Lieutenant Richard John Garcia, DCM, MM, MiD

14th Battalion, AIF

By Paul Sutton

Richard John Garcia (known as Jack) was born in Tasmania around 1880 but was orphaned at a very early age. In 1914 he was living in Grey Street, Yarraville Victoria with his wife Catherine Cameron, whom he seems to have married in 1910. He was a blacksmith/farrier by trade.

He enlisted into the 14th Battalion, AIF on 10 September 1914, in Melbourne, when he was described as being 5ft 7 ¼ inches in height, 12 stone 2 lbs, with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He gave his religious denomination as Church of England.ⁱ

The battalion undertook its initial training at Broadmeadows until mid December 1914, when after parading through Melbourne on 17 December, they embarked onto the Ulysses A38 transport ship on 23 December for transportation overseas.ⁱⁱ

“Ulysses” A38, Melbourne, 23 December 1914. Source: AWM PB1081

The battalion arrived in Egypt on 31 January 1915 where they remained until mid-April undergoing further training. Destined for Lemnos, the battalion embarked upon the Seang Choon on the 13 April whilst the regimental transport was taken aboard the SS.California.ⁱⁱⁱ Presumably due to his skills as a farrier Garcia had been appointed to serve with the regimental transport as a driver.^ivAfter a week at Lemnos the battalion received their orders for their role in the Gallipoli landing.

The 4th Infantry Brigade, to which the 14th Battalion belonged, was in reserve and as such only departed Lemnos during the morning of 25 April after the initial landings had taken place. However, the day before his departure from Lemnos Garcia found himself before a Court Martial on one count of ‘Striking his Superior Officer’ and one count of ‘Using threatening language to his Superior Officer’.

Allegedly on 22 April, on-board the SS.California, Garcia complained about his bread ration to Corporal Schutze who subsequently threatened to parade him the following morning in front of one of the battalion officers. Garcia is said to have replied ‘Parade me you Bastard’ and then he hit the corporal. This was witnessed by Sergeant Symonds. Both Symonds and Schutze, along with three others gave witness testimony at the Court Martial. Garcia explained he had been drinking with Symonds and Schutze when he went below to collect his bedding. Upon returning to the upper deck he stumbled and then got into an argument with Schutze about his rations. All the witnesses confirmed he was intoxicated and even Garcia admitted he ‘was too drunk to know what happened afterwards’. He was found guilty of striking Schutze but not guilty of using threatening language. He was sentenced to Field Punishment No.2 for a period of one month and loss of pay. This would have entailed being shackled for up to two hours per day. He presumably remained on Lemnos during this period and only seems to have re-joined his unit at Gallipoli on 25 May although (according to his personnel file) Garcia was to later claim he had in fact been present at the landing on 25 April.^v

Garcia arrived at Gallipoli on the same day that Sergeant Albert Jacka, then of D Company, 14th Battalion, was recommended for a Victoria Cross. Jacka and Garcia were later to serve together, on the Western Front, in B Company.

Although Garcia spent only three months at Gallipoli, he did make a name for himself whilst he was there.

During operations at Suvla Bay small numbers of Australians were sent, and temporarily attached to some of the Territorial British units in that locality, as scouts, bombers, or snipers. These specialists, on returning to their own Australian units, were almost invariably accompanied by orders of appreciation for valuable services rendered. Two very capable 14th men, Les. Guppy (No 201) and Jack Garcia (No. 197), both of B Company, were detailed from the 14th to the Suvla Bay area, and did valuable work there. Garcia specialised in bombing, and was the inventor of a bomb carrier. He became a well-known personality in the 14^th.^vi

It was possibly for these actions that Brigadier General John Monash of the 4th Infantry Brigade had recommended him on two occasions for distinction ‘forhis work his work in the Gallipoli campaign’ but no award had been forthcoming.^vii

During this time he was promoted to Lance-Corporal (18 August) and would have played some role in the attacks on Abdel Rahman Bair on 8 August and on Hill 60 on 21 August. However on 8 September he was admitted sick with enteritis, first into the 4th Field Ambulance at ANZAC Cove and then to a hospital in Mudros. He was almost immediately transferred to a hospital in Vallatta, Malta where he remained, recovering, until 4 December when he was shipped back to Egypt. After further recuperation he finally rejoined the 14th Battalion on 3 January 1916 at Ismailia, Egypt to which it had been sent after the evacuation of Gallipoli the previous month.^viii

Garcia and his battalion spent the next six months training in Egypt. In January he attended a bomber training camp in Zeitoun. The battalion, as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade, was transferred to the newly formed 4th Australian Division and prepared for transfer to France. The battalion departed Alexandria on 1 June and arrived Marseilles on the morning of 7 June. Whilst at sea Garcia was promoted to Corporal (2 June) and upon arrival in Bailleul, France on 12 June he was promoted to Lance-Sergeant.^ix

By the end of June the battalion had moved into the front-line at Bois Grenier, close to Armentieres,in France. The 4th Brigade commander, John Monash, had decided to conduct a major raid on the German trenches to give his men experience, gain some useful intelligence and to instil an offensive attitude amongst the men. It was decided that A Company, 14th Battalion would provide the volunteers for this raid. Of the six officers and eighty-three men who ‘volunteered’ only two were from outside of A Company. One of these was Jack Garcia who was the NCO in command of the right-hand bombing party.^x

There was to be an assault party of four officers and fifty-six men split into right and left assault parties plus a covering party. Garcia was to command the bombing party of the right-hand assault party under the command of 2/Lieutenant Julian. The group spent almost two weeks out of the front-line training for the raid which was to take place the night of 2/3 July 1916. Once it became dark the assault party crept out into no mans land to await the British artillery bombardment to begin at 11.35pm that would cut the German wire in front to allow the raiders to enter. As was so often the case at this point in the war this failed to happen and the attackers got held up trying to cut through to wire. Some, but not all, of the attackers made it to the German front-line where the bombers were able to throw bombs into the dug-outs. 2/Lieutenant Julian was mortally wounded as he struggled through the uncut wire leaving Garcia as the senior NCO and in command of the assault party.

Map of the trench raid carried out on the night of 2/3 July 1916, near Bois Grenier.

Source: The history of the Fourteenth Battalion, A.I.F.: being the story of the vicissitudes of an Australian unit during the Great War

As quickly as it began the raid ended. The order to retire was given and the raiding party made its way back as best it could. Garcia was wounded in the left shoulder and right thigh but made his way back to the British trenches. All the officers and three quarters of the assault party became casualties including fourteen out of the sixteen bombers. In total nine were killed or left behind and captured and the rest wounded.^xi For his role in the raid Garcia was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

His citation stated:

near BOIS GRENIER night 2^nd 3^rd July

This N.C.O volunteered to go out while it was still daylight into “NO MANS LAND” to prevent enemy patrols from gaining information as to the presence or approach of our raiding party. He then fell into his place in the raiding party, and after the enemy wire had been passed and his officer (Lt.Julian) had become a casualty he took command of the right raiding party and continued to lead them during a systematic clearing of the dug-outs and trenches until himself disabled by shrapnel.

This N.C.O. has rendered consistent good service, and was previously recommended by me for distinction on December 7^th last for his work in the Gallipoli Campaign. He was again recommended by me for the Military Medal on June 29^th, 1916.

[Signed] John Monash, Brigadier General Commanding 4^th Australian Infty Brigade.^xii

Monash obviously held Garcia in high regards. Prior to the raid Monash had loaned him a pocket watch to use to synchronise the raid. Later, when Garcia was recovering in hospital in England, he wrote to Monash asking him how he could return the watch to him. The general replied:

THIRD AUSTRALIAN DIVISION, SALISBURY PLAIN, LARK HILL CAMP, 7th August, 1916.

Sgt. R.J.Garcia

Red Cross Relief Hospital,

Underwath Ventor,

ISLE OF WIGHT.

My Dear Sergeant Garcia,

Your letter of the 3rd August came to hand yesterday

and I have to thank you for your very good care of the watch

under very trying circumstances. As to its return I would like

you to accept it as a present from me, in memory of your own

brave conduct, and the very fine deeds of the other members of

the Raiding Party on the night of 2nd/3rd July.

Also let me congratulate you on the award of the

D.C.M., which your consistent gallant conduct so richly deserved.

I do much regret that I no longer have you in my

command, though in 3rd Division I have a very fine group(?)

of men, of which no doubt you will hear more later.

I am very glad to hear your recovery is already

so far advanced and I hope that before long you will be quite well

again and back with your comrades winning fresh laurels.

Yours very sincerely

J Monash

Pocket watched loaned by Brigadier General Monash to Sergeant Garcia. Source: Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, Queensland.

Garcia kept the watch and it, and the letter, are now part of the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum collection.

Letter from Brigadier General Monash to Sergeant Garcia, August 1917. Source: Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, Queensland.

Garcia was evacuated promptly after the raid. On 3 July he passed through 4th Field Ambulance and into the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station in Bailleul later the same day. The next day he was transferred to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Wimereux and the following day he was transported to England and admitted to the 5th Southern General Hospital in Portsmouth. He remained here (as well as on the Isle of Wight) until discharged on 21 August when he proceeded to the 1st Convalescence Depot where he remained for a further month. On 24 September he returned to France and rejoined his battalion on 3 October.^xiii

Upon his return the battalion was providing working parties outside of Ypres. On 14 October they moved into the front-line and on that same day Garcia received yet another wound – this time gunshot wounds to both legs. Evacuated once again to England he was in a hospital in Liverpool four days later. Here he remained until 8 January 1917 when he was given two weeks furlough after which he reported to Perham Downs for convalescence and training. He once again returned to his unit on 4 May after being promoted to Sergeant on 21 April.^xiv

The battalion served as reserve at the Battle of Messines on 7 June. On 26 June the Duke of Connaught inspected representatives of the 4th Brigade at Bailleul.

The representatives (seven officers and seventeen other ranks), were the elite of the Brigade (all men specially chosen for their distinguished records), and comprised no less that three V.C winners, viz Murray (13th), Jacka (14th), and O’Meara (16th Battalions). A finer body of men has seldom been gathered together….All had obtained decorations, and all were men of exceptional military merit.

Included in this illustrious band of brothers was Sergeant RJ Garcia, DCM.^xv

Map of Gapaard sector, August 1917. Outpost III is marked in pencil in Square 35d (bottom right). Source: AWM

The battalion remained around Messines for most of the summer. On 8 August the battalion took over the front-line close to Gapaard, on top of the ridge at Messines. In front of the main British front-line trench a series of out-posts were placed in No Mans Land from where Lewis Guns were placed with interlocking fields of fire. Garcia’s platoon was placed in outpost III for the next week. These posts were isolated and dangerous places. Given how exposed they were they could normally only be accessed under cover of darkness which meant the garrisons were required to remain in them throughout the daylight hours.^xvi

Whilst the week that Garcia was in and around outpost III was ‘quiet’, his actions that week earned him his second gallantry award – the Military Medal. His citation read:

For great gallantry and devotion to duty during the Battalion’s tour of duty in the GAPPAD Sector beyond MESSINES, 8^th to 14^th August 1917 The N.C.O. was Platoon Sergeant in the No.3. Outpost and was instrumental in organizing the Post and arranging mutually supporting cross-fire from the Lewis Guns in the Flank Posts. He supervised the patrolling and laid a system of guiding wires to and from the Outpost. His judgment [viz] and experience inspired the remainder of the personnel and his careful siting and arrangement of the Lewis Guns enabled the Post twice to inflict severe casualties on the enemy wiring parties which previously had been in dead ground.^xvii

On 26 September the battalion took part in the Battle of Polygon Wood as the British sort to force their way up to the top of the Passchendaele ridge. There is no record of the part Garcia played in the battle but it can be easily imagined he was in the thick of the action. Soon afterwards, on 6 October, in recognition of his abilities as a leader, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.^xviii

Garcia remained with the battalion until 25 January 1918 when he returned to England to attend a musketry course on Hayning Island. He returned to his unit 7 March and was again promoted, this time to Lieutenant on 1 April. He was also Mentioned in Despatches in 7 April for the role he had played in 1917.^xix

On 21 March 1918 the Germans launched a major offensive along the Somme and the British forces there soon began to retreat. At the time all the Australian forces were in Belgium but they were soon transferred south in a desperate attempt to stop a German breakthrough. The 4th Brigade was one of the first to arrive and immediately went into action at Hebuterne on the night of 26 March and the town retaken. The following day the Germans counter-attacked and were soon repulsed. There was by now a large gap in the British line and 14th Battalion was ordered to fill it which they did under difficult circumstances. Once completed they were ordered to advance further to extend the Brigade line. Once again Garcia was in the thick of it:

[The advance] was successfully accomplished without serious opposition, save in the case of one sentry group which was smartly and completely mopped up by a party of B Company under Lieut.R.J Garcia……Jack Garcia was one of the characters of the 14th and a man of iron nerve. A leading officer of the unit going through the front line one night during the above operations heard voices and sounds of excitement in No Man’s Land. He was informed that Lieuts Garcia and Schutz,were there. Upon going over and making inquiries he was informed by Garcia that Schutz had just found his fifth “brother”.^xx

Later, on 5 April, Garcia’s B Company was the only company that had not been withdrawn for a rest and was again in action.

B Company meanwhile held the crest [of the hill] to the east of Hebuterne. On the 5th at 5.30 a m. the British Brigade on its left, heavily supported by tanks, made an only partially successful attack on Rossignol Wood. B Company cooperated with it, and captured two enemy machine guns, destroyed four others, and earned considerable commendation for its fire and bomb support. B Company was relieved by A Company on the night of the 5th, its personnel being by that time absolutely exhausted, having been ten days in the line under trying and adverse conditions.^xxi

The battalion was later moved and spent April, May and June around Villiers-Bretonneux. However, the constant active service and injuries were taking its toll on Garcia. On 14 March he had written to his commanding officer requesting either leave to go to Australia or termination of his appointment with the AIF. He gave his reasons as:

My wife has been in ill health for several months with her are my three children the eldest 8 years and younger 3 years, they are wholly dependent on me for support and as neither my wife or myself have any male relatives in Australia I do not care to think what would become of my children in the event of the illness of my wife resulting in serious consequences.

My wife has three brothers all of whom are serving in France with the A.I.F. for myself, both my parents have died since I left Australia for service abroad.^xxii

Despite getting the recommendation from the commander of the 4th Australian Division, Major-General Sinclair-MacLagan, his request was denied on 22 March due to a lack of available transport. Garcia made a second request for the same on 27 May which was also denied on 3 June. Brigadier-General Brand, commander of the 4th Brigade appealed this decision and requested he be sent home as he was ‘war-worn’. He wrote ‘Lieut.Garcia has had a long and creditable career in the 14^th Bn., having been awarded the D.C.M and M.M. besides twice mentioned in Despatches.’ As a further support Sinclair-MacLagan also wrote ‘ In view of the fact that this officer is “war worn” and his efficiency as an officer impaired through domestic worry, it is hoped that the G.O.C., A.I.F., will reconsider his previous decision’. These letters of support were enough and on 17 June 1918 Garcia was informed he was to be returned to Australia for ‘termination of appointment’.

A letter written from the Welfare Officer of the Footscray Branch of the Returned Sailors’ Soldiers’ & Airmens’ Imperial League of Australia to the Repatriation Department, and dated 28 April 1952, adds an interesting footnote to Garcia’s overseas service. The letter states that writer had known Garcia ‘for the past 34 years, having first met him on a raft after being torpedoed on the Barrunga in the Bay of Biscay in 1918 whilst returning to Australia…..’^xxiii His service record makes no mention of his presence on the HMAT A43 Barunga, however.

This ill-fated vessel was in fact originally a German ship captured in Australia at the outbreak of the war. It departed Plymouth on 14 July 1918 and was attacked by a German U-boat the following day and sunk. All on-board survived. No supporting evidence has yet been found to confirm Garcia was in fact on board.

Interestingly, in Garcia’s obituary printed in the Footscray Advertiser on 5 October 1956, reference is made to him having been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). This particular medal was awarded to members of the Royal Navy and other services for bravery and resourcefulness on active service at sea. No other evidence has yet been found to corroborate this claim but if it is true then presumably he was awarded this for his actions on the Barunga.

Garcia finally arrived in Melbourne in October when his appointment was terminated on 18 October, only three weeks before the war ended.^xxiv

In 1919 Garcia took a soldier settlers block of land at Barwidgee, near Myrtleford, where he grew an assortment of crops and tobacco. He remained there until 1927 when he gave up the block ‘as it was not considered…[he] would be successful’. He moved back to Footscray and in 1928 was employed at the Rubber Works there and by 1932 was working at the Commonwealth Ammunition Works, also in Footscray. Until the mid 1930’s his health was generally good but then he started to get regular stomach trouble and bad coughs. Garcia was of the opinion that these stomach complaints were a result of his war service in general but from the effects of being gassed in 1917 in particular (although his service record shows no record of him being gassed). He was given a thorough medical examination by the Repatriation Department in July 1936. After which it was decided that this was in part due to war service and he was given a small disability pension.^xxv

During WW2, Garcia, now aged over sixty, is believed to have served at the Bonegilla army camp, near Albury. He was awarded both the War Medal and the Australian Service Medal. After the war and into the 1950’s Garcia, now a widower, sought regular medical treatment for his ailments whilst he was back living in Footscray.

Unfortunately his life ended in dramatic circumstances on 28 September 1956. Garcia, whilst walking at night and in a light rain, was hit by a taxi as he crossed Geelong Road in Footscray on his way to the RSL. He died instantly.

His obituary was printed in the Footscray Advertiser on 5 October 1956. It stated he was

Born at Hobart in 1880…his passing is mourned by his son John and two daughters, Alice (Mrs.Bradley) and Mary…. In his younger days he won some renown as a pugilist and since the formation of the Footscray R.S.S.A.I.L.A. of which he was a foundation member he loved his games of snooker and billiards at the Memorial Hall….Devoid of fear, he had some good mates in the 4th Brigade of which the 14th Battalion was a unit. These included Australia’s most decorated fighter, Harry Murray V.C. D.S.O. and Bar, D.C.M. and some foreign awards of the 13th, Albert Jacka, Australia’s first V.C. winner in his own unit and Percy Black D.S.O of the 16th who was killed at Bullecourt on April 11 1917 and who some claimed was a greater front-line man than even Murray. Testimony to the esteem in which he was held was reflected in the large attendance at the funeral on Tuesday. The casket was draped with the Australian flag and was surmounted with a laurel wreath and Digger’s hat.^xxvi

The obituary also states Garcia served in the Boer War but no evidence has so far been found to confirm this.

The medal grouping of Lieutenant Richard John Garcia, 14^th Battalion, AIF.

From left to right-hand

Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD oak leaf spray,

War Medal 1939-1945, Australian General Service Medal 1939-1945.

Source: Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, Queensland.

Note:

If this soldier had of received every award that he was recommended for his post nominals would read:
MC DCM & Bar MM & Bar MiD

Sources

Brigadier-General Duncan John Glasfurd

British Army
1st Division HQ AIF (GSO2 & GSO1)
12th Brigade HQ AIF (Commander)

by Paul Sutton

This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 9, (MUP), 1983

“Duncan John Glasfurd (1873-1916), soldier, was born on 23 November 1873 at Matheran, India, second son of Major General Charles Lamont Robertson Glasfurd of the Bombay Staff Corps, and his wife Jane Cunningham, née Cornwall. His brother Alexander (1870-1942), C.M.G., D.S.O., became a colonel in the Indian Army.

Raised at Altnaskiach, Inverness, Scotland, Glasfurd was educated in Edinburgh—probably at Blairlodge School—and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, England. In October 1893 he was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and served as adjutant of the 1st Battalion in South Africa in 1899. He had married Agnes Guinevere Gilmour at Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, on 20 December 1898.

In South Africa Glasfurd was promoted captain in January 1900 and took part in operations in the Orange Free State, receiving slight wounds at Paardeberg; he then saw action in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony until severely wounded in October. In April 1901 he went to British East Africa on operations against the Ogaden Somalis in Jubaland until November. Service in India followed, with an interval in 1903-04 when he served in Somaliland, commanding the 4th Somali Camel Corps; he was mentioned in dispatches.

In June 1908 Glasfurd became staff captain for coast defences, Scottish Command, and that year was selected to attend the Staff College, Camberley, England. He graduated in 1909 and joined his regiment in Malta in May 1910; in November he was appointed brigade major to the Lothian Infantry Brigade. On 24 June 1912 he was seconded to the Australian Military Forces and appointed director of military training at Army Headquarters with the temporary rank of captain, A.M.F. His main duties involved inspection of compulsory training under the cadet scheme, and although enthusiastic over the military potential of Australian youths, he was reportedly dissatisfied with the perfunctory training which many cadets received. Glasfurd was promoted major, British Army and A.M.F., on 20 September 1913.

On the outbreak of war he sought to rejoin his regiment which had been sent to France. Instead, on 15 August 1914, he was appointed by Major General (Sir) William Bridges to the Australian Imperial Force as a general staff officer with the 1st Division. In Egypt he was largely responsible for training the division at Mena Camp. At Gallipoli he went ashore at 5.35 a.m. on the day of the landing, distinguishing himself by his work in establishing the firing line at Anzac, and served throughout the whole of the campaign. He proved himself, according to the official historian, ‘one of the bravest and most conscientious officers upon the Staff’ and rose to chief of staff of the division. He was mentioned in dispatches and promoted lieutenant-colonel, A.I.F., on 1 October 1915 and for outstanding service in the field was made brevet lieutenant-colonel in the British Army in January 1916.

Next month Glasfurd was given temporary command of the 12th Australian Infantry Brigade; the appointment was confirmed in March with promotion to colonel and temporary brigadier general, A.I.F. His brigade was sent to France in June and on 4 July moved into the Fleurbaix sector, where Glasfurd was slightly wounded on 7 July. He was mentioned in dispatches four days later. Early in August the 12th Brigade went into action at Pozières Heights and later at Vierstraat and Diependal. On 12 November 1916 it relieved the 2nd Brigade at Bernafay Wood. That morning Glasfurd was wounded by shell-fire in Cheese Road while reconnoitring the trenches. After a ten-hour stretcher journey from the front line he died at the 38th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, though not before his brother—serving with the British 48th Division—found him in a dressing station at Becordel and spoke with him. He was posthumously mentioned in dispatches. His qualities of courage, unselfishness and devotion to duty were highly regarded within his brigade and division. The official historian described him as ‘boyish, loyal and devoted, if somewhat old-fashioned’, and as ‘an able officer with a profound knowledge of his profession, capable of brain, slow of thought but sound of judgement and possessed of … hard pluck’.

Glasfurd and his wife had been divorced in October 1914 and when he went on active service their three sons were at Geelong Church of England Grammar School. Charles Eric (1902-1940) joined the Royal Navy in 1916 and was captain of the destroyer Acasta during the battle of Narvik; he went down with his ship. Duncan Angus (1905-1980) and Divie Colin Peter (1906-1941) took up sheep-farming in Western Australia. The latter was killed at Tobruk while serving as a captain with 9th Division Headquarters.”

The original grave of Brigadier-General Glasfurd at Heilly Station Cemetery. Source: AWM

The medal grouping of Brigadier-General Duncan John Glasfurd, AIF.

From left to right-hand

Queens South Africa 1899-1902, (three clasps Modder River, Paardeberg, Transvaal);

Africa General Service 1902-56 (two clasps Jubaland, Somaliland 1902-04) with MiD oak leaf spray;

1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD oak leaf spray (last medal un-named);

Coronation 1911.

Source: Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, Queensland.

NB:

Glasfurd was one of only four AIF General officers to die during WWI. The others were Bridges and Maclaurin (Gallipoli) and Holmes 4th Div in France. Holmes was showing the NSW Premier around the battlefield when a shell got him. At the start of WWI, Holmes commanded the AN&MEF which captured German New Guinea on 11Sep1914. The Infantry Contingent was commanded by Lt- Col WWR Watson CB CMG Fr LofH, who later commanded the 24th Bn on Gallipoli and will be another one of Robert’s stories to be placed on the site.

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 Clifford Le Brun Brown, MC

11th Light Horse Regiment AIF

1st Squadron Australian Flying Corps

By Robert Simpson

Clifford Le Brun Brown was born in Paterson, New South Wales on 14^th September 1891. He was one of two children to William Le Brun Brown and Eleanor Maud Suttor, the other being a daughter, Gladys Le Brun born on 4^th February 1887. William worked at the Attorney-General’s office and rose to be a stipendiary magistrate. Clifford attended Barker College in Hornsby, Sydney from 1905 until 1908. Not many records were kept but he did fill out an Old Boys register in the 1930’s. Strangely he gives his birth year as 1893 and stated he was in the 1^st 11 for football in 1907 and 1908 and the 2^nd 11 for cricket in 1906 and 7 and the 1^st 11 for 1908. But according to the College he did not appear on their lists for those sports and he was not in the team photographs.

Clifford enlisted in Brisbane on 30^th June 1915 as part of the 4^th Reinforcements, 11^th Light Horse as Private 996A. (It looks like some service numbers were duplicated, hence the A). His previous occupation was as a Station overseer and he gave his next-of-kin as his father, a police magistrate in Inverell. He had previous service with the A. L. Horse at Inverell. His description listed his height as 5 feet 7.5 inches, weight 152 pounds, chest measurement 37 to 38.5 inches, dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was listed as English? He had 4 vaccination marks on the left arm and a scar behind the left elbow. He was appointed as a Lance Corporal on 5^th July 1915. The reinforcements embarked on 17^th September 1915 from Brisbane on HMAT Hymettus (A1). He already had a will done at Avern and McIntyre Solicitors in Inverell. This was stated on an army form that was dated 7^th January 1918 and his address and occupation were listed as Tweed Heads and engineer.

He was taken on strength with the Composite Light Horse Regiment on 20^th November 1915 at Heliopolis. On 13^th December 1915 he was to be a temporary Corporal. He was admitted to the 1^st Field Ambulance with a gun shot wound to the right foot which was a slight wound on 27^th December 1915 and reverted back to Lance Corporal. Then he was sent to the 15^th General Hospital at Alexandria on the 31^st and was discharged to the 15^th General Convalescent Hospital at Ras-El-Tin on 6^th January 1916. He returned to the 11^th Light Horse on 9^th March 1916. His Father received a notice about him being wounded in January 1916.

On 5^th January 1917 he was detached from the 11^th Light Horse to 68^th Australian Squadron Royal Flying Corps and returned to duty on the 11^th. He was then marched out to the School of Instruction Infantry course on the 26^th. He was transferred to the 68^th Australian RFC on 17^th March 1917. Still as a Lance Corporal he went to a series of training where he was attached to the No. 3 School of Military Aeronautics on the 10^th, to the 21^st Reserve Squadron on 12^thApril, the school of aerial gunnery on 2^nd May, transferred to the 22^nd Reserve Squadron for instruction on the 10^th and joined the 23^rd Reserve Squadron on the 17^th. On 8^th June he was graded as a Flying Officer, subject to War Office approval, and was posted to 5^th Wing 67^th Squadron AFC and qualified to wear wings as a 2^nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7^th September 1917.

He was awarded the Military Cross on 1^st January 1918 as a Lieutenant and it was promulgated in the London Gazette on 11^th April 1918. At Port Said in Egypt he was admitted to the 14^th Australian General Hospital with debility and nervous breakdown on 31^st March 1918. A letter from Captain John Harris on 10^th March asks to refer him to a medical board to obtain for him a four month leave of absence. It refers to him being wounded then being involved in actions at Romani, Mageibra, Bayud and Maghara while in the 11^th Light Horse (a total of 20 months). The letter then states he was transferred to the Flying Corps and qualified as a pilot, where he had done 300 hours in the air and was involved in 3 crashes, all due to engine failure. With his last crash he landed in the hills near Jerusalem and was unconscious for two hours. It was stated he did not feel fit since and was in a depressed nervous condition. His heart was showing the effects of the strain. The Captain remarked in his opinion Clifford needed complete rest and a change of scene to recover. The proceedings of the Medical Board found he was unfit for general service and would be so for 6 months, but he could do light duty at home after 3 months (on review). So he was invalided to Australia. He was sent home on HMAT Tofua which arrived in Sydney, where he disembarked, on 16^th June 1918. In September he received a letter from the Base Records Officer stating that in the London Gazette on 9^th April 1918 he was noted as being awarded the Military Cross for distinguished services in the field in connection with military operations, culminating in the capture of Jerusalem. He was mentioned in the Brisbane Courier on 26^th April 1918 as being injured and of Inverell NSW. His appointment was terminated on 30^th November as medically unfit.

A series of correspondence is sent from the Base Records Officer and his Father about him being admitted into a London hospital in March 1918, but it turns out to be the wrong Lieutenant Brown as he was in Egypt and about to be sent home.

A letter on 7^th May 1918 from a Miss M King of Marion St Guilford asking the Base Records Officer when Clifford was returning, was replied to stating that he was returning but that no particulars could be disclosed. Another letter in 1920 to the Base Records Officer is from a Lieutenant P McBain in Victoria, who was looking for him, to which the reply states the last known address was Commercial Bank Inverell. Lieutenant Percy Alexander McBain was awarded an MBE and Mentioned in Despatches and served with the AFC. He obviously knew Clifford and wanted to catch up with him.

From 1920 to 1922 he was employed in New Caledonia by the Steel Corporation of America as engineer in charge of all diesel installations and power house control.

In 1925 on Noumea, New Caledonia he was married to Suzanne Marthe Cacot. They had a daughter, Anita Eleanor Therese Brown on 17^th September 1927 in Noumea. Anita married Roy Henry Jones in 1948, with notice of their engagement being made in February 1947. On 22 July 1929 at Circular Quay the steamer La Perouse left with Suzanne and Anita as passengers, bound for Noumea. They all must have returned to Australia before then, but Clifford stayed in Australia.

In the 1930 Electoral Roll he is listed as living at 10 Shirley Rd Roseville, Sydney and his occupation was a salesman. In late 1932 or early 1933, Clifford (as the pilot) and Maurice Rolland purchased the last Genairco airplane to be built (VH-UOS c/n 19) from that company. It was completed as a seaplane and fitted with a Siemens-Halske radial engine and was used for inter-island service in New Caledonia. At that time his marriage must have been a bit shaky. He met Evangeline Finneran, who was 22 years younger; had a relationship with her and she gave birth to a child, Noelene in late 1933 in Sydney. Evangeline later married Emil Morf in 1937. Noelene married Bernie Bale and they lived in Tin Can Bay, where she was heavily involved with the community.

In the Old Boys of Barker College form mentioned above he had his present address as C/o Euro Gold Development Ltd. Tennants Creek, Northern Territory and occupation as Engineer, so he must have been working there in the late 1930’s. This ties in with newspaper articles dated 9^th February 1935 which was to do with his bankruptcy. In 1932 he had purchased a half-share in a tyre re-treading business at Orange. He had supplied some capital, but had also borrowed 250 pounds from his Father and 750 pounds from a finance company. His partner had absconded and was believed to be in Northern Queensland. Clifford had asked to be excused from further attendance as he had accepted a position in Central Australia with a mining company and he was prepared to pay 10 shillings a week to the estate. He had a motor truck waiting to convey him and five men to Tennants Creek and he was most anxious not to be delayed. He stated he would have to leave his wife and child behind. The Registrar stated that due to his circumstances, if he supplied the required statement he did not have to wait to sign his depositions and the matter was adjourned. A previous note in January stated he had been an engine driver and lately was carrying on business in Orange. Further meetings in September and November led to an unconditional order of discharge to be granted.

An article in he (Broken Hill) Barrier Miner on 12^th February 1935 states Clifford left the Grand Hotel there with four miners in a truck bound for Alice Springs. There they were to pick up another 35 men who had traveled by steamer to Adelaide and train to Alice Springs. They were heading to Tennants Creek on behalf of the Euro Gold Development Company of Sydney. Mining equipment was also being taken including air compressors. Clifford stated that it was a big undertaking and the company proposed to institute an aeroplane service between Tennants Creek and Sydney next month. An article in 1952 states he was employed by Cuthberts Miseria Gold Mines Ltd. in Papua from 1933 to 1940 in the duplication of its diesel plant. He was mentioned in Who’s Who in Australia in 1935 and 1938 as a recipient of the Military Cross as Lieut. C. Le B Brown.

In 1941 he was living at 1 Thomas St, Chatswood according to his Record of Service, but that and his year of birth look to be altered. His educational qualifications as listed on his record were Bankers and Junior exams, 1^st class engineers certificate NSW and Queensland, 1^st class electrical certificate AC and DC and mine managers certificate. He resumed his military career during World War 2 as Flight Officer 263282, signing up on 10^th October 1941 and posted to 5 Recruiting Centre. He gave his year of birth as 1893 and it notes a birth certificate was not sighted, but it was later produced and showed the year to be 1891. He was approved for service on 20^th September 1941 and advised to report at his earliest opportunity. An application for a commission in the RAAF was dated 3^rd July 1941 and states his postal address as Misima Island Papua and his next-of-kin as his Father at 10 Shirley Rd. It states his current occupation was a Mine Manager, a position he had held for 14 years. He was manager of Alpha and Fantoche mines in New Caledonia for The mutual Chemical Co. of New York for about 12 years. He was them employed by Cuthberts Misima Gold Mine as OS superintendent and was now manager of the Kulumalia mine at Misima. He held 1^st class certificates for all types of mining engines and electrical equipment. It seems he first applied for a commission in the RAAF General Duties Branch in the Citizens Air Force on 18^th December 1939 where he stated he could receive and send Morse, he had operated internal combustion engines and electrical equipment and all types of motor boats. He listed his Flying experience as 340 hours in RE8, Martinsyde and Bristol Fighters on active service. He had also done 2700 hours of post war flying in D.H. 50, Puss Moth, Avro and Genairco machines of which 1900 hours was compiled in New Caledonia under French licence. He played cricket and tennis. His medical classification was A4B and his religion was Church of England on his records sheet, but it stated the address to be 10 Shirley Rd Roseville Sydney where his wife and daughter were living. He did No 16 Administration & S. D. Course from 18^th October 1941 until 5^th December 1941, which he failed. The remarks stated “Failed on Course, experienced difficulty in absorbing instruction.” He was posted to 2 ITS on the 18th. He terminated his appointment on 6^th December 1941 but was reappointed on the 18^th. A report done on 6^th October 1942 states that the officer writing it had been impressed with Clifford “as a valuable officer who could well be given a position of greater responsibility.” Another officer agreed stating how he had adapted himself and done good work and he was well fitted for his area. On 7^th October 1942 he was posted to Administration in Maintenance Section of 1 Rad. Instr. M. U. He was appointed chief instructor to operated diesel electric units for radar up until 1943, then he was mechanical engineer in charge of Australian fitter and turners in American workshops in Papua. He proceeded on temporary duty to 19 Radar Station on 30^th October 1943 and returned on the next day. Again he proceeded there on the 5^th November and returned on the 6^th. He was promoted to a Flight Lieutenant on 1^st April 1943. At a promotion conference in June 1944 he was given a C by the C.O. and A.O.C. The confidential report also grades him midrange in most things, but as Officer In Command of Power Generators (repair and testing) he was very good and competent and as Officer In Command of Fig Tree Detachment, he was not very good at all. His Assessing Officers statement includes “This officer has been with this unit since 7/10/42 and has been in charge of power generators – maintenance, repair and testing section. He has had a long civil experience with diesels and his knowledge of this phase of his work is superior and the work of this section has been very capably carried out. His appointment is A&SD not technical and not Engineer branch. He was for some 11 months and instructor at 2 I.T.S.” It goes on to say “well fitted for an appointment as O.I.C. of a diesel school for Fitters D.M.T. or could be better placed (aged 53) with RM7 at Air Board. He was commended by RAAF Headquarters and also No. 5 (Main) Group for splendid work in preparation of Spares Schedules for Diesel and Petrol Electrical Generator Sets (and) also instructions for maintenance of respective radar power units for D.R.S. This officer is desirous of a posting having been with this unit since 22/10/42.” He went on to say that with his appointment to Fig Tree Detachment, it was hard to set up but he worked hard to make it function but administration and discipline was taxing him. The Officer felt he would be better suited to a position on the engineering side and training and he would give a better and untroubled service relieved of this burden. The Headquarter Officer noted this but did not recommend the change. On 14^th September 1944 he was posted to 2 P.D. On 6^th October 1944 he terminated his appointment at his own request to resume his civil occupation. His service records have a great photo of him sitting in civilian clothes in Papua New Guinea with some natives standing behind him and a dog. On 15^th December 1944 the RAAF sent him a Certificate of Service to his address stating he was doing administrative and special duties for the period he was enlisted and noted his ranks.

After the war he still moved around a bit with him being listed in the following Electoral Rolls:-

1949, 1 Thomas St. Gordon, New South Wales and occupation engineer

1954, 108 Wicks St. Broken Hill, New South Wales and a mechanical engineer

1958, 4/9 Thomas St. Chatswood, New South Wales still a mechanical engineer.

He must have retired after then as the next Rolls show no occupation:-

1963, 12 Urara Rd. Pittwater, New South Wales

1968, 20 Laurel Chase, Forestville, French’s Forest, New South Wales.

In 1950 they were living in South Australia as The Advertiser said that visitors were spending a week with them at Renmark. In 1951 he was fined 40 shillings with the charge being he was riding a motor cycle with a passenger in Nelson place on 17^th January, but he had not been licensed for twelve months. The 1953 Barrier Miner newspaper has an article on 16^th April saying his parents were celebrating their 67^th wedding anniversary but as Clifford was the superintendent at the Galena St Power Station at Broken Hill he could not attend the party. They moved there in 1952 as the newspaper states his wife had just joined the C.W.A. It appears that mid 1952 he was offered the position of powerhouse superintendent by the Broken Hill City Council, which he accepted and would take it up within five weeks. The article notes him being a returned serviceman and he was in the employ of the Irrigation Trust, Renmark. He had wide experience with diesel and generating plants and had held that position previously. In September 1953 he was a witness in a negligent driving charge and his address was given as Wicks St. The same address was given when they entertained Mr. and Mrs. Meredith prior to their returning to Perth. His Father passed away in 1954 at the age of 93 and was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

He passed away on 15^th November 1972 in Newton, New South Wales according to the government records. His death certificate states he died in Hirondelle Private Hospital Chatswood. The causes of death were (a) Congestive Cardiac Failure for many months, (b) Hypertension for 25 years and (c) Chronic Nephritis for 40 years. Roy Jones was noted as the informant. He was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium on the 17^th. His ashes are in AIF niche 214QI. The Sydney Morning Herald had a notice on the 18^th which said “died at Chatswood, late of Roseville”.

His medals are Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939-45 War Medal and Australian Service 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.

566 Private Alfred Croft DCM

6th Battalion, AIF

By Robert Simpson

Alfred Croft was born in February 1892 in Rochester Victoria. He was a son to James Henry Croft and Annie Whitlock, who were married on 27^th September 1882 in Bendigo. He was one of thirteen children they had from 1883 to the early 1900’s. James had been born in Hawthorn in 1857 and Annie in Axedale, Victoria on 11^th July 1862. The family originated in England, with both James’ parents coming from there and marrying in Victoria in 1853. They lived in various suburbs of Melbourne and James occupation was a labourer. Alfred was the eighth child and one of eight sons.

Alfred enlisted as Private 556 in the 6^th Battalion on 17^th August 1914 in Melbourne. The Battalion was one of the first raised for the AIF, recruited from Victoria and formed part of the 2^nd Brigade. He was 22 years and 6 months, born in Rochester and worked as a tile labourer. For his previous service question, he answered yes, “6^th A.I.R. 6 months change of address”. He was 5 foot 7½ inches tall, weighed 144 pounds, had a chest measurement of 34 to 36 inches, and had a fair complexion, with light blue eyes and fair hair. There was a scar on the inner calf of his leg. As part of E Company 6^th Battalion, he departed from Melbourne on HMAT Hororata A20 on 19^th October 1914. (His service record has that he departed on 21^st October on the ledger card, and on the 18^th in his particulars form which was sent to the Repatriation Department.) After a short stopover at Albany, they arrived in Egypt on 2^nd December 1915.

On the nominal roll, he was listed as a tile labourer, aged 22, of “Evelyn” Smith St., Thornbury, Victoria. His next of kin was James Henry Croft of the same address. His religion was listed as Church of England. He was already serving in the AMF in the 63^rd Infantry. Albert was entitled to 5 shillings a day up to 20^th October 1914, then the same amount and 1 shilling deferred thereafter. He only took 8 pence a day and left the rest to be kept in Australia. His terms of service was for the war and 4 months after and his qualification was machine gun reserve.

On 2^nd April 1915, he was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital with rheumatism, which was cured and he was discharged on 3^rd April 1915. He was seen by Major Campbell in Ward 1. Notes say that he had a pain in the left shoulder before entering Broadmeadows. He had been examined in an Egyptian hospital for 2 to 3 days due to pains in joints. The “present attack came on yesterday on march. Pain in both knee joints, hips & L shoulder.” He had no fever or pain or swelling in the joints. As part of his treatment he was given laxatives, a milk diet and Quinine. The last line stated “3.4.15 Discharged to lines. Seems well.” He embarked to join the MEF at Alexandria on 5^th April 1915 for Gallipoli. The Battalion was part of the second wave that landed at Gallipoli on 25^th April 1915. Ten days later the 2^nd Brigade was transferred to Helles to help with the attack on Krithia, an attack that cost the Brigade a third of its strength. They then returned to ANZAC.

On 14^th July 1915 he was recommended for a gallantry award at German Officers Trench on Anzac for “Conspicuous courage and coolness in assisting to work gun when under heavy shell fire and thus rendering valuable assistance in the attack on the trench. The gun was hit and damaged by enemies fire.” He was with M.G. Section of the 6^th Battalion at the time.

The Battalion was involved with defence and in August was involved with the battle at Lone Pine. He left Gallipoli on 11^th December 1915 and was with his Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 11^th January 1916. On 25^th March 1916 he proceeded to join the BEF on the Briton and disembarked at Marseilles on the 30^th.

On 25^th April 1916 he was detached from 6^th Battalion AIF for duty with the 1^st Australian Salvage Company. He was admitted to No. 25 General Hospital at Etaples on 28^th June 1916 with debility. On 2^nd July he embarked on HS St George at Boulogne for England with cardiac dilatation and was admitted to 15^th General Hospital at Portsmouth with DAH (slight) on the 3rd.

The London Gazette of 20^th June 1916 published the citation for the acts of gallantry for which the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded and included “556 Pte. A. Croft, 6/Btn., Australian Imp. Force. For conspicuous gallantry when assisting to work his gun under heavy shell fire, thus rendering valuable assistance during an attack. The gun was hit and damaged by the enemy’s fire.” The award was published in the London Gazette of 3^rd June 1916, page 5585, position 5. An entry in the Maryborough Chronicle of 22^nd June 1916 under Australian D.C.M men reads “Private A. Croft, worked a gun under heavy shell fire. He gave Valuable assistance. During and attack a shell hit and damaged his gun.” The Preston Leader of Saturday 29^th July 1916, under the heading of Gallant Australians, had the following article: – “Thornbury Boy Receives D.C. Medal. Private Alfred Croft, fourth son of Mr. James Croft, Smith street, Thornbury, has been awarded the distinguished conduct medal. He was mentioned in the King’s Birthday honors. He has two brothers at the front – Qr. M. Sergeant John Croft and Farrier Sergeant W. Croft of Brisbane. Alfred and John took part in the landing at Gallipoli, also in the departure of the troops from there. Alfred and William went with the first contingent and John with the second. The three brothers are now in France.”

He was Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 13^th July 1916 on page 6955, position 25, under the heading Infantry and 6^th Battalion (Victoria) as Croft, 556 Pte. A. The despatch was published on 10^th April 1916 from General Sir Charles Munro who was in command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at that time, and they were mentioned for distinguished and gallant service.

On 4^th September 1916, he was admitted to Australian Auxiliary Hospital No. 1 at Harefield Middlesex with Cardiac Dilation. He was sent to No. 2 Commonwealth Depot at Weymouth on the 6^th and taken on strength that day. Alfred was marched in to Infantry Draft Depot No. 4 Camp at Perham Downs from Weymouth on 20^th October 1916.

His father was sent a letter from Base Records on 4^th December 1916 advising him of the Mention in Despatches he had received. “With reference to the despatch published on the 10^th April, the following are mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Munro’s Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force :- No. 556 Private ALFRED CROFT.”

On 19^th January 1917, he was detached from 6^th Battalion for temporary duty with Australian Army Ordnance Corps, Tidworth Section at Bhurtpore Barracks. He was detached from attached duty and marched out to No. 1 Command Depot at Weymouth on 10^th August 1917. From Perham Downs, via Southampton, he proceeded overseas to France on 17^th September 1917 and re-joined the 6^th Battalion on the 28^th. On 23^rd October 1917 he was sent to hospital as he was sick with pyrexia of unknown origin, and was transferred to 1^st A.D.R. Station with influenza. He returned to the 6^th Battalion on 6^th November. He was again sick on 21^st November, sent to 3^rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne from the field and then embarked on HS Princess Elizabeth for England, with influenza, to County Middlesex War Hospital at Mapsbury with a slight PUO (pyrexia of unknown origin as they described it) on 28^th November.

Alfred was then transferred to 1^st Auxiliary and then discharged to furlo from 28^th December 1917 to 11^th January 1918, when he had to report back to No. 2 Depot at Weymouth.

He left England for return to Australia on 31^st January 1918 on the Argyllshire, but in Capetown transhipped to A8 Osterley. He had influenza with a displaced apex beat. On 13^th April 1918, he disembarked at Melbourne. An application for war service leave gratuity was passed on 11^th February 1918 with account number 2228.

On Wednesday 17^th April 1918, Alfred attended the Northcote and Preston Scottish Society’s concert, where three returned soldiers, who were also sons of members or members, attended. The newspaper mentioning the concert wrote “There was also present Private Alfred Croft, one of the first Australians to win the D.C.M. on Gallipoli. When the presence of these gallant boys was announced by the chief the whole audience rose and gave them three hearty cheers.”

He was discharged on 16^th May 1918 in the 3^rd Military District (Melbourne), as medically unfit with the disability of influenza and D.A.H.

Alfred married Gladys Lilian Steer in 1919 in Victoria. She had been born in Maryborough Victoria in 1900. Her parents were Thomas Bernard Steer (born 1874 in Victoria and died 1924 in Victoria) and Lily Elizabeth Whiteley (born 1880 in Maryborough, Victoria and died 25^th September 1901 in Carlton). Thomas was a blacksmith, and he re-married after the death of his first wife.

They had two children, Beryl Annie Croft and Thomas Alfred Croft, who was born on 21^st June 1920 in Thornbury Victoria. In the 1943, 1949 and 1954 electoral rolls, Thomas was living at 38 Prospect Street and was a tiler. During WW2, Thomas served as Private V46364 and then VX72700, enlisted on 10^th August 1940 and was discharged from the Army Service Corps 3^rd Division, then enlisted on 20^th January 1942 at Caulfield and was discharged on 16^th October 1943 as a Private in the 39^th Battalion. His service files have not yet been examined.

Alfred signed for his 1914-15 Star on 24^th April 1920 in Melbourne. On 6^th September 1920, he signed for his two oak leaves (Mentioned in Despatches emblems) and added a note to the receipt that owing to a change of address, he had just received them. The address was noted as 13 Woodhead Street, North Fitzroy. On 4^th May 1921, he received his British War Medal and signed for it. He signed for the certificate for his Mention in Despatches on 12^th August 1921 and noted the address was 22 Fergie Street, North Fitzroy. At Victoria Barracks on 11^th May 1922, he signed for his Victory Medal.

By the 1924 electoral roll they were living at 8 Bishop Street Box Hill and Alfred was a tiler and slater. They had moved to 3 Henry Street by the 1925 roll (in Box Hill) and he was still a slater and tiler. By the 1936 and 1937 rolls they had moved to 35 Prospect Street and he was listed as a pensioner. In the 1943, 1949 and 1954 rolls they were living at 38 Prospect Street and he was still listed as a pensioner. The 1963 and 1968 rolls show them living at 28 Clyde Street (still in Box Hill) and nil was put for his occupation.

He obviously applied to the Repatriation Commission for a pension in 1937, as they requested documents of his service from Base Records in August 1937. It must have been approved as the electoral rolls above show.

On 16^th May 1969, Alfred passed away at Surrey Hill, Victoria. A funeral service was held at Le Pine’s Chapel at Box Hill and he was cremated at Springvale Crematorium. His ashes were scattered. A death notice was placed in the Melbourne Sun Pictorial of 17^th May 1969 which said he was “husband of Gladys, loved father of Thomas & Beryl, father in law of Verna & grandfather of Douglas.

Gladys passed away in 1983 in Wangaratta, Victoria.

James Henry Croft (Alfred’s father) passed away on 15^th May 1943 at Ringwood Victoria, and oddly his death certificate says he was a retired farmer (all other records have him as a labourer). It also says his father, James, was a bricklayer. No doubt this was useful in the new colony, and maybe why they migrated. Annie Croft (Alfred’s mother) passed away on 24^th December 1945 in South Kensington, Victoria and is buried at Box Hill Cemetery with her husband in Plot CE 215 40.

Alfred had two brothers who also served in WW1.

William (born in August 1883 in Rochester), was the eldest and joined 1^st Battery Field Artillery 1^st Brigade as Farrier Sergeant 41 on 23^rd August 1914 in Brisbane. He was a labourer and was already serving in the Royal Artillery Field Artillery. William had married Maud May Spilling on 26^th November 1913 in Queensland and was living in Dalby at that time. He embarked from Sydney on the HMAT Argyllshire on 18^th October 1914, and joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 4^th April 1915. Then he embarked for France from Alexandria on 21^st March 1916. While in France he was killed in action on 6^th December 1916. He was buried in G 49 in Bernafay Wood British Cemetery at Montauban. His wife moved to Brisbane, where she received his trio of medals and Memorial Plaque.

Another brother, John (born September 1889 in Rochester, Victoria – his closest elder brother) joined as Private 695 in the 14^th Battalion on 1^st October 1914 at Swan Hill, Victoria. He was a fireman with no previous military experience. After landing at ANZAC Cove on 25^th April 1915, he was involved with establishing and defending the front line. He was wounded with a gunshot wound to the right forearm and hand on 8^th August 1915. He returned to Gallipoli in September. On 1^st December 1915 he was to be a Lance Sergeant. In March 1916 in Egypt, he was sent to hospital with VD and discharged in April. He proceeded to France in September 1916 and was transferred to the 46^th Battalion in October. On 3^rd March 1917, he was promoted to Sergeant, after getting over a dose of appendicitis in February, for which he was sent to London. He was promoted to Company Sergeant-Major on 29^th July 1917. In mid-1918, he was sent to England as an Officer Cadet, to qualify for commission in the infantry. He returned to Australia on the Leicestershire on 9^th December 1918 from England and was discharged in 1919. Afterwards, he worked in the railway in Bendigo, Victoria. He then moved to Echuca, where he passed away in 1955.

Alfred’s medals are Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with oak leaf.

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.

LE MAISTRE, Lieutenant-Colonel Frank William, DSO MiD (Part B)

5th Battalion, AIF

By Robert Simpson

In the 1919 electoral roll, he was still living at 29 Charnwood Road, St. Kilda and had the same occupation, that of ironmonger. Also in 1919, he married Vera Dale Anderson. The marriage notice in The Argus of Wednesday 17^th March 1920 read: “LE MAISTRE – ANDERSON.-On the 25^th October, at the Collins street Baptist Church, by the Rev. T. E. Ruth, Lieut.-Colonel Frank William Le Maistre, D.S.O., (ex. 5^th Batt., A.I.F.), eldest son of the late Captain J. F. Le Maistre and Mrs. Le Maistre , of St. Kilda, to Vera Dale, only daughter of A. R. Anderson, Esq, of “Mount View”, Lockhart, N.S.W. Present address, 141 Ormond esplanade, Elwood.” No other details can be found on Vera, but she ended up living in Old Colonist Homes in 1977 (the last recorded address for her). It is a complex of self-contained homes for those elderly who have fallen on hard times, and was set up with that goal in 1870, and is still run as a charitable provision of housing for the elderly. They had two sons (that information is known about), Ian (born about 1921) and Ivor Russell Le Maistre (born 18^th November 1924 at Ulverstone, North Road, Brighton and dying on 13^th December 1944). The family address at the birth of Ivor was Kerami, Esplanade, Edwood.

He gave details on how he had been ill in the 1920’s and 1930’s, what he had done to alleviate his conditions, by seeing Chemists and Doctors and how it had affected his work with some sick days off. His employer also gave details of his work and time off due to illness. There were also letters from people who knew him and his doctor stating how bad his health was and that he suffered from collapses periodically.

Frank signed for his 1914-15 Star on 24^th February 1920 in Melbourne, and for his British War Medal and Victory Medal on 2^nd June 1922. His oak leaves were sent out on 26^th August 1920.

In the 1924 and 1925 rolls, they were living at 141 Ormond Esplanade in Elsternwick South and he was a traveller. By the 1928 roll, they had moved to 34 Glyndon Road in Camberwell and he was listed as a commercial traveller. The details were the same for the 1931, 1933 and 1934 rolls. He is listed in Who’s Who in Australia in the 1935 edition on page 285. The entry lists his father, his birth; and that he was educated in St. Kilda, he served with the AIF in the Great War from 1914 to 1916, he was a Major and was awarded the DSO and MiD. Frank was a warehouseman of Melbourne, his address then was 34 Glyndon Road Camberwell in Melbourne. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club in Melbourne. By the 1936 roll, they had moved to 25 Celia Street in Camberwell and he was a traveller. The details were the same in the 1937, 1939, 1943 and 1946 rolls. On 2^nd August 1942, his mother Mary passed away in St. Kilda. All the details were the same for the 1949 roll.

Frank at front left.

In 1931, Frank applied for a pension for himself, his wife and two children. Their address was 34 Glyndon Road Camberwell. He claimed that he was suffering from stomach and nervous conditions due to War Service. He stated that prior to enlistment his health was perfect and he indulged in all kinds of sports. Extracts from two referees who had known him quite a while, show he had temperate habits and his general health was good prior to enlistment. In 1931 he was granted a part pension. Reports continued through the 1930’s with details of how bad his health was, but there was no change to his pension and his appeal was disallowed. Frank had detailed how he stuck to prescribed medication and diet, but he was getting worse and it affected his employment. He also had eyesight problems, but they were rejected also as being due to war service. In 1939, he also applied for a pension for bladder and kidney problems, and they were also rejected as being due to war service. He also applied in 1943 for a duodenal ulcer he had developed, with even his wife writing letters stating how the condition had worsened and had been due to war service. Again, it was rejected, even on appeal. In 1944, it was approved and also a right femoral hernia, for which he was given a truss. According to Frank, he developed the hernia after a severe bout of vomiting, which he stated was caused by the ulcer.

A report showed that he was accepted for neurasthenia (shell shock) as being due or aggravated by war service, but was rejected on all of the following:- chronic appendicitis, myopia and early senile cataract, enlarged prostate, probable right renal calculus and duodenal ulcer. There is quite a list of tests and results in the 1940’s and early 50’s and discussions with doctors listing his problems. While on a train with Vera going to Mildura in 1947 at Christmas time, they were involved in a train accident, which shook him up and injured his wife. In mid-1951 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer with secondaries in the spine. Even they were rejected. His records list the numerous tests that he had done for the various ailments and discussions on the results of those tests and if they were attributable to the war.

On 2^nd October 1951, Frank passed away in the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne. According to his records he “died on the 2^nd inst., post operation”. The death notice added he was “loved husband of Vera, and loving father of Ian (Newcastle), Ivor (Bub, deceased. R.A.A.F.) – Resting.” His funeral was held on 4^th October 1951 at 10.30am at le Pine’s Funeral Chapel (opposite the Town Hall) at 355 Burwood Road Hawthorn. He was then taken to the Springvale Crematorium, where he was cremated and the ashes were scattered. After his death, his wife applied for acceptance of his death as being caused or

contributed by war service, so she could get an increase in her pension. The RSSAILA also helped her with her application. It too was rejected. All the Repatriation Department sent her was a bereavement letter. She was still able to get a pension at the current rate she was receiving, but not a War Widow’s Pension. Her appeal was also rejected.

Ernest Dale le Maistre married in 1907 and lived in Victoria until his death on 10^th October 1965. Elsie Mary le Maistre did not marry and lived in Victoria in St. Kilda, where she passed away on 14^th February 1964. Victor Harold Jack Le Maistre also served in WW1. He was previously a joiner. On 16^th October 1917, he joined the 15^th September Reinforcements of the Australian Flying Corps as 2^nd Class Air Mechanic 2341. He previously served in the 50^th Battalion Cadets at St. Kilda for 4 years and 7^th Engineers Commonwealth Forces for 2 years in Melbourne. After going to England and being involved with Training Schools there, he went to France on 17^th April 1918. He worked with 3^rd Squadron. After the war, he returned to Australia in May 1919. Victor was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. He passed away on 4^th June 1979 in South Oakleigh, Victoria.

Ian Le Maistre got engaged to Joy Nash, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs J Nash of Newcastle in October 1945. In 1947, Joy gave birth to a son in Newcastle, but he only lived 3 days. They also had a daughter in 1952, but again she only lived for 2 days. In 1953 they had another daughter in Newcastle. No other details are known about the family.

Ivor Russell Le Maistre joined the RAAF on 1^st January 1943 and died on 13^th December 1944 as a Flight Sergeant 430177 with 31^st Squadron. (The Roll of Honour at the AWM says he was with 5^th Operation Training at Williamstown). His death was accidental at Williamstown. Ivor was in Beaufighter A19-5 when it crashed. Ivor had been given duel instruction in Beaufighters at night, and on that night was doing his first solo flight. He was authorised to do that by his Officer Commanding, who had told him that the flight was to be of 1 hour with 2 landings. At 10pm, he was given permission to land, but approached very low and when about half a mile from the aerodrome perimeter, the plane crashed into the wood and began to burn. When the Medical Officer and others proceeded to the area, they found the plane completely broken up and burning. His badly burnt body was recovered. An accident report stated “During non-operational training flight aircraft hit trees on approaching the flare path.” The funeral was held at Sandgate War Cemetery on 16^th December 1944 at 9.30am. The probable cause of the crash was unknown. He is remembered at Sandgate War Cemetery in Newcastle in Plot K, Row D Grave 2. His effects were collated in late 1944 and passed onto his father. On 17^th February 1945, Frank wrote to the Secretary of the Air Board at Victoria Barracks, thanking him for the prompt and efficient service of the department which enabled him and his wife to attend the funeral of their son at Newcastle. He also singled out three people for special acknowledgement. The Argus of Friday 22^nd December 1944 had his notice under deaths on active service from his parents and his brother, saying “Proud of you, son” and “Good scout, Bub.” Other entries in newspapers over the next week or so included he was a loved friend of Merton Whitemore, his last words – “If I’ve had it, no tears, Mum”, a tribute in the memory of a great pal – remembered by Ian Graham (Mordialloc) and also dearly loved friend of Graham family, your memory will be in our hearts.

Ivor is in the middle row, third from the right.

Wreckage of Beaufighter A19-5

Photo from RAAF Court of Inquiry – December 14, 1944

Frank’s medals are Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory Medal with MiD and Victorian Volunteer Long and Efficient Service Medal.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Melville Macnaghten CMG MiD

Australian Army (Militia)
4th, 9th & 13th Battalions, AIF

By Robert Simpson

Charles Melville Macnaghten was born in Rhutenpore India on 18^th November 1879, a son to Melville Leslie Macnaghten and Dora Emily Sanderson. Melville and Dora had been married in Lancing, Sussex, England on 3^rd October 1878, before moving to India. Dora was a daughter of Canon Sanderson of Chichester. Charles was the eldest of four children to them. The family spent time in in East Bengal, where Melville ran the family estates, but they returned to England in 1888. Charles had two sisters, Julia Mary Melville (born in 1881 in India) and Cristabel Mary Melville (born in 1890 in London) and a bother Gillichrist Edward Melville (born in 1894 in London). Charles was baptised on 13^th December 1879 at Calcutta, St Paul in Bengal presidency. By 1890, the family had moved back to England and the 1891 census showed them living at 31 Warwick Square in St George, London. Sir Melville Macnaghten was the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department of Scotland yard for 14 years, from 1889 to 1913. He claimed to know the inside story of the “Jack the Ripper” crimes, but was disappointed he joined CID 6 months after Jack’s death so “I never had a go at him”. He was the only police commissioner who had arrested a criminal at that time. Two burglars were caught in their house in 1893, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison. In the 1901 census, they were living at 32 Warwick Square. He attended Eton College from 1893 to 1898. Charles was admitted to Trinity College at Cambridge University on 25^th June 1898. He matriculated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1901. Charles also apparently served with the Black Watch for a time (some other articles say Suffolk Regiment). He was also a proficient sportsman, excelling at cricket, tennis and football. He went to India and served in the Calcutta Light Horse as a trooper.

In 1903, he arrived in Sydney on a ship coming from India and began to study law. He received his first commission in the New South Wales Scottish Rifles in 1903, and served with that regiment until 1912. He was then appointed Captain of the 25^th Infantry and in 1913 was transferred to the 26^th Infantry Regiment and was promoted to Major in December. He was area officer in Woolloomooloo from 1910 and “was responsible for the training and discipline of the boys of that area who were liable for service as senior cadets.” This area was in the slums of the Sydney docks. He obtained the assistance of University graduates to help as officers and he taught the boys the rudiments of drill. He quickly made the cadet unit one of the finest, giving them leadership traits which would carry them through WW1. The 25^th Battalion Senior Cadets quickly developed a reputation for its soldierly qualities and won many competitions. Charles was involved in a court case involving a deed of separation and a claim for alleged arrears in December 1904, which stretched into March 1905.

On 30^th December 1904 Charles married Annetta Nina Thirza (‘Nettie’) Hopcroft in Sydney at the New Unitarian Church in Pitt Street. Annetta had been born in 1876 in Yorkshire, before the family moved to London after the death of her father, sometime between 1882 and 1891 (there is no record for it). Her father was a doctor with a general practice. She had been previously married to Joseph Carlo Aguilar, on 23^rd October 1897 at St Mary’s Church Fulham London. He was listed as a 28 year old planter, whose father Charles Aguilar was listed as a gentleman. Annetta’s father, Thomas Fay Hopcroft, was listed as deceased. It is not known what happened to Joseph, the marriage or when she came to Australia. It would seem they had no children. A newspaper article on Charles’s death said “Aided in his private life by a loyal and devoted wife, he passed his law examinations in a remarkably short time, and was duly admitted as a solicitor. There is little doubt that the close and concentrated study of those years adversely affected a highly strung, sensitive temperament.” In June 1904, he commenced his articles with T J Hughes and transferred to A W Hyman in December 1905. Illness delayed his examinations and he was finally admitted into practice in November 1908. Afterwards, he practiced on his own, but in 1913 joined the law firm of Dodd & Richardson. The National Archives of Australia has a file on judgements of the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on the appeal of Macnaghten verses Paterson, including 3 copies of the judgements in 1907, but it has not been opened. The case was also reported in the newspapers, but not the verdict.

A list of youths were brought before the Court on 12^th February 1912 “for having failed, without lawful excuse, to render the personal service required by Part 12 of the Defence Act”. They were proceeded against by “Charles Melville Macnaghten, area officer for No. 25 military district of N.S. Wales”. They all pleaded guilty.

On 9^th April 1912, the Governor-General and his wife, who were in New South Wales, entertained Sir Melville and Lady Macnaghten and Mr and Mrs Charles Macnaghten and others for a luncheon. Charles’ parents had come to Australia for a visit, the fact of which was widely discussed in the newspapers. His father retired in 1913 due to ill health. Sir Melville also received a police medal in 1913, for long and exemplary service. Charles was promoted to Major in December 1913. He was practicing law in Sydney when the war broke out, and as soon as he heard, he had booked a passage back to England to join the British Army. But, when he heard an Australian force was being raised, he joined, becoming one of the first officers.

His application for a Commission in the Australian Expeditionary Force showed his educational qualifications were Eton College and a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge. His previous military service was a Private in the 4^th Volunteer Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, a Trooper in the Calcutta Light Horse and was now a Major in the 26^th Infantry. A solicitor was his present civil employment and he was a married British Subject. The University Club in Sydney was his postal address. Nina was his next of kin and her address was given as his Father’s address in London. Charles signed the form on 1^st September 1914. Captain A H Tebbutt of the AMS signed the medical part of the form to say he was fit and gave his physical details as being 5 foot 10 inches tall, chest measurement of 36 inches, weighed 10 stone and his eyesight was good. Major A J Onslow-Thompson recommended that he be appointed as a Major in the Corps under his command and posted to Headquarters as Second in Command of 4^th Battalion, 1^st Infantry Brigade AIF.

Charles was appointed Second in Command in the 4^th Battalion. Many of his regiment in Sydney also joined. His term of service was from 15^th August 1914 until 4 months after peace. Before the 4^th Battalion left, the Highland Society secured and presented to them a set of bagpipes. The pipes “were very highly appreciated, and did splendid service until they were smashed up by enemy fire on Gallipoli”. He embarked to join the MEF for the Gallipoli campaign on 5^th April 1915 on Lake Michigan. After the landing and charge up the hills, the 4^th Battalion rested at Bolton’s Ridge. On the 26^th, a messenger rushed in and said there was an order for a general advance. Charles advised his CO he would take the left if Lieutenant-Colonel Onslow Thompson would take the right, so they pushed the Battalion into the advance, even though the order did seem strange (it was a mistake and an unplanned attack with no goal). The battalions to either side did not react, so the 4^th took full brunt of heavy resistance. Pushing on to Lone Pine, the attack stalled under shrapnel and machine gun fire and someone ordered a retreat. Trying to get some of the men to go forward again, Charles was shot in the chest and then through the throat. He staggered back to the dressing station. While lying there, and upon hearing an officer giving a group of stragglers orders, he rose to his feet and started off with some stragglers, only to collapse. When he awoke he found out his CO was dead and he was in command. He also wrote a note to staff officers telling how the Battalion had been decimated. On 1^st May 1915, he was sent to HMTS Itonus with a bullet wound in the jaw and chest. He was admitted to Deaconess Hospital at Alexandria, was transferred on 3^rd May to German Hospital and discharged to duty on 4^th June 1915 and re-joined his Battalion on the 9^th. On 14^th July 1915, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was to command the Battalion.

A record was written that stated that the “good services of the following officers are respectfully brought to notice” and included in the 1^st Infantry Brigade “2. LtCol. C. M. Macnaghten commanding the 4^th Battalion for his masterful handling of that unit on the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th August. (wounded).” Another record noted on 27^th April 1915 at Anzac, he took part in the landing as 2^nd in command of 4^th Battalion and was wounded. It also said on 6^th August 1915 at Lone Pine, he commanded the 4^th Battalion in the assault of the position. The Turkish trenches at Lone Pine were heavily fortified and covered with logs for overhead protection. When reached during the charge, bayonets and bare hands were used to raise them so that men could jump in. The battle continued as mainly hand to hand. The Battalion was repeatedly counter-attacked for 4 days until they were temporarily relieved. He was put second in the order of merit for an award. Another recommendation stated he “Commanded his battalion in the attack on LONE PINE on 6^th August, and though wounded continued to do so until the 10^th August; exhibited great dash and gallantry and distributed his men after the first assault through the intricate trenches to best advantage while re-organising for further attack.” He was listed as 3^rd or 4^th in order of merit and could not be separated. Another sheet for the 4^th Battalion noted he was recommended for the Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was Mentioned in Despatches, which was promulgated in the London Gazette on 28^th January 1916 on page 1208, position 59. On 10^th August 1915, he was admitted to 2^nd Field Ambulance with dysentery and being wounded, and was transferred to Casualty Clearing Station, and then to HMS Neurailia to No. 4 Officers Convalescent Home at Alexandria on 17^th August. On 21^st August, he was transferred to No. 4 Red Cross Hospital. He embarked for England on HT Marathon on 13^th September from Alexandria, where he was admitted to No 3 London General Hospital at Wandsworth on the 24^th.

Under the heading of personal notes in The Sydney Morning herald of 5^th May 1915, was an entry for Major Macnaghten which said “A private cable message was received yesterday, intimating that Major Charles Melville Macnaghten, of Sydney, was slightly wounded in the Dardanelles action, but is progressing favourably. A newspaper article said he was the first man to land at Anzac Cove, but no proof was supplied. Another paper said he was wounded almost immediately but “carried on”. The next day he received two more wounds and was sent to Alexandria and then England. He returned to Gallipoli only seven weeks after being wounded, and was appointed to command the 4^th Battalion. “He led the 4^th in their immortal charge at Lone Pine, of which gallant action General Sir Ian Hamilton wrote :- “At the early period of this last counter-attack the 4^th Battalion were forced by bombs to relinquish portion of a trench, but later on, led by their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Macnaghten, they killed every Turk who had got in.” His men said later that “the old man was everywhere”. On 7^th August, after being exhausted by the constant fighting, a Turkish bomb landed near him, wounding him in the left leg. As he was being taken from the trenches, he was still ordering his men to keep fighting. He was evacuated and spent several months in and out of hospital due to his wounds and sickness. Originally, he was sent to Australian Officers Military Hospital at Alexandria on 16^th August and was transferred on 17^th August 1915. He was admitted to 4^th Convalescent Hospital at Alexandria and transferred on 13^th September to HMT Marathon for “change to England”. He was admitted to 3^rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth on 24^th September 1915 with dysentery and a shell wound of the left knee and right chest and was discharged on the 25^th with an observation of “furlough”. Charles was fit for general service on 19^th October 1915, from a nominal roll of the Australian Military Office in London. A Medical Board on that same day, determined that his injury was slight and not permanent and discussed how a shell had burst near him and fragments had struck him on the left knee. He also had dysentery for about a week before the injury, and that had now cleared. There was also no stiffness or swelling in the knee. Charles left England in October to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He returned to Gallipoli on 6^th December 1915 to command the Battalion. A newspaper article also said he was the last to leave during the evacuation (again with no proof). Charles was admitted to the hospital on Mudros with debility from 19^th to 21^st December. He was admitted to No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Alexandria on 22^nd December 1915 with gastritis and debility after disembarking from the HT Dunluce Castle on the same day. On 25^th December, he was transferred to duty and re-joined the Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on the 31^st.

On 12^th January 1915, he was admitted to No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Cairo with insomnia, and discharged to duty on the 15^th. While in Egypt, he temporarily did duty as a Brigadier and was appointed camp commandant at Tel-el-Kebir on 1^st February 1916. It was announced that the King had rewarded his distinguished service at Gallipoli with the CMG (Companion in The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George) in the New Year’s honours list “for services rendered in connection with military operations in the Field to be dated from 1.1.16”. On 17^th March 1916, he was admitted to No. 1 Field Ambulance at Serapeum with P.U.O.U. and was transferred to Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 19^th for admittance to 1^st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on the 20^th with neurasthenia. He was discharged to duty on 13^th April. On 19^th April 1916, he was admitted to the No. 1 Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismailia with gastritis. He was also admitted to No 3 Australian General Hospital at Abbassia on 12^th May with the same condition. His wounds and a fever affected his so much, he was invalided to England (according to a newspaper article). His service records have no mention of this, he was discharged at Alexandria by a Medical Board Hearing, which stated he had neurasthenia and was “incapacitated for military duty until after a trip to Australia and back”. He sought to return to his Battalion, but the doctors refused and he was eventually sent back to Australia on 10^th June 1916 on HT Itonus from Suez; where he was to be second in command of the “Australian Sandhurst.” He was to be the director of Military Academics and part of the Permanent Army at the Royal Military College at Duntroon. After being invalided out and his appointment terminated on 7^th September 1916, Charles tried to resume his commission, but was refused on medical grounds. Charles did not like this situation, so he deserted.

He then moved to Queensland, telling no one of this, and enlisted under another name as a Private. Charles described the situation in his own words in a newspaper article “I tried to get on the active list again out there, but it was of no avail, and eventually I decided to slip away and join one of the reinforcement battalions. I got away to Queensland, where, after four attempts – I am a bit lame after Gallipoli – I was enlisted as a private under the name of Charles Melville in the 9^th Battalion reinforcements. My one fear was that I would be recognised before getting to France, but I was not, and eventually I found myself in England training with the rest of them on Salisbury Plain. I had been promoted to corporal and one morning on parade the commanding officer, in whom I recognised a fellow-passenger in the hospital ship which brought me to England as a colonel, sang out, Corporal, do you think you could drill this company? Seeing that among other things I had acted as brigadier while in Egypt, I replied I thought I could, and did so. All the time I was trying to get into a draft in France, and at last succeeded, but there I found my identity could not be hidden for long, for I was among officers and men who had known me in Gallipoli, and I was “given away’. General Birdwood, who had known me at Lone Pine, sent for me and gave me a commission. I was invalided to England and the next thing was I received a summons to attend Buckingham Palace in my old rank, as Lieutenant-Colonel to receive the C.M.G., which the King had conferred on me years before.” The article got his alias wrong, he actually enlisted as Ciam Macmilville, Private 7101 with the 23^rd Reinforcements of 9^th Battalion on 19^th October 1916. He said he was living in Adelaide Street Brisbane and listed his wife as “Mrs A Macmilville”, who was living in England. He also gave details of his sister, Julie Donner with an address in Ascot England. Julia Donner was his sister, having married Edward Donner, a leather merchant, in 1904. Charles details were listed as a 38 years old clerk and his religion was Church of England, with his address as GPO Brisbane. He did 3 years as a Volunteer in England with time expired. He was 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighed 135 pounds (another record has 155 pounds), had a chest measurement of 34 to 38 inches, and had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Originally, he needed further dental treatment before being passed. He had two inoculations on 20^th and 27^th October 1916 and a vaccination on 4^th November 1916. They departed from Brisbane on 17^th November 1916 on HMAT Kyarra and disembarked on 30^th January 1917 at Plymouth.

On 14^th February 1917, he was promoted to Acting Corporal and to Acting Sergeant on 30^th March. He was part of the 2^nd Training Battalion from 15^th February 1917. He was with the 13^th Battalion from 29^th March to 22^nd April 1917. They proceeded to France on 10^th April 1917. On 22^nd April, he reverted to Private in the 9^th Battalion. The 4^th Brigade was cut up at the battle of Bullecourt. Afterwards, Charles was promoted to 2^nd Lieutenant and was posted to 13^th Battalion on 26^th April 1917, with which he was involved with the battle of Messines Ridge. He was then hospitalised with a complete nervous breakdown so severe he was deemed unfit to continue his service with the AIF. His regimental conduct sheet had no entries in it.

After his real identity was established, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant, and given orders to return to England for convalescence after being wounded again in June 1917. The article goes on to say he “omitted to mention that he was especially congratulated by his general in France for gallantry at Messines but did not neglect to extol the valor of his men at Gallipoli and across the Channel. “They,” he said, “did everything; I did nothing by comparison.” But the colonel, who is not yet 40 years old, wears four wound stripes, and in the words of one of his battalion, “He is riddled like a colander; it’s only his fighting spirit that keeps him alive.” “That his identity should not be traced when he enlisted as a private he deliberately cut himself off from all his relations, even from his wife, who was nursing in England, for fear that in the censoring of letters his true name and rank might be discovered.” His service records state he was admitted to 2^nd Anzac Officers Rest House in Belgium on 3^rd July 1917 with debility and posted to his unit on the 17^th. On the same day, he was detached to 4^th Brigade Headquarters. He was sent to hospital on 22^nd July with malaria at Rouen and sent to 8^th General Hospital. On 27^th, he was sent to Temporary Base and then to Depot on 4^th August 1917. He was sent to the 2^nd General Hospital with neurasthenia on 4^th September 1917, and embarked for England on Grantully Castle on the 5^th, where he was admitted to the 4^th London General Hospital on the 6^th.

A letter was sent to his wife Mrs Annie Macnaghten, c/o Mrs J Donner of Derryquin Sunningdale, Ascot on 10^th July, stating 2^nd Lieutenant Charles Melville Macnaghten of 13^th Battalion had been reported as being wounded on 12^th June while serving with the BEF in France, but the “wound was so slight that this officer was able to remain on duty.” He was admitted to 8^th General Hospital at Rouen on 24^th July 1917 with a slight attack of malaria and discharged on the 27^th. A Medical Board at the 4^th Australian General Hospital at Denmark Hill in September 1917 reported he was suffering from neurasthenia and was tired and required rest. He also had insomnia, dizziness and headache. Another report stated he was suffering from a complete nervous breakdown. It was caused by the stress of service. According to them, he could do light duty in a month, home service in 3 months and general service in 5 months. A medical certificate, written in October 1917, said he was incapacitated for work for six months from that date and that the Board papers said he was suffering from a complete nervous breakdown, with sleeplessness and loss of memory. He was improving, but was still not good. He still had a limp from the wound in the leg in 1915. Charles resigned from the AIF in England on 10^th October 1917 in consequence of being permanently unfit for all services. On the 11^th, he signed a form for Base Records which stated “This is to certify that CHARLES MELVILLE MACNAGHTEN, whose signature appears in margin hereof, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 19^th October 1916, was promoted 2^nd Lieutenant on the 26^th April 1917. He relinquishes his commission in the A.I.F., on the 10^th October 1917, in consequence of being permanently unfit for all services.” He filled out a statutory declaration on 19^th October that he enlisted as Ciam MacMilville (an alias and assumed name as written in another document) which he declared was incorrect and gave his correct name and that of his wife and her address. Letters were sent to Base Records in Australia to advise of the changes, and to Brisbane. Charles also signed a form that he resigned of his own request in England, he had no claim for a free return to Australia and had been paid his deferred pay. In August 1917, he had previously given his next of kin as his mother, Lady Macnaghten, at 32 Warwick Square in London. They had her address previous to this, as a letter from her, returning a form fully filled out, also requested that in future that any news of her son would not take Base Records four weeks to send to her.

On 27^th July 1916, Annetta wrote to Base Records in Melbourne from The Bevan Military Hospital in Sandgate Kent England. The men who were sent to this hospital were loud in their praise of the doctors and the nurses. She thanked them for sending her notification of the entry in the London Gazette for Charles. She said “It was most awfully good of you with all your pressure of work to send me the copy” and “I am most grateful. I hope … he has been able to join his regiment again as he was most distressed at being sent back to Australia.”

Base records sent his wife a notice from the Supplement to the London Gazette of 28^th January 1916 relating to his conspicuous service “I have the honour to submit herewith the name of Lieutenant Colonel C. M. Macnaghten, 4^th Battalion, whose services I wish to bring to your Lordship’s notice in connexion with operations described in my despatch of 11^th December, 1915.”

On 30^th June 1916 a list was sent to the Undersecretary, Chief Secretary’s Office in Sydney listing his next of kin as his wife with and address c/o of his father in England. When he was admitted to various hospitals at various times, a note was sent to his mother or his wife, detailing where he was sent and under what condition. There are quite a few of these notes in his service records.

The Scottish Australasian of August 1916 published an article on Charles. The article noted that in the 4^th Battalion had about eight hundred Scotsman or men of Scottish descent, who “had the good fortune to be under good Scots as their officers”. The Gallipoli landing was discussed with mention to General Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatches. “Colonel Macnaghten denies that he personally did more than the men who, loving him, followed him wherever he was prepared to lead, in fact, he resents personal credit, yet the men who have fought under him are very emphatic in their opinions.” The article mentioned that his “great Grandfather was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Calcutta, and a member of the Indian Council, his grandfather a Director of the East India Company” and his father as well. It stated that while in India, Charles joined the “volunteer force.” They also said “that the advance of Colonel Macnaghten in the service was singularly rapid, and the work he has done markedly effective.” On his arrival in July, a large number of returned 4^th Battalion men met him on the wharf and gave him “an exceedingly warm welcome” and played the battalion march. He also attended an official welcome on 25^th July. The article acknowledged his leadership.

His records were borrowed for the Military Secretary and were returned to Base Records on 27^th September 1916. A letter was sent from AIF Headquarters in London to the Postal Branch saying that 2^nd Lieutenant Macnaghten 13^th Battalion had received his discharge from the AIF with effect from 10^th October 1917 and that his address was 32 Warwick Square in London. Letters on that date were sent to the Pensions Officer stating he was permanently unfit for all services. His discharge in England was approved. His statement for a war pension claim on 26^th October 1917 shows he was to be paid 4 pounds a fortnight and his wife 2 pounds, commencing on 11^th October 1917 and to be reviewed on 11^th April 1918.

On 28^th May 1917, the Australian Headquarters in Egypt sent the AIF Headquarters in London a letter asking where Lieutenant-Colonel C M Macnaghten, late C.O. of the 4^th Battalion, was as Thomas Cook & Sons had three packages of his they wished to dispose of. . His mother also wrote a letter on 20^th June asking if they could be sent as soon as possible as he needed them; after getting a letter from Records about them. Records let Egypt know which address to send them to on 18^th June. They replied that they had collected the packages from Thomas Cook and would send them to Fulham Kit Store to send on to Mrs Macnaghten. Records then let his mother know the parcels would be coming on 26^th July. When the three large cases were picked up from Thomas Cook, an inventory was done of them. One case was full of shirts, another had a lot of parcels addressed to various servicemen, mainly in the 4^th Battalion and the last one had more parcels and some clothes. Kit Stores then wrote to AIF Headquarters in London saying the cases contained “purely regimental or Government property, and packages of private property belonging to various officers and men, a big percentage of whom are deceased or returned to Australia. It would have been better had Cairo developed some initiative and dealt with the parcels individually when they found out what the cases contained. However, the cases are on their way now and on arrival I will go carefully through the cases and dispose of them according to the contents. It is pretty evident there will be nothing to hand Mrs. McNaughton, and under the circumstances it would be appreciated if Records could be asked to write and inform her accordingly.” A reply to Kit Stores said “I agree with you that it is a pity Cairo did not deal with the parcels individually, but seeing they have not, and that the packages are now on their way to London, it is not worth while drawing their attention to the matter. I would not consider it advisable, however, for Records to write Mrs McNaughton that there will be nothing of a private nature to hand over to her, but the best plan will be for you to communicate with her direct after the goods have been received and you have gone through them carefully.”

In October 1917, Charles was issued with a Silver War Badge from London, the detail on the record stated 2nd Lieutenant Charles M Macnaghten of the 13th Battalion, enlisted on 19th October 1916 and was discharged on 10^th October 1917 due to neurasthenia, and he had served overseas. The badge number was A405. He signed for the badge on 19^th October 1917 and returned the form to AIF Headquarters in London. His name was also submitted in a list of officers, NCO’s and men by the Ministry of Munitions on 24^th February 1919 for the 1914-15 Star. It was noted he was a Major in the Australian Imperial Force 45^th Battalion, with the Theatre of War being listed as Gallipoli 25/4/15. He was also on the SWB List Aust. Off. 9. His address was listed as Whitehall Place SW1. He had been classified as a deserter in Australia. Even so, the Department of Defence wrote a letter to AIF Headquarters in London, asking if he intended to return to Australia and resume his militia and cadet appointments.

In 1918, they were living at 32 Warwick Square in the City of Westminster in England. At some stage, Annetta had moved to London during the war. They were staying with his mother in her home at 32 Warwick Square. Charles joined the British Ministry of Labour as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in 1919, a position he used to train British disabled ex-servicemen. He held that appointment until 1927 according to one article, but that must be wrong. A letter from Department of Defence in Melbourne to AIF Headquarters in London was questioning if Lieutenant Macnaghten of the 13^th Battalion, who resigned his commission in October 1917, was the same as “Lieut.-Col. C.M. Macnaghton, C.M.G., O.C. 26^th Infantry, A.M.F., who deserted from his Unit in Australia when under orders to proceed to Duntroon as instructed. He failed to carry out this instruction and has been missing since 26^th September 1916.” They could not find him in Australia and “motion was being taken to declare him a deserter from the A.M.F.” They could not trace Lieutenant Macnaghten in records in Australia until they established his identity as Ciam Macmilville.

Charles sent a reply to Lieutenant-Colonel Bruggy DSO at Australian Headquarters in London on 27^th April 1918 saying “Your letters of 18^th & 28^th March to hand. There is more than one ’C Macnaghten’. Had I been correctly designated in your communications, this delay would not have occurred. The reply to your question is yes.” In July 1918, the Department of Defence wrote to AIF Headquarters in London, asking about Charles resigning his commission and the reasons for doing so, as “they were of an unsatisfactory nature.” They wanted to know that to see if his commission “as Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the Australian Military Forces shall be continued”. They had also written to him in March and April, asking if he would be returning to Australia to take up his military appointments. On 19^th October 1918, a letter was sent to the Secretary of The Department of Defence enclosing the service record and medical board proceedings for Charles, which were the basis for the decision to terminate his service in the AIF.

The Pay Department at Victoria Barracks in Brisbane sent a letter to Base Records, asking for full service records for Charles for all of the Battalions he was in, to answer a query from the Chief Paymaster. On 16^th January 1920, Base Records replied with a summary of his two terms of service, including under his assumed name. His oak leaves were sent on 23^rd August 1920.

On 12^th May 1921, his father passed away. A newspaper article stated he “was equipped for his duties with a marvellous memory” and “he knew the characteristics and histories of practically every man in the Department”. “He was a Knight Commander of the White Military Order of Spain, and a Commander of the Order of Dannebrog.”

Charles boarded the Montclare on 8^th December 1922 as a 2^nd Class passenger bound for St. John Canada. He gave his address as 129 Tulse Hill London. He was listed as a 43 year old Colonel who intended to make his permanent address in Canada. He went by himself and drifted around until he was employed at the Canadian Pacific Railway in Montreal as an accountant from 1924. A newspaper said he was “broken in health” and that was why he went to Canada.

On 3^rd August 1923, Base Records forwarded a sealed communication to his mother’s address in London, and another one on 20^th October 1923. The receipt for the certificate of his Mention in Despatches was not signed, so it is not known if he received it, and it has on the form Lieut. Col, 2^nd Lieut. C. M. Mcnaughten / 4^th Bn. /13^th Bn. On 14^th September 1923. The certificate was sent to his mother in London with a note asking to acknowledge receipt and post back to Base Records in Australia. The certificate was returned to Base Records unclaimed in December and was forwarded on to the Australian Military Secretary in London for disposal.

His mother passed away on 8^th January 1929 in London.

Charles passed away on 4^th February 1931 in the suburb of Notre Dame de Grace in Montreal Canada after contracting an illness which developed to pneumonia. He was cremated.

Charles was listed in Who’s Who in Australia, in the section on Companions of the various Orders of Knighthood with the listing MacNAGHTEN, Col. Chas. Melville, C.M.G. He had the nickname of “the galloping Major.” Other articles refer to him as “Fighting Mac”. His name was recorded in the List of Etonians who fought in the Great War 1914-1919. He was described by Charles Bean as “distinguished by a vigorous impetuosity”.

The Sydney Morning Herald in 1931 included these comments of him in an article appreciating his life “Owing in a great measure to ill-health, his military career did not fulfil its early promise. He will always be remembered with admiration and regard by those who knew of his many soldierly qualities.” The writer also said “it seems fitting that some tribute should be paid to the memory of one who, with the best that was in him, served Australia well.”

An article in Reveille of 1^st May 1934, written by Captain Charles Robert Duke MC of the 4^th Battalion made a few mentions of Charles, who was a personal friend. He had been signed up by Charles and said in the article “his career was almost unique”. He also said “Much to my surprise, Major Macnaghten came aboard wounded just before we left Gallipoli. He had the tip of his chin knocked off and a bullet in the side, but when I had got him settled in a bunk he rolled up his sleeve and said, ’this is what’s worrying me most,’ and there was a large tick buried up to the hilt in his flesh. I got kerosene and eventually dug it out for him.” Captain Duke also discussed the Lone Pine attack, saying “The first thing I saw when I got out of the possie was Col. Macnaghten blowing his whistle and going for his life just ahead of me, and one’s recollections of the charge across 70 or 80 yards of Turkish trenches remain vivid.” He also talked about running out of bombs numerous times and “going up to Macnaghten’s headquarters and imploring him to send us more bombs. He was sitting on a box with his leg on another box. He had been shot through the knee, but was carrying on serenely, refusing to be evacuated.” Charles was also told by Colonel Macnaughten that he proposed to give him a commission, which did not eventuate until later in another Battalion.

Annetta continued to live in London, at Carlton Mansions on Holmleigh Road in Stamford Hill (well certainly in the early 1930’s), and did not remarry. In the mid-1960’s she was living at Abercorn house Hawley near Camberley. She passed away on 4^th September 1965 in St Peter’s Hospital Chertsey Surrey. She left her probate of 288 pounds to a Lily Violet Groth, a widow.

Julia passed away on 2^nd October 1938 in London, Christabel on 7^th August 1974 and Gillichrist on 3^rd July 1939 in Somerset. Gillichrist served in WW1 in the 21^st London Regiment (1^st Surrey Rifles), rising from 2^nd Lieutenant to Captain. He was entitled to the standard war trio of medals and the Silver War Badge. He relinquished his commission on 1^st March 1919, due to ill health and retained the rank of Captain.

Charles’ medals are CMG, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with oak leaf.

Vice Admiral Claude Seymour DSO, MiD

Royal Navy

By Robert Simpson

Claude Seymour was born on 17^th March 1876 at Barrett Heath, Southampton Hampshire England. He was a son to Alfred Seymour and Jessie Madeline MacDougall. They had married on 28^th April 1870 at Carleton Ontario in Canada. Alfred, although born in Brussels on 16 February 1843, was a British Subject due to his parentage. Claude was one of six sons and two daughters to them. He was baptised on 12^th May 1876 at Shirley by Southampton in Hampshire. Alfred’s father was the Right honourable Sir George Hamilton Seymour, who was a diplomat and a privy councillor. He took part in the negotiations to secure the independence of Belgium. Alfred was a magistrate until he retired at an early age. He was born in 1843 and died in 1897. They lived at Hollybrook House in Millbrook, Hampshire. Claude was a grandson of Hon Sir William MacDougall, who was a founding father of the Canadian Confederation. (as notified by Kim Cameron-Friel, a third-cousin to Claude). In the 1881 census, Claude was listed as living at home and he was a scholar. It was the same for the 1891 census (even though he was in the navy). There is also a record for the 1891 Census in Devon which has a list of the HMS Britannia at Dartmouth and included Claude Seymour, born 1876 in Bassett Heath Southampton, who was training for HM Navy as a Naval Cadet. A handwritten note at the top of the page says not to be abstracted, not on board; and it applied to all on that page and surrounding pages. It would appear all were given leave to go to their home for the census. H.M.S. Britannia was the name given to the British Royal Navy’s ship used for the preliminary education of naval officers from 1859 to 1905. Claude passed all of his exams at the first attempt, except gunnery, which he passed at the second try.

H.M.S. Britannia. Hindostan at left, connected to the fifth Britannia at right. Image: By courtesy of Terry Dickens [astraltrader].

They 1892 Naval List showed that Claude was a Naval Cadet with seniority from 15^th January 1890 (when he entered the navy) and he was on HMS Blake, a twin screw Cruiser 1^st Class. HMS Blake was at the North American Station in February 1892. From the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer of 19^th January 1892, he had been posted to the Blake from 2^nd February. The 1894 list showed he was a Midshipman, still on the HMS Blake, with seniority from 15^th April 1892. The Hampshire Telegraph of 15^th June 1895 reported that Midshipman Claude Seymour had been posted to HMS Endymion from 8^th June. He had two Seamanship certificates by 15^th October 1895 and had seniority as a Sub-Lieutenant from that day. Claude was sent on a re-qualifying course in Gunnery, studying on board Excellent (the Gunnery School at Portsmouth). In 1896, he was then on the Indefatigable (a twin screw Cruiser 2^nd Class) as an acting Sub-Lieutenant (lent). The Hampshire Telegraph of 9^th January 1897 reported Sub-Lieutenant Claude Seymour was posted to the Ranger from 7^th January. In 1898, he was promoted to Lieutenant with seniority from 1^st April. He was on HMS Immortalite, a twin screw Cruiser 1^st Class Armoured. In 1900, at Portland, he was on HMS Minotaur, a screw Cruiser 1^st Class Armoured.

By 1901, he was in Sydney on HMS Torch as a Lieutenant. HMS Torch had been re-commissioned at Sydney on 24^th April 1900 and was a screw sloop. She was part of the naval escort for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Australia and New Zealand aboard the chartered Royal liner HMS Ophir during 1901. Claude was still on HMS Torch in 1902 and 1903 and a Lieutenant with seniority from 1^st April 1898. In mid-1903, he departed Calcutta on the Golconda as a Lieutenant RN, and arrived in London on 25^th July. In October 1904, there was a court of inquiry as to the grounding of HMS Inchen off Verde Island, which was due to an error of judgement, and the officer was cautioned and logged. By 1905, he was in China as a Lieutenant on HMS Itchen, a twin screw torpedo boat destroyer (TSTBD). While on HMS Ichon, as part of the British squadron in Far Eastern waters commanded by Admiral Sir Gerald Noel, they visited various ports in Japan as a promotion for the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in October 1905. He then returned to England and was Lieutenant and Commander on HMS Lightning at Portsmouth, in reserve. By March 1907, he had transferred to HMS Earnest (a TSTBD) at Portland. He was still a Lieutenant and Commander with seniority from 6^th July 1906. From 15^th June 1908, he was on HMS Erne (a TSTBD) with the Home Fleet as a Tender to HMS Blenheim and was still on HMS Erne in 1909 with the Frist Destroyer Flotilla.

Screw sloop HMS Torch

Still with the First Destroyer Flotilla in 1910, he had been posted to HMS Welland (a TSTBD) from 18^th September 1909; which was also a tender to HMS Blenheim and he still had the rank of Lieutenant and Commander. An inspection of HMS Welland by Commodore Charlton on 21^st June 1910 was deemed satisfactory. On 8^th July 1910, he applied for a War Course commencing on 12^th September, but he was not approved. On 1^st September he was discharged from the Welland and appointed to the Blenheim for Wolverine in temporary command from 2^nd to 28^th September. Commodore Charlton commented in his service record on October 1910 that all was VG and he was a valuable destroyer Captain with much experience in that line. He handled “his destroyer well & will do well in the higher ranks.” His application for H.P. was approved on 15^th October 1910. By the 1911 census on 2nd April, Claude was listed as a Commander on the HMS Albemarle, a twin screw Battleship with the Home Fleet. He was listed as single and had seniority from 30th June 1910 (when he was promoted to Commander). Rear Admiral Limpus gave a satisfactory inspection of HMS Albermarle on 13^th February 1911. Also in February, there is a note in his service record of the loss of a torpedo from the Albemarle, for which he was responsible for allowing it to be fired in unfavourable weather. The torpedo was recovered. He was granted 4 months H.P. while on HMS Albermarle on 22^nd August 1911. In September 1911, Captain Luard wrote all very good, A “zealous and very efficient 2nd in cd. Has great tact and is a good disciplinarian.” In February 1912, he applied for Signal and War Courses. A posting to HMS Falmouth was cancelled and he was posted to HMS Otter at the China Station on 8^th February 1912.

HMS Albemarle

The Navy List for August 1912 show Claude was posted back on HMS Welland, which was a tender to HMS Tamar at Hong Kong, and he was a Commander. With the October 1913 list, he was still Commander on HMS Welland at Hong Kong. He was given an appreciation at the good results of HMS Welland in Battle Practice in 1913. An inspection in March 1913 showed the ship to be in particularly good order and Claude was zealous and efficient. In June 1914, Admiral Jerrum in China commented that he “recommends add’ly for prom’n.”

In the November 1914 list, he was a Commander with seniority from 7^th April 1914 on HMS Colne, a torpedo boat destroyer. He had been appointed to HMS Colne in temporary command while HMS Welland was being refurbished, on 7^th April 1914. In December 1914, Admiral Jerrum again recommended him additionally for promotion. HMS Colne was stationed in China when war was declared, and was used against the German settlement at Tsing-Tao, which was then occupied by the Japanese. After this, she was sent to the Mediterranean. On 18^th March 1915, the navy tried to penetrate the straits and starting bombarding the forts along it. Two of the battleships, HMS Irresistible and HMS Ocean, struck mines which had been laid by the Turks the night before, and started to sink. Despite the ‘terrific fire’ being directed onto both ships from both sides, Claude directed HMS Colne to steam to their assistance. His service records show he was commended for saving lives from HMS Ocean on 18^th March 1915. Also in March, Admiral Jerrum recorded “ G.C.Satis. Ab’ty above av. Rec’d for advance specially. Excellent offr for comd of a flotilla in whom I have great confidence. Gd powers of com’d.”

The list of April 1915 has him with the same details as November 1914. He was commended for service in action between 19^th February 1915 and 24^th April 1915 at the Dardanelles by Vice-Admiral de Roebeck, and they were recorded in the London Gazette of 12^th August 1915. At the landing at Anzac Cove on 25^th April, HMS Beagle carried C Company of the 9th Battalion and half of C Company 12^th Battalion, and HMS Colne carried D Company and half of C Company 12^th Battalion. A week later HMS Colne was involved with landing 50 New Zealanders for a raid on an enemy observation post on Nibrunesi Point at Ejelmer Bay. They landed at dawn, surprised the Turks who were asleep in the trenches, killed 3 of them and took the rest as prisoners back to the boats. They also got a very large quantity of ammunition. Three small houses, one of which contained telephone equipment, were blown up and telephone wire was cut. HMS Colne was mentioned in his despatch of 1^st July 1915 and in the Gazette of 16^th August, the ship was mentioned along with Commander C Seymour, under the heading, the “work accomplished by the destroyer flotillas fully maintained the high standard they have established in these waters.”

It was also decided to attack Gaba Tepe to ascertain defences, destroy communications and attack the garrison there. 100 men from the 11^th battalion, under Captain R L Leane, boarded rowing boats which were attached to HMS Colne on her port side so the Turks could not see them. On 5^th May at dawn, they were cast off 500 yards from the shore. No firing occurred until the boats grounded, then they received heavy fire. As they moved to cover from the beach, it was seen to be impossible to get through all the barbed wire and any paths were completely covered. They signalled the navy to come and get the wounded and as the stretcher-bearers came from the steamboat, the navy ceased their heavy covering fire. To the surprise of all the Turks did not fire a shot at the wounded men or those assisting them. Once the boat left, they started firing again. The rest of the men were evacuated by boats from the destroyers, who poured such a fire on the Turks, they could not effectively fire at the Australians as they ran to the boats.

In May, HMS Colne and other destroyers were involved in landing the New Zealanders. They moved close to shore and then disembarked their boats. In a story about the landing “The delay seemed ages long. Men were being hit on the destroyers’ decks by the gradually increasing rifle fire from the shore. The machine-guns had the range accurately, and the shots were hitting the steel bows of the destroyers with a sound like hail on an iron roof. The water through which the boats pulled to shore was ripped with bullets, man after man in the boats being killed or wounded…” HMS Colne was used to provide supporting fire to the New Zealanders, with Major Cecil Paddon of the Otago Mounted Rifles acknowledging Claude and the ship with saving many lives in his regiment. The New Zealanders affectionately nicknamed the ship HMS Nursie. Major Paddon wrote of the part the destroyers played in saving a scouting patrol which had stayed out in No Man’s Land on the night of 9^th June: “They delayed their return until dawn, and were pinned down to the sandhills at the mouth of the Aghul Dere, about 1300 yards to the north of our position in No. 3 post. One of our officers, Captain Twisleton, and a small party, by clever use of the sandhills, got to them, but they were held up. We got through to H.Q. at Anzac, and in very short time Colne, Chelmer and Rattlesnake came up at full speed. Then the fun began. They opened fire, and pinned the Turks down whenever they showed themselves, which allowed our isolated party near the Aghul Dere to begin retiring on No. 3. In the meantime, the Turks on another hillock overlooking the scene lined their trenches and had sitters at our people as they bolted from sandhill to sandhill. This encouraged still more Turks. Things got hotter and hotter. We managed to keep down some of the fire, but what really finished it was the Colne, Chelmer and Rattlesnake solemnly coming in line ahead, well within rifle range, and shepherding the patrol and its relief home at the patrol’s own walking pace. It looked outrageous, the Turk evidently thought so too, and fairly plastered the three destroyers as they came slowly along. But the 4-inch and 12-pounders were too much for Abdul…”

The story was also told by one of the men on a destroyer: “One of the most successful ruses we carried out was the shelling of No. 3 post and Table Top on the left flank at the same time each night for some weeks before 6 August, so that both these positions were taken by the New Zealanders with hardly any loss when they advanced out of Anzac on that night. No. 3 post was near the beach, and had changed hands pretty frequently during May, June and July. Our wheeze was to get the Turks used to the shelling, so that the New Zealanders, when they attacked, would find them empty. So far as I remember, we used to switch on the searchlight and start in on No. 3 post at 9 p.m. with slow deliberate fire until 9.25, then a rapid burst at 9.30. At 9.30 we shifted to Table Top, which was above No. 3 post and literally a table top, with a cliff face towards the New Zealanders. We fired deliberate rounds from 9.30 to 9.55, and then five minutes rapid until 10.00 p.m. The Chelmer and Colne did this every night for about six weeks before 6 August, and on that night the same routine was carried out. The result was excellent. Both positions were evacuated. The trenches were empty, and Turkish officers were found in their dug-outs on the side of the positions in their pyjamas!”

In Sir Ian Hamilton’s third Gallipoli despatch, dealing with fighting in August 1915, also discussed the attack:-

“Amongst other stratagems the Anzac troops, assisted by H.M.S. “Colne,” had long and carefully been educating the Turks how they should lose Old No. 3 Post, which could hardly have been rushed by simple force of arms. Every night, exactly at 9 p.m., H.M.S. “Colne” threw the beam of her searchlight on to the redoubt, and opened fire upon it for exactly ten minutes. Then, after a ten minutes’ interval, came a second illumination and bombardment, commencing always at 9.20 and ending precisely at 9.30 p.m. The idea was that, after successive nights of such practice, the enemy would get into the habit of taking the searchlight as a hint to clear out until the shelling was at an end. But on the eventful night of the 6th, the sound of their footsteps drowned by the loud cannonade, unseen as they crept along in that darkest shadow which fringes a searchlight’s beam, came the right covering column. At 9.30 the light switched off, and instantly our men poured out of the scrub jungle and into the empty redoubt. By 11 p.m. the whole series of surrounding entrenchments were ours!”

and

“Simultaneously the attack on Table Top had been launched under cover of a heavy bombardment from H.M.S “Colne.””

Claude was transferred to HMS Beagle on 14^th October 1915 and was with her during the evacuation of the peninsula. He brought HMS Beagle back to England in January (after being re-appointed to her on his promotion) and spent a month on a Boom Trials Committee from 8^th February until 30^th March 1916.

HMS Beagle WW1

The 1916 list showed Claude had been promoted to Captain with seniority from 31^st December 1915 and was in service at Admiralty Hydrographic Department Operations Division in England. He was awarded a Companion to the Distinguished Service Order on 14^th March 1916 (London Gazette) and it was recorded in the October 1916 Navy List. He was a Captain and Assistant Director of the Anti-Submarine Division in the 1917 list, from 9^th May 1917 to 10^th June 1918. He took command of the Southern Patrol Force in the summer of 1918.

By January 1919, he was on HMS Venerable, a Battleship, as an additional officer with the rank of Captain. He was to command the 3^rd and 4^th Hydrographic Flotilla from 11th June 1918. Admiral de Roebeck, in his despatch reporting operations in the Dardanelles on 18^th March 1915 submitted Claude’s name for favourable consideration in the saving of valuable lives by Colne, which was a brilliant and gallant performance. The entry was recorded in the London Gazette of 2^nd May 1919. On 5^th March 1919, he was diagnosed with functional heart disease, but was judged fit in May. He was granted full pay with sick leave from March 1919 until July 1919.

On 18^th June 1919, Claude married Ariel Dorothy Quin at Falmouth Cornwall. Ariel had been born at Castle Bellingham, Louth, Ireland in 1887. Her father, Richard, was a land agent in Ireland. The family had moved to England at sometime between the 1901 and 1911 census.

From August 1919, Claude was posted to command HMS Calypso as Captain and was still on her in the July 1920 Naval List. He was awarded his medals for WW1 while on the Calypso. They were the 1914-15 Star, British Ward and Victory medals. Claude was Mentioned in Despatches twice during the war. He was involved with the bombardment of the Bolsheviks by HMS Calypso at Novorossiysk on 26^th March 1920. The Calypso and other ships were used to cover the retreat of Denikin forces and to cover the evacuation from the docks. Afterwards, they were involved with the evacuation of the British Military Mission at Batoum. From that, he was commended by the Foreign Office and was awarded the Russian Order of St Vladimir 4^th class with swords and bows. On 19^th January 1921, Vice-Admiral Sir G Hope wrote that he handled “his ship well. A careful & capable Commanding Offr. & shd. do well in the higher ranks.” While in command of HMS Calypso, they were stationed at Port Said. While there, the local press called them HMS Collapso, which upset all the crew. They also cruised along the coast of Palestine for 8 days. He did technical and war courses in early 1922. In 1923, he was listed as being with HMS Victory as a Captain, but the list says he was borne as additional for Signal School as Captain on 16^th November 1922. It also misspells his name as Claud. The 1924, 1925 and 1926 lists have him listed as Captain with seniority from 31^st December 1915. Commodore Leggett wrote of his time at the Signal School from November 1922 to April 1925 “Being in Charge of Signal School, Capt. S. Has to a great extent been in the position of holing as independent command. In dealing with such matters as came under my personal direction, I formed a high opinion of his judgement.” Admiral Fremantle added “I have nothing to add to this report. There has been little opportunity of forming and opinion as to the qualities of Captain Seymour.” In 1924 he reported from sick berth to sick on shore as he had influenza for 10 days. Later on that year he was ill with rheumatism.

HMS Calypso at Batoum / Batumi – Black Sea Port, Georgia, Russia, 1920

The Portsmouth Evening News of 30^th April 1925 reported that another officer was succeeding “Captain Claude Seymour in command of the Signal School, Portsmouth.” The newspaper also had a note on 8^th September 1925 that “Capt. Claude Seymour, D.S.O., formerly of the Signal School, Portsmouth, took over the command of the Royal Oak from Capt. C. A. Fountaine.” In October 1925, Rear-Admiral Mitchell gave a creditable inspection of HMS Royal Oak. An entry in his service record on November 1925 stated there was appreciation of his valuable advice and assistance afforded to the Signal books Section. He was awarded a good service pension on 2^nd March 1926. On 9^th July 1926 he was appointed as Naval Aide de Camp to the King. He remained with the Royal Oak until he retired on his own request on 9^th November 1926. The Western Morning News of 15^th November 1926 had the following article; “The Admiralty announce the following retirements and promotions have been approved: – Capt. Claude Seymour, D.S.O., A.D.C., R.N., is promoted rear-admiral, all to date November 8, 1926. Rear-Adml. Seymour is placed on the retired list at his own request, November 9”.

HMS Royal Oak

The July 1927 Navy List has Claude in the Retired List, under Flag Officers, as Rear Admiral Claude Seymour DSO. It also shows he was awarded WW1 medals and was promoted to Captain on 31^st December 1915 and Rear Admiral on 8^th November 1926.The County Directory of 1927 also shows they were living at Meadowland, Titchfield Rd Fareham in Hampshire. The January 1928 Naval List also contains the same information as the 1927 list.

On 28^th March 1929, then both departed on Edinburgh Castle in 1^st Class to South Africa. On the Arlanza, they departed Buenos Aires, Argentina on 20^th April 1929 and arrived at Southampton on 30^th April. They departed Southampton on 14^th Feb 1930 on Asturias, travelling 1^st Class to Madeira Lisbon, and then in March they departed on Arlanza from Buenos Aires, Argentina and arrived in Southampton on 18^th March. The 1931, 1933, 1934 and 1937 Navy Lists all have him listed as Vice Admiral Claude Seymour DSO on the retired list, showing he was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 20^th April 1931. On 20^th September 1934, the Berwick Advertiser had a story on the wedding of Mr Thomas Trotter to Miss Joan Fisher Rowe. “The bride was given in marriage by her uncle Rear-Admiral Claude Seymour, D.S.O., on the absence of Col. Fisher Rowe through illness”. The Portsmouth Evening News of 22^nd October 1936 was discussing the Charity Variety Show at Fareham and wrote “all those who had taken part, and the general public, were thanked for their support of a good cause by Mrs Claud Seymour (President of the Fareham branch of the Ladies’ N.S.P.C.C.).” (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). On 10^th February 1939, they both left Southampton on Marnix Van Sint Aldegonde to Port Said; Claude was listed as having no occupation and their address was still Meadowland in Hampshire. They returned to England on Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1^st Class, arriving at Southampton in 10^th March. The August 1939 Naval List has him with all the same details as above and the 1939 Register (which was done at the beginning of WW2) has them at the same address. The Portsmouth Evening News of 13^th October 1939, had an article about subscriptions received for the Fareham Services and Young Men’s Institute, which included Vice-Admiral Claude Seymour DSO, who gave 1 pound. He was involved with the United Services Club. Claude volunteered for ARP duties in WW2.

Claude passed away on 2^nd December 1941 at Meadowland Catisfield Fareham. He was cremated at Southampton Crematorium on Friday the 5^th. The Portsmouth Evening News of 8^th December had the following article on his death: – “The Rev. P. H. Biddlecombe, (Curate of Holy Trinity, Fareham) conducted the service, which, at Vice-Admiral Seymour’s request, was attended only by the widow and close members of the family. Second son of the late Mr. Alfred Seymour, of Folkestone, Vice-Admiral Seymour had had a long and interesting naval career. He was educated at Eastman’s College, Stubbington, from which he entered the Navy, specialising in destroyer work. When the Great War broke out he was serving in China, from which he took a destroyer flotilla to Gallipoli. For his work there he received the D.S.O. On promotion as post captain he entered the anti-submarine department of the Admiralty, with which he served until the end of the war. He served for two years in the light cruiser Calypso, gaining a bar to the D.S.O. for services in South Russia. For two and a half years he commanded the Signal School at Portsmouth, and later commanded the Royal Oak. Vice- Admiral Seymour had lived in Catisfield since his retirement 16 years ago. In the past few years his health had prevented him from taking any active part in public affairs. Messrs. M Coghlan were the undertakers.” Ariel received his probate of over 40000 pounds on 23^rd February 1942.
One of his brothers, Vere, served in the Royal Naval Reserve. Vere had been born in 1879 in Hampshire. He was 3^rd Officer on the SS Upada of the British India Steam Line and was entitled to the Sea Transport medal for China. Between 1907 and 1909, he was 3^rd Mate on the Orient and Orontes, both of which travelled between England and Australia. He was a Lieutenant on HMS Coquette, when it struck a mine in the North Sea on 7^th March 1916, which killed him. The ship was lost at the entrance to Black Deep off the East Coast near Harwich after striking a mine laid by the German submarine UC-10. He is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Vere was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Claude received his effects of over 11000 pounds. Vere also held Great Western Railway shares, and upon his death, Claude was listed as executor (brother) and Captain on 15^th May 1916 and was living at Folkstone England.

His sister Maud, married Herbert Mayow Fisher-Rowe on 1902. Herbert joined the Grenadier Guards in 1887, was ADC to Governor and Commander-in-Chief in Bermuda from 1892 to 1894; was promoted to Major in 1904 and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1911. He was awarded the CBE on 3^rd June 1919 while in the 2/1 Surrey Yeomanry. Herbert served in WW1 with the Surrey Yeomanry as a Colonel and was made Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Surrey in 1917.

The following is a list of Claude’s naval appointments as Captain of these ships:- HMS Fervent 15^th October 1903 to 4^th May 1904 HMS Zephyr 14^th July 1904 to 27^th October 1904 HMS Itchen 27^th October 1904 to 28^th May 1905 HMS Lightning 28^th May 1906 to 6^th July 1906 HMS Earnest 6^th July 1906 to 15^th June 1908 HMS Erne 15^th June 1908 to 18^th September 1909 HMS Boyne 26^th June 1908 HMS Welland 18^th September 1909 to 2^nd September 1910 HMS Wolverine 2^nd September 1910 to29th September 1910 HMS Otter 8^th February 1912 to 17^th April 1912 HMS Welland 17^th April 1912 to 7^th April 1914 HMS Colne 7^th April 1914 to 14^th October 1915 HMS Beagle 14^th October 1915 to 14^th January 1916 HMS Calypso 27^th September 1919 to 29^th September 1921 Portsmouth Signal School 16^th November 1922 to 30^th April 1925 HMS Royal Oak 8^th September 1925 to August 1926

His medals are Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD oak leaf and 1911 Coronation medal. (also Russian Order of St Vladimir 4^th class with swords and bows).

Colonel Frederick de Bude Young CMG, MiD

Indian Army,

Anzac Advanced Base (Commandant).

By Robert Simpson

Frederick de Bude Young was born in the North-Western Provence of India at Nynee Tal on 31^st March 1865. He was a son to Henry Elliot Young and Eliza Jane de Bude, who had been married on 17^th August 1848 at Allahabad, West Bengal in India. Henry had been born at the English Church in Funchal, Maderia in Portugal on 22^nd August 1821, a son to Harry Young (a merchant) and Mary Ann Rickitts. He had private education in Maderia and when old enough, he was nominated and recommended for East India Company’s Bengal infantry in 1838. Henry passed the Military Committee in London on 13^th February 1839 and was appointed Ensign on 9^th March of the same year and posted to Calcutta. Eliza had been born on 26^th June 1828 in the North-Western Provence of India. During the campaign of 1842, he was with the 64^th Native Infantry. He was honourably mentioned in detachment orders when commanding the rear-guard in the retreat from Fort Ally Musjid in the Khyber Pass, Cabul on 24^th January 1842. After evacuating the Fort, the enemy entered it at the same time. Henry went back under very severe fire from the Fort and saved the life of Ensign R M Nott of the same regiment, who was lying in a deserted doolee, prostrate from sickness. He also rallied a party of 20 Sepoys and Havildar and commanded them to save the lives of a Native Officer and several Sepoys who were in full view of attacking Afghans. On 5^th April 1842, he took part in the forcing of the Khyber Pass in the drive to relieve the garrison under siege at Jellalabad. The attacking infantry had to scale the steep and rocky hills while facing considerable opposition and finally reached the top and drove the Afghans from the Pass. After another action in April 1842, he was thanked in person by Major-General Sir J McCaskill and Brigadier Wild for his initiative and daring in delivering a despatch of great importance. Three of the Five Sepoys who had accompanied him in running through the gauntlet of Afghans at the top of Lundekhanna Pass in the Khyber had been killed. Henry was awarded the Cabul 1842 medal, which was engraved “Harry Elliot Young Lt 64^th N.I. 5^th April”. In 1857 at Peshawar, his unit was disbanded. He was then Commandant of the Gujranwaia Levy from 1859 to 1859 to 1860 and was attached to the British 104^th Foot in October 1862. Frederick had an older brother, Henry George Young (born 11^th April 1851 in Agra, Bengal) and an older sister, Emily Morton (born 16 January 1861 at Nynee Tal). Henry was promoted to Major on 16^th July 1864. Frederick was baptised on 13^th May 1865 at his birthplace, with the record showing his father as Lieutenant-Colonel, late 64^th N. I. On 9^th March 1865, Henry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the 64^th Native Infantry Regiment of the Bengal Army, as recorded in the London Gazette of 3^rd October 1865. He retired in 1866. Henry died at Sharjehanpore on 22^nd February 1869. After his father’s death, Frederick was sent to school in England and boarded at Garth Gamon with other scholars while attending Cheltenham College in Gloucestershire as indicated in the 1881 Census. From the Cheltenham College register, he entered the college in September 1878 and was with the Rifle Corps VIII from 1879 to 1881, Royal Military Academy at Woolwich from 1882 to 1884 and was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery from 1888.

On 9^th December 1884, Frederick was first commissioned from the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, from Gentleman Cadet to Lieutenant. He was posted to the Depot, Welsh Division, Royal Garrison Artillery at Newport, Monmouthshire. He then returned to India in 1885, where he served with No. 5 Battery RGA at Allahabad and no. 3 Battery, Rawal Pindi in 1887.

He was on the roll for the 1854 India medal with clasp Hazara 1888 while he was in No. 6 Mountain Battery (late 3^rd Battery 1^st Brigade Southern Irish Division Royal Artillery) as a Lieutenant. “The applicants were serving in the Bengal presidency at the time the decoration was earned.” according to the medal roll. He had been promoted to Lieutenant on 9^th December 1888. He was seconded for service with the Indian Army in September 1890, to date from 7^th February 1889, and was transferred to the Bengal Staff Corps. He served with the 6^th Prince of Wales Bengal Cavalry. The London Gazette of 16^th September 1890 stated that his rank of Lieutenant in the Bengal Staff Corps was to be from 9^th December 1884.

Frederick married Alice Maude Mary Pirie on 17^th September 1893 at St Andrews Church Aberdeen. He was recorded as a bachelor and a Lieutenant in 6^th (Prince of Wales) Bengal Cavalry, with his father recorded as Henry Elliot Young (deceased), who had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the 64^th Native Infantry and his wife was Eliza Jane nee de Bude. Banns for the marriage had been published on 27^th August, 3^rd September and 10^th September 1893 at Christ Church Harrogate in Yorkshire England. Frederick was of this parish and Alice of the Parish of Peterculter Aberdeenshire. Alice had been born in Torquay, Devon in the last quarter of 1864 to Alexander Pirie (1812-1875), a Scotsman and Charlotte Anne Lindsay (1824-1881) also of Scotland, who were married on 5^th June 1845 in Aberdeen. Charlotte’s father, Martin Lindsay CB, was a Colonel in the British Army who died in Sri Lanka in 1847. Alexander was a paper manufacturer in Aberdeen, where he had a large business. He was listed in U.K. Directories as a paper manufacturer and stationer and he died in Dresden. Frederick and Alice had three sons, Martin Courtland de Bude Young (1894-1915), Arthur Godfrey Lindsay Young (1900-1960) and Alexander Frederick Farquhar Young (1903-1989).

Frederick was promoted to Captain on 9th December 1895 and he also attended the Staff College at Camberley sometime around that time. In 1896, he passed Staff College in India. An entry in The Times of 18^th November 1896 stated that the “following officers are about to complete their course of study at the Staff College” and included Major F de B Young of Indian Staff Corps. After returning to India, Frederick took part in operations on the Samana and in the Kurram Valley during August and September of 1897. He also served as Section Commandant, Lines of Communications from 8^th October to 3^rd December 1897 during the Tirah Campaign of 1897-8 while with the 6^th Bengal Cavalry. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his efforts as part of the Kurram Moveable Column, and this was recorded in the London Gazette of 5^th April 1898. Frederick was involved in actions at Chagru Kotal and Dargai, and the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes.

The Evening Telegraph and Post of Thursday 2^nd July 1914 had the following article “South Aberdeen Recommended Unionist Candidate. The Political Committee of the Aberdeen Unionist Association have decided to recommend that Colonel Frederick de Bude Young of Cleish Castle, Fifeshire, be adopted as candidate for South Aberdeen in opposition to Mr. G. B. Esslemont, M.P., at the next election. Colonel Young was resent at a meeting of the Political Committee in Aberdeen last night, and addressed a large and representative gathering on current political topics. He created a very favourable impression, and the committee, having considered the matter in private, unanimously agreed to recommend to the Association, that he be adopted as candidate for the South Division of the city at next election. Colonel Young is a native of Fifeshire, having been born in 1865 at Cleish Castle on the banks of Loch Leven, a property which has long been in possession of the family. He commenced what has proved an interesting and distinguished military career by joining the Royal Artillery in 1884. Five years later he transferred to the Indian Army, in which his father, who also attained the rank of colonel, had served before him. For service in the Hazara Expedition he received the medal and clasp; and he was subsequently mentioned in the despatches and received the medal with three clasps in respect of services on the North-West Frontier in 1897-8, including the operations on the Samana and in the Kurran Valley, the Tirah Expedition, and the famous action at Dargai, where the Gordon Highlanders so greatly distinguished themselves. In the South African War, he was in command of the 4^th New Zealand Rifles, and went through the Orange River Colony and Transvaal engagements, being awarded the medal and four clasps. When a major in the 6^th Bengal Cavalry, he married at Aberdeen in 1893, Alice Maud Mary, daughter of the late Mr Alexander Pirie, third son of Mr Alexander Pirie of Waterton and Stoneywood, and sister of the late Mr. A. C. Pirie of Dunecht.” Originally, he first went to South Africa with some of his regiment in 1900 for special duty there. He had been appointed a Special Service Officer on the Staff of the Lines of Communication, graded as a Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General on 10^th May 1900. In South Africa from 15^th May 1900 to 5^th February 1901, he served as a Special Services Officer and was appointed as Adjutant of the Cavalry and Artillery Depot at Maitland Camp and he only briefly commanded the NZ Regiment after that. Another record stated he “was appointed second in command and adjutant of the Fourth N.Z.R.R.” from 30^th August 1900. Frederick was involved with operations in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony from 30^th November 1900 to 31^st May 1902 (although he left on 5^th February 1901). He then returned to India, where he was appointed a Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for Instruction in India from 1^st May 1901. Frederick became a Squadron Commander of the 6^th Bengal Cavalry (then known as 6^th King Edward’s Own Cavalry) from 1905, and was promoted to Major on 9^th December 1902 and then Lieutenant-Colonel on 9th December 1910 while he was with the 32nd Lancers and he was their 2^nd-in-Command from 1^st July 1909. In 1908, he was the officiating A.A.G. for the 7^th (Meerut) Division while the regular appointee was on leave.

Frederick was appointed Commandant of the 32^nd Lancers on 11^th October 1914. The 32^nd Lancers remained in India at the beginning of the war, but Frederick was given a special appointment (graded as GSO 2) from 12^th July to 5^th August 1914. He was appointed as Deputy Secretary of Military Finance to Lord Kitchener until the offensives in August 1915. From 6^th August 1915 January 1916, he was Commandant of the Anzac Advanced Base on the beach area of Anzac Cove and North Beach. He was then appointed to the General Staff as GSO 1^st Grade from 3^rd August 1916 to 22^nd November 1916. It would appear he kept this position and rank on staff for the rest of the war. He was Mentioned in Despatches published in the London Gazette 5^th September 1916. He was posted to England for home duties for the rest of the war where he became Chief Staff Officer of the 1^st Cyclist Division based in Norfolk and Suffolk.

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Indian Army as recorded in the London Gazette of 23^rd November 1916 “For services rendered in connection with Military Operations in the Field, to be dated the 3^rd June, 1916.”

The Medal Index Card for Frederick shows he was issued the 1914-15 Star by the Government of India with his rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Indian Army, and it was recorded in the medal roll India /1B on page 1. His British War and Victory Medals were issued by Indian Office Military Authority with is rank as Colonel CMG and recorded in roll 1/0/101B page 4. His wife applied for his medals on 26^th May 1921 with her address being Ripley House in Ripley Surrey. There was also a note of correspondence from “Comrades of Gt. War. Mitcham & Merton re presentation of medals by Col. F deB. Young C.M.G.” with an address of Old National Schools, Cricket Green, Mitcham also on the back of the card.

Frederick retired from the Indian Army on 13^th September 1919.

Alexander Frederick Farquhar Young was born on 20^th July 1903 at Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was educated at Cheltenham College. Alex was commissioned in the 5^th Battalion The Queens Royal Regiment in 1924 and in September 1939 was appointed to command the 2/5^th Battalion. They went to France in 1940 and after returning to England, trained the Battalion until July 1942, when he left for another appointment and was made an OBE. An Efficiency Decoration was also conferred on him in 1942. He was appointed as a senior General Staff Officer at the Combined Training Centre for the Normandy landings. After WW2, in the early 1950’s, he became a Director of Redland, a company that made roof tiles, aggregate for roads and bricks. His father had started the company after WW1. It became one of the largest construction companies in UK. He was a Chartered Accountant and never married. Alexander was described as shy, but dedicated to his work. The business also had shares in a German company doing similar things and in a partly owned Australian subsidiary. Frederick travelled to Australia until they sold their interests in 1956 for shares in the company. He wrote in their annual report of the transaction, “….the effect of this share exchange is greatly to diversify our interests in Australia instead of confining them to roofing tiles only, and also gives us a marketable investment in Australia which we can reduce or increase in the future, as the best interests of the company may determine. It will also obviate for some time to come the necessity for the frequent visits to Australia which I have had to make for the last eight years. Although these journeys have had to be made in a great hurry and are always tiring, I regard their cessation with mixed feelings as I have made many good friends in Australia, but control at a long distance could never be satisfactory”. He travelled on the Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to New York in September 1953 and was listed as a Director of Redland Tiles Ltd. In Redhill Surrey. The company continued to make acquisitions and partnerships into the late 1960’s. The London Gazette has the following listing “Lieutenant-Colonel A F F Young OBE TD (21740) having exceeded the age limit, ceases to belong to the T. A. Reserve of Officers on 20^th September 1958 and retained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.” He died in early 1989 in Surrey.

Martin Courtland de Bude Young was born at Naini Tal, St John, Bengal in India on 8^th September 1894. He was baptised in the same place on 24^th September 1894. By the 1901 Scotland Census, he was living at Coutnesswells House in Peterculter Aberdeenshire with his mother’s brother’s family, and he was a scholar. An entry from the University of Toronto shows he was educated at Heswall, Cheshire, Royal Naval College Osborne, Elizabeth College Guernsey, Trinity College School, Trinity College 1913-14 and O.T.C. Elizabeth College. Martin attended Elizabeth College on Gernsey, where his college number was 3199. He was enrolled there from 1908 until 1913.

The College record shows he was with the Private Sportsmen’s Battalion (It may mean he joined the Sportsman’s Battalion, Royal Fusiliers as a Private at the outbreak of war.). He then obtained his commission. As a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 7^th Service Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Martin entered France on 10^th July 1915 with his Battalion as part of the 15^th (Scottish) Division. The Battalion attacked the German trenches on the morning of 25^th September 1915 at 6.30am. He was wounded at Hill 60 (according to his college entry, but it was actually Hill 70, that was their objective as noted in the Battalion War Diary). Immediately “the advance started casualties were very heavy (especially among officers) from Shrapnel and Machine Gun fire”, as recorded in the war diary. A description of the attack said they “had a difficult start to the attack. The gas hung in their own trenches and for a moment the soldiers’ will to go over the top hung in the balance. 2^nd Lieutenant Martin Young cried out to his piper, Daniel Laidlaw to play the men forward.” Another record stated he said “Give the boys a skirl.” Climbing onto the parapet Laidlaw took off his own gas mask and struck up Blue Bonnets over the Border. “The skirl of the pipes rallied the men and all went forward following the piper. A shell wounded Laidlaw but he kept going until a second shell brought him down and killed Young.” (Another record said “shortly afterwards he was wounded. When the stretcher-bearers came to take him up he told them to take one of the Privates instead, and started to walk to the dressing station. The effort cost too much, and he died from loss of blood shortly after.”) “Daniel Laidlaw was awarded the Victoria Cross – he survived the war.” Martin died of his wounds on 26^th September 1915. He was one of four officers to die of their wounds from that day. Martin was buried at Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery. He is buried in grave 1 A 29 with a Private E W Martin of the Bedfordshire Regiment. The headstone reads “His life for liberty, his soul to God.” There is no religious emblem on the headstone. The Army register of soldier’s effects showed that Frederick was issued over 60 pounds, which was money, allowances and war gratuity owed to Martin for his service. Frederick applied for his son’s medal, the 1914-15 Star on 28^th January 1919. His address was noted as Devonshire Club St James SW. His death was recorded in The Times of 30^th September 1915. Alice applied for the British War and Victory medals on 10^th March 1921. Her address was noted as Ripley Home Ripley Surrey. They were all sent on 20^th May 1921.

A painting of the action involving Martin Young and Daniel Laidlaw.

Arthur Godfrey Lindsay Young was born 12^th September 1900 in India and was baptised on 21^st September in Bengal. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1918. After the war, he left for Teneriffe in the Canary Islands in December 1920, where he intended to permanently live. He was listed as a clerk. For most of the 1920’s he travelled between Teneriffe and England, where he stayed at his parent’s house. His occupation changed to fruit grower in 1922, and then estate manager from 1923. He travelled first class. The only other record for him is in 1953, where he left England with his family to go to Barbados (obviously for a holiday as his permanent home was in Scotland). His address was Cleish Castle Kinross Scotland. (The Young family bought the castle in 1795, but was derelict before 1840. Around 1870 it was restored with an Edinburgh architect contracted to reconstruct it. Apparently, the castle is for sale, with offers over 1.5 million pounds.) Arthur’s occupation was listed as landowner. He died on 11^th February 1960 in London, but his address at the time was St. Martin, Island of Guernsey.

Cleish Castle

Frederick was proposed to join the Astolet Lodge No. 2658 and joined on 6^th May 1919. He resigned in August 1920. This information is recorded in the register of members of Old Cheltonian Lodge No. 3223. He was a co-opted member of the Surrey territorial Force Association, and in 1917 he was a founder of the Comrades of the Great War Association, which was one of the original four ex-service associations that amalgamated in 1921 to form The British Legion.

The London Gazette of 19^th February 1920 had the entry that the promotion of Officers in the Indian Army to the rank of Colonel as notified in previous Gazettes was antedated as follows – Colonel F. de B. Young, C.M.G., to 9^th October 1915. The Gazette of 5^th October 1920 had the following entry “The KING has approved the retirement of the following officers: – Col. F. de B. Young, C.M.G. 13^th Sept. 1919.” Another entry in the Gazette of 4^th June 1920 recorded that he “retires on ret. pay on account of ill-health caused by wounds. 27^th ASpr. 1920.”

Frederick passed away on 1^st November 1920 in the registration district of Godstone in Surrey England. At the time he was living in Ripley House in Ripley. He was buried on 4^th November in the burial ground at Saint Mary the Virgin Church of England, Ripley in the County of Surrey. A monument was erected at the church, which includes other family members. The gravestone reads “Col Fred de Bude Young CMG 32^nd Lancers. Younger son of Col H E Young of Cleish. Died 1^st Nov 1920 aged 55. Solider rest thy warfare o’er. Dream of fighting fields no more. Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking morn of toil nor night of waking.” Probate for Frederick de Bude Young “of The Devonshire Club St. James street Middlesex died 1 November 1920 at King’s College Hospital Surrey Probate London 20 December to Alice Maude Mary Young widow.” The effects were over 5800 pounds. The Times of 4^th November 1920 had an entry for a Memorial Service for Frederick in the Deaths list “A memorial service for the late Colonel F de B. Young, C.M.G., chief builder-up and County Commander of the Surrey Division of the Comrades of the Great War, will be held at St. John’s Church, Wilton-road (near Victoria Station), next Saturday, at 12.30. All comrades and other friends will be welcome.”

The monument at the church also has the following details: – Also his wife Alice Maud Mary de Bude Young youngest daughter of Alexander Pirie Esq. of Stoneywood Aberdeenshire died 16^th January 1935 aged 70 years. Sacred to the memory of Martin C Bude Young Sec Lt 7^th K. O. Scottish Bors. Eldest son of Colonel F. deB. Young C.M.G. and Alice M. M. Pirie He was wounded at the taking of Hill 70 battle of Loos on Sept 25 1915 and died next day. He was buried on Sept 27^th 1915 in the British Cemetery at Noeux Les-Mines, France. Aged 21. Ducle et Decorum est pro Patria mori. Arthur Godfrey Lindsay Young 1900-1960. Alexander Frederick Farquhar Young 1903-1989.

His service records are held at National Archives UK in 59 – British Library: Asian and African Studies (previously Oriental and India Office Library) – IOR/L/MIL/10/102 f.16 – Young, Frederick De Budé Bengal Staff Corps, but is not online.

Frederick’s recreational activities included membership in the Cavalry Club of Devonshire, big game shooting, polo, golf, tennis and fishing. He was listed in Who Was Who of 1916 to 1928, but they note he only had two sons, obviously missing Martin who was killed in 1915.

His sword was for sale in 2011 for 850 pounds with the following description: – British Victorian Royal Artillery Sword 1882 pattern made by Henry Wilkinson of London, proved on 19^th November 1884 and embossed on 29^th November 1884. An 88cm slightly curved single edged blade with spear point. The blade is etched with the Victorian Royal cypher VR between two thistles above the Royal Artillery motto “Ubique” and Prince of Wales feathers. On the reverse is a device comprising winged thunderbolts with the inscription Royal Artillery, and the family crest of the Young’s which is an upraised arm holding an arrow and their motto “Press Through”.

Frederick’s medals are CMG; Indian General Service Medal 1854 with clasp Hazara 1888; Indian Service Medal 1895 with the clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-8 Samana 1897 and Tirah 1897-8; Queen South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Orange Free State, and South Africa 1901; 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with oak leaf. (It appears he was issued 2 IGS medals with Hazara clasp).

His portrait by C E Butler is held at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Photo of the portrait with thanks to RMA Sandhurst.

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 on display at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Day Dawson VD

7th Brigade AIF (Brigade Major)
25th Battalion AIF

By Robert Simpson

David Day Dawson was born in Gladstone on 6^th July 1876. He was one of twelve children to Joseph Robert Barrington Dawson and Marion Hamilton Smith, who had been married on 5^th May 1862 in Maitland, New South Wales. Joseph was a Protestant free settler from Yorkshire, who had arrived in Sydney in 1840. He had been born in 1838 and died in 1900. In 1865, a Joseph Robert Barrington Dawson was sent to Cockatoo Island from Bathurst, for stealing goods under false pretences. Marion had been born in 1843 in New South Wales. By 1874, the family had moved to Gladstone in Queensland. David was one of seven sons. In an article in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, R J D Dawson was described as a Doctor who was the first doctor at Springsure Hospital. David went to the Boys’ Central State School and later did his higher education at a night school. All twelve children lived well into their adulthoods. David was an Officer Cadet in the Cadet Corps at his school.

In 1892, David commenced work as a clerk for the registry office of the Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton. He took a keen interest in football, playing with the Wanderer Football Club. David was an active member of the executive of the Central Queensland League of Wheelmen, and won many prizes while competing in bicycle races. He won the 75 yards championship at the Australian Natives’ Association Sports in 1902, and was president of the Rockhampton branch for several years.

The Capricornian (a Rockhampton newspaper) published an item on Saturday, 1^st January 1898 that the Rockhampton Gymnasium and Cycling Club had their annual sports meeting on the Friday before and the Sports Secretary was “Mr. David D. Dawson”.

In 1899, the Queensland Government Gazette contained the following entry “Chief Secretary’s Office Brisbane, 26^th September, 1899. His excellency the Governor directs it to be notified that he has been pleased to appoint DAVID DAY DAWSON to be, provisionally, a Lieutenant in the Queensland Defence Force (Land).” The Morning Bulletin of Rockhampton on 3^rd October 1899 followed that entry in the Gazette, saying it contained “the following proclamations: – David Day Dawson to be provisionally a lieutenant in the Queensland Defence Force.” On Saturday 7^th October 1889, under No. 342 Central Military District, the Gazette contains the following entry under changes “ACTING LIEUTENANT D. D. DAWSON is attached to “B” Company, Rockhampton, pending completion of Recruit Drill.” The 1900 electoral roll shows David living at Fitzroy Street in Rockhampton (between Murray and West Streets) and he was a clerk and registrar. Results of examinations were published on 25^th August 1900, in which Acting Lieutenant D. D. Dawson of A Company Rockhampton scored 58% in part A, Fair in Practical and 76% in Written for Infantry; with an aggregate of 67% and he passed. In Pugh’s Almanac and Queensland Directory of 1901, in the Chief Secretary section; under Central District 5^th Queensland (or Port Curtis) Regiment was the entry under Lieutenants of “David Day Dawson, July 28, 1900.” Under Defence, Queensland Military Forces, in the 1902 to 1905 books are similar entries, under different headings. He was gazetted as a Captain attached to the Port Curtis Infantry on 16^th June1904, according to The Capricornian in December 1904, passing the exam with an aggregate of 78%. A special mention was gained for the aggregate and he was classified as distinguished in three subjects he sat for. David was appointed Registrar of the Diocese of Rockhampton in 1900 (a position he held until his death) and was appointed Diocesan Secretary in 1902. The 1903 roll elaborated his address to 152 Fitzroy Street. It was the same details on the 1905 and 1906 rolls.

In 1901, he was selected to command the Central Queensland detachment of the Queensland Contingent that was sent to Melbourne for the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament by the Duke of York. He volunteered for active service in the Boer War, but due to his young age he was not accepted as an officer. Offering to resign his commission and join the ranks, the military authorities declined to allow it. David offered his services with a lot of contingents, but was refused.

On 12^th September 1906, he married Evelyn Maud McDonald Broome in Rockhampton. Eveline had been born on 23^rd January 1883 in Rockhampton, a daughter to William Broome (1851-1923) and Sarah Alice Jessie McDonald (1854-1886). William lived in Talford Street Rockhampton and was a stock and station agent. Her name in the electoral rolls is spelt Eveline, and an entry in David’s service record has a middle name as Macdonald. An article in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin of Thursday 6^th September 1906 discussed how many officers of the local military forces had attended the regimental office the day before to make presentations to Captain Dawson on the occasion of his marriage. One officer said he “had known Captain Dawson for some years, during which time he had always found him most zealous in the discharge of his military duties.” He had a keen interest and had taken every opportunity to increase his military knowledge. He was held in high esteem by “his brother officers.” David was presented with a silver kettle with a spirit lamp and a dinner gong. He also attended a ceremony at the Anglican Diocesan Chambers and it was said of him that he had “risen to the important office of Registrar of the diocese, gaining it by honest work an unflagging zeal and attention to his duties.”

On 7^th July 1907, Russell Graham Dawson, their only son was born. Their only daughter, Eveline Ermyntrude Dawson was born in 1912. David was elected Chairman of Committees of the Provincial Synod of Queensland in 1912, and still held the position in the 1930’s.

By the 1908 electoral roll and up to an including the 1913 roll, they had moved to Palmer Street on the Range at Rockhampton and he was listed as a clerk and then diocesan registrar. By the 1914 roll, they had moved to Caroline Street (Fitzroy) and he was a clerk. In 1902 he was promoted to Captain, Major in 1909 and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1913. He was appointed to command the third Port Curtis Infantry Battalion in 1912. The Morning Bulletin of 10^th June 1913 told that David was “in receipt of the very gratifying information that he has passed the three examinations necessary to entitle him to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.”

David applied for a “Commission in the Expeditionary Force to Europe” on 17^th August 1914 in the 1^st Military District. For his educational qualifications it was stated he had no certificates. He had 15 years with the Port Curtis Infantry including 4 years as Lieutenant and 5 years as Captain, for his military qualifications. His civil employment was Diocesan Registrar and was born on 6^th July 1876 (38 years and 1 month) and was a married British subject. His address was Caroline Street, Rockhampton and his next-of-kin was his wife at the same address. The Battalion Area was noted as 3. David was 5 foot 6 inches tall, weighed 11 stone; had a chest measurement of 35 to 39 inches and eyesight of D6 in both eyes. He was recommended to be a Major (promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel) and was to be posted as Brigade Major to 7^th Infantry Brigade AIF. He was recommended by the District Commandant on 28^th June 1915, after being actively employed organising and recruiting until early 1915.

A photo was taken of the 25^th Battalion football team, which included Lieutenant-Colonel David Day Dawson. The match was played as ‘Soldiers verses Woolloongabba’ to aid the Belgium Fund and the soldiers won 6-3.

David was appointed to the 7^th Infantry Brigade as Brigade Major on 20^th March 1915. Their address was listed as Koochee, The Range Rockhampton. In the remarks column was “In case of casualty, cable should be sent to Bishop of Rockhampton, Lis Escop, Rockhampton or to Venerable G. H. Rodgers The Rectory Rockhampton.” He was temporarily placed in command of the 25^th Battalion on 12^th May, after being the Second in Command. On 17^th May he was appointed Brigade Major of the 7^th Brigade. The 7^th Infantry Brigade Headquarters Staff embarked on HMAT Aeneas A60 from Brisbane on 29^th June 1915. He was listed as Brigade Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. His rate of pay was 37 shillings and 6 pence per day. They embarked at Melbourne on HMAT Aeneas on 2^nd June 1915. His religion was listed as Church of England. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 6^th June 1915 and was appointed to temporarily command the 25^th Battalion on 15^th October 1915, after joining it on 22^nd September. The war diary notes he took command temporarily on the 24^th and reported for duty at APEX at 1600 hours. While on Gallipoli, the 25^th Battalion had a relatively quiet time as there were no major offensives. He had been transferred from Brigade Headquarters, to command the 25^th Battalion on 24^th October. On 29^th October 1915, he was admitted to the 7^th Field Ambulance as he was sick, losing his command. He was then transferred to the 16^th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day and then onto Mudros. On 9^th November, he disembarked at Alexandria from the Hospital Ship Galeka from Mudros, and was admitted to the 1^st Australian General Hospital with colic.

The proceedings of a Medical Board held at 1^st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on 12^th November 1915, concerning the present state of health of Lieutenant-Colonel D D Dawson of the 7^th AIF, showed his disability was renal calculus. He was 39 years old and had served for 9 months. The examination reported he “was invalided from Gallipoli suffering from a stone in the left kidney. The X ray photograph showing the stone accompanied him. The Board recommends that Lt Col Dawson be sent to Australia for operation.” He would be unfit for general services for 6 months. His disability was contracted in circumstances of which he had no control over and could be equally caused by military service or civilian life. It was approved on the 13^th.

On 14^th November 1915, he was discharged to be invalided to Australia. After being transferred to Headquarters, he was struck off strength on leaving for Australia on the ship Borda on 31^st December 1915, for discharge or change. Another record has that he embarked on 15^th November 1915 (which is the same in other records, so would be the correct entry) and he was struck off strength Gallipoli on Divisional Orders of 8^th December 1915. The Capricornian newspaper in Rockhampton recorded his return as being on the afternoon of the 25^th December 1915, where he was met by the Deputy Mayor and a number of friends, who regretted he returned unwell and wished for a speedy recovery. David said he would return to the firing line as soon as he was better, and would be recruiting as many men as he could while at home. Describing the “boys at Gallipoli” as cheerful, he was also indignant at talk of them having no discipline or regard for their officers. He also acknowledged “in the highest terms to the sacrificing work of the nursing sisters at Mudros and in Egypt. Nothing was too much trouble to them.” His appointment was terminated on 15^th June 1916.

An Attestation paper in his service records reads that Lieutenant-Colonel David Day Dawson joined on 29^th July 1916. He was 40 years old and his Trade or Calling was Diocesan Registrar. He listed his wife as next-of-kin and he was currently serving in HM Forces. David was born in Gladstone, Queensland. He was prepared to undergo inoculation against small pox and enteric fever. Only the front page was filled in.

Marion (his mother) passed away in Rockhampton on 9^th October 1915.

A record of his service shows he was appointed on 29^th July 1916 as Officer Commanding troops for a voyage only as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He left Brisbane on A60 Itonus on 28^th August 1916 and he left Plymouth on 26^th December 1916 on HT Nestor. His next-of-kin was informed of his return on 14^th February 1917. David returned to Australia on 89^th March 1917, and his appointment was terminated on that day.

His From of Commission Warrant was received on 14^th November 1917 at Base Records. Eveline M M Dawson received the form for Lieutenant-Colonel D D Dawson and signed for it on 9^th December 1917. Base Records received the slip back on the 14^th.

His service records have a file which noted he had two periods of service; as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 7^th Infantry Brigade, and with the same rank, as a Transport Officer.

David was appointed to command the 42^nd Battalion CMF in 1918, and was appointed president of the local Conscription Campaign Committee.

In 1918, he resigned his position as Diocesan Secretary and became and auction and commission agent in his own business. He was elected Chairman of Committees of the Synod of the Diocese of Rockhampton in 1920, and still held that position in the 1930’s. David was also a member of the General Synod of Australia for many years. He took keen interest in the affairs of the Anglican Church. Through his efforts, the Clergy Superannuation Scheme of the Rockhampton diocese was implemented, and also the fire insurance scheme (which was the first of its kind in the Australian Anglican Church). That scheme developed into the Church of England Insurance Company of Australia, Limited; which was based in Sydney. David was a director of the company.

In the 1919 electoral roll, they were still at 106 Caroline Street, and the house was named “Koochie”, which has been described in recent real estate listings as a comfortable 4 bedroom family home on a generous sized allotment. David’s occupation was diocesan registrar. They continued to live in the same house through the 1922 to 1934 rolls.

David took a keen interest in public affairs; he worked for the Saturday half-holiday campaign, was a member of the Rockhampton Carnival committee, and he was elected alderman in 1919 and again in 1930. In 1920, he applied to be placed on the retired list, which was granted and he was promoted to Colonel with permission to retain the rank and wear the appropriate uniform. General Sir William Birdwood awarded him the Volunteer Decoration on 22^nd January 1920.

On 15^th May 1921, the District Base Commandant of the 1^st Military District wrote to Base Records in Melbourne “Hon. Colonel D.D.Dawson, V.D., Retired List, A.M.F., has asked for information as to the reason for designating him on the British War Medal awarded to him as “Sea Transport” instead of “25^th Battalion”, that being the unit with which he served in the A.I.F.” They gave his AIF description as Lieutenant-Colonel David Dawson, 25^th Battalion (also Headquarters, 7^th Infantry Brigade). It was asked if the medal was returned, could it be altered to 25^th Battalion. The reply from Base Records asked if they could send the medal back and it would be altered to read “7^th Infantry Brigade, Headquarters, that being the unit with which Lieutenant Colonel Dawson first served on entering a theatre of war.”

In the 1920’s and 1930’s, then Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton had a weekly article on stock sales and insolvent stock sales when they occurred at his business.

The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) of Friday 20^th July 1923 had an article on the Bond-Dawson Case with a verdict for the defendants. In the case, Joseph Bond was suing D. D. Dawson and Co. for 500 pounds for “for neglect of duty regarding the sale of plaintiff’s land”. It would appear the person buying the land asked for some time to pay the deposit and there were issues after that. After the deliberations, the jury retired and returned with answers to the questions that were given them and a judgement for the defendants, which was entered accordingly. There is some confusion in the article, as in places they call the person suing Mr Boyd.

Another court case involved David, who was acting as “the person duly appointed to defend on behalf of the Mount Cassidy claimholders and committee”. He was being sued by Clarence Sheraton, a labourer of North Rockhampton, for 28 pounds work and labour done for the claimholders in carting ore between Mount Cassidy and Ridgelands railway station. The judgement was a verdict for the defendant on the whole amount. It was mentioned in the Evening News on Thursday 9^th July 1931.

In January 1932, they entertained a Reverend Walter Scott from England and Bishop Halford from Yeppoon, as their guests while they were in Rockhampton. At the March 1932 executive meeting of the CQDBA, David “mentioned that a bowling club had been formed at Longreach with 67 members. The new club is to be asked to affiliate.” They were involved with the St. George’s Orphanage Social Committee, and held an entertainment evening at their house, which was an enjoyable time. They gave to an appeal by Bishop Ash to raise money to purchase a car for the orphanage. In August, he was on a committee to raise money to pay back creditors for the orphanage.

On Tuesday, 30^th August 1932, the Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton had an article and photo of David, saying he had been elected for the fourth time as the new President of the Central Queensland District Bowling Association. In early October 1932, he left for Sydney to attend the General Anglican Synod, and returned in late October. He caused a bit of a stir at the Synod when he said that lotteries in Queensland “were helping the poor and suffering, and that if the church desired to attack gambling, it should first attack the bookmakers, who were the principle evil in all gambling”. A Bishop had moved a resolution that they should protest against those States that were raising money by gambling and also condemn “any form of gambling in raising funds for Church purposes.” The “lotteries are doing great work for the suffering poor. The Casket has built up the hospitals and medical services,” said Colonel Dawson. “Before we throw out a system that is doing much good, you should put something in its place.” A hospital tax was suggested. David suggested that even in good times the church had “done little to help the suffering poor.” He continued, “I am against all gambling, but you should attack the worst part of the evil before a part that is doing good”. A suggestion was made that the hospitals could be supported by a tax or national insurance and the motion was carried.

After taking an active part in bowls; in November 1932, David was elected as captain of the green at the election of officers for the Athelstane Bowling Club. He was also three times the president of the club. He also assisted in forming the Central District Bowling Association and was elected its first president.

The Central Queensland Herald reported that on 4^th January 1934, in Rockhampton, the application for the renewal of an auctioneers’ licence was granted to David Day Dawson. Social Notes in the Courier-Mail of Friday, 7^th June 1935 included “Miss Beth Kennedy will leave early next week for Rockhampton, where she will be the guest of Colonel and Mrs. David Dawson for the carnival festivities.”

He was involved with the Friendly Society Movement and at some time held the position of Noble Grand of the Loyal Livingstone Lodge of Independent Order of Oddfellows and was also a trustee of the Lodge. Being also interested in Masonic affairs, he had held the position of Master of his Lodge and also held other important positions. Colonel Dawson was the first district president for Central Queensland of the RSSILA, and during his period funds were raised to purchase land and build the Anzac Club building, which was opened by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Matthew Nathan.

David Day Dawson passed away on 14^th November 1935 in Rockhampton. The Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton of Friday 15^th November 1935 had his funeral notice which read “The Funeral of the late DAVID DAY DAWSON will leave St. Paul’s Cathedral, THIS (Friday) AFTERNOON, for the Rockhampton Cemetery, after a short Service, commencing at 3 o’clock. LUTTON BROS, Funeral Directors.” Members of the RSSILA were also requested to attend the late Colonel’s funeral. The Evening Bulletin of the same day also contained the same funeral notice. He was buried in Rockhampton Cemetery on Friday, 15^th November 1935 in the Church of England section 17X and plot number 7019. The cemetery records note chronic nephritis, which is probably his cause of death.

David was mentioned in various newspapers on his death, mainly in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, but also in a Brisbane newspaper, the Daily Standard. The funeral was described as large and was held at St Pauls Cathedral. It was conducted by Bishop Ash and Canon Davidson, as was the graveside service. Pallbearers included the Mayor (T Lee).

The Chairman of the Rockhampton Hospital Board said, “The late Colonel Dawson was a good citizen and gave splendid service to the community.” A vote of condolence was moved at the board meeting, and carried in silence. One was also moved at the Council. The Mayor said he was a member of an old and highly respected family of the district and had been connected with many movements for the benefit of Rockhampton. His passing was also noted at the Rockhampton Stock Exchange.

In his service records is a form of receiving the Victory Medal, but it is wrongly indexed, as it is for a Private 6316 D C Dawson 22^nd Battalion.

In the 1936 and 1937 electoral rolls, Eveline was still living at 106 Caroline St, with her mother, and her occupation was listed as typist. After that, she married Kenneth Frank Lear sometime between the 1937 and 1943 rolls. He was born in England in 1910, served in WW2 as Warrant Officer 414943 in the RAAF and was a farmer after the war. Frank was wounded in a Stirling bomber over Mannheim, Germany on 23^rd September 1943, but no other information is available, as his records are not online. Eveline passed away in 1982.

Russell moved to New South Wales, where he married Marjorie Violet Seymour in 1928. The 1930 and 1933 electoral rolls have them in “Greencourt”, Durley Street in Darlinghurst and he was a motor driver. By the 1936 roll, they had moved to 652 Kiewa St Albury and he was a bookmaker. The roll in 1943 shows them at 470 Hovell St Albury and he was still a bookmaker, although by that time he had joined the army. Russell enlisted on 5^th July 1940 in Caulfield as VX29598 and was living in Albury at that time. Not much is known about what he did as his service records are not available online. He was discharged on 3^rd January 1946 as a Lance Sergeant in the 2/142 Australian Workshop Place. In 1949 they were living at 404 Kiewa St Albury and he was a journalist. He died in Albury on 3^rd August 1976.

The Queensland Brand Directories of 1945 and 1949 have a brand listed under David Day Dawson and John Kiddell Dawson, which was registered under their names. John Kiddell Dawson was David’s youngest brother, born 10^th July 1886 in Gladstone. Obviously the brand was registered before David died. John served in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment in WW1 as Driver 47A, joining on 27^th August 1914 with the 5^th ASC, but transferring in 1916. He returned to Australia in 1918 with debility. David had a few of his brothers’ serve. Edward Hamilton Dawson joined the 2^nd FAB as Driver 35516 on 18^th October 1916. He returned to Australia in 1919 as a Gunner.

Frederick Lionel Dawson, another brother, born on 5^th October 1880 in Gladstone Queensland, served 10 years in the Port Curtis Infantry, 8 years as a Lieutenant and 2 years as a Captain. He applied for a Commission in the AIF on 17^th August 1914 and was posted to the 25^th Battalion as a Captain, promoted to Major. At one stage he was in temporary command of the 25^th Battalion and was also posted to the 20^th Battalion later on. In early 1918 he received a Corps Complementary for valuable services rendered. He was involved with an enquiry on the 25^th Battalion about a gas attack while they were in billets. He returned to Australia in late 1918.

David was Diocesan Registrar from 1892 to 1919 and then Registrar from 1919 to 1932.

National Archives Australia has more service records for David, including a military officer’s record of service. They are open, but not online. There is also a listing for “BOND Joseph versus DAWSON David Day; BOYD J M, trading as D D Dawson and Company”, which refers to the 1923 court case above.

David was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Volunteer Decoration.

The big grave at the back is the family grave, he has no headstone.