted by Companies was as follows; One Platoon in extended order, followed by two Platoons in line in Artillery formation; the fourth Platoon in reserve also in Artillery formation.

"B" Company moved along the Northern edge of LANCER WOOD and widened its front on clearing the wood. "A" Company moved throughout the wood. Owing to enemy shelling while moving through, the whole company was extended into three lines and resumed normal formation on clearing the wood. No casualties were sustained in the wood. "B" Company worked in single file along the brindle track near the Southern edge of the wood and formed up under cover of the terraced bank on the South East edge. Three casualties were sustained on entering the wood. "C" Company formed up on the sunken road in U.18.a. and not where was first ordered, owing to the hostile shelling.

The movement forward was splendidly carried out. On the right slight opposition was en counted but easily disposed of. no real opposition was not until we were about 200 yards clear of the wood when all three Companies came very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. They deployed at once and moved forward without flinching. All ranks displayed the greatest determination and eagerness to get to the Bosch with the bayonet, this eagerness was to some extent responsible for the heavy casualties as the principle of advancing under covering fire was not sufficiently observed. On the Left most progress was made in spite of heavy losses, and the enemy hurriedly retired but on discovering later in strength he reformed.

30th March 1918

The enemy was well entrenched and in strong force as we had no artillery support his fire was consequently extremely heavy and unfortunately very accurate. Owing to such strong opposition we were not able to reach our objectives. The attached map shows approximately the line we established. The line is well sited and is a very good defensive position. With determined troops the enemy could easily be held, and any advance he attempted would be very expensive. Owing to casualties and to the wide front the Reserve Company to reinforce the right flank. This Company made good the gap between the right and center Companies. At the same time I requested the 34th Battalion which was in support in U.18.a. and U.12.c. West of the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road, to send a Company to reinforce the left flank. I instructed Company Commander Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. to reconnoiter the position first and then move forward at 6.00 p.m. This Company advanced in two lines of two Platoons each and took the newly-made enemy trenches about 250 yards East of the line then held by us, capturing two light machine guns one of which was damaged, and four prisoners belonging to 91st Oldenburg Regiment.

Wilhelm CONZE; Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (03 Apr 1917-14 Oct 1917) Wounded, in Reserve Hospital in Gotha (23 Mar 1918-22 May 1918) Transferred to the Replacement-Battalion of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (22 May 1918-01 Jul 1918) Company-Leader in the 91st Infantry-Regiment (01 Jul 1918-30 Sep 1918) In French Captivity (30 Sep 1918-14 Feb 1920) Released from Captivity and back with the Processing-Office of the 91st Infantry-Regiment (14 Feb 1920-29 Mar 1920)

Captain GILDER withdrew and made good the gap between the left and center Company's. At 10:00 p.m. I requested the C.O. 34th Battalion to send two company's forward, one to the sunken road in U.18.a the other to a position 300 yards North East of LANCER WOOD. At 11:00 p.m. the enemy attempted a local counter attack against my left company but was repelled. Heavy rain fell from early in the afternoon till late at night. Walking over the ploughed fields under such conditions affected the Lewis guns and rifles. Every man was drenched to the skin and very cold, but this did not dampen his ardour. All maps were soon rendered useless and the writing of messages was extremely difficult. Our flanks were somewhat in the air, on our left the Warwicks were about 600 yard behind. The 66th Division were on our right, but touch with them was not obtained.

In order to secure my right flank the right Support company, of the 34th Battalion supplied a Platoon for patrolling and also to establish a post South of LANCER WOOD on the VILLERS-BRETONNEUX - AUBERCOURT Road. Our front was well protected by Vickers and Lewis Guns. We had five Vickers guns from the 9th Australian Machine Gun Company - two covered either flank and one the center, and we had 25 Lewis guns. We were relieved by the 10th ESSEX and the ROYAL WEST SURREY Regiment of the 18th Division this morning; the relief Battalion Headquarters were established at V.7.d.30.95. The Pre-arranged position was unatonable.

Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD.

Commanding 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

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)

George was Wounded in Action; 2nd occasion on the 17th April 1918 and was again treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance for Gas Poisoning and was evacuated to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment before being transferred and admitted to the 16th General Hospital at Le Treport on the 20th of April 1918. On the 16th September 1918 George was appointed Temporary Company Sergeant Major prior to the Armistice

11th November 1918.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

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

On the 16th December 1918 George was promoted to Company Sergeant Major and returned to Australia on the 20th July 1919. 

Family Information

George was a single 21 year old Grazier from Kelly's Plains New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF.  He returned from the was and married Jean Winter Head in 1922 who sadly died in 1924 and re married in 1927 to Clarice Josephine Post of Armidale, New South Wales. George served during World War 2 enlisting at Charlestown, service number: N73247

Grave of Jean Winter Faint. nee: Head. (1900-1924) Died at Newtown, N.S.W. Armidale Cemetery

33rd Battalion Re Union

Company Sergeant Major: 416 George Thomas FAINT - Private: 1242 George Easter STARK - Sergeant: 948 Anthony Christian SMITH - Private: 1501 John Frederick "George" SWILKS.  

Military Records

World War 2 Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 21/06/2022-09/03/2023.

Lance Corporal: 787 Denis Francis HAYES

36th BATTALION AIF

Lance Corporal: 787 Denis Francis HAYES


Born: 18th May 1880. Fishery Creek, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:17469/1880.

Married: 1940. Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:21411/1940.

Wife: Elinor May Hayes. nee: Belford. (1916-1957) Died at Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6710/1957.

Died: 23rd December 1948. Newcastle, New Couth Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18362/1949.


Father: Dennis Hayes. (1842-14/08/1909) Drowned in the Hunter River at Maitland, N.S.W. Death Cert:9903/1909.

Mother: Margaret Agnes Hayes. nee: Hayes. (1844-1824) Died at West Maitland, N.S.W. Death Cert:2316/1924.


INFORMATION

A Forgotten Digger who served and suffered during The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, his Honour and Dignity to be restored.
74 years ago today, on the Friday afternoon of the 24th December 1948, Lance Corporal Dennis Francis (Francies, Francie) Hayes, 36th Battalion (Reg No-787), labourer and ironworker (Messrs. Armstrong & Royse, Timber Mills, Wickham, N.S.W.), from 120 Maitland Road, Islington, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 68. CATHOLIC 1-27. 44. Never married.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140354728 - funeral notice does not state service.
Born at Fishery Creek, West Maitland, New South Wales on the 28th May 1880 to Denis and Margaret Hayes of Regent Street, West Maitland, New South Wales, Dennis enlisted January 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133880564 - report of presentation of medal by the Islington Military Presentation Committee at the Lyric Picture Theatre at Islington.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Monday 19 June 1916, page 3


ISLINGTON VOLUNTEERS. SIXTY-FIVE MEDALS PRESENTED.

A further illustration of the excellent work being performed by the Islington Military Presentation Committee was afforded yesterday afternoon, when, at a sacred concert, given in the Lyric Picture Theatre, Islington, no fewer than 65 medals were presented to recruits, who have enlisted from lslington. Some of the men have gone to the front, and their relatives received the medals on their behalf. the presentations being made by Alderman Jenner, the Mayor of Wick-ham, who presided. The medals of those who were present in person to receive them were pinned on their breasts by Mrs. Jenner, the Mayoress. There was a large attendance, including members of the Naval and Military Association and Returned Soldiers' Association. The proceedings opened by the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. This was followed by the "Dead March" in "Saul," as a tribute to the late Lord Kitchener, played by Miss Lily Bernasconi's orchestra, while the audience stood with bowed heads. The programme was very fine. Miss Bernasconi's orchestra played selections in admirable style, the work of the players being featured by taste and expression. Miss D. Wilson used her soprano voice of sweet quality to good effect in her vocal solo, and Miss Leon Trevitt, who possesses a rich contralto voice, was also very successful, being encored. The clever young violinist, Miss Maisie Bailey, delighted her hearers with her playing, and had to respond to an encore. Miss O'Hara displayed marked elocutionary ability in her re-citation, and the vocal solos of Messrs. R. Glover and D. Stewart were also enjoyable numbers.

Miss Welford accompanied the singers, and Miss O'Connor accompanied Miss Bailey. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr. W. C. Grahame, M.P.. who was on the programme for an address. In his place a brief address was given by Senator Watson. In the course of his re marks Senator Watson said he, felt it a privilege and honour to be associated in that function, and he had a sense of pride by reason of the fact that one of the boys to receive a medal was his own son,. who had gone to the front, We had been looking forward from the commencement of the war for a decisive victory, but bur expectations had not yet been realised. Battalion after battalion had left these shores, and thousands of the brave follows had returned wounded and maimed. They were honourable wounds. It was much better to go through life maimed, and lamed, and wounded in battle than to be a shirker, a man who was not prepared to play the game. Forever would those men who had gone to the front be honoured. He ventured to say, on behalf of the Federal Government, that every just claim on behalf of the returned soldiers would receive just consideration, for that was the policy and the promise of the pre-sent Government. Not only would this Government honour that, but the people of Australia would see that that promise was maintained.

He paid a high tribute to the work of the Islington Military Presentation Committee, and said the Wickham municipality, in recognition of its residents who had enlisted, stood on equality with any other municipality in the State. He was sure the council had the appreciation and support of the people behind them in what they were doing. Alderman Colilan, chairman of the committee, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance, and that the Naval and Military Association and the Returned Soldiers' Association were represented. In the course of a brief out line of the work of the committee, he said the first meeting was held in September, 1915, when it was decided that recognition should be made of every man enlisting from Islington. The matter was taken up enthusiastically by the residents, and the ladies worked hard. On October 3 the committee presented 55 medals to recruits. Those men were then in camp. Others had, however, gone to the front, and it was decided that they, too, should have recognition. With the assistance of the citizens, the committee was able at a later date to hand 27 medals to the relatives of those men who had already left for the front. He related a story of how a medal that had been presented to a man who volunteered at Islington was sent with his other effects, when the poor fellow was killed on Gallipoli Peninsula, to his parents, who lived in Scotland. The deceased soldier's mother, writing to a friend in New South Wales, said how gratified she was that her son had been honoured by the people of Islington, so many miles away from Scotland.

The Mayor, prior to the presentation of medals, wished the recipients every success, and trusted they would be spared to return safe and sound, and crowned with glory. They could be assured of a hearty welcome when they came home. He also said he had decided that every man who enlisted from the Wickham municipality should receive a memento. Medals were then presented to the following: W. Adams. H. J. Bagnall, R. W. Bowman, ,J. Beecham, C. F. Coleman, C. Callaghan, D. B. Crawford, W H. Cheek, A. H. Clark, W. Dickson, J. A. Duffey, J. Danks, R. Emerton, J. R. Edgar, C. Eyre, P. J. Edgar, L. W. Fayers, S. Ford, A. Gower, A. H. Hayes, D. F. Hayes, J. Hyland, J. Hallston, A. Huntress, J. C. Hawkins, H. B. Irwin, C. W. Ingram, P. R. Jamieson, J. J. Jamieson, S. Keevers, W. Lewis, H. G. Mitchell, R. Marks, R. W. Malcolm, W. W. Moore. W. L. Mitchell, C. E. Newton, H. R. Orchard, H. J. Proctor, J. E. H. Pur cell, J. P. V. Plumbo, C. L. Power, A. B. Peebles, R. H. Peade, A. Peade, W. Ryan, J. A. Ryan, H. C. Sadler, F. H. C. Smith, H. H. Webber, R. A. Webber, F. P. Warner, D. M'Dade, A. C. M'Ilveen,. N. D. M'Lean, A. W. Limeburner, J. P. Eagan, J. Blackwood, C. Garde, H. Lamerton, W. Jamieson, W. Ross, Sharp, D. Watson. C. M'Iiveen. The presentations were acknowledged by Priv. Eade, sec. Newcastle branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, Sergeant Howson, and Sergeant Miller. A medal donated by Mr. N. A. O'Leary to Albert Irwin, of the 35th Battalion, was received on his behalf by his mother, the presentation being made by the Mayor. Alderman Kirk, treasurer of the commit-tee, thanked Messrs. Dix and Baker for the use of the picture theatre, Senator Watson for his address, Miss Bernasconi and the members of her orchestra, and the other ladies and gentlemen who contributed to the programme.

Admitted to hospital 20.7.1917 (influenza).
Wounded in action - 3.12.1917 (GSW face, severe).
Dennis returned home on the 22nd May 1918, being discharged medically unfit on the 22nd November 1918.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140981623 - welcome home by the Islington Military Presentation Committee at the Rosedale Hall, Tighes Hill.
Mr. Hayes’s name has been inscribed on the Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1).
I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so December 2018 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I submitted an application to DVA November 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, and this was accepted January 2022.
I will post photos when gravesite complete.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “
Lest We Forget.

Gary Mitchell: December 2022.

Family Information

Denis was a single 35 year old labourer and ironworker (Messrs. Armstrong & Royse, Timber Mills, Wickham, N.S.W.), who lived at 120 Maitland Road, Islington, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. Denis previously served with the 4th Infantry Regiment. The 4th Infantry Battalion was designated the "Australian Rifles", a regiment that had existed in various forms since 1908. Denis resigned prior to his enlistment with the AIF. 

Elinor May Hayes. nee: Belford. (1916-1957) Glen Innes Cemetery

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 28/12/2022-31/12/2022.

Private: 453 Robert Carr HENNESSEY.

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 453 Robert Carr "Bob" HENNESSEY.


Born: 1880. Ashington, England.

Married: July 1901. Ashington, England.

Wife: Eleanor Jane Hennessey. nee: Russell. (1882-19..)

Died: 12th October 1917. Killed in Action, Passchendaele, Belgium.


Father: Edward Hennessey. (1842-1904)

Mother: Isabella Hennessey. nee: Carr. (1843-1922)


INFORMATION

Robert Carr "Bob" Hennessey enlisted with the AIF on the 4th January 1916 at West Maitland and was allocated to B Company 34th Battalion at the Rutherford Army Camp. Here strenuous training was carried out. The men were very keen and fit, whilst their comfort and health were made a special study. Food was good and ample and sports and recreation were not overlooked.

34th BATTALION AIF, MAITLAND SHOWGROUND prior to their departure 1st May 1916

On 1st May 1916, the Battalion left by Train from Farley Station for the Showground in Sydney, equipped with kit bags and necessary clothing, and was reviewed in Moore Park by General: Gustave Mario RAMACCOTTI. On the following morning, 2nd May 1916 the men embarked on the transport HMAT A20 "HORORATA" and sailed at 4:00 pm".

H.M.A.T. A20 "HORORATA

Devonport was reached on the 23rd June, the Battalion disembarked at Plymouth at 1:00 pm and en trained during the afternoon for Amesbury, arriving at midnight and marching to hutments at No: 1 Camp, Larkhill. Here the Battalion settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine. Later the Battalion moved to the No: 25 Camp and finished off their training, which included six days' battle practice and field work at the Bastard Trenches.

34th Battalion marching through Amesbury

34th Battalion marching through Amesbury

The 34th Battalion left Lark hill on the 21st November and en trained at Amesbury for Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel". The transport section left by S.S. "Princess Victoria". The Battalion arrived at Le Harve, France on the 22nd November 1916. Disembarkation commenced at 8:00 am and the Battalion marched to No;1 camp on the Hill, arriving at 2:00 pm. The men carried heavy loads, in some cases amounting to miniature Q.M.' Stores. The march over cobblestones was very tiring, notwithstanding the many route marches which had been carried out at Larkhill. However, after bathing their feet and receiving treatment, as well partaking of a good meal, some spent a comfortable night.

Brigade History.

Robert was detached to the Rail Construction Company on the 22nd February 1917 as part of a temporary railway construction company that was formed in January 1917 under Captain: Robert Derwent DIXON (35 Btn). Dixon was a surveyor and civil engineer. This was one of several temporary companies formed to work on the duplication of the Bergues to Proven section of the military railway from Bergues to Boesinghe intended to support the planned major offensive that Haig was planning, which became Third Ypres (Passchendaele). Dixon’s company was apparently disbanded on 17 March 1917 and replaced with a the 3rd Pioneers’ B Company under Capt Maurice Keatinge, a railway civil engineer. Hennessey’s record is an indication that at least some of Dixon’s troops continued under Keatinge. The work was completed and handed over to the British 112th Railway Company on 10 April 1917.

Trevor Edmonds: 2023

Railway Remembers.

Robert returned to the 36th Battalion form his detachment on the 8th April 1917 and went into the lines at Hazebrouck, France. He was marched in the the Convalescent Camp on the 29th May where he spent the next 2 weeks before re joining his unit again on the 16th June. Robert attended to School of Instruction on the 12th August until the 15th September 1917 in preparation for the stunt at Passchendaele.

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

Robert was Killed in Action on the 12th October 1917 at Passchendaele and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

13th January 1918.

Informant: Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. "Concerning Private: 453 Robert HENNESSEY. I have much pleasure in giving you all the information that is in my possession. He was with me in the attack at Passchendaele on 12th October acting as my Batman, which position he had held for some 12 months. I became a casualty and he escorted me back to our Headquarters. Whilst I was interviewing my Battalion Commander he was twice wounded in the hand and also in the head. These wounded however did not appear serious and we was quite able to walk and was in full possession of his senses after they had been bound up.  

The last I saw of him was when he started to walk out to the Dressing Station along the Ypres-Roulers Railway Line about 5.30 p.m on 12th October. Apparently he did not reach there as he as he has not been reported from any hospital. As shelling was very heavy it is quite possible that he was hit on his way out. His description is as follows:- Height 5'7" stocky build, slightly, Age 38 or 39 years, bandy legged, complexion medium, hair, dark, a few grey hairs, clean shaven. Born in Cumberland, England and emigrated to Australia about 5 years ago where he took up Coal Mining in the Newcastle - Maitland district N.S.W.

He was following this trade also in England. His mother and other relatives live at Ashington, Cumberland, England. I would be very glad if you could give me her detailed address. I hope this information will be of assistance to you, and that yet by some wonderful chance he may be found to be alive somewhere.

34th Battalion, France.

14th January 1918.

Informant: Private: 2056 Alfred Ernest DAVIES. "Private: 453 Robert HENNESSEY was Batman to Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. C Company, previous B Company, and helped him out to the Dressing Station at Passchendaele on October 12th. Captain GILDER was surprised when we told him after the stunt that HENNESSEY was missing and stated to us that HENNESSEY had accompanied him to the Dressing Station and left him there. It is surmised that he was blown up by a shell. We made enquiries and found he did not go through the Dressing Station. He belonged to B Company. I knew him well in the Battalion. He and Private: 546 John SMITH, Officers Cook, B Company, were very close friends and used to sleep together".

26th General Hospital, Estaples, France.

6th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 546 John SMITH. "I was not with Private: 453 Robert HENNESSEY, I was wounded the first day, but I am very familiar with Captain: Telford Graham GILDER. whom HENNESSEY was batman for, and he told me that Bob was coming out with him, the Captain being wounded. Bob was seeing him out and was twice wounded himself on the hand and on the head close to the first Dressing Station. Then the Captain must have been parted from Bob. After they both had their wounds dressed, we all surmised that poor Bob must have got pretty well a direct hit from a shell on the way out and was never seen or heard of afterwards and the country being very muddy it is quite possible. That is as much as any of us that was in the push know". 

France.    

26th June 1918.

Informant: Private: 745 Frederick "Alfred" DIFFORD. "Private: 453 Robert HENNESSEY was in C Company. I did not see the casualty, his body being found at Ypres by two Tommies about a month after being killed, but I do not know the names of these two men. His disc was forwarded to Battalion Headquarters. I cannot give any further details further, nor can I refer to anyone. 

3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England.

 

Menin Gate War Memorial

Family Information

In 1911 Robert was a Coal Miner and Coal Cutting Machinist who lived at Ashington, Northumberland, England. Robert with his wife Eleanor and daughter Isabella embarked from the Port of London on board the "Orvieto" on the 11th April 1913 as 3rd class passengers for Sydney, Australia.  

Orient Line "Orvieto" Post Card

Robert was a married 36 year old Coal Miner from 5th Street, Weston, New South Wales where he lived with his wife Eleanor Jane and daughter Isabella Carr Hennessey upon his enlistment with the AIF. Daughter Isabella Carr Hennessey born 1903 Hirst, England and died 20th July 1972 at Kurri Kurri, N.S.W. Death Cert:63494/1972. son Edward born 1905 Hirst, England and was included in the 1911 Census but did not emigrate to Australia. 

Eleanor Jane Hennessey married George Sneddon at Kurri Kurri New South Wales in 1947 ? (no record found of marriage) and moved to Victoria where George died in 1957.  

Eleanor Jane Hennessey (1882-19..)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 06/12/2022.

Private: 828 James Muir LECKIE.

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 828 James Muir LECKIE.


Born: 1894. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:35043/1894.

Died: 23rd July 1917. Killed in Action Messines Ridge, Belgium.


Father: Alexander Leckie. (1864-1946) Died Manly, Northern Beaches, N.S.W. Australia. Death Cert:10692/1946.

Mother: Mary Leckie. nee: Muir. (1869-1956) Died Ryde, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:22702/1956.


INFORMATION

James Muir Leckie enlisted with the AIF on the 19th January 1916 and had been serving with the 16th Infantry Militia for the last 3 years and was allocated to 3rd Reinforcements, C Company 34th Battalion AIF. Lyle embarked on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" on the 2nd May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport was reached on the 23rd June, the Battalion disembarked at Plymouth at 1:00 pm and en trained during the afternoon for Amesbury, arriving at midnight and marching to hutments at No: 1 Camp, Larkhill. Here the Battalion settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine. Later the Battalion moved to the No: 25 Camp and finished off their training, which included six days' battle practice and field work at the Bastard Trenches.

34th Battalion marching through Amesbury

34th Battalion marching through Amesbury

Some of the Original Wallabies – Salisbury Plain, England 1916. Section of C Company – 34th Infantry Battalion AIF.

Back Row: Private: 847 Lyle MURRAY; - Private: 903 Frank Dixon THOMAS; - Private: 774 Albert GREENFIELD; - Private: 828  James Muir LECKIE.

Third Row (standing): Private: 902 Christopher THOMAS; - Private: 875 Patrick PORTER; - Private: 751 Lial Edgar EDWARDS; - Private: 845 Robert MURRAY;

Private: 806 William Adolphus JOHNSTON; - Private: 716 Edward Mark BLATCHFORD; - Private: 730 Herbert Robert Duncan CHERRY.

Second Row (seated): Private: 756 Fred ENGLAND; - Private: 920 George Alexander WOODS; - Private: 769 James GRAHAM; - Private: 797 Charles William INGRAM.

Front Row: Private: 838 William David MORGAN; - Corporal:713 John BELL; - Private: 793 Victor HUDDLESTON

Trove

The 34th Battalion left Lark hill on the 21st November and en trained at Amesbury for Southampton, embarking on the S.S "Arundel". The transport section left by S.S. "Princess Victoria". The Battalion arrived at Le Harve, France on the 22nd November 1916. Disembarkation commenced at 8:00 am and the Battalion marched to No;1 camp on the Hill, arriving at 2:00 pm. The men carried heavy loads, in some cases amounting to miniature Q.M.' Stores. The march over cobblestones was very tiring, notwithstanding the many route marches which had been carried out at Larkhill. However, after bathing their feet and receiving treatment, as well partaking of a good meal, some spent a comfortable night. 

On the 11th December 1916 the 34th Battalion went into the Line again. "B" Company occupying the Subsidiary line instead of "D" Company, as in the first period. The weather was still cold and misty. The usual counter battery work was carried out by the Artillery and Trench Mortars. Some shells from our own "Heavies" dropped short and fell into our front Line. Sniping on both sides was again active. Extra Patrols were sent out to engage the strong fighting enemy Patrols in No Man's Land. The enemy was busy with his Working Parties and good work was also done by the wiring parties. Two extra Lewis Guns were added to the Front Line for the purpose of sweeping the enemy parapets and wire, in retaliation for enemy sniping which had become most active and causing trouble.

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 defence 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. 

19th July 1917.

Casualties 2 killed "Corporal: 845 Robert MURRAY - Private: 2097 John Henry JAMIESON" and 5 wounded Private: 198 Edward Abraham "Ted" SULLIVAN in WELLINGTON TRENCH. Enemy firing gas shells intermittently all night. 

(34th Battalion War Diary)

James was Killed in Action on the 23rd July 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery. 

Grave of Private: 828 James Muir Leckie

MESSINES RIDGE BRITISH CEMETERY

Family Information

James was a single 21 year old Baker from Teralba Road, West Maitland, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. His father was recorded as his next of kin. 

Alexander Leckie. (1864-1946)

Mary Leckie. nee: Muir. (1869-1956)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 27/10/2022-28/10/2022.