War Memorials and War Cemeterys

Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE

by

Light Trench Mortar Battery - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE.

Born: 29th June 1896. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 

Died: 13th October 1917. Killed in Action. Zonnebeke. Battle of Passchendaele.

Father: Charles Frederick Pearce. (1857-1929) Died at Culcairn, New South Wales, Australia Death Cert:3605/1929.

Mother: Mary Anne Pearce. nee: Hanschke. (1872-1961) Died at Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:20387/1961.

INFORMATION

Oliver George Pearce enlisted with the AIF on the 16th May 1916 at Cootamundra, New South Wales where he was allocated to the 2nd Depot Battalion before he was transferred to the Goulburn Army Camp on the 22nd June where he was allocated to B Depot Battalion Goulburn until the 4th August when he was transferred to Menangle the next day and allocated to the 5th Reinforcements, 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery.

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 29 September 1916, page 2

Send off to Private Pearce. — A large gathering of friends assembled at the residence of Mr. C. F. Pearce, Gobbagaula, on Tuesday evening last for the purpose of bidding farewell to Private Oliver Pearce, who was home on final leave. Mr. Fred Slender occupied the chair and kept things moving until a late hour. In the early part of the evening games were indulged in, after which the company sat down to an excellent supper. Several toasts were honoured, including those of the King, the Church, the Boys at the Front. The returned Soldiers (responded to by returned soldiers, Messers. D. McKenzie and P. Coates), England and her Allies, and the Parents of the Guest (responded to by Mr. C.F. Pearce). Recitations were given and songs were rendered by members of the company, who spent a most enjoyable evening. During the evening several presentations were made to the guest, who suitably acknowledged the compliment paid him.

Trove

Oliver embarked from Sydney on board HMAT  "Ascanius" on the 25th October 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 28th December 1916. He was marched in to the Training Battalion at Larkhill .

Sergeant:  - Private: 1428 Oliver George PEARCE - Private: 88 John Gottfrid HOLM - - Private: 

Larkhill 1916.

Oliver was transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF on the 6th February 1917 before proceeding overseas for France via Folkstone on the 25th April 1917 and disembarked the next morning where the 33rd went into billets before being marched out to the front lines where he was taken on strength on the 2nd May 1917.

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES  Lieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE   Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organizing 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 organize the 35th there, but could find none of it's men. When eventually re-formed the remnant of the 35th was temporarily attached as a Company to the 33rd Battalion.

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

13th October 1917.

Received instructions to take command of the front line. Issued instructions to C.O's 34th and 35th Battalions to re-organize at dawn and to hold as follows; 35th Battalion Right Battalion. 36th Battalion Centre Battalion. 34th Battalion Left Battalion. This was done and consolidation proceeded with shelling of our position immediately in rear of it was at times very heavy. 5.9-4.2 and 77 mm being used. Our bombardment of enemy points appeared to be very light and our barrages throughout the battle much lighter than any yet experienced by this battalion.

On the other hand the Boche bombardment was the heaviest I have ever experienced and only the very soft ground smothering the shell bursts very few men would have got through it. This Battalion was relieved by the 44th Battalion 11th Bde A.I.F. Relief commenced about 7:00 pm and was complete about 11:00 pm. The Battalion moving back along Railway Line to BOSTON FARM. The Battalion to up a shell hole position near JACOB'S HOUSE. All ranks very exhausted.

Oliver was  Killed in Action at Zonnebeke during the Battle of Passchendaele on the 13th October 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Menin Gate War Memorial.

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 23 November 1917, page 2

NARRANDERA CASUALTIES.

Private O. G. Pearce.

The Rev. S. R. Robbins on Monday evening last received a cable from the Base Records Office to the effect that Private O. G. Pearce, son of Mr. W. Pearce, of Gillenbah, had been killed in action on the 15th of October last. Sincere sympathy is felt for the parents.

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Menin Gate War Memorial

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Friday 15 February 1918, page 4

THE LATE PRIVATE O. PEARCE.

Mr. and Mrs C. F. Pearce have received the following letter from a comrade of their son, Oliver who was recently killed in action: — "Something; moves me to write to you and express my heartfelt sympathy in the recent sad loss of your son, Oliver, whom I had known intimately since we first met at Menangle Park. As I am not gifted with the pen, I cannot express my feelings as I would like. Words seem inadequate to do so. Oliver was loved and respected by all who knew him, and one thing for which he was admired was his will power, which enabled him to resist many temptations which one experiences in this soldier's life. He proved himself to be a fine fellow, and one who was out to do his bit, for he was always anxious to get to the front. Even when he got over to France and saw the perils of war, he was anxious to he amongst his comrades, when owing to circumstances, life might have been a much safer place a few miles behind the line. I regret to state that several of Oliver's mates also made the supreme sacrifice in the last stunt. They have done their duty. Their fight is over, and although they take their long last sleep beneath foreign skies, their memories will remain with us as being among the many brave men who gave their all for their country and died as heroes die. There is no greater or more noble death than to die for one's Country, and this consoling thought should help to relieve the grief which naturally arises at such a sad moment. We all know our own mothers' hearts would be well-nigh broken by such news as you have received. Therefore, it is to the mothers of these fallen heroes that our heartfelt sympathy flows out today. — Yours sincerely, Private: 1393 Robert Walton GAY.

Trove

Family Information

Oliver was a single 19-year-old farmer from Pine Vale Narrandera upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (NSW: 1893 - 1953), Tuesday 5 February 1929, page 2

OBITUARY

Mr. Chas. F. Pearce, Sen.

Word was received in Narrandera on Sunday last that Mr. Charles Frederick Pearce, sen., had died that day at Culcairn. Mr. Pearce, who was 72 years of age, was a native of Cardiff, Wales, and came to South Australia at the age of 19. After a time, he settled on the land at Wyacca, near Quorn. For many years he successfully carried on farming pursuits at that place, and there the whole of his family was born. He was attracted to this State in 1911 by the opening of the Yanco irrigation area, but after making an inspection of some areas, and considering the conditions laid down by the Irrigation Commission, decided not to settle on the area. He came to Narrandera, purchased "Pine Vale,'' Gobbagaula, near Narrandera, in 1912.

He was greatly im-pressed with the high quality of the land purchased by him, and also of the land generally in the Narrandera district and never tired of singing its praises. He farmed successfully at Gobbagaula until about two years ago, when with age creeping on him, and the majority of his sons and daughters married, he decided to retire from farming. He acquired a small property near Yass, where he resided until the time of his death. His health began to fail him in December and thinking that a change of climate might be beneficial, he went on a visit to his daughter at Culcairn. The change, however, did not benefit him, and his condition grew worse until death occurred on Sunday. While resident in South Australia Mr. Pearce was a keen student of politics and also took an interest in the Agricultural Bureau.

Even after arriving in Narrandera, he interested himself in the Agricultural Bureau movement and was instrumental in forming a branch of the Bureau here; but, owing to lack of support, he allowed it to go out of existence after about 12 months' operations. Besides being a believer in carrying out experiments on the land, he was an ardent follower of the advice furnished by the Department of Agriculture. Up-to-dateness in farm-ing was his motto, and he found the practise of his motto profitable. He was the first to demonstrate that cotton could be profitably grown in the district; but for some reason few landholders have taken up cotton growing, even as a sideline.

Mr. Pearce is survived by his widow and four sons and five daughters. The sons are Charles F. (Narrandera), Arthur (Croydon), Horace (Leeton), and Owen (Yass). The daughters are Gertrude (Mrs. A. Sheather, Culcairn), Alice (Mrs. Geo. Hall, Narrandera), Maud (Mrs. A. Mclnnes (Narrandera), Grace (Mrs. J. Clare, Sandigo), and Miss Olive (Sydney). A son (Oliver) was killed at the war in 1917. The remains were brought to Narrandera on Sunday and placed in the Methodist Church, from which place the funeral moved yesterday (Mon-day) after the holding of a short funeral service. The remains were interred in the Methodist portion of the cemetery. Messrs. Watkins Bros. had charge of the funeral arrangements.

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Narrandera Cemetery

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 10/07/2026-06/09/2026.

Private: 891 George ROBERTSON

by

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 891 George ROBERTSON

Born: 8th September 1877. Brooktown, Wallsend, New South Wales. Australia. Birth Cert:17716/1877.

Married: 11th June 1898. Home of Mrs Harriet Williams, Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:5873/1898.

Wife: Elizabeth Robertson. nee: Williams. (1877-1926) Died at Stockton, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6198/1926.

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

Father: Robert William Robertson. (1850-1908) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5881/1908.

Mother: Christina Robertson. nee: Cairns. (1852-1932) Died at Mayfield, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3330/1932.

INFORMATION

George enlisted with the AIF on the 14th December 1915  and went into camp at Broadmeadow via Newcastle where he was allocated to C Company, 35th Battalion AIF on the 26th March 1916. 

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), Thursday 20 April 1916, page 5

EMBARKATION OF TROOPS. NOT TO LEAVE NEWCASTLE.

Alderman Moroney, the Mayor of Newcastle recently wrote as follows to Mr. Jensen, the Minister for the Navy, requesting that the Newcastle troops should embark at Newcastle in confirmation of my telegram to you, I desire to bring under your notice that it would be a very gratifying compliment to the residents of this city and district if you could make arrangements for the embarkation of the troops at present in camp here (especially the 35th Battalion, "Newcastle's Own") from Newcastle, on leaving for the seat of war. This city and district has subscribed very large sums of money to the funds of all patriotic objects, and are using every endeavour to raise further sums. You are no doubt aware, that, if the troops were taken to Sydney to embark, the parents and friends of those departing, would have to incur very great expense in going to Sydney to see them off, and it would be a very great burden to them to have to do this." Mr. Jensen was subsequently Interviewed by Senator Watson and Messrs. D. Watkins and M. Charlton, .Ms H.R., and yesterday Senator Watson telegraphed to the Mayor that the matter was under consideration by the Minister. Later in the day the following telegram was received by the Mayor: "Referring to your telegram to Minister for the Navy regarding embarking troops at Newcastle, it is regretted that draught of water available there precludes your wishes being acceded to." At the meeting of the Anzac Day Committee held at the Council Chambers, last evening, the Mayor, referring to the refusal of the Minister for the Navy to embark the troops at Newcastle, said it was absurd for the Minister to say that there was not sufficient draught of water. Vessels had previously left the harbour drawing 26ft of water, and no troopship was likely to draw more than that. He was by no means satisfied with the reply received from the Minister, and he would take steps on the following day to again bring the matter prominently under the notice of Mr. Jensen.

Trove

The first ANZAC Day commemorated at Newcastle on 25th April 1916 was attended by thousands of people. A Parade in the morning was followed by several church services and afterwards the 35th and 36th Battalions re-formed and returned to the Gardner Memorial in Hunter Street for wreath laying. In the evening a Concert was held in King Edward Park.

This was surely a poignant day in Newcastle, for as the citizens gathered to remember the young men who had fallen at Gallipoli, they knew that before the end of the month the men of 35th regiment (Newcastle's Own) and the 36th regiment - their sons, brothers, husbands, sweethearts and friends, would embark on their own voyage towards the perils of war.

Newcastle yesterday paid impressive tribute to the memory of the Anzac landing, and the Australians and New Zealanders who fell in that historic fight on Gallipoli. From early morning crowds thronged into the city from the suburbs and from the adjacent centres. Business was practically suspended during the forenoon, for major attention was devoted to the observances arranged by the committee, headed by the Mayor, and the Returned Soldiers' Association.

But though crowds thronged the city streets, there was no appearance of carnival, rather there was an appropriate air of quiet reverence, though the tinge of pride in the achievements of the Australians and New Zealanders was not absent. The services held in churches of all denominations after the military procession were very largely attended. A great many of the ships and other business places, as well as vehicles, were draped in black and purple, and there was also a free display of bunting, all flying at half-mast, and in which the public offices and the ships in port participated.

The procession was formed up at the junction of Porcher street and Hunter street West, and proceeding through the city, was composed of the Naval Band, Naval Contingent, Returned Soldiers. Veterans, Naval Reserves, 35th Battalion with band, 36th Battalion and band, 16th Infantry Band, and Military Cadets. It was a lengthy procession, and the marching of the sailors and soldiers excited admiration. The returned soldiers were greeted with lusty cheering. which was doubled in honour of a number not sufficiently recovered to be able to walk, and a couple of whom were blind, who were conveyed in motor cars.

The two battalions - the 35th and 36th, in training at Broadmeadow were also greeted with encouraging cheers. All the various units of both battalions were in the parade. As the procession passed the Gardner memorial to fallen soldiers in front of the Post Office, beside which were Alderman M. J. Moroney, Mayor of Newcastle, Commander Frank Gardner, the donor, senior military officers, and relatives of deceased soldiers were impressively saluted. As the procession left Hunter-street and proceeded up Watt street, contingents of men fell out, and were marched to their respective churches, whilst the remainder proceeded to the Cathedral. The soldiers attended the memorial services in large numbers, and so did the civilians.

After the church services the procession was re-formed in Hunter-street, and assembling in the neighbourhood of the Gardner memorial awaited the striking of midday. At that hour a gun was fired from Fort Scratchley, and immediately the band of the 36th Battalion played the National Anthem, all traffic was suspended, and 60 seconds silence was observed. The various units in the procession were immediately afterwards dispersed. During the forenoon proceedings a large number of wreaths were placed on the Gardner memorial, over which was spread the Union Jack and the Australian ensign. The wreaths included tributes from the Mayor and Mayoress, the Northern Branch of the New South Wales Rugby League, Returned Soldiers' Association, the ladies' committee of the Soldiers' Club, the Newcastle Police, the Newcastle Surf Club, numerous citizens and relatives of soldiers who had fallen.

Free settlers a last farewell

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 in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training.

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. 

 

Memorial Plaque: 325745 was issued to his wife Elizabeth Robertson on the 24th August 1922 of Boolaroo, New South Wales and was acquired on the 14th August 2026 and is now in the Harrower Collection 104 year later. 

Family Information.

George was a 38 year old married Coal Pit Labourer from Deakon Street, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 25/07/2026-04/09/2026.

Private: 568 Frederick John STUBBS

by

36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 568 Frederick John STUBBS

Born: 1893. Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:12839/1893.

Died: 4th April 1918. Died of Wounds. Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Father: George Stubbs. (1851-1913) Died at Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia. 

Mother: Rebecca Stubbs. nee: Aspery. (1859-1934) Died at Bondi via Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 

INFORMATION

Frederick John Stubbs served with the 9th Light Horse for 2 years at Gilgandra, New South Wales prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 12th January 1916 at Liverpool, New South Wales. Fred was marched in the Broadmeadow Camp via Newcastle where he was allocated to B Company 36th Battalion AIF.

14th April 1916.

Dear Mother, I received your letter today and was pleased to hear that things are alright up there. We have old Fitzhardinge Captain: Arthur Frederick FITZHARDINGE in our Coy. He came here on Sunday and is going strong. I will not be sour when we leave this hole of a place. I am going to the City Show on Friday and Saturday for a change. We all get leave for then just to sweeten us up a bit. This is a nut of a photo, a bit different to the other one that I sent you. I get it taken again tomorrow night. I like to see it on paper. No more this time. With love from Fred.

Broadmeadow, New South Wales

Fred embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th May 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 9th July 1916 where they were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at Lark Hill

25th January 1917

Mrs G Stubbs of Cobborah Street, Dubbo. 

We came out of the trenches a couple of days ago. It was pretty lively while we were in this time. The Germans came over to our trenches, but they lost more men than we did. Poor Private: 1160 Albert August "Bert" KLOESTER was killed. He was hit by a shell, and our Colonel and two more were killed by one shell. It was terribly cold, there was snow everywhere, and standing in the trenches was not too pleasant. A couple of our lads have been recommended for distinction for some brave work. Another of our lads, named Jack Ryan, was killed. I sent you one of his photos some time ago. I hear the crops are not too good, and I am glad I am not farming this year. Kind regards to all old friends.

9th July 1918.

Informant: Corporal: 2126 James Percy RILEY Near Villers-Bretonneux on the 4th April 1918, Private: 568 Frederick John STUBBS was about 100 yards from me and got a bullet in the forehead. We were lined up in a wood ready to counter attack and STUBBS stood up to speak to someone and got a stray bullet. We then had to counter-attack and I never heard any more of him.

D Company, Lewis Gun School

Estaples, France. 

29th July 1918.

Informant: Captain: Richard GADD. Private: 568 Frederick John STUBBS was in D Company, which I was commanding on 4th April 1918, a pale, rather unhealthy-looking man of 21-21, 5ft 8inc nothing specially to describe him by. I saw him killed on 4th April at Villers-Bretonneux in a counterattack by a Machine Gun bullet in the side of the cheek. He died almost immediately and did not speak. He was buried in a very small cemetery near where there were about a dozen grave. He was dead before he got to the dressing station.

B Company, Lewis Gun School

Estaples, France. 

Frederick Died of Wounds received in action at Villers-Bretonneux during a counterattack and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

Villers-Bretonneux War Memorial

Family Information

Frederick was a single 22-year-old Farmer from Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Hilda Grace Stubbs (1894-1918) Wedding Portrait. Coonamble, N.S.W. 1908

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 14/01/2025-26/08/2026.

Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY

Born: 26th June, 1893. Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:24730/1893.

Married 1: 12th May 1919. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Marriage Cert: ME8808.

Wife 2: Francis J Morley. nee: Siddall. (1900-1995) Died at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 

Married 2: 4th May 1929. Singleton, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8888/1929.

Wife 2:  Clara Morley. nee: Almond. (1903-1989) Gosford District Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:104640/1989.

Died: March 1946. Bingara, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2881/1946.

Father: Albert Edward George Frederick Morley. (1859-1944) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:2977/1944.

Mother: Catherine Jane Morley. nee: Wicks. (1865-1943) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:19622/1943.

INFORMATION

Edward Morley enlisted with the AIF on the 8th March 1916 at the Armidale Army Camp.  The composition of the 33rd Infantry Battalion was on a district basis. "A Company" was from Armidale and Tamworth, "B Company" was from Walcha, Uralla, Barraba, Bingara and Manilla. "C Company" was from Narrabri, Moree and Inverell. and "D Company was from Glen Innes, Guyra and Tenterfield.

Armidale Army Camp 1916.

Edward was allocated to C Company 33rd Battalion AIF and commenced his military training before being transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he continued training until early May when embarked from Farley Train Station for Sydney and embarked on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A74 "Marathon".

HMAT A74 Marathon

Arriving in England in early July, the Battalion spent the next four months in training before departed from Southampton, England on the 21st November 1916 at 4:30 pm and travelled by paddle steamer ‘Mona Queen’ to France arriving November 22, 1916 at 7:00 am in Le Havre. The Battalion moved in to the No:1 Rest Camp just in time for the onset of the terrible winter of 1916-17.

S.S Mona Queen S.S. "MONA QUEEN"

Edward was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 15th April 1917 when Lance Corporal: 853 Joseph Harold PAYTEN was promoted to the rank of Corporal. 

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

6th June 1917

Lieutenant: 373 Richard Henry BLOMFIELD wrote "On the day proceeding Messines, it was decided to have a daylight raid to secure two prisoner's. It was a tough proposition with the trenches full of Germans and machine guns ready for anything. C Company was drawn up in a School Courtyard when Captain: Charles Henry LINKLATER called for twenty volunteers to go over in the afternoon. 

Sergeant: HICKS and a Corporal stepped straight out but were send back. "you have been on to may raids" said the Captain. Sergeant:976 Louis John MATHIAS and Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY then stepped forward followed by twenty men. 

At Dusk they went over.  Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY told me afterwards that the trenched seemed full of Germans. The raiders lay behind what cover they could find and fired until their rifles grew hot.  Lieutenant: 716 Francis Joseph BURKE badly wounded told the Doctor at Dressing Station "They chopped us to pieces on the wire".  

7th June 1917

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By 9:00 am 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 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. 

Nueve Eglise was the billeting area for the battle-weary remnants of the 33rd Battalion, when finally, they were relieved from Messines on June 12th 1917. After 2 short days of rest they were again marched to new billets at Douleu, where they stayed for the next ten days. By then Command must have considered them sufficiently rested for they were ordered back into the front line, to relieve the 10th Cheshire Battalion on June 23rd.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

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 reconnoitred during the previous halt by the commander of the company Captain Robert Austin GOLDRICK. M.C.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES  Lieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE   Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organizing 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 organize the 35th there, but could find none of it's men. When eventually re-formed the remnant of the 35th was temporarily attached as a Company to the 33rd Battalion.

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

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

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

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

Edward was Wounded in Action during this advance at Villers-Bretonneux where he received a Gun Shot wound to his thigh and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before being taken to the Casualty Clearing Station. Edward was invalid to England where he was admitted to the Duchess Connaught's Hospital at Taplow on the 9th of April.  Edward received further treatment for his wounds and upon his discharge he attended the 9th Training Battalion before proceeding overseas for France on the 15th August 1918 and re joined his unit on the 21st as the 33rd was going into action at Bray-sur-Somme. 

15th September 1919

Informant. Corporal: 924 Edward MORLEY 33rd Battalion. "Sergeant: 1964 Jack Stafford MASON came over from Australia with the 2nd Reinforcements and was in B Company 33rd Battalion. We were advancing about one kilometre from Bray-sur-Somme when he was struck by a shell. I saw him shortly afterwards and discovered he was badly hit in the back. Death must have been instantaneous. He was buried by the boys from his company where he fell. A cross was temporally erected. He came from Armidale, N.S.W. and also had a brother (2nd Lieutenant) in the same Battalion, who has since returned to Australia. He was called "Staff" by his mates. I wrote to his people at Armidale"

HMAT Port Lincoln. 

Edward was promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 9th of November before the Armistice on the 11th November 1918. Edward remained in France and was again promoted to Corporal on the 15th January 1919. Returning to England and then to Australia on board the 'Port Lincoln" where he was interviewed giving informant reports of soldiers killed in action, he arrived in Melbourne on the 14th of September and then on the Sydney on the 20th where he disembarked and was discharged from the AIF on the 25th November 1919. 

Family Information

Edward was a single 21 year old Farmer from The Cedard's, Curlew, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. 

Edward enlisted with the 29th Battalion Volunteer Defence Force on the 18th October 1942 at Bingara, New South Wales. Number N458772 and was discharged on the 30th September 1945. 

Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1907, 1909 - 1954), Monday 1 April 1946, page 3

Mr. Edward Morley

Mr Edward Morley, a well known returned man from World War I who was accidentally killed when his motor car overturned near Little Plain recently was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Alfred Morley, of Narrabri, and was born on 26th June, 1893 being almost 53 years of age. At the age of 23 he enlisted in the A.I.F. and served throughout the first World War with the 33rd Battalion. On returning the deceased became associated with timber mills and practically his entire life was spent in following this pursuit. He was employed at the local mill for six years and altogether spent over nine years in the employ of Mr J. E. Boyle. On the 4th May, 1929, he was married to Clara, eldest daughter of Mr F Almond, of Doyle's Creek, Singleton, and the late Mrs. Almond. Of the issue there is only one child a daughter, Pattie. During his stay in Bingara, the late Mr Morley associated himself with and took an active part in the affairs of the local sub-branch of the Returned Soldiers' League, and was secretary of Soldiers' League, and was secretary of the sub-branch for twelve months, during which time he spared no time and efforts in the interests of the League. To him mainly can be credited the sub branch's healthy position today. In December last he left Bingara to take up a position with Mr. N. Gardner, of Inverell, and was on his way to Bingara on the morning of the fatality to attend the Diggers' annual reunion that afternoon. Interment took place in the Presbyterian portion of the Bingara cemetery after a service in the Presbyterian Church, where Rev. P. A. Smith, of Warialda, officiated. Members of the Bingara Sub Branch of the Returned Soldiers' League formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the cemetery and at the graveside, and the "Last Post" was sounded.— Bingara "Advocate."

Trove

Edward Morley (1893-1946) Bingara Cemetery, New South Wales.

Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954), Wednesday 23 February 1944, page 2

DEATH AT KURRI OF MR ALBERT MORLEY

Mr Albert Morley, who passed away suddenly at Kurri Kurri had been a resident of the Singleton district for a good many years. He was 83 years of age. For the past 18 months deceased had been living at Kurri. He wife predeceased him by six months. During his sojourn in this district, the late Mr Morley held the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends, and news of his demise will be received with regret. He is survived by three daughters and three sons, the sons being Messrs William (Singleton), Fred. (R.A.A.F.) and Edward (Queensland), and the daughters are Mesdames E. Putman (Melbourne), W. Bradbery (Colac), and H. Cocherill (Kurri Kurri).

Trove

Catherine Jane Morley. nee: Wicks. (1865-1943) - Albert Edward George Frederick Morley. (1859-1944)

Kurri Kurri Cemetery New South Wales.

Clara Morley. nee: Almond. (1903-1989) Singleton, Cemetery, New South Wales.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 15/08/2026-17/08/2026.

Corporal: 2626 George Herbert PARRY

by

33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 2626 George Herbert PARRY

Born: 22nd February 1893. Falconer via Guyra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: No Birth Certificate.

Married: 28th July 1920. Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14614/1920.

Wife: Violet Parry. nee: Jones. (1898-1954) Died at Zetland, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:503/1955.

Died: 20th September 1938. Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15735/1938.

Father: Peter Parry. (1854-1934) Died at Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3974/1934.

Mother: Mary Parry. nee: Parry. (1856-1900) Died at Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:555/1900. 

INFORMATION

George Herbert Parry enlisted with the AIF on the 5th July 1916 at Armidale where he was allocated to the Armidale Depot Battalion before being transferred to the Rutherford Army Camp where he was allocated to the Reserve Company 33rd Battalion on the 1st September 1916 and later on the 6th October he was attached to the 5th Reinforcements, 33rd Battalion AIF.

Rutherford Military Camp 1916. 

The reinforcement en trained from Farley Station for Sydney  where they boarded the S.S "Port Napier" on the 17th November 1917 for England where they disembarked at Devonport on the 29th January 1917 and were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp where their training covered warfare topics and instruction including wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with a gas attack, using bombs (hand grenades), using the bayonet and routines in the trenches. 

George proceeded overseas for France on the 5th of April 1917 via Folkstone and disembarked the next morning where, the troops received an extra 10 days of training at the major British base depot at Estaples near Boulogne, France. George was marched out for the lines and was taken on in strength with the 33rd Battalion on the 28th April 1917 at Erquinghem-Lys, France, where the Battalion was resting. 

30th April 1917.

At 4:10 am enemy opened a heavy bombardment on our on our front line from RIVER LYS to LOWNDES AVENUE, being particularly heavy on left Company Sector. At this point enemy dropped a curtain of shrapnel and H.E. on Supports and Communication Trenches. S.O.S. was at once sent up. Artillery responded at once. Enemy evidently attempted to raid but did not reach our parapet. Barrage slackened at 6:35 am. Enemy used light and heavy Minnewerfere together with all sizes of H.E. Our casualties, 5 killed, 15 wounded, including 1 Officer Lieutenant: Clarence William BODDY slightly wounded.

Private: 2383 John SLATER. 36th Battalion. Killed in Action 30th April 1917.

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

George was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal on the 31st of May 1917 to complete the Battalion establishment before they conducted their first major offensive at Messines. 

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. 

Nueve Eglise was the billeting area for the battle-weary remnants of the 33rd Battalion, when finally, they were relieved from Messines on June 12th 1917. After 2 short days of rest they were again marched to new billets at Douleu, where they stayed for the next ten days. By then Command must have considered them sufficiently rested for they were ordered back into the front line, to relieve the 10th Cheshire Battalion on June 23rd.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

7th July 1917.

33rd Battalion AIF relieved by the 35th Bn AIF in Support Trenches MESSINES SECTOR 35th Bn went to Billets at NEUVE EGLISE. Casualties during the tour of duty in MESSINES SUPPORTS 28 including 4 killed.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

After the major offensive at Messines, George was promoted the the rank of Corporal to complete the Battalion establishment  on the 21st July 1917, as the 33rd had lost a great many men during this action. 

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 34th was not, as Captain: Henry Vince Carr 35th Battalion, believed, on the first objective. The Commander of the line, Captain: John William RICHARDSON 34th Battalion, on hearing of the extreme weakness of the force at the second objective, had reinforced it. He and his only remaining officer's Lieutenant: James Clement BURGES  Lieutenant: Bruce Gray McKENZIE   Lieutenant: John Abbott LONGWORTH had all been Killed in Action while organizing 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 organize 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

The action at Passchendaele had been a complete disaster and the men including George needed a good rest and medical treatment to recover from this action. George was later transferred back to England where he was allocated to the 9th Training Battalion. Here he was sent to the school of instruction on command to the Bombing School at Lyndhurst and the Gas School at Chiseldon. George was attached as a permanent cadre staff member where he remained for the rest of the war and embarked on board HMAT A "Ceramic" on the 25th of January 1919 and disembarked on the 23rd of March 1919 and he was discharged from the AIF on the 2nd of May 1919. 

War Medal: 64857 to 2626 CPL. G.H.PARRY. 33 BN A.I.F. purchased from J B Military Antiques from the Parry family and acquired for the Harrower Collection in September 2025.

Family Information

George was a single 23-year-old Farmer from Guyra, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Guyra Argus (NSW : 1902 - 1954), Thursday 22 September 1938, page 2

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home, Tubbamurra, on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years (states the Guyra 'Argus'). Deceased had not been in good health for some time and death was due to heart trouble. He had been working about his place on Tuesday morning, and, returning home, sat down and immediately collapsed. He is survived by his wife and young family. He was a returned soldier, and was buried in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon. The casket was draped with the Union Jack, and returned soldiers, organised by Mr. W. J. ' Brodie, formed a Guard of Honour. The service was read by the Rev. E. Smythe in the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris. B.A.. and 'The Last Post' was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore. The ceremony was impressive and fitting for one who had always shown the true Digger spirit. The funeral was representatively attended and sincere sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

Trove

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), Friday 23 September 1938, page 7

Obituary

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home at Tubbamurra on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years. Deceased, who was a returned soldier, had been Working during the morning and collapsed when he returned home. He is survived by a wife and young family.

At the burial service in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon, ex-service men organised by Mr. W. Brodie, formed a guard of honour. The casket was draped with the Union Jack and "The Last Post" was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore.

In the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris, Rev. E. Smythe read the burial service. Mr. M. E. Turner had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Trove

Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Saturday 24 September 1938, page 2

MR. GEORGE HERBERT PARRY

The death occurred suddenly at his home, Tubbamurra, on Tuesday of Mr. George Herbert Parry, aged 46 years (states the Guyra 'Argus'). Deceased had not been in good health for some time and death was due to heart trouble. He had been working about his place on Tuesday morning, and, returning home, sat down and immediately collapsed. He is survived by his wife and young family. He was a returned soldier, and was buried in the Church of England cemetery, Guyra, on Wednesday afternoon. The casket was draped with the Union Jack, and returned soldiers, organised by Mr. W. J. ' Brodie, formed a Guard of Honour. The service was read by the Rev. E. Smythe in the absence of Rev. R. A. Harris. B.A.. and 'The Last Post' was sounded by Mr. Doug Cutmore. The ceremony was impressive and fitting for one who had always shown the true Digger spirit. The funeral was representatively attended and sincere sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

Trove

George's Great Grandfather Griffith Parry was a convict sent to Australia in 1821. Griffith Parry was transported on the Speke, departing 13th Dec 1820 and arriving 18th May 1821 with 156 passengers.

Name Griffith Parry
Gender Male
Death Age 60
Birth Date 24 Mar. 1799
Conviction Place Middlesex Gaol Delivery
Crime Highway Robbery
Departure Date 13 Dec. 1820
Arrival Date 18 May 1821
Arrival Place New South Wales
Arrival Ship Speke
Death Date 11 Aug. 1859

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 04/09/2025-13/07/2026.

Private: 1865 John Stannan LUFF

by

44th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1865A John Stannan LUFF

Born: 1886. Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 

Married: 1911. Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. 

Wife: Ruby May Luff. nee: McLaughlin. (1895-1968) Died at Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

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

Father: John "Jack" Luff. (1848-1904) Died at South Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 

Mother: Margaret Luff. nee: Green. (1868-1935) Died at 59 Wray Avenue, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.

INFORMATION

John Stannan Luff enlisted with the AIF at Fremantle, Western Australia on the 1st March 1916 2nd Reinforcements, 44th Battalion AIF and embarked from Fremantle on board HMAT A28 

"Miltiades". John was Charges with being AWL from Roll Call at Sea. Call 29.8.16. Award 168 Hours Detention  and 3 Day Pay by Lieutenant Colonel: Henry Arthur  GODDARD. The Reinforcements disembarked at Plymouth England on the 25th September 1916 and were marched in to the 11th Training Battalion. 

John was transferred to the 33rd Battalion on the and proceeded overseas for France on the 20th December 1916 and was marched in at Estaples, France the next morning where the reinforcements went into billets. 

11th February 1917. "Eight Patrols operated over the Battalion during the night. The enemy used a great number of Very Lights especially after the shoot at 8:oopm. The patrols were also hampered by the Hun search lights, five at least being used. A new Machine Gun emplacement was located at C.29.c.4.9 which fired particularly on 9 and 10 localities. This is one of the points were a great deal of work has been reported lately.  Two working parties were located in the enemy wire at C.29.a.8.8 and C.29.a.4.2. The snow is still very thick and last night commenced to thaw.

A Very large shell hole about 25 ft across and apparently fairly new was located at C.29.a.2.3. At C.29.a.a.3 a body of a man (Australian) was found. He had his rifle slung and was in a crawling position facing our lines. He was evidently one of the 10th Battalion raiders. He could not be moved as he was frozen to the ground nor cold any of his pockets be opened. His rifle was "cut off" and his number is 4869. No enemy patrols encountered. 

Major: Robert John Allright MASSIE

33rd Battalion AIF Diary

Wounded in Action on the 11th February 1917  when he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Right Ear and was treated at the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. Upon his discharge the next day he was transferred to the Convalescent Dept until the 24th of February when he was marched out to re join this Battalion. John was marched out to the lines on the 8th March 1917 

9th April 1917.

On the 9th the 33rd once again took over the front line, again at L'Epinette. They moved to Senninghem on the 12th where they were headquartered until the 25th. Then once again they were on the march, via Renescure and Pradelle to Armentieres, Where, on the 28th they gained a well earned rest. On the 21st May the men of the 33rd were moved to Le Touquet to Ploegsteert Wood for the usual working parties, trench maintenance being high on the agenda for the coming offensive. Three days later they were at St Vyes for more of the same, relieved on the 26th May by the 34th Battalion and moved back to billets at Nippe.

(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)

To Aunty Mary from Luff Family 1-7-1916

9th May 1917.

Informant; Lieutenant: 1205 William Alexander McLEAN. At 1:00 am I reached the bombing post and the left of "D" Gap. We were observing down the gap and saw movement 70 yards down the gap. We then saw three crouching figures with round caps making for our support line. I ordered the men to get there rifles and bombs ready and told them to fire. The three Germans dropped flat. Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE of his own accord jumped out of the bay and got to a point 15 yards down the gap and commenced to throw bombs. The Lewis Guns then commenced to fire at the place where the men had been seen. We then saw 25 Germans making back to their own line. The Lewis Guns then fired three separate bursts at them and we saw at least 6 Germans fall, in NO MAN'S LAND 70 yards from our own front line. The Lewis Guns continued firing and were sweeping perfectly. We then saw a German limping 30 yards from our own trench; the Lewis Gun was turned on him and he fell.

Three men and myself went out immediately and found a German sitting in a shell hole. We brought him in although he was screaming with pain. The stretcher bearers were sent for and the German was taken to Company Headquarters, then to the Aid Post. Our party threw 24 bombs and fired 50 rounds from their rifles. The Lewis Gunners fired 10 magazines. The Germans made their entrance by means of the old trench which runs from our lines through NO MAN'S LAND. From the point where Private: 5043 Albert Francis LANE threw bombs the gap is heavily wired and we could make no progress to attack them. The Germans also left in a diagonal direction so it was impossible to get in NO MAN'S LAND and cut them off.

Officer of the Watch.

LE TOUQUET 1:00 am. Enemy silently raided our trenches and were driven off with Lewis Gun fire and bombs leaving 1 prisoner in our hands. Trench maintenance and repairs were carried out over the next 4 days.

33rd Battalion Unit Diary

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

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

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

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

Their objective lay between St Yves and the Douve. The mines at Trench 127 and Trench 12 at Factory Farm were laid to aid this task. The explosions erupted a few seconds before zero hour and created craters of 200 feet in diameter, completely obliterating the German 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. 

John was killed in Action at Messines, Belgium on the 7th June 1917 and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Toronto Avenue Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium.

Toronto Avenue Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium

Family Information

John was a married 29 year old Caretaker of Fremantle Oval and lived with his wife Ruby at 118 Quarry Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. His wife Ruby was recorded as his next if kin. 

The small cottage in South Fremantle that was built by the Ugly Men’s Association in 1918 for Ruby Luff and her children. Ruby had been widowed when her husband, 1865A Private John Stannan Luff, was killed during the Battle of Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917. She lived in this house until her own death in 1968.

AWM

Ruby May Luff  (1895-1968)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 29/06/2026.

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

by

9th Machine Gun Company - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER.

Born: 11th May 1888. St Lawrence, Queensland, Australia. 

Died: 1st May 1918. Died of Wounds. France.

Father: Frederick William Farber. (1857-1900) Died at Leichardt Downs Station, Dysart, Queensland, Australia.

Mother: Elizabeth Farber. nee: Schneider. (1863-1924) Died at Nebo, Queensland, Australia.

INFORMATION

Frederick William Farber enlisted with the AIF on the 9th of February 1917 at Rockhampton, Queensland and was allocated to the Machine Gun Company and embarked for Melbourne. Frederick embarked on board HMAT A29 "Suevic" on the 21st June 1917 from Melbourne, Victoria for England and disembarked on the 21st August 1917 at Liverpool, England. Frederick was transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF the next day and marched in to the Durrington Army Camp where he settled down to hard training, which included Route Marching, Trench Digging, Bomb Practice, Musketry and General Camp Routine.

Frederick proceeded overseas for France on the 27th December 1917 via Southampton and was marched in to Rouelles the next morning where he went into billets for the next 2 days before marching out to the lines where he was Taken on in Strength with the 33rd Battalion in the field. 

Private: 686 Frederick William FARBER (1888-1918)

8th February 1918, Frederick was detached again to the 9th Machine Gun Company. He reported sick on the 15th February and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance for Scabies and was later transferred to the 11th Field Ambulance. Frederick was discharged for duty on the 22nd 0f February and marched out to the lines the next day. Frederick was marched out from his detachment and re joined to 33rd Battalion on the 17th March 1918. 

About 4 A.M. on the 17th, Villers Bretonneux, Bois d'Aquenne, to the west of it and the village of Cachy, to the south, were heavily drenched for three hours with phosgene, mustard and irritant gasses. But no assault followed. As soon as possible the local garrison, consisting of the 6/London(58 Devon) and the 33rd Australian Battalion, was got out of the shelters in the town into the trenches around it. The gas shelling was repeated in the evening from 4 to 7 P.M., next morning and on the following days, being increased so as to include Bois I'Abbe, but with greatly reduced results. Nevertheless it was impossible for anyone to move that area without feeling some ill-effects from the mustard gas, and there were in all, 1,074 gas casualties.’

33rd War Diary

Villers-Bretonneux

 Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment near Bois de L'Abbe outside Villers-Bretonneux 1918.

Note: 33rd Battalion Colour Patch on Corporal: 1102 Ernest Allan CHARTERS in foreground. (Eggs-a-Cook)

Frederick was treated by the 55th Australian Field Ambulance on the 17th of April for Gas Poisoning, but the effects were so severe he was transferred to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen for further treatment on the 18th of April. Frederick Died of Wounds on the 1st May 1918 from the effects of Mustard Gas Poisoning and is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Fredericks memorial plaque was acquired in June 2026 and is now in the Harrower Collection. 

Family Information

Frederick was a single 27 year old Coach Driver upon his enlistment with the AIF. His parents Frederick William Farber was born about 1857 at Konizsberg, PRUSSIA and his mother Elizabeth Schneider was born on the 10th February 1863 at Gruningen, Darmstadt, Hessen, GERMANY, they were married on the 17th of November 1881 at St Lawrence, Queensland after they immigrated to Australia.

Military Records

Under Construction: 26/05/2026.

Corporal: 1187 Thomas McARDLE.

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33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 1187 Thomas McARDLE.

Born: 1897. Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:11445/1896.

Died: 4th April 1918. Killed in Action. Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Father: Thomas E McArdle. (1860-1920) Died at Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:7651/1920.

Mother: Annie Maria McArdle. nee: Nash. (1859-1943) Died at Tingha, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17256/1943.

INFORMATION

Studio portrait of 1187 Private (Pte) Thomas McArdle, 33rd Battalion, of Tingha, NSW. A grocer prior to enlistment in January 1916, Pte McArdle embarked on board HMAT Marathon (A74) on 4 May 1916. He was promoted to Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) in May 1917 and wounded in action in Belgium in June. L/Cpl McArdle was promoted to Corporal (Cpl) in February 1918. He was killed in action on 4 April 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France. Cpl McArdle was 22 years of age.

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

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

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

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

28th June 1919.

Informant: Private: 1139 Marmion  Alexander HAY. "D Company" 33rd Battalion AIF. "I knew McARDLE, his name was "Tom" and he was a Corporal in D Company and came from Tingha were I knew him. He was killed outright at Villers-Bretonneux, shot through the forehead 4/4/18. I saw him when he was carried out, thing he was buried near Villers-Bretonneux but I'm certain he was killed outright as others saw him as well as I, and have confirmed as what I say. He was short and nuggetty. 

Anzac Buffet

Sydney

Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery, France.

Military Records

 

Under Construction: 28/07/2025.

Private: 1695 George B SLAVIN

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35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 1695 George B SLAVIN

Born: 12th March 1892. Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:22649/1892. 

Married: 1918. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:10268/1918.

Wife: Selina Margaret Slavin. nee O'Sullivan. (1898-1978) Died at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:23873/1978

Died: 31st January 1977. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3218/1977.

Father: George Slavin. (1861-1930) Died at Granville, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5774/1930.

Mother: Annie Slavin. nee: Kelly. (1865-1898) died at Minmi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:14687/1898.

INFORMATION

The Minmi Roll of Honour has 79 names inscribed of those who returned home from The Great War.

The 37th name inscribed is Private George B Slavin Jnr. On the 1st February 1977, the funeral was held at Woronora Memorial Park, N.S.W. for Private George B Slavin Jnr, 35th Battalion (Reg No-1695), butcher from Brown Street, West Wallsend, New South Wales and Monterey, N.S.W., age 84 years 10 months. Ashes interred Woronora Memorial Park, N.S.W. RC Lwn 3 1811, date unknown.
SLAVIN, George , death notice, 31 JAN 1977, age 84, late of Monterey, N.S.W., Sydney Morning Herald, 1 FEB 1977.

https://austcemindex.com/inscription?id=10046581

Born at Minmi, New South Wales on the 12th March 1892 to George Snr, died 19.4.1930, Granville, N.S.W., age 67, buried at Sandgate Cemetery, N.S.W., CATHOLIC 1-B Spec. 115 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104434404
 from Cornish Row, Minmi, New South Wales and Brown Street, West Wallsend, N.S.W. and Sydney, N.S.W., and Annie Slavin nee Kelly, died 28.11.1898, Minmi, N.S.W., age 34, mother of 5, sleeping at Sandgate Cemetery, N.S.W., CATHOLIC 1-B Spec. 115 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141055397
from Cornish Row, Minmi, New South Wales; husband of Selina Margaret Slavin nee O'Sullivan, married 1918, Sydney, N.S.W., died 24.9.1978, Sydney, N.S.W., age 80, mother of 3 - https://www.findagrave.com/.../181.../selina-margaret-slavin
George enlisted on the 7th February 1916, age 23 years 10 months, at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137104294

report of the presentation of a gold medal and gifts to George and 42 other Minmi boys at Lightfoot's Picture Palace, Minmi.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137099427

report of a farewell for George and 2 other Minmi boys at the Hand of Friendship Hotel, Minmi. Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916. Disembarked Plymouth, England 9.7.1916. Proceeded O/Seas to France from Southampton, England 21.11.1916. Wounded in action - 30.5.1917 (GSW forehead, right eye, left hand).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122215666

report that George has been wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134868005

report that George had been admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds in the head and hand. Commenced return to Australia 27.7.1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134862913

report that George will be returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138744228

report that George will be returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138737088

George's name on a list of returning wounded and sick Australian soldiers. George arrived home invalided on the 24th September 1917, being discharged on the 30th October 1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138737438

report of a welcome home being organised at Minmi for George.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138744120

report that George had been welcomed home at the West Wallsend School of Arts on the Sunday evening of the 30th September 1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138743699

report that a welcome home was held for George at Lightfoot's Picture Palace, Minmi, but he was unable to attend.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123497041

report of a welcome home and the presentation of a gold medal to George and 8 other West Wallsend boys at the West Wallsend School of Arts.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123502533

report of a welcome home and the presentation of a gold watch, chain and cheque of 5 pounds to George and 8 other West Wallsend boys at the Federal Hall, West Wallsend.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138736809

report of the unveiling of the Minmi Roll of Honour. Not officially commemorated. Mr. Slavin’s name has also been inscribed on the West Wallsend Soldiers' Memorial and the West Wallsend Superior Public School Honour Roll. I would like to see poppies placed at George’s plaque in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
A member of the Goulburn Fire Brigade.

Younger brother Peter SLAVIN, referred to as Paddy, born 9.10.1893, Minmi, New South Wales, single school teacher from Brown Street, West Wallsend, New South Wales, enlisted 3.1.1916, Newcastle, N.S.W., age 22 years 2 months, 34th Battalion, Reg No-545, commenced return to Australia 11.5.1919, RTA 28.6.1919, Lance Corporal, discharged 12.8.1919, died 24.4.1980, Sydney, N.S.W., age 86 years 6 months, ashes interred Woronora Memorial Park, N.S.W., date unknown - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181053356/peter-slavin

Name inscribed on the West Wallsend Soldiers' Memorial and the West Wallsend Superior Public School Honour Roll. Name probably should have been inscribed on the Minmi Roll of Honour with brother George.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138742175

letter from the front from Lance Corporal Peter George Coppock (M.M. and Bar, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, see my extensive research at https://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/veterans/
 writes about a soccer match between the 34th & 36th Battalions with Paddy Slavin mentioned.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139440218

report that Paddy will be returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162562032

report that Paddy will be returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139438934

report of a welcome home and presentation of gifts to Paddy at the West Wallsend School of Arts. Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
Gary Mitchell OAM May 2026.
West Wallsend War Memorial
Military Record

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 07/05/2026.

Staff Sergeant: 82 Sidney Edward FOOTE.

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36th BATTALION - 53rd BATTALION AIF

Staff Sergeant: 82 Sidney Edward FOOTE

Born: 4th September 1891. Castle Mountain via Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 2nd August 1912. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife: Florence Ellen Foote. nee: McKee. (1891-1967)

Died: 4th February 1935. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: Henry Foote. (1854-1935)

Mother: Elizabeth Ann Foote. nee:   (1860-1940)

INFORMATION

Sidney Edward Foot served with the Boggabri Rifle Club and Militia Reserve for two and a half years prior to his enlistment with the AIF on the 2nd February 1916 and was allocated to A Company 36th Battalion AIF.  

The 36th Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Liverpool, Rutherford and Broadmeadow Army Camps, in New South Wales in February 1916. The bulk of the Battalion's recruits had enlisted as a result of a recruiting drive conducted amongst the RIFLE CLUBS of New South Wales by the Minister of Public Information in the New South Wales Government, Ambrose CARMICHAEL. Thus the Battalion became known as "CARMICHAEL'S THOUSAND". Carmichael led by example and enlisted as well, serving in the Battalion as a Captain.

 

Sidney transferred to the 53rd Battalion AIF on the 6th October 1916 and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and returned to Australia on the 23rd July 1919.

Gunnedah Public School Honour Roll. FOOTE. SID C de G

Family Information

Sidney was a married 24-year-old Railway Employee from 20 Cross Street, Double Bay via Sydney, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. Sidney is buried at the Gunnedah Cemetery, N.S.W.

Florence Ellen Foote. nee: McKee. (1891-1967)

Military Records

Under Construction: 31/03/2025-26/04/2026.