War Memorials and War Cemeterys – Page 4

Sergeant: 1245 William Henry SIMPSON.

March 1, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 1245 William Henry "Bill" SIMPSON.

Born: 17th February 1894. Black Mountain, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:3870/1894.

Married: 1918. St Mays Catholic Cathedral, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9422/1918.

Wife: Mary Ellen Simpson. nee: Tierney. (1896-1977)

Died: 31st December 1953. Guyra, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: William Simpson. (1871-1947)

Mother: Annie Sophia Simpson. nee: Johnson. (1873-1924)

INFORMATION

William Henry Simpson enlisted at Armidale, New South Wales on the 5th January 1916 where he was allocated to the 33rd Battalion AIF as an original member of the Battalion before he was entrained to the Farley Station and was marched in to the Rutherford Army where he was allocated to D Company where he was promoted to Acting Corporal on the 15th February 1916.

Armidale Camp 1916

Rutherford Army Camp 1916

The 33rd Battalion en trained from Farley Station on the 3rd of May and embarked from Sydney on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A74 "Marathon".

HMAT A74 "Marathon"

William was again promoted on the 5th July during the voyage to the rank of Corporal before the 33rd Battalion disembarked at Devonport England on the 9th July 1916 and were marked in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Lark Hill Amy Camp where they settled in the Camp training and conditions. The 33rd proceeded overseas for France on the 21st November 1916 where they went into billets before marching out to the lines where William was promoted to Sergeant on the 20th December 1916.

On the 9th February 1917, William received a Serious Gun Shot Wound to the Head and was treated the the Australian Field Ambulance before he was evacuated by Stretcher Bearers to the Australian Casualty Clearing Station where he received further treatment and when he was stabilised he was invalided to England on the 22nd of February where he was admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital.

7th March 1917.

Informant: Sergeant: 1245 William SIMPSON. (D Company 14 Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) "I was going up to the front line about December 12th at Armentieres, when I passed Sergeant 724 George James CARTER (C Company 33rd Battalion AIF) being carried away on a stretcher down a communication trench just after he had been wounded. I recognised him and the stretcher bearers told me it was he. I knew him well, as we were in training together. I heard afterwards that he had died but I am sorry I cannot say where he was buried. Possibly Sergeant MOORE (C Company 33rd Battalion AIF) would be able to tell you as they were great friends and were always together.

3rd Southern General Hospital

Cowley Section, Oxford, England.

William embarked from England to Australia on the 5th April 1917 on board the Hospital Ship "Themistocles" and was he disembarked he was later discharged from the AIF on the 29th August 1917.

Family Information

William was a single 21 year old Farmer from Spring Mount, Black Mountain, New South Wales, Australia. William was serving with the Australian Light Horse at Guyra, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. He enlisted with the ALH in 1915.

William Henry "Bill" Simpson (1894-1953) Guyra Cemetery

Mary Ellen Tierney. 1916 (1896-1977)

Armidale Chronicle Wednesday 17th October 1917.

Private: Jason J DICKSON. 35th Battalion AIF Killed in Action

The Sun. Sunday 29th September 1918.

Wedding Photo 1918. St Mays Catholic Cathedral, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 25/01/2024-01/03/2024.

Private: 3674 Malcolm McLEOD.

February 28, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

53rd BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 3674 Malcolm McLEOD.

Born: 1879. Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

Married:925. Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Wife: Annie McLeod. nee: Watson.

Died: 10th February 1962. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:6521/1962.

Father: George McLeod. (1853-1907)

Mother: Margaret McLeod. nee: Griffin. (1855-1942)

INFORMATION

3674 Pte Malcolm McLeod was a 35 year old Labourer from Wagga Wagga, NSW when he enlisted into the AIF in June 1917. After a period of training in Australia he was allocated to the 10th Reinforcements to the 53rd Battalion and arrived on the Western Front in early 1918. Shortly after arriving in France he was transferred to the 33rd Battalion and was soon after committed to the fighting near Amiens to halt the German Spring Offensive. In early April Pte McLeod was WIA with a GSW to the shoulder at Villers-Bretonneux where the Australian troops halted the German attack in one of the heaviest engagements of the war.

The wound proved severe enough to keep McLeod in the UK for the remainder of the war and he returned to Australia for discharge in March 1919.

After the war McLeod became a Soldier Settler in rural NSW with the state archives holding various correspondence from him in the 1930's. As with many WW1 veterans, the demands of the farming life coupled with his wounds made working the land near to impossible with the land eventually being forfeited to the government in 1942.

The BWM and VM are in lovely condition and are both correctly named 3674 PTE M. McLEOD. 33 BN. A.I.F.

Also included with the medal pair is Pte McLeod's early large type RSL badge with 1919 crown and numbered to the rear Z11433.

Malcolm's War Medal: and Victory Medal: with his RSL Badger were actioned in February 1024 but I was unable to secure for the Harrower Collection as I was an under bidder.

Family Information

Malcolm McLeod was a single 35 year old Labourer from Wagga Wagga, NSW when he enlisted into the AIF.

Malcolm McLeod (1879-1962) is buried at the Woronora Cemetery

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 21/02/2024-28/02/2024.

Private: 1638 Ernest William CUMMINS

June 14, 2024February 27, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

Australian Light Horse - 33rd BATTALION - 53rd BATTALION AIF

Trooper: 9 Ernest William CUMMINS

Private: 1638 Ernest William CUMMINS

Born: 11th October 1896. Adamstown via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1919. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:

Wife: Florence Irene Peal Cummins. nee: Stevenson. (1893-16/09/1986)

Died: 9th November 1943. Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:26625/1943.

Father: Charles Ernest Cummins. (18..-1905) Died at West Maitland, New South Wales, Death Cert:13237/1905.

Mother: Dora Elizabeth Cummins. (1876-04/02/1949) Died at Murrurundi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5765/1949.

INFORMATION

Ernest William Cummins enlisted with the AIF on the 9th September 1915 at Inverell, New South Wales where he was presented with the Inverell Recruitment Medal before he entrained to the Liverpool Amy Camp.

Inverell Times NSW : Friday 10 September 1915, page 4

RECRUITS FAREWELLED

ANOTHER BIG DEMOMSTRATION.

STIRRING APPEAL BY MR. HAWTHORNE.

Another splendid farewell to departing volunteers, and a recruiting demonstration, was held in the Town Hall last night. The occasion was the usual citizens' farewell to a large batch of volunteers, 31 in number, who occupied seats on the stage. The hall was packed to the doors, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed throughout the meeting. The Deputy Mayor (Ald. Jas. McIlveen) presided, and he was accompanied by Messrs. W. le Brun Brown (Chairman of the Recruiting Association), J. Hawthorne, C. Gallagher, A. M. Cansdell, A. de M. Freeman, and Ald. Maidens. The recruits sat in a semi-circle behind, the chairman. The Austral Band played several selections outside the hall prior to the commencement of the meeting. At the instance of the Chairman cheers were given for the recruits, who constituted the following: W. J. Campbell, T. J. Ryan, V. J. May, W. F. Bell, G. F. Wright, J. C. Boottom, G. E. McCarthy, W. Morgan, J. H. Bulluss, H. Thompson, C. A. Woods, E. Mason, C. F. Warby, F. G. Weizler, A. W. Addison, W. E. Medhurst E. J. Bulluss, Geo. Senior, B. Mahony, J. H. Frisby, A. Bottrell, F. B. Doyle, E. A. Stormer (farewelled at station). P. H. Bentley, C. E. Folkard, W. Madigan, H. P. Burgin, A. Barber, P. Burns, E. C. Bartley. The Deputy Mayor opened the proceedings by saying that they were assembled for a dual purpose. One was to give a fitting send-off to the splendid young men on the stage, who were going to the front. The second object was to hear a recruiting speech from their friend Mr. Hawthorne, ex-Member for Leichhardt. Mr. Hawthorne had represented his late constituency for 20 odd years, and had been selected as one of seven speakers in the State to address recruiting meetings. Already they had despatched something like 300 men from this centre, which was not at all discreditable for Inverell. He then introduced the speaker from Sydney. (Applause.)

Mr. Hawthorne , who was very cordially received, first turned to the recruits and said, "God bless them for their efforts.'" He had felt a bubbling in his throat when he watched those men, who were still wailing for their khaki uniforms, marching to the hall, as it was setting an example to the men of this district, and he hoped the example would be followed by large numbers of other eligible men. (Applause.) Politicians, generally speaking, were not the most modest of men when engaged in political warfare. It was not so that night. They had no sides in this great conflict. He would say that if they searched amongst their volunteer friends on the platform they would find descendants of all nationalities, most of them would probably be born in Australia, but their nationality would probably be mixed. It did not matter what country they belonged to, except Germany. They also did not want to know what politics a volunteer subscribed to, and thank God, it was the same all over the world. (Applause.) When the Servian incident arose which gave the Kaiser the pretext to declare war what took place at that memorable conference between the British Ambassador and the German Chancellor? The Chancellor said his troops wanted to go through Belgium. Great Britain's representative replied, "If you propose to destroy your signature you have put in connection with the treaty which guarantees the neutrality of Belgium, what will be the outcome of it all? Do you think Great Britain is going to stand by quietly and allow that treaty to be violated? I tell you, in the name of the country I represent, that Great Britain, whose name in the past has never been sullied by breaking a treaty, because she looks upon it as solemn an obligation as the honoring of a promissory note, that if you put a soldier through Belgian territory, then you must be prepared to fight the armies of England, the battleships of England, and you must be prepared to stand up against the last drop of English blood and the last shilling, for to that extent we will defend that little country." (Cheers.)

"I ask you," continued the speaker amidst applaud, "to carry out what that Ambassador said would be carried out. You must prove to Kaiser Bill that we are going to keep this battle going until every German soldier is outside Belgium, and outside France, and until such time as we can conclude an honourable and lasting peace" Great Britain was at the present time the most beloved nation in the world. If she had not declared war she would not have had a friend amongst the nations in the world. The Kaiser, with the single exception of Austria, and that not too strongly, and the unfortunate, Turk, had not a single nation on the face of the earth whom he could call a friend. The Kaiser imagined that the Home Rule controversy would rend Ireland asunder, but he had mistaken the Irish people. When the Irish were faced with an enemy like the Kaiser, and those associated with him, all creeds in Ireland buried the hatchet. Soldiers from Belfast mingled with soldiers in Dublin, and they marched together down the street singing "God Save the King." (Applause.) The Kaiser also thought that Canada would be divided, but instead the ranks closed, and the rival leaders did all they could to raise the largest army to send to the front. And they all knew what a grand part Canada had played in that magnificent battle which they fought in France. That battle would live in the history of battles. There was only one other battle equal to it in the war-fare to date, and that was the magnificent battle put up by the Australians when they landed in Gallipoli on that memorable day. (Cheers.) Thank God Mr. Kaiser had been mis-taken in the response he expected from Australia. In all their State Parliaments political warfare had been put aside; "all were for the Stale and none for the party"; and men of all classes, of all shades of religion, and of all shades of opinion whatever rose as one man, so that to-day they had the magnificent spectacle of 100,000 men fighting their way to Constantinople, and fighting in such a way as had called forth such praise from General Hamilton. (Applause.)

And so it was also with India. Again in Russia, before the war the Czar was afraid to show himself outside his place for fear of being assassinated, whereas now he had gone to the front to lead his soldiers. (Cheers.) Continuing the speaker said that if all the various portions of Australia had responded to the call of the purse and men like Inverell, the quota would be much greater than it is. He alluded to the Australia Day and Belgian Day efforts, the work of the ladies in making soldiers' comforts, and the response of the population in recruits, and said "Inverell today can stand and look all the world in the face and say, at least, that she was trying to do her duty." (Cheers.) To-day not one single vessel of the enemy was on the high seas in any of the trade routes of the world. Not only had they swept the warships from the face of the sea, but they had also swept Germany's mercantile marine off the trade routes. In the last 12 months the loss to Germany in this direction alone was 400 millions. The loss in trade and shipping combined was estimated at 550 mil-lion pounds. The boasted German navy had either to come out and be sent to the bottom, or stay in Kiel Canal until Great Britain told them they could come out. It was also now beyond a shadow of a doubt that Germany was becoming short of munitions, and both Germany and Austria at the present time were in a state of bankruptcy. Germany was now living on paper money, whereas the Allies were working on gold, and a bank note could still be turned into gold at the Bank of England. Answering his own query as to why he was canvassing for recruits, Mr. Hawthorne said, "I have come for the purpose of trying to keep the Kaiser and his friends out of our country." (Loud applause.)

Young men of fighting age must surely have arrived at the conclusion that if other people were offering their services and their lives in defence of the Empire that they had no right to stay at home and play tennis, football, or other sport. To the ladies he would say, "If you see a young man of fighting age ,and in a position to go to war, carrying a tennis racquet on his shoulder, you should tell him that instead of having a tennis racquet on his shoulder he should have a rifle." (Applause.) Any man who could give up Saturday afternoon to play sport should be able to spare six months and fight for his country. When they saw young men going to sport in nice flannel suits, cut to the latest fashion, the ladies should tell them that instead of a flannel suit they should be wearing a suit like Winter Jones. (Loud applause.) He (Mr. Hawthorne) had travelled up in the train with Winter Jones that day, and he had found him as fine a gentleman as one could wish to meet. He had given up a splendid business to go to the war, and his two brothers also intended enlisting. After a graceful little compliment to the worth of the Inverell newspapers, the speaker told how he had read of a send off at Nullamanna to Mr. Geofrey McDonald, who was leaving a wife and six children behind him. What were the single men doing that they should be placed in the position of allowing a man to leave a wife and 6 children to go and fight for us. It showed what a type of man McDonald was, and the sort of wife he had. She, brave woman, did not begin to moan about her children, but said to her husband, "If you feel it is your duty to go I'll do my duly to the children while you are away." (Applause.) Mr. Hawthorne then touchingly referred to the noble sacrifices made by several families in this town, and in this direction he mentioned Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Bone, Mrs. Jones, Staggs, C. L. Smith, and J. A. Anderson, and at his call ringing cheers were given for the families mentioned. Mr. Hawthorne went on to say that thus far Australia had not responded quite us well as she might. In the Australian forces 66 per cent. of the men belonged to some part of the Motherland, which left only 34 per cent of pure bred Australians. They did not want people who had emigrated here to turn right about and defend the Empire. They in Australia wanted to respond with Australian born soldiers.

On the 20th of the month another great recruiting campaign was to be started, and if they wanted to stop conscription they had better respond in larger numbers. Were any of those present amongst the slackers? Nothing was so effective as example. He (Mr. Hawthorne) had two sons. One had been for the past 5 months at the battle front fighting with Kitchener's army in France, and the other was at present in camp at Liverpool. (Applause.) Professor David, who was another of the seven recruiting speakers, had only one son, and he was close beside his (the speaker's) boy in France. It was the same with the judges and other influential men in the community. They were all re-presented at the firing line. There-fore he wanted them to come up on the stage and volunteer in large numbers that night. To the mothers and fathers who had hesitated about letting their sons go, he would say, "Are we to allow our sons to go and you not send yours.'' They must not keep their sons from enlisting.

"I appeal to you as a Britisher, as a father, as one who is going about using his efforts to induce men to view the seriousness of the position, to allow your sons to go," added Mr. Hawthorne. They wanted men to go to the Dardanelles to fight. The key of the whole situation, the unlocking of which would bring about a speedy termination of the war, was the forcing of the Dardanelles, and the entry into Constantinople. "Are you men of Inverell going to stand idly by and not perform your part?" The battle is in full swing. At this very moment it is about 7 o'clock in the morning at the Dardanelles, and the battle has started, and some of your comrades are shedding their blood for you are you going to allow their call for increased forces to go unheeded? are you going to shut your ears to that call? or are you going to answer that call for help from the Dardanelles as these men (pointing to the recruits on the stage) have, and respond to it?" (Loud applause and cheers.) In concluding a stirring address Mr. Hawthorne said that if they had heard that cry of "Come on boys and help us," they should enlist, and thus send the message back to their fighting comrades, "Hold on to the fort we will be with you in a couple of months, and be with you in the march through the streets of Constantinople." (Cheers.) The speaker then called for recruits, and immediately about a dozen fine stalwart young men marched up the aisle to the platform. Each volunteer was loudly applauded as he stepped forward. Mr. H. G. Stoyles, M.A., then rendered in fine style, "The Heroes of the Dardanelles," and gave as an encore, "The Blue Dragoons." Mr. Hawthorne made another appeal, and seven more young fellows responded. The Deputy Mayor next read out the names of the 19 recruits. The departing volunteers were then each presented with the usual medal and two pairs of socks. The medals were pinned on the soldiers' tunics by a couple of local young ladies, Mr. Hawthorne jocularly remarking that he would be surprised if those girls were single for long after the boys came back. The Deputy Mayor also presented to Private Medhurst, on behalf of his employers, Messrs. F. and E. Thomas, with a set of military brushes, and to Private Bentley, on behalf of four lady friends, a gold mounted fountain pen.

"Tipperary" followed, Mr. Stoyles leading, and the audience taking up the refrain. "Who'll make the twentieth?" appealingly called Mr. Hawthorne. "You know I'd like to make it up to the £." (Laughter.) The appeal was promptly answered by two sturdy chaps, and the night's work thus resulted in a batch of 21, as under:

W. Chappel, E. Cummins, O. Barker, M. Bymes, W. D. Underwood, H. Lamrock, J. H. Abbott, G. Coggan, C. G. Lennard, R. H. Burke, S. S. Jones, O. R. Jones, E. W. May, A. Kennedy, J. Rixon, S. G. Lewis, A. J. Benson, P. Truman, C. J. Kimmorley, W. Seagrott, and W. Smith.

Private E. C. Bartley responded on behalf of the farewelled recruits. It was pleasing for him to stand there facing such a crowd and speak on behalf of his comrades. It was not the value of the tokens they had received, but the hearty manner in which they had been given, and he could not express in words their appreciation of the gifts and the attendance of the people in the hall that night to bid them farewell. He was very glad that he has such a number of comrades who were going to take the places of those who had fallen at the Dardanelles. (Applause.) A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Hawthorne on the motion of Messrs. C. Gallagher, and Ald. Maidens, and a most enthusiastic gathering terminated with the singing of Rule Britannia and the National Anthem, and cheers for the soldiers.

Ernest was marched in at the Narrabri Army Camp where he was allocated to the 1st Australian Light Horse with the service number 9 and the rank of Trooper. Whilst in the Depot Camp at Narrabri, Ernest was charged 4 times ranging from Insubordinate and Insubordination as well as being AWL 3 times. On the 20th October 1915, Ernest was listed as a "Deserter" from the Liverpool Army Camp on the 20th December 1915.

A warrant for Arrest issued for his arrest on the 21st March 1916, but Ernest has already re enlisted on the 7th April 1916 with the 1st Reinforcements 33rd Battalion AIF at the Armidale Army Camp were he was was allocated the service number 1638 and was allocated to C Company.

Inverell Recruitment Medal presented to Private: 1638 Ernest William CUMMINS. From the Citizens of Inverell.

The 33rd Battalion became a part of the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division. The Battalion en trained from Farley Station and embarked from Sydney on the 4th May 1916 bound for the United Kingdom aboard the HMAT A74 "Marathon".

HMAT A74 "Marathon"

Ernest CUMMINS was appointed Acting Sergeant on the 10th May 1916. The journey was long and convoluted involving stops at Albany, Fremantle (where they returned for restocking coal after being ordered to proceed to England via Durban, not straight to Egypt) It was whist at Durban, Cape Town, Ernest was charged with being AWL and was apprehended by Military Police on the 9th June 1916 with Private: 558 Alfred Norman TONKINSON - Private: 919 Claude FULMER - Private: 391 James Henry CUNDY - Private: 602 John Alfred RICHARDS - Private: 734 Harold John CHAPMAN and escorted to the Base Depot where they remained until embarking on board the Hospital Transport "MEDIC" for England on the 13th June 1916.

Ernest reverted to the rank of Private and proceeded overseas for France on the 9th September 1916 and was Taken on in Strength with the 53rd Battalion on the 26th October 1916. Ernest was Wounded in Action on the 4th December 1916 1st occasion for Shell Concussion and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before he was evacuated to the 36th Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment. The next day Ernest was taken by Ambulance Train to the 24th General Hospital as Etaples, France and after he was discharged he was invalided to England on board the Hospital Ship "Dover Castle"

In England he was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital with severe Shell Concussion where he was treated and discharged on leave before proceeding overseas again for France via Folkstone on the 9th May 1917. Ernest was Wounded in Action: 2nd occasion at Barleux near Peronne, France on the 2nd September 1918. and was again returned to England. He returned to Australia on the 23rd June 1919.

Silver Fob presented to Private: 1638 Ernest William CUMMINS. 53rd Battalion AIF 27th June 1919.

Private: 520194 Ernest William CUMMINS enlisted on the 7th March 1939 with the 55/53 Infantry Battalion, D Company 13th Platoon. CMF. He was allocated to perform Security Duties until he enlisted with the AIF on the 1st August 1940 as Corporal:NX12869 Ernest William CUMMINS and served with the 2/1 Railway Construction Company (Middle East and Australia) He embarked for the Middle East on the 22nd September 1940 as a Graded Group III Plate Layer, and later a Group II Rigger and then to a Group I Fitter. Ernest returned to Australia suffering from Malaria on the 30th October 1942.

Ernest was Injured with a Fractured Skull on the 5th November 1943 whist he was in a Military Truck after being struck in the face and falling backwards out of the truck and struck his head on the roadway. He was rushed to Hospital and placed on the Dangerously I'll List but died from his injuries on the 9th November 1943 in Newcastle from injuries inflicted on him by Corporal Theophilus George Toshack AMF.

Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950), Thursday 15 April 1937, page 1

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE. On a charge of manslaughter, Theophilus George Toshack (22) was remanded at the Parramatta Police Court on Monday until April 19, on $50 bail. the charges against Toshack was of having at Parramatta on March 12 feloniously slain John Reynolds. Constable Stafford (police prosecutor) said that a coronial inquiry would be held at Liverpool on Saturday. Mr. John Hall appeared for Toshank.

Theophilus George "Billy" Toshack. Born 4th July 1914 in Leopold, Victoria, Australia. Father unknown and Maude Margaret (Kiernan) Toshack

Maude Margaret Toshack nee: Kiernan. (1874-1957)

Apparently "Billy" married Olive Maud Roberts.

"Billy" was born from one of Maude's extra marital affairs as his name does not appear on Maude's divorce petition. It is known that his biological father was a Victorian Army Officer (Capt. George Sanderson) who supported his son until he was some 18 years old before he was charged with Manslaughter at 22 and again aged 30 after being charged with feloniously slaying Corporal CUMMINS.

Ernest's British War Medal:45793 and Victory Medal:44727 to PTE 1638 E. W. CUMMINS 53RD BN A.I.F. and 1939-45 Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal & Australian Service Medal were acquired in January 2024 and are now in the Harrower Collection.

Ernest William CUMMINS (1896-1943)

Family Information

Ernest was a single 20 year old Chauffeur from Campbell Street, Inverell, N.S.W. where he lived with his mother. When he re enlisted after he Deserted he stated that he was and Electrician and lived with his mother from Emmaville, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. Ernest and Florence are both buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Upon his enlistment with the 33rd Battalion, Ernest lived at Campbell Street, Inverell, N.S.W.

Grave of Corporal NX12869 Ernest William CUMMINS. Rookwood War Cemetery, N D 3, Sydney New South Wales, Australia

Military Records

World War 2 Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 01/01/2024-26/02/2024.

Sergeant: 724 George James CARTER.

March 4, 2024January 26, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 724 George James CARTER. "Paddy"

Born: 1876. Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:16123/1876.

Married: 1905. Moree, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9948/1905.

Wife: Emily Carter. nee: Martin. (1884-1924) Died at Redfern, New South Wales, Death Cert:16414/1924 .

Died: 12th December 1916. Died of Wounds, France.

Father: John Richard Carter. (1837-1924) Died at Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:915/1925.

Mother: Harriet Vinel Carter. nee: Whiteman. (1840-1884) Died at Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:11733/1884.

INFORMATION

George James Carter enlisted with the AIF at Moree, New South Wales on the 28th December 1915 and went into Camp at Armidale with the rank of Corporal. George embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916 and disembarked on the 9th July at Devonport, England. George went into training with the 9th Training Battalion where he was promoted to Sergeant on the 1st September 1916.

13th October 1916.

Private: 1564 Albert JONES. C Company, 33rd Battalion AIF.

DISTRICT COURT MARTIAL held at Larkhill, England on the 13th October 1916. CHARGE Whist on active service striking his superior Officer Sergeant: 724 George James CARTER on the hand with a rifle causing serious injury to his hand. FINDING. Guilty. SENTENCE to be imprisoned with hard labour for one year.

No: 2 Camp Lark Hill.

The 33rd proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 21st November 1916. George Died of Wounds on the 12th December 1916 at Armentieres, France after he received a Gun Shot Wound to the Head from a German Sniper and is Commemorated in Perpetuity with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, France.

7th March 1917.

Informant: Sergeant: 1245 William Henry SIMPSON. (D Company 14 Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) "I was going up to the front line about December 12th at Armentieres, when I passed Sergeant 724 George James CARTER (C Company 33rd Battalion AIF) being carried away on a stretcher down a communication trench just after he had been wounded. I recognised him and the stretcher bearers told me it was he. I knew him well, as we were in training together. I heard afterwards that he had died but I am sorry I cannot say where he was buried. Possibly Sergeant: 133 David Herbert MOORE (C Company 33rd Battalion AIF) would be able to tell you as they were great friends and were always together.

3rd Southern General Hospital

Cowley Section, Oxford, England.

23rd March 1917.

Informant: Lance Corporal: 175 Edgar Clyde SADLER. Sergeant: 724 George James CARTER was my uncle, and I have seen his grave at Armentieres Cemetery with a cross, name and number on. He was killed on December 15th, shot by a sniper in the head at Armentieres in our front line.

Lewis Gun School, Estaples.

Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery

Family Information

George was from Narrabri, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. George served with the 6th Imperial Bushman during the Boer War Service Number 128 (1899-1902)

The New South Wales Imperial Bushmen was one of a number of regiments raised in the Australian colonies in response to a request from the British government asking for "hardy bushmen" - men who could ride, shoot, and navigate in the bush. The idea was to find men who could employ the same type of guerrilla tactics as the Boer and beat them at their own game. Volunteers came from Cootamundra, Gundagai, Wagga, Young, Hay, Cooma, Moree, Cobar, Tenterfield, and Bourke. The New South Wales Imperial Bushmen was a mounted unit, consisting of six mounted rifle squadrons. Later, during its time overseas, the regiment's name was changed to the 6th Imperial Bushmen.

The bushmen left Sydney, on board the transport Armenian, on 23 April 1900. The regiment originally numbered 40 officers with 722 other ranks, and 800 horses. They were the fourth contingent sent from New South Wales to the war. During 15 months in South Africa, the regiment served in Rhodesia and in west Transvaal.

Australian War Memorial

1904. A Warrant for the arrest of George Carter was issued from the Narrabri Court.

Richard Carter is buried at the Rookwood Cemetery. Zone C Anglican Section 7 Grave 2354

Harriet Carter is buried at the Narrabri General Cemetery with their son John Joseph Carter.

Emily Carter is buried at the Rookwood Cemetery, Zone C Anglican Section H Grave 5712

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 10/01/2024.

Private: 1241 Kenneth John SUTHERLAND.

January 24, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

34th BATTALION AIF

Driver/Private: 1241 Kenneth John SUTHERLAND.

Born: 10th March 1895. Stewarts Brook, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:16906/1895.

Married: 1932. Scone, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:11157/1932.

Wife: Ida Blodwyn Sutherland. nee: Price. (18..-1977) Death Cert:105255/1977.

Died: 9th December 1962. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:30243/1962.

Father: Kenneth Sutherland. (1861-1937) Scott Memorial Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:18295/1937.

Mother: Alice Sutherland. nee: Fisher. (1873-1904) Died at Scone Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:3250/1904.

INFORMATION

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.

61 years ago today, on the 11th December 1962, Private Kenneth John Sutherland, 34th Battalion (Reg No-1241), stockman from Stewarts Brook, New South Wales and Newcastle?, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 67. PRESBYTERIAN-16NE. 47.

Born at Stewarts Brook, New South Wales on the 10th March 1895 as John Kenneth to Kenneth and Alice Sutherland; husband of Ida Blodwyn Sutherland nee Price (married 1932, Scone, N.S.W., died 17.8.1977, age 65,

sleeping here - https://www.findagrave.com/.../192.../ida-blodwyn-sutherland), Ken enlisted on the 26th January 1916 at West Maitland, N.S.W.

Kenneth and Ida were laid to rest at the Sandgate Cemetery, Presbyterian Section 16NE; Plot 47

Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A20 Hororata on the 2nd May 1916.

Admitted to hospital 12.6.1916 (superficial punctate keratitis, serious - damage to the cells of the cornea’s outer layer, appendectomy, deafness), 2.11.1916 (bronchitis), 16.5.1918 (corneal inflammation).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156921190 - report that Ken is seriously ill.

Wounded in action - 14.7.1918 (GSW head).

Ken was invalided home on the 27th June 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 14th September 1919.

Scone Advocate (NSW : 1887 - 1954), Friday 15 August 1919, page 1

Stewarts Brook.

WELCOME HOME.

A very large and enthusiastic gathering met to welcome home two. of our soldier lads last Saturday night 'Driver Ken Sutherland and Private Phil Hayes. The welcome took the form of a social evening, and dancing was Indulged In until about.10.30, when the Chairman (Mr. W. H. Cone), in a short and appropriate speech, welcomed both lads, home again to their own land. Who was followed by the Rev. K. D. Norman, and Messrs. Mansfield and Davi3. The latter gentleman presented each boy with a gift of £10 and a suitably subscribed medal on behalf of their friends at Stewarts Brook As both soldiers are men of action rather than men of words, Messrs. S. Collison and W. Rose responded on their behalf. Occasion was then taken to welcome back to this part of his parish our Rector, the Rev. K. D. Norman, who was at the same function presented with a smoker's outfit as a token of the admiration of his local, friends. Supper was then partaken of and the gathering terminated by singing the "National Anthem'

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156899018 - report of a hearty welcome home and presentation to Ken.

Mr. Sutherland’s name has been inscribed on the Scone District First World War Honour Roll and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.

I have placed poppies at Ken’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

https://www.findagrave.com/.../kenneth-john-sutherland

Service record states DECEASED, 9/12/1962. Note: died 8/12/1962.

Officially commemorated – https://connect.dva.gov.au/commemsoawg/commemoration/viewCommemoration.html?commemorationId=NjQ4OTUy.

Inscription states 9th December 1962.

Corporal: Kenneth John SUTHERLAND standing left. A Squadron 16th Australian Light Horse. 1926

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “

http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/

Lest We Forget.

Gary Mitchell: January 2024.

Family Information

Ken was a single 20 year old Stockman from Stewarts Brook, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Kenneth Sutherland. (1861-1937)

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 15/01/2024-24/01/2024.

Private: 880 Robert SUTHERLAND

February 2, 2024January 21, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 880 Robert "Bob" SUTHERLAND.

Born: 2nd November 1890. Ashford, New South Wales, Australia.

Married: 11th January 1916. Inverell, New South Wales, Australia.

Wife: Angela Phyllis Sutherland. nee: Duffrey. (1876-1937)

Died: 22nd August 1918. Brae, Somme, France.

Father: Daniel Sutherland. (1853-1946) Died at Ashford via Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Mother: Mary Sutherland. nee: Grieve. (1857-1934) Died at Ashford via Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

INFORMATION

Robert SUTHERLAND enlisted with the AIF on the 12th January 1916 with his brother Private: 879 George SUTHERLAND who both were allocated to C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF. HMAT A74 "Marathon"

Inverell Timers 1916.

The Fighting Sutherlands of Inverell, N.S.W.

10th October 1918.

Informant: Corporal: 3069 Henry Dayrell HERDSON (C Coy, 12th Platoon, 33rd Battalion AIF) "I saw Private: 880 Robert "Bob" SUTHERLAND (C Coy, 12th Platoon, 33rd Battalion AIF) killed outright by a Machine Gun Bullet while we were holding the line at Bray. He was hit on the head, been told by his brother Private: 879 George SUTHERLAND who is with the Battalion that a cross has been erected.

Dartford, England.

Bray Military Cemetery

5th November 1918.

Informant: Lance Corporal: 736 Hector William CLARKE. (C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) "Private: 880 Robert SUTHERLAND also of (C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF). On the 22nd of August about 9 o'c in morning on Bray Corbie Road. We were digging in after our advance. SUTHERLAND was killed outright by Machine Gun fire, hit in the head and chest. I was along side of him at the time, I was in burial party. He had been a mate of mine for 15 years nick name Bob, came from Ashford, N.S.W. Private: 3409 Carrington John WESTAWAY of (C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) was killed alongside him and was buried in a separate grave at the same spot. Personal effects were handed in the Battalion Headquarters".

1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital. Harefield.

22nd November 1918.

Informant: Private: 719 Ernest BRYNE (C Company 33rd Battalion AIF) "Private: 880 Robert SUTHERLAND also of (C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) was shot through the head by a sniper during a stunt at Bray and was killed instantly. We then buried him along with a chap named "Private: 3409 Carrington John WAESTAWAY also of (C Company 12th Platoon 33rd Battalion AIF) on the lest of the road about 100 yards to the left of Bray. We then rigged up a stick with all details on it and informed the Pioneers who would no doubt put up a proper cross. I have known SUTHERLAND for a long time, he came from the same town as I, Ashford, Inverell, N.S.W. He was very popular in the Unit.

No: 4 Convalescent Depot, Hurdcott.

Family Information

Robert was married the day before he departed from Inverell on the 12th January 1916.

25th December 1899

Back row, left to right (standing): Bill Sutherland, Mary (nee Grieve) Sutherland, Mary McKenzie, Jessie McKenzie, Eva McKenzie, John (Jack) Sutherland with violin.

Middle row, left to right (standing): Nell Sutherland, Janet Sutherland (Sharon's G Grandmother) Maggie McKenzie, Duncan McKenzie, Grace Sutherland.

Front row: George Off screen at the bottom of the photo is Robert Sutherland two smaller unknown children) and Dave Sutherland.

Mary Jane Grieves was born on board the "John Bunyan" off the Cape of Good Hope on the 20th September 1857 and arrived in Australia on the 27th October 1857. She married Daniel Sutherland at "Brickwall" Walcha, New South Wales on the 26th December 1877. Daniel and Mary moved the family to Ashford. They brought a Settlers Lease of 5,720 acres and named it 'Glencoe'. Glencoe was on the Severn River and not long after arriving he cleared some bush and was one of the first wheat growers in the region. Supplies were brought in every 3 months. Mail was available once a week and the nearest mail route was 3 miles away. At this stage Daniel and Mary had 11 children.

Daniel and Mary had five sons enlist and serve in WW1. The four that deployed were: Private: David SUTHERLAND. (29) Private: 880 Robert SUTHERLAND. 33rd Battalion AIF (24) (KIA), Sergeant: 789 George SUTHERLAND. MM. 33rd Battalion AIF (22) Private:1696 Alexander SUTHERLAND. 36th-33rd Battalion AIF. (19) and Private: 90124 Adam SUTHERLAND. Q.M. Stores, Liverpool who tried to enlist several times for overseas service.

In 1920 Braeside was sold and Daniel and Mary moved to Ashford Glencoe, New South Wales, Australia. Both were active in town and regional affairs. Daniel was the delegate for the Farmers and Settlers, The Graziers Association and Bush Nursing.

Ancestry.

CRAIGBURN PROVINCIAL SCHOOL 18th June 1901.

The Craigburn Provincial School was started by Daniel Sutherland for his children to have an education.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 21/01/2024- 30/01/2024..

Private: 9 Francis George BRENNAN.

January 20, 2024 by David Harrower ACM

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 9 Francis George BRENNAN.

Born: 14th September 1897. Uralla, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert: N/A

Died: 12th February 1917. Died of Wounds. Armentieres, France.

Father: Patrick Francis Brennan. (1872-1950)

Mother: Amelia Brennan. nee: Olds. (1883-1956)

INFORMATION

Francis George Brennan enlisted with the AIF on the 19th November 1915 at Armidale, New South Wales before he was en trained to Farley Station and was marched in to the Rutherford Army Camp where he allocated to A Company 33rd Battalion AIF.

Rutherford Army Camp 1916.

A SOUVENIR OF H.M.A.T. MARATHON. THE NORTHERN BATTALION'S TROOPSHIP.

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"

6th January 1917.

Whist in France Frank was Charged with (1) Disobeying a Reg. Order (2) Insubordinate Language (3) While on active service Drunkenness. Award 14days Field Punishment. No2 Major: Robert John MASSIE

28th January 1917.

Enemy Operations

He showed more than usual activity with his artillery all day. He shelled the Battalion area more reliantly from 9:00am till about 4:00pm. At 9:15am he put 20 - 5.9 H.E and 10 - 77MM Shrapnel into vicinity of c-28-b-1-4 doing no damage. Started at 9:30am at Sidiars Line which he shelled with 5.9 H.E. from 10:00am till 10:40am putting in about 50 shells and doing damage to some dugouts and considerable damage to both trenches and causing 4 casualties.

(33rd Battalion War Diary)

Frank was Wounded in Action on the 11th February 1917 and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before he was evacuated by Stretcher Bearers the Casualty Clearing Station where he Died of Wounds the next day at the No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, France on the 12th February 1917.

Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension

Family Information

Frank was a single 18 year old Labourer from Enmore via Uralla, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF. His parents lived at Stanthorpe, Queensland upon his enlistment.

Dangersleigh War Memorial Honour Roll

Dangersleigh War Memorial, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

This privately built monument was designed and funded by Alfred Haroldston Perrott Snr to honour his son and other men from the district who were killed in the First World War. The monument was completed in May of 1921 on Alfred Perott's property "Chevy Chase" and in 1991 the Perrott family transferred trusteeship to the Dumaresq Shire council. The monument is full of symbolism which is explained in part on the monument itself and on the information on site. There are several graves of the Perrott family at the rear of the site which are in good condition.

Frank Brennan was just 17 when he enlisted against the wishes of his family. Frank had threatened to change his name and travel to Victoria to enlist. Judith says his mother finally gave in and signed the permission form. What resulted was the loss of a young larrikin, and a family rift that still exists today. The photo of young Frank in a singlet and smoking a pipe is one of Judith's favourites, but the man himself was a bit of a trouble maker. "He got drunk and disorderly, and gave cheek, and he had his problems, he was just a wild young Irish lad, shockingly wounded and killed," she recalls.

By Jennifer Ingall

Patrick Francis Brennan. (1872-1950)

Grave of Patrick Brennen. Armidale Cemetery.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 13/01/2024-20/01/2024.

Corporal: 567 David Joseph SHEUMACK

December 31, 2023 by David Harrower ACM

36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Corporal: 567 David Joseph SHEUMACK

Born: 21st September 1894. Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:10741/1894.

Married: 2nd April 1925. Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9100/1925.

Wife: Florence Louise Sheumack. nee: Enright. (1902-1982)

Died: 15th July 1952. Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 24306/1952.

Father: Samuel George Sheumack. (1859-1922) died at Mudgee, N.S.W. Death Cert:18017/1922.

Mother: Agnes Sophia Sheumack. nee: Book. (1864-1941) died at Dubbo, N.S.W. Death Cert:7623/1941.

INFORMATION

David Joseph Sheumack enlisted with the AIF on the 21st January 1916 in Sydney before he was en trained to the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to C Company Battalion before he was allocated to B Company 36th Battalion AIF.

On the 10th February 1916 and embarked in Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th May and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 19th July where the Battalion was march in to the 9th Training Battalion

22nd November 1916.

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

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

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

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

23rd November 1916.

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

24th November 1916.

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

25th November 1916.

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

26th November 1916.

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

27th November 1916.

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

28th November 1916.

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

29th November 1916.

Whole Battalion still in billets-supply Working Parties Only.

30th November 1916.

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

1917.

22nd January 1917.

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

Killed in Action; Lance Sergeant: 11 Francis Anthony ANGELINETTA. (A Company) - Corporal: 937 John Jack WILDRIDGE (A Company) - Private: 172 Charles SLOCOMBE. (A Company) Private: 183 Denis Alfred STINSON. (A Company)

Wounded in Action; Private: 33 Ralph Albert ASH.

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

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

(36th Battalion War Diary)

7th June 1917.

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES

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

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

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

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

12th October 1917

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Infantry Brigade Casualties.

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

13th October 1917.

Received instructions to take command of the front line. Issued instructions to C.O's 34th and 35th Battalions to re-organize at dawn and to hold as follows; 35th Battalion Right Battalion. 36th Battalion 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.

14th October 1917.

Resting

15th October 1917.

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

16th October 1917.

Consolidation position. Heavy shelling still continues with much Gas Shell during hours of darkness. A few men led back practically blind from the Gas effect.

17th October 1917.

Heavy shelling during early hours of morning with conditions much the same as 16th. Very few casualties considering weight of Boche shelling. New Zealand troops caught it heavy on ABRAHAMS HEIGHTS.

(36th Battalion War Diary)

17th October 1917.

Brigade Transport Lines near CAVALRY FARM were bombed by enemy aeroplanes. Two horses were killed and three wounded. Enemy shelled Batteries near Brigade Headquarters constantly throughout the afternoon. On the 18th of October Brigade Transport Lines were again bombed by enemy planes. Two grooms wounded, 1 horse killed and 1 horse wounded.

(9th Infantry Brigade War Diary)

David was promoted to the rank of Temporary Corporal on the 6th November 1917 when Corporal: 569 Oscar Charles STREETER was evacuated after being Wounded in Action and was Struck of Strength.

4th-5th April 1918

The First VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

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

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

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

On the 17th April 1918 David was promoted to Corporal after Corporal: 522 George NORRIS was Killed in Action on the 12th April 1918.

David was transferred to the 33rd Battalion AIF on the 30th April 1918 when the 36th Battalion was disbanded to reinforce the the sister Battalion of the 9th Infantry Brigade. He was detached to England to attend the 9th Training Battalion where he was marched in the the School of Instruction at Tidworth on the 27th July 1918. He also attended the 23rd Rifle Course at the Australian School of Musketry where he qualified 2nd class.

David was granted leave on the 17th April until the 17th September and embarked from England on the 8th October 1919 on board the "Devon".

Binnaway War Memorial

Coonabarabran War Memorial

David and Florence were laid to rest at the Baradine Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia

Family Information

David was a single 21 year old Sleeper Cutter from Binnaway, New South Wales, Australia upon his enlistment with the AIF. David served during World War 2, service number N270400 enlisting at Paddington, N.S.W. with the Citizen Military Forces.

Daisy Gladys Sheumack (1902-1982) - Agnes Sophia Sheumack (1864-1941)

Grave of Samuel George Sheumack (1859 -1922) Agnes Sophia Sheumack (1864-1941) Coolah Cemetery, N.S.W.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction: 28/12/2023-30/12/2023.

Corporal:1638 Arthur William DODD.

December 19, 2023December 18, 2023 by David Harrower ACM

35th BATTALION AIF

Corporal:1638 Arthur "Art" William DODD

Born: 12th September 1892. Newcastle, New south Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:25297/1892. "William Arthur"

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

Father: James Edward Dodd. (1861-03/03/1935) Died at Cooks Hill via Newcastle, N.S.W.

Mother: Mary Ann Dodd. nee: Harrison. (1865-27/08/1935) Died at Stockton via Newcastle, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

Let us remember a Fallen soldier of The Great War memorialised at Sandgate Cemetery.

On the 12th October 1917, Corporal Arthur William Dodd, referred to as Art, 35th Battalion (Lewis Machine Gunner, Reg No-1638), grocer (storeman, J. Ireland & Co. Pty Ltd., Newcastle, N.S.W.), from 17 Bull Street, Cooks Hill, New South Wales, was Killed in Action by an enemy artillery shell, 1st Battle of Passchendaele, age 25.

Arthur William DODD (1892-1917)

http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1724905/ - Roll of Honour.

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1480784/ - Red Cross Wounded and Missing.

Born at Cooks Hill, New South Wales on the 12th September 1892 as William Arthur to James Edward J (died 3.3.1935, Cooks Hill, N.S.W., age 73 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136839807, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136844230, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136853111, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136847410, https://www.findagrave.com/.../178857803/james-edward-dodd) of 21 Dumaresq Street, Cooks Hill, N.S.W., and Mary Ann Dodd (died 27.8.1935, Stockton, N.S.W., age 70

Corporal: 1638 Arthur William DODD (1892-1917)

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138143507, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138134240, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138132066, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138131824, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178857805/mary-ann-dodd) of 164 Fullerton Street, North Stockton, N.S.W., Art enlisted on the 15th February 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137104361 - report of a farewell for Art at the Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club. Also fare welled was Garnet Wilton Dart, also known as Gunner, 9th Australian Field Ambulance (stretcher bearer, Reg No-11945), railway clerk from 41 Queen Street, Cooks Hill, New South Wales, laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery on the 11th June 1962, age 69. PRESBYTERIAN-B8. 01.

Corporal: 1638 Arthur William DODD (1892-1917)

Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A24 Benalla on the 1st May 1916.

Wounded in action - 13.6.1917 (GSW left shoulder), 29.7.1917 (not stated).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134854709 - report that Art had been wounded, 1st occasion.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134854874 - the 324th Australian Casualty list, N.S.W., WOUNDED, A. W. Dodd (Cooks Hill).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134858576 - report that Art had been wounded, 2nd occasion.

Reported Missing in Action 12.10.1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138738917 - report that Art had been reported missing since the 12th October 1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138743323 - the 367th & 368th Australian Casualty list, N.S.W., MISSING, T.-Corporal, A. W. Dodd (Cooks Hill), 12/10/1917.

Report of burial by the Canadian Graves Registration Unit 17.11.1917.

Cuff Links - Identification Tag - Collar Rising Sun Badge belonging to Corporal A.W. DODD 35th Battalion AIF

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138746602 - report that Art had been KIA.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138148948 - report that a Memorial Service for Art to be held on the Sunday of the 6th January 1918 at 7 p.m. at the Cooks Hill St. John's Anglican Church.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138157614 - report of the Memorial Service for Art and his association with the Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138157214 - the 378th & 379th Australian Casualty list, N.S.W., KILLED IN ACTION, Lance Corporal, A. W. Dodd (Cooks Hill), 12/10/1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139649889 - Art's name mentioned in a swimming report.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137493914 - Roll of Honour, 1918.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140074773 - Roll of Honour, 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140087873 - Roll of Honour, 1920.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139924167 - Roll of Honour, 1921.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140010211 - Roll of Honour, 1922.

Mr. Dodd’s name has been inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 25), Belgium.

Place of Association - Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Victory Medal and rising Sun Hat Badge Corporal A.W. DODD 35th Battalion AIF

Art’s name has also been inscribed on the Book of Gold, J. Ireland Pty Ltd Roll of Honour, Cooks Hill St. John's Anglican Church Honor Roll, Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club Memorial (Vice-Captain) - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140979438 and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.

I have placed poppies at the memorialised Dodd gravesite in remembrance of the service and supreme sacrifice of their son for God, King & Country. ANGLICAN 2-133. 50.

Younger brother Frederick John (referred to as Snitcher, awarded the Military Medal, born 2.9.1895, Cooks Hill, New South Wales, storeman from 17 Bull Street, Cooks Hill, New South Wales, enlisted 3.5.1915, 20th Battalion, Reg No-457, RTA 30.5.1919, died 20.3.1983, 7 Evans Street, Belmont, N.S.W., age 87, not officially commemorated - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193476308/frederick-dodd) also served 1st A.I.F. Photo 13.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137213412 - report of a farewell for Fred at Cooks Hill.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134858050 - report that Fred in hospital suffering from trench fever.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139439901 - report that Fred is returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140075180 - report of a public welcome home and presentation of a medal to Fred at the Oddfellows' Hall, Auckland Street, Newcastle.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140075331 - report of a welcome home for Fred at the Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “

http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/

Lest We Forget.

Gary Mitchell: December 2023.

Arthur was promoted to the Rank of Corporal on the 7th October 1917 when Corporal: 1871 William O'Connor STANLEY was promoted to Sergeant.

18th April 1918.

Informant: Captain: Hugh John CONNELL. MC. Re: 1638 Arthur William DODD. I regret to state that he was killed during the attack at Passchendaele on the morning of the 12th October last. He was buried on a field to the west of the village. He was in charge of one of my Lewis Guns and an excellent man, cool and brave at all times. Kindly express my sincerest sympathy with your enquirers in the sad loss. I wrote to his people and also his brother Sergeant: 457 Frederick John DODD of the 26th Battalion AIF.

Brother of Arthur was Sergeant: 457 Frederick John DODD 26th Battalion AIF.

NOTE TO SYDNEY

Our slip 20.12.17 giving official casualty was sent out headed DADD _ H.Q have now verified the name was DODD.

London.

Captain: Hugh John CONNELL. MC. France.

Family Information

Arthur was a single 23 year old Grocer (storeman, J. Ireland & Co. Pty Ltd., Newcastle, N.S.W.), from 17 Bull Street, Cooks Hill, New South Wales,

James Edward Dodd. (1861-1935)

Mary Ann Dodd. nee: Harrison. (1865-1935)

James Edward Dodd. (1861-1935) - Mary Ann Dodd. nee: Harrison. (1865-1935) Sandgate Cemetery

Corporal: 1638 Arthur William DODD (1892-1917)

Military Records

Under Construction: 17/12/2023-18/12/2023.

Private: 2047 Sydney Randall CARTER. MM

November 29, 2023 by David Harrower ACM

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2047 Sydney Randall CARTER. MM

Born: 13th September 1891. Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:22742/1891.

Married: 1923. Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:7464/1923.

Wife: Lucille Carter. nee: Harden. (1903-1970) Died at Maitland, N.S.W. Australia. Death Cert:24702/1970.

Died: 28th September 1970. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:5973/1970.

Father: Robert Richard Carter. (18..-1936) Died at Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert: 14684/1936.

Mother: Eliza Jane Carter. nee: Morrow. (18..-1941) Died at Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:23820/1941.

INFORMATION

No.2047 Sydney Randall CARTER was a 24-year-old farm labourer from Willow Tree in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 10th of April 1916.

He embarked from Australia as a member of the 3rd Reinforcements to the 34th Battalion on board the HMAT (A68) Anchises, which departed Sydney on the 24th of August 1916 and arrived at Devonport in England on the 11th of October. On arrival the reinforcements travelled by train to Wiltshire where they marched into the 9th Training-Battalion. On the 11th of November 1916 Sydney was taken-on-strength of the of the 34th Battalion AIF (Maitland’s Own).

On the 21st November 1916 the 34th Battalion along with the other Units of the 9th Brigade (33rd,35th, and 36th Battalion) deployed from the port of Southampton in England across to the port of Havre in France. They then endured a 48-hour train journey to Bailleul in cattle-trucks that were marked “Hommes (people) 40, Chevaux (horses) 8”. The 34th Battalion arrived at Steenwerck, France on the 24th. The Unit then moved into the trenches at L’Epinette on the 27th/28th of November 1916 to get their first harsh experiences at trench warfare in what was going to be a bitterly cold winter.

On the 13th of December 1916 he reported sick and was admitted to hospital suffering from scabies. He rejoined his Battalion two days before Christmas.

He was with the 34th Battalion for the attack on the ‘MESSINES / WYTSCHAETE RIDGE’ in Belgium on the 7th of June 1917, which commenced at 3:10 a.m. with the detonation of 19 huge ‘mines’ that had been dug under certain key German positions on the Ridge.

* Note - (25 mines had been prepared for the attack – but only 19 were actually detonated at the commencement of the attack. The remainder were left unfired - still containing explosives. The Peckham 2 mine was abandoned due to a tunnel collapse, and the Petit-Douve Farm mine was abandoned after a German camouflet blast in August 1916. One of the four unexploded ‘birdcage mines’ (not needed as the frontline had moved prior to the attack) was detonated by lightning during a storm in 1955. Two of the five remaining unexploded mines still today lay directly under buildings).

On the 30th of September 1917 while in the support line near Zonebeeke, Belgium the 34th Battalion was heavily bombarded. Sydney was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION and was admitted to hospital. He would spend five weeks in hospital and he rejoined the Battalion on the 8th of November 1917.

He was with the Battalion when the 9th Brigade was rushed south to the Somme in late March of 1918, due to a German Offensive there, and was used as a ‘mobile formation’, being used wherever the fighting was heavy and where the line needed strengthening the most.

He was with the 34th Battalion for the ‘1st Battle of Villers-Bretonneux’ on the 4th of April 1918 when the Australians stopped the German Advance towards Amiens. The 9th Brigade then successfully defended the village of Villers-Bretonneux up until the 18th of April when they were relieved by very tired British Troops. The British troops could not stop a renewed German attack a few days later and the village was lost, only being recaptured after a heroic night time counter-attack by the 13th and 15th Australian Brigades.

Over the 17th and 18th of April the Germans had fired an estimated 12,000 Artillery rounds into the Village and its surrounds. The shells comprised a combination of High Explosive and Mustard-Gas, and casualties from the Gas-Poisoning were to prove incredibly high. Men had to wear gas helmets almost continuously, but this did little to protect from skin contact. The effect of the Gas-Poisoning was not always immediately apparent and some men would not show symptoms for days or weeks afterwards.

On the 19th of April 1918 Sydney was one of many evacuated with Gas-Poisoning and was admitted to the 47th Casualty Clearing Station. He was then transferred by Ambulance-Train to the French Coast where he was admitted to a Hospital in Rouen. On the 25th of April he was transferred across to England and admitted to the Boscombe Military Hospital at Bournemouth. At this point he was also diagnosed with Trench-Fever.

On the 8th of August 1918 he once again deployed across to France and marched into the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Rouelles. He rejoined the 34th Battalion on the 13th of August.

The Germans were now being driven back in a mobile style of war and ‘Trench-Warfare’ was a thing of the past. On the 29th of August 1918 during an attack at Clery-sur-Somme his actions with a Lewis-Gun earned him a nomination for a Bravery Award. He remained with the Battalion for the remainder of the battles known as the ‘Advance to the Hindenburg Line’.

On the 30th of October 1918 the Ottoman-Empire signed an Armistice ending the fighting in the Middle-East. On the 3rd of November the Austro-Hungarian Government signs an Armistice with the Allies leaving Germany to fight on alone, and on the 11th of November 1918 the Germans finally also sign an ARMISTICE, ending the fighting on the Western-Front.

On the 21st of April 1919 he sailed for England in preparation for demobilisation.

On the 14th of May 1919 the award of the MILITARY MEDAL to Private S.R. CARTER was printed in the ‘London Gazette’.

Military Medal Group

He departed England on the 12th of June 1919 and arrived back on the 10th of August. He was discharged from the AIF on the 25th of September.

Bill Durrant: November 2023.

Family Information

Sydney was a single Farm Labourer from Morpeth, New South Wales upon his enlistment with the AIF. After returning from the Great War he married Lucinda Harden in 1923 at Morpeth, New South Wales. His parents were married in 1887 at Raymond Terrace, New South Wales. Marriage Cert:4890/1887.