War Memorials and War Cemeterys

Lance Corporal: 2657 Frederick John SCALES

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34th BATTALION AIF

Lance Corporal: 2657 Frederick John SCALES

Born: 10th June 1893. Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.

Married: 1927 Scone, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9014/1927.

Wife: Edith Harriett Scales. nee: Wilton (1904-1986) Death Cert:100792/1986.

Death: 24th April 1942.  Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:10154/1942.

Father: George Scales. (1864-1902)

Mother: Alice Scales. nee: Snowden (1864-1928)

INFORMATION

Frederick John Scales enlisted with the AIF on the 18th September 1916 at the Rutherford Army Camp where he was allocated to the 5th Reinforcements 34th Battalion AIF with the rank of private. Fred marched in to Farley Station with the 5 Reinforcements where they en trained to Sydney on the 16th of November and stayed overnight at the Sydney Showground Camp before proceeding overseas for France the next day from Woolloomooloo Wharf in Sydney on board "Port Napier". The reinforcements disembarked at Devonport, England on the 29th January 1917 and were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp.

The Reinforcements proceeded overseas for France via Folkstone on the 3rd of May and were marched in at Estaples the next morning. Fred was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on the 2nd December 1917 in the field and was later granted leave to England from the 13th February 1918 which may have been when he was painted by Alfred Crowdy Lovett whist he was on leave. Fred re joined his unit in France on the 3rd of March 1918 at Warneton and went straight into action supporting the raiding party into enemy trenches.

3rd March 1918.

9:00 am. Weather dull and very cold. Our Artillery fairly active throughout the day, Enemy Artillery quiet. 11:45 am. 9th Infantry Brigade Raiding Party of 300 strong racked enemy trenches opposite 33rd Battalion Sector on our right. Raid very successful 1 Officer 11 other ranks being brought back prisoners. 34th Battalion casualties in the raid were 1 other ranks Killed 3 other ranks Wounded. There was no Artillery retaliation on our Sector.

Lance Corporal: 2597 John Henry JOHNSTON.

At 11.45 pm on the 3rd March a combined 9th Brigade Raid took place, which proved most successful. One Officer and 11 Other Ranks were brought back as prisoners. Our casualties were 3 wounded. The following night the brigade Raiders again entered the enemy Trenches and succeeded in killing 40 of the enemy. Strength of Raiding Party - 15 Officers 300 other ranks.

Private: 7533 Walter Godfrey SMITH. 34th Bn AIF. Killed in Action 05/03/1918 France.

This Raid however was not so successful as the previous night. The Battalion losing one of its efficient Officers Captain: 717 Benjamin Greenup BRODIE. These Raids were well organised and the men, who had been especially trained, were well equipped. On the second night 100 men of the Battalion took part. The object of the Raid was to blow up Dug Outs and Tunnels. The Assembly Point was in the front of the 33rd Battalion Outpost near No: 7 Post in the front of the Sugar Refinery. Our men were in "C" Company of the Raiders, with Captain: 717 Benjamin Greenup BRODIE in charge. Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander MILNE, 36th Battalion was in charge of the Brigade Raid. Each man carried three of four Bombs. Some were Rifle Grenadiers, others Lewis Gunners, some Bombers and also Bayonet Men. Most were dressed in Tommy Uniforms. The Demolition Party carried special charges and detonators. It rained heavily during march to the Assembly Point and the men enjoyed the hot Cocoa and Coffee supplied by the Y.M.C.A on the way up.

THE "END of HOSTILITIES"

On 1st October the weather cleared and the Battalion moved into reserve at Benjamin Post, with the exception of "B" Company, which was still patrolling Bony Avenue and stave Trench. During the day a number of H.E. and gas shells came over, but only one casualty resulted. On 2nd the Battalion moved back to Capron Copse, where it was re-joined by "B" Company and bivouacked for the night. The next day the men marched back to Cat Copse and bivouacked for two days, where the C.O. held an Inspection.

at 1:30 pm on the 5th the Battalion moved out by light railway and arrived at Peronne at 6:00 pm, where hot coco and biscuits were served out to the troops by the Y.M.C.A. When leaving Cat Copse four men were wounded by an explosion of cartridges in a fire around which they were standing on the road. At 10:00 pm the same evening the troops en trained for Armiens and arrived there at 6:00 am on 6th October. Having en trained they marched to billets in Fricourt. The Transport and Quarter Master's Store came by road. The village and billets were comfortable compared with the conditions of recent months.

Whilst here training was carried out in the morning and sports were held during the afternoon. Lectures on all subjects in connection with the A.I.F. Education Scheme were given. Schools were opened up where men could experience which would help them in various trades, and occupations on return to civil life. Many went to Farm Schools in the Divisional Area. Organised sports with Companies, Battalions and Brigades were carried out. Debating classes were held and some pleasant and interesting evening events.

Soon after settling down, Brigadier General: Henry Arthur GODDARD. inspected the billets and complimented the Transport on their smart appearance. A Battalion Parade was held and the Brigadier spoke of the past eight months' operations on the Somme and of the gallant part the 9th Brigade had played. He urged the men to guard their good name whilst they remained overseas and take it back to Australia. The weather for the first two weeks was stormy, with the usual amount of mud in evidence, but everything was done for the comfort of the men. Picture shows were provided and concerts were given by Battalion and visiting concert parties, which were greatly appreciated.

Church Parades were held by Padre Captain: Chaplain 3rd Class: John CALDER. Whilst here Lieutenant Colonel. Arthur Raft WOOLCOCK. D.S.O. of the 11th Brigade, assumed command of the Battalion. In the course of his remarks during an address to the Officers of the Battalion, he said that in donning the Colours of the 34th Battalion he intended also to absorb the spirit of the Battalion and to continually study the welfare and comfort of the men, which he eventually did in no uncertain manner.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

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

Fred was again granted leave to England from France on the 8th February 1919 and re joined his unit on the 24th of February and spent the next few months in France before he was allocated to Quota 34 on the 15th of April and embarked from Havre, France on the 21st of April for Codford, England. Fred embarked from England on board the "Themistocles" on the 12th June 1919 and arrived in Melbourne, Australia on the 28th July 1919. Fred attended to the Anzac Buffet on the 11th August in Sydney where he declared he had no disability from War Service and was fir and well before he was discharged from the AIF on the 18th September 1919.

Brigadier General: Alfred Crowdy Lovett CB-CBE-MID (1862-1919) Watercolour Painting of Lance Corporal: 2657 Frederick John Scales who served with the 34th Australian Infantry Battalion WW1

Find a Grave

 

Jacob Boston Fine Art

Water Colour painting by Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919) was acquired in November 2024 for the Harrower Collection from the Jacob Boston Fine Art in England. Lovett was a military artist best known for his watercolours and other images of the varied uniforms of the different armies of British India. As his work continued over the next several decades, this designation would change, right up to Colonel and then Brigadier General.

This painting of Private F Scales of the 34th Battalion is the only known paining by this artist to members of the 34th Battalion AIF. 

Family Information

Fred was a single Bootmaker from Scone, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. Fred immigrated to Australia from London on the 27th April 1911 arriving in Sydney, Australia aboard the "Osterley". Fred served with the Territorials in England.  He married Edith Harriett Scales. nee: Wilton in 1927 at Scone, New South Wales, Australia. They moved to Kurri Kurri, New South Wales. 

Kurri Kurri Cemetery

Grave of  Fred Scales (1893-1942)

Military Records

Under Construction: 30/10/2024-1/11/2024

Private: 1525 Herbert “Henry” Raymond Gerrard BUCKLEY.

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33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1525 Herbert "Henry" Raymond Gerrard BUCKLEY.

Born: 28th October 1896. Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. 

Married: 1st August 1922. Queensland, Australia. 

Wife: Edith Clare Buckley. nee: Peters. nee: Lowes. (1883-1953)

Died: 4th July 1958. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father:  James Joseph Buckley. (1854-1935) Died in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 

Mother: Sarah Buckley. nee: Moore. (1859-1937) Died in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

INFORMATION

Henry Raymond Gerrard Buckley enlisted with the AIF on the 25th February 1916 and was allocated to the 1st Reinforcements 33rd Battalion AIF. embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916. 

 

18th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 1525 Henry Raymond Gerrard BUCKLEY. (A Company No:1 Platoon, 33rd Battalion AIF) "I saw Private: 938 Phillip Edgar WILLIAMS killed at Zonnebeke, Belgium. He was caught by shell fragments which hit him about the head and body, death being instantaneous. He was working the gun at the time of the casualty. I knew him very well, he came from  N.S.W. I was attached to the 9th M.G. Coy, at the time. We were relieved soon after, and I cannot give any details of burial, and I cannot refer to anyone, but we held the ground and I feel sure he would be buried somewhere near place of casualty."

3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital

Dartford, England. 

 

Family Information

Henry was a single 19 year old Farmer from Gunnedah, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. Served during World War 2. service number: N107077, enlisting at Paddington, N.S.W. with the Citizens Military Forces. His next of kin was recorded as Gertrude Bettridge. 

Henry is buried at the Rookwood Cemetery Mortuary Section: M2 Area:20 Plot:2058. 

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 03/09/2024-19/09/2024.

Acting Sergeant: 2896 Hector Francis YOUNGSON.

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34th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Acting Sergeant: 2896 Hector Francis YOUNGSON.

Born: 16th October 1882. England, 

Died: 30th March 1918. Killed in Action. Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Father: James R Youngson. 

Mother: Frances Youngson. 

INFORMATION

Hector Francis Youngson enlisted with the AIF on the 20th April 1916 at the Dubbo Sports Ground and was appointed to Acting Sergeant on the 6th June before he was marched in to the No:4 Officers School at Duntroon until the 30th October and was allocated as Acting Sergeant, 6th Reinforcements 34th Battalion AIF on the 31st October 1916. Hector embarked for England from Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 25th November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport England on the 29th January 1917. 

Hector proceeded overseas for France via Southampton, England on the 19th March 1918 and disembarked at Havre, France the next morning and was marched out to the lines transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF on the and Taken on Strength on the 24th March 1918.

30th March 1918.

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 reconnoitre 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 reconnoitre 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 reconnoitre 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.

Hector was Killed in Action on the 30th October 1918 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

Hectors War Medal:54240 to A/Sgt 2896 H.F. YOUNGSON 33 BN AIF was acquired in September 2024 and is now in the Harrower Collection.

Family Information

Hector served with the Royal Navy prior to immigrating to Australia. He enlisted on the 22nd March 1900 and served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Plymouth Division, service number 10248. Hector served for 12 years and was discharged when his time was served in 1912. Hector was a single 30 year old Waiter from Sydney, New South Was upon his enlistment with the AIF. His mother Francis was recorded as his next of kin who lived at 89 Croxted road West Dulwich, London, England. Sister Clare Blaxland

Military Records

Under Construction: 11/09/2024.

Private: 938 Phillip Edgar WILLIAMS

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43rd BATTALION - 9th Machine Gun Company - 35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 938 Phillip Edgar WILLIAMS

Born: 3rd October 1897. Mintaro, South Australia, Australia. 

Died: 4th October 1917. Killed in Action Zonnebeke, Belgium.

Father: Phillip Williams. 

Mother: Julia Esther Williams. 

INFORMATION

Phillip Edgar Williams enlisted on the 17th February 1916 at Kadina South Australia and embarked on board HMAT A70 "Ballarat" on the 12th August 1916 from Adelaide, South Australia with the 2nd Reinforcements 43rd Battalion AIF. 

Phillip was transferred to the 9th Machine Gun Company attached to the 35th Battalion AIF.

18th February 1918.

Informant: Private: 1525 Henry Raymond Gerrard BUCKLEY. (A Company No:1 Platoon, 33rd Battalion AIF) "I saw him killed at Zonnebeke. He was caught by shell fragments which hit him about the head and body, death being instantaneous. He was working the gun at the time of the casualty. I knew him very well, he came from  N.S.W. I was attached to the 9th M.G. Coy, at the time. We were relieved soon after, and I cannot give any details of burial, and I cannot refer to anyone, but we held the ground and I feel sure he would be buried somewhere near place of casualty."

3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital

Dartford, England. 

Victory Medal:44366 938 PTE P E WILLIAMS 3b BN AIF was listed for sale August 2024and again in November 2024

Phillip was killed in Action at was killed in Action at Zonnebeke, Belgium and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

Menin Gate Memorial

Family Information

Phillip was a single 18 year old Labourer from Mintaro, South Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. Served with Area 79A for 18 months CMF Militia. Phillip was educated at the Mintaro and Prospect State Schools.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 04/09/2024-18/09/2024.

Private: 1481 Evan Archibald DAVIES.

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35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1481 Evan Archibald "Archie" DAVIES.

Born: 1897. Aberdare, South Wales, United Kingdom 

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

Father: George Davies. (1874-1942)

Mother: Beatrice Davies. nee: Ashman. (1877-1958) 

INFORMATION
Evan Archibald Davies 14th Infantry Militia prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 7th December 1915 and was allocated to the Machine Gun Section 35th Battalion AIF on the 3rd March 1916 at Broadmeadow Army Camp.

Broadmeadow Station 1st May 1916

The 35th Battalion left Sydney on the 1st May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the H.M.A.T. A24 "BENALLA" with 28 Officers and 991 other ranks. The original 35th Battalion had regimental numbers between 1-1513. Compiling of Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, A Company, B Company, C Company and D Company. Arriving in England on the 9thJuly, the Battalion spent the next four months in training. It crossed into France on the 21st of  November, and moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on the 26th of November, just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

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. 

Evan was Killed in Action on the 7th June 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate. He was recorded on the Memorial Cross at Messines for the fallen from the 35th Battalion AIF.

35th Battalion Memorial for those fallen at Messines 7th June 1917

Corporal: 2600 George Smith HOLLIDAY. 35th Battalion AIF. (Photo of him at Memorial Cross)

Northern Times (Newcastle), 30 June 1917

22nd October 1917.

Informant: Corporal: 406 George Thomas DONNELLY (B Company Head Quarters 35th Battalion). I saw Private: 1481 Evan Archibald DAVIES dead at Messines. He had been caught by a shell and very badly mutilated. I knew him well he was the only man of that name in the Company. I do not know place of burial and I cannot refer to anyone in particulars.

London, England.

3rd January 1918. 

Informant: Private: 1491 Ivor LEWIS. 35th Battalion. Private: 1481 Evan Archibald DAVIES was with me in Lewis Gun Section on the 7th June at Battle of Messines, he suffered from Shell Shock in the morning and in the afternoon a shell burst and killed him outright. He was with the gun at the time. 

No:4 Australian General Hospital.

Randwick, N.S.W.

6th March 1918.

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

London, England. 

Newcastle Morning Herald, 7 June 1920

 

Family Information
Evan was a single 18 year old Labourer/Blacksmith's Striker at Richmond Main and previously a Teacher at the local Methodist Sunday Scholl and lived at "Maudville" Cessnock Street, Kurri Kurri, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Memory of Evan Archibald Davies. Kurri Kurri Cemetery.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 24/06/2024-07/08/2024.

Private: 2346 John Brown LARKINS

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2346 John "Jack" Brown LARKINS

Born: 1st September 1880. Carrington, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:20169/1880.

Died: 9th August 1945. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18855/1945.

Father: James Clement Larkins. (1851-24/6/1924) Died at Wickham, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6516/1924.

Mother: Louisa Larkins. nee: Castletine. (1859-25/8/1926) Died at Wickham, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:11577/1926.

INFORMATION

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
79 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 9th August 1945, Private John Brown Larkins, referred to as Jack, 35th Battalion (Reg No-2346), coal trimmer from 30 Denison Street, Carrington, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 65. ANGLICAN 1-65. 84.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134372749 - funeral notice does not state service.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134373669 - obituary states service.
Never married.
Born at Carrington, New South Wales on the 1st September 1880 to James, "Cockney Jim", died 24.6.1924, Wickham, N.S.W., age 72, buried at ANGLICAN 1-65. 86 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165273929, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137635342, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137635453, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165267809, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137634709, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180237319/james_larkins, from 30 Denison Street, Carrington, N.S.W., and Louisa Larkins, died 25.8.1926, Wickham, N.S.W., age?, sleeping at ANGLICAN 1-65. 86, mother of 4 sons and 1 daughter - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138177543, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180237321/louisa_larkins, from the corner of Victoria & Denison Streets, Carrington, New South Wales, Jack enlisted on the 14th April 1916 at Carrington, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133889860 - report of a farewell and the presentation of a gold medal to Jack and 48 other Carrington boys at the Carrington School of Arts Hall.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A30 Borda on the 17th October 1916.
Wounded in action - 12.10.1917 (GSW left groin, 1st Battle of Passchendaele), 4.4.1918 (GSW left chest, penetrating, dangerously ill).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138743323 - the 367th & 368th Australian Casualty lists, N.S.W., WOUNDED, Pte. J. Larkins, Carrington (1st occasion).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138156566 - report that Jack had been admitted to a hospital in England suffering from his 2nd wounding.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159101918 - the 395th & 396th Australian Casualty lists, Northern District, WOUNDED, Pte. JOHN LARKINS, Carrington (2nd occasion).
Granted leave to England from 25.2.1918 to 11.3.1918.
Commenced return to Australia 31.7.1918.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140982602 - report that Jack will be returning home soon.
Jack arrived home on the 28th September 1918, being discharged medically unfit on the 1st January 1919.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137499455 - report of impending public welcome home for Jack, who had arrived home on the Monday night of the 30th September 1918.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137489955 - report of a public welcome home and the presentation of bars to Jack and 4 other returned Carrington boys at the Carrington School of Arts Hall.
Mr. Larkins’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Citizens' Memorial Gates, Carrington Municipal District Roll of Honor as LARKIN and the Carrington Football Club Roll of Honor.
Carrington Football Club Roll of Honor
I have placed poppies at Jack’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
https://www.findagrave.com/.../180237320/john-brown-larkins.
Service record states Died after Discharge, 7/8/1945.
Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance.
Officially commemorated – https://connect.dva.gov.au/commemsoawg/commemoration/viewCommemoration.html?commemorationId=NjY0MjI3.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/.
Lest We Forget.
Gary Mitchell. August  2024.
Family Information
John was a single 35 year old Coal Trimmer from Dennison Street, Carrington, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. His brother Richard Larkins (1884-1913) Died from injuries received from being run over by a coal wagon at Carrington. 

Sandgate Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia

Anglican 1 section 65 plot 86 Buried next to brother Richard

Military Records

Under Construction: 10/08/2024.

Sergeant: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR. MM

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 1506 William Ernest TAYLOR. MM

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

Married 1: Louisa Taylor. nee: Upperton.

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

Married 2: . New South Wales, Australia. 

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

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

Father: George Taylor. (1846-1920)

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

INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

MILITARY MEDAL

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

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

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

Sergeant: William Ernest Taylor.

6th March 1918.

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

London, England. 

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

8th August 1918.

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

22nd August  1918.

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

29th September 1918.

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

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

(35th Battalion War Diary)

11th November 1918.

ARMISTICE SIGNED

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

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

Family Information

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

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

King South Africa. Bars. 1901 - 1902.

George Taylor (1846-1920)

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

Family Album

Cessnock War Memorial

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

William Ernest Taylor (1876-1957)

Jane Rowan Taylor (1869-1941)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

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

Private: 59 James Edward DWYER

by

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 59 James Edward DWYER

Born: 1896. Tasmania, Australia. 

Married: 1916. West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:1401/1916. 

Wife: Rhoda Amelia Dwyer. nee: Beatty. (1897-25/11/1953) Died at Mayfield, New South Wales. Death Cert:29601/1953.

Died: 17th January 1974. Mayfield via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:80179/1974.

Father: James Dwyer.

Mother: Mary Dwyer. nee: 

INFORMATION

James Edward James enlisted with the AIF at West Maitland on the 7th January 1916 and was allocated to A Company 34th Battalion AIF and was an original member of the Battalion. 

34th Battalion AIF. Church Parade.

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".

HMAT 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.

James proceeded overseas for France on the 23rd August 1917 to reinforce the 34th Battalion prior to 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, endeavouring 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
After the action at Passchendaele James attended the Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a Disability "Shell Shock" and was transferred to the10th Stationary Hospital for further treatment before being invalided to England on the 16th of November where he was admitted to the Horton War Hospital.
3rd December 1917
Informant: Private: 59 James DWYER. (A Company) 34th Battalion AIF. Informant states the Private: 73 Thomas GILLONS (not GIBBONS as in list) he was certain about this a he knew is No: and Christian name, he was killed by a shell in an attack at Passchendaele on 12th October 1917 when they were going over to top at 3:00am
Horton Hospital, Epsom, England. 
James was discharged from Hospital and marched in to the No:2 Command Depot for his return to Australia. He embarked from England on the 12th March 1918 as Medically Unfit for Active Service and disembarked in Australia on the 22nd May 1918 before he was discharged from the AIF on the `0th August 1918.
Family Information
James was a married 20 year old Miner from Telarah Lodge, Telarah via West Maitland upon his enlistment with the AIF. James and Rhoda lived at 21 Neville Street, Mayfield . Rhonda died in 1953 and James in 1974. James ashes were scattered at the New South Wales Garden of Remembrance, Rookwood Cemetery via Sydney, New South Wales. 
Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/07/2024-06/08/2024.

Private: 420 William Joseph EARL.

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 420 William Joseph EARL

Born: 17th September 1887. Jillaby near Wyong, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:37819/1888.

Married: 7th June 1919. Tanfield  County of Durham, England. Marriage Cert: ME2847.

Wife: Harriet Douglas Earl. nee: Cain. (1899-19..)

Died:  5th August 1922. Cottage Hospital. Dungog, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13917/1922.

Father: William Earl. (1857-21/06/1937) Died at Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. 

Mother: Eliza Earl. nee: Morris. (1862-1918) Died at Dungog, New South Wales, Australia. 

INFORMATION

William enlisted with the AIF on the 30th November 1915 at Newcastle, New South Wales and was allocated to the Newcastle Depot Battalion before he was allocated to B Company 35th Battalion on the 18th February 1916. 

35th Battalion leaving Broadmeadow Station, Newcastle for Sydney.

William embarked from Sydney with the 35th Battalion on the 1st May 1916 on board HMAT A24 "BENALLA" with 28 Officers and 991 other ranks. The original 35th Battalion had regimental numbers between 1-1513. Compiling of Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, A Company, B Company, C Company and D Company. Arriving in England on the 9th early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training. It crossed into France in late November, and moved into the trenches of the Western Front for the first time on the 26th of November, just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

The 35th Battalion proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916

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. 

William was Wounded in Action on the 8th June 1917 when he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Back and Left Shoulder and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance before he was evacuated from the lines by stretcher bearers to the Field Dressing Station for further treatment before he was transferred to Rouen where he was invalided to England and admitted to the 5th Southern General Hospital. 

After William was discharged from Hospital he was marched in the Command Depot for overseas deployment and proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 30th August 1917 and re joined his unit on the 13th September 1917.

On February 1, 1918, the 35th Battalion moved to Kortepyp Camp in particularly cold weather and were mainly employed here in working parties but also in physical and sports exercises including rugby and football matches and then on February 25, were sent in an area called the "Catacombs" near Ploegsteert Wood and launched several raids in the Warneton area including one involving 300 men on March 3 which was successful despite the loss of 50 men during the attack, another was carried out with the same success on March 5 despite stronger resistance from the German lines and were relieved on March 7 by the 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion.
On March 8, 1918, the 35th Battalion moved back to Kortepyp Camp, marched to Henneveux (Pas-De-Calais) the next day where they remained until March 20, but the next day the German army launched its spring offensive, the last German offensive of the war which was intended to break through the Anglo-French lines between Arras and St-Quentin and to take the vital and strategic railway junction of Amiens so on March 28th the 35th Battalion was sent to Bonnay, in the Somme to stop the Germans.
On March 28, 1918, Claude and the men of the 35th Battalion arrived in the Somme, in the small village of Bonnay then the battalion assembled and organized itself in Corbie then marched for Cachy on March 30 and the next day, received the order to enter the front line between Villers-Bretonneux and Warfusee and were involved in an Australian counterattack at Hangard Wood and helped to defeat a major drive on Villers-Bretonneux on 4 April. The desperate nature of the fighting at this time is revealed by the fact that the 35th Battalion suffered nearly 70 per cent casualties during these operations.
On April 30, 1918, the battalion moved to the Morlancourt sector where they fought fiercely and successfully until May 10, then were relieved the next day by the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, marched for La Houssoye then for Rivery, near Amiens where they remained until May 21 and the following day, moved back to the trenches of Villers-Bretonneux.
(35th Battalion Diary)
(Gosford Times,29th August 1918).
Informant: Private: 420 William Joseph EARL, of Wyong, writing home regarding the death of Lance Corporal: 2138 Claude Ernest RILEY, who was killed in action on 27th June last says:
"Ernie was an old school mate of mine, and we have always been like brothers to each other. We have fought side by side ever since the 35th Battalion came to France. He was a good soldier and man, and was well respected by all who knew him. We buried him in an Australian cemetery in a little village a good distance behind the firing line, our chaplain reading the burial service. We erected a cross with his regimental number and rank on it and placed some artificial flowers and green violets on his grave. Since then a few of us Wyong boys have clubbed together and bought a very nice artificial cross composed of all coloured beads, and erected same on his last resting place."
Whilst on  leave William married Harriet Douglas Cain on the 7th June 1919 at Tanfield, County of Durham, England. Marriage Cert: ME2847. He and his new bride returned to Australia on the 20th August 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 4th October 1919. 
Family Information
William was a single 26 year old Teamster from Wards River Railway Line Via Dungog New South Wales, Australia. His parent William and Eliza Earl were married in 1879 at Brisbane Waters via Gosford, New South Wales, Australia and had 11 children. William was tragically killed in an accident at the Railway Yards in 1922. I believe his widow Harriet returned England after Williams death as I have found no record of her after Williams death. 
Coronial Inquiry into the death of William Joseph Earl
19th August 1922.
Injuries accidently received at the Dungog Railway Yards by being struck by a log which he was loading onto a bandsaw.
William is buried at Dungog Cemetery. Cemeteries Index.
Eliza Earl. nee: Morris. (1862-1918) Dungog Cemetery.
Military Records

Under Construction: 24/07/2024-05/08/2024.

Lance Corporal: 2138 Claude Ernest RILEY

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Lance Corporal: 2138 Claude Ernest "Ernie" RILEY.

Born: 21st April 1894. St Albans via Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales, Australia. 

Died: 27th June 1918. Killed in Action. Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Father: Joseph William Reilly. (1853-1908) Died at Wyong Creek, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:13517/1908

Mother: Elizabeth Kathleen Reilly. nee: Butler. (1871-1943) Nambucca Heads Private Hospital, Macksville, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:31114/1943

 INFORMATION

Francois Somme

Through the fields of the Somme, the light of a new day rises radiant on millions of poppies that grow between the rows of thousands of white graves behind which stand in silence, proud and solemn the ghosts of a whole generation of young men who, far from home, on these sacred soils of northern France, alongside their mates, their brothers in arms, united around the same causes, served with pride and did their duty with bravery in the trenches in which they shared the pains and the sufferings but side by side, moved forward through the fire, on soil scarified and bruised by the barbed wire in which they were caught without being able to escape and were mowed down in waves under the shells and the deadly fire of the machine guns that swept the battlefields under hail of bullets. They were young and together they fought for what was right, they gave their today and their lives in the mud on which their blood was shed which was the price of freedom and peace. Together they marched and fell among the poppies which carry with them the memory of these young men who, with care and respect, will always be kept strong and alive and over whom I will always watch with gratitude so that they are never forgotten, so that their names live forever.
Today, it is with the deepest gratitude and with the utmost respect that I would like to honour the memory of one of these young men who fell too early and who, for our tomorrow gave his today. I would like to pay a very respectful tribute to Lance Corporal number 2138 Claude Ernest Riley who fought in the 35th Australian Infantry Battalion, B Company, 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division, and who was killed in action 106 years ago, on June 27, 1918 at the age of 24 on the Somme front.
Claude Ernest Riley, who was most affectionately known as "Ernie", was born on April 21, 1894 in Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Riley, of Wyong, New South Wales. Claude was educated at the Public School then after graduation, served for 18 months in the Militia in Wyong and worked as a labourer.
Claude enlisted on August 4, 1915 in Liverpool, New South Wales, as a Private in the 35th Australian Infantry Battalion, B Company, 3rd Reinforcement, battalion whose nickname was "Newcastle's Own Regiment" and whose motto was "Fidelis Et Paratus" (Faithful And Ready). After a period of one year of training, he embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on August 24, 1916 and sailed for England.
On October 11, 1916, Claude arrived in England and was disembarked at Devonport, was taken on strength on November 11 and proceeded overseas from Southampton for France on November 21.
On November 22, 1916, after a quick journey on the English Channel, Claude was disembarked in France. Two months later, on January 7, 1917, he was detached from his unit for railway construction work in the field and joined the 35th Australian Infantry Battalion on February 10.
On June 4, 1917, Claude was admitted to the 9th and then to the 10th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from boils, joined his unit on June 16 and the following month, from July 1 to 7, fought courageously in Messines, Belgium, where with his comrades occupied support trenches and were mainly employed in the digging and improvement of communication trenches then on the evening of July 7, were relieved by the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion and moved into billets at Neuve-Eglise where they remained until July 11.
At 2:00 a.m. on July 11, Claude and the 35th Battalion moved back to the Messines front line where they relieved the 43rd Australian Infantry Battalion and occupied a line of support between the Douve River and St Ignast Farm where they repelled several German raids and were finally relieved on July 29 by the 41st Australian Infantry Battalion and moved to the River Douve Camp where they had a brief period of rest.
On August 3, 1917, the 35th Battalion left the River Douve Camp and marched via Neuve-Eglise, Steenwerck for Vieux-Berquin and arrived at Le Verrier then moved to Bailleul Railway Station on August 15 from where they embarked for Wismes (Pas-De-Calais) where they followed a period of training until September 17.
On September 18, 1917, Claude and the 35th Battalion left Wismes for Tardinghen where the men, for a day, could relax and swim then moved back to Wismes, marched for Renescure on September 27, Eecke on September 28, Winezeele on September 29 and Zonnebeke, in the Ypres salient on September 30 where they relieved the 13th Battalion of the King's Own Royal Regiment and fought in this sector until October 4.
On October 5, 1917, Claude, alongside his comrades marched for the Winnezeele Camp then for the Cavalry Farm Camp, near Ypres on October 11 and October 12, were thrown into the terrible battle of Passchendaele.
By 5 October 1917, the British attempt to push back the German line east of Ypres in a series of "bite and hold" operations had met with some success. However, this had come at a great cost. While the weather held, the British had been able to bring up supplies and the all-important artillery. Artillery was the essential ingredient of the "bite and hold" tactics for if the "creeping barrages" could not protect the advancing British infantry they would be at the mercy of the enemy machine gunners. After 4 October 1917 the rain poured down and the battlefield, and all the approaches to it, became a sea of mud. To successfully bring up heavy war equipment under these conditions proved impossible. However, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief ordered the battle to continue.
On 9 October 1917, British divisions, with the Australians in support, attacked in terrible conditions towards Passchendaele village. In the mud and rain the effort proved futile but the high command thought that enough ground had been gained to order a fresh assault on 12 October. Spearheading this attack were the Australian Third Division and the New Zealand Division, with the Australian Fourth Division in support. As predicted, the shells of the support bombardment mostly exploded harmlessly in the mud and little cover was available from that source. Men had to press forward in the quagmire against the German pillboxes armed only with grenades, rifles and light machine guns.
A few Australians reached the edge of Passchendaele. However, they were not strong enough to hold the ground and were eventually forced to fall back and give up their gains. Australian losses for 12 October were 3,000 casualties for the Third Division and 1,000 for the Fourth Division for no gain. The Canadian Corps moved into the battle area on 18 October to replace the exhausted Australians. The Canadians, in five attacks between 26 October and 10 November, captured Passchendaele, and with their success the Third Battle of Ypres ended.
On October 27, 1917,for his courage during the battle of Passchendaele, Claude was appointed Lance Corporal and on November 9,the battalion moved back to Wismes then marched to Le Touquet on November 21,Pont-De-Nieppe,near Armentieres on November 29,relieved the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion and defended this sector until December 13.
On December 15, 1917, the 35th Battalion marched to Waterlands Camp, near Armentieres and was placed for the defence of the town. A few days later, on December 19, they moved to "Square Farm" and "l'Epinette" where they relieved the 10th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers and remained in this sector of the front until the end of the month.
On January 1, 1918, Claude and the 35th Battalion were relieved by the 2/7th Battalion of the King's Own Liverpool Regiment and moved back to Waterlands Camp then marched to Vieux-Berquin from where they embarked by bus for Outtersteen and had a new training period which ended on January 23 and then the next day, marched through Outtersteen, Clapbank, Meteren, Bailleul, and arrived in Kortepyp (Belgium) on January 31.
On February 1, 1918, the 35th Battalion moved to Kortepyp Camp in particularly cold weather and were mainly employed here in working parties but also in physical and sports exercises including rugby and football matches and then on February 25, were sent in an area called the "Catacombs" near Ploegsteert Wood and launched several raids in the Warneton area including one involving 300 men on March 3 which was successful despite the loss of 50 men during the attack, another was carried out with the same success on March 5 despite stronger resistance from the German lines and were relieved on March 7 by the 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion.
On March 8, 1918, the 35th Battalion moved back to Kortepyp Camp, marched to Henneveux (Pas-De-Calais) the next day where they remained until March 20, but the next day the German army launched its spring offensive, the last German offensive of the war which was intended to break through the Anglo-French lines between Arras and St-Quentin and to take the vital and strategic railway junction of Amiens so on March 28th the 35th Battalion was sent to Bonnay, in the Somme to stop the Germans.
On March 28, 1918, Claude and the men of the 35th Battalion arrived in the Somme, in the small village of Bonnay then the battalion assembled and organized itself in Corbie then marched for Cachy on March 30 and the next day, received the order to enter the front line between Villers-Bretonneux and Warfusee and were involved in an Australian counterattack at Hangard Wood and helped to defeat a major drive on Villers-Bretonneux on 4 April. The desperate nature of the fighting at this time is revealed by the fact that the 35th Battalion suffered nearly 70 per cent casualties during these operations.
On April 30, 1918, the battalion moved to the Morlancourt sector where they fought fiercely and successfully until May 10, then were relieved the next day by the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion, marched for La Houssoye then for Rivery, near Amiens where they remained until May 21 and the following day, moved back to the trenches of Villers-Bretonneux where unfortunately, a month later, on June 27, 1918, Claude met his fate and was killed in action, he was 24 years old.
Today, Lance Corporal Claude Ernest Riley rests in peace alongside his friends, comrades and brothers in arms at Aubigny British Cemetery, Somme, and his grave bears the following inscription: "Dearly loved, sadly missed."
After Claude's death, several articles concerning him were published in the "Gosford Times" as follows:
"The news reached the creek last week of the death of Private E.Riley. "Killed in action", the message ran, which brings the horrors of the war closer to our peaceful parish. Another sacrifice made-another distinction for Wyong Creek. The best wished of the district are extended to his family. The Australian flag was hoisted half mast at the local school (where he learnt his lessons) as a mark of respect to his memory."(Gosford Times,1st August 1918).
"B Company,35th Battalion, France 1st July,1918.
Dear Mrs Larvey, I regret having to write to you to say that Lance Corporal C.E.Riley was killed in action on the night of June 27th.He was firing his gun when he was engaged by an enemy gun and was hit through the head by a bullet. He lived for a few minutes, but was not in pain. He was buried in Doors Australian Military Cemetery, France (the former name of the Aubigny British Cemetery),and a cross has been erected showing where he lies. Riley was an "old hand" in the company, a good soldier, and a very efficient Lewis Gunner. He will be greatly missed by us all. He had also been recommended for a promotion to the rank of Corporal. I will ask you to accept my very deep sincere sympathy .
(Gosford Times,29th August 1918).
Private: 420 William Joseph EARL, of Wyong, writing home regarding the death of Lance Corporal Ernie Riley, who was killed in action on 27th June last says:
"Ernie was an old school mate of mine, and we have always been like brothers to each other. We have fought side by side ever since the 35th Battalion came to France. He was a good soldier and man, and was well respected by all who knew him. We buried him in an Australian cemetery in a little village a good distance behind the firing line, our chaplain reading the burial service. We erected a cross with his regimental number and rank on it and placed some artificial flowers and green violets on his grave. Since then a few of us Wyong boys have clubbed together and bought a very nice artificial cross composed of all coloured beads, and erected same on his last resting place."
Mrs Larvey has received the following letter from the chaplain:
France, July 4,1918
Dear Mrs Larvey, I expect that you will have already heard before you get this letter that your son, Lance Corporal E. Riley, fell in action a few days ago near Villers-Bretonneux. He was in the front line when he was shot by machine gun fire, and death must have been instantaneous. The colonel wishes me to assure you of his deep sympathy with you in your great loss, and I trust and pray that God will give you comfort and strength to bear it. Your son's body was buried in a military cemetery near the line and I read the burial service at the grave side. With kind regards and sympathy, I am, yours sincerely,
Ernie, brave and in the prime of your life, it is with honour and courage that you did your duty for Australia, for your loved ones and for us who have the privilege of living in a world in peace for which you have fought and for which you gave your today alongside your brothers in arms in the trenches of the Great War, among the poppy fields of the Somme on which the blood and tears of a whole generation of heroes and exceptional men who left behind their youth and their innocence and who stood admirably alongside their brothers and mates in this hell on earth which claimed the lives of thousands of young men who, proud and dedicated, charged bayonets forward on the no man's land, under deluges of bullets and hails of shells and who, in tight lines in their khaki uniforms and their slouch hats, advanced with unfailing bravery in the mud and the fire, in the madness and the fury of the battlefields and which, one after the other, fell into the barbed wire and the craters of clay which became mass graves in which, a few minutes before, friends and enemies killed each other who were caught in the chaos and the terror of a world gone mad but who with extreme courage did what was right and side by side, gave their lives for peace and freedom on the sacred soils of the Somme, in a battle that was the deadliest of the great war and which marked the beginning of the bloodiest century in history. Young and brave, in the face of this endless nightmare, they remained united in the darkness that surrounded them and found in friendship, in camaraderie and fraternity, the hope and humanity that were swept away in the brutality of the battles.
Side by side they shared the burden they carried without ever complaining as they were shattered by fatigue and tormented by hunger, gnawed by the cold and the bite of lice. Knees deep in the mud, they shared their lives with the rats who at night, prevented them from sleeping and remained standing alongside their friends who were their only comfort and families in this hell and behind their guns, without anywhere to hide, were the nameless witnesses of horrors who remained engraved in their eyes and in their hearts under the mournful symphony of artillery that shattered the sky and shook the earth and saw helpless, their comrades who died praying to god and their mothers on the battlefield, they heard the terrible complaints of the horses who, exhausted by the pains, drowned in the mud, they saw and lived with the death that awaited, sly and dreadful in these putrid mires on which nothing could live except the inhuman monster that was this war that never stopped and that should soon face new waves of young men who, in the endless wait for a new attack, did everything they could to keep a smile and a sense of humour, to keep in them the light of humanity and brought with them the hope of a better world. Determined and driven by unfailing courage, to the sound of whistles, they all came out of the trenches and moved forward behind their officers, alongside their friends, they passed the parapets and the lifeless bodies of their fathers, their brothers and faced the crossfire of machine guns, the barrages of steel and fire but never took a single step back, they went forward, towards the enemy lines, towards their destinies and thousands fell among them, they crossed the threshold of death and found eternal peace alongside their comrades who still stand together and proud among the poppies, behind their white graves and over whom I will always watch with utmost respect, with care and gratitude to keep strong and alive the memory of the Australian soldiers, our Diggers, our sons, my boys of the Somme so that their sacrifices, their courage are never forgotten so that their names live forever. Thank you so much Ernie, for everything. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him, we will remember them.
(Bill Durant: July 2024) 
Grave of Lance Corporal: 2138 Claude Ernest RILEY
Aubigny British Cemetery, Somme,
Family Information
Claude served for 18 months with the militia at Wyong, New South Wales and was a single 22 year old Labourer from Wyong, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF.
.
Elizabeth Reilly. nee: Butler. (1871-1943) - Joseph William Reilly. (1853-1908)
Elizabeth was Illiterate. 
Military Records

Under Construction: 04/07/202430/07/2024.