Major-General Sir Nevill Maskelyne Smyth VC KCB MiD

2^nd Dragoon Guards

1^st Infantry Brigade AIF

2^nd Australian Division

58^th British Division

59^th British Division

by Robert Simpson

Nevill Maskelyne Smyth was born on 14^th August 1868 in Westminster St Margaret, London. He was one of two sons to Warington Wilkinson Smyth and Anna Maria Antonia Story-Maskelyne, who had been married on 9^th April 1864 in St James Westminster, London. Warington had been born in Naples Italy on 26^th August 1817 (but was a British citizen due to his parents). Anna had been born in England in 1827. Warington was a geologist and mineralogist and in his latter life taught mining. His father, William Henry Smyth, was an Admiral in the navy and a scientific writer. Anna’s father was a barrister. Nevill was their second son, and their second and last child. Apparently the family can be linked to the kings of England, Henry III and Edwards I, II and III. William Henry Smyth’s sister, Henrietta Grace Powell was the mother of Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (a Lieutenant-General in the British Army and founder of the Scouts), so Robert and Nevill were cousins. In the 1871 census, they were living at 96 Inverness Lane in Paddington, London. His father was not there. By the 1881 census, Nevill was at The Orchard (a private school) in Mortlake Surrey and he was listed as a boarder. Nevill was educated at Westminster School and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, where he passed with honours.

His elder brother was Herbert Warington Smyth, who was born on 4^th June 1867 in London. He studied at Cambridge, attaining a Bachelor of Law. Herbert served in South Africa during the Boer War and in WW1 as a Sub-Lieutenant in the RNVR on HMS Hyacinth.

Nevill was appointed as a 2^nd Lieutenant on 22^nd August 1888, a Lieutenant on 25^th December 1895, a Captain on 8^th December 1897 and a Major on 22^nd August 1902, according to Hart’s Army list. The London Gazette has an entry in July 1895, saying Second Lieutenant N M Smyth of the 2^nd Dragoon Guards was to be Lieutenant, dated 26^th April 1895. In 1888, he was posted to the Queens’ Bays (2^nd Dragoon Guards) in India. During the Zhob Valley expedition, he was attached to the Royal Engineers to assist with a railway survey. The Guards were posted to Cairo in Egypt in 1895. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 3^rd November 1896, for his services in the initial stages of the Mahdist Wars. With despatches, he rode through retreating dervishes to the Sirdar, who was with the flotilla at Debba. He was listed in the London Gazette as Captain N M Smyth (attached Intelligence Department), special services. At the battle of Atbara, he was involved with reconnaissance before and with the battle. He was involved with suppressing Khalifa Sherif’s rising on the Blue Nile and preliminary operations and the final defeat and death of the two Khalifas at Gedid. Nevill was also awarded the Order of the Medjidie, Fourth Class in 1897. The London Gazette of 10^th May 1898 had an entry that Lieutenant Nevill M. Smyth was to be a Captain from 8^th December 1897. On 2^nd September 1898, he was involved in the Battle of Omdurman and was first to enter the citadel (Sair). He assisted in surveys in Sudan and charted the Nile cataracts from Wadi Halfa to Abyssinia. Nevill established the fact of South African horse sickness in the Sudan. He was mentioned 4 times.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for the following deed on 2^nd September 1898, when as a Captain, he galloped into a group of War Correspondents, among whom an Arab had run amok. He received the Arab’s charge and killed him (by shooting him), and was wounded in the arm in the process. Doing so, he saved the life of at least one of the correspondents. It was published in the London Gazette of 15^th November 1898, and stated that an Arab had run amok amongst camp followers. On 30^th September 1898, the London gazette published a Despatch from Major-General Sir Herbert Kitchener who wrote that Captain N. M. Smyth, 2nde Dragoon Guards (wounded) had been brought to his notice for good service.

Nevill was Intelligence Officer and Aide-de-Camp to Colonel Lewis in November 1899, and was involved during the operations leading to the defeat of the Khalifa in the Battle of Umm Diwaykarat. He was Mentioned in Despatches, and was awarded the Order of Osmanieh, Fourth Class in 1900. The Edinburgh Gazette of 4^th November 1902 had the entry that Captain N. M. Smyth, V.C. of the 2^nd Dragoon Guards was to be a Brevet Major.

In Hart’s annual Army list of 1908, he is listed as a Captain in the 2^nd Dragoon Guards. He was also listed in that publication under the heading “Officers now holding Rank in the Army who have received the Victoria Cross”, under “Smyth, Captain Nevill Maskelyne, 2 Dragoon Guards (now Major, 6 Dragoon Guards).” As part of the Sennar District Staff in the Egyptian Army, he was awarded the silver Sudan Medal. He took part in 4 of the operations, Dongola (1896), Operations in Sudan (1897), Atbara Campaign (1898) and Expedition to Khartoum (1898). The rolls also show he was in the Intelligence Department of Staff and with 2^nd Dragoon Guards. He was issued the Queens South Africa medal with the clasps Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1902. The roll for the 2^nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bay) has him listed as Smyth VC, N M, Captain and Battalion Major, with the unit he served with in South Africa being 19^th Hussars. An incident in the Boer War in April 1902 was recorded in the Dragoon Guards history thus “A small party of 8 NCOs and men under Capt Smyth VC had been isolated on the kopje, their horses having been shot. The Boers repeatedly called on them to surrender, but they refused and held out for another 20 minutes, until all but Smyth were shot. He then managed to crawl away through the long grass, catch a riderless horse, and gallop back to the regiment.”

Then he was transferred to the Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards) in India, and returned to South Africa in 1908. He became their Commanding Officer after being promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 May 1909 and they returned to England in 1912. He was then promoted to Colonel and seconded to the Egyptian Army, where in the Khartoum district he was Commandant and active in combatting the slave trade in 1913-14. An entry in the London Gazette of 2^nd May 1913, has an entry under Cavalry saying “6^th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), Lieutenant-Colonel Nevill M. Smyth, V.C., on completion of his period of service in command of a regiment, is placed on the half-pay list. Dated 1^st May, 1913.”

Nevill was issued with an aviator certificate 561 for the Royal Aero Club on 16^th July 1913. The certificate was taken on a Deperdussin Monoplane at the Deperdussin School at Hendon. He was noted as being born in London on 14^th August 1868, nationality British, and rank or profession as Colonel in the Cavalry. His address was listed as Cavalry Club, 127 Piccadilly, W.

As a Temporary Brigadier-General, Nevill joined the AIF with the 1^st Infantry Brigade Headquarters. His record shows he was a Colonel, late of the RMLI. His next of kin was his brother, recorded as Mr Warington Smyth of 8 Wyndham House Sloane Garden, London. He was originally appointed as a Colonel. Upon the death of Bridges in May 1915, a position was left vacant for command of the 1^st Brigade. “Most of the battalions of the division were at this time were commanded by officers who were either rather too old to possess the necessary vigour, or had been newly been promoted in place of those killed, wounded, or unequal to the test of war. General Birdwood therefore asked G.H.Q. for a British Officer, and Colonel Nevill Smyth, previously commanding a district in Egypt, was sent to him. Smyth had won the Victoria Cross in a previous war, and this made it probable that he possessed the chief qualification for leading Australian troops.” His service record states as a Colonel he was to take temporary command of the 2^nd Infantry Brigade on 20^th July 1915. (His Statement of Service record says 20^th May?). He was transferred on 26^th July 1915, to take temporary command of the 1^st Infantry Brigade. He commanded them at the Battle of Lone Pine. After the attack, he wrote a report personally handwritten in pencil, where he outlined the attack and defence of the positions from 6^th to 9^th August. He also wrote a list of those whose good service was “respectfully brought to notice”. On 3^rd September 1915, he took over temporary command of the 6^th Brigade 2^nd Australian Division and remained on ANZAC. He then relinquished command on 28^th September and re-joined the 1^st Infantry Brigade at Lemnos (according to his service records). During the evacuation from the peninsula, he was one of the last officers to leave. He was mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch of 11^th December 1915, which was published in the London Gazette of 28^th January 1916 under Staff of A&NZ Forces. An entry on 6^th January reads “The assault had been entrusted to the 1^st Australian Brigade (Brigadier-General N. M. Smyth)”. “High praise is due to Brigadier-General N. M. Smyth and his battalion commanders. The irresistible dash and daring of officers and men in the initial charge were a glory to Australia.” At Gallipoli, he won the respect and admiration of the Australians by his leadership and example.

An entry on 14^th January 1916 recorded that Nevill was to be a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath for services rendered in connection with military operations in the field. He relinquished command of the 1^st Infantry Brigade on 16^th February 1916. On 21^st February 1916, he was transferred to command the 14^th Infantry Brigade Staff and was transferred to 1^st Infantry Brigade Headquarters on 1^st March 1916 with the temporary rank of Brigadier-General to command. On 7^th June 1916, he was to temporarily command the 1^st Australian Division on Major-General Walker CB DSO going to hospital, a position he relinquished on 27^th October 1916 when Major-General Walker resumed duty. He resumed command of the 1^st Infantry Brigade on 28^th October 1916. His Statement of Service records shows he was granted the temporary rank of Major General, on being transferred to command the 2^nd Division on 28^th December 1916, while Major-General Legge was evacuated as being sick.

During the Battle of Pozieres on 23^rd July 1916, Nevill wrote a letter which described the fate of a runner from the 2^nd Battalion. The Germans were continually shelling Bapaume Road on that day and the runners had to run through it. One runner fell before the road, and the other, who was from the 2^nd Battalion, kept going. Knowing the information was important to ensure a further advancement occurred with the co-operation of a bombardment, he ran with the note in his hand, so that when he fell, he held it up. A passing group of men, seeing the letter, took it to the officer it was addressed to, and enabled the further advance to be successfully carried out. He described the man as fair and muscular, with 2^nd Battalion badged on his sleeves, his sleeves were rolled up and he had a red band around his arm, which denoted he was a runner. Unfortunately he did not know the runner’s name or number. He did the drawings below after the war, and they ended up in the 2^nd Battalion War Diary.

His Division was involved with the capture of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm. On 13^th November 1916, Nevill was Mentioned in Despatches and also on 9^th April 1917. The London Gazette of 23^rd February 1917 contains the following memoranda; “Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) N. M. Smyth, V.C., C.B., to be temp. Maj.-Gen. 28^th Dec. 1916.” A letter was written by Base Records describing the entry in the Second Supplement No. 29890 if the London Gazette, which contained the entry “The following despatch has been received by the secretary of State for War, from General Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief, of the British Armies in France :- I have the honour to submit the name of the undermentioned officer serving under my command, whose distinguished and gallant services, and devotion to duty I consider of deserving special mention;- Brigadier-General (temporary) N. M. Smyth V.C., C.B.” It was not sent to anyone as no next of kin was shown on his AIF records. He was awarded Order de Leopold Commandeur, recorded in Supplement 30202 on 26^th July 1917. He was Mentioned in Despatches again, in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 7^th November 1917, for distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty in the field during the period of 26^th February to midnight 20^th September 1917. He was involved with operations of the 2^nd Australian Division near Bapaume and the capture of the Hindenburg Lines. He was, apparently, particularly adept in planning highly successful ‘peaceful penetration’ raids on the German trenches. The King approved the reward for distinguished service in the Field, that Colonel (Temporary Major-General N. M. Smyth VC CB was to be a Major-General on 1^st January 1918. On 29^th April 1918, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre by HM the King of the Belgians.

On 22^nd August 1918, Nevill relinquished his appointment of GOC of the 2^nd Australian Division and his appointment in the AIF was terminated, on proceeding to join the Imperial Army for duty. A memo from AIF Administrative Headquarters on 12^th June 1918 to the Bill Section shows that Major General Smyth of 2^nd Division Headquarters has applied and is eligible for discharge in England in consequence of appointment terminated in AIF and returning for duty with the Imperial Army. His final discharge was on 22^nd 5 1918 (according to that form-maybe wrong month written). He briefly commanded the 58^th (2/1^st London) Division and then the 59^th (2^nd North Midland) which he led during the liberation of Lille in October 1918. At times he borrowed an aeroplane to fly over the front lines to view them. He told Lieutenant-General Sir John Monash that “The fortune of war has indeed treated me kindly in enabling me to have had the honour of being associated with your historic force.”

His Medal index Card for WW1 shows he entered Egypt as the theatre of war he first served in in 1914 as a Colonel in the Egyptian Army Staff. He was then transferred to 1^st Australian Brigade as Acting Brigadier General (and his 1914-15 star was issued with that rank and corps on it), transferred to AIF as Major General (and his British War Medal and Victory Medals have that on them) and finally to the 4^th London Division. He applied for his medals on 15^th February 1922. His medals were issued under Issue Voucher X/9056d/ on 11^th March 1922, as were his Emblems for his Mention in Despatches. The medal roll for the 1914-15 star show he disembarked on May 1915. In all he was mentioned 11 times in his long career.

On 23^rd July 1918, Nevill married Evelyn Olwen Williams at Holy Trinity Church in Chelsea London, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church. He was a bachelor of 49 years old and a Major General VC CB living at 8 Wyndham House and she was a 34 year old spinster with no profession. Her residence is not legible. His father, Sir Warington Wilkinson Smyth, was an agent for the mineral property of the Price of Wales and her father, Osmond Williams, was Baronet Colonel Lord of Merioneth. Sir Arthur Osmond Wynn Williams was a Welsh Liberal Party politician. Evelyn was born on 24^th February 1884 at Llanfihangel Han Man, Merionethshire, Wales. Her mother was Frances Evelyn Greaves and they had been married on 25^th July 1880 at Lillington, Warwickshire, England. In WW1, under the name Olwen Osmond Williams, Evelyn served as a Driver (Chauffeur Royaumont) with the French Red Cross from 1^st December 1914 to 1^st March 1917. In 1915, a Welsh newspaper said that Miss Olwen Osmond-Williams had returned home from France where she was helping wounded French soldiers. Another article stated she was “a noble example of a Welsh woman devoting herself to helping wounded French soldiers.” Her medal roll is under the heading British Committee French Red Cross and shows she was a Driver who served in theatre of war 1a from 12-14 to 3-17. There is a photo of her, titled “Chauffeur Williams at Royaumont Hospital France”. She then returned home to nurse her sick mother.

Nevill was appointed General Officer Commanding the 47^th (1/2^nd London) Division, a Territorial Force, on 30^th July 1919. It was recorded in the London Gazette of 6^th August 1919 under the heading Major-Generals to Command Divisions of the Territorial Force. He was appointed Colonel of the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 1 October 1920, relinquished command of his Division on 30^th July 1923, retired from the British Army on 5^th July 1924, and relinquished his Colonelcy on 16^th October 1925. He was awarded a Croix d’Officier Legion d’Honneur, as recorded in the London Gazette of 29^th January 1919.

On 30^th August 1920 his oak leaves were to be sent out, but were cancelled as he was non-AIF. Another entry in his service records stated “not issued – on account of no address being available”. A Mention in Despatch certificate was sent out date unknown, and another one was sent on 15^th June 1921 and was returned to London for delivery as he was an Imperial Officer. Another entry on his Statement of Service page was stamped War History Index with the comment not AIF written beside it. His Records of Officer’s Service in the Australian Imperial Force shows that Colonel N. M. Smyth VC took over temporary command of the 2^nd Infantry Brigade on 20^th July 1915 and was then transferred to temporary command of 1^st Infantry Brigade on 26^th July 1915. On 18^th September 1915, he was granted the temporary rank of Brigadier-General while commanding the Brigade.

The 1920 rolls have them living at Thurloe Villa in Thurloe Place Kensington, with Nevill listed as Major-General Sir. They had three children; Osmond Neill Hunter Mackay Smyth (born March quarter 1920 in Kensington and died 15^th August 1952 in Taiwan of drowning), Olwen Annarella Smyth (born in December quarter of 1921) and Dacre Henry Deudraeth Smyth (born 5^th May 1923 in Kensington and died 2 December 2008 in Victoria). He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 3^rd Dragoon Guards on 1^st October 1920. The London Gazette of 22^nd November 1920 had an entry that Nevill was to be a temporary Major-General from 28^th December 1916 to 11^th June 1918. On 6^th December 1923 Nevill left by himself on Demeothenes for Sydney. He was listed as Major-General Sir Nevill Smyth VC KCMG of Marazion Cornwall, whose profession was the army and his future home was Australia. He returned to London on the Maloja on 9^th May 1924 with a note in the shipping record that he was travelling between England and Australia. He retired from the British Army in July 1924. An entry in the London Gazette of 23^rd October 1925 reads: – Cavalry “3^rd/6^th D.G.—Maj.-Gen. Sir N. M. Smyth, V.C., K.C.B.. rt. pay, resigns the apt. of Col. 16^th Oct. 1925.”

On 2^nd January 1925, the whole family left Plymouth on Themistocles, bound for Australia, which was to be their future permanent home. They arrived at Melbourne. Nevill had no occupation listed. They settled at a property called Kongbool at Balmoral in Victoria and in electoral rolls from 1925 to 1937, Nevill was listed as a grazier. They owned the property from 1934 to 1949 and it is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The homestead complex has a historical and architectural significance.

H0361 Kongbool Balmoral

On 3^rd November 1928, Nevill wrote to Base Records asking them if they would “kindly furnish me with a new A.I.F. badge to replace the one issued to me with my discharge certificate from the A.I.F. I regret to state that my A.I.F. badge was lost on Sunday 18^th September 1927 at State Government House, Melbourne and after making enquiries nothing has resulted. I enclose one shilling for the new badge, as directed by General Sir Harry Chauvel.” He signed the letter Nevill M Smyth Major-General late 1^st Infantry Brigade AIF (1915-16) and commanding 2^nd Australian Division 1917 to May 1918. In November 1928, a duplicate Returned Service badge was posted out to him at Balmoral Victoria. He signed the return card on the 7^th. It listed him as Brigadier-General N M Smyth VC KCB with the unit 1 1BHQ.

The Portland War Memorial was unveiled by General Sir Neville Smyth V.C. on 6th July 1930- Right Side Inscription

Nevill was mentioned in Who’s Who in Australia in the 1933-34, 1935 and 1938 editions. His recreations were listed as flying, big game hunting, polo, riding and painting. He was a member of the Cavalry Club in London and the Naval and Military Club of Melbourne. Nevill joined the National Party of Australia and unsuccessfully stood for a Victorian seat in the Australian Senate. In 1934, he wrote the forward to the 3^rd Battalion history book “Randwick to Hargicourt” by Eric Wren. In part, he wrote “The valour, endurance and intelligence of the Australian soldier shone conspicuously under the most trying conditions of the war of 1914 to 1919, and the authentic record of the 3rd Australia Battalion reveals deeds so heroic and so prodigious that I commend its perusal to every Australian and to every person who revers the noble deeds of our forebears, and draws inspiration from the pictures which fill the imagination when we read the actions of such men as Abercromby, Lord Nelson, Broke, Livingstone, General Gordon, and others to whose noble characters, unheard of by the world, are only known to a few.” He also added, “I wish to dispel a fallacy which may still prevail that the Australian soldier owed his supremacy in action to sudden bursts of undisciplined valour, and I venture to state definitely that the victories of the brigade could never have been won without a high sense of battle discipline, and in the 3rd Battalion precision, skill, steadiness and co-ordination were unsurpassed.”

Sir Nevill Maskelyne Smyth passed away on 21^st July 1941 at Kongbool, Balmoral, Victoria. His passing was listed in Who’s Who in Australia. Administration of his will was recorded on 22^nd June 1942, with effects of 2669 pounds, 8 shillings and 9 pence in England going to his widow Dame Evelyn “Oliver” Smyth. He was buried in Balmoral Cemetery. His death was mentioned in English newspapers, noting he was the son of the late Sir Warington Smyth F.R.S. of Cornwall. His presentation Drum Banner is in Chester Cathedral in Cheshire as a commemoration to him. His nickname was “The Sphinx”.

In 1949, Evelyn moved to Portland at 279 Hanlon Parade. She attended the 1953 Coronation as Lady Evelyn Olwen Smyth, an official guest at the coronation service. In 1956, she went for a 2 month holiday to England. Lady Evelyn passed away on 29^th September 1960 at her residence and is buried at Balmoral Cemetery with her husband. She was living at “Marazion” Dutton Way in Portland at that time and effects of nearly 700 pounds in England went to Dacre.

Their daughter, Olwen Annarella, joined the WAAF and as a Section Officer, married Squadron Leader Robert James Hardiman DFC on 15^th January 1944 at Holy Trinity Church Brompton, by the Reverend Allan T Bolton. After the war, they moved to Australia in 1947 and settled in Victoria.

Their son, Osmond, drowned in Taiwan trying to rescue a friend who also drowned while swimming in a mountain stream. A rapid current got him, Osmond dived in and both went under. Osmond was there at the time as the Australian member of the United Nations Commission for the Unification of Korea, and was on holidays before returning to Australia. He was buried in Tamsui Cemetery according to the newspaper article, but must have been moved, as he is no longer listed in the records. It looks like he was shifted to Balmoral Cemetery, with his father. His friend is buried in Tamsui Cemetery – Grave 45, date 1952, CONWAY EVANS, Adrian “To the glory of God and the beloved memory of Adrian Conway Evans, H.B.M. Vice Consul in Formosa. Born June 14th 1905. Drowned while bathing August 15th 1952 together with his friend Osmond Smyth who gave his own life in trying to save him.”

Their other son, Dacre, entered the navy in 1940. He originally served on HMAS Australia, and was present at the Battle of the Coral Sea, the D-Day landings and while at sea off Japan, saw the explosion from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and wrote a poem about it (although he did not know what it was at the time). He was also involved with the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam and rose to the rank of Commodore. After retiring, he became an artist. In 1952 he married Jennifer Haggard, whose father Geoffrey served on the AE2. Dacre was also served as aide-de-camp to the Queen from 1975 to 1978. “He was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia in 1997, and in 2004 President Jacques Chirac awarded him France’s highest military honour, the Legion of Honour.”

On 22^nd April 1967, Dacre wrote to the Secretary, Department of the Army in Canberra, asking “With reference to the recently announced issue of the Anzac Medallion, it is requested that, as his only surviving son (my Mother also being deceased), I may be issued with the Anzac Medallion to which my late father, Major General Sir Nevill M. Smyth, V.C., K.C.B., would have been entitled. He commanded the 1^st Australian Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli from 20^th May 1915 until the evacuation in 1916, and I am desirous of adding this medallion to his other decorations and awards which are now in my possession.” He signed it DHD Smyth Commodore. A handwritten note on the bottom of the letter reads “Discussed with DAR. As Gen Smyth commanded an Aust Bde & has already been issued with RS Badge, Anzac Medallion to be issued.” and dated 31^st May 1967.

Evelyn’s medals are Order of St. John (Officer) (engraved Commander-Sister), British War and Victory medals (impressed O. O. Williams), 1953 Coronation medal, French Medaille d’Honneur des Epidemies (embossed Miss O Williams 1917) with French Nursing Mention in Despatches wings (oak leaf).

A memorial to Major-General Smyth has been placed on the West Wall of St Mary’s Anglican Church, Balmoral, Victoria, Australia. The sanctuary also contains a finely carved lectern in the form of an eagle, dedicated to his memory. A resident of Balmoral until his passing, he is honoured as follows on the brass plaque:-

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF.

MAJOR GENERAL SIR NEVILL SMYTH V.C., K.C.B..

BORN IN LONDON 1868.

DIED KONGBOOL, BALMORAL, 1941.

_________________________________.

COMMANDED 1ST AUST. INF. BDE. 1915-16

GALLIPOLI, LONE PINE, BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

G.O.C. 2ND AUST. DIV. 1917-19, G.O.C. 58TH LONDON

DIV. & 59TH DIV. 1918.

ZHOB VALLEY EXP. 1890-1, SOUDAN 1896 – 99

STH AFRICAN WAR

St. Marys Anglican Church in Balmoral

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Coulter DSO MiD VD
8th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

Graham Coulter was born on 13^th January 1879 in Ballarat East, Victoria. His parents, Irvine Coulter and Mary Jones had been married in 1872 in Victoria. Irvine was born in 1844; he was a merchant and they lived in Ballarat. Graham was one of seven children to them and one of five boys. He was the third youngest in the family and the second youngest boy. While at school, he was captain of the Ballarat City Rowing Club and a playing member of the Ballarat football team.

Graham joined the 1^st Victorian Contingent to the Boer War as Private 84 in the 3^rd Battalion. While he was there he wrote a letter to one of his brothers which was published in the Bendigo Advertiser on 13^th October 1900. He described the conditions and some of the fighting they were involved in and how their officers coped well with the action in August 1900.

In the South Africa Medal roll he was listed as 84A Private G Coulter with the Victorian Mounted Rifles and his medal, number 207, was issued. The Queens South Africa medal was issued with the clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony and Orange Free State.

The 1903 Electoral Roll has Graham living at 88 Mair St Ballarat with his parents and he was an accountant.

Graham married Violet Alice Palmer in 1908 in Victoria. Violet had been born in about 1879 and was living in Ballarat in the 1913 Electoral Roll. Her parents came from England and her father Thomas Pretty Palmer was a Chemist in Ballarat. He died at the age of 51 in 1889 and his estate of 251 pounds was left to his wife Sarah. She passed away in 1904. In 1909 they were still living in Ballarat, at 404 Drummond St and he was still an accountant. On 22^nd August 1910 their only son and offspring was born in Ballarat and they named him Brian Ross Appleton Coulter. Brian served in the RAAF in WW2.

In the Ballarat Courier of Friday 14^th August 1914 Captain Graham Coulter volunteered for active service with the “Commonwealth Expeditionary Force” and it goes on to say nearly “200 Ballarat men have now enlisted as volunteers.” His application for commission form stated his educational qualifications were general education at Grenville College Ballarat. His military qualifications were, joined 3^rd Battalion in 1897; served 2years and 9 months as Private; served 14 months with 1^st Victorian Contingent in South Africa; received 1^st Commission in 1901. He listed his next of kin as his wife at 404 Drummond St Ballarat, which was his postal address too. His physical description was – height 5 foot 11 inches, weight 13 stone, chest measurement 42 inches, and good eyesight. He was recommended to be appointed a Captain. The 8^th Battalion, recruited from rural Victoria, was one of the first units raised for the AIF and formed part of the 2^nd Brigade.

As part of the 8^th Infantry Battalion, H Company (as on embarkation roll), Captain Coulter left Melbourne on 19^th October 1914 on HMAT Benalla A24. He was listed on the nominal roll as age 35, an accountant of 404 Drummond St, North Ballarat Victoria, with his next of kin as his wife, Mrs V A Coulter of the same address. Previously he was on the unattached list and was earning 22 shillings and 6 pence a day. His pay book number was 8001. From Alexandria, on 5^th April 1915, he embarked to join the MEF for the Gallipoli Campaign. On 25^th April 1915 he landed at Anzac in command of D Company 8^th Battalion, as part of the second wave. On 5^th May he was temporary in command of the 8^th Battalion until the 20^th. The 8^th Battalion was sent to Helles to help in the attack on Krithia. They were in reserve, but as the attack stalled they were thrown in and lost 50% casualties for little ground gained. They returned to Anzac to defend there. He was promoted to Major on 9^th May 1915. They were involved in the action at Lone Pine from 6^th August. On 27^th August 1915 he assumed command of the 8^th Battalion, as Lieutenant-Colonel Brand was sick, until 11^th October. From No. 2 Field Ambulance Camp on Mudros, he was sent to No. 3 AGH on Lemnos with jaundice on 16^th November. He was transferred to 27 RAMC Hospital on 10^th December and re-joined his battalion on the 14th. They had been withdrawn from Gallipoli to Egypt. From the Empress of Britain, he disembarked at Alexandria on 7^th January 1916. From there he embarked on the Ansonia on 26^th April and disembarked at France on the 30^th. On 10 July 1916, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was to be in command of the 8^th Battalion.

“Place made Greece: Aegean Islands, Lemnos, Sarpion

Date made 25 December 1915

Description

Informal group portrait of four officers from the 8th Battalion at a camp on the Aegean island of Lemnos. These officers were with the battalion the previous Christmas. Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) Dudley Freeman Hardy (later killed in action in Pozieres, France, on 18 August 1916); Lt Frederick Victor Trickey; Major (Maj) Graham Coulter; Captain (Capt) Mitchell. Maj Coulter and Capt Mitchell are wearing padded winter Service Dress caps, which have neck covers that fold up on top.” From AWM.

While in France, the battalion was heavily involved in actions against the German Army. The first major action was at Pozieres. At night, to minimise casualties only a small number of men were in what remained of the trenches. The whole area was battered by shellfire. The Brigades eventually took the village. Brigadier-General N M Smyth VC KCB wrote out a recommendation for Graham while he was a Major in the 8^th Battalion for POZIERS from 24^th to 27^th July 1916. The reason reads “Handled his battalion with dash and ability under heavy barrage fire and in the dark. He pushed forward patrols and battle outposts and occupied nine advanced posts in the northern centre of the village near the church, subsequently taking part in the advance which resulted in our occupation of the position of the cemetery. In this operation his battalion captured 3 machine guns and accounted for many of the enemy and subsequently entrenched the position under heavy fire. The manner in which this officer carried out the difficult task assigned to him left nothing to be desired. He is strongly recommended for recognition.”

The battalion was sent to Ypres and returned to the Somme for winter 1916.

On 6^th October 1916 he was recommended for a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George by G.O.C. 2^nd Australian Infantry Brigade while a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 8^th Battalion. The action reads “Lt Col. Coulter has commanded his battalion since 6^th June 1916. In the battle on the SOMME (At POZIERES) on the two occasions when his Battalion was engaged he handled his Battalion which was responsible for important points in Pozieres – with skill. Has the confidence of his men and is a good leader and administrator. Also for general good work since arrival in France.” A Distinguished Service Order was approved and was promulgated in the London Gazette on 1^st January 1917 page 28 position 9 as part of the New Year awards.

On 27^th November 1916 while on leave in England he was granted an extension on medical certificate until 30^th November.

He was mentioned in despatches, which was recorded in the London Gazette, on 4^th January 1917 volume 29890 page 455. A South Australian newspaper published a letter from Graham to the secretary of the Australian Comforts Fund (the League of Loyal Women was the South Australian Division) which read “I want to thank you on behalf of this battalion for the many benefits we have received from the Australian Comforts Fund administered by you. The various goods sent to us have been of inestimable value during the long and trying time in the trenches. It is due to this that I was enabled to give my men hot cocoa or soup each midnight, really and additional ration. The benefit of this is shown by the fact that the number of cases of trench feet and pulmonary complaints were the lowest of any unit in the army. My experience has shown that plenty of hot food and drink is the best prevention of these complaints. The fund administered by you have certainly the merit of being of great advantage of the men actually in the firing line, and not in some cases only of benefit to troops in base camps.”

On 13^th April 1917 he was seconded for duty with the 1^st Infantry Training Battalion and transferred that day from France. He arrived there on the 19^th for duty. Violet was sent a notice of Graham being awarded the Distinguished Service Order for conspicuous service in the field on 5^th July 1917. On 24^th October 1917 he was marched out to Headquarters in London. He was then sent to Sutton Very on 4^th November and on the 12^th he was marched out for Court Martial Duty. On the 14^th November he received his Form of Commission. A letter from Headquarters AIF to Headquarters AIF Depots in UK stated that the services of this officer were not required by the 1^st Australian Division and he might be given suitable employment to his rank there, and if not to be returned to Australia for termination of his employment. A note on the bottom stated that the General Officer Commanding AIF Depots in UK was unable to employ him. Another comment in the documents stated “His Division does not want him in France, I have no employment for him here”. A further comment stated he “was not suitable to remain in command of a Training Unit” and “he should return to Australia as not absorbed”. On 8^th December he was temporarily attached to 1^st Training Battalion for duty. On 8^th January 1918 he was marched out to No. 2 Commonwealth Depot at Weymouth. A letter was sent to the Secretary, Department of Defence in Melbourne advising them that the Transport Section of the AIF in London had been asked to arrange passage for Graham to Australia for termination of his appointment, which had been approved, and they were sending files of the correspondence to them. Another letter stated as he was a member of a General Court Martial which was not expected to be dissolved before 15^th January 1918, more information would be sent when he was available for transfer. It must have finished early.

His second eldest brother, Sydney Richard, was born in 1876 in Ballarat and was a Lieutenant with the 5^th Victorian Mounted Regiment. He fought in the Boer War and was killed in action at Hloblane on 27^th August 1901 and was buried at Vryheid. He was entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 clasps. When word reached Ballarat of his death, the whole town flew flags at half-mast.

His eldest brother, Irvine (born in 1873) passed away in Western Australia on 6^th March 1914 and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery. He worked for the Lands Survey Department. How he died is a bit of a tragedy, he was fishing with friends at Mossman Bay and while the others had gone out in a boat to fish, he had gone to the river to bathe. They found him a little later in two feet of water, face down. Apparently he had a heart attack and drowned.

Jason Leslie Boyd Coulter, born in August 1877 in Ballarat, also joined up for the Boer War. He was also living in Western Australian when he signed up with D Squadron of the 8^th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse at Geraldton on 17^th April 1902 as Private with the service number 08/471. He listed his mother as next of kin and he had not previously served. He was willing to serve for 12 months or longer if required. His description indicated he was 5 foot 6 inches tall, chest measurement of 35 inches with blue eyes, flaxen hair and fair complexion. He had a scar on his chest. They embarked on the transport St. Andrew at Fremantle on 2^nd June 1902 and arrived in Durban on the 19^th. As they arrived after the war had ended they returned to Australia on the Manchester Merchant in late July 1902 and were not entitled to any medals. At the beginning of World War 1 he was a farmer living in Pallamallwa, via Moree in New South Wales when he enlisted. But he enlisted as Jason Leslie Boyd and listed his mother as Mary Boyd. He gave his previous service as 12 months with the 1^st Imperial Light Horse and 7 months with Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. Why he falsified his records is not known. He joined on 28^th August 1914 at Randwick with the 2^nd Battalion as Private 598. In mid-1915 he had his name corrected, was promoted up to Sergeant and was transferred to 8^th Battalion. His service number was changed to 1333. He died of wounds at Alexandria on 10^th August 1915 after receiving a serve gunshot wound in the right hand and leg at Gallipoli on the 5^th. The wounds were received in action in defence of Courtney’s Point. He was buried in Chatby War Memorial Cemetery in Plot J, Grave 144. His personal diary is digitised on the AWM site – https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG0000176/?image=1

His youngest brother, Leslie Jack Coulter was born in Ballarat on 20^th July 1889. He was educated at Ballarat College and School of Mines. He worked in Bendigo for experience. By 1914 he had moved to Gormanston Tasmania and was listed as a draughtsman in that Electoral Roll. Leslie was noted for his bravery in rescue work during the Mount Lyell disaster. He was actually a Mining Engineer as noted on his service records and was single. Leslie had previous military experience with the 91^st Infantry Regiment CMF and he applied for a commission in the Field Company Engineers on 28^th September 1915. He joined the Miners Corps on 1^st December 1915 with the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant. He was quickly promoted to Major, achieving that rank in March 1916. In July 1916 he was wounded in action and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for the action he was involved with, and he was also Mentioned in Despatches three times. On 28^th June 1917, while being involved in a raid to destroy German shafts, he was shot and killed. He is buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot I. A. 2. A more detailed description of his life and exploits are detailed here- http://tunnellers.net/pages/nominal_rollpag.html and https://bih.federation.edu.au/index.php/Leslie_Coulter .

“Coulter Crater at Hill 70, near Lens, named after Major L. T. Coulter DSO, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, who was killed in action on 28 June 1917. The explosion of this crater marked the last of the enemy mine fighting on the famous Hill 70 position. It was blown by the enemy on 8 July, but the charging beforehand had been heard by listeners of the 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company, and no casualties resulted. Two weeks later this unit joined with British troops in the capture of the whole enemy mine system on Hill 70, consisting of over three miles of galleries.” Should be L J Coulter.

Near Bethune, France, 1917. THIRD AUSTRALIAN TUNNELLING COMPANY Officers at the Company’s HQ at NOEUX LES MINES, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE. Left to right 7^th person in middle row- Major Coulter DSO.

One of his sister’s, Ellen Marion Coulter (1875 to 1955) married Peter Ross Sutherland, who was involved with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and was a director on various boards. His other sister, Edith May Coulter (1883-1959) married Henry William Hopton Hauser in 1914, who was a Reverend, and sometime after that they moved to South Australia where he was at St. Mary’s in Burra. They both passed away in South Australia in 1959.

Graham embarked on HT Corinthic on 10^th January 1918 to return to Australia, was struck off strength and he arrived on 3^rd March in Melbourne where his appointment was terminated. The Argus, on Friday 8^th March 1918, ran a story saying “Lieut.-Colonel Graham Coulter, who has been on active service for three and a half years, was on Thursday night officially welcomed home at the Ballarat City Hall by the mayor (Councillor Bell, M.L.C.), a representative gathering of citizens being present. Lieut.-Colonel Coulter, in response to the toast of his health, said that the man who was fit to go to the war and did not go was missing the greatest thing in life.” His service records state he was officer commanding troops, voyage only with the same rank and was listed as unattached. 611882 was his pay book number. He re-joined on 25^th July 1918 and his trade was listed as merchant. He was married, with Violet as his next of kin and the address was 1 Mill St Ballarat. Previous military service was noted as CMF 2 years and 9 months as Private, South Africa 1 year 4 months, CMF with commission 1901 to present date, AIF 3 years and 8 months – 8^th Battalion. They embarked on SS Gaika on 30^th July 1918 at Sydney with troops bound for U.K. and he was (Honorary) Lieutenant-Colonel for voyage only with Sea Transport Service. Graham noted his will was with his wife at No. 1 Mill St Ballarat. They disembarked in London on 13^th October 1918 where having arrived from Australia he was taken on strength of AIF England. He returned on Takada on 24^th December 1918 as Officer Commanding Troops. His appointment was again terminated on 20^th March 1919 in the 3^rd Military District. The reason for termination was given as App S.N.L.R. (NON-Disciplinary). Another form has completion of duty as the reason.

In 1919 his parents gave a silver cup to the Ballarat Regatta Association in memory of Leslie and Jason. A South Australian newspaper commented on him returning home and repeats an article in The Herald which said “Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter was in command during operations on Gallipoli and went to France on service with his battalion. It is understood that he is almost the only survivor of the 8^th Battalion that landed at Anzac… of which he was a captain and company commander at the time. His honour has been bestowed for continuous and consistent bravery and persistency throughout the campaign in Gallipoli and France.” A Tasmanian newspaper recorded in 1920 that at the Anglican Cathedral in Ballarat “a monument was dedicated to the memory of Major Leslie Coulter D.S.O., and Sergeant J. Coulter, sons of Mr Irvine Coulter, a well-known merchant of Ballarat. Major Leslie Coulter, who was formerly a member of the Mount Lyell Company’s staff, and his brother paid the supreme sacrifice in the war.” A newspaper article in 1920 records that charges of stolen property were upheld against a person who stole a suitcase “belonging to Graham Coulter, of Brighton, commercial agent.”

Graham signed for his 1914-15 Star on 21^st December 1920. Irvine (his father) passed away on 18^th September 1922 in St. Kilda Melbourne. They were living at 10 Were St, Brighton Beach and they held a private funeral on the 19th. No records can be found for Mary when she was born or died.

In 1924 Graham was still in Brighton in Victoria and was living at 43 Willansby Avenue and in the roll he was noted as a clerk. Violet stayed in Ballarat and was living at 12 Ascot Street. It appears he did not return to Ballarat and the family after the war. He signed for his British War Medal and Victory Medal on 27^th April 1923. A letter from Base Records in 1927 replied to an enquiry about Captain Henry Christian Pears of 4^th Battalion and noted that he was with Graham in the 1^st Training Battalion in England during the same period in 1917. It was addressed to a Mr G A Pearce in Crookwell NSW. In 1932 tragedy struck the family when Violet passed away in Ballarat and was buried on 12^th January there. She was buried in the Ballarat Cemetery in Area DN, Section 5, Grave 2.

The 1933 Electoral Roll then shows Graham living in New South Wales at 145 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst West, East Sydney and he was an accountant. Graham wrote to Base Records on 30^th May 1934 asking them to forward to him a list of his service records in the AIF. They replied on the 6^th June with a list of his appointments, promotions and awards from 1914 to 1919. He was also awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Volunteer Officers’ Decoration for 20 years of efficient and thoroughly capable service. The Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 3^rd August 1936 published an article in which the president of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Proprietors’ Transport Association “(Mr. Graham Coulter) said the imposition of prohibitive road tonnage tax restricted trade, commerce, and intercourse between New South Wales and other States, which contravened Section 92.”

During World War 2, he enlisted as Lieutenant-Colonel N77152 at Paddington, New South Wales on 25^th July 1940 and listed his son as next of kin. Graham put his date of birth up by a year to 13^th January 1880 to enlist. He was Camp Quarter Master at Greta Army Camp until he was discharged on 31^st May 1941. Not much else is known due to his service records not being online.

By 1954 he was living at 4 South Avenue, Double Bay, with the same occupation as an accountant.

Graham passed away on 6^th September 1960 in New South Wales. On 8^th September he was cremated at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium and the ashes were placed in Wall F, 75 Memorial Niche on East Drive Wall.

His medals are:- Distinguished Service Order, Queens South Africa medal with the clasps Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, Cape Colony and Orange Free State, 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory medal with oak leaf, War medal 1939-45, Australian Service medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration (VD).

He also has a Brassey medal which appears to have been awarded to the 3^rd Battalion Infantry Brigade Ballarat on 25^th May 1898. It was awarded to encourage excellence in the Victorian Military Forces through a competition of field firing and marching. The teams had to march 10 miles in under 3.5 hours and then fire at a target. The winning team received a trophy and each member a medal.

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander McMorland VD

1^st Queensland (Moreton) Regiment,

1st Regiment, The Scottish Horse,

Australian Army Service Corps, AIF.

by Robert Simpson

Alexander McMorland was born in 19^th November 1863 in Hackney London Middlesex England (well, according to his Application for a Commission Form in his service records, he was actually born 19^th November 1859). He was a son to Robert McMorland and Elizabeth Broome who had been married on 28^th June 1851 in Woodbridge Parish Suffolk. The family details and records need to be better established, but that would involve buying birth, marriage and death records to establish them without doubt. The only details that are confirmed are Robert McMorland and Elizabeth. According to various English census they had 7 children with Alexander being the middle of 3 boys. Robert was involved with fabrics and warehouses. He must have had a good business as when he died in December 1879, he left a sizable estate. If this family is correct, then Alexander gave the wrong birthdate on his service records as he was listed in the 1861 census as being born in 1859 in Hackney. They were living at 9 Enfield Road Hackney St. John at that time. In the 1871 census, Alexander was a pupil at Eastcliffe Grammar School at 58 Clifton Terrace, St John. After that, he went to a College at London University, attended Military College at Friedrichshafen in Germany and Ecole Militare in Paris.

The Queensland Government Gazette of 16^th April 1888 has under the heading Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps “A” Company, Alexander McMorland is appointed to be a Lieutenant on 21^st March 1888. Another entry adds the word “provisionally”. An entry on 28^th July 1888 notified that the Governor “has been pleased to appoint” Acting Lieutenant Alexander McMorland (and others) to be Lieutenants in the Volunteer Branch of the Defence Force. In the Gazette of 1889 is an entry to do with an insolvent storekeeper, with an Alexander McMorland, merchant, of Brisbane being appointed Trustee of the property. On 28^th March 1889, Lieutenant Alexander McMorland was appointed as a Captain in the Queensland Defence Force (Land). It was also noted in the Queenslander of 8^th April 1889 under the heading of Military Matters.

In 1889, Alexander married Ethel Florence Louisa Young in Sydney. It appears she had been previously married. Unfortunately not much else is known about her, when she was born or her parent’s names. She was born in 1865 according to her death record. The Newsletter carried a note on Saturday 17^th March 1906, stating “Mrs. McMorland (Burwood) left for a short recuperative trip to Katoomba on Friday last. She has not quite regained strength after her late severe illness.” Maybe this is one reason they never had children. She was also mentioned in various social columns in newspapers in the 1900’s.

On 27^th October 1890, between 10.30 am and 3 pm their house at Botany Street Waverley was broken into and a long list of items was stolen. They were listed in the Police Gazette on 29^th October with the total value listed as 135 pounds. On the 5^th November 1890 a further list of stolen items was inserted in the Police Gazette and the description of some of the previous items was clarified. It is not known if they were recovered.

An entry in the Queensland Gazette reads that on 22^nd June 1894 Acting Lieutenant Alexander McMorland was appointed to be a Lieutenant in the Queensland Defence Force (Land).

An article in the Brisbane Courier of 27^th March 1900 under Defence Force Notes gave a description of the Moreton Regiment at a parade and then a practice a battalion attack. An entry reads “The firing line in the first attack was superintended by Captain McMorland, and in the second by Captain Fryer. Blank ammunition was used during the afternoon, and there was a good crowd of spectators watching the proceedings.” The Government Gazette of 22^nd December 1900 has an instruction that Captain A McMorland 1^st Regiment was to be one of the Officers detailed to proceed with the Guard of Honour for Commonwealth Celebrations in Sydney.

The Queensland Officers List, dated 28^th February 1901, contains the entries under the heading Infantry Southern District, 1^st Queensland (Moreton) Regiment; Captain Alexander McMorland Mar.28, 1899 and under 1^st Battalion A Company Capt. A. McMorland with the Company being formed in Brisbane on 24^th February 1895. In the Graduation List he is entered as being born on 19^th November 1860, first appointed on 19^th May 1894, appointed Lieutenant on 22^nd June 1894 and appointed Captain on 28^th March 1899.

In 1901 Captain McMorland applied to proceed to South Africa. “Gentleman A McMorland” embarked for South Africa, where he was commissioned into the 2^nd Scottish Horse with the rank of Lieutenant on 26^th November 1901 (with previous service noted as Queensland Defence Force). He was then promoted to Captain in the 1^st Regiment. The Scottish Horse was raised in South Africa in 1900 from Australian volunteers and drafts from Scotland and South Africa.

In June 1902 he embarked on the Salamis at Cape Town as Lieutenant McMorland and arrived at Melbourne on 31^st July 1902 and at Sydney on 5^th August.

He applied for appointment in the new Federal Contingent in 1902.

Pugh’s Almanac and Queensland Directory of 1904 under the heading Defence has listed Captain Alexander McMorland.

In 1906 he was listed in a directory as Captain McMorland, living at Cheltenham Road Burwood. On 18^th March 1907 he departed Bluff on the Maheno, listed as Captain McMorland, and arrived at Hobart on 21^st March. He was awarded the AFLSM EVII on 17^th November 1906 and the CAFD EVII on 13^th July 1907, both as Captain A McMorland ASC. Captain McMorland of the Australian Army left England in the ship India on 17^th July 1908, bound for Australia, and arriving at Sydney on 27^th August.

From 1908 to 1911 Captain McMorland VD ASCC produced reports, photographs and information in regard to Mechanical Transport and Hornsby Chain Tractor. These documents are available to view at National Archives.

A directory in 1910 has his residence as “Dargon” Jersey Rd Burwood. The 1911 Sands Directory has an entry for Alex McMorland, Manager NSW Fresh Food and Ice Co. Ltd. 23-25 Harbour St. and a private residence of “Langlo” Burwood Rd Burwood. On 12^th July 1913 he left Singapore on the Mataram and arrived in Sydney on the 19^th.

In his Service Records is a list of his details of service before WW1. It reads: – Infantry Queensland Defence Corps from May 1886 to 20^th March 1905 to rank of Captain. Army Service Corps, New South Wales, 20^th March 1905 to December 1912 and retired with honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Passed for Major D.O. 123 on 26^th November 1896. Served in South Africa from April 1901 until 17^th August 1902. Special service from Queensland. He was Transport Officer with the Scottish Horse, then Transport Officer with No. 3 Mobile Column with Colonel Ramsay and Colonel Mackenzie of the Seaforth’s, then Assistant Brigade Transport Officer to General Bruce of Hamilton Brigade. He did the army service course at Aldershot England in May 1908 for Special Mechanical Transport. He passed the School of Musketry at Brisbane in 1900, Topography and Map Reading, Practical, Surveying with Honours in 1901 and Army Service School with honours in August 1903. He was given a Special Mention Staff Ride 5^th September 1903 for Army Service Corps work. He was Area Officer of 36B from 1^st December 1913. He was awarded the Long Service Medal, Volunteer Officers Decoration and the South Africa Queens medal with 5 clasps.

On 9^th October 1914 he was appointed to the AIF, although the Nominal Roll and Attestation Paper say he applied for a commission in the 2^nd Army Service Corps on 12^th September at Sydney. His next of kin was given as his wife, Ethel Louisa McMorland (widow) of “Langlo” Alt St. Ashfield, New South Wales. His occupation was Gentleman and his religion was Church of England. His wife must have been previously married, although no details can be found. His previous service was listed as Reserve of Officers. A card in his service records says he was taken on strength of 7^th Company Australian Army Service Corps on 19^th September 1914 after enlisting on 12^th September. He was the owner of Preserving Works of Sydney. His birth month was originally written as June, but changed to November 19^th in Hackney London. Alexander was described as being 50 years and 10 months old, height of 5 feet and 7.25 inches tall, weighing 9 stone 2 pounds, chest measurement of 31 to 34.5 inches and he was of dark complexion with grey hair. His eye colour was not noted, but his eyesight was good, and he had vaccination marks on his left arm. He was appointed Captain on 9^th October 1914 and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel on appointment to the AIF. A line on his Attestation Paper says have “you ever been convicted by the Civil Power?” with and answer of no and in another pen, see inside. His previous military service included 28 years in Commonwealth and Queensland Forces, Area Officer, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. South Africa Queens medal with 5 clasps and V.D. Decoration. His pay book number was 152142.

With 4^th Infantry Brigade Train (7 Company ASC), Alexander departed Sydney on HMAT A39 Port Macquarie on 21^st December 1914. They actually cleared the heads at 7.30am on the 22^nd according to his diary. He commented on the rough seas and a large number of men being sick. There was also problems cleaning the horse stalls and he noted how they solved it. His Trade or Calling was listed as Gentleman on the Nominal Roll. It gave his rank as Captain, age 51, date of joining 9^th October 1914 and religion as Church of England. He was in the Reserve of Officers on enlisting. His next of kin was entered as “Ethel Louisa McMorland (widow), “Langlo”, Alt-street, Ashfield, N.S.W.”

He disembarked in Egypt on 1^st February 1915 and embarked for Gallipoli on 12^th April.

The 1915 directory gives his address as 109 Crystal Street Petersham.

Alexander was promoted to Major on 27^th July 1915 and was transferred to 2^nd Division Train on 27^th August 1915 at Gallipoli. Although his records say this, the war dairy seems to indicate he was still in Alexandria, as a message for him was sent to NZ&A Divisional Train Sidi Bish Camp at Alexandria. An order had been approved for his transfer to 3^rd Australian Divisional Train on 22^nd August 1915. He boarded the Southland at 6am on Monday the 30^th and the ship left at 5pm. Alexander then started the War Diary as Senior Supply Officer for the 2^nd Australian Division which included the notification of his transfer and embarkation. On 2^nd September at 9.40 am the ship was truck with a torpedo. He then went into detail of the evacuation of the boat, the rescue by other boats and that the Southland proceeded to Lemnos under its’ own steam. At Lemnos, he was transferred to the Transylvania and noted that looting had occurred on the Southland as some of his kit was missing. He then boarded HMS Partridge and headed to and landed at Gallipoli on 6^th September at 11pm. The next day he inspected the general surroundings and various depots and discussed supply matters. He selected a position for a supply depot at Whites Gully and spent the rest of the month inspecting depots and new sites and organising supplies. He also noted a Turkish attack and shelling. In October, he wrote of shelling, staff being ill due to dysentery or being killed, the weather and reduction in water rations. In early November he was not feeling to well, dysentery and a severe chill. He improved and resumed inspections and organising water. The lack of rations was also noted and that all carting was done at night. His last comment on 30^th November was “Troops still on ¼ ration of water, much inconvenienced thereby”. On 12^th December 1915 he left Anzac on Gallipoli for Mudros. Another officer wrote in the war diary “Major (Hon Lt-Col) A McMorland left. Destination unknown.” He left Mudros on the Minnewaska for Alexandria on 6^th January 1916.

An entry in the Argus of 3^rd January 1916 under the headings Appointments and Transfers and Divisional Train stated “Captain (Hon. Lieut.-Colonel) A. McMorland, V.D., is transferred from 4^th Infantry Brigade Train. Dated 28^th August 1915.”

He disembarked at Alexandria on 10^th January 1916 from Mudros and was temporarily attached to 15^th A.A.S.C. on the 21^st at Tel-el-Kebir. On 12th March 1916 he was transferred temporarily to the 5^th Australian Divisional Train as Senior Supply Officer at Ismailia. In Egypt in February 1916, as part of the formation of the 5^th Australian Divisional Train, he was its’ first Senior Supply Officer, but he left the formation within a few months. It was recorded “he carried out the duties capably during that first difficult period”. They used a Decauville railway to transport supplies to the front line, but it was a mixed blessing. His diary on 13^th April talked about the railway engines becoming clogged with dust and the lines covered with sand due to a Khamsin that had arose. Alexander had to procure 400 camels to transport supplies to the front line. He left in April. After correspondence, he was nominated for A.A.S.C. Training Depot on 10^th May 1916. On 14^th May he was marched in to A.A.S.C. Training Depot at Tel-el-Kebir.

On 11 September 1916 Ethel passed away with the death notice reading “at her residence, Douglas, Vernon-street, Petersham, Ethel Florence Louisa, wife of Lieut.-Colonel A. McMorland, A.I.F.” She was only 51 years old and her death was registered at Marrickville. Her will, number 78007, stated that on 12^th April 1917, letters of administration were granted to a Sydney solicitor who was acting on behalf of Alexander, dispensed with Intestate and the estate was just over 442 pounds. Ethel was buried at Waverley cemetery in Section 7 Vaults, row 24, plot 971.

He was to be Officer Commanding troops at Park House, a Depot in the UK on 14^th December 1916. While at the AIF Depots in the UK Headquarters on Salisbury Plains a request was written for a car to be placed at disposal of Colonel McMorland O/C AASC Training Depot in 1916.

A series of correspondence is listed in his service file, which starts with him asking if an error of the date of his promotion to Major in the Regimental List of Officers be corrected from 27.8.15 to 27.7.15. This started a series of notes which ended with a note to Base Records to change it. Notes then follow, saying “The O.C. Training establishment should be changed specially from time to time” and goes on to say that Major McMorland “is entitled after three years of service to freedom from further service – though he does not desire it.” Another officer was appointed and it was noted for Alexander to return home, with the details needed to organise that.

In 1917, Alexander asked that if anything were to happen to him, the army was to notify H C Ellison Rich, Solicitor of Bligh Chambers, Bligh Street in Sydney. The Transport Section of Headquarters was asked to arrange passage to Australia as early as possible after 4^th November for Alexander, as termination of his appointment in the AIF had been approved. On 20^th October 1917 he was marched out to No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth ex Egypt. According to his record, he had no forfeitures, crimes, VD etc. A letter from the AIF Administrative Headquarters in London to the Secretary of the Department of Defence in Melbourne discussed the return of Alexander to Australia for termination of appointment and included a letter from General McKay. The letter, dated 19^th October 1917, reads “I desire to report that Major (Hon. Lieut.-Colonel) A. McMorland, V.D., A.A.S.C., is shortly returning to Australia after three years Service with the A.I.F., of which the latter part has been in A.I.F. Depots, Commanding the A.A.S.C., Training Depot. Major McMorland is very reluctant to return to Australia before the end of the war, but the G.O.C., A.I.F. approved of my recommendation that he should return on the grounds that he has done his full share of Service abroad considering his age. I am writing this letter officially to make it clear that Major McMorland is not one of those cases in which officers are being returned for lack of efficiency or zeal, so if there is any appointment in Australia suited to his experience and his age he can be relied upon to be absolutely loyal and zealous in the performance of any duties entrusted to him.”

He returned to Australia on 25^th November 1917 as a Major in the 7^th Australian Army Service Corps. He embarked in England on H.T. Ormonde for return due to termination of appointment. On 28^th December he transhipped at Cape Town from Ormonde to Kenilworth Castle and then at Durban on 3^rd January 1918 from Kenilworth Castle to Medic for conveyance to Australia. He disembarked at Melbourne for Sydney on 22^nd January 1918.

His Commission Form was signed for on 14^th December 1917 by his solicitor.

His appointment in the AIF was terminated at Sydney on 6^th February 1918 with his rank stated as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the 5^th Division Train. A letter was received by Base Records in Melbourne from the Chief Paymaster in London asking from Alexander’s address as he owed some money to them, 10 pounds and 9 shillings. They suggested to try SOI&RS in the 2^nd Military District.

On 29^th June 1918, Alexander married Augusta Badham at Woollarha, New South Wales. Her surname then was actually Reade; she had been previously married to James Reade who died in 1915 (in Australia). Augusta had been born on 31^st May 1868 in Ballarat, a daughter to Charles Arthur Badham and Sarah Ann Jones who were both from England. She as living with her previous husband in the 1913 electoral roll at Racecourse Rd Hamilton in Brisbane and she was a milliner. The Sydney Times in Sydney did an article on the wedding on 7^th July 1918 which read “A quiet wedding was celebrated on June 29 at St. Mark’s Church, Darling Point, between Lieut.-Colonel Alexander McMorland and Mrs. Augusta Reade. The Rev. E. Howard Lea officiated. Only a few personal friends attended the church, and after the ceremony adjourned to the residence of the bride. Mrs. McMorland was the widow of the late Captain James Reade, a well-known British shipmaster. His wife sailed with him for sixteen years, travelling to all parts of the globe. Lieut.-Col. McMorland has served over three years during the present war, and was also at the Boer War. Mrs. Lowndes and Major Tunks were in attendance at the ceremony.”

The 1920 Sands Street Index has them living at “Morella” Hill Street Roseville and also in the 1926 Directory with Alexander listed as Lieutenant-Colonel.

Base Records in Melbourne replied to the Department of Repatriation on 17^th January 1921, stating that they held no medical documents at this branch for Alexander. It would appear no one had his Medical History sheet as the SOI&Rs 2^nd Military District did not have it either. A letter from Base Records on 10^th May 1924 gave the particulars of his service in the AIF and noted that no medical papers were available.

Alexander passed away on 22^nd August 1927. He was buried in Waverley Cemetery in Sydney. On the index card to his diseased estate file, it shows him as an Accountant of Chatswood with Augusta as his administrator. The Sydney Morning Herald of 24^th August 1927 published an obituary on him under the heading “An Original Anzac. Death of Colonel A. McMorland.” It continues “Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander McMorland, V.D., who died at his home, Caraiglea, Orchard-road, Chatswood, on Monday evening, aged 66 years, was an Anzac, who took part in the landing at Gallipoli, and who did not leave the peninsula till the day before the evacuation. He received his early training in the old Scottish Rifles, and served in the Boer War, during which he rose to the rank of major. Colonel McMorland volunteered his services immediately on the outbreak of the Great War. He was first placed in charge of the Warren camp. Then, in November, 1914, he was sent to Egypt, attached to the Army Service Corps. His efficient organisation of supply and transport services won high official praise, in Egypt, and on Gallipoli. When the Australian troops were withdrawn from the peninsula he was sent to England as officer commanding the Australian Army Service Corps School at Tidsworth. In October, 1917, his health forced his return to Australia. He was in charge of the Molongle camp till the end of the war. Colonel McMorland was for some years associated with the administration of the New South Wales Fresh Food and Ice Company. The funeral will leave Wood Coffill’s George-street parlours, at 10 a. m. to-day, for the Church of England section of Waverley Cemetery.” Another entry on the 25^th noted the funeral took place the day before and was conducted by Canon Begbie. The chief mourner was Mr G G Badham (his brother in law) and a list of people and who they represented was listed.

In 1929 his wife, Mrs A McMorland of Chatswood NSW, sent to the Australian War Memorial a request to donate the private records of Lieutenant-Colonel A. McMorland VD to the Memorial. An entry in her husband’s service records has her address as “Craigielea”, Orchard Rd, Chatswood NSW which was crossed out and Hill Street, Roseville NSW added but crossed out and a comment “no good 1929”. In May 1928, Augusta left Australia on the Borodine and moved to England where she stayed. There is a card in Alexander’s records which says next of kin communicated with for records and relics on 18^th March 1929. Augusta passed away on 21^st February 1955 at 15 Palmerston Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, England. They stated her age as 76 on the record, 10 years younger than she actually was.

A letter from Base Records on 2^nd April 1936 to Repatriation Commission in Melbourne referred to a communication and enclosures attached and they needed to act on it and reply directly. It was noted no medical papers were available. Unfortunately what it referred to is not in his records.

His medals are Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Colonial Auxiliary Volunteer Officer’s Decoration and Long Service Good Conduct medal.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Gordon, CMG OBE DSO MiD

1^st Battalion Gordon Highlanders

1^st Contingent, Queensland Mounted Infantry

Northern Rhodesian Rifles

by Robert Simpson

Robert Gordon was born in Townsville, Queensland on 22^nd December 1866, a son to James Gordon and Jane Phelps. James had been born in Nunbank, Dumfriesshire Scotland, in 1822 and at some stage had migrated to Australia. Jane had been born in Pembrokeshire, Wales. By the 1851 census she was a servant, still in Wales, so she must have migrated to Australia after that. They married in Sydney in 1856, and that was where they had their first son, James, in 1858. James discovered Port Denison, and was for years Magistrate and Mining Commissioner at Townsville. He was the first Government Officer appointed to Townsville, arriving there in 1865. Some of his roles included Police magistrate, Sub-collector of Customs, Harbour Master, Shipping Master, Clerk of Petty Sessions, Postmaster, and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Robert was their fourth son of six, but two died early. He also had three sisters. James died in 1885. In 1937, an article about the Anglican Church in North Queensland included “the name of James Gordon stands out as one to be remembered with respect and gratitude.” It goes on to discuss his life, some of what he did and his character.

Robert attended Brisbane Grammar School and then the High School at Hobart Tasmania. Afterwards he returned to Queensland. A Robert Gordon, born in 1867, left Glasgow in late 1884 on the Cloncurry and arrived at Townsville on 7^th January 1885. It is not known if this is the same person, but he may have visited Scotland and relatives before commencing his working life. In 1890 he enlisted in the Queensland Mounted Infantry. The Government Gazette of 28^th June 1890 has under the headings “Northern Military District. Kennedy Division. Townsville Mounted Infantry. Robert Gordon is appointed to be a Lieutenant, provisionally. 11^th June, 1890.” The date of First Commission was listed as 1^st July 1890. He was listed as a Lieutenant in the Queensland Gazette of 12^th December 1896 in the Mounted Infantry. He was one of a number of officers whose names appeared on the Unattached List (Defence Force Division) and were to be placed on the Retired List. As there was a very limited possibility of active service for Australian servicemen in this period, Robert may have paid his way to India to have some active service, and obtain permission to join a regular British Army regiment. Arriving in India in September 1897, he was attached to the 1^st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. He fought with the Gordons during the Tirah campaign, including their storming of the heights of Dargai. During this action, two Victoria Crosses were awarded to the pipers in the regiment who kept playing, although wounded which inspired the men to continue the attack under murderous fire. Lieutenant Gordon was Mentioned in Despatches for his part in the battle, and received the Indian General Service medal with the clasps Punjab Frontier and Tirah 1897-98. The medal roll for the 1^st Battalion Gordon Highlanders showed he was entitled to the medal and the clasps as indicated, and he actually belonged to the Queensland Mounted Infantry. He was wounded in the action of Doorn River. The medal was engraved: Lt. R. Gordon Qld. Mtd. Infantry. A sports day was held during December 1897 at Shinauri India; as recorded in the Regimental History, at which “Lt. R. Gordon of the Australian Horse attached to the Battalion, gave a wonderful exhibition of the use of the boomerang”.

The Queensland Gazette of 22^nd April 1898 had a copy of a letter from the General Officer Commanding Tirah Expeditionary Force to the Adjutant-General of India, which was forwarded to The Honourable Chief Secretary of Queensland which stated “In continuation of my telegram …..the officer Commanding 1^st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, has reported favourably on the services rendered by Lieutenant R. Gordon, Queensland Mounted Infantry, while attached to that Battalion on Field Service. I would suggest that the favourable opinion expressed by Lieutenant-Colonel H. H. Mathias, C.B., should be communicated to the Government of Queensland.”

Robert returned to Australia in 1898. His rank of Lieutenant was listed as of 10^th October 1899. Another entry on 28^th October 1899 has “Lieutenant Robert Gordon, Retired List (Defence Force Division), is appointed to be a Lieutenant in the active List of the Queensland Defence Forde (Land). 9^th October 1899.” At the start of the Boer War, he was involved in the selection of horses for the 1^st Queensland Mounted Infantry contingent. He had volunteered his services with the contingent, pending final selection, which was approved on 26^th October. The Roll for the Queensland Defence Force (Land) as a recruit on engaging in the contingent for South Africa has his description as follows: date 22^nd October 1899, Robert Gordon from Townsville, nationality certified Queensland, age 32 years and 10 months, height 5 foot 9.75 inches, weight 10 stone 5 pounds, chest measurement 33.5 to 35.75 inches, with fair hair, gray-blue eyes and fresh complexion. He also had a transverse scar on the nearer side of his left thigh and was accepted. Former service was with the Queensland Defence Force and he was single. The roll was signed by Major Ricardo. He left as part of the First Contingent on 1^st November 1899 in the steam transport Cornwall. In South Africa he fought with them at the battle of Magersfontein. On 23^rd February 1900, he was transferred to D Company of the 1^st Gordon Highlanders Mounted Infantry as their commanding officer. This was part of the famous 6^th Mounted Infantry under Colonel de Lisle, which was involved in many a hard-fought action. The Regimental History states “Captain ‘Boomerang’ Gordon was favourably known to 1^st Battalion veterans, having served with them in Tirah, where his prowess with the weapon of the Australian aboriginal before Afridi Jirgas had earned him his nickname.” He was promoted to Captain on 20^th March 1900. While in Bethlehem he came across an old schoolfellow who had been with him at the High School in Hobart, and had called him Bobby.

He was heavily engaged in the action prior to the capture of Pretoria. It was recorded that “a dozen Boer wagons were trekking towards the capital. Captain Gordon wheeled the leading files of “D” Company and went for them; the escort bolted; the last two wagons were taken actually within the city boundary. Thus the Gordon Mounted Infantry Company was the first British unit to enter the enemy’s capital!” From the wagons they got a Vickers-Maxim gun and ammunition, food and uniforms, which were put to good use by the mounted infantry. Afterwards, Robert was sent with his company on a short horse-commandeering job, where he secured many useful mounts from isolated farms in the mountains, as most farmers preferred to sell to the British, rather than have the Boers just take them. Diamond Hill and Wittebergen battles followed, and, by January 1901, they were fighting in the desert area called the Karroo. Gordon’s batman kept a unit diary which read “In these hot, rocky glens there were many snakes and ‘Boomerang’ had lived with snakes all his days. Jumping from his saddle Gordon seized a ten-foot serpent by its tail and pulling it rapidly towards him crushed its head beneath his heel. A big one was cornered, rose to strike, turned to escape; this happened twice, then ‘Boomerang’ got a favourable opportunity to seize its tail when he gave it a crack as of a stockwhip and the head flew off.”

After returning from a foraging expedition, they came to a swollen river. Captain Gordon put his horse into it and reached the other bank after a hard struggle, but the horse could not climb out, fell back into the river and swam back to the other bank. Gordon was left on the other side, so he took his clothes off, swam back to the horse and swam it over again. After putting his clothes back on, he rode downstream to find a suitable crossing. The company crossed the next morning, six miles below the scene of the adventure.

Following the retreating Boers led them into the Boer lands and rough mountains that were unrideable. The Boers were occupying very strong hills commanding the drifts of the Brandiwine River, near Clanwilliam, Cape Colony. Robert, on orders to see if certain ground was practicable for horses in front of the British lines, took out a three-man patrol on 29^th January 1901. As night fell they were ambushed by a large party of Boers. The other two Gordon Highlanders were killed by the volley of fire; but as Robert had dismounted to view the tracks, he was only severely wounded, and was able to mount his horse with difficulty, break through the ambush while under fire, and reach the British lines. He was taken to hospital and was invalided out of action. His friend mentioned it thus; “Some months afterwards he was badly wounded in the foot, and invalided to Netley Hospital. His two mates were killed at the same time. Gordon’s wound was severe, and I fear put a permanent end to his soldiering. Poor Bobby!” He was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions in South Africa, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, which was presented to him by King Edward VII in June 1901. The DSO was promulgated in the London Gazette of 19^th April 1901: “Robert Gordon Capt., Queensland Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa”.

His record of war services was listed as follows: South African War 1899 to 1901. Operations Cape Colony November 1899 to February 1900, Operations in Orange Free State February to May 1900 including action at Paardeberg 17^th to 26^th February, Poplar Grove 7^th March, Vet River 5^th and 6^th May, Zand River 10^th May, Operations Transvaal May and June 1900 including actions near Johannesburg 29^th May, Pretoria 4^th and Diamond Hill 11^th and 12^th June, operations Orange River Colony July to 29^th November 1900 including action at Wittebergen, operations Transvaal and Orange River Colony 30^th November to January 1901 (severely wounded). He was issued a Queens South Africa medal with the clasps Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Cape Colony and South Africa 1901 on 2^nd June 1902 (19^th May 1903 for the 1901 clasp) as recorded in the 1^st Battalion Gordon Highlander roll with the remark QMI. In 1901 Major Robert Gordon was given an award at Victoria Barracks by Lord Lamington (Governor of Queensland 1896-1901). He retired from the 1^st Contingent, Queensland Mounted Infantry on 5^th October 1902.

Robert settled in Rhodesia after the war, and was a Justice of the Peace and District Commissioner there. Robert was listed in the Graduation List of Reserve of Officers in the 1^st Military District as a (Brevet) Major in the Queensland Mounted Infantry from 1^st July 1903. The Queensland Gazette of 1904 still had him listed in the Reserve of Officers for the Queensland Mounted Infantry as a Major from 10^th December 1904. His name appeared in a list of all ranks engaged in the South African War as Lieutenant R Gordon, B Company, single. Address: Cluden, Townsville, Queensland.

His mother, Jane, passed away on 2^nd October 1904.

As a Major, Robert was one of the officers instrumental in raising the Northern Rhodesian Rifles at the outbreak of World War One. They were a force of about 300 volunteers. Initially he commanded a unit that was involved in border raids against the Germans. Later the Rifles were being used solely for garrison duties. Robert was then appointed Intelligence Officer in German South-West Angolaland and on the borders of Northern Rhodesia, resigning from the command of the North Rhodesian Rifles. He became head of Rhodesian Intelligence. A party of Germans of the Camel Corps were trying to break through from German South-West to German East Africa. Robert pursued and captured them with a party of Northern Rhodesian Scouts, after they had penetrated far into Angola. Lieutenant-General Smuts sent his congratulations to Major Gordon on this capture. For the latter part of the war, he commanded Remount Depots in British East Africa, at Mombasa and then Maktau, Daressalaam, Kilwa and Linde. Robert was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was Mentioned in Despatches, which was promulgated in the London Gazette on 8^th February 1917 on page 1353. In early 1918, he was sent to Rhodesia to procure supplies of cattle for East Africa Forces.

Robert returned the EF9 form to request his medals on 4^th April 1921, with his address shown as Bulawayo Club, Rhodesia. His medal card shows the theatre of war he first entered was German South West Africa on 21^st July 1915 with the North Rhodesian Rifles as a Major. Previously the Secretary of B. SA. Coy forwarded the nominal roll of individuals entitled to emblems on 21^st September 1920. His 1914-15 Star was issued on 28^th March 1922 to Continental Defence Force. His British War and Victory medals were issued on 17^th July 1924 with the bill to be claimed by Imperial Remounts, East Africa. His address, when they were issued, was given as C/O Standard Bank of South Africa, Bulawayo Rhodesia. His Emblems were issued on 17^th July 1924 also. The card also shows him as being in the Imperial Remounts and Special List as a Major. His Mention in Despatches was entered in the London Gazette on 8^th February 1917, page 1350, as Major, Australian Reserve of Officers, Remount Department. The Supplementary medal roll for the 1914-15 Star for Northern Rhodesia Rifles (Scouts) shows Robert was a Major, DSO OBE, and he was released from service on 15^th August 1915. The medal roll for his pair has no other information that is not already mentioned.

He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1918, and created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1919. He also received Chevalier Leopold II (Belgium) and the 1935 Jubilee Medal.

Robert retained his army interests throughout his life. At the age of 70 in 1936, he was the president of the “Old Gordons” association in Johannesburg, which he formed on 10^th October 1936. He supplied a list of old members of the regiment, including their name, rank, service number, year enlisted and campaigns fought. He was mentioned in South Africa Who’s Who in 1940. Unfortunately, there is no known record of his passing.

Picture taken 28^th February 1899.

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

Colonel William Walker Russell Watson CB CMG MiD VD

Leg D’Hon (Fr)  

2nd NSW Mounted Infantry Contingent

1902 Coronation Contingent

Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force

24th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

William Walker Russell Watson was born in Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales on 19^th May 1875, one of seven children to William George Watson and Emily Jane Walter. He was the eldest child of the family. William George was a doctor who eventually had a practice in Elizabeth St. in Sydney after practicing in the Snowy Mountains. He also practiced homoeopathy. William George had been born in Sydney in 1845 and married Emily on 19^th June 1873 in Balmain. His father, William Bourn Russell Watson was the illegitimate son of Bourn Russell and Elizabeth Watson. Bourn was a sea captain and also was involved in politics and business in New South Wales. He married Ester Emma Leach in Sydney on 29^th January 1842. Her parents had been convicts. William Bourn was a soda water and cordial manufacturer in NSW in the 1850’s, served in the NSW parliament and passed away in 1877 leaving an estate that was divided up amongst the family. At school, William Walker took part in many inter-school cricket and football matches while at Sydney High School from 1890 to 1893. He also went to Sydney University Junior. After school he studied dentistry for about two years in Newcastle while with the Fourth Infantry Regiment.

William began his military career in Sydney as a trumpeter in the Marrickville Scottish Volunteers. Another record says he joined the Sixth Regiment (Reserves) as a bugler in 1886 and on their disbandment joined the Sydney Scottish Rifles and was bugler-major in the cadets afterwards. He qualified for his commission and became a Lieutenant on 26^th October 1896, passed the Infantry School of Instruction (distinguished in theory) on 9^th March 1897 and on 20^th November 1897 passed for Captain (distinguished in drill and tactics, special mention) and was commissioned as Captain on 1^st January 1898 at the age of 23. He was looked upon as an exceedingly capable officer.

On 23^rd June 1896, in the NSW Gazette, William Watson Russell Watson, gentleman, to be Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment. In the Government Gazette of 7^th July 1897 the Governor approved the disbandment of the Cadet Company of the Fourth Infantry Regiment at Newcastle in accordance with the Volunteer Acts of 1867 and 1878 and “Second Lieutenant William Walker Russel Watson is to the First Infantry Regiment, dated 1^st July, 1897.” Another entry on 7^th January 1898 advises Second Lieutenant William Walker Russell Watson to be Captain, promoted. By the end of 1898 he was a dental surgeon, working in William St. and was a member of the 1^st Infantry Regiment.

William volunteered for service in South Africa, was accepted and left on 17th January 1900. He was sent to South Africa with the second Mounted Infantry contingent as a Lieutenant. While there he was promoted to Captain in August. Under instructions from the Commander in Chief, Colonel de Lisle, he was to enter Pretoria on the afternoon of 4^th June 1900 to demand the surrender of the town from General Botha. He entered the city under the white flag and demanded they surrender under the name of Lord Roberts. They discussed it (in Dutch) while he was there, he then conducted the Governor of the city to Colonel de Lisle and the city surrendered. He then carried the Union Jack when the British Forces marched into the city. William also rescued a wounded trooper under heavy fire from the enemy. “It appears that during a rear-guard action which Lieutenant-Colonel Fanshawe had at Driefontein, Private T. C. Robertson of the N.S.W. Mounted Infantry, was wounded. Captain Watson saw the man fall, rode back to his assistance, and rescued him under very exciting conditions. The Boer fire was very heavy, but the plucky officer stood by the wounded soldier and carried him out of action on his (Watson’s) horse. Altogether, by his proved courage and ability, Captain Watson has added considerably to the reputation earned in actual warfare by Australian fighting men.” As quoted in the Australian Town and Country Journal of Sydney in 1901. The paper also carried a picture of him with the white flag before going into Pretoria. He saw nearly eighteen months active service and was awarded the Queens South Africa medal with five clasps and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was involved, under Major-General Hutton, in actions and operations in Orange Free State, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karee Siding and Vet and Zand Rivers. William served on the staff of Colonel De Lisle’s column from August 1900 to March 1901 and then in April and May he commanded the 2^nd New South Wales Mounted Infantry. He was Mentioned in the Despatch by Earl Roberts on 16^th April 1901 for the meritorious services he performed. He returned to Australia and disembarked on 1^st May 1901. After the war William still had the white handkerchief he used as a flag to enter Pretoria, by attaching it to his whip. It was signed by Lord Roberts and other Generals and the King expressed his desire to also sign it.

In 1902 he was appointed captain-in-charge of the New South Wales detachment if the Coronation Contingent at the crowning of King Edward VII.

On 7^th November 1904 he married Minnie Sarah Hordern in Woollahra, New South Wales. The ceremony was held at St Mark’s Church Darling Point by Reverend Willoughby Flower. Minnie’s parents were Samuel Hordern and Maria Jane Booth who had been married in Sydney in 1875. She was their third daughter. Samuel’s father, Anthony migrated from England and established a business which grew quite large. Samuel eventually ran the business and amassed a considerable amount of money and land. He was also very generous. It appears William and Minnie had no children.

On 6^th June 1905, Leonard Taylor was tried for stealing in a dwelling belonging to William and was sentenced to 9 months hard labour. What he stole is not noted. William was promoted to Major in 1905.

Military Orders in 1907 announced that, while in the First Australian Infantry Regiment, William passed the qualifying examination for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was probably the first Commonwealth officer to pass the test on the first attempt.

His mother, Emily, passed away on 22^nd July 1913 at Glen Gyle, Carlisle St Rose Bay.

In World War 1 he was in charge of the infantry battalion at Rabaul under Major General Holmes. He applied for a commission on 14^th August 1914 in what was then known as the Imperial Expeditionary Force No. 1. Previous military qualifications noted he was a Lieutenant-Colonel, late Officer Commanding 1^st Australian Infantry Regiment and had 20 years’ service including active service in South Africa 1900 to 1901. He did not have any civil employment, but was independent. His current address was “Yarroma” Holdsworth Avenue Elizabeth Bay Sydney and Minnie was his next of kin. He was 5 foot 8.5 inches tall, weighed 14 stone, had a chest measurement of 42 inches and had good eyesight. On appointment he was to be posted to Battalion Command. His position was gazetted on 19^th August. The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force was raised in August 1914 to seize German Pacific territories. They left Australia on A35 Berrima on 19^th August. By December they had secured many territories, but had also suffered loss of the first Australian soldier and Officer in the war. He returned to Australia in January with Colonel William Holmes and both gave evidence before a court of enquiry into looting by the AN&MEF. His Appointment was terminated on 6^th February 1915.

Photo taken September 1914.

Staff on board HMAT Berrima watching the disembarkment of the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force at Kabakaul. From left to right: Colonel William Holmes, Lieutenant Colonel William Walker Russell Watson, Colonel John Paton, Captain Sydney Percival Goodsell.

William was put in charge of the 24^th Battalion in March 1915 and they reached Gallipoli on 5^th September. At Gallipoli he was temporarily put in charge of the Brigade for its landing as Colonel Richard Linton had died after his ship was torpedoed. He was Officer in Charge of his battalion at Lone Pine and commanded an evacuation party from the 6^th Brigade when they left the peninsula. He was appointed C. B. and Mentioned in Despatches for his work on Gallipoli.

William applied for a commission in the 3^rd Military District. The form was copied from the nominal roll of 26^th January 1916. It stated his present civil employment as a Gentleman and his next of kin was still Minnie, but C/o S. Horden and Son Ltd. Brickfield Hill, Sydney and that was given as his postal address as well. He was to be a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 24^th battalion. He commanded the 24th Battalion, which sailed from Egypt to France in March 1916. After arriving they moved into the line at Fleurbaix in France. He was wounded at Pozieres, near Albert, when a shell landed in their battalion headquarters in an old gun pit. William was the only one not killed. Base Records sent a letter to Minnie advising her William had been wounded, but they did not know what it was but stated it was not serious and without further notification would be assumed to be improving. She was given an address to write any letter to him. He resumed command on 12^th October.

Sent to England, he was put in charge of the 2^nd Division Training School. He resumed command of the 24^th Battalion in May 1917. In July he was sent to England to take charge of the 17^th Brigade and was appointed commandant of the Overseas Training Camp near Warminster in September.

On 1^st June 1918 he was promoted to Colonel.

He was appointed CMG on December 1918.

While in command of the camp at Sutton Very on Salisbury Plain, the camp was visited by William Hughes, the Australian Prime Minister, in mid-1918. Mr Hughes gave a speech to the camp, saying how impressed he was with them and they would prove themselves as had other Australian soldiers. “He was sure they would continue in their good work until Germany realised that war did not pay.”

He signed a form stating he had paid all known claims and accounts in UK or Europe and gave his address at Elizabeth Bay if there was still anything outstanding. It seems that many officers were embarking before paying their accounts which were being sent to AIF Headquarters. The Legion d’Honneur Chevalier was conferred by the President of the French Republic on 1920.

After the war, he was a director at the Cumberland Paper Mill. He also played golf at Kensington and was a member of the New South Wales Club and the Australian Golf Club. They were living in Elizabeth Bay by 1924. He was also involved with the National Party.

He had been ill for several weeks and apparently he caught a chill at General Finn’s funeral on the proceeding Thursday. William died in Jenner Private Hospital at Potts Point on 30^th June 1924 of septicaemia. The funeral service was held at St Mark’s Church, Darling Point at 10am. He was buried at South Head Church of England cemetery in Section N Row 10 Plot 398,399. The inscription reads: – CB. CMG. VD. My husb. Legion of Honour Colonel, 24 Inf. Batn. AIF. He left a widow, two brothers and four sisters. A coroner’s inquest was done on 7^th July 1924.

After William died, his wife Minnie married her Grandfather’s brother’s son, Doctor Herbert Vivian Horden in 1930 in Sydney. He must have divorced from his first wife as she did not die until 1938. But Minnie did not have long to live, passing away on 15^th August 1931.

In 1959 an enquiry to CARO was replied with stating William served in the Boer War as a Captain in the 1^st New South Wales Mounted Rifles and 14/18 War in 24^th Battalion and died 30^th June 1924.

William’s middle brother, Bourn Frederick Leo Watson (born 1881), served in the Boer War as Trooper 84 in the 2^nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles. He was entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901 and SA 1902. He later moved to Canada and enlisted for the First World War in 1916 and fought in Europe. After the war he married Elizabeth Gilfillan in Vancouver on 7^th September 1918. He died in Saanich, B.C. on 29^th May 1956.

His other brother, David George Herbert Watson (born 1889) joined the 8^th Field Ambulance on 26^th May 1915 as Private 6675. He was a draughtsman who had previously served for 5 years with the 1st Regiment Australian Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal, then temporary Sergeant a couple of times during his service, and returned to Australia in 1919. David was entitled to a trio. In WW2 he served as Staff Sergeant N29134 in the 3^rd Australian Army Tank Ordnance Workshop. Presumably he was just entitled to the 1939-45 War medal and Australian Service medal. He died in 1958.

From ANZACS Online – “Typical of the better A.I.F. commanders, he was respected by his troops; he was intensely loyal to them, but would not tolerate those who sought to evade their responsibilities.”

William’s medals are Companion, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath; Companion, The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George; Queen South Africa medal with clasps Dreifontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittlebergen and Cape Colony; 1914-15 Star; British war Medal; Victory Medal with oak leaf; V D; and Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur.

Clifford William Ernest Ashburner MiD

9^th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

4^th Brigade Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

12th Garrison Battalion

Headquarters British Commonwealth Occupation Force

by Robert Simpson

Clifford was born on 6^th September 1889 in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. (One source has Clifford Arundell William (no Ernest) and another has Connell as the second name, but those middle names are not confirmed elsewhere, and his service papers state he was born in July 1889.). He also has a brother and sister that are known of. His parents were Ernest Ashburner and Dorothy Adelaide August Bean. Ernest was born in India but married Dorothy in South Africa in 1883 (his second wife). Ernest’s parents, William and Mary had married in India in 1845, but had shifted to South Africa with the family before they passed away. Clifford comes from an extremely military orientated family. Ernest had risen to the rank of Captain by the Boer War and formed his own unit, Ashburner’s Light Horse which was raised at Kimberley 23^rd January 1901 and disbanded there on 5^th April 1902. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General. He also owned an ostrich farm in South Africa which apparently, he retired to. Ernest’s father William rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General in the Indian Army and Major-General in South Africa. William’s father, William Page Ashburner was born in India and was the mayor of Bombay at some time, but travelled between Hobart, Australia and England later on in life. He must have had something to do with the civil service in India and he had the letters C.S.I. after his name. William Page also had some of his other sons who rose quite high in the ranks. Not much is known of his early life except his mother died on 7^th May 1911. His father married again in 1915. His Demobilisation Procedure Book after World War 2 describes his education record as being 4 years at Vryburg State School in South Africa where he reached 6^th Grade and 4 years at Marist Brothers College, Utinage, South Africa where he did a Vet. Course and matriculated.

Whether it was by his father’s influence or not, he joined the Driscoll’s Scouts during the Boer War when he was only 12 as Private 1261. He was entitled to the Orange Free State, Transvaal and 1902 clasp on the Queens South Africa medal. He was not entitled to the King’s South Africa medal. He would have not seen much action, but Driscoll’s Scouts were involved in the final great drives in the Western Transvaal. His certificate of discharge reads 1261 Trooper C. W. E. Ashburner of Driscoll’s Scouts attested at Blomfontein on 15^th May 1902 at the age of 17 years and he was born in Bombay India. (The last two are not right). He was discharged as a consequence of the corps disbanding and his character was very good. He served for 47 days and his discharge was signed at Blomfontein on 30^th June 1902. His description was age 17, height 5 foot, fair complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair, his trade was a farmer and he intended to live in Mafeking. Apparently, he also served with the British South African Mounted Police during the war and latterly spent 2 years with the Kimberley Regiment, though there are no documents to confirm this.

Again, after the war not much is known about his life, but he must have married Elizabeth Christina Wiehahn at some time in South Africa. A couple of incomplete documents state he worked for Village Deep Limited in 1909 and possibly 1910 and he had a blasting certificate. Due to some of the documents being missing it is hard to know what he did there and for how long. There is a certificate of service from De Beers Consolidated Mines which says Clifford Arundell Wm Ashburner worked there from 1^st March 1912 to 28^th November 1913 as a guard at Dutoitspan Mine and Bultfoetein Floor compounds and he had resigned. His duties were performed satisfactorily. The family then migrated to South Australia where they were found in 1914 at 41Mazeburg Place Kensington. No records indicate when they shifted. They had four children, 3 girls and one boy. There are no details on two of the girls; the boy, Ernest Clifford, was born in South Australia in 1913 and died of influenza in 1918 in South Africa during the epidemic. The other girl, Alice Lily Mabel was born in 1923 in South Africa. Elizabeth had obviously moved back with the family to South Africa during WW1 for some reason and she stayed there after the war, until she could gain passage back to Australia. Whether she came back or not is not confirmed either.

On 19^th October 1914, Clifford attested with the 9^th Light Horse Regiment in the Machine Gun Section as Private 38 at Morphettville, South Australia. His occupation was a pugilist with his address listed as 41 Maxeburg Place, Kensington, South Australia. He gave his religion as Church of England and his pay was 15 shillings a day. Mrs. Elizabeth Christiana Ashburner of the same address was noted as his next of kin. His age was stated as 25 years and 3 months. Previous military service was Driscoll’s Scouts (Boer War) for 7 months, 7 years 65 days with British South African Mounted Police and 2 years with Kimberley Regiments South Africa. His description also included height 5 foot 11.5 inches, weight 160 pounds, chest measurement 35.5 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1^st December 1914 and to Corporal on 1^st January 1915.

The regiment left Melbourne on HMAT Karroo A10 on 11^th January 1915 with Clifford now a Corporal in the 9^th Light Horse Regiment Machine Gun Section. They arrived at Gallipoli on 16^th May 1915. It seems that Clifford was heavily involved with the machine gun section and was called on to do the training and gun laying work by his Officer Commanding. He was involved with the battle at the Nek. He was positioned behind the Australian trenches and to the left at Turk’s Point. During the charge, he brought his guns into action without orders, firing at the Turkish trenches. From his position, he could see the charge and what was happening. Major Reynell ordered him to stop firing after the third wave had gone, sending a note saying “Aren’t you firing on our own men”? Those in command had been told of seeing a flag in the Turkish trenches, which was not true. He later described the attack as he saw it; “The first and 2nd lines went out running-charging. The third line bent, with rifles on guard, walking. When they got as far as the knoll they turned, and those who could get back to the trenches did so. Then a long time before the last lot.” He could see the dead and dying in no-man’s land, the scaling ladders dropped by the first wave, wounded men raising their arms and trying to drink out of their bottles but within a few hours all movement had stopped. His two machine guns were the only cover the men had when they charged, by enfilading the Turkish trenches, and before being ordered to stop they had expended over 10 000 rounds. After the war, when Charles Bean was writing the Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, he must have interviewed Clifford as he makes reference to him in it.

Clifford was again promoted to Sergeant on 9^th June 1915. During a Turkish counterattack on 29^th and 30^th of June, at 2 a.m. some of the Turks who had been lying in the scrub charged the machine gun position at Turk’s Point. One soldier was bayoneted and as the Turks were attempting to seize one of the guns, Clifford shot the closest one with his rifle and then turned the machine gun on them, causing the rest to flee. The Australians captured 50 rifles from the Turks after they fled.

He was Mentioned in Despatches on 26^th August 1915 from General Sir Ian Hamilton that was published in the London Gazette page 11002, position 22 on 5^th November 1915 as Sergeant 38 in the 9^th (Australian) Light Horse Regiment. A letter was sent to his wife on 6^th April 1916 detailing this.

After the disastrous attack on Hill 60 in August, the 9^th Light Horse only played a defensive roll at Gallipoli until they left in December. Back in Egypt, they were involved in the defence of the Suez Canal.

It would seem that Clifford was rising up the military ladder, but he was about to come crashing down. While in Egypt he was sent to the 3^rd Training Regiment and he was also admonished in June. He was to face a court martial while in the 9^th Light Horse Regiment in Palestine. On 3^rd August 1916 he was reduced to the ranks and awarded 6 months Imprisonment with Hard Labour due to – “stealing goods the property of a comrade, that he on or about February 1916 stole a pair of binoculars the property of 249 L/Cpl Driscoll L.S. Machine G. Sect. 9^th L. H. Regt. Alternative charge – (not proceeded with) Receiving, knowing them to be stolen goods, the property of a comrade, in that he on or about February 1916 was in possession of a pair of binoculars the property of L/Cpl L. S. Driscoll M. G. S. 9^th L. H. Regt. Confirmed by Brig. Gen. 3^rd L. H. Brigade”(J M Antill). On 4^th September 1916, the sentence was suspended by order of Commander in Chief and he was to be released and sent back to his unit. What brought about this change is not known. Driscoll was to become a Lieutenant later on while Clifford stayed with the ranks.

On 1^st October 1916, he was taken on strength, ex 9^th Light Horse Details to 3^rd Training Regiment and on 21^st November he was taken on strength of Provost Corps and he was then transferred to 9^th Light Horse Regiment on 10^th December. He was attached to Headquarters Anzac Training Centre and Details Camp on 18^th January 1917. As a Trooper, he was then transferred to 3^rd Training Regiment on 13^th February. On 25^th July 1917, he was taken on strength of 4^th Machine Gun Squad and transferred to 4^th Light Horse Training Regiment. On 4^th August 1917, he was transferred to 4^th Brigade Machine Gun Squadron.

His military service was further darkened when on 26^th September 1917 he was charged with an offence as a Trooper as “Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he on the morning of Sept. 20^th 1917 created a disturbance in the Squadron lines.” He was awarded 6 days’ field punishment number 2 and forfeited 6 days pay for his trouble. In December 1917, he was sent to hospital with diarrhoea which seemed to plague him until late February 1918. He returned to the Machine Gun Squadron but was again in hospital in August 1918 with diarrhoea and was also admitted to hospital from September to December.

There is also another record of a court martial held on 7^th August 1918 whilst he was in the 4^th Australian Machine Gun Squadron. On 26^th February 1919, he was again punished for creating a disturbance in the squadron lines and assaulting a mess orderly in the execution of his duty for which he received 28 days’ field punishment No. 2. It looks like this also stopped him going home on compassionate leave.

He returned to Australia as part of the 4^th Machine Gun Squad on 7^th April 1919 from Suez on HT City of Poona and disembarked on 14^th May at Sydney. On 1^st September 1919, he was discharged from the army. His discharge certificate reads: – Trooper 38 Clifford William Ernest Ashburner, 4^th Machine Gun Squadron, born in Port Elizabeth South Africa, attested at Morphettville South Australia on 19^th October 1914 in the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Forces at 29 years old was discharged due to medical unfitness (not due to misconduct). He served for 4 years and 319 days including 4 years and 97 days abroad. The Distinguished Conduct Medal is listed. The Returned Soldier’s Badge 100597 was issued and he was discharged on 1^st September 1919. He received a greatcoat and civilian suit and cap and he was entitled and issued with 5 blue chevrons. It also mentions “City of Poona” presumably as the ship he returned on. His description is noted as 34 years, height 6 foot 1 inch, medium complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He listed his trade as an athletic instructor and he intended to live at 29 Frederick St Ashfield, New South Wales.

There is a series of correspondence to the Department of Repatriation between 1919 and 1921 about payment for his wife and family for them to return back to Australia. Sometime during the war, they must have moved back to South Africa. It begins with a letter from the Defence Department to the Department of Repatriation stating a letter from Mrs E C Ashburner, saying that some time ago she had applied for her free passage ticket and was still waiting for it. It also says she did not want to return to Australia until after Clifford had arrived. There is also an application form filled out by Clifford on 14^th July 1919 in Sydney but it only lists his wife. Free passage was approved on 30^th July and it was asked that South African authorities be informed of this on the 13^th August. On 9^th February 1920 Clifford wrote to the Australian Prime Minister telling him his problem with getting his wife back and asking if he could help. It was passed on to the Repatriation Department who replied stating the previous approval of the passage in July 1919. Another telegram was sent to South Africa to expedite the passage. There was then a series of letters covering the payment of the passage in late 1920.

His address on 11^th November 1920 was Farm 368 Springbrook Dairy, Yenda, Victoria as on a letter about his 15 Star and why he had not got it when others had. He only had the oak leaves for his Mention in Despatch. A reply stated that the medals were not yet available and he could also apply for the nearest female relative badge also with the enclosed form.

On 21^st December 1920, he again writes to Mr Hughes, the Prime Minister asking about cashing in his war bonds as he has a house but no money to furnish it for him and his wife and child. A letter in reply stated that the letter has been forwarded to the appropriate department. A letter dated 18^th April 1921 is asking for reimbursement for payment of the passage of Mrs E C Ashburner on London Voucher 1760 for 19 pounds 10 shillings. There is further correspondence on that payment. Whether or not she and the family moved back to Australia is debatable as there is no mention of them in Australia and their last child was born in South Africa in 1923.

On 28^th September 1922, he writes about returning the receipt of the 15 Star and stating his address after returning from South Africa to Yenda. Elizabeth and the family did not return with him it would appear. In 1923, he married Eily Mary Coghlan (possibly as no record has been found). In the 1909 and 1914 Electoral Rolls she was listed as living in Ballarat, 24 Errard St North and an occupation of home duties. She had been previously married to Albert Edwin Cother. Albert had been born in Carlton Melbourne in 1881 and had enlisted as Driver 2984 in the 5^th Field Company of Australian Engineers on 12^th July 1915. They must have married sometime after that (as his attestation records states he was single) and before he departed in November 1915. He returned to Australia on 8^th September 1919 as a Sergeant and he had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Clifford was listed in the 1924 Supplemental Electoral Roll interestingly with Elizabeth and not Eily at 106 Queensbury St, Carlton with his occupation as a special constable.

On 23^rd August 1925 their only daughter, Rosemary Kathleen was born in Melbourne.

By the 1936 Electoral Roll they were living at a property called Myrnyong at Yarragong, Gippsland and he was listed as a farm manager. His daughter remembers at some time he had cattle, so this is possibly the time. Also at some stage he was working as a Vet in country Victoria, which is confirmed with what he studied in South Africa as in his Demobilisation book. In the 1937 roll they had shifted to 553 Beach Rd, Mordialloc in Flinders, Victoria and he was a saddler. He was obviously concerned with what was happening in Germany at this time and he wrote to the War Office in London. Their reply on 6^th October 1937 thanked him for his “interest in the defence of the Empire I am to say that whilst fully appreciating the spirit of your suggestion to raise a unit in Australia for service in Palestine or elsewhere, this Department is unable to accept the offer of your services, as it is considered that for various reasons the formation of such a unit is impracticable within the framework of British Military Forces.” It is signed the Director of Recruiting and Organisation. Clifford’s address is given as Kia Ora Café, 533 Beach Rd Mordialloc. It would be interesting to know what the original letter stated and how he wanted to be involved. On 1^st July 1939, his father Ernest died in Durban, South Africa.

Clifford enlisted on 6^th October 1939 as V80914 Private in the army and was discharged on 8^th July 1940 from 12^th Garrison Battalion. His certificate of discharge states he left the Australian Military Forces as he had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, and he was described as being 51 years old, 5 foot 11.5 inches tall dark hair and complexion and hazel eyes. Saddler was listed as his trade. He enlisted on 9^th July 1940 at Tocumwal, New South Wales as Private VX42085 in the 15^th Training Battalion AIF and was discharged on 12^th August 1940 as Officer Commanding 15 I T Battalion. He was discharged on consequence of enlisting in the 17^th Garrison Battalion in which he must have served for the rest of the war. The discharge states his age as 41 years and 11 months, height 6 foot, dark hair and complexion and hazel eyes. He had a shrapnel scar on the back of his neck and his trade was a saddler. In both cases, he is listed as being born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on 6^th September, but the first one has 1889 and the other 1898 which is obviously an error. Both have next of kin as Eily. The second record also misses the middle name of Ernest in it. There is another record with a service number of VX129276 which has his full name but next of kin is Eileen? He joined in Melbourne. This was his records while with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. Without looking at the records it is unknown why these errors have occurred as they have not been accessed yet.

A reference dated 4^th December 1940 from Coghlan Boase Pty. Ltd. reads: “To whom it may concern/ This is to certify we have known Mr. C.W. Ashburner, now of 5^th Works and Parks Coy, 2^nd Military P.O. Rokeby, for several years. Our knowledge of him is, that he is a hard working, steady and honest man and feel sure he would carry out any duties entrusted to him in a very satisfactory manner.” Another reference dated 3^rd December 1940 from the Shire of Berrigan states “I have known Mr Cliff Ashburner as a business man and a personal friend for the last six years. During that period I found him to be a capable businessman, scrupulously honest, and of temperate habits. I can confidently recommend him for any position of trust.” It is signed V G Groutsch President. A third reference from H G Chauvel (General) dated 26^th February 1940 in Melbourne reads “This is to certify that I have known Mr. C W Ashburner for many years and have always known him to be reliable. He has had much Military experience, having served in the South African War and the late War. After a refresher course, he would be suitable for Instructional work.”

On 1^st September 1941, a telegram is sent to Base Records in Canberra requesting a verification of his entitlement to DCM, 15 Star and whether Mentioned in Despatches. A reply on the 2^nd confirmed the latter two, but no DCM.

After leaving school, his daughter Rosemary worked in the Taxation Office. When she turned 18 she joined the Australian Women’s Army Service at Albert Park, Melbourne as VF513795 on 14^th September 1943 and was discharged on 13^th May 1947 as a Corporal. She apparently had something to do with intelligence and may have been involved with Japanese prisoners of war. After the war, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Order at the age of 24.

Rosemary’s medals.

His Demobilisation Procedure Book dated 3^rd October 1945 has him entered as Staff Sergeant V5346 (although the front page has that crossed out and VX129276 written in) with a home address of 72 Victoria Ave. Albert Park and the unit of LHQ (CGS) There are various entries with the date stamp in January 1947. His pre-enlistment occupation was written as draper and saddler, his own business of 20 years. He was listed as medical class B2 and was married.

His Certificate of Discharge reads VX129276 Staff Sergeant Clifford William Ernest Ashburner D.C.M., H.Q. British Commonwealth Occupation Forces served on continuous full time war service in the Citizens Military Forces from 15^th August 1940 to 21^st January 1946 and Australian Imperial Force from 22^nd January 1946 to 14^th January 1947. He served for 2344 days including active service in Australia of 1485 days and outside Australia for 252 days. He did not receive any decorations or awards nor was he entitled to the War Badge. He was discharged from the AIF on 14^th January 1947 at Royal Park 3^rd M. D. His description on discharge was height 6 feet, hazel eyes, dark complexion, brown hair and a scar on the back of the neck.

Another letter is sent on 6^th March 1946 asking for confirmation of an award of the DCM to him. The reply also stated that there is no record held by this Office in relation to Clifford have been recommended or awarded any decoration, but it does note his MiD.

On 14^th May 1952 a letter was sent from the Corps of Commissionaires (Victoria) Limited to Army Headquarters in Melbourne regarding the records of Clifford who was a Commissionaire at that time regarding his entitlement to the DCM. It also questioned how many time he had been Mentioned in Despatches as it stated “he received three Oak Leaves with his parchment certificate”. The letter states that he lost the DCM and his rank of Sergeant by Court Martial and as it was by summary award it did not affect his DCM. A letter was sent to Canberra on the 15^th to Base Records to ascertain answers to those questions. A reply dated the 20^th stated that they had no records of a DCM being awarded and he was only entitled to one Mention.

Another letter on 30^th September 1952 from the Secretary of the Corps discussed that he had seen Clifford’s discharge certificate and it notes the DCM on it amongst other items. It follows with “I have interviewed Commissionaire Ashburner, who states that he was awarded the decoration while with the 9^th Light Horse on Gallipoli in 1915, at the time when the 8^th Light Horse was badly cut up at the Nek on 7^th August. He was invested with the medal by General Allenby in Palestine in 1917, General Chauvel being amongst those present at the ceremony”. He asked for further research to clear up the matter. There is no more correspondence in his service files until 7^th June 1960 where a reply to the Australian Army Staff in London states a careful search of records had shown no trace of an award of the DCM to C. W. E. Ashburner and this was forwarded on to the Army Office in Melbourne. A reply dated 8^th October reiterated the original reply with extra searching not changing the answer.

The 1949 Electoral Roll had them listed at 72 Victoria Ave. South Melbourne with his occupation as a soldier. By 1954 they had moved to Mt. Slide Rd, Kingslake and he was a watchman. Eily passed away on 8^th May 1960 at Healesville Victoria. In 1960 Clifford remarried to Christina Victoria Meldrum who was 70 years old at the time. She did not live much longer and died in 1962. The 1963 Electoral Roll shows him at the same place and with the same job. Later in life he converted to the Catholic faith, through the influence of Rosemary.

Another couple of letters, this time from the War Office in London and Australian Army Staff in London to Base Records in Melbourne again state there is no record of a Distinguished Conduct Medal being awarded to Clifford.

He passed away on 25^th June 1966 of bronchopneumonia and cerebrovascular accident at the Repatriation General Hospital at Heidelberg, Melbourne where he had been a patient. His grave has the following epitaph: –

In loving memory of

Clifford W Ashburner

Who died 25^th June 1966

Late Boer War A.I.F. 1914-1918

A.I.F. 1939-45

R.I.P.

My Father

His daughter Rosemary wrote to the Army Records Office on 16^th October 1967 and their reply on the 30^th stated that they have searched the records for an award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Clifford but no trace was found. They note he was Mentioned in Despatches one time and he was entitled to the Anzac Commemorative Medallion for which they enclosed a form to fill out. She certainly thought he was entitled to it and she stated in the letter she had his discharge certificates from the Boer War, the Great War and World War II. She also states “As your records show he had a colourful career beginning with the Boer War at the age of twelve, in which case his age was “put up” for the occasion of his enlistment, to seventeen”. She wanted to find out also the wording that accompanied his DCM. She also said she was an ex service person and was anxious to receive the above-mentioned medals. She signed the letter Sister M Ambrose and underneath (Rosemary Ashburner). She forwarded the application form back on 19^th November with a letter but no mention of the DCM. Her address was P.O. Box 518 Convent of Mercy, Albury N.S.W. 2640.

Some documents in his file state no trace of Boer War records or of having enlisted in Australia for the Boer War, which is correct, he did not enlist in Australia, and his records would be in South Africa. For some reason his WW1 service records originally have his trio of medals crosses out with stamped lines, a red pencil and a stamp stating “not eligible war medals” by some Army Act, only to see another stamp stating “War Medals restored by the provisions of Army Order” in late 1920 and the next page has his trio and Mention in Despatch issued. Why they were originally cancelled is not known, but this explains why he was late in getting them.

His medals are Queens South Africa medal with Orange Free State, Transvaal and South Africa 1902 clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals with MiD emblem, 1939-45 War Medal, Australian Service Medal and the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Japan Clasp.

The museum has his last three medals, and also his discharge parchments.

A lot of questions still need to be answered. Finding his birth certificate would confirm a few things. More details could be found in his WW2 and court martial records if they were accessible. There are questions on his original court martial, why would he do it and why and how did he get out of imprisonment so quickly and easily? What happened to the DCM award, there is no recorded evidence apart from his discharge, yet he was very adamant he should still have it? It is documented in many letters, yet nothing is found by anyone. What roll do Allenby and Chauvel play? Chauvel wrote a reference for him, so he obviously respected him. Are there documents they wrote which answer these questions? Bean makes mention of him in his history so he took note of what he said. Why were his service medals originally cancelled and then reinstated? Maybe sometime these questions will be answered to give the fuller story of Clifford Ashburner’s life.

377 Sergeant  John Munro Bargh, DCM

6^th New South Wales Imperial Bushmen,

6^th Light Horse Regiment, AIF.

by Robert Simpson

John Munro Bargh was born in the suburb of Newington in Edinburgh on 26^th November 1870, a son to Thomas Miller Bargh and Charlotte Munro who had been married in 1862. He was one of 11 children. His father’s occupation was a brass founder or finisher and they lived in various locations in St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh. In 1871, they were living at 16 Roxburgh Please and in 1881 they were living in 10 St. Leonards Lane. In early 1883, the family immigrated to Australia on the ship Potosi. They arrived in Melbourne on 7^th April 1883. Some time after that, they moved to Tasmania and were residing in Hobart. John’s oldest brother Thomas had moved to New South Wales and was married in 1887 and John must have gone there sometime also, maybe with him.

During the Boer War, he is noted as E Company Private 484 6^th New South Wales Imperial Bushmen. On a roll for the Queens South African Medal for the Imperial Bushmen his name is crossed out and it is also noted he was entitled to the South Africa 1901 bar. It states he was a Lance Corporal, so he must have been promoted at some time, and served from the 19^th May 1900 to 23^rd June 1901. It refers to the Kings Medal roll for the 2^nd Scottish Horse where his regimental number was 33545 and he served from 5^th December 1901 to 31^st May 1902. Another roll for the Bushmen for the South Africa medal issued 1^st April 1901 lists him as Trooper 484 and he was entitled to the Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Rhodesia clasps and refers to him also being in the Scottish Horse. He was issued medal number 215. The roll for the King’s South Africa medal issued 1^st October 1902 has him listed as above and being entitled to the South Africa 1901 and 1902 clasps and notes his service with the Imperial Bushmen. Another roll of the 2^nd Scottish Horse notes him claiming the Queens Medal and clasps before and the Kings Medal and clasps were claimed and that he was discharged on the 7^th July 1902 from Johannesburg and was now in the Natal Police. The NSW (6^th) Imperial Bushmen was raised in Australia as a reply to the Boer guerrilla tactics to beat them at their own game. It consisted of volunteers and left on the transport Armenian on 23^rd April 1900. The 15 months they spent in South Africa was served in Rhodesia and West Transvaal. They returned to Australia on the transport Orient on 8^th April 1901. There had been recruiting of Scotsmen for a regiment to be known as the Scottish Horse. After returning John must have joined up with one of the recruiting drives through Australia. Afterwards he stayed for a while with the Military Police to ensure that Law, order and peace prevailed. It is not known how long he was with them although his WW1 service record says 15 months and then he took discharge.

His mother Charlotte passed away on 2^nd February 1903 at the age of 59 years and was buried in the Cornelian Bay Cemetery near Hobart.

He joined the 6^th Australian Light Horse Regiment as Trooper 377 on 26^th September 1914 at Rosehill N.S.W. and embarked on HMAT Suevic on 21^st December 1914. His service records states 1 year and 84 days with the Imperial Bushmen, 200 days with the 2^nd Scottish Horse and 15 months with the Johannesburg Military Police and he then took a discharge. He names his sister Miss Nellie Bargh in Hobart as his Next-of-Kin. He stated his age as 43 years and 11 months; he was 5 foot 81/4 inches tall, weighed 11 stone 8 pounds, had a chest measurement of 38 + 4.5 inches and was of fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. He had vaccination scars and tattoos on his arms. His religion was Church of England. His occupation was stated as station hand at Cuibar Station, Winton, N.S.W. Of his pay of 5 shillings a day, he was taking 2 shillings and 6 pence and leaving the rest in Australia. He proceeded to join the MEF at Gallipoli from HMT Lutzow on 15^th May 1915. The 6^th Light Horse was responsible for a sector on the far right of the ANZAC line and played a defensive roll until it left the peninsular. He was to be a Sergeant (Supernumerary Provisional) at Anzac Cove on 3^rd August 1915 and a Sergeant (provisional) on 16^th September. He reverted to a Temporary Corporal on 15^th October. He was sent to the Hospital with a septic arm on the 17^th November from the 2^nd Light Horse Field Ambulance. He was transferred on the ship Somali to Alexandria and then to the No. 2 General Hospital with septic ulcers (phlebitis) at Cairo on 23^rd November. He was promoted to Corporal on 21^st December at Maadi with the 6^th Light Horse. On that day, he also was confined to barracks for 7 days and fined 2 days pay for which the particulars were written for but no record was kept. He rejoined the unit on 30^th December.

He was to be a Lance Sergeant at Serapeum on 23^rd February 1916 and was promoted to Sergeant at El Maler on 19^th March. The regiment was involved in defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish advance across the Sinai Desert. He was with the regiment at Deir-el-Belah on 25^th April and was sent to the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar on 18^th June. On 13^th August, he was transferred back to the 6^th Light Horse and rejoined them on the 15^th at Um Urgan. The regiment was involved with patrol work in late 1916 and early 1917 until the advance into Palestine stalled at Gaza. After two abortive attempts to capture the town directly, the regiment was involved in the flanking move that began at Beersheba on 31^st October. Gaza fell on 7^th November and the Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed. The 6^th participated in the pursuit that followed and led to the capture of Jerusalem in December. He was wounded in the field on 3^rd December 1917 and after going through the 2^nd L.H.F.A., 75^th C.C.E. and 44^th Stationary Hospital he was admitted to 14^th AGH in Abbassia on 12^th. His wound was stated as a Gun Shot Wound in the right thigh, knee or leg depending where he was. He was mentioned in the Jerusalem Despatch in the list of awards for the A.I.F. in Egypt for the D.C.M. The Mercury newspaper in Hobart notes him in the Roll of Honour 377^th Casualty List as being wounded in action. On 15^th February 1918, he was transferred to the ship Ulysses at Port Said for embarkation back to Australia for discharge. He arrived on 18^th March. On 15^th September, he was discharged at Sydney and a note is on his records with multiple Gun Shot Wounds although it was crossed out and changed to GSW knee.

On 30^th April 1918 in the London Gazette his award for the Distinguished Conduct Medal was promulgated and a letter sent to his sister in October.

His citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal reads: Bargh J.M. Sergeant 377.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of a patrol when the enemy launched an attack. Seeing the enemy advancing in strength he galloped his troops forward an occupied a cutting in advance of the infantry firing line. He opened fire on the advancing enemy, and by his bold stimulation of strength checked their advance and compelled them to dig in. He showed splendid courage an initiative. 1.5.18. Part of a citation also says: No. 377, Sergeant John Munro BARGH, 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Near WILHELMA on 27^th November 1917, Sergeant BARGH was in command of a troop. His squadron was co-operating with the Infantry of the 162^nd Infantry Brigade. This squadron was moving out on day patrol when the enemy attack commenced. On perceiving the enemy advancing in strength, Sergeant BARGH immediately galloped his Troop past the Infantry post at WILHELMA railway Station and occupied a cutting about a 1000 yards to the north. He opened fire on the advancing enemy and his bold stimulation of strength checked their advance and forced them to commence digging in, /thus (the record stops there).

An older brother, Robert Munro Bargh joined the Tunnelling Company as Sapper 7992 and embarked on the HMAT Nestor on 21st November 1917. He was born in 1865 and was 52 when he joined up. He had married in Victoria but was living and working in Coolgardie as a miner. His wife had passed away in 1895. The Western Argus lists him as 1 of 9 volunteers who passed as fit at the recruiting office in Kalgoorlie and he was living at Golden Ridge at the time. He embarked on 21^st November 1917. The Examiner newspaper in Launceston notes him as being ill on 11^th July 1918. He returned to Australia on 19^th October 1918 and is noted in the Western Australian in List C of the Returning Soldiers on 26^th November 1918, but he had contracted tuberculosis and passed way on 13^th December 1920. He is buried in Wooroloo cemetery Northam, Western Australia.

Two sons from his older brother Thomas also served in World War 1. Robert Bruce Bargh was born in 1895, enlisted in the 35^th Battalion as Private 3356 and embarked on 24^th January 1917. He was killed on the 12^th October 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. A note from the Red Cross states he was in A Company and another member of that company can give details of his casualty and burial as he was originally reported as missing. Obviously, the grave was destroyed in subsequent fighting.

Another son, Joshua born in 1899 joined the IMT Company 3^rd (Army) F.A.B. on 3^rd October 1917 as Private 15291 and survived the war. He returned to Australia on 11^th May 1919.

His sister Nellie (Ellen) Bargh, mentioned as his NOK, lived in Hobart and seemed to be quite involved in church and fundraising activities and singing. She was the youngest child in the family. She is noted numerous times in the Hobart newspapers for the work and singing she was involved in. His Father passed away in 1926 and was buried with his wife.

After the war, John lived in Sydney at 34 Ormonde St, Glenmore as noted in electoral rolls from 1930 to 1937. His occupation was stated as a labourer. On the 1943 and 1949 rolls he was living at 21 Oatley Rd, Paddington and he had retired. On 25^th June 1953, he passed away. The death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald reads: – BARGH, John Munro (Jock) June 25 1953, late of 6^th Light Horse (result of accident), loved brother of Mary, Charlotte, Nellie, Maggie (deceased), Jean (deceased) (all of Hobart), fond uncle of Lottie, Ailsa, Joe, and Bill aged 83 years. At rest. For funeral notice see Saturday’s “Herald”. His funeral notice reads: BARGH – The Relatives and Friends of the late JOHN MUNRO (JOCK) BARGH are kindly invited to attend his Funeral; to leave our Private Chapel, 240 Oxford Street Paddington This Morning at 9.30 o’clock for the Crematorium Easter Suburbs. Labor Motor Funerals. – Saturday 27^th June. On 31^st July 1953 Wistin Cutajar, 23, labourer, of Victoria St. was committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter. The paper reads; – Mr Forrest was inquiring into the death of John Munro Bargh, pensioner, of Centenial Street, Marrickville, who was fatally injured on June 20 when he was knocked down by a car in Oxford St, Paddington. Mr Forrest found that Bargh died in St. Vincent’s Hospital on June 25 from injuries received on June 20 in Oxford Street, Paddington, when struck by a moving vehicle being driven negligently by Cutajar. He further found that Cutajar did feloniously slay Bargh. Constable J.W. Pritchard, of Paddington police, said that on June 20 he went to Oxford Street, Paddington, and saw Bargh lying on the road and Cutajar standing beside a car. Cutajar had said: “I have been to a wedding and I was on the way to the breakfast, I saw a man step off the footpath and walk in the pedestrian footway. I was upon him before I could pull up. I was travelling at about 20 miles an hour and was about six paces away from the man when I saw him. I applied my brakes.” He was allowed 40 pounds bail. The outcome of the trial is not known. So, after surviving two wars his life was tragically taken in an accident. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Rose Garden at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.

A letter from the Public Trustee on 24^th July 1953 to the Army Base Records in Canberra was asking if he had left a will but a handwritten note on it says no will was left. They were also asking about the death of Robert Bruce Bargh with a death certificate being supplied.

His medals were the Queens South Africa (Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Rhodesia clasps) and Kings South Africa (1901 and 1902 clasps) D.C.M., 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.