34th BATTALION AIF
Private:2687 George Eric WIGGAN.
Born: 12th February 1893. Nundle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:27311/1893.
Married: 26th October 1927. Presbyterian Church, Nundle, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:16450/1927.
Wife: Avis Routledge Wiggan. nee: Prisk. (1895-1974) Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:54874/1974.
Died: 17th October 1972. Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:70525/1972.
Father: George Alexander Wiggan. (1859-1938)
Mother: Christina Wiggan. nee: Urquhart. (1859-1941)
INFORMATION
George Eric Wiggan enlisted with the AIF on the 20th May 1916 at the Broadmeadow Army Camp where he was allocated to C Company, Newcastle Depot Battalion before he was re allocated to the 4th Reinforcements, 34th Battalion on the 24th August 1916. George was later re allocated again to the 5th Reinforcements 34th Battalion on the 17th October and en trained from Farley Station for Sydney where the reinforcements embarked on board HMAT A "Port Napier" on the 17th November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on the 21st January 1917. The reinforcements were marched in the the 9th Training Battalion at the Durrington Army Camp at Lark Hill where they settled down to camp routine.

Private: 2696 William John FEENEY - Private: 2535 Henry CLEVELAND - Private: 2626 Percy Frederick NELSON - Private: 2655 Francis John STOVE. -
Private: 3137 Victor Scott KELL 1st Pioneer Bn- Private: 2651 William Lester SEYMOUR - Private: 2631 John PULHAM - Private: 2571 Harold GOODWIN
On the night of 13th July the enemy opened up a heavy bombardment on our Front Line. Captain: Robert Joseph STEWART M.C "A" Coy, sent up the S.O.S. Signal and a good response was made by our Guns, but enemy movement followed. However, early in the morning many Bombs were thrown into "A" Company's Trenches from a Strong Point opposite "Gapaard Avenue".
The Trenches were very wet and muddy, with water in some places two feet deep. Ration Carriers had considerable difficulty in getting through. Duckboards were floating about in the Trenches. Rain continued to fall and conditions became worse, making the Trenches miniature canals. Heavy shelling was put over by the enemy, day and night, around "Gapaard" and "Wellington" Avenues, also "Owl" Trench, causing great damage to our Trenches.
Our 4.5 Howitzers put up a four hour Barrage to destroy three enemy Strong Points, which were causing trouble to "A" Company by throwing Bombs and small calibre "Minnies" into our Trenches, with resulting casualties. A Raid was planned for the night, but as the Howitzer Barrage failed to destroy the Strong Posts, Captain: Robert Joseph STEWART M.C sent a message asking that it be postponed. However at 9.15 pm. instructions were received from Brigade to go on with the enterprise. At 10 pm. Lieutenant: 777 George Edward HODGES. and 45 Other Ranks with two Lewis Guns attacked the Strong Posts. Immediately the party left the Trench they were met with a Barrage of Machine Gun Fire, Bombs and Grenades, from these points. The men pressed on with great determination until Cinema Road was reached.
Here enfilade Machine Gun Fire was brought to bear on them by the enemy who, it was discovered, were standing shoulder to shoulder under good cover waiting to attack. Lieutenant: 777 George Edward HODGES. successfully arranged the withdrawal of his Party under difficult circumstances. At 10:58 the enemy heavily bombarded our Front and support Lines and gave every indication of an immediate attack. Captain: Robert Joseph STEWART M.C fired the S.O.S. and the answering Barrage prevented the development of the attack. Our casualties in this operation were 2 killed and 10 wounded. the Stretcher Bearers did some good work under heavy fire and succeeded in bringing in our wounded.
Private: 917 Robert BROWN. Killed in Action 13th July 1917.
Private: 2333 William HUNT. Killed in Action 13th July 1917.
Private: 486 John Victor LODGE. Wounded in Action 13th July Died of Wounds 14th July 1917.
Private: 894 Alexander SNEDDON. Wounded in Action 13th July 1917.
The Battalion was relieved by the 36th Battalion on 17th July and moved to a position of support in "Huns Walk" and the Subsidiary Lines in from of Messines. During the process of the relief the enemy sent over a great quantity of Mustard Gas, which made the change over both difficult and most unpleasant. There were no serious casualties, but a number of men were slightly gassed. Shelling of this area continued during the night of 18th/19th July, with large quantities of both H.E. and Gas Shells. Also large formations of enemy Aircraft were constantly flying overhead.
Private: 1528 Edward BRYANT Killed in Action 17th July 1917.
From here Working Parties were supplied for the Front Line and Jumping Off Trenches. While holding this Sector, all "B" Company Cooks were killed. The Cook Houses were constantly under fire, as apparently the enemy was able to see the smoke issuing from them. Gapaard Avenue was also under constant Shell Fire, which caused many casualties. The whole of the Support area was under heavy fire from 5.9's and 4.2's also Gas Shells. "C" Company at Zareete was subjected to an intense Barrage for two hours and sustained a number of casualties. Owing to the continuous Shelling some of the men were beginning to suffer from Shell Shock.
(34th Battalion War Diary)
George was Wounded in Action on the 20th July 1917 where he received a Gun Shot Wound to the Head and was treated by the Australian Field Ambulance before being evacuated from the lines for further treatment at the Casualty Clearing Station. George was invalided to England on the 27th July where he was admitted to the 1st London General Hospital the next day.
ON THE SOMME
On the 26th March 1918 the Battalion and Transport marched to Steenbecque Station and entrained for Doullens, where on arrival proceeded by route march via Arras main road to Henn and billeted. The train journey was most uncomfortable, as the men were packed into trucks like sheep. Four Strong Points were garrisoned near the village by "A" Company, in addition to Strong Points by the ROYAL SCOTS FUSILLIERS. The morning of 27th March broke fine and cold at 4:00 am the Battalion marched to Thienes where it was met at 7:00 am by the Brigade Omnibus Train and conveyed to Franvillers, arriving at 2:00 pm. The enemy was sending over a few Shells and most of the civilians had left the village. Many of them were met hurrying along the roads with whatever things they could carry. some had wagons, others carts, barrows and perambulators. Many were very aged and a lot of young children were with them. Quite a number of these people returned to the village when they saw the Australians arriving and others who had not left called out "It will be all well now, the Hun will not come any further.
An hour later the Battalion marched to within a Kilometer of Heilly and rested in a gully near the Brickwork's whilst awaiting Orders and the men had a hurried meal. Two enemy Planes flew over and dropped what appeared to be messages, but some of the men who were nearby ran to pick them up discovered they were Bombs. The Planes, which had our markings, opened with Machine guns and wounded two English soldiers. One hour later the men were moved through Heilly and occupied Trenches in the Corps Line. The enemy were shelling heavily now and there were some casualties. A few English Troops who were digging Trenches on the crest and had only one Machine gun, were relieved. a Party of Scouts under Sergeant: 2336 George Ross JOHNSTON went out and worked from the Sugar Mills at Ribemont to the left for a distance of 400 yards, but no enemy was encountered. The men occupied this line until 11:00 pm, during which time they had a hot meal and proceeded to Bonnay where they arrived at 4:00 am on 28th March, very tired and rested all day. Local reports were that the enemy had passed through this village during the day, in armored cars.food and drink were plentiful and the troops enjoyed themselves whilst they had the opportunity.
On 29th March the C.O. and Officers reconnoitered the Aubigny-Vaux Line held by the 33rd Battalion and at 8:00 pm the Battalion marched to Cachy. As the enemy was expected to attack early in the morning, the men stood in readiness until after daylight. Some heavy Shells were coming over and Aircraft were frequently having air fights. English Troops were coming back in some disorder, with remarks that Jerry was coming over the hill in mass formation. After stand down some of the men went into Villers-Bretonneux and when returning to the Unit were stopped by British Cavalry. On 30th March the Battalion marched from Cachy to Bois d'Abbe and bivouacked in readiness to go forward as Counter Attack Troops.
Rain was falling and the men got what improvised shelter they could. "B" Teams were sent to Blangy Tronville, where the Quartermaster's Store and Transport were also stationed. At 9:30 am the Battalion moved up to a position to support the 33rd Battalion who were attacking on the North side of Bois de Hangard and Lancers Wood. The men moved in Artillery Formation with the C.O. Lieutenant Colonel: Ernest Edward MARTIN, leading on his favorite grey horse. Everyone was subjected to heavy Shell Fire from the enemy, who were also shelling Hangard Wood with his Heavies. Here a number of English and Scottish Troops were met. "A" Company was sent forward to report to the 33rd Battalion. The O.C. Captain: Telford Graham GILDER reconnoitered and found that "B" Company of the Battalion had suffered casualties and that the enemy was still holding the ridge, and it was decided to attack the enemy's position. At 8:00 pm "A" Company moved in two waves and then having formed one wave the whole Company attacked the ridge, driving the enemy out of what was apparently his Picquet Line.
The advance continued and the enemy was driven out of his continuous Line at the point of the bayonet. At this point several prisoners were taken and about 60 of the enemy killed or wounded. Several of our wounded had to be left, as the demand on the Stretcher Bearers had been heavy, but were brought in later during the night. Enemy Machine Gun Fire was heavy on the left and caused the death of 2nd Lieutenant: 1973 Rueben PARKES. This system was held for about two hours. In the meantime Patrols were sent out on the right flank to establish communications the the 33rd Battalion. These encountered heavy fire from the enemy Posts behind our Line on this flank. Touch was eventually being made, it was decided to move back about 250 yards and dig in to conform to the Line held by the 33rd Battalion thus filling the gap of about 600 yards. At 1:30 am the enemy appeared on the skyline advancing in extended order. This apparent Counter Attack was completely broken up by our Machine Gun Fire. "B" Company had also occupied position in the Line but had no actual fighting. At 3:00 am these were relieved by a SURREY REGIMENT.
On 31st March the men rested in Cachy until the enemy Shelling caused casualties and the Battalion moved out and occupied a position in Bois d'Abbe, in readiness as counter attack Troops. Whilst here Orders were received to dig a succession of Posts East of the Wood. The enemy was now shelling the whole area very heavily and even the Food had to be served under Shell Fire. At 3:00 pm on 2nd April Orders were received to stand to for a Counter attack from Dormart to Hangard Wood, but the Cavalry having cleaned up the situation, the attack was cancelled. Rain was falling and, with the continuous Shelling, conditions were most uncomfortable.
(34th Battalion War Diary)
Wounded in Action; 2nd occasion on the 31st March 1918 where he received a Gun Shot Wound to his Hip and Chest and was treated by the 9th Australian Field Ambulance in the field before being taken by stretcher bearers to the Casualty Clearing Station. George was transferred to 10th General Hospital at Rouen on the 1st April 1918. After he was discharged, George was marched in the the No:1 Command Depot at Weymouth for his demobilisation and returned to Australia on the 3rd January 1919.
Nundle Presbyterian Church, Honour roll
Family Information
George was a single 23 year old Labourer from Gundy, N.S.W. upon his enlistment with the AIF.
George Eric Wiggan (1893-1972)- Avis Routledge Wiggan. nee: Prisk (1895-1974)
26th October 1927. Nundle, New South Wales, Australia.
Military Records
© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Under Construction: 11/02/2022.