Work In Progress – Page 11 – The Harrower Collection

Private: 3296 Jeff FARQUHAR.

June 27, 2020March 9, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

34th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 3296 Jeff FARQUHAR. M.I.D

Born: 13th August 1899. Ulmarra, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:/1899.

Married: 5th October 1919. South Lambton, England. Marriage Cert: ME 12031.

Wife: Florence Farquhar. nee: Eldridge. (1900-19..)

Died: March 1978. Lambeth, London, England.

Father: John David Farquhar. (1863-1934)

Mother: Charlotte Amelia Baker Farquhar. nee: Baker. (1874-1955)

INFORMATIONJeff Farquhar enlisted with the 8th Reinforcements, 34th Battalion AIF on the 7th May 1917 at Grafton, N.S.W and en trained to the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 8th Reinforcements 34th Battalion and proceeded overseas on board HMAT A16 "Port Melbourne" on the 16th July 1916 and disembarked at Liverpool, England on the 16th of September where they were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at Lark Hill.

The Reinforcements proceeded overseas for France via Southampton on the 17th January 1918

7th February 1919.

Mentioned in Dispatches Private:3296 Jeff FARQUHAR Sergeant: 1170 Percy Harold LAMBLEY. Temporary Corporal: 2101 William James JONAS. Private: 2588 George Edward HOBDEN. 34th Battalion AIF.

London Gazette 11th November 1919. Page 8831 Position 91.

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30th October 1919. Page 1655 Position 34.

Jeff was attached to the Army Pay Corps on the 3rd March 1919

Discharged from the AIF in London on the 4th December 1919.

Family InformationJeff was a single 18 year old Motor Driver from Ulmarra via Clarence River, N.S.W upon enlistment. His brother Private: 50864 Robbie Jeff FARQUHAR 35th Battalion AIF.

Military Records World War 1 Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction 05/04/2007-20/06/2019.

Lieutenant: 1200 Laurence Sylvester McMAHON. (Prisoner of War)

December 22, 2023March 8, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

34th BATTALION A.I.F.

Lieutenant: 1200 Laurence Sylvester McMAHON.

Born: 3rd July 1893. Greta, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:15876/1893.

Married: 26th May 1920 Greta, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:9468/1920.

Wife: Cecelia Agnes McMahon. nee: Teasey. (1897-1961) died at Belmont, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 15th September 1990. Sandgate, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father: Ross McMahon. (1859-1934)

Mother: Henrietta McMahon. nee: Reeves. (1860-1941)

INFORMATION

Laurence Sylvester McMahon enlisted with D Company 34th Battalion AIF on the 12th January 1916 and was an original member of the Battalion. He embarked on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" with the rank of Lance Corporal on the 2nd May 1916.

HMAT A20 "HORORATA14th June 1918.

Morlancourt

The details were learnt only when the prisoners returned to England after the Armistice. After receiving the operation order Major: Harold Henry McMINN at IO:30 saw one of his subalterns. Lieutenant: Laurence Sylvester McMAHON (West Maitland, N S W) and gave him the order to attack, keeping touch with the 29th Bn. McMAHON saw two other Platoon Commanders, Lieutenants: Stanley Warner BATEMAN (St. Kilda, Vic ) and Lieutenant: Russell Stanley BROWN (Maitland. N.S.W.) who, had not yet received their orders and told them that they were in it too McMAHON ranged his platoon on the flank, with BATEMAN'S next to it and twice sent his batman to find the 29th on his right. The batman could discover no sign of it and McMAHON therefore seat him back to its nearest post. The barrage then fell. The half-company of the 34th which was to have reinforced McMINN was not there, having lost its way but Lieutenant: George Chapman Ward REID (Sydney) and his handful of the 33rd were present McMINN sent Lieutenant: Alfred James FELL (who had not even had time to study the map) with a request to Captain: Edmund BEAVER to keep touch. FELL found two men of BEAVER'S company on their way to the assembly, and passed the message to them. On his return, at 11:00 the barrage was already slackening; and McMINN. though out of touch on both flanks, advanced to take his objective and hold on until the flanking troops came up The troops had been told that they were to cross two roads and lie down on a third road, a considerable distance in front.

Two roads had been duly crossed when the enemy ahead opened fire with rifles and a machine-gun. The trench was quickly rushed, the Germans running before it was reached but maintaining fire from their machine-gun farther back. After passing the trench Lieutenant: BROWN was mortally wounded. A dozen men in all were hit before the company was halted. Part of the enemy’s main line had evidently been taken. hut the troops were without instruments for digging-in except their small entrenching tools. The Germans at once counter-attacked on the flanks. but were easily beaten. It was, however plain that the company had merely obtained a lodgement between two bodies of the enemy, no fighting had been heard at any stage on either flank and no Australians could he found there After waiting for a quarter of an hour, McMINN decided to withdraw The company accordingly retired down the slope, hut after going 200 yards came on some wicker ammunition-baskets of German pattern. The bark of a British Field Gunn however, was heard and they went on towards It.

(Platoon Commander) BEAN History of World War 1. VI 90.

"Prisoner of War". Interned KARLSRUHE. Cert: by German List 14/6/18.

KARLSRUHN OFFICERS CAMP. 24th June 1918.

"Missing 8/5/18" Prisoner of War "Un wounded" by Wire from Copenhagen. Cert: by Information from Central Prisoner of War Officers Records dated 24/5/18.

28th June 1918.

Informant; Corporal; 497 William MORAN. I know that Lieutenant: Russell Stanley BROWN. Lieutenant: 64 Alfred James FELL. Lieutenant: Laurence Sylvester McMAHON. and Captain: Harold Henry McMINN. were all taken prisoners at Villers, they went too far and were all captured.

London.

28th June 1918.

Informant; Lieutenant: Jeffrey MONFRIES. "I know that Lieutenant: Laurence Sylvester McMAHON is posted as a Prisoner of War. He was taken at Morlencourt with Lieutenant: 64 Alfred James FELL., Lieutenant: Russell Stanley BROWN, Captain: Harold Henry McMINN, 5 Officers and 77 men went to take over some posts, these 4 officers and 43 men have been notified as prisoners by wireless.

3rd London General Hospital. Wandsworth, England.

Greta War Memorial

GRETA WAR MEMORIAL

Family Information

Laurence was a single 22 year old Greengrocer from Greta, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His parents Ross and Harriet McMahon had at lest 5 children born in N.S.W. Agnes E McMahon born 1891 at Greta, N.S.W. Birth Cert:15402/1891. Laurence Sylvester McMahon born Greta, N.S.W. Birth Cert:15876/1893. Edith E McMahon born 1897 at Branxton, N.S.W. Birth Cert:1779/1897. Gladice V McMahon born 1899 at Branxton, N.S.W. Birth Cert:19397/1899. Gertrude Agnes McMahon born 1902 at Greta, N.S.W. Birth Cert:12561/1902.

Laurence and Cecelia's wedding party at Greta, N.S.W. 26th May 1920.

Cecelia, baby Joan and Laurence note: Returned from Active Service Badge. 1923.

McMahon Family.

Sandgate Cemetery

Sandgate Cemetery Portion Catholic 2 Section 66 Lot 101,On the headstone is 1990 Lawrence Sylvester McMahon and wife 1961Cecilia Agnes McMahon and Daughter 1953 Sheila Agnes McMahon

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 30/11/2013-08/10/2020.

Lieutenant: Percival Thomas COLEMAN.

August 11, 2022March 8, 2017 by Natalie Crowe Designs

34th BATTALION AIF

Lieutenant: 1084 Percival Thomas COLEMAN

Born:

Married:

Wife:

Died:

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATION

Percival Thomas Coleman enlisted with the AIF on the 31st January 1916 and was allocated to D Company 34th Battalion AIF with the rank of Lance Sergeant

returned to Australia on the 11th May 1919.

Family Information

Percival was a single 22 year old Labourer from 19 Corlette Street, Cooks hill via Newcastle, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.

Under Construction: 11/08/2022.

Private: 1261 Alfred TODD.

August 21, 2023February 25, 2017 by Natalie Crowe Designs

33rd BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 1261 Alfred TODD.

Born: 1877.

Married:

Wife: nee:.

Died: 31st August 1931. Walgett, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:

Father:

Mother: nee:.

INFORMATIONAlfred Todd enlisted with D Company 33rd Battalion AIF on the 25th January 1916 at Narrabri, N.S.W. and was an original member of the Battalion and embarked on board HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916.

HMAT A74 "Marathon"

Walgett Cemetery (D Harrower 2010)

Family InformationAlfred was a single 39 year old Labourer from Black Mountain, N.S.W. upon enlistment. His brother E Todd was his next of kin from "Underwood" Paddington, N.S.W.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 19/10/2010-07/03/2022.

Private: 2904 George LEE.

April 2, 2021February 25, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2904 George LEE.

Born: 1896.

Married:

Wife: nee:.

Died:

Father:

Mother: Catherine Lee. nee:.

INFORMATIONGeorge Lee enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcements, 36th Battalion AIF on the 27th of April 1916 and embarked from Sydney onboard HMAT A68 "Anchises" on the 24th August 1916.

30th March 1918.

Informant; Corporal: 245 Archibald GRAY I knew Private: 2916 Neville Dacre WILKINSON a Coy 2nd Platoon, his mother is Mrs J.D.Wilkinson C/O A.D.C.Bank, King and George, Sydney. I was right with him at Hangard Wood on March 30th, about 6:00 pm daylight in our own lines when he was killed instantly by a M.G. Bullet. We went on 50 yards and dug in. We held the ground and were relieved by a British Battalion on the morning of the 31st. Wilkinson's body was carried back by stretcher bearers Private: 2094 George LEE and Private: 240 Robert Arthur FIELD both of A Coy. Corporal: WHITE of Battalion H.Q wrote to Mrs Wilkinson and sent her Boy's papers.

Australian Convalescent Camp, Rouelles, France.

12th July 1918.

No.2094 George LEE was the elder of two brothers to join up in WW1. He was a 20 year old from Merrylands in NSW, working as a Blacksmiths-Striker, when he decided to enlist in the AIF on the 27th of April 1916. He had been serving in the Citizen Military Forces under the Universal Training Scheme.

He embarked from Australia as a member of the 3rd Reinforcements to the 36th Battalion AIF, 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. Upon arrival in England the Reinforcements travelled by train, via Exeter, to Wiltshire, where they joined the other 9th Brigade Reinforcements in training.

On the 11th of November 1916 he marched out of the 9th Training-Battalion at Codford and was taken-on-strength by the 36th Battalion AIF (Carmichael’s Thousand / Rifle Club’s Thousand). He was posted into “C” Company.

On the 22nd of November 1916 the 36th Battalion deployed from England across to France, as part of the 9th Brigades entry onto the Western-Front. On arrival the Brigade marched to the Sanvic Rest Camp (located at Bléville, several miles NNW of Le Havre). On the 23rd/24th the Brigade moved by train from Le Havre to Bailleul, in cattle-trucks that were marked “Hommes (people)40, Chevaux (horses) 8”. On the 26th the 36th Battalion marched from Bailleul to billets in the village of Merris. On the 29th the 36th Battalion moved from Merris to the ‘D’ Battalion area at the village of Armentieres. At 5 p.m. on the 29th of November 1916 the G.O.C. of the 9th Infantry Brigade assumed control of the Armentieres Sector.

He was with the 36th Battalion for the Combined British attack on the ‘Messines / Wyschaete Ridge’, in Belgium, which commenced at 3:10 a.m. on the 7th of June 1917 with the detonation of 19 huge ‘mines’ that had been dug under key German strategic positions on the Ridges. The 9th Australian Brigade’s Objective was the most southern line of trenches. For the attack, two Companies of the 36th Battalion was being used as Carrying-Parties to support the other three Battalions conducting the actual assault, and two Companies were held as a fighting Reserve.

At some point during the attack on the 7th of June 1917, George LEE was KILLED-IN-ACTION. He was buried in-the-field close to where he fell (Map-Reference U.15.b.6.5).

After the Armistice the Graves Registration Unit exhumed his remains and he was re-interred in the Strand Military Cemetery in Belgium.

(Bill Durant: November 2019)

Family InformationGeorge was a single 20 year old Striker from Pattonville Road, Merrylands, N.S.W. upon enlistment.

Military Records

(Australian National Archives)

Under Construction: 15/01/2014-26/11/2019.

Private: 1167 Colin Maxwell JACKSON.

July 31, 2022February 25, 2017 by Natalie Crowe Designs

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 1167 Colin Maxwell JACKSON.

Under Construction: 31/07/2022.

Private: 2435 Robert DOWNES.

March 7, 2018February 25, 2017 by Natalie Crowe Designs

33rd BATTALION AIF

Private: 2435 Robert DOWNES.

Born:

Married:

Wife: Florence Downes.

Died:

Father:

Mother:

INFORMATIONRobert Downes enlisted with the 4th Reinforcements 33rd Battalion AIF on the 23rd of May 1916

and returned to Australia on the 5th of November 1917.

World War 1 Medals the property of Len Kelly, Woolloongabba, Queensland. 2006

Family Information

Robert was a married 29 year old Fettler from Barber Street, Gunnedah, N.S.W. upon enlistment.

Military Records

Under Construction 12/10/2007

Sergeant: 1620 Allan Wentworth BRECHT. M.M.

April 23, 2021February 12, 2017 by David Harrower ACM

36th BATTALION - 33rd BATTALION AIF

Sergeant: 1620 Allan Wentworth BRECHT. M.M.

Born: 10th January 1891. Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:

Married: 1920 Victoria, Australia.

Wife: Daisey Rosina Brecht. nee: Harper. (1895-1976)

Died: 8th April 1976. New South Wales, Australia.

Father: Ernest Charles Brecht. (1857-1929)

Mother: Agnes Brecht. nee: Bussell. (1869-1900)

INFORMATION

Allan Wentworth Brecht enlisted with the 1st Reinforcements, 36th Battalion AIF on the 28th March 1916.

24th June 1918.

Recommended for VICTORIA CROSS

Lieutenant: 896 Albert Marshall "Jack" WIDDY. MM. "Reconnaissance on the previous afternoon. The party returned safely in our lines about 5.15 pm. Throughout this daring exploit Lieutenant WIDDY displayed the greatest gallantry and leadership of a high order, and he brought back valuable information. Not only has his actions has a most exhilarating and inspiring influence on the whole Battalion but it also had a very wholesome effect on the enemy. Statements by the following witnesses are attached.

No: 775 Sergeant JAMES ARNOLD HARRIS.

No: 1620 Corporal ALLAN WENTWORTH BRECHT.

No: 1235 Corporal JAMES LEONARD SWADLING. MM

No: 1661 Keith HORNE.

Commanding Officer 33rd Battalion AIF.

Recommended for MENTION in CORPS ORDERS

Corporal: 1235 Roy Leonard SWADLING. "For conspicuous courage on the afternoon on 21st June 1918, North East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX. Corporal SWADLING M.M. showed great courage during a daylight reconnaissance of NO MANS LAND, and subsequently raid on enemy front line when and endeavour was made to capture two Germans. He entered the trench and remained there until the party was forced to retire owing to the approach of an enemy Machine Gun Team".

Sergeant: 775 James Arnold HARRIS. "For conspicuous courage on the afternoon on 21st June 1918, North East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX. This NCO was one of a party of four N.C.Os. who accompanied Lieutenant: 896 Albert Marshall WIDDY MM. on a daylight reconnaissance of NO MAN'S LAND. While on this reconnaissance two Germans were observed seated in enemy front line. The party entered the trench in an endeavour to capture the two Germans, and during this encounter which ensued, Sergt. HARRIS showed great gallantry and fearlessness. His action was an inspiration to the whole Battalion.

Corporal: 1661: Keith HORNE. "For conspicuous courage on the afternoon on 21st June 1918, North East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX. This NCO accompanied Lieutenant: 896 Albert Marshall WIDDY. MM and three other NCOs on a daylight reconnaissance of NO MAN'S LAND. On seeing two Germans in enemy front line, the party endevoured to take the two German's prisoner. Corporal HORNE displayed great courage and fearlessness in remaining out of the trench and guarding both flanks. His actions have had an inspiring effect on his comrades.

Daily Observer (Tamworth, NSW ) - Friday 12 September 1919