1036 Sergeant William Ewart Elliott MM

8^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

William Ewart Elliott was born about 1892 in Port Melbourne, Victoria. He was a son to William Ewart Elliott and Catherine Saultry, who had married on 13^th November 1891 in the Melbourne Registry Office. They had two other children, Jessie Catherine in 1894 and Kate Elizabeth in 1897. No other records can be found for his father, and with his mother, there is only a death record for her in 1930 in Melbourne. The following article in the Mercury and Weekly Courier (Vic.: 1878 – 1903) on Friday 23^rd September 1898 on Page 2 may give some clue as to what happened to the family; “William Ewart Elliott is charged, on warrant, with deserting his wife, Kate Elliott, High-street, Preston, at North Fitzroy, on the 17th December last. Description :- Cook, 27 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, stout build, fair complexion, dark hair, dark moustache only, has a large scar on top of head; generally wears black clothes and a black boxer hat.” Where he went is not known.

On 17^th May 1913, William married Elizabeth Eleanor Llewelyn in Collingwood, Melbourne. Elizabeth, known as Nell (born in 1890 in East Malvern) was a daughter to Rees David Llewelyn and Alice Eliza Wood who had been married in 1888 in Victoria. Rees was from Wales, born in 1858 and he died in 1896 in Bendigo, Victoria. He built two shops in East Malvern on Dandenong Road and he lost them in the bank failures in the 1890’s depression, just before he died. His wife Alice came from a well-known Ballarat family. Her father Thomas Wood was the city surveyor. He arrived in the goldfields from Lancashire with his wife, who came from the Hebden family, Yorkshire gentry. William and Nell had a son, Leslie Llewelyn Elliott, born on 6^th January 1914 in Victoria. The 1937 roll shows him to be a student, living at 112 Grey Street. Leslie married Irene Ann Rooke on 14^th February 1942. They were crossed off the 1949 roll at Bannockburn, where they had been living at the Vicarage, Inverleigh, where he was vicar of St Paul’s church. They had two sons. In the 1958 electoral roll, they were living at St. Silas Vicarage in in Madden Street, Albert Park, where he was vicar. In the 1980 roll, they were living at 18 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, and he was a retired Anglican priest. He passed away on 23^rd December 1980 in Frankston.

William Ewart Elliott enlisted in the 8^th Battalion AIF as Private 1036 on 12^th September 1914 in Melbourne. He stated he was a British subject, born in Port Melbourne, aged 22 2/12 years, was a commercial traveller, had not been an apprentice and was married. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs E E Elliott of 112 Grey Street East Melbourne. He had not been convicted or dismissed from an armed force. William had been a Commercial Traveller with Stott and Hoare for eight years. He had served 5 years as a Petty Officer in the Naval Cadets. His attestation form has a date of 9^th September signed by William and the officers, but for some reason it was changed to the 12^th. His description was he was 22 years and 2 months old, was 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighed 10 stone 10 pounds, had a chest measurement of 33½ to 35 inches and had a sallow complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England. He had been vaccinated in his infancy, had a scar between his little and next finger on the left hand and a scar on his left groin. He was passed fit with his medical exam on the 9^th and was appointed to C Company 8^th Battalion on 9^th September 1914 at Broadmeadows by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel W K Bolton. They embarked at Port Melbourne on 18^th October 1914 on the A24 Benalla, reaching Egypt, where they disembarked on 8^th December 1914.

He embarked on the Clan McGilvray on 5^th April 1915 to join the MEF for the Gallipoli Campaign and took part on the lading on 25^th April 1914. In May 1915, they embarked for Cape Helles to help in the attack on Krithia. Very little ground was taken in the attack, at the cost of a lot of casualties. While there, on the night of the 8^th May he was wounded “while carrying water to the firing line. Later he, with two others, attempted to bury two dead comrades then in the fire trench. The two men assisting him were wounded. He attended to them, and then completed the burial.” They arrived back at Anzac on 17^th May. William was promoted to Sergeant on 12^th May 1915. He was wounded on 11^th June 1915 at ANZAC on the Gallipoli peninsula, receiving a bullet at Steele’s Post to the right eye and face and was admitted to 1^st Australian Casualty Clearing Station with a “B. W. Rt eye & face”. He was transferred on the same day to a hospital ship. The History of the 8^th Battalion – Cobbers in Khaki – on page 85had the following: “On the evening of June 10^th, the battalion trudged up to Steele’s Post where it took over from the 1^st Battalion. To relieve the boredom of trench life, marksmen of both sides would ‘mark’ their opponent’s shots, as though they were carrying out a friendly shoot on a rifle range. When one of the Turkish snipers managed to put three bullets through the periscope glass as a reminder that the game was real, Percy Lay readily conceded that ‘It was certain death to put your head over the parapet.’ Sergeant Bill Elliott, who was later awarded a Military Medal for his heroism at Cape Helles, fell victim to an enemy sniper and lost the sight of his right eye.” He went on either HS Soudan or Sicilia to Malta, arriving there on 20^th June with “Eyes”. Another entry says he was transported on Carisbrook Castle to England with a serious gunshot wound to the right eye on 26^th August. He was admitted to 4^th London General Hospital with eye trouble on 24^th June 1915. Another entry says he was admitted to King George’s Hospital in London on 2^nd September 1915, then on 21^st September to Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Hartfield Middlesex in England with loss of right eye. He was mentioned for having performed various acts of gallantry at Gallipoli from 6^th May to 28^th June 1915 in Divisional Orders. On 24^th November 1915, he was placed on the supernumerary list of the 8^th Battalion at Anzac. He was taken on strength of a Base at Weymouth in England on 11^th March 1917. His next of kin was notified of his wounding in “Eyes” on 9^th August 1915 and that he had been sent to England on 21^st November 1915 and again on 24^th December 1915.

A form titled Descriptive Return of a Soldier discharged on account of Disability was filled out for 1036 Sergeant William Ewart Elliott of 8^th Battalion Australian Expeditionary Force on 12^th February 1917. It noted he was born in Melbourne, his intended address was 112 Grey Street East Melbourne, his height on discharge was 5 foot 9½ inches, and he had brown hair, a blue eye and a fresh complexion. Descriptive marks noted the loss of right eye and his figure on discharge was thin with wound scars on his neck. His parents Christian names were William Ewart and Catherine and his wife’s maiden name was Elizabeth Eleanor Llewelyn. They were married in East Melbourne in May 1912 (according to that record). Their child was Leslie Llewelyn, and William desired to be a traveller for his civil employment. Another form stated his qualification for employment in civil life was “Traveller in Office Systems etc., Book Keeping – & typewriting.” His last employer was Stott and Hoare, 426 Collins St Melbourne and he had been there for 8 years. The nature of the employment he desired was “light work, when fit”. He had no Approved Society that was applicable. William recorded that after being wounded, he was attached to the Australian Red Cross as QMS Issuer. He also signed that form on the 12^th.

He was marched in to No. 2 Commonwealth Depot at Weymouth “ex furlo” on 23^rd April 1917. William was returned to Australia on HT Miltiades for change with a gunshot wound and debility at Devonport on 4^th May 1917.

Base Records sent a letter to Mrs E E Elliot of Grey Street East Melbourne on 25^th April 1917, advising her “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20^th October 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your husband, No. 1036, Sergeant W. E. Elliott, 8^th Battalion.” He had been awarded the Military Medal. “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer: – No. 1036 Sergeant WILLIAM EWART ELLIOTT.”

He was discharged in the 3^rd Military District on 3^rd August 1917. He received his Military Medal, which had been sent to AIF Headquarters in London, on 25^th September 1918.

On 28^th February 1918, the Silver War Badge and certificate A.13677 was sent to William, c/o The Bar Lock Typewriter Company Ltd of 27 Dean Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne “in respect of military service as Sergeant No.1036. 8^th Battalion A.I.F.” He signed for them on 1^st March and the form was received back on 4^th March at Records, Administrative Headquarters AIF 130 Horseferry Road London. He was presented with his Military Medal by the Governor-General on the steps of Federal Parliament House in Melbourne on 5^th July 1918.

There are some records for a W E Elliott, born in 1892 in Melbourne, being on commercial ships as a crewmember, but it must be someone else, as one trip was in late 1915 and the other in 1918.

The electoral rolls for Elizabeth (Nell) are a bit confusing. In 1914 and 1915, she is living at 112 Grey Street, East Melbourne with Alice Annie (her mother?), both doing home duties. In the 1916 roll, she is listed under Elliott, at the same address, also with William, who is listed as a traveller. The 1919 roll shows Nell under the surname Llewelyn with her mother Alice and with her brother Ernest Rees Llewelyn (a tailor) and his wife Ruby Emily (home duties). In 1922, her surname is listed as Elliott, still at 112 Grey Street, but no William. The 1927 roll has her by herself at the same address and she was a tailoress. For a change, in the 1928 roll, she was living at Lumesh High Street Glen Iris in Victoria as a housekeeper. By the 1931 roll, she had moved back to 112 Grey Street, but was now married to George Philip Wangman (born 1889 in Reedy Creek, Victoria). They married in 1927 according to the Victoria marriage register. He was a labourer and she was doing home duties. George served in WW1 as Private 5776 with the 5^th Battalion, enlisting on 11^th February 1916. On the nominal roll, he was a single 26 year old baker of 1 Cunningham Street Northcote. His religion was Church of England. He embarked on 4^th April 1916 on HMAT Euripides A14. For some reason, his service records do not appear on the National Archives Australia site. On the nominal roll, he returned to Australia as a Private in the 58^th Battalion on 15^th May 1919. They were still at the same address and with the same occupations in the 1943 roll. George passed away on 27^th May 1957 in Melbourne and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton. Elizabeth had moved to Flat 11, 100 Hotham Street in Melbourne by the 1968 roll and was still there in the 1972 roll. She passed away on 22^nd March 1974 in Glenhuntly. The transcription of the family headstone reads “Pray for the souls of George Phillip WANGMAN 1889 to 1957 his wife Elizabeth Eleanor WANGMAN 1890 – 1974 her son Rev. Leslie Llewelyn Elliot 1914 – 1980.” Leslie’s wife Irene Ann is also buried there. See the photo of the grave below.

Some of the confusion with Elizabeth (Nell) in the electoral rolls could be due to the fact that in 1919 she divorced William, as the petitioner in divorce suit No. 383 of that year. William was the respondent. It is not known for what reason as only the index is available to view. The Argus of Melbourne on Tuesday 14^th September 1920, on page 9, had under the heading “DIVORCE COURT. Elizabeth Eleanor Elliott (29), of Grey street, East Melbourne, asked for divorce from Wm. Ewart Elliott (27), commercial traveller and soldier on the grounds of desertion and misconduct with Dorothy Williams. The marriage took place in May, 1913, and there is one child. A decree nisi was granted, with costs, petitioner being given the custody of the child. Mr. Manchester appeared in support of the petition.” Sometime after that, William must have moved to South Australia, where on 16^th December 1920, he married Dorothy Alice Williams, a spinster aged 28, in the suburb of St Peters, a part of Norwood in South Australia. His marital status was recorded as divorced or deserter for 7 years. They had a daughter, whose name is possibly Dorothy J Elliott, born in 1924. They may have travelled to England in 1925 (except William). The 1939 electoral roll in South Australia has an entry for a Dorothy Alice Elliott at 23 Aroona Rd Kilkenny, Port Adelaide, doing home duties. The same details are in the 1943 roll. After that, records appear in South Australia and Western Australia for that name in similar years for Dorothy Alice Elliott, so it is not possible to confirm what happened to her or their daughter.

A folder prepared for him after the war listed his full details and service details, it showed he was married and had a dependant wife and 1 child. His physical condition at the time of discharge showed he had a gunshot wound to the face and neck and the loss of his right eye with incapacity total. He was being paid a pension, which increased at some time. It showed an employment application had been lodged in April 1920.

William signed for his 1914-15 Star on 18^th May 1920 at Victoria Barracks. On 1^st July 1920, his pension payments were increased. He received treatment under Dr Mackay from 25^th to 29^th May 1920, but it was not stated what for. In January 1921, an artificial eye maker wrote to Repatriation Department detailing they could make an artificial eye for William and the cost of that. An order form was sent to William in late 1921, for him to sign and forward to the business. He applied for a transfer of his payment of his War Pension to Adelaide in August 1921. Various correspondence was sent between the Repatriation Departments in Melbourne and Adelaide concerning this in 1921. On 1^st August 1923, William signed for his Victory Medal and the form was received back at Base Records on the 8^th. It had previously been returned on 10^th May 1923. For some reason, his Victory Medal was returned to Office on 20^th February 1942. His British War Medal was issued, but there is no date or form signed to acknowledge he received it in his service records. William underwent an operation in 1927 at Parkwynd Private Hospital.

The News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 – 1954) of Wednesday 11^th January 1928 on page 2 had the following article: “CARS COLLIDE: Claim and Counterclaim William Ewart Elliott, departmental manager of Chartres Limited, Grenfell street, Adelaide, claimed £10 damages, before Judge Paine in Adelaide Local Court today, from Bernard McMahon, of the State Engineer’s branch of the Postal Department. The claim arose out of a collision in Franklin street, Adelaide, on March 2. 1927, between the motor car of plaintiff and that of defendant. Plaintiff alleged negligence, and defendant pleaded not guilty and not indebted. He alleged negligence on the part of plaintiff, or, in the alternative, that any damage done was unavoidable. He counterclaimed £10 damages. Mr. E. J. C. Hogan appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. J. L. Travers for defendant. The case is proceeding.” The same newspaper had another article on Thursday 12^th January 1928 on Page 12 under “IN THE COURTS. ADELAIDE: Wednesday. January 11.

(Before Mr.: L. H. Haslara, S.M.)

William Ewart Elliott, departmental manager, care of Chartres Limited, Grenfell street, Adelaide, claimed £19 damages from Bernard McMahon, care of the State Engineer’s branch, General Post Office, Adelaide, arising out of a collision between his motor car and that of the defendant, at Franklin street. Adelaide, on March 2. 1927. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant had so carelessly and negligently driven and managed his car on that occasion that it collided with his (plaintiff’s) car, causing damage to the car. The defendant pleaded never indebted and not guilty. He alleged that the accident was caused by the sole negligence of the plaintiff, or, in the alternative the alleged damage, if any, was caused by unavoidable accident. He counter-claimed £19 damages from the plaintiff. Mr. K. J. C. Hogan appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. J. L. Travers for the defendant. A verdict was given for the plaintiff for £10 12/. on the claim, also for the plaintiff on the counter-claim. (Before Judge Paine.)”

William seemed to be a serial offender, as recorded in the News on Thursday 31^st October 1929 on page 16: “Stationary Motor Cars The following breaches of the corporation bylaws were dealt with in Adelaide Traffic Court this morning:- Motor Vehicle Stationary for More Than 30 Minutes.-Henry James Eckhold (Currie street September 6), Anthony Francis Johnson (King William street, August 14), William Ewart Elliott (Grenfell street, September 10), Claude Arnold Virgo (King William street, August 14), each £2 19/6; Reginald Norman Jones (McHenry street, August 29), £2 9/. Neglected to Obey Traffic Signal to Stop.-. Stefor Fundak (North terrace, July 25), £1. Mr. W. Hall, S.M., was on the Bench, and 16/. Mr. E. B. Cox prosecuted.” He is also recorded for the same offence on 30^th November 1928, 7^th March 1929, 16^th May 1929 and 26^th September 1929 and he was fined various fees for doing so. Most times his address was noted as Grenfell Street, but in March 1929 it was listed as Rundle Street. 29 Grenfell Street Adelaide was the address of the business he was employed.

Base Records sent the Department of Repatriation documents relative to the service of William in the AIF on 11^th December 1933.

William passed away on 9^th September 1934 in Malvern, Adelaide and was buried on 11^th September in West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide. His death and funeral notices appeared in the Adelaide News on Monday 10 September 1934 on page 2 as “ELLIOTT. – On September 9 (suddenly), at his residence, 59 Sheffield street, Malvern. William Ewart Elliott, M.M., dearly beloved husband of Dorothy Elliott and loving father of Leslie and June, late of Chartres Ltd. And 8^th Battalion, A.I.F. Aged 42 years.” and “ELLIOTT.- The Friends of the late Mr WILLIAM EWART ELLIOTT, M.M., late of Chartres Ltd. And 8^th Battalion A.I.F., are respectfully informed that his Funeral will Leave his late Residence, 59 Sheffield street, Malvern, on TUESDAY at 4 p.m. for the A.I.F. Cemetery, West terrace. ALFRED JAMES & SON, Undertakers. Phone U 1050 193 Unley rd., Unley.” The burial was on 11^th September 1934. He is buried in the Light Oval section of the West Terrace AIF Cemetery. The cemetery is only for the use of those who served in WW1 and is now closed.

West Terrace AIF Cemetery

On 4^th February 1936, a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Repatriation in Adelaide referred to Leslie L Elliott born 6^th January 1914, a son of William E Elliott ex 1036 Sergeant 8^th Battalion (deceased) and a summary of the case was attached. A letter was included that was addressed to Mr L L Elliott of 112 Grey Street East Melbourne, stating that his enquiry regarding assistance under the Soldiers’ Children Education Scheme, the tribunal had declined his father’s death as war related and that he was not eligible for the scheme. They sent a form for him to submit an application to the Trustees of the Sir Samuel McCaughey Bequest. Also in the file are various letters between departments discussing this matter. Included are references from different businesses for Leslie. Myer Emporium in Melbourne had written a reference on 25^th February 1935, showing Leslie had been “employed on our temporary staff from 2^nd December 1930 to 2^nd March 1931 as a junior in the Despatch Department. He proved thoroughly satisfactory in every way, and resigned of his own accord. He was also employed temporarily in our Crockery Despatch from 22^nd to 26^th January 1935, and his services were again entirely satisfactory.” M G Manchester, Barrister and Solicitor also wrote that Leslie was employed by him “as a Law Clerk for a considerable period and in my opinion was not only intellectually brilliant but also he was industrious, honest and reliable and throughout showed a keen desire to improve his position…” A letter from the Principal of the Richmond Technical School showed he was there from February 1926 to December 1928, stated his exam results and said this “youth had an outstanding school record in the Day Junior School and was awarded the Richmond Citizen’s Scholarship for the Senior School, but owing to family circumstances had to seek employment – Clerical with the Stafford Shoe Co. Elliott is a youth of strong personality and character.” Other handwritten references spoke about him in glowing terms. His Vicar spoke of him as a “born leader.” Leslie also wrote a timeline, outlining his school and employment times. He was a boarder in School House, Melbourne Grammar School, from 1930 to 1933. Leslie had applied “for assistance for a medical course at the Melbourne University.” An appeal was lodged in February 1935.

The National Library of Australia has a file on Leslie, titled “Biographical cuttings on Reverend Leslie Llewellyn Elliott, Anglican vicar, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals”.

Leslie is listed as a student in the 1937 electoral roll at 112 Grey Street. He studied for the Anglican ministry at Ridley College, Carlton, in 1937 and 1938. He was ordained by Archbishop Fredrick Waldegrave Head in St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, deacon in 1939 and priest in 1940. He was appointed curate of St Stephen’s Church Richmond and then he became a Merchant Navy Chaplain in the Missions to Seamen at Port Melbourne in 1941. In 1942 he married Irene Ann Rooke in St Peter’s Chapel, Melbourne Grammar School. Irene, known as June, had been born on 18th May 1911 in Talbot. Her father of British stock, John Rooke, ran a coaching business. Her mother Ida Duschke came from a Wendish German farming family in the Wimmera.

In the 1949 electoral roll, Leslie and Irene had been crossed off the Bannockburn roll, having moved to North Fitzroy, where Leslie was vicar of St Luke’s church. They had been living at the Vicarage, Inverleigh, when Leslie was the vicar of St Paul’s church.

In 1954 they were living at the Vicarage, 89 Alfred Crescent, North Fitzroy. In October of that year they went to England with their two sons, Peter John (born 1st October 1943) and Paul David (born 4th January 1950). Leslie was organizing an international trade fair to raise money for the Missions to Seamen. Apart from some weeks travelling in Europe, they lived in Belsize Park, London, and returned to Australia in June 1955. Later that year the international trade fair was held in the Exhibition Buildings, Carlton. In 1957, Leslie was appointed vicar of St Silas Church, Albert Park, and in the 1958 electoral roll, they were living in the Vicarage, Madden Street, Albert Park. According to a book titled Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church: Reflections on Recent Developments, Leslie was the President of the Australian Church Union from 1958 to 1961 and was a leading Anglo-Catholic. In 1970 he was appointed vicar of St Agnes Church, Glenhuntly and in the 1977 electoral roll, they were living at the Vicarage 116 Booran Road, Glenhuntly. By the 1980 roll, they were living at 18 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, and Leslie was a retired Anglican priest. He passed away on 23rd December 1980 in Frankston. Probate was granted on 26th March 1981 and he was listed as a Clerk in Holy Orders.

Peter followed his father’s footsteps. After initially studying to be an Anglican priest, he became a Catholic in 1968, while at Oxford. He entered Corpus Christi Seminary Glen Waverley in 1970 and was ordained a priest in 1973. After parish ministry and a doctorate in Rome, in 1987 he was appointed to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family. He returned to Melbourne in 1997 to assist Archbishop George Pell as Episcopal Vicar for Religious Education and Archbishop Denis Hart as Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him a bishop and he was consecrated in June 2007. He is the Auxiliary Bishop for the Southern Region of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Paul took up Leslie’s youthful interest in the Law. After studies at Melbourne Grammar School, he studied Law at the University of Melbourne, in Trinity College, and he was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1973. He went on to undertake postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics. Paul then lectured in International Law at the University of London. Having returned to Australia, he was admitted as a barrister in 1978. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999. He is still practising. Paul married Dr. Gillian Elliott (nee Evans) in 1978. He has a daughter, Vanessa Ann, born in 1987, and a son, Nicholas Llewelyn, born in 1992. Nicholas was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2017.

The Wangman/Elliott grave at Melbourne General Cemetery.

William’s medals are Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

The museum just has his Victory 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 on display at the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

239 Sergeant William Wass MM MiD

1^st Sherwood Foresters

2^nd Battalion AIF

54^th Battalion AIF

 

By Robert Simpson

In his Australian Imperial Force Attestation Paper, William stated he was 30 years and 10 months old on 21^st August 1914, which meant he was born in October 1883 in Ambaston, Derbyshire, England. He must have reduced his age by a few years, as a previous British service record stated he was born in March 1881, and he is documented in the 1881 census. He was a son to Germain Wass and Harriett Mellor, and was one of nine or more siblings to them. Germain had been born in 1849 in Windley, Derbyshire and Harriett had been born in Wirksworth, Derbyshire in 1852. Germain’s parents had also come from the Derbyshire area. Germain and Harriett had been married 1869 in Derby. In the 1881 English census, they were living at Yew Tree farm in Windley, Derbyshire and Germain was a farm labourer. By the 1891 census, they had moved to Ambaston, Elvaston, Derbyshire, England, where Germain was an Agricultural Labourer and William was a Scholar. (In about half of the records his name is spelt German). They were still there in the 1901 census, but German’s occupation was Waggoner for farm.

Yew Tree Farm Cottage

William signed a Short Service Attestation Form on 1^st February 1900 for the Derbyshire Regiment as Private 6505. It was for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in Reserve. On the form, he stated he was a labourer of 18 years and 11 months, a British Subject who had lived at home, was not an apprentice and was single. His description was 5 foot 5 inches tall, weighed 123 pounds, had a chest measurement of 33½ to 35½ inches, and was of fresh complexion with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. Church of England was his religious denomination. He had no distinctive marks. The Medical officer certified him fit on the same day and the Commanding Officer appointed him to the 45^th on that day. William was posted to the 1^st Battalion on 27^th May 1900. He was granted 1 pence Good Service Pay on 1^st February 1902 and he was permitted to extend his service to 8 years with the Colours on 1^st April 1904. On 23^rd September 1904, he was appointed Lance Corporal and granted Class I Service Pay. William was granted 2 good conduct badges on 1^st February 1905. He was appointed to Paid Lance Corporal on 13^th February 1905, but reverted to Private at his own request on 6^th June 1905. William was posted to the Depot as Private on 19^th December 1905. He reverted to Class II Service Pay at 5 pence per day on completion of a Classification Course. On 31^st January 1908, he transferred on termination of his period of engagement. William re-engaged as Private on 26^th August 1911 in the Army Reserve, with the same number and rank at Derby (a record of which was recorded by the Paymaster), but was struck off for Absence having failed to render a Life Certificate for the months of September and December 1912, on 16^th January 1913.

Army Form B 178 shows his medical history. He was examined on 1^st February 1900 at Derby by a Medical officer who was a Surgeon Captain. He was born at Ambaston Derby, was an 18 year old labourer, height 5 foot 3 inches, weight 123 pounds, chest measurement 33½ to 35½ inches physical development good and no small pox marks. He also had no other vaccination marks in either arm, although he said he was vaccinated at infancy. William had no defects or congenital marks or marks showing previous disease. He was re-vaccinated on 15^th March 1900, with three in the left arm, the result of which was “perfect”.

His Military History Sheet showed his service at home and abroad and included: Home 1/2/1900 to 26/5/1900, South Africa 27/5/1900 to 7/9/1902, China 8/9/1902 to 6/12/1904, Straits Settlements 7/12/1904 to 1/10/1905 and Home 2/10/05. He had a 3^rd Class certificate of education (the date of which is illegible). His campaigns were South Africa from 1899 to 1902. From that, the medals he was entitled to were Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony and Orange Free State, and Transvaal, and the Kings South Africa medal with clasps 1901 and 1902. William listed his next of kin as Father German, Mother Harriett and Brother Arthur of Ambaston near Derby. The 1^st Battalion Notts & Derbyshire Regiment were already in South Africa, so he was sent there as a reinforcement. They were involved in most of the major battles and he would have faced the long hard marches and privations of that campaign.

The rest of his records have been damaged from bomb and fire damage that occurred in WW2, but parts are still readable. A letter sent to the Regimental Paymaster at Lichfield said “In view of the circumstances mentioned in Minute II, the man has been struck off strength for Absence.” It was noted and returned by Records in No. 6 District. Another note, stamped 24^th January 1913, says “The attached Army Form D443 for No 6505 Pte W. Wass, Section D, Army Reserve, Notts & Derbyshire Regt,” and the rest has been destroyed. Another note headed “The officer i/c Records No. 6 District”, reads “In reference to your Min I, I beg to state that Wass rendered a life certificate on the 4^th of June last, from “Moor Bridge, Chellaston, Derbys, and a Money Order was consequentially issued to him, at that address, on the 1^st July last which was a period of over four months after he had apparently” … Most of the rest is destroyed, but it also says “he remains shown “struck off for absence” in my Pay List.” Another note also said that he had supplied a Life Certificate for the months of September and December 1912. An official form is also in his records stating he had failed to supply Life Certificates and it was recorded in the Regimental Books of the No. 6 District on 31^st January 1913. Another damaged record notes something about him getting Class I service pay having (passed?) musketry on 23^rd September 1904. The regiment he was in was also known as the Sherwood Foresters.

For some unknown reason, his pay book is also with his records. It shows that Private 6505 William Wass attested with the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment on 28^th January 1900 at age 18 and 11/12 years. His pay was 1 shilling, with proficiency pay of 6 pence and clothing allowance of 3 pence. Nothing else in the book is filled in, including his will.

A certificate showed he was at Roy Herb Hospital at Woolwich on 14^th October 1905. He was 23 years old, had served for 5 years and 9 months, he was admitted to the hospital on 1^st October and transferred on the 14^th. He had dysentery and was transferred for further treatment. Another record shows that on 28^th July 1905 in Singapore, he had dysentery and a change of climate was recommended. In London on 14^th December 1905, he was discharged to duty.

A list of transfer documents shows he was posted to a Battalion of the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment on 7^th March 1900, to the 4^th Battalion in March 1900 and to Army Reserve on 1^st March 1908. Different sheets were marked as being sent with the postings, but some of the record is not clear due to water damage.

His hospital admission record is also water damaged and parts are hard to read. Up to 27^th March 1900, he had had no admissions. He embarked on SS Wakool on 8^th September 1902 and had no admissions. William was admitted sometime in 1903, after arriving on 8^th October 1902 in Hong Kong, with a note that “Cause unknown, probably error in diet & chill, disease once treated by purgatives, & tonics.” He was also admitted on 12^th April 1904 in Hong Kong for an examination. Unfortunately the rest of the words are too faint to read, except for the last word “fit”. At an unknown place, from 24^th July 1904 to 14^th August 1904, he had dysentery. The notes say “infection, not severe, mag sulph etc.” The next line says Transferred SS “Avoca”. He boarded it on 27^th November 1904 with dysentery, and was convalescing with diet and Ipecac. Again, he was transferred on 5^th December 1904, arriving at Singapore on 12^th December 1904. He was admitted there on 12^th July 1905 with dysentery, which appears severe and he was invalided to Woolwich, arriving there on 11^th October 1905, and then to Millbank S.W. on 14^th October, where he was admitted with dysentery from there 19^th December 1905. The report says “Severe. Stools now well formed, bowels regular. No mucus or blood. Somewhat anaemic still. Is on food & tonics& rectal injections of AgHO3. Full diet. Convalescent. Released for furlough. He was then on duty. The entry on that line is faint for the dates which could be November to December 1904 or 1907. The remarks say: Bed. Plain bulk diet. Opium 1 grain over 4 hours. Then fish diet. No drugs. Recovery. Man now only has one motion a day. Has marked rectal stricture.”

A Company Conduct Sheet for the Regiment of Sherwood Foresters has a handwritten entry at the top saying “sheet destroyed. Last entry” and possibly some date in 1903. Details were filled out for 6505 W. Wass, who joined Depot on 1^st February 1900 then P.B. on 27^th March 1900. He was 18 years and 11 months old, 5 foot 3 inches tall, born in Ambaston Derby and enlisted in Derby on 1^st February 1900 for 7 years active service and 5 years in the reserve. William had a fresh complexion, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, his trade was labourer and his religion was Church of England. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 7^th June 1904, had his first good conduct pay on 1^st February 1902 and the second on 1^st February 1906. He was also given three lots of special pay. No offences were written on that page.

He is recorded in the medal rolls for the 1^st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment for the Queen’s South Africa Medal as Private 6505 W Wass. He was entitled to the clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. They were issued in Rustenburg on 10^th October 1901. He is also on the roll for the 1^st Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbyshire Regiment) for the King’s South Africa Medal as Private 6505 W Wass and he was also entitled to the clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. They were issued in Hong Kong on 5^th February 1903.

In the 1911 census, William was living back at home with his parents and family. William was listed as a single 30 year old male, a labourer, general railway carriage works. The record shows German and Harriet, who were both 60, had been married 41 years, they had 10 children, of which 8 were still alive. By then, German was a farmer, owning his own property at Moore Bridge Farm, Linden Lane Chellaston.

On 26^th July 1912, William departed London on the Rangatira in 3^rd class, bound for Sydney. He was listed as ticket number 154, a 30 year old male labourer from England who intended to make his future permanent residence in New South Wales. The ship arrived in NSW on 11^th September 1912, before travelling on to New Zealand, the final destination. At some time, he moved to Pelaw Main, where he worked as a fitter, presumably in the mine. Pelaw Main is a few kilometres from Kurri-Kurri in New South Wales. Its’ name is from the coal mine, Pelaw Main Colliery, which was a major concern and large employer. There were 4 coal loading roads which could take enough wagons to hold 4000 tons of coal at any one time. The colliery closed in 1962, due to a coal slump.

 

 

William enlisted as Private 239 in the 2^nd Battalion AIF on 17^th August 1914 in the 2^nd Military District. The 2^nd Battalion was raised within a few weeks of war being declared and was part of 1^st Brigade. He filled out the questions, stating he was a British Subject, born in Ambaston Derbyshire, was 30 years and 10 months old, a fitter, had not been an apprentice, and he was single. His next of kin were his parents, listed as Mr German Wass, Ambaston near Derby (later changed to Germain and Chellaston). He had no conviction or dishonourable discharge. For previous service, he recorded (South Africa) Sherwood Foresters, 3 years 8 months Hong Kong SFC, 1-year China, 1½ years Singapore and Malay, 1½ years at Derby and 4 years on Reserve. He had never been unfit to serve. William took the oath at Randwick on 21^st August 1914. His description was 30 years 10 months, height 5 foot 5 inches, weight 9 stone 8 pounds, chest measurement 33 to 35½ inches, and had a dark complexion with black hair and brown eyes. His religion was Anglican. Captain Spencer Dunn RAMC certified him physically fit on the same day. Lieutenant-Colonel George Braund, Commanding Officer of the 2^nd Battalion appointed him to the 2^nd Battalion on 21^st August.

From 17^th August 1914 to 25^th September 1914, William was a Private with the 2^nd Battalion. The Nominal Roll for the 2^nd Infantry Battalion AIF shows that William was with Headquarters as 239 Signal Corporal, aged 31, a fitter and single. His address was Second Street, Pelaw Main and his next of kin was G Wass, father, of Anderston, near Derby, England. His religion was Church of England and he enlisted on 17^th August 1914. He was previously with the 43^rd Infantry AMF when he enlisted. His rate of pay was 5 shillings a day. They embarked at Sydney on Transport A23 Suffolk on 18^th October 1914.

The Battalion embarked at Sydney for active service abroad on 18^th October 1914, disembarking at Egypt on 8^th December 1914, where they undertook training. He had been promoted to Signalling Corporal on 25^th September 1914 and appointed to Headquarter Signals on 13^th January 1915. He embarked to join the MEF on the Derflinger at Alexandria for the Gallipoli Campaign on 5^th April 1915 while a Corporal with the 2^nd Battalion. On 8^th April 1915, he was promoted to Sergeant with the 2^nd Battalion Headquarter Signals, while on Lemnos. On 25^th April 1915, the 2^nd Battalion was part of the second and third waves to land at ANZAC. In May, the Battalion was involved in repulsing a determined Turkish attack with strict fire discipline. The 1^st Brigade led the charge at Lone Pine on 6^th August, where they gained possession of the main Turkish trenches. They repulsed very determined Turkish counter-attacks over the next three days, but they were costly to the Battalion, having a lot of their strength killed or wounded. He was wounded on 8^th August 1915 on Gallipoli with a bomb wound to the head. On the 9^th, he was admitted to the No 3 Field Ambulance D C Station on Anzac and was transferred to Mudros on the 11^th. Another entry says he was discharged to duty on the 11^th. He was sent to Malta on HS Gascon and admitted to St George’s Hospital there on the 16^th, recorded as slightly wounded, before being transferred to St Patrick’s Hospital on the 21^st. There is a note in his service records that on 14^th September MRs G Wass was asking about him being wounded, but there is no letter in his service records noting that. A reply was sent on the 29^th, again it is not in his records. A note in his records says he had a GSW Skull on one line and GSW knee on the next. On 18^th September 1915, he was admitted to HS Oxfordshire, bound for England. He was admitted to King George Hospital Stanford Street in England on 24^th September 1915.

An article in the Sun of Sydney on Saturday 11^th September 1915, page 5 read:

FURTHER LOSSES. THE ATTACK FROM ANZAC.

LONG CASUALTY. LIST MANY KILLED IN ACTION.

Mr Ashmead Bartlett’s vivid accounts of the fierce fighting that occurred in the attack from Anzac by Australasian troops on and about August 7, at the time when the new force was landed at Suvla Bay, prepared Australians for heavy casualty lists. Another of them has come to hand. It is the 76^th list issued. Although it refers apparently to only the first two days of the battles, it records 131 deaths in action – only one from New South Wales – and 21 deaths from wounds. The wounded number 475. Only one officer died of wounds, and five were wounded. In all the fresh casualties number 351, and the missing run to 165. Victoria and West Australia have suffered particularly heavily in fatalities. The list is a follows :-

VICTORIA.

WOUNDED.

Sgt. W. WASS. 2nd Bn., England

 

The Sunday Times of Sydney on Sunday 12^th September 1915, page 2 had the following entry:

NEW SOUTH WALES

WOUNDED

Sgt. W. Wass, 2nd Bat. (England)

Also in the Sydney Morning Herald of NSW on Friday 17^th September 1915, page 6 had:

NEW SOUTH WALES

DISEMBARKED AT MALTA.

Sgt. W. WASS, 2 Bn. England.

A nominal roll of other ranks recommended for Honours for the 1^st Australian Division, dated 17^th January 1916, had 239 Sergeant W Wass, 2^nd Battalion, was number 21 in the order of merit. The recommendation read “Date & place of action. Lone Pine, 6 to 10 August. Took part in the assault and subsequent grenade throwing and repairing parapets under fire, continuing at his post for four days though the back of his skull was fractured by a bullet. He was on the Peninsula from 25-4-15 to 11-8-15.” It was signed by Harry Chauvel, Major-General, Commanding 1^st Australian Division. William had previously been recommended on 25^th September 1915 and 8^th December 1915.

Another handwritten record had: Sgt W Wass 25^th April to 10^th August 1915. For continuous good work while in charge of signal section. This work culminated with the assault on LONE PINE on 6^th August when in the assault he was wounded in the head. He did not report the injury but kept to his work, and on one occasion during the evening returned across the open to the old trenches from the captured position to repair a broken telephone wire. His wound was not attended to until four days later, when it was seen that he was suffering badly, and he was ordered to parade before the L.M.O. On examination it was found that the bullet wound received on 6^th August had fractured his skull, and he is still in hospital.

From the A&NZ Base, he proceeded with the 17^th Draft to join MEF at Weymouth England. A date was not recorded when. Arriving at Zeitoun on 20^th February 1916, he was transferred to Tel-el-Kebir and re-joined his unit on that day. On 22^nd February 1916, he was transferred from 2^nd Battalion to the 54^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir. At Alexandria on 19^th June 1916, they embarked on HT Caledonian, to join the BEF. They disembarked at Marseilles on 29^th June. He was killed in action sometime on the 19^th-20^th July 1916 in France. The words “Killed in action” were stamped on his service record in red capitals. On 8^th November 1916, form AFB 2090A was forwarded to AIF Headquarters.

The 54^th Battalion was formed in Egypt in mid-February 1916. They then trained at Tel-el-Kebir until the end of March 1916, before going to Ferry Post in April, and Katoomba Heights in May. They then left Egypt for France, arriving at Marseilles on 29^th June.

 

The Daily Telegraph of Sydney on Friday 14^th July 1916, page 7 had:

“ANZACS.

RAIDING EXPLOITS. “GIVE CANADA LIMELIGHT.”

COMMONWEALTH OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENT.

BRIT1SH HEADQUARTERS, FRANCE. June 14.-Yesterday morning in the small hour the Australians again raided the German trenches. As before, this raid was preceded by a sharp bombardment. The arrangements, worked like clockwork down to the smallest detail. The party, which was chosen from one of the earlier Victorian battalions, spent several interesting minutes in the German front trench. They pulled six prisoners out of the dugouts, bombed others, killed several Germans, and returned, with prisoners, at a total cost of two wounded. Within half-an-hour of the first gun being fired the party was safely back. The uproar of the guns then ceased and the night was quiet again. These raids are small affairs, but are common along the whole line. They are always gratifying when the arrangements work so perfectly as on these two occasions. At the same time 1 have been constantly asked by many Anzac officers and men to state again, what I stated strongly some weeks ago, that the Anzac troops do not claim or desire the public attention which has been directed to these small feats. Wherever one goes in the trenches one finds that both the men and officers are very sensitive on this point, and that they rather dread the undoubted tendency of the people of Britain and Australia to exaggerate the feats of the Anzacs. They all realise that the line they hold does not hear the faintest resemblance to awkward corners, such as the Ypres salient, which was held by the British troops for nearly two years. Officers of the Anzac Battalion’s Mess expressed, what I believe to be the general wish of the whole force, when they said to me to-day, referring to the tremendous bombardments which we heard at intervals throughout the week from the far north, “It Is the Canadians who should be in the limelight now.” SUPPLEMENTARY DESPATCH. LONDON, Thursday. — The London “Gazette” contains a supplement to General Munro’s despatch of April 10, mentioning a number of Anzacs for distinguished and gallant services. The additional list was delayed owing to the miscarriage of the Australian portion when sent abroad for verification. The following are mentioned: — Headquarters Staff: Lieutenant-General Birdwood, Major-General Russell, Colonels W. Holmes, Monash, and Ryrie, Lieutenant-Colonels Antill, C. Cox, Foott, Lamrock, McGlinn, Meldrum, J. Paton, and C. White, Majors W. Foster, Gellibrand, T. Griffiths, R Smythe, and E. E. Wisdom, Captains J. Anderson and C. Bean, Lieutenants H. S. Hall, W. Hughes, C. Littler, W. Locke, and Wawn. New Zealanders: Captains Daltry, G. King. Powles, and J. M. Richmond. AUSTRALIANS. Australian Naval Bridging Train: Lieutenant-Commodore Bracegirdle, Lieutenant Bond, Warrant Officer Shepherd, Petty Officers Beton, Offer. Littlewood, Pender, Wiggins. Light Horse. First Regiment, Major Granville, Lieutenant White, and Corporal Crisp; Second Regiment, Major Glasgow, Corporal McDonald; Fifth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, Major Midgley, Lieutenant Brundrit; Tenth Regiment. Corporals Rickards, Knowles, Berry, Trooper Renton; Eleventh Regiment, Quartermaster-Sergeant Searle. Artillery: Lieutenants Newman (N.Z.), Thornthwaite, Newmarch, Corporals G. Cook, McNichol. Engineers: Majors Williams and Goold, Captains Vasey, McNeill, Cutler, Watson, and Dodd, Lieutenants Mason, Greenway, Townsend, and Titford, Sergeant-Major Pease, Sergeants Dawson, Lundy, Foulsum, and Park, Corporals Shaw, Arkins, Hall, Cameron, Thomas, and Adeney. Infantry: Second Battalion, Captain Pain, Sergeant Wass, Privates Nichol and Goudemey;” and a lot more names are listed.

The 54^th Battalion occupied front line trenches near Bac-St-Maur at about 6pm on the 19^th July. A preliminary bombardment on the morning of the 19^th July 1916 began what would be known as the attack at Fromelles. It was just a diversionary attack. The 54^th Battalion was part of the attack, advancing from the Rue Tilleloy near Picantin. Some of the attackers reached the German trenches, holding their second line for the day and night. The right side however, was held off by a fierce machine gun barrage and only reached the front line in isolated groups. On the morning of the 20^th, the attack was called off after the 5^th Australian Division had lost over 5000 officers and men. Preceding the attack, the weather had been awful, with rain turning the area to a boggy mess and the artillery could not see where to bombard. General Munro did have the opportunity to call off the attack, but did not. The Battalion had 3 officers and 70 men killed and many others wounded or missing, losing 65% of its’ strength. They then returned to Bac-St-Maur and then went into defensive positions.

His report on a death of a soldier shows that Sergeant 239 William Wass of the 54^th Infantry Battalion AIF was killed in action in the Field in France on 19-20^th July 1916. It was reported on Army Form B.213, dated 21^st July 1916 by the Commanding Officer of the 54^th Battalion. Notification of his burial had not yet been received nor was his will yet to hand. The record was signed by a Lieutenant in charge of Records at Anzac Section 3rd Echelon GHQ BEF 18^th October 1916.

A form from the Post Office Saving Bank in London on 13^th September 1916 about “William Wass deceased” asked if details could be filled in and forwarded to the War Office as a claim done by his father to claim money in his bank account could not be proceeded with until they received information on his will. The bottom part of that form was a request German filled out to The Secretary at the War Office, giving service details of William and a request to forward the Bank a copy of his will, if done, and a death certificate. It was signed German Wass, Moor End Farm Chellaston Derby on 16^th September 1916. The War Office Effects Registry received in on 18^th September.

 

The Red Cross Society have a Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau file for him. In it they have a copy of a German death card, the original of which is in his service record:

 

They state there was no enquiry, that 239 Sergeant William Wass 54^th Battalion AIF was killed in action on 19-20.7.16. “German Death List dated 4.11.16. Identity disc received from Germany and despatched to N./K. 11.5.17. Cert by list from O.C.Kit Stores1.9.19.” London 9.10.19. The translation of the German Death Voucher says “The Aust. Pte. Wass, W. H.C.S. 54^th A.I.F., No 239.,fell on 19/7/16 in the neighbourhood of Fromelles.” It was signed by a German Captain and Intelligence Officer.

 

The Sun of Sydney, NSW on Thursday 17^th August 1916, page 6 had the following heading:

1602 CASUALTIES

P0ZIERES AND ARMENTIERES DEAD NUMBER 207

OVER 1200 WOUNDED

Part of Australia’s cost in the great offensive on the Somme is revealed by two big casualty lists issued to-day. The greatest number of casualties made known on any one day of the war is contained in them. The total is 1602. Nearly all are direct battle losses, and, as indicated by the dates opposite the classification “killed in action,” occurred between July 19 and July 25, when the offensive was in its initial stages. In the greatest number of cases the significantly imprecise date 19-20/7/16 is given. It was on July 20 that Captain Bean, the Australian press representative with the Commonwealth forces, cabled from British headquarters that on the previous evening an Australian force, after a bombardment, had attacked the German trenches south of Armentieres. Captain Bean stated that the Germans had managed to save a number of machine guns from the bombardment. In spite of very brave efforts the troops on the right flank were unable to cross the ground between the trenches. The portions of the trenches that were captured were subjected to a very severe fire from all sorts of artillery, and the Australians had to endure this for eleven hours, until they were ordered to retire. The losses were very severe. It was on July 23 that the Anzacs captured Pozieres. On that occasion “The Times” correspondent reported that their casualties were slight, and Reuter’s representative at the press camp on the western front sent a similar message. The lists show that no fewer than two officers and 135 men were killed in action. Three officers and 67 men died of wounds, and three men from other causes. The wounded numbered 36 officers and 1243 men, and the missing two officers and 87 men. One officer and 23 men were listed as ill. Details: — NEW SOUTH WALES KILLED IN ACTION Sergt. W. WASS, England.

An article in the Daily Telegraph of Sydney on Friday 18^th August 1916, page 4 read:

NEW SOUTH WALES.

KILLED IN .ACTION.

Sgt, W. WASS, England.

 

Base Records in Melbourne sent a letter to Mr G Wass of Chellaston Derbyshire England on 24^th May 1917. It said “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Fourth Supplement No. 29644 to the London Gazette of 11^th July, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, the late No. 239, Sergeant W. Wass, 54^th Battalion. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES “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. 230 W. Wass WILLIAM WASS”. Also copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20^th October, 1916. AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer: – No. 239, Sergeant WILLIAM WASS.”” His service record notes another letter to his father, and a reply, but neither are included in his records.

On 28^th August 1917, Public Trustee asked Records for two death certificates and a note beside it says “Add prior to Enlistment”. A booklet regarding graves was despatched on 22^nd December 1919.

A note in his service records refers to him being killed in action in France on 19-20 July 1916 as noted in “Cable No. C.I.B.L. 238, from the Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters, dated London, 4^th August 1916, confirmed by Mail, from the Commandant A.I.F. Headquarters, dated London, 7^th August 1916, and Army Form B. 2090A.” It was dated 1^st September 1917.

William’s Mention in Despatches certificate was sent on 7^th July 1921. Germain was sent a copy of “Where the Australians Rest”, Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque in 1922. His 1914 -15 Star was issued in England. A stamp states that the Victory medal was issued and inscribed by Australia House and a large oak leaf was issued with it.

 

 

The Sydney Mail of Wednesday 10^th January 1917 on page 34 had the following article and picture:

“Sergt. Will Wass, D.C.M., WHO was lately killed in France. He was the first to enlist from Pelaw Main (near Newcastle). Me was in the historic landing at Gaba Tepe, and was wounded at Lone Pine, where he gained the D.C.M. He served in the South African campaign.” They incorrectly record him as being awarded the DCM in the text and with the picture below, when he was actually awarded the MM.

William has a Medal Index Card in the British medal records for “WASS, W. Sergeant No. 239 2^nd Battalion (New South Wales) Australian Infantry M.I.D. London Gazette 13.7.16. page 6955”.

In the Honours and Awards area of the AWM, William Wass has two entries: –

Service number 239

Final Rank Sergeant

Unit 54th Australian Infantry Battalion

Service Australian Imperial Force

Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918

Award Military Medal

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 19 April 1917 on page 920 at position 28

London Gazette 27 October 1916 on page 10488 at position 30

 

Service number 239

Final Rank Sergeant

Unit 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion

Service Australian Imperial Force

Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918

Award Mention in despatches

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30 November 1916 on page 3234 at position 2

London Gazette 13 July 1916 on page 6955 at position 15

 

William is recorded on V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial. His details are recorded as:

Birth:	unknown Derby Derby Unitary Authority Derbyshire, England
Death:	Jul., 1916, France
Son of Germain Wass of Chellaston, Derbyshire, England. William was killed in action, aged 35 years. Mentioned In Despatches. Awarded the Military Medal.

54th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Army – Service No. 239

Note: Sergeant, 54th Battalion, A.I.F. Died 19-20 July 1916.

There is also a note added to the picture: “Plot: Thought to be buried in a mass grave at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles.” An article online reads: “This is the list of the persons believed to be buried in a mass grave at Fromelles in France. The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said the Government had contacted relatives of about 40 per cent of those on the list and invited the public to come forward with information about others.

LIST OF SOLDIERS (includes)

239 Sergeant Wass William 54th Battalion.”

Probate for William reads “WASS William of Moor End Farm Chellaston Derbyshire sergeant of the Australian Imperial Force who was killed in action on 19 July 1916 in France Administration Derby 7 September to German Wass farmer. Effects £50 4s. 2d.”

His name is located at panel 160 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial. In the WW1 Nominal Roll, he is listed as “239 Sgt WASS William “MM” 54^th Battalion 17.8.14 K.I.A. 19-20.7.16”

The site https://anzacday.org.au/home has an article on William, which reads as a semi-autobiographical and maybe fictional story on his life and army involvement.

 

With his family-

 

Germain died on 24th October 1930 in Shardlow, Derbyshire.
Harriet died in June 1933 in Shardlow, Derbyshire.
Eliza Wass was the first child born to them, around April 1870 in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. In the 1881 census, she is listed as a scholar and was living with the family. On 17th November 1889, she married Will Bickerton at St. Andrew’s, Derby. She is in the 1901 census, with her family, but no husband in Derby. She married Hugh Gray MacDonald at St. James, Derby on 13th October 1923. More records are needed to confirm when she died.
George Wass was born in early 1873 in Winksworth, Derbyshire. In the 1881 census, he was living with the family and was a scholar. In the 1901 census, he was living with Eliza as a boarder and was a railway engine stoker. He married Laura Elizabeth Apperley in mid-1904 in Derby. In the 1911 census, they were living at 26 Shaftsbury Crescent Derby and he was a railway engine fireman. They had no children listed, and one had died. He died on 18th June 1953 in Derby.
Herbert Wass was born on 4th December 1877 in Windley Derbyshire. He was 4 years old on the 1881 census, living with his parents. Herbert was living with his parents in the 1891 census, but had no occupation. The 1901 census has him as a boarder, working as a carriage and wagon fitter. In the 1911 census, he was living with his parents, single and working as a wagon fitter at the railway carriage works. In the 1939 Register, he was still single, a farmer in partnership with his brother Arthur on Moor End Farm and Louisa was living there as well.
Margaret was born in mid-1884 in Ambaston, Derbyshire. She was a scholar in the 1891 census and an at home domestic in the 1901 census. In the 1911 census, her name is written as Margriet and she was a single 26-year old farmer’s daughter dairy worker, still with her parents. Nothing else is known of her.
Louisa was born on 13th October 1894. In the 1911 census, her name is written as Louie and she was a single 16-year old farmer’s daughter dairy worker. She died in September 1984 in Derby.
Lizzie was born in 1889 in Ambaston Derbyshire. She has no occupation recorded in the 1901 census and in the 1911 census, she was still living with her parents and was an engraver in the carriage department car motor works. She was living as a boarder, also with her brother Arthur at the house of their sister Eliza and her husband and family at 59 Alingdon Street Derby. William Bickerton was a lawyer for the Midland Carriage Department, and they had been married for 21 years and had 5 living children from a total of 11 born. Lizzie married Percy Thomas (born 1889) on 29th May 1915 at Chellaston, Derbyshire. No other records are confirmed for them afterwards.
Arthur Wass was born on 22nd April 1882 in Belper, Derbyshire. In 1911, he was living as noted above and was a labourer at the motor works. He died on 10th December 1948 in Derby, with his address as Moor End Farm Chellaston, Derbyshire. Probate on 12th April 1949 to Herbert Wass farmer and Louisa Wass spinster of £1858 16.s 9d.
Ellen Wass was born about 1887 in Ambaston Derbyshire. In the 1891 census, she was living with her parents. She died in early 1895 in Shardlaw, Derbyshire.

 

 

His medals are Military Medal, Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, Kings South Africa medal with clasps South African 1901 and South Africa 1902, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with oak leaf.

 

 

 

The QSA medal is a replacement.

 

 

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.

1533 Private John Dowd MM

9^th Battalion AIF

49^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

With thanks to the State Library of Queensland

John Dowd was born in Ravenswood Queensland on 31^st January 1892, a son to Patrick Dowd and Johanna Hogan. Patrick and Johanna and been married in Queensland on 3^rd November 1889. He was one of ten children to them. They had James on 3^rd September 1890, John, Margaret Ann on 1^st January 1894, Hubert Patrick on 7^th June 1896, Mary Bridget on 16^th January 1899, Timothy Michael on 1 June 1901, Daniel O’Connell on 21^st March 1905, Monica on 24^th January 1908 and Joseph on 21^st April 1911.In the 1903 electoral roll, they were living at Macrossan St Ravenswood and Patrick was a miner, with Johanna doing home duties. John Dowd was registered at Ravenswood State School on 19 January 1903 with admission number 2114. In that admission register, his father was recorded as a butcher. They were still at Ravenswood in the 1913 roll, with Patrick a lengthsman and John a miner. Due to an industrial strike in 1912 and then World War I, mining declined in Ravenswood and by 1915 the town was nearly deserted. Both were still recorded as living in Ravenswood in the 1919 and 1925 rolls, with other family members (Hubert Patrick and Mary), with the same occupations. Patrick may have died 1933 in Queensland, but more records are required to confirm which one is correct, as a few Patrick Dowd’s have passed away in Queensland. There are records for a Patrick Dowd working in the Queensland rail who was born in 1871, but they may not be this Patrick, more details are required.

On 14^th December 1914, John enlisted as Private 1533 in the 9^th Battalion. The 9^th was the first battalion recruited in Queensland. He gave his occupation as railway employee, but there are no records for a John Dowd of his age in the railway. His records says he was with the 2^nd and 3^rd Reinforcements (with 2^nd crossed out). He was a 22 year 11 month Natural Born British Subject, born in Evlinton, Ravenswood. Electoral rolls give his occupation as miner, with the earliest one in 1915 giving his address as Macrossan Street, living there with his mother and sister Margaret. The reference to Evlinton in his service records also seems interesting, as other people were living there in the 1913 and 1915 rolls. In the electoral district of Townsville, a John Dowd of Bayview Boarding House in Oxley Street, a railway employee, registered on 12th January 1915. John did enlist in Townsville in December 1914, but on 8^th February 1915, he was at Enoggera, as he was appointed to 3^rd Reinforcements 9^th Battalion on that day in Brisbane. His physical description was he was 22 years and 11 months old, height 5 foot 6 inches, weight 9 stone 9 pounds, chest measurement 33 to 36 inches and he was of fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. A Medical officer examined his on the same day and passed him fit for active service. The Commanding Officer appointed him to the 3^rd Reinforcements 9^th Battalion on 8^th February 1915 at Enoggera. He was not married and had never been an apprentice.

John Dowd embarked with the 9^th Infantry Battalion, 3^rd Reinforcements. In the nominal roll, he was listed as Private 1533, aged 22, a labourer, single, of Macrossan Street Ravenswood. His father, P Dowd of the same address was given as next of kin. His religion was Roman Catholic and he joined on 14^th December 1914. His rate of pay was 5 shillings a day. After embarking, he was taking 2 shillings, keeping 3 shillings in Australia and had a shilling deferred pay. They embarked on HMAT Seang Choon A49 at Brisbane on 13^th February 1915. A sheet in his service record has his surname as Daird, which was crossed out and Dowd written.

John joined his unit at ANZAC on 6^th May 1915. The 9^th Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line at Gallipoli and served there until the evacuation.

He was admitted to No 2 Field Ambulance on Lemnos with coryza on 11^th December 1915 and sent to 3^rd Stationary Hospital on the same day. He was discharged to Lowland Casualty Clearing Station on 18^th December. A report from there shows he had tonsillitis. On 25^th December, he was admitted to Anzac Base at Mudros. John re-joined his unit from the hospital on 27^th December. Another entry has the date as the 28^th. John arrived at Alexandria on 4^th January 1916, after disembarking from the Grampian from Mudros.

On 22^nd December 1915, Mr P Dowd of Ravenswood Queensland was sent a letter from Base Records stating: “I am directed to forward herewith the following extract from the Army Corps Routine Orders for 2^nd July, 1915. “158 COMPLIMENTARY. The Army Corps Command has much pleasure in publishing the names in the attached supplement of Officers, N.C.O.’s and men, which have been brought to his notice for good service performed during the operations on our Right Flank on 28^th June, 1915. He wishes to thank them for the good services they rendered, and to congratulate all ranks on the successful carrying out of the task allocated to them by the G.O.C.-in-Chief, which prevented the enemy reinforcing the Krithia position from troops opposite our front.” No. 1533 Private John Dowd, 9^th Battalion. “After his company had withdrawn to safety, went out under heavy shrapnel and rifle fire to rescue a wounded comrade. On reaching the man, he found him dead. He then secured another wounded man, and got him to a place of safety, but only to find that he too was dead.” The above has been promulgated in Australian Military Orders No. 570 of 1915.”

John was transferred to the 49^th Battalion on 27^th February 1916 as part of the re-structure of the Battalions. Another entry has that he was transferred to the 49^th Battalion on 25^th February at Habeita and was taken on strength of the Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on the 27^th. The Battalion then went to the Suez Canal, where they trained. From Alexandria on 5^th June 1916, on the Arcadian, John proceeded to join the BEF, disembarking at Marseilles on the 12^th. The first action the battalion was involved with was at Pozieres, where they were used on the extreme right of the line during the attack. They were involved with the battle at Mouquet Farm in early August, the first time they suffered heavily from German artillery, and although they captured the farm after a second attack, strong German counterattacks eventually forced them out. Due to their heavily losses, the 49^th Battalion did not take part in any major attacks for the rest of the year, but when they were in the front line, they conducted patrols and raids.

On 12^th August 1916, John was wounded in action in the field. On 14^th August, he was admitted to 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound to the head and was transferred to A.T.9. He embarked on HS St David at Boulogne for England with a gunshot wound to the head on 4^th September 1916, from the 13^th Stationary Hospital. On 5^th September, he was admitted to East Leeds War Hospital with a superficial gunshot wound to the head. He reported from furlough and was classified “A” at No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Perham Downs on 20^th October 1916 and was marched out to the 13^th Training Battalion at Codford on the 23^rd. An entry in his AIF record stated identity established on 10^th October 1916. Another entry on 6^th October stated “Stralis Queried No Trace BA40”. A medical report shows he was wounded with a fragment of an H.E. shell at Pozieres on the right cheek, just below the ear.

His award of the Military Medal was published in the London Gazette of 27^th October 1916, on Page 10486, position 77.

He was marched in to 13^th Training Battalion at Codford from No 1 Com Depot AIF Perham Downs on 30^th November 1916. John proceeded to France from Folkestone on 31^st December 1916 on SS Invicta, marched in at Etaples on 1^st January 1917, marched out on the 15^th and re-joined his unit from wounds on 18^th January 1917. The Battalion had endured a harsh winter at that time. As the Germans moved back to the Hindenburg Line, the 49^th Battalion advanced until stopped by them when they reached the line.

As a Private in the 49^th Battalion, he was sent to hospital in France as sick on 7^th April 1917, re-joining his unit on 1^st May 1917. His casualty form gives more details, stating he admitted to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance with trench feet from the field and was transferred to DRS. From the 56^th Casualty Clearing Station, he was admitted to the 9^th General Hospital with trench feet on 12^th April 1917. On the 19^th, he was transferred to and admitted to the 2^nd Convalescent Depot. He was discharged to Base as Class A on the 21^st. At Etaples on 24^th April 1917, he was marched in to the 4^th ADBD. He left there on 30^th April and re-joined his unit in the field on 1^st May 1917. In June, they were involved in the Battle of Messines, where heavy casualties were inflicted on them by German pillboxes, and also by their own artillery during a German counterattack. In September, they were involved in actions at Polygon Wood.

Base Records sent his father, at the usual address, a letter on 25^th April 1917, stating “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20^th October 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 1533, Private J. Dowd, 49^th Battalion.” “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned soldier :- No. 1533, Private JOHN DOWD.”

He was detached to rest camp from the field on 1^st October 1917, re-joining his unit in the field on 23^rd October. He had leave to England on 1^st December, returning on the 19^th.

In 1918, the 49^th Battalion was involved in stopping the Germans who had much initial success in the Spring Offensive in March 1918. They repelled an attack at Dernacourt after facing a very strong attack, but suffered many losses. The Battalion was also involved in taking Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918. Their last action was in September 1918.

On 26^th September 1918, he was paid on in France. John re-joined his unit on 23^rd October. On 1^st December 1918, he went to England on leave and re-joined his unit in the field on the 19^th. Entries in his service record show he was with the 49^th Battalion on 24^th February and 16^th June in France. On 28^th October 1918, he went on leave from the field to the United Kingdom, returning on 15^th November.

He was transferred to UK from the field on 3^rd December 1918, marching into the Base at Havre on the 7^th and marching out for Australian Drafts on the 8^th. John returned to Australia for special 1915 leave on 14^th December 1918 as a Private with the 49^th Battalion on the Burma. His father was notified of his return on 15^th January, and he disembarked at Melbourne on 29^th January, before going onto Queensland on another ship. He was discharged in Queensland on 12^th April 1919. His medical report states he was discharged as fit.

A note in his record was sent with gaps in it to be filled in. It had Private 1533 J Dowd 49^th Battalion, to which was added “full name John”, next of kin was his father Mr P Dowd of Ravenswood Queensland and he enlisted in the 1^st Military District.

There is a record in his service file, and entry for 2071 Ammunition Carrier H. P. Dowd of 2^nd Infantry Regiment AN&MEF who embarked on Kanowna at Thursday Island on 16^th August 1914. That is all the record has, apart from a cover card which has J. P. Dowd 2071 A&MEF and indexed written on it. There is also a page which noted more than one period of service and has “A 2071 Pte Dowd, John Patrick N&MEF” and B 1533 Pte. John Dowd ‘MM’ 49 Btn”. Are they getting his brother Hubert Patrick and John mixed up? John has no middle name recorded elsewhere. Hubert seems to have had no other military service. Or are they all Johns’ records?

There is also a typed record is in his file, detailing time in 2^nd AN&MEF (no attestation paper received). It reads for No 2071; “Particulars available :- Mobilised for War Service in August, 1914. Embarked at Cairns, Queensland, on 8.8.14, for Thursday Island, (War Station) Garrison Duty. Enlisted 14.8.14, for service outside Australia. Re-embarked at Thursday Island, on 16.8.14, Troopship “Kanowna”, to take part in the capture of German New Guinea. Taken on strength of the A.N.& M.E.F., vide Routine Order No. 1, dated 6.9.14. Returned to Townsville on 18.9.14, on account of the trouble caused by the firemen on troopship. Did not participate in the capture of German New Guinea. Discharged on 18.9.14. Classified as eligible for British War Medal, vide B.R.M. 52/572.” A handwritten note at the bottom reads NOK Mr P Dowd Macrossan St Ravenswood.

On electoral rolls, from 1915 to 1930, John is listed as living at Macrossan Street, Ravenswood with an occupation listed as labourer. His address or occupation do not change. These include when he was away during WW1, so possibly he did not notify the Electoral Commission of changes of address. After 1930, he is not to be found in any rolls, until 1958.

On 13^th December 1937, the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane asked Base Records for a list of records for his service, and they wrote his details as J P Dowd with the two service numbers and N&MEF and 49^th Battalion.

A report of a Medical Practitioner upon the incapacity of John for the Repatriation Commission shows that he had manic depressive psychosis, the assessment extent of which was 100%, and he was unemployable. He was admitted to Goodna Mental Hospital on 20^th November 1937. He was noted as single, 45, a quartz picker and Roman Catholic. A couple of reports from Doctors in Townsville say he was “very strange in manner, very depressed about his health, troubled by his “psychical faults” and is subject to delusions. Peculiar depressed manner speech tends to become rambling Discourses on religious matters to a great extent and states that he has a psychical basis for his trouble.” Nurses also noted he spends “a lot of time apologising for things he does not do. Is usually depressed most of his time and occasionally becomes profane when upset.” His physical condition on admission was weight 108 pounds, height 5 foot 6 inches, hair brown and grey, hearing good, head shape normal, eyes blue, and everything else seemed fine. His previous history was “As child had nervous shocks also at war. Fell from a tree also fell down stairs. Broken down in health when he returned from war and not normal in mind. Standing on his head etc.” There was no family history of insanity or alcoholism. The history of his present attack read “Immediately after war and slowly. Appetite was normal but he frequently pested to do penance for his own sins and those of others. Restless and nightmares after war. This is the second attack since the war. Was insulting but never violent. Form of mental disorder – Delusional Insanity. Bodily condition – indifferent.” The report continues with different dates recording what he was like then in 1937 and 1938. In 1943 and entry shows “He will converse briefly but has little spontaneous speech. Shows mannerisms – clean and tidy – fully orientated for time and place. Good hard worker.” In 1946 it was noted he had “Physical condition poor. Pale looking.” A comment in 1947 showed he had “adjusted to institutional life”. A comment in 1949 said he had “Seen the result of high explosive shells.” Another comment noted he was “Still reliable worker”.

His mother wrote to the Repatriation Department on 23^rd November 1937 from Macrossan Street Ravenswood, asking “I, JOHANNA DOWD, mother of ex-No 1533 Private John DOWD, M.M 49^th Battalion, A.I.F. desire to inform you that he, JOHN DOWD, is now an inmate of Goodna Mental Asylum, and ask that your department accept his condition as being due to or attributable to war service. In support of this application I enclose herewith statements from those who knew him before the war and since his discharge from the A.I.F. The Queensland Police, acting on behalf of the Home Dep’t., demand the sum of £20 and £1 per week from me in respect of costs and maintenance for my son is going to and being maintained at Goodna. I cannot pay. I do not think it is just to ask me to pay under the circumstances. Before the war my son was healthy in mind and body. He returned affected in mind and body. He served honourably and well. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and attention to duty. He was wounded in the face. He suffered mentally on account of the horrors of war and the awful sufferings inflicted on his fellowmen, for whom he always entertained a Christian regard. He is now mentally incapacitated on account of his war service, and I ask your department to accept responsibility for his condition.” Lieutenant William Byrne wrote that he knew John since 1909 and on seeing him in 1919, he “noticed a great change in him”. Having also served, he knew of many men affected as John was. Three people also signed a letter stating that they had known him from his boyhood and the family and that “he was quite normal when leaving from the front and that it is only since the war he showed any sign of mental weakness.”

A letter from Mr George Keyatta (MLA and Member for Townsville) in 1941 to the Repatriation Commission pointed out there was no question that the war was the cause of his “unfortunate illness” and that his two sisters could not take care of their mother, a bedridden cripple of advanced years, due to their profession as Sisters of Mercy, and so needed to apply for a war pension entitlement for their mother. A comment on the letter stated that the opinion of the committee that war service was not the cause. An appeal in 1941 for Johanna, held by three Lieutenant-Colonels, came to the conclusion manic depressive psychosis not attributable to or aggravated by war service. She had claimed that John suffered mental incapacity from neurosis and shock due to war service. One of his sisters, Sister Mary Anthony had asked Mr Keyatta to help them and act as their Advocate. The original claim was in November 1937 and had been fully investigated by the Repatriation Commission, but rejected in 1938, as the condition could not be connected to War Service. In December 1937 The Goodna RSL applied for a Service Pension on John’s behalf, and that was approved. Another letter from the MLA to Repat noted his mother’s name was Johanna Dowd of Macrossan Street Ravenswood and that John had served on Gallipoli and France. He was asking what he would have to do to secure help for Johanna. A letter in 1938 from Queensland Rail stated that he was “unable to trace an employee of this name as being employed at Ravenswood prior to enlistment in 1914.” But they had a record for John Dowd, born 31.1.1892 who was employed at Townsville on 13^th July 1914 as a Porter and enlisted on 14^th December. “He was re-employed as a temporary labourer in No.13 Gang, Cardwell-Innisfail on 26.6.25, and was paid off on 12.8.25, since which date he has not been re-employed.” Another letter from his mother in 1938 stated that after John returned in 1919, he was working at the gold mine in Ravenswood, and left due to a nervous breakdown and had not had permanent employment since. He did gold prospecting after that, when well enough, and lived with her and “suffered lapses of ill health & was greatly troubled with inflammation of his Ears especially the right having being wounded on the right side of the head while in action.” He had six weeks in Townsville hospital where he was certified “Mental” on 17^th November 1937 and sent to Goodna Mental Hospital. She could not afford to pay for him being there, as she was only on the aged pension. A letter is in his file, from the head teacher of the school he attended to Queensland Rail on 28^th November 1907, stating that John had been at the school for 5 years & he was “now top boy in my Fifth Class. He is exemplary in conduct and morals, has always shown great diligence in his studies & is quite obedient. In a position of trust, he will I am sure, prove trustworthy”.

An application form, dated 28^th October 1949, shows that John had a service pension of 12 shillings 6 pence, but a war pension was rejected on 2^nd August 1938. A handwritten note at the bottom says “Previous decision in respect of manic depressive psychosis adhered to”.

In 1953, a letter was sent from Repatriation Department to The Public Curator, advising them that the “ex-serviceman, at present an inmate of the Brisbane Mental Hospital, Goodna, I wish to advise that maintenance in this case is not the responsibility of this department.” Another letter showed John was transferred from the Brisbane Mental Hospital on 9^th May 1953 to Wacol Repatriation Pavilion.

A Repatriation Department Entitlement Card, which was dated 27^th January 1961, shows Private 1533 John Dowd MM 49^th Battalion was a service pensioner with disabilities due to war service, and was eligible for treatment to all disabilities with a list of exceptions that were pre-printed on the form. They included mental diseases. Under another heading on the card which says disabilities not due to war service was written manic depressive psychosis.

John was living at Eventide in North Sandgate, with a William Dowd also there, by the 1958 electoral roll. A form, headed The Mental Hygiene Act of 1938, seems to contraindicate that, saying that “DOWD John (Prospector), a patient admitted into the Brisbane Mental Hospital on the 20^th day of November 1937, WAS DISCHARGED THEREFROM to Eventide, Sandgate.I.S.Q.Off Leave. Dr. Hopkins, Eventide, Sandgate. on the 26^th day of April 1960.” In 1961, John signed a form that he desired to be placed on the list of Doctor A D Tonkin of Brighton, while he was in Eventide. The 1963 electoral roll has just John living at Eventide, Sandgate North and he had no occupation.

On 29^th September 1964, John passed away in Eventide Nursing Home at Sandgate North of arteriosclerosis. He was buried in Nudgee Cemetery on 30^th September in location A4-03-29A. The headstone reads “Pray for JOHN DOWD RAVENSWOOD Died 29^th September 1964. R.I.P.”

The Public Curator Office in Brisbane wrote to Central Army Records Office in Melbourne on 20^th January 1965, asking re “JOHN DOWD – I.29278 – E.19. I am administering the estate of the abovenamed, who died on the 29^th September, 1964 at Eventide, Sandgate North, Brisbane. I understand the deceased may have been in the Ninth Battalion, Anzac Unit at Gallipoli, and I wondered if the deceased made a Will. If so, could you please advise me as soon as convenient.” Handwritten notes on the letter are MM, 49^th Battalion, will returned 30^th June 1919 and discharged 12^th April 1919. A reply to them, dated 25^th January 1965, read “Your letter I.29278 – E 19 of 20^th January 1965, is acknowledged. According to records held at this office the Will of the abovenamed was returned to him subsequent to his discharge from the Australian Imperial Force on 12^th April 1919.”

 

 

With his family-

Johanna lived in Macrossan Street Ravenswood up to and including the 1943 roll and probably passed away in Brisbane on 20^th April 1947, as a record for that shows her father with the surname Hogan. She is buried in Nudgee Cemetery. There are a few Dowds buried there, including John.

James died on 27^th October 1940 in Queensland, but his record also has a middle name of Patrick.

Margaret Ann married Bathurst Hedlem Neal, a horse-breaker, on 7^th February 1916, but passed away on 4^th September 1916 in Queensland.

Hubert Patrick died on 19^th October 1948 in Queensland.

Mary Bridget married Thomas Willows Drewery in 1922. She died in Queensland in 1970.

Timothy Michael died on 5^th December 1918.

Patrick Joseph Sarsfield died on 12^th February 1910.

Daniel O’Connell served in WW2 as QX62807 (Q109547), enlisting on 30^th November 1944 in Hughenden. His next of kin was listed as Hubert Dowd. He was discharged on 7^th March 1946 as a Private in the 16^th Works Company. He died in 1971 in Queensland.

Monica died on 24^th December 1919 in Queensland.

Joseph enlisted in WW2 as QX54403 (Q144767), giving his name as Joseph Patrick Dowd. He enlisted at Ravenswood on 19^th June 1943, with next of kin Herbert Dowd (Hubert?). Joseph was discharged on 16^th April 1946 as a Private in the 26^th Australian Infantry Battalion. He died in 1977 in Queensland.

The museum only has his Military Medal, which is on loan from the Maryborough RSL, with many thanks. His medals are MM, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.

 

ANZAC Biographies

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

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.

Lieut-Col (WWI) & AIRCDRE (WWII) Robert Christie

DSO and Bar, Belgian Croix de Guerre, MiD

5th Light Horse Regiment AIF

51st Battalion AIF

No 2 Aircraft Depot

Waterloo Stores Depot

Melbourne Headquarters

5 Maintenance Group Headquarters – RAAF

by Robert Simpson

Robert Christie was born in Maryborough Queensland on 5^th August 1883, a son to Archibald Christie and Emma Spencer. Archibald had been born in Scotland on 24^th December 1851 in Paisley, Renfrewshire and his father Robert was a cotton weaver. His mother, Caroline, was listed in the 1861 English census as a home keeper. In that census, they were living at 4 Espeduir Street Paisley. In 1863, he moved to Australia, with the family on the David McIver, arriving on the 9^th of July. The death certificate for Robert, who died in Gympie on 1^st January 1893, stated they had been in Queensland for 29 years. Robert died of cerebral effusion. Archibald married Emma Spencer in Maryborough on 30^th August 1882. Before he got married, he had been working at the Mary River Sawmill in 1876. He seemed to move around the district as well in that time. Emma had been born in Edgcott, Buckinghamshire in England in early 1863 and had migrated from London, arriving in Maryborough on 7^th May 1874 on Glamorganshire. After marrying, they settled in Barton Street Maryborough. Robert was enrolled at Central State School on 29^th September 1890, and his School Register Number was 752. He was educated there, until they moved. In 1892, Archibald was a lengthsman with the railway. Robert was one of ten children born to them, and the eldest. Then they had Alexander (born 6^th June 1885), Caroline Betsy (born 7^th November 1886), Emma (born 4^th January 1888) and Mary (born 31^st December 1890), all in Maryborough. Jane was born on 7^th February 1893, where is not stated, but probably Maryborough. After that they had moved to Bundaberg, where Elizabeth Florence (born 25^th December 1895), Archibald Wallace (born 23^rd March 1899), Samuel Colin (born 6^th January 1901), and Helen Beatrice (born 18^th August 1932) were all born. In the 1903 electoral roll, they were living at Maryborough Road and Archibald was a lengthsman. It was the same for the 1905 roll, with the addition of Robert, as a mail contractor. He also worked as a labourer at some time.

Robert joined the local Militia as a Private in D Company in 1907 and by 1910 he was a Sergeant in the Wide Bay Regiment, AMF. The Corporal Certificate for Robert Christie of the Wide Bay Regiment in Maryborough showed he passed the exam on 11th November 1907 and qualified for the rank of Corporal. On 1st July 1909, he qualified for a Certificate of Proficiency in Stretcher Bearer Drill and 1st Field Aid to the wounded. In an exam held on 19th November 1909 with the Wide Bay Infantry Regiment, Robert qualified for Sergeant and his Sergeant’s Certificate was issued on 3rd December 1909 at Maryborough.

On 29^th July 1907, Robert married Dorothy Ward in Bundaberg. Dorothy had been born on 12^th August 1885 in Queensland, a daughter to Adolphus Grainger Ward and Minnie Thompson. The marriage was recorded in the Bundaberg Mail on Friday, 2^nd August 1907 as “Marriage. CHRISTIE— WARD.— At “Redleigh,” Maryborough Road, by the Rev. J. Mackenzie, on July 29th, 1907, Robert, eldest son of Mr. Archibald Christie, to Dorothy, second daughter of the late G. A. Ward, of Brisbane. The paper also had a description of the wedding “A very pretty wedding took place on Monday last at “Redleigh,” Maryborough Road, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. Christie, when their eldest son Robert was united in holy matrimony to Miss Dorothy Ward, second daughter of the late Mr. G. A. Ward, of Brisbane; Rev. J. Mackenzie performing the ceremony. There were three bridesmaids, Misses Christie (2) and Kingston. The bridegroom’s gift to the bride was a lovely gold amethyst brooch, and to the bridesmaids a gold pendant studded with pearls. Mr. W Schafer acted as best man. The guests (numbering about 60) sat down to & sumptuous wedding breakfast, when the usual toasts were gone through. The bride’s dress was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, of Gin Gin Station, and made by Miss E. Wilson, and the hat by Miss Wilson. The handsome wedding cake (three tier) was from Mr. R. Whittred’s establishment. Miss E. Drain made the bridesmaids’ dresses. ‘The happy couple left by the mail train the same night for Gympie, their future home. The presents were very numerous, testifying to the esteem in which the happy pair are held. Dancing, singing, and various other amusements customary on such occasions were indulged in until the ” wee sma’ ‘ours o’ th’ morn.””

They had two children, Dorothy May Christie born in 1908 and Robert Archibald Christie born in 1911.

The 1908 electoral roll still shows him at the same address and with the same occupation, so he may not have notified them of his change of address. Robert was appointed to the Queensland Instructional Staff as a Staff Sergeant-Major in January 1911. By the 1912 electoral roll, they were both living at Fort Lane in Maryborough, with Robert’s occupation a drill instructor and Dorothy was doing home duties. The same details were for the 1913 roll. Another record shows they registered in 1911 for the Maryborough roll, with the claim received date of 14^th September of that year.

On 23rd November 1914, he was given a letter and small gift from his friends in E, F, G and H Companies. He was also presented with a letter from the Grammar School at Maryborough thanking him for his assistance with sport days and thinking of his safety as he departed for war.

On 24^th November 1914, Robert attested with the 5^th Light Horse Regiment, a part of the 2^nd Light Horse Brigade AIF, with the number 662. The 5^th Light Horse was raised in Brisbane in September 1914 from entirely Queensland enlistees. Interestingly, his wife wrote a note out for him, saying “To whom it may concern I hereby consent for my husband Robert Christie to proceed on active service with the 2^nd Expeditionary Force” and signed it 23^rd November 1914, Dorothy Christie (Wife). He was appointed as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant on that day. His pay book number was 51224. The form shows he was born in Maryborough, a Natural Born British subject of 31 3/12 years old, a soldier who had not been an apprentice, and who was married to Dorothy Christie (his wife and next of kin) c/o Mrs A Christie, Targo Street Bundaberg. This was the address for correspondence throughout the war. His previous military service was 6 8/12 years Wide Bay Infantry Regiment and 4 3/12 years Instructional Staff Citizens Military Force and he was now serving. He signed up at Enoggera. His physical description was age 31 years 3 months, height 5 foot 11½ inches, weight 164 pounds, chest measurement 35 to 37 inches, and he had a sallow complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. Presbyterian was his religious denomination. He had 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. Robert was appointed to Headquarters (RQMS) by Lieutenant-Colonel H Harris of the 5^th Light Horse on 8^th December 1914 at Enoggera. The 5^th Light Horse departed on HMAT Persic A34 with Robert as RQMS on 21^st December 1914. The embarkation roll shows his address was Targo Street, Bundaberg. He was a 31 year old solider, on Instructional Staff CM Forces. His rate of pay was 12 shillings a day. They arrived in Egypt on 1^st February 1915. He proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 16^th May 1915, as RQMS with the 5^th Light Horse.

He wrote a letter on 15^th February 1915 while in camp at Maadi Egypt. In it he discussed the trip from Liverpool in NSW to Sydney to board the ship Persic. After the horses and the men were loaded, the ship cast off, staying in the bay for the night before steaming through the heads into a storm, which made quite a few of the men sick, but not Robert. They left Albany with 15 other troopships and did not see land for over 3 weeks. Reaching Aden on 20^th January, they stayed there for 4 days, taking on supplies, but no one was allowed to leave the ships. He talked about natives peddling items from their boats to them. He talked about nearly everyone getting influenza (which he had) or measles. After leaving Aden, they travelled up the Suez Canal and headed for Alexandria, arriving there on 1^st February. He was last off the ship as he had to see that everything was cleared up, and he was sorry to leave her “for we had such a splendid trip and were very comfortable.” He then discussed how Egypt still looked as it was described in the Bible.

Robert’s details were still in the 1915 electoral roll, but Dorothy was not recorded there, and also for the 1917 and 1919 rolls. Dorothy was found in the roll for Bundaberg, at Maryborough Road, doing home duties. She had been registered there on 4^th June 1915. By the 1919 roll, she had shifted to George Street.

He landed with the 5^th Light Horse Regiment, fighting dismounted as infantry, on 20^th May 1915. He sprained his ankle and was admitted to the No 1 Stationary Hospital on Mudros on 25^th June 1915, transferring back to his unit at Anzac on 8^th July 1915. He had been appointed Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 5^th July. Another record has July crossed out and August entered. The 5^th Light Horse had mainly a defensive roll while there, but also was involved in several minor attacks.

Robert was given a citation as a Temporary Quartermaster in the British Forces from 5th July 1915.

An improvised fishing boat Anzac 1915 designed and built by Major Croll and Lt Christie.

He was appointed Honorary Lieutenant on 5^th August 1915, vice Honorary Lieutenant T J Brundrit, who had been promoted and was later killed in action on 8^th November 1915 on Gallipoli. He has a photo of his grave in his photo collection.

On 20^th December 1915, the 5^th Light Horse left the Gallipoli peninsula. At Alexandria, from HT Beltana, on 25^th December 1915, Robert disembarked. They marched out from Maadi to Serapeum on 23^rd February 1916. They joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish attack from the Sinai Desert.

Robert on his horse “Bob”

Robert was transferred to the 51^st Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, to be Quartermaster, on 24^th March 1916. Another entry says he was to be 2^nd Lieutenant with the 51st Battalion on 26^th March 1916. Half of the men in the 51^st Battalion came from the 11^th Battalion, mainly composed of men from Western Australia. The rest were fresh reinforcements.

On 5^th June 1916, at Alexandria, they proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, disembarking from the Ivernia at Marseilles on the 12^th. Shortly after arriving, the Battalion was thrown into the fighting at Mouquet Farm in August and September, in the three weeks they were there, they lost 650 men. For the rest of the year, the Battalion was alternating between front line duty, labouring and training behind the front line.

On 26^th March 1916, he was appointed as 2^nd Lieutenant. His citation for the rank of Temporary 2^nd Lieutenant was issued on 26^th March 1916. He was to be Lieutenant and Temporary Captain on 27^th March 1916 and was appointed as Captain on the same day. On 9^th September 1916, he was to be a Temporary Major. Another entry says that he was appointed Major on the same day. Robert relinquished his rank of Temporary Major on 2^nd November 1916, when he was evacuated to Abbeville, as being sick with influenza. He had been sent through the 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station to 2^nd Stationary Hospital in Abbeville. Robert was discharged from there to his unit on 14^th November 1916, re-joining his unit on the 17^th. On 9^th December 1916, he was promoted to Major.

In 1917, as the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg line, the Battalion was involved in the advance, including attacking Noreuil, which had been fortified to halt the advance. Later in the year they moved to Belgium and were involved in the battles at Messines and Polygon Wood. In the winter of 1917, it was the usual trench routine for the Battalion.

He reported to the Commandant of the Senior Officer’s School at Aldershot on 8^th July 1917, leaving from Boulogne on the 6^th on duty. He re-joined the 51^st Battalion from that school if the Field in France on 19^th September 1917, and was commanding the Battalion at the battle of Polygon Wood from 26^th September 1917. On 22^nd October 1917, he was to be Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary) whilst commanding the 51^st Battalion. Another entry says he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 23^rd October 1917.

On 15^th September 1917, a confidential report on Major Robert Christie 51^st Battalion outlined his character capabilities and qualifications as “A determined and cheerful Officer with plenty of energy. Most conscientious. His powers of imparting knowledge are good He has a fair military knowledge. He knows his drill and handles troops well in the Field. He has taken great interest in his work throughout the course and has made good progress.” A report by Commandant Brigadier General R J Kentish added “I agree. A very hardworking Officer who has done very well indeed here.”

On 4^th October 1917, he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order by Brigadier-General T W Glasgow saying “This Officer commanded the 51^st Battalion in the recent operations near ZONNEBEKE on 26^th September 1917. The forming up of the Battalion for the attack in difficult circumstances was skilfully carried out. After the position was taken, Major CHRISTIE at great personal risk supervised the work of consolidation and did not leave the front line until the position was made secure. The establishment and maintenance of Battalion Headquarters well forward was fine work and reflects great credit on this gallant officer.” The recommendation was sent on to and passed by Brigade on 4^th October 1917 and to Division on the 5^th and passed on the 7^th. The typed entry was crossed out and a handwritten entry was written underneath, but is hard to read. It probably reads “This officer commanded the 51^st Bn during the attack near Zonnebeke on 26^th September 1917. Owing to the excellent arrangements made the approach and deployment for the attack were carried out without casualty. Major Christie went forward with his Bn during the attack and made his headquarters close to the final objective. He personally supervised the consolidation of the captured position, and brought back most clear and valuable information. The initial handling of the 51^st Bn throughout the operation reflected great credit on this officer & their gallantry were the result of his initiative.”

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 9^th November 1917 while in the Field. The award of the Distinguished Service Order was published in the London Gazette on 17^th December 1917 on page 13180 at position 1. On 23^rd May 1918, Dorothy was sent a letter from Base Records, letting her know Robert had been awarded the DSO. His wife was sent a letter detailing the award from Base Records on 4^th October 1918. The wording was slightly different to the recommendation above and read “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. Owing to his excellent arrangements the approach march and deployment were carried out without casualties. He went forward with the battalion in the attack and established his headquarters close to the final objective. His tactical handling of the battalion reflected great credit on him.”

General Birdwood sent him a letter of congratulations on the award of his DSO on 9^th November 1917. He said “I am so very glad to see that you have been awarded the D.S.O. upon which I congratulate you most heartedly, and which you have so thoroughly well deserved for your real good work during the operations near Zonnebeke on 26^th September. Your excellent arrangements resulted in the assembly of your battalion for the attack being made without casualties, while I well know how exceedingly well you handled your men throughout the operation, never sparing yourself for a moment, and setting a fine example of courage and coolness to all ranks. Thank you so much for all your good work for us, and with good wishes for further success in whatever may be before you.” He received a citation for a Temporary Warrant as a Warrant Officer II in the British Forces from 29^th January 1915, which was signed on 5^th April 1917. He was also issued with a citation for being a Warrant Officer II in the Australian Permanent Military Forces on 14^th November 1917.

Robert was also awarded a Congratulatory Card “The Army Corps commander wishes to express his appreciation of the gallant services rendered by the undermentioned Officer [Major R. CHRISTIE] during the recent operations.” A letter was sent to his wife on 24^th January 1918, from Base Records, letting her know of his award which was issued on orders written by Lieutenant General Sir R W Birdwood.

He went on leave from France to England on 20^th January 1918 and returned on 6^th February 1918.

On 26^th March 1918, base Records sent Dorothy a Warrant issued by the British War Office covering the appointment of Robert as a temporary Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Regular Forces of the British Army for him to keep when he returned from active service. She signed the form on 2^nd April 1918 and sent it back to Base Records, arriving on the 15^th.On the 8^th May, she was also sent a form of Commission for Robert as a temporary Quartermaster in the Regular Forces of the British Army. She signed the receipt on the 14^th May and base Records received it on the 18^th. They also made a clerical error, stating Robert was her son, not husband, which Base Records rectified on 24^th May with an apology after receiving a letter from an Officer acting on her behalf, outlining the issue.

During the major German offensive in 1918, the Battalion was in action to repulse a large German attack on 5^th April and also launched a critical counter-attack later that day. On 25^th April 1918, they launched the very successful attack on Villers-Bretonneux.

A recommendation for Major (Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Robert Christie DSO 51^st Battalion AIF for a Bar to his DSO reads “On 24^th April, 1918, near VILLIERS BRETTONEUX, this officer commanded his battalion in a difficult night operation with great gallantry and conspicuous (another record has outstanding) ability. Following and enemy advance, in which the village (another record has VILLIERS-BRETONNEUX) was lost, the (51^st) Battalion had already marched six miles and was called upon to take part in a counter attack the same night to recover the village (town). The ground was strange to everyone and there was no time for reconnaissance, but through splendid organisation and gallant leadership an approach march and deployment was carried out without a hitch and the attack was a brilliant success. He (Col. CHRISTIE) moved about amongst the troops encouraging them and finally established his H.Q. well forward in an open trench, which was heavily shelled, but from whence he could see and control his Battalion to the best advantage. The re-capture of VILLIERS BRETTONEUX, a most important tactical success, was due in a very large measure to the admirable way in which the assaulting Battalions were handled.” He was Mentioned in Despatches, which was published in the London Gazette on 28^th May 1918 on page 6201 at position 133. Dorothy was sent a letter from Base Records on 31^st October 1918, advising her that Robert had been mentioned in Sir D Haig’s despatch of 7^th April 1918 as deserving of special mention. At Villiers-Bretonneux, the Battalion lost 389 men killed in two days of fighting. They were then involved in the major offensive between August and September 1918, before being pulled out of the line due to losses and lack of manpower.

He was awarded a Bar to Distinguished Service Order which was published in the London Gazette of 16^th September 1918 on page 10861 at position 1. His wife was sent a letter from Base Records on 17^th February 1919, detailing the above recommendation for his Bar to the DSO, but without naming any of the towns. On 24^th September 1918, he went on leave from the Field to England, re-joining on 10^th October 1918. He received letters from General Birdwood, Glasgow and Rawlinson, complimenting him on his award of the Bar to the DSO.

The Townsville Daily Bulletin of Wednesday 18^th September 1918 had and entry under Australian Honours: – “The following bars to Australian D.S.O. winners nave been gazetted:— Colonel Robert Christie, who captured a village by a difficult night operation, and established headquarters in an open trench under heavy shell fire, whence he was able to control his battalion to the best advantage.” Numerous other papers carried the same article.

On 6^th October 1918, a recommendation was written for Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Christie of the 51^st Battalion AIF stating “As Officer Commanding 51^st. Battalion, on 12/13^th. August near ETINEHEM, by careful preparation and skilful handling, his Bn. Captured the Etinehem spur, which was strongly held by the enemy, and captured 170 prisoners and 5 horses. By consolidating and holding the position the flank Battalions were enabled to move forward to better commanding positions and drive the enemy back on to the outskirts of BRAY. Between 10^th. and 17^th. September near SOYECOURT by careful reconnaissance and preparation, his Battalion advanced their line about 5,000 yards both during daylight and dark, and captured 50 prisoners and about 18 machine guns. The enemy machine gun fire and sniping during the advance was very heavy.” The recommendation was for the Belgium Croix de Guerre.

Robert has a copy of the speech made by the Bishop of Amiens on 4th November 1918, which was in memory of the many Australians killed on the battlefield.

He was again Mentioned in Despatches, which was published in the London Gazette on 31^st December 1918 on page 15228 at position 62. His wife was sent a letter from base Records on 30^th June 1919, advising her of Robert being mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 8^th November 1918 deserving of special mention.

On 22^nd January 1919, he joined 13^th Infantry Brigade Headquarters as 51^st C.O. He re-joined from being detached on 7^th February 1919. He was temporarily attached to 13^th Brigade Headquarters again on 1^st March 1919. After being marched out on the 7^th, he re-joined the 51^st Battalion from detachment on 8^th March 1919. Robert went on leave to Paris on 13^th March, returning on 28^th March. On 20^th May 1919, he was marched out from Havre to England, to Return to Australia. He marched into Hurdcott on the 21^st. After being on duty with War Records to 31^st May 1919, he was granted leave to 15^th June 1919 and then was to report to 4 Group on that day. He returned to Australia on City of Exeter from England on 12^th July 1919 on duty as Officer Commanding the troops. General Birdwood wrote Robert a letter regarding the 1914-15 Star on 28^th December 1918, saying he would have liked to present him with the ribbon for it personally but was not able, so sent him a piece of the ribbon in the letter. It was presented to him while he was on the City of Exeter. He arrived in Sydney on 26^th August 1919 and went by train to Brisbane. It was quoted “His personal courage and coolness in action, his warm nature and his concern for his men made him a popular and respected leader.” He was met at Brisbane by his wife and children.

A telegram was sent to Base Records on 5^th August 1919, asking “Please inform me name of boat on which colonel christie is returning and if calling when due fremantle”. It was signed Halvorsen, Midland Junction WA. The reply stated that Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Christie was returning on City-of-Exeter which was due in Fremantle on 15^th August.

The Bundaberg Daily News August 1919 had a quote from the Mayor, who said “Men of Colonel Christie’s capacity were rare, and when they found one they should make the best use of him for the service of the country.”

The Bundaberg Mail of Tuesday 2^nd September 1919 on page 4 had the following article: –

“A WORTHY SOLDIER COLONEL R (BOB) CHRISTIE, D.S.O. RETURNS TO BUNDABERG.

Colonel Robert Christie, D.S.O. (and Bar) Croix de Guerre, returned to Bundaberg last evening, accompanied by his worthy parents, wife, and children, who went to Brisbane to meet him. On his arrival Colonel Christie, was met and welcomed by some of his former D. Coy. comrades and friends as well as by Messrs. G. W. Evans, E. T. Amos, and G. Summers, on behalf of the Citizens’ Reception Committee, and Mrs. W. G. Marsh (President Red Cross Society) who presented Mrs. “Christie”‘ with a beautiful bouquet tied with the colours of Colonel Christie’s battalion. As a Bundaberg boy Colonel Christie was highly popular in Bundaberg, and today his “pals” will congratulate him on coming through the arduous campaign unscathed, winning his promotions and decorations upon the field of battle. It was in the year 1903 that Colonel Christie who was then better known, as plain “Bob” commenced his military career, when he joined D Coy. as a private, and soon gained the rank of sergeant. He was subsequently joined to the Instructional staff, and after a six months course of training at Albury, was stationed at Maryborough as Staff Sergeant-Major from 1911 until 1914, when the great war broke out, and he immediately enlisted, feeling it his duty to go forth and assist the Empire. He bade his affectionate wife and young children farewell, and sailed from Australia with the 5th Light Horse, in December 1914. He then held the rank as Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant, and landed on Gallipoli at the very outset.

In July, 1915, he was given his commission as lieutenant on Gallipoli, and served through the campaign until the evacuation in December, 1915. On leaving Gallipoli lie was stationed at Egypt until March, 1916, when he was transferred to the 51^st Battalion, and went to France in command of a company, landing there in June, 1916. He went through the Pozieres and Moquet Farm fighting, where many Australians, and alas, Bundaberg boys, fell, and thereafter with only a break of two months, in 1917 to permit of his attending a senior officers school of instruction in England, he took part in all the fighting. On returning to France from the school of instruction he was placed second in command of a battalion, which he led into the Polygon Wood battle, where he won the D.S.O. In October of that year (1917), he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and placed in command of the battalion, and served with it continuously. He commanded the counter attack on Villiers-Bretonneaux, and recaptured the objective, for which he received a bar to the D.S.O., and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, a Belgian decoration. We join with his many friends in congratulating the young colonel on being safely restored to his wife and children after a successful military career amidst the horrors of war, extending over a period of five years. It is also worthy of mention that a young brother, Gunner A. W. Christie, recently returned from the front, while another brother, Lieut. A. Christie, is expected to arrive in Brisbane- to-day. At Gympie yesterday, Colonel Christie was met by Major-General Sir T. W. Glasgow and welcomed, while at Maryborough he was met and welcomed by a large number of citizens and friends. On arrival home Colonel Christie was welcomed by his parents and other relatives, numbering upwards of 20.

Thus the Maryborough “Chronicle”: — Col. Christie’s career with the colours is a splendid record of successful achievements. Prior to the outbreak of war he was attached to the permanent instructional staff as staff Sergeant-Major at Maryborough, and with the trainees was remarkably popular a popularity which he enjoyed to the full “over on the other side” with the Australians, who affectionately knew him as Col. “Rob” Christie. He combined all the elements of successful leadership. He knew his men personally never asked them to do what he would not do himself, was always tactful, had more than the average share of resourcefulness and initiative, and what was more to the view, never shirked the toughest work, be the danger what it might. It was sheer merit and soldierly qualities which advanced him step by step up the ladder of promotion, and unflinching devotion to duty and pluck which brought him his treble decorations. Enlisting early in the war, in 1914 he left Australia as Quartermaster-Sergeant attached to the 5th Light Horse, and served throughout the Gallipoli campaign, where the Light-Horsemen suffered heavily. The survivors were eventually transferred to the 52^nd Battalion of Infantry, to which Lieut. Christie, who had in the meantime gained his commission was also transferred. With the exception of about three months in 1917, after the great spring offensive of that year, when he was stationed at the senior officers’ school at Aldershot (England), he took part in all the great campaigns in France where he soon won his captaincy, then his majority and the D.S.O. the latter distinction being the direct result of his conspicuous service in the severe fighting near the Hindenburg line, in 1917 In the same year he was further promoted to a Colonelcy. In the closing stages of the war when the great Australian victory at Villiers-Bretonneux on August 8th 1918 definitely set in the “turn of the tide” (to quote the great French General, Marshal Foch), Col. Christie received a bar to his D.S.O., and was subsequently awarded the French Croix de Guerre.” The newspaper got the battalion wrong.

The award of the Belgian Croix de Guerre was published in the London Gazette on 5^th April 1919 on page 4525 at position 11. Dorothy again received a letter from Base Records on 13^th August 1919, advising her of the award for his conspicuous services rendered.

On 28^th August 1919, doctors of the Medical Board at the 6^th Australian General Hospital examined Robert and found he had no disability and was to be demobilised as fit. Robert signed the form. He was discharged from the AIF on 27^th October 1919 with his appointment being terminated.

In the Maryborough Chronicle in August 1919, he was commented as being “one of the best”. The Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce wrote him a letter on 17^th September 1919 congratulating him on his success and appreciating what he had done, and also wished him prosperity and success in the future. The Bundaberg Daily News of 23^rd September 1919 had an article, discussing that Robert was in command of the troops on the City of Exeter. Part of the article reads “Lieutenant-Colonel Christie had so won his way to the hearts of all troops aboard it was fitting that some souvenir be presented to him, which would convey the feeling of respect and gratitude in return for his efficient management, kind disposition, and interest in the general comfort and welfare of the men displayed.” General Martin said “You could not have had one more capable, sympathetic, or more imbued with that kindred feeling for his fellow men”. In his reply, Robert thanked them and paid a generous tribute to their fighting qualities. “He hoped they would all use the experience gained in the old world for the betterment of Australia a nation to be respected and admired by the whole world.” He concluded with “Strike up for yourself and make a good life worth living in the best country in the world.”

When he was welcomed back in Bundaberg by the Mayor, the Mayor read out the full transcript of the above article from the newspaper.

Robert received a letter of termination of his appointment in the AIF on 27^th October 1919, and it was addressed to Robert Christie DSO 51^st Battalion AIF at Tiger Street Bundaberg.

He was presented a citation by the Maryborough City Council on 28^th November 1919.

 

After being discharged, Robert joined the 16^th Battalion of the Citizen Military Forces.

At a D Company Wide Bay Regiment reunion in Bundaberg, Robert talked about the “Old Contemptibles” and how their effort stopped the initial German attacks and enabled France to mobilise troops. He also discussed the AIF universal training scheme that was in place before the war, and certainly helped the troops when they went to war.

He was then sent to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia for two years. As his time at Kalgoorlie came to an end, he was given a civic fair well due to his popularity. He played a prominent part in the Citizens Rifle Club and inspired youth with the practice of training. He talked about the importance of the RSL in Kalgoorlie. To the other diggers, he was known as “old Bob”.

The Bundaberg Mail of 21^st January 1920 had an entry about the Returned Services League where “Appreciation was expressed at Colonel Robert Christie, D.S.O., being elected president of the Maryborough Branch League.” At the AMF School of Musketry at Randwick, Robert passed a 12-day Lewis Gun course on 15^th March 1920. Robert was willing to accept a permanent appointment as Quartermaster and Adjutant of an Infantry battalion (or similar unit) and in addition to be an Area Officer of 1 Training Area, as indicated in a letter to him, which he replied to. His pay was to be £300 per annum and came with the rank of Honorary Major. He accepted in in Maryborough on 18th March 1920. He received an invitation to the Royal Hotel in Maryborough for dinner with General Sir W R Birdwood at 6pm Saturday 15th May 1920. Robert signed for a Mention in Despatches certificate on 2^nd March and another one on 5^th May 1920. On 5^th October 1920, Robert signed for “two oak leaves (one large and one small) – – Mention in Despatches emblem”. A letter dated 15th December 1921, shows him to be at the Central Training Depot in Liverpool, and says that Quartermaster and Major R Christie “has throughout carried out his duties in an exemplary way and has in a somewhat difficult position.” In late 1921, the Governor complimented the troops, after inspecting them and taking the salute as they marched past. They were led by Major R Christie DSO. Base Records sent Robert a note and the “Diploma in connection with the Belgium Croix de Guerre awarded to you whilst serving with the Australian Imperial Force”. He acknowledged receiving it by signing and sending back the receipt on 12^th November 1922, which Base Records received on the 18^th. He had a Commonwealth of Australia certificate showing him being Quartermaster and Honorary Major on 14^th June 1922.

Robert then changed professions. The RAAF had been formed in March 1921 and in January 1924, Robert joined as a Flight Lieutenant in the Stores and Equipment Branch.

Base Records, on 10^th May 1921 listed the particulars of Lieutenant-Colonel R Christie DSO and Bar, 51^st Battalion that were supplied to the Inspector-General’s Branch.

5.7.15	Appointed QM & Hon. Lieut. 5th L.H.R.
26.3.16	Promoted 2/Lieut. 51st Battn.
27.3.16	Appointed T/Capt. 51st Battn.
27.3.16	Promoted Captain 51st Battn.
9.9.16	Promoted T/Major 51st Battn.
2.11.16	Relinquished Temp.rank of Major on evacuating sick (51st Battn.)
9.9.16	Promoted Major, 51st Battn.
23.10.17	Promoted T/Lt/Col. And to temporarily command 51st Battn.
23.10.17	Promoted Lt.Col. 51st Battn.
27.10.19	Appointment terminated in A.I.F.

Another form stated the above and also that he had been awarded the DSO and Bar, Croix de Guerre and was Mentioned in Despatches twice.

He was on the Flight Lieutenant and Quartermasters list on 28^th January 1924.

By the 1925 electoral roll, they were living at 38 Victoria Street, Coburg; Robert was listed as an Air Force officer and Dorothy was doing home duties. In the 1926 roll, they had moved to No 1 Aircraft Depot at Laverton with Robert listed as officer RAAF. It was the same for the 1928, 1931 and 1934 records. He used his Quartermaster experience to help set up the No 1 Aircraft Depot, which was originally at Point Cook and then moved to Laverton in March 1926.

Robert’s parents were living at George Street Bundaberg and Archibald was a farmer from the 1928 electoral roll on. Emma still lived there after his death. Archibald passed away on 22^nd April 1933, and is buried in the Bundaberg cemetery in grave P1343 with his wife Emma, who passed away on 11^th September 1948.

A certificate from The Freemason Homes of Victoria to “Wor. Bro. Flight Lieut. Robert Christie D.S.O. I.P.M. of Adastral Lodge No 397 showed he was enrolled as Life Governor of that Institution in the year 1928.

In 1935, Robert was appointed Wing Commander and was the Commanding Officer of No 2 Aircraft Depot at Richmond in New South Wales. The 1937 Coronation Medal was forwarded to him on 12^th May 1937. He was invited to the 150th Anniversary of Australia at the town hall in Sydney on 31^st January 1938.

When WW2 started, he was promoted to Group Captain and was placed in charge of the Waterloo Stores Depot in July 1940. He was then posted to Melbourne Headquarters from September 1942 until April 1944, where he was Senior Equipment Staff Officer. In July 1944, he was promoted to Air Commodore. A posting to No 5 Maintenance Group Headquarters in Sydney as Commanding Officer took him to the end of the war. He was discharged on 25^th July 1945. The WW2 Nominal Roll quotes his rank as Group Captain.

W H Jarvis of 2 Chapel St Richmond NSW sent a letter to Base Records on 9^th April 1941, stating “It is my intention to give Group-Capt. R. Christie D.S.O. R.A.A.F. No 2 Stores Depot, Sydney (formerly Commanding Officer of the 51^st Battalion A.I.F.) a write up in “Reveille” and write to ask if you could assist me by letting me have a brief summary Group Captn Christie’s A.I.F. War Record. Particularly the circumstances in which he was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar, and if possible the date of his transfer from the 5^th A.L.H. to the 51^st Battalion.” Their reply on 17^th April 1941 was not what he had hoped “In reply to your letter of 9^th. April, 1941, relative to the military records of Group Captain R. Christie, R.A.A.F., formerly Lt/Col. R. Christie. 51^st. Battalion, I have to advise that records of ex-members of the A.I.F., are treated as strictly confidential, and it is regretted that the information cannot be supplied.”

During WW2, Robert visited Maryborough with Dorothy while he was with No 2 Aircraft Depot. The visit was recorded in the Maryborough Chronicle, which said after returning to Australia he was posted as Adjutant of the 47th Battalion from the end of 1919 for two years before being sent to the 16th Battalion at Kalgoorlie in Western Australia for two years. After that he went to the RAAF.

In the 1943 electoral roll, they were both living at No 4, 292 The Avenue in the subdivision of Parkville in Melbourne and Robert was listed as RAAF. Dorothy (his wife) passed away on 23^rd January 1944 in Parkville Victoria. Her will and probate was granted on 14^th March 1944 in Victoria. The Windsor and Richmond Gazette in New South Wales had an entry in the Personal Column “THE sad news has been received in this district of the death of Mrs. Dorothy Christie, wife of Group-Captain Robert Christie, formerly of Windsor and Richmond. Deceased had been ill for some twelve months with a heart affection, and passed away at her home, “Brentwood Court,” Parkville, Victoria, on January 23. During her residence in this district for more than ten years, the late Mrs. Christie earned the regard of a great many friends, whose condolences are extended to the bereaved husband and family of one son, Bob (A.I.F.), and one daughter, Dorothy (A.A.N.S.).” The Argus in Melbourne had her death notice “CHRISTIE. –On January 23, at her residence, Brentwood Court, 292 The Avenue, Parkville, Dorothy, loving wife of Group Captain Robert Christie, loved mother of Dorothy (A.A.N.S.) and Bob (A.I.F.), fond mother-in-law of Valerie, and grandmother of Helen and Robert. –At rest.”

Robert had retired (sometime in 1945) and by the 1949 electoral roll they were living at 45B Walker Street in Bundaberg. Dorothy (his daughter) was listed as a nurse. It was the same for the 1954 roll. He was the foundation president of the Wide Bay-Burnett branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia. In 1950, he led the 51^st Battalion Anzac Day march in Perth, although he was not well himself.

In 1953, Robert was made a life member of the RSL, being presented a gold badge and certificate by State President Sir Raymond Huish. In a newspaper article, it was stated “Mr. Christie had done much for the men, not only in battle, but in peace, and no one was more deserving of the badge.” “On his return from the two wars he threw himself wholeheartedly into league activities. He held official positions in both Bundaberg sub-branch and the Wide Bay and Burnett District Branch. No one has fought harder for the returned men.” The article also mentioned he was not in good health. Another article on the award talked about him transferring to the RAAF in January 1924 and was commanding officer at Point Cook and Laverton (there for 9 years). He also had service in Richmond and RAAF New Central Headquarters in Sydney, before retiring. He was also the first president of the Air Force Association in 1946.

On 6^th February 1957, Robert passed away in Bundaberg, from injuries received in a fall. His burial date was recorded as the same date, in Brisbane with the funeral directors Cannon and Cripps, as recorded in the Queensland Funeral Records under register reference number 689. Robert was given a full military funeral and was cremated at Mt Thompson Crematorium. He is listed in the New South Wales Index to Deceased Estate files, with an address of Queensland and his occupation was Retired Air Officer. Union Trustee was listed on the card, dated on 11^th April 1957.

The Canberra Times of Friday 8^th February 1957 had the following article on him: –

“Original R.A.A.F. Member Dies MELBOURNE, Thursday.

Air Commodore Robert Christie, D.S.O. and Bar who died at Bundaberg yesterday, aged 74, was one of the foundation members of the R.A.A.F. He will be buried with full military honours at Brisbane to-morrow. An R.A.A.F. spokesman said to-day that Air Commodore Christie was in continuous service with the army from 1910 to 1921, when he joined the A.F.C. During the first World War he won the D.S.O. twice, the Belgian Croix de Guerre, and was twice mentioned in despatches. While in the army he trained Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, who also transferred to the A.F.C. and later became chief of the Air Staff. Air Commodore Christie retired from the R.A.A.F. in 1945.” He was known as Bob.

 

He has two plaques in Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens.

 

 

On 24^th June 1967, the request for the Gallipoli Medallion for Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Christie 51^st Battalion (late 5^th Light Horse) was actioned with a next of kin letter and form forwarded to Sister O M Christie (his daughter) at 45B Walker Street Bundaberg.

He also had a cousin, 1699 Sergeant George William Helmes of the 47th Battalion, who was killed in action at Wytschaete, Belgium, on 18^th August 1917.

With his siblings-

Alexander was born on 6^th June 1885 in Maryborough. He married Ann Collier McKay on 6^th June 1910 in Queensland. In WW1, he served as 2^nd Lieutenant with the 21^st Reinforcements of the 26^th Battalion, joining on 11^th February 1918. Ann was living in Cribb Street Brisbane. He was a permanent soldier who had served 5½ years with Wide Bay Infantry and 5¾ years with Instructional Staff AMF, where he was still serving when he joined. His religion was Presbyterian. They embarked on RMS Ormonde at Sydney on 2^nd March 1918. He arrived in England, spending a few months there before proceeding to France in September 1918. On 3^rd October 1918, he was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to the hand (slight). He was sent to the 3^rd London General Hospital, staying there until November, when he was on convalescence from 7^th to 21^st November. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 23^rd December 1918. In December, he resumed regimental duties, returning to France. He returned to Australia on the Persic in May 1919. His appointment was terminated on 26^th September 1919. Alexander was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. In WW2, he enlisted in Melbourne as VX101927. Alexander was discharged on 6^th September 1947 as a Lieutenant-Colonel with Army Headquarters. He passed away on 7^th January 1971 in Heidelberg in Victoria. Ann passed away in 1974.

Caroline Betsy was born on 7^th November 1886. She married Alfred Henry Everist on 17^th December 1913 in Queensland. In the 1919 electoral roll, they were living near Childers at Cordalba and Alfred was a carpenter. The 1925 roll had the same entries. Alfred died on 27^th September 1941 and is buried in Cordalba Cemetery. Caroline died on 24^th February 1971 in Bundaberg and is also buried in the Cordalba Cemetery. Their son, William Archibald born 15^th October 1914, joined at Childers on 7^th April 1941 as Q71947 and was discharged on 24^th February 1942 as a Private in L of C Units AASC. He then joined the RAAF on 29^th December 1942 at Childers as 123176, being discharged on 2^nd December 1946 as Leading Aircraftman with 14 Airfield Construction Squadron. His Army files are not examined yet, but his RAAF file is open and online. He served overseas and was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 War Medal and the Australian Service Medal 1939-45. He also had a returned from active service badge. He married Patricia Hoare in 1943 in New South Wales. His civilian occupation was engine driver. He died in 2005 in Brisbane.

Emma was born on 4^th January 1888. In 1908, she was living with the family at Maryborough Road and doing home duties. She married William McKay in 1909. In the 1913 electoral roll, they were living at Goodwin Street Bundaberg and William was a tailor. William served in WW1 as 426 Private in 5/11 Machine Gun Company, joining on 20^th July 1916 in Bundaberg. He made it to England, got sick (dangerously ill), and was returned to Australia on 27^th August 1917 with meningococcal arthritis knee. He was entitled to the British War Medal. By 1919, they had moved to Pitt Street and he was back to his old occupation. They had two children and he was granted a war pension also. William died in 1963 and Emma passed away in 1972 and they are buried in Bundaberg Cemetery.

Mary was born on 31^st December 1890. She married John William Fisher in Queensland in 1924. She died in Lismore on 27^th November 1946 and is buried in Clunes Cemetery with John who died in 1971.

Jane was born on 7^th February 1893. In 1919, she was living with her sister Mary at Targo Street in Bundaberg, both doing home duties. She married Charles William Pushack (born 1899) in 1924 in Queensland. In the 1924 electoral roll, he was living in Cordalba as a locomotive engine driver, and by the 1925 roll, they were living in Bundaberg at Crofton Street and he was a fireman. Jane died in 1968 and is buried in the Bundaberg cemetery with Charles, who died in 1971.

Elizabeth Florence was born on 25^th December 1895. She married William Scott on 6^th June 1916 in Queensland (there is a photo of their wedding). William (born 1891) served in WW1 as 30101 Gunner in the 3^rd FAB, joining on 3^rd May 1916. He was previously a railway shunter. Embarking at Sydney on Benalla in November 1916, they arrived in England in January 1917 and proceeded to France in June. He returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged in September 1919. He was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. They were still in Bundaberg in the 1925 electoral roll, in William street and he was a porter. By the 1936 roll, they had moved to Windsor Road Kelvin Grove in Brisbane, where he was a railway employee. They were still there in 1949, but by the 1954 roll, they had moved back to Bundaberg, at Windemere Street, and William had no occupation. William died on 25^th January 1954 and Elizabeth continued to live in Bundaberg at the same address until after the 1980 roll. She passed away in Brisbane on 1^st November 1991.

Archibald Wallace Christie was born on 23^rd March 1899. He enlisted as 410 Private in the 11^th Machine Gun Company on 20^th July 1916. They embarked on Ulysses at Melbourne on 23^rd October 1916, disembarking in England in December 1916. He was made Sergeant while the ship was at sea only. He was transferred to the 16^th Machine Gun Company after recovering from an illness and was sent to France in September 1917. Archibald was invalided to a hospital in France as sick (another form has acne) and was sent home in December 1918. He was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. He married Mary Elizabeth Dahl (born 1899) in 1922 in Queensland. They lived in Bundaberg at Burnett Street and he was a labourer. Between the wars, he served with the 47^th Battalion, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. In WW2, he served as Q119808, joining in Brisbane on 19^th November 1941 and being discharged on 14^th June 1943 and a Lieutenant in the 7^th Training Battalion AIF. He also served as QX21875, but lowered his age, stating he was born in 1902. Unfortunately, his WW2 records and medical records are not online. The WW2 Nominal Roll for QX21875 does not show much, just the discrepancy in his age and that he joined on 5^th August 1914 in Maryborough and was discharged on 13^th November 1941 as a Lance Corporal with the Australian Imperial Force. It also showed his next of kin as Mary. Mary passed away in 1962 and he died in 1975, both being buried in the Bundaberg cemetery.

Samuel Colin was born 6^th January 1901. Before the war he was a linotype operator. In WW2, he enlisted in Maryborough as QX3320 on 1^st June 1940. He was discharged on 31^st August 1945 as a Private with the 2/2 Tank Attack Regiment. His records are not online. After the war, he continued his occupation, but changed to a waterside worker in the 1950’s and was living at 66 George Street. He passed away in Bundaberg on 30^th August 1986 and is buried in the Bundaberg cemetery.

Helen Beatrice was born on 9^th February 1905 in Bundaberg, the youngest of the family. She married Michael James Peters (born 1904) in 1928 in Queensland. Unfortunately, she passed away on 18^th August 1932 in Brisbane, after giving birth to their daughter, Lorraine Margaret Peters on 24^th January 1932. Lorraine only lived until she was 9 years old, passing away at Oakey on 11^th February 1941. Michael died in 1951 in Brisbane.

 

With his children-

Dorothy May Christie was born on 11^th May 1908 in Bundaberg. In WW2, she served as NX146379, joining in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales (and living in Parkville Victoria) on 7^th January 1943. She was discharged on 2^nd November 1945 as a Lieutenant with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Her records have not yet been examined and are not online. In the 1949 electoral roll, she was living with her father at 45B Walker Street Bundaberg and she was a nurse. She was still there in the 1954 roll, the 1958 roll and the 1980 roll, with the same occupation. She passed away on 1^st January 1997 in Bundaberg.

Robert Archibald Christie was born on 21^st October 1911 in Maryborough. He enlisted on 29^th May 1933 as NP2743 Gunner in Royal Australian Artillery (1HA). He rose to the rank of WO11 and was with the Australian Instructional Corps. Passing the Vickers and mortar courses, a comment was written “A hard worker. Needs to be more assertive. Should do well as an Instructor.” The 1934 and 5 electoral rolls show Robert was living at George’s Heights Mosman and was a soldier. In 1936, he married Valerie Hewitt in Woollahra, New South Wales. He enlisted at Puckapunyal Victoria as NX126012 on 23^rd January 1942. His residence at that time was Mordialloc. Serving with the 2^nd Australian Army Tank Battalion, he had the rank of Temporary Lieutenant on 13^th November 1941 and then promoted to Temporary Captain on 24^th October 1942 and relinquishing that rank on 16^th October 1943. He was discharged on 17^th August 1944 as a Lieutenant in the AIC. His pre-WW2 records are online and give more details of his service. They also seem to include his WW2 service, although another file recording his WW2 service is not yet examined. In the 1949 electoral roll, they were living at Montgomery Road Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney and Robert was a machinist. By 1954, they had moved to the Northern Territory, at Banka Banka, where he was a station manager. They were still there in the 1958 roll. By the 1963 roll, they had moved to Bundaberg, at 45B Walker Street, where he was a farmer. Robert Archibald Christie died on 9^th May 1976 in Gladstone and was buried on 10^th May in Gladstone Lawn Cemetery.

 

His medals are Distinguished Service Order & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with oak leaf, 1937 Coronation medal, and Belgium Croix de Guerre.

The museum also has all of his original Certificates and Warrants, as well as many letters, photos and newspaper articles on him. His Brodie helmet is also on display.

 

Robert Christie (1883-1957), by George Bell

Australian War Memorial, ART00099

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 Norman Vincent Dyte MM

24^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

According to his World War 1 Service Records, Norman was born in June 1890 in Valparaiso, Chile. According to his Chilean Civil Registration, he was actually born on 19^th July 1893 in Puerto Valparaíso. He was a son to (Robert) David John Dyte and Mary Emily Teychenne (born 11^th November 1858), who had been married in Brisbane on 19^th February 1879. Apparently, the couple were turned away from the first church because Mary was under 21 years old, but she stated she was 21 at the Brisbane Registry Office, and they were married. His father’s first name is only mentioned in birth or baptism records in Chile and in some other family trees on Ancestry. David John Dyte was born in Richmond England in 1855, a son to John Dyte and Miriam Joseph. David had been indentured in the Merchant Navy as an Apprentice on 26th October 1870 at the age of 15 years, to Devitt & Co. London on the Queen of the Thames in London. His indenture was for 4 years. David was a sailor, with three records for him having passed a Certificate of Competency by the Board of Trade, as qualified to fill the duties of a Second Mate on 1^st April 1875, a First Mate on 15^th April 1880, and a Master on 30^th April 1885 in the Merchant Service. The certificates have the same year and place of birth for him as above, and show his address as 3 Horbury Cres Notting Hill in 1875, 105 Norfolk St Liverpool in 1880 and 27 Clarendon Rd, Notting Hill London in 1885. David John Dyte was First Officer (or First Mate) on the A1 Clipper Ship Clara in August 1878 when she docked in Greenock, Scotland. There had been several adverts placed in newspapers stating that she would be available to take passengers (emigrants) to Queensland Australia, sailing in September 1878. The ship had been refitted to accommodate over 250 passengers and would be equipped with a doctor and matron for the three-month voyage. The Teychenne family from Warwickshire were onboard, amongst them a young Mary Emily. She and David Dyte fell in love and were married in 1879 in Brisbane. David continued to sail on merchant vessels and plied his trade along the west coast of South America, where he and Mary relocated to sometime before 1889, settling in Valparaiso. Norman had a sister Ethel Gilbert, born on 9^th June 1889 in Valparaiso. The only other record for her is a baptism record in Chile, recording her birth on 9^th June 1889 at Antofagasta Comuna, Antofagasta, Chile and her name recorded for the baptism as “Ethel Gilbert Dyte I Teychenne”, with parents Roberto David Juan Dyte and Maria Emilia Teychenne. They seem to be the only children to the marriage. With his father, there are two records for a Robert Dyte being admitted into the Greenwich Workhouse in London in February and October 1913, and they give his age as 56 and 57 respectively, which is close to his stated birth. There is a death index for Robert Dyte, who died in late 1916 in Wellington Shropshire at age 59, but these may all be for another person of the same name. Another family tree does not confirm both of Norman’s parents’ deaths, just stating unknown and possibly South America, so access to more records is needed to confirm details of what happened to them and the true facts. Family anecdotes record that Mary was ill with a tumour and stayed and possibly died in Chile. Another family tree has her dying before 1910 in Chile. Norman was sent with her sister, Lilian Gertrude Teychenne, as a shipping record shows them boarding the Rakaia in England, bound for Wellington, New Zealand on 24^th May 1899. Lilian was listed as a foreign adult and Norman as a foreigner of 5 years old. They had previously travelled to England, with Lilian completing her nurses training between 1896 and 1899. While there, Norman went to a Miss Hatfields School with Charles Twynam and Percy Teychenne, who were sons of Percy Fone Teychenne (brother to Lilian). (Charles Twynam Teychenne served in WW1, reaching the rank of Captain in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was awarded a Military Cross). Lilian was listed as Norman’s governess on the trip to New Zealand. There is also a shipping record for Robert Dyte, a photographer, aged 33 and Ethel Dyte aged 3 coming from Valparaiso to Liverpool, England on 3^rd March 1895 on the Indiana, via the USA and Canada. But Ethel should have been 5 and Robert 39, so errors were made in the entries. According to family, Robert started a photography business in Valparaiso around 1889 and is in a list of Chilean photographers of that time.

In New Zealand, Norman was looked after by the Teychenne family there. While there, a photo was taken of him with Lilian in Wellington. Lilian may have travelled on to Australia in or before 1904, with Norman who she has been looking after for a few years, because her mother Mary Ann Teychenne died in Boisdale Victoria in 1904 and her father had died in the same place in 1901.

Lilian and Norman in New Zealand.

In May 1905, Norman (aged 9 years 11 months) attended Tambo Upper Primary School and his guardian was listed as William Francois Teychenne, his uncle. William had sailed to Queensland with the family in 1878 and was a farmer at Boisdale. Sometime later, Norman must have returned to New Zealand as he was serving on NZS Amokura, a naval training ship which was commissioned by the New Zealand government in 1906 for the purposes of training of boys aged between twelve and fourteen in seamanship. They were to be under training for about a year. The name Amokura means ‘red-tailed tropic bird.’ The ship was originally HMS Sparrow, and had served in Africa, but was sold to New Zealand as it had become redundant and had deteriorated. Picture of the ship below. The below picture of Norman must have been taken between 1906 and 1909 (as the photographer was bankrupt in 1909). Before WW1 started, Norman was an Engineer in Dunedin, New Zealand, and then he moved to Australia and was working as a farmer, on his uncle William’s farm, as stated in his service record.

Picture taken when Norman was with Bairnsdale Light Horse before the war. The uniform is the 1903 Commonwealth pattern for other ranks and the hat badge is for the 10^th ALH (Victorian Mounted Rifles).

Norman enlisted in Melbourne on 26^th March 1915, and gave his occupation as a farmer, at Tambo Upper. Another form says it was at Bairnsdale on 19^th March. He was given the service number 801 as a Sergeant in D Company, the 24^th Battalion. Norman was a natural born British subject and had not been an apprentice. His next of kin was listed in his service record as Mrs J J Burgoyle (a spelling error), and she was Lilian Gertrude neé Teychenne, his aunt (as noted on his service record). She had married a local farmer, James John Burgoyne on 20th October 1910 in Brighton. The Victoria electoral rolls have him as a farmer living at Lower Nicholson, Gippsland. In the 1914 roll, they had moved to Metung and she was a nurse. Another copy of that page of his service record has her surname as Burgoyne of Metung. His previous service included 3 years with the Light Horse Infantry and 2 years with Engineers at Dunedin. He was not married. Another copy of the same record states 12 months Dunedin engineers (no discharge) and 2 years with Bairnsdale Light Horse. His description was age 21 years and 9 months, height 5 foot 4½ inches, weight 10 stone 5 pounds, chest measurement 38 to 41½ inches and of medium complexion with grey eyes and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He had 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. The medical officer deemed him fit for service on 26^th March 1915 and he was appointed to D Company, 24^th Battalion by the Commanding Officer on 29^th April 1915 at Broadmeadows. Another form stated he was 5 foot 6½ inches tall, chest 36 to 38 inches, had dark brown hair, his religious denomination was Anglican and he had no distinctive marks. He was at the Depot from 26^th March to 29^th April 1915 and then he was posted to D Company 24^th Battalion. A promotion to Corporal occurred on 8^th May 1915 and to Sergeant on 24^th August 1915.

He embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides on 10^th May 1915 as a part of the 24th Battalion, D Company. Another entry has 8^th May. A record of his officer’s service has that he left Australia on Transport A37 Barambah on 9^th July 1915.

The Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle of Victoria on Saturday 14^th August 1915 on page 4 had the article: “BAIRNSDALE AND THE WAR, NUMBER OF ENLISTMENTS, 411. Bairnsdale and district has responded nobly to the call to arms, as will be seen from the list of volunteers given below, which gives the names of those who were passed and accepted locally, with the added names of those who belonged to the town or district but enlisted elsewhere. The total number of name is 411 – highly satisfactory record, and the best evidence that could be given of the patriotism of the young manhood of the town and district. Proudly they went, with hearts aglow, To bravely do or die, The startled sea-birds winging low Have heard their battle-cry.” The list included Norman Vincent Dyte.

His Place of Association, according to the AIF Project, was Metung where his aunt Lilian, (Mrs. J. J. Burgoyne) had lived at “Iona” and also on Flanagan Island.

Norman proceeded to join the MEF at Gallipoli on 30^th August 1915. The Battalion served on Gallipoli from September 1915 to the withdrawal in December 1915. The 24^th Battalion had been holding the Lone Pine section of Gallipoli since early September. Their Commanding Officer was Colonel Watson. Through to November, they were exposed to the monotony of trench warfare, but as winter approached sickness became more prevalent. Rain, cold winds, snow and lack of clean water all contributed to an increase in illness occurring in Battalions on Gallipoli. A couple of Turkish barrages with heavy guns did not help. On 17^th December, Colonel Watson called a meeting with his officers and with a voice shaking with emotion, told them Gallipoli was to be evacuated. Norman, as a Sergeant, was part of C3, consisting of 3 officers and 34 men. They were in the front line, keeping up the appearances that everything was normal, firing as they usually had done. They left the trenches at 3am as the last party from the front and arrived at Watson’s pier at 3.20am on 20^th December.

A newspaper in Bairnsdale, Every Week on Thursday 16^th September 1915 in page 7 had: “SERGEANT V. DYTE.

The following is a letter from Sergeant Vince Dyte to his aunt and uncle. The soldier was well known in these parts, being a keen supporter of sporting : – Egypt, 17/7/’15. Everything is running along very smoothly so far. I have been promoted to the rank of sergeant, and am along well. Captain Parkes, of A Company, 24th Battalion, challenged the n.c.o.’s of the battalion with the n.c.o.’s of his company last week. And one of our officers answered the challenge by sending my name in as being willing to take on any two of his n.c.o.’s at a competition in drill and musketry. Captain Parkes came and asked me on the quiet if I would take on Sergeant Kerr, one of his sergeants, who is specially good, and I told him I would, or any other one he liked to bring forward. After that he allowed the matter to drop, and I have not heard anything more about it. Eric Haggar sprained his ankle last week, and was sent into Luna Park Hotel hospital. After he had been in for two or three days I went in to see him, and who should I see in one of the beds in the same ward but Clyde Johnson, from the Nicholson, who was wounded in the middle finger of the right hind. He was in a reserve trench in the rear, and stopped a piece of shrapnel; It went in at the back of the finger and jambed between the bone. The doctors at Lemnos had to lance the finger from the opposite side to get the slug out. I saw the nurses dressing it, and it looks a horrible sight. He thinks that he will eventually lose the finger, but seems to be quite cheerful about it ; in fact he has several times asked the doctors to take it off. He is kicking himself for not joining the infantry when he first volunteered, as the infantry is doing all the fighting, and the Light Horse, converted into infantry, left their horses in Egypt when they went to the front. The converted Light Horse, not having the infantry training the others have had, are only used as reserves, and as you know the reserves suffer worse from shrapnel than those in the firing line. Clyde is a sergeant, and reckons if he can get back to the front he will get a commission. We have been supplied with short trousers and helmets, so that we do not feel the heat quite so bad now. More news later. With love from VINCE. P.S. – I am thinking of joining the Engineers. I have been offered a full corporal’s stripes as Engineer fitter. It will be just into my hands, fitting engines, cars, etc., and not as dangerous as the infantry.”

At Alexandria, he disembarked after embarking at Mudros, on 10^th January 1916. He was admitted to Number 1 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on 15^th February 1916 with a popliteal abscess and was discharged to duty on 23^rd February. His Aunt was sent a note from Base Records on 24^th February advising her that he had been admitted to 1^st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis on 15^th February with a popliteal abscess mild. The Battalion embarked at Alexandria on the 20^th and disembarked at Marseilles on 26^th March 1916. His Battalion moved to France and saw action at Pozieres (July-September 1916) and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1917. During the fighting at Pozieres, Norman was shot twice and was evacuated to hospital. On 30^th July 1916, he was admitted to 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station with a shell wound to the arm, after being wounded in action on the 27^th, and was transferred to ambulance train the next day and evacuated as wounded.

“The battle of Pozieres in July 1916 was one of the Australians’ first and bloodiest on the Western front. During the great British offensive on the Somme, the Australians took the village which crowned the most important ridge of the battlefield, and then had to endure prolonged horrific shelling as the Germans strove to get it back. Afterwards, the 2nd Australian Division sewed small rectangles of bright tin plate to the back of their tunics, which could be easily spotted by supporting artillery and aircraft when they assaulted at Pozieres. The plates were detested by the troops as they felt the markers would make them just as visible to the enemy. Later in the battle, the tin discs were covered until required to be shown.” (N. Anderson, Australian War Memorial: Treasures from a Century of Collection)

He was transferred to No 7 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on 11th August 1916. On the 17^th, he was sent to Etaples, and re-joined his Battalion after being discharged from hospital on 24^th August 1916.

On 5^th September 1916, his Aunt at Metung was sent a letter from Base Records stating that Norman had been wounded and any more information would be passed on promptly.

He was recommended for the Military Medal by the Officer Commanding 24^th Battalion on 18^th June 1916; the citation reads: “These NCOs (NV Dyte and FS McCooey) have shown great devotion to duty and gallantry under fire. They volunteered to remain behind with C3 party at the evacuation. They were each in charge of a section of Lone Pine on that occasion and by their energy and with the aid of very few men maintained the usual fire from these positions thus deceiving the Turks. They were the last two NCOs to leave Lone Pine, Gallipoli.” Another record adds the dates 19/20^th December 1915. Norman had a medal card which recorded the award of the Military Medal. The card has recorded on it 68/121/67 with 34417 under that. It then lists his name, rank, Corps, regimental number and date of Gazette as Sergeant N V Dyte 24th Inf Bn Aust, 801 and 27/10/16. His name is listed in the Supplement 29805 to the London Gazette on that date on page 10487.

Norman was appointed 2^nd Lieutenant (late Sergeant 24^th Battalion) on 6^th September 1916.

On 8^th September 1916, his Aunt wrote to Base Records, asking “Have you received any more particulars Re, nephew Sgt. N. V. Dyte 801 wounded in “France” as I am anxious to know whether it is serious or not; also what hospital he has been sent to. Kindly reply at once & oblige.” It was received on the 14^th, and on the 15^th Base Records replied with “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 8^th instant, and to state the nature of the wound sustained by your nephew and the name of the hospital at which he is located are unknown here. In the absence of these particulars, and as his injury was not stated to be serious it may be assumed that he is progressing satisfactorily, the practice of the overseas authorities being to notify this department of any material change in condition. The following is suggested as his postal address: – WOUNDED No. 801, Sergeant N. V. Dyte, 24^th Australian Infantry, c/o A.I.F. Headquarters, 130 Horseferry Rd, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, S.W. You will be promptly communicated with should any later information come to hand.”

Norman was reported missing on 6^th November 1916, but a later note stated he was not missing, and that entry was incorrect. He was admitted to 20^th General Hospital at Camiers with a gunshot wound to the right foot on 8^th November. On 11^th November, he embarked at Calais for England with a gunshot wound to the right foot. It was recorded that he had been wounded on a second occasion and he was admitted on 11^th November 1916 to the 1^st West General Hospital in Liverpool. He was transferred to the 6^th Auxiliary Hospital on 23^rd November. Norman was placed on the seconded list on 6th November 1916

On 27^th November 1916, he was admitted to Cobham Hall from 6^th Auxiliary Hospital with a gunshot wound to the right foot (slight). He was discharged on 24^th January 1917 and was to report to Perham Downs, being passed as fit for service on the 18^th. He marched in there on the 29^th after being at a Bomb School at Syndhurst on the 26^th.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1^st January 1917. He was discharged from Cobham Hall to Perham Downs on 24^th January 1917, marching in to the 4^th Infantry Draft Depot there on the 29^th. Norman was admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital on 1^st March 1917 with neuritis to 24th January 1917 and was also sent to hospital in France as he was sick on that day (according to one entry). On 6th February 1917, he was placed on the supernumerary list.

The Rose of Denmark Lodge book has an entry for Norman Vincent Dyte, who was initiated on 16^th February 1917, passing on 20^th April and raising on 25^th May 1917. He was listed as a 23 year old from Hornsey, who was a Lieutenant in the AIF. In the same list are his cousins, Percy Frederick Teychenne, an engineer; and Charles Twyman Teychenne, Captain Royal Artillery who was awarded a Military Cross and was invalided in 1917.

His Aunt was sent a letter from Base Records on 12^th March 1917, stating that Norman had been admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital on 1^st March with a mild illness, not yet diagnosed. He was then transferred to 6^th Auxiliary Hospital on 28^th March with neuritis. Mrs J J Burgoyne of Iona Metung was sent a letter by Base Records on 25^th April 1917, advising her of the “extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20^th October 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by, Lieutenant N. V. Dyte, 24^th Battalion.” “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to” 801 Sergeant (now Lieutenant) Norman Vincent Dyte. On 27^th April, he was discharged from there to Perham Downs. He was employed on electoral duty while there. On 22^nd May 1917, he was passed fit for home service and on the 25^th, he was given leave until the 27^th, and then his leave was extended to 2^nd June, when he went to No 1 Commonwealth Depot.

On 27^th April 1917, he was discharged to Perham Downs after being admitted to 6^th Auxiliary Hospital with neuritis on 28^th March 1917. He marched into the Depot on 1^st May 1917. At Administrative Headquarters, on 5^th May 1917, he was temporarily attached for duty (election purposes) and was detached from there on 25^th May, marching out to No 1 Command Depot. On 5^th June 1917, he was marched out to Signal School Southampton for duty.

Norman married Rachel May Berg in early 1917 in Kensington Middlesex. Rachel had been born on 24^th December 1896 in London. They had a daughter, Mavis Bettine Sadie Dyte on 13^th September 1918 in Mayfield Wiltshire.

On 5^th January 1918, he was marched in to 6^th Training Battalion at Fovant from France. While still in the AIF, he qualified as an Instructor and Assistant Instructor at the British Army Signal School at the 15^th Course in Dunstable in January 1918. At Fovant, he was taken on strength of Permanent Cadre and was to be Signal Officer at 2^nd Division Signal School, ex 6^th Training Battalion. He was restored to establishment (24^th Battalion) from supernumerary list on 23^rd April 1918 and seconded for duty to 2^nd Signals Training Brigade as Signalling Officer. On 30^th April 1918, he marched in to the 5^th Training Battalion from 2^nd Training Brigade Headquarters.

A form for an alteration of an address was filled out on 25^th September 1918 and gave a change of address for Mrs May Dyte, his wife, from “Kia-Ora”, Copse Cottages, Compton Chamberlyne, Salisbury to “Mayfield” Fovant, near Salisbury. A note from Records asking for his next of kin and address confirmed the latter details.

On 30^th September 1918 at Southampton, he proceeded to France for the 24^th Battalion. He arrived at Havre on 2^nd October and went to hospital the next day with a NYD. Norman then went back to England with sciatica on the 4^th, being admitted to 3^rd London General Hospital on the 5^th. The sciatica was recorded as slight. He was to have convalescence until 14^th November. A Medical Board on that date found him fit for home service, sedentary exemption only.

On 8^th November 1918, Base Records sent a letter out stating that “Lieutenant N. V. Dyte, “M.M.” has been reported admitted to 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London, England 5/10/18 suffering from sciatica mild.” His postal address was just to the 24^th Battalion. It was sent to his Aunt in Metung.

He was discharged on 29^th November he was discharged from hospital to No 1 C.D. with sciatica and was attached for duty from 24^th Battalion to Headquarters in London. In London on 30^th November 1918, he was temporarily attached to Records Section and was placed on subsistence roll from that date. On 9^th January 1919, a Medical Board found him fit for Home Service and he was to remain with Records for duty. Another board on 6^th February found him fit H/SII S. Emp only and unfit for active service for 3 months. He reported to DAAG on 13^th February 1919 and ceased to be seconded as Signal Officer 2^nd Training Brigade on 17^th February 1919.

In February 1920 from his address at 57 Gladsmuir Road Highgate, he wrote a letter to “The Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters, 130 Horseferry Rd. W.1.” from himself, asking “I respectfully beg to apply for my discharge in England without stoppage of pay for my period of Non-military-employment, for the following reasons. I was granted leave without pay for the period 8^th Dec, to 8^th March, in order that I might dispose of my patent No32651/19. I was successful in securing a conditional sale of the patent, and it is owing to the conditions governing the sale that I am compelled to remain in this country for another twelve months. The following clause from the deed of sale will be explanatory. I John M Hyams of Tottenham Lane Hornsey agree to pay to Norman Vincent Dyte whose signature appears in the margin the sum of £1000 (one thousand pounds) for the rights to manufacture in the United-Kingdom under Patent No32651/19 filed at the Patent office in the name of the said Norman Vincent Dyte provided that the said N.V.Dyte will supervise the purchase and the installation of the necessary tools and machinery for the production of the finished goods. It will be seen that it is impossible for me to accept this advantageous offer, unless I am granted my discharge without stoppage of pay for my period of N-M-E, as this money will be necessary to meet my personal needs during the installation of the machinery. As my interests are in Australia I fully intend to return at the earliest opportunity and will certainly be back within twelve months from the date of my discharge. I attach the guarantees of Mr. J.M.Hyams, and Alderman P.F.Taychenne. Should my discharge with full settlement be granted I intend to use the money obtained for the English rights of my patent, in manufacturing in Australia.” Then in handwriting below this is “I hereby guarantee to return to Australia within 12 months.” The letter was signed N. V. Dyte Lieut. 24^th Bn. A.I.F. and witnesses by Major P L Coleman AAS on 17^th February 1920.

From early 1919 to March 1920 he undertook non-military work and patented and produced a trouser press. Norman also designed an alternate potato masher, which his daughter still uses today. He was granted leave from 27^th February 1919 to 17^th August 1919 with pay and subsistence of 6 shillings a day, the reason being “Engineering Attending W P Fraser Glass Hornsey”. His address was c/o 57 Gladsmuir Road Highgate. His period of NME expired on 17^th August and he was to report to DAAG for disposal on the 18^th. He went on leave until 2^nd September and that was extended to 17^th September 1919. He was granted leave from 8^th December 1919 to 8^th March 1920 without pay for business and his address was the same.

The AIF Department of Repatriation and Demobilisation filled out a form detailing the record of non-military employment for Norman. It showed his particulars as Lieutenant Norman Vincent Dyte of the 24^th Battalion, attesting on 26^th March 1915 in Victoria, embarked on 8^th May 1915 at age 21 years and he was now married. His previous trade was engineer and farmer. His employment was for practical experience with Manufacturing Engineers to study machinery and press tools for 6 months, from 17^th February 1919 to 17^th August 1919. His financial terms approved were for full military pay with subsistence allowance of 6 shillings a day and no other payments. His course was completed on 18^th August with no diploma or certificate issued. The report from the firm Fraser & Glass Assembly Works Middle Lane Hornsey, London said “Lieut Dyte has completed 6 months attachment to us. During the whole of this period his work and conduct has been quite satisfactory.” Another remark was “Lieut Dyte also attended evening classes at The London School of Economics in cost accounts & business efficiency methods, at his own expense.” It was signed on 5^th September 1919 by a Lieutenant Colonel in the Industrial Employment Branch.

A letter was sent from Base Records in Melbourne on 26^th September 1919 to Mrs M Dyte of “Kia-Ora” Copse Cottages Compton Chamberlayne Salisbury England, including Norman’s Form of Commission as a temporary 2^nd Lieutenant in the Regular Forces of the British Army. It stated that the form referred to his first appointment to Commission and not his present rank. It was “returned from this address”, as written in pencil on the letter and the receipt was not signed. It was then sent to his Aunt at “Iona” in Metung on 5^th January 1920.

On 1^st January 1920, Norman was appointed to RqO 3^rd Military District and was to be a Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Tucks wrote a note on 19^th February 1920 that Lieutenant N V Dyte MM 24^th Battalion was on Military Employment from 17^th February 1919 to 17^th August 1919 with pay of 6 shillings a day for subsistence. He was discharged from the AIF in April 1920. Another entry stated he resigned his appointment in the AIF being demobilised on 26^th April 1920 in London. A letter was sent to the Discharge Section on that date advising them his application for termination of his appointment had been approved and he was reporting to them for completion of the necessary arrangements.

From the Mayor’s Parlour Hornsey, on 16^th February 1920, Percy F Teychenne, the Deputy Mayor wrote a letter to the Commandant AIF Headquarters in London, saying: “Sir The bearer of this Lieut N. V. Dyte is a nephew of mine & I am in a position to state that it would be very detrimental financially for him to leave England for at least 12 months. He has Patented articles in this Country & is erecting plant & machinery to produce & place his Patents on the European market. He contemplates being in a position to erect a similar plant in Australia next year and manufacture his Patents there. His interests are in Australia & he has no intention of taking up a permanent residence in England.” A handwritten note on the back of the letter says “Passed to 4A. Will you kindly treat as urgent?” It was signed and dated 17^th February 1920. Another letter on that same day was sent to the Chief Paymaster AIF Headquarters from Records, asking if they could supply where his allotment was payable and how much, and if a marriage certificate had been seen. The reply was nil with a tag that his next of kin was his wife May Dyte in London. A letter written on 16^th February 1920 with an address of Ferrestone Buildings Tottenham Lane Hornsby N.8. reads “This is to certify that the details and particulars as set out by Lieut,N.V.Dyte in his attached application for discharge are true and correct, and further to guarantee that he will return to Australia within twelve months from the date hereof. If Lieut N.V.Dyte should fail to return, he is good health and able to do so, I undertake to refund to the A.I.F. a sum of money equal to that paid to him by the A.I.F. during this period of Non-Military-Employment, i.e, Six months pay and allowances totalling £242-7-6.” The name of the person who signed it is not known, but his signature was verified by Barclay’s Bank. Norman filled out an application for a discharge in a country other than Australia on 17^th February 1920 in London. He gave his present address as 57 Gladsmuir Road Highgate N19 and he wished to be discharged in the UK. His reason was stated in the attached documents. The Chief Paymaster wrote on 27^th February 1920, stating his Active and Deferred Pay account as at 21^st February 1920 was over £200, but an application of Ruling 27 would involve a further debt of over £194, leaving him a balance of over £8. A handwritten comment on the side stated “Rule 27 to apply only as far as subsistence on N.M.E. & Family ship leave is concerned.” The letter also stated “It is intimated that Lieut. Dyte has guaranteed to return to Australia within twelve months from the present time.” Someone wrote a question mark beside that statement. Another letter shows that Norman had a total period of N.M.E. from 27^th February 1919 to 17^th August 1919, where he was paid in respect of Pay £34.8.0, paid in respect of Subsistence (at a rate of 6 shillings a day) £51.12.0 and nothing in respect of fees. A letter was sent to Norman asking if he would send them a witnessed declaration from his wife that she agreed to his discharge in the UK. May signed a declaration on 23^rd February 1920 that “I hereby state that I have no objection to the discharge in England of my husband Lieutenant N.V.Dyte, 24^th Battalion,A.I.F.” It was sent to AIF Headquarters in London. His discharge was approved on 25^th February 1920.

A letter from AIF Headquarters in London to Norman on 25^th February 1920, advised him that his “application for termination of your appointment in the United Kingdom having been approved, you are instructed to report to the D.A.A.G., Room 13, these Headquarters for finalisation of the necessary arrangements relative to same.”

A War Badge and Certificate number 252141 were issued to him on 27^th February 1920. The badge was to be worn on the left side, but not when in uniform, and duplicates would not be issued. Norman signed but did not date the receipt.

A statement of active account of Lieutenant N V Dyte 24^th Battalion calculated to end of leave without pay to 8^th March 1920 shows a credit from 8^th May 1915 to 8^th March 1920 of £663 2s 6d and a debit of £686 12s 10d. So he owed £23 10s 4d. The back of the paper is full of calculations. He resigned in England and was terminated on 26^th April 1920.

A description of soldier on discharge shows Norman was 29 years old, 5 foot 6 inches tall, of medium complexion with brown eyes and hair and his trade was engineer and farmer. For wound marks or scars he had a gunshot wound the left wrist and right leg. His address was 57 Gladsmuir Rd Highgate N19. Another form from Discharges to AIF Headquarters in London showed that Norman applied for and was eligible for discharge in England in consequence of being demobilised. It also confirmed his address.

The London Gazette of 9^th September 1921 has an entry: “NOTICE is hereby given, that the partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Norman Vincent Dyte and John Michael Hyams, carrying on business as Trouser Press Manufacturers, at 1, Topsfield-parade, Hornsey, in the county of Middlesex, under the style or firm of “THE MELBO WORKS,” has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the thirtieth day of August, 1921. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said John Michael Hyams. – Dated this thirtieth day of August, 1921. N. V. DYTE. JOHN M. HYAMS.

His three campaign medals were inscribed and issued by Australia House in London.

In the 1923 London Electoral register he is listed at 46 Mount View Road, Stroud Green Ward. A note is in his records stating that Headquarters, 3^rd D.B. had asked for his address on 14^th November 1923. The 1924 and 1925 phone books have him listed as a builder and decorator with the number Mountview 4224 and the same address. It was said he briefly worked at Elstree Studios as a carpenter, and once worked on an Alfred Hitchcock set for a silent movie.

National Archives UK has a record under J 77/2244/322, which is a Divorce Court File: 322. Appellant: Rachel Dyte. Respondent: Normans Vincent Dyte. Type: Wife’s petition for divorce, dated 1925.

Rachel was living at 12a Longridge Road in Kensington with a lot of other people in the 1930 electoral register. On 5^th August 1938, she left London on Comorin, bound for Bombay. She was in 1^st Class by herself, a 42 year old Foot Expert of 35 Onslow Gardens, and she intended to return to England. She passed away in London on 15^th February 1940. Her probate says Rachel May Dyte “of 35 Onslow Gardens Kensington London single woman died 18 February 1940 Administration London 2 May to Mavis Bettine Sadie Dyte spinster. Effects £205 14s. 5d.”

In late 1926, Norman married Ruth Ryan in Hendon, Middlesex. They had two daughters, Cynthia Marie Dyte born on 16^th September 1928 and Jocelyn Mary Dyte born on 3^rd July 1945. He retired on 16^th May 1928.

In the 1939 Register for the UK, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex is a record for the Dyte household which includes Norman V, born 1894, Ruth Dyte and another person whose record is closed, and who is presumably Cynthia. The record has his date of birth as 19^th July 1894 and Ruth as 12^th December 1900. (Note his date of birth is 4 years younger than his service record.) Norman was a Joinery Works Foreman and Ruth was doing unpaid domestic duties. Above Norman’s name is O.W. Douglas, all in capitals with a comment on the side of Per I.C. 1-9.48. It is not known what that means or why it is there? It may be his place of employment.

The 1948 and 49 London electoral registers list them as living at 6 Heathcroft Avenue Sunbury Common Ward.

The Family travelled to Melbourne from Liverpool on board the Georgic on 8^th April 1949. Norman was listed as an Engineer, aged 51, Ruth a housewife aged 48, Cynthia aged 20 and Jocelyn aged 3. They intended to permanently reside in Australia and their last address in the UK was 6 Heathcroft Avenue Sunbury. By the 1954 electoral roll, they were living at 1 High Street Bairnsdale and Norman was a builder. Norman needed to establish himself in the Bairnsdale district as a builder, which would have been hard as he was in his 50’s. However, he was a master builder, as well as a cabinet maker/joiner, and to family knowledge, he was never out of work. Sometimes, due to slow payments, money was tight. “He was also rarely out of the workshop on our property, at 32 High Street, when he wasn’t on a building site. If cabinet-making jobs were lacking, he turned his hand to making wooden toys for sale at Dahlsen’s department store in Bairnsdale, and even decoy ducks for shooters.” The 1963 and 1967 rolls show the same details. Due to him being buried in a wet trench during the war, his hip problems caused by arthritis became quite pronounced as he got older. He would not take pain relievers and walked around with the aid of a cane. He kept working with wood up until his 70’s. By the 1968 roll, the address had changed to 24 High Street, with the same occupations. Ruth passed away in 1968 and was buried in Bairnsdale cemetery on 12^th July 1968. The cemetery records have under Remarks: S. Army Service, Register Number: 6119 and Occupation: Home Duties. Her nickname was Bib. The address was changed again to 32 High Street, before his death. Apparently, because it was a newly settled part of West Bairnsdale the numbers were arbitrary until the street was made. They were living in the same house, which was built by Norman for the family.

He followed the Bairnsdale Football Club, an Australian Rules team, known as the Redlegs, going to all home matches, and many at away venues. He also thoroughly enjoyed his cricket on the radio, and later on television when his daughter talked him into buying one in 1961. Norman was an avid reader also, but only of Westerns! Norman and Ruth spent their retirement years working as volunteers for the Bairnsdale Ambulance Service, raising money to build an ambulance station in Bairnsdale. He designed the building. He refused to go to Anzac Day parades, saying angrily to his daughter when she “kept on at him: “If you’d seen a group of your friends blown to smithereens, you wouldn’t want to remember either.” Or words to that shattering effect.”

Norman wrote to the Officer in Charge of Central Army Records Section “A” Block at Albert Park Barracks Victoria asking “Would you please forward to me Anzac Medallion & Lapel Badge.” He signed it Norman Vincent Dyte 801 (officer) 24^th Battalion and gave his address as 32 High Street Bairnsdale.

The Repatriation Department wrote to CARO in February 1964, asking them for Norman’s full service and medical documents to enable them to decide on the application for benefits for him under the Repatriation Act.

Norman passed away on 5^th August 1971 in Bairnsdale. His death index lists his father as Robert. He was buried in Bairnsdale cemetery on 9^th August in the Roman Catholic section with register number 6333, according to Australia Cemetery Index; this is obviously an error. The Bairnsdale Cemetery Trust has the details as register number 5553, and the location in ANG38-C-22 (Anglican Section), with Ruth, who was buried on 12^th July 1968 and register number 11158, so obviously someone transcribed the above records incorrectly. Funeral services for both for them were held at St. John’s Church of England in Bairnsdale. Probate was granted on 18^th November 1971, with confirmation of his death date in Bairnsdale and his occupation as builder. His death was recorded in a local newspaper.

National Archives Australia has a record listed as “[Australian Imperial Force Depots in the United Kingdom Headquarters (Salisbury Plain), Central registry files- Officers Records:] Lieutenant W V Dyte, 24th Battalion” for 1917, which is open but not online, so what it may contain is not known.

 

Mavis Bettine Sadie Dyte married John Edward Carruthers Kell in Fulham London in 1940. His father had served in WW1, serving in the Army Service Corps, Horse Transport. By 1963, they were living at 10 Douglas Street Corinda, in Brisbane. He was a sales manager and she had no occupation listed. The same details are in the 1968 roll. By the 1977 roll, they were living at 6/9 Taylor St Annerley and John had retired. In the 1980 roll, they had moved to 27 Bodalla St Norman Park. Mavis died on 22^nd December 1996 and John on 27^th February 2008 in Brisbane.

 

Cynthia Marie Dyte was born in 1928 in Hackney, London. In 1949, she migrated to Australia from London, arriving in Melbourne with the family. A newspaper article on Norman’s death shows Cynthia was married, but no other online records can be found. According to a family tree, she passed away on 16^th July 1979.

 

Jocelyn married George Matthes. Not many online records can be found for them. There are electoral rolls for Jocelyn Mary Dyte, living in 7 Wigton Street Ascot Vale in 1977 as a journalist, and at 73 Hotham Road Niddrie in 1980, with the same occupation. She is Norman’s daughter. In 2015, an ABN number was cancelled for an individual with her name in Ballarat. No other records can be found for her.

Lieutenant Dyte is named on the St. John’s Church Roll of Honour.

He has family members living in Metung and Lakes Entrance. Norman is listed in the Metung Roll of Honour.

In the British Jewry Book of Honour 1914-1920 is an entry for Lieutenant N V Dyte, an officer in the Australian Corps. He is recorded there as his 2x Great Grandfather Meir Deit was a Jew and was trading in Bristol in the 1770’s as a Quill Maker/Supplier. His son, David Moses Dyte went to London, possibly seeking better trade, and married Hannah Lazarus, the daughter of Harry/Hursch Lazarus, a Pencil Maker from Frankfurt. Their son John Dyte (b 1815) ran a Stationers shop with his mother Hannah at 106 The Strand, near Waterloo Bridge. John contributed to the Jewish charities supporting the poorer communities in London.

His gravestone mentions “late 13 Light Horse Regiment 1^st AIF”; it is not known why, but maybe confused with his pre-war service?

 

His medals are Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The museum also has his Gallipoli medallion.

With thanks for information, advice and pictures to Jocelyn Dyte and David Hadley (Cambridge, UK).

 

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.

26 Sergeant Sydney Coulson Elliott MM MiD

3^rd Field Company Engineers, AIF

by Robert Simpson

Sydney Coulson Elliot was born in Brisbane, Queensland on 12^th September 1874. He was the youngest of four children to Henry Herbert Elliott and Margaret Eliza Coulson. Henry had married Margaret on 18^th December 1866 in Queensland but unfortunately died on 17^th May 1887. Henry’s parents were James Elliott and Charlotte Job, and unfortunately with such common names, no other information is known about him or his parents. Margaret had been born in Queensland on 29^th April 1841, a daughter to Robert Coulson and Margaret Cameron, who had been married in Sydney, New South Wales in 1833. No other details are known on them due to their common names as well. Margaret Eliza Elliott passed away on 6^th May 1896, so the family was without parents. Sydney had one sister and two brothers, all were born in the early 1870’s. Nothing is known about their early life in Queensland. The other children had all married by the early 1900’s.

As Sydney Elliott, he joined up on 21^st August 1914 at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane as Sapper 26 in the 1^st Section of 3^rd Field Company Engineers. In his enlistment form he stated he was born in Brisbane as a natural born British Subject and was 34 and 10/12ths years old. His occupation was a miner and his next of kin was his brother Mr. H. Elliott of Meatworks, Redbank Queensland. He had no previous service and his physical description was height 5 foot 6 inches, weight 10 stone 7 pounds, chest measurement 35.5 inches and he was of fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. His pay book number was 40481. A medical history form stated he was examined at Mt. Morgan on 26^th August 1914 and he was 34 years and 300 days old. His range of chest expansion was 2.5 inches and his physical development was good. He was vaccinated in September 1914.

He departed on HMAT Geelong A2 as a Sapper on 22^nd September 1914 with the 3^rd Field Company Engineers from Melbourne. On 5^th April 1915 at Alexandria, he proceeded to form with the MEF. At Anzac on 8^th September 1915 he was promoted to 2^nd Corporal and was appointed to Temporary Corporal on the 30^th of the same month. A recommendation with no date on it was put forward for Sydney when he was Acting 2^nd Corporal, which due to its faded state is hart to read but involved a period in September 1915 at Anzac and reads “Laying mines in close proximity to enemy, also good work in Lone Pine trench after its capture; repairing ? under heavy Artillery fire on frequent occasions.” He disembarked at Alexandria from the Caledonian on 27^th December 1915. Sydney was mentioned in a despatch on 11^th December 1915. He was promoted to Corporal on 9^th December 1916. From Alexandria on 27^th March 1916, he proceeded to join the BEF and arrived at Marseille on 3^rd April on the Caledonian.

On 16^th April 1916, Base Records sent a letter to Harry (his brother) advising him of the conspicuous service Sydney had rendered as No. 26, Acting 2^nd Corporal S. Elliott, 3^rd. Field Company Engineers with a Mentioned in Despatches “I have the honour to submit herewith the name of No. 26, Acting 2nd Corporal S. Elliott, whose services I wish to bring to your Lordship’s notice in connection with the operations described in my Despatch of 11^th December 1915.”. The despatch was from General Sir Ian Hamilton G.C.B. This was promulgated in the London Gazette in Supplement No. 29455 of 25^th January 1916. It was sent to Harry at the address listed on Sydney’s enlistment form. On 10^th June 1916 he was recommended for a Military Medal with the citation reading that Corporal Elliott of 3^rd Field Company was recommended for good “work in fixing obstacles in front of Cornfield trenches during August 1915. Also was in firing line at ANZAC for 28 weeks from 25^th. April 1915. Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No. 29455 of 28^th January 1915.”

On 27^th July 1916 he was admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol with a mild gunshot wound to the neck. Another comment in his service records also mentions shell shock. He was initially admitted to the 6^th General Hospital at Rouen on the 23^rd, after passing through the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station and the 57^th Field Ambulance, and was discharged on 18^th August. At the Depot at Christchurch, he proceeded to France on 23^rd September 1916. Arriving there on the 25^th he proceeded down the chain to arrive back at the 3^rd Field Company on 29^th October in the field after being placed in the supernumerary list on 22^nd October. He was recommended for a Meritorious Service Medal on 12^th October 1916 with the action for which he was commended reading “Enlisted August 1914 as a Sapper, took part in the landing at GALLIPOLI April 25^th. 1915, and remained with the Company the whole time they were on the Peninsula. Served with the Company while in FRANCE until the first battle of POZIERES where he was wounded. He has done very good work throughout.”

Harry received a notice from Base Records on 6^th August 1916 that Sydney was wounded in action and anything further was received, he would be notified. Another letter on 6^th September advised him that Sydney had been admitted to the 6^th General Hospital on 23^rd July with a gunshot wound to the neck which was classified as mild. They gave him a postal address as – No. 26 Corporal S. Elliott, Wounded, 3^rd Australian Field Company Engineers, C/o Australian Imperial Forces Headquarters, 130 Horseferry Road, Westminster, London, S.W.

He was promoted to Sergeant on 10^th February 1917 and had 4 days leave in Paris from 26^th May to 30^th May.

A notice was sent to Harry on 25^th April 1917 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by Sydney as he was awarded the Military Medal and continued with “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned non-commissioned officer:- No. 26, Corporal SYDNEY ELLIOT”. It was a copy of the extract from the Second supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20^th October 1916. It never reached him and was returned to Base records in June 1917. Base Records the sent a letter to the A.A.G. in Brisbane to find out what had happened to Harry, if he had changed address and if they did not know to put a notification in the local press for him to contact Base Records. This drew a reply from Margaret Atkinson (Sydney’s only sister) on 11^th July 1918, giving her address and relation to Sydney. She was living at St. Lucia Road Toowong with her husband, who was a bank manager with the Bank of Queensland. A reply to her on 17^th July from Base Records indicated they still wanted to get Harry’s address as he was the recorded next of kin. They wanted to send him the communication of him being awarded the Military Medal and also to let him know that Sydney was in Colchester Military Hospital, England with severe pneumonia. He was admitted on 18^th June 1918 and as no other information was sent, it was assumed he was progressing favourably. His mail address was also stated. His hospital record shows he was in hospital from 18^th June 1918 to 1^st July with broncho-pneumonia following influenza and he was discharged to duty. The pneumonia was recorded as severe.

On 14^th November 1917 he was sent on leave from the field to England and returned on 1^st December. He was transferred to Engineers Training Depot and borne supernumerary to establishment on 29^th December with the rank of Sergeant.

Sydney was admitted to the Military Hospital at Bulford with syphilis on 19^th January 1918 and was there for 8 days before being discharged to C. T. Depot at Parkhouse with the same infection. He was there from 26^th January 1918 to 7^th March 1918 and his course of treatment consisted of 7 injections of 606 and mercury was given. The course was completed on 5^th March and he was due for a blood test on 5^th July. Apparently he contracted it in London from a prostitute 9 weeks before. His syphilis case sheet described the primary sore as a scar of indurated character and sited on the prepuce at 10 and 12 o’clock. The lymph glands under his arms and in his groin were double normal size and he had congestion in his nose. The Wasserman reaction was positive. While in hospital his urine was tested but was always normal and he was given a series of injections. There were intravenous injections of Neo-Salvarsan, an arsenical product, and intramuscular injections of mercury. He was discharged with no active signs of disease.

On 15^th February 1918, while Sydney was convalescing at Parkhouse in England he committed an offence. While a Sergeant, without reasonable excuse he allowed to escape a person committed to his custody. He allowed 389 Sergeant Giles of the 21^st Battalion to escape and was reprimanded by a Captain A McLennan about it. Sergeant Giles was reduced to the ranks and forfeited 17 days’ pay. It was not Private Giles only offence. On 17^th June he was sent to the hospital at Colchester with pneumonia and was seriously ill.

An urgent telegram was sent to Base Records on 5th July 1918 stating Harry Elliott’s address was 26 Lunn St, Sandgate and the change of address was noted. Margaret followed that up with a letter to Base Records, thanking them for the information they sent her on Sydney and re-confirming Harry’s address. A letter was then sent from Base Records on 25th July letting him know of the returned mail, of the Military Medal award, that Sydney was in hospital with pneumonia and an address for correspondence to him. A note on 31st July to Harry stated Sydney was convalescing. Harry replied to Major Dean at Base Records and thanked him for the information on Sydney. Sydney the proceeded to France on 2^nd October 1918 and arrived with his unit on the 10th. On 8^th November he embarked at Havre for England on “1914 furlo”.

His dental record of 17^th January 1919 showed him to be dentally fit. His medical report showed he was wounded at Pozieres on 19^th July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the back of the neck, which was not showing any disability now. His present condition and progress was good and he was fit. Sydney was returned to Australia on H.T. Somerset and arrived 15^th January 1919 and was sent onto Brisbane. He was discharged on 18^th March 1919.

What happened to Sydney after the war is not known. He signed for his oak leaves, his Mention in Despatches emblems, on 20^th November 1920. The certificate for his Mention in Despatches was sent to him, care of his brother Harry at Sandgate in August 1923. The return slip is not in his records, so it is not known if anyone signed for it. He appears in Western Australia in the two 1925 Electoral Rolls that were published, as a miner at Fenian Boarding House in Meekatharra on one roll and at Protheroe in the other. Both were mining towns in Western Australia. According to newspapers of the time, there was a strike in Protheroe against the price of beer that the pub was charging there. After that he vanished and does not appear in any more rolls. No other records appear for him, even his death. There are a couple of possibilities, but nothing that confirms it is him.

 

His sister Margaret passed away in 1954 and his brothers, Harry and Frank both died in 1940. All of them remained in Queensland, as did their families. One of Frank’s sons served in WW2 as Private Q 152118 Francis Herbert Elliott but was discharged after nearly a year in service. One of Margaret’s sons, Horace Reibey Elliott Atkinson served in the air force as 6174 Aircraftman 1, but on 31^st May 1940 after complaining of feeling ill, he collapsed and died at the 1^st Engineering school in Ascot Vale, Melbourne.

 

 

No newspapers have any information on Sydney in them, so it is not known what happened to him.

 

 

His medals are Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal with emblem attached.

 

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.

Major Peter Ingles Stewart MC and bar MiD VD 

22^nd Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

Peter Ingles Stewart was born on 9^th September 1892 in Yuille Street Buninyong, Victoria. He was the youngest son born to Peter Ingles Stewart and Margaret Black, who had twelve children in all, from 1873 to 1908. There were 5 boys and 7 girls and most lived into adulthood. Peter and Margaret had been married in Ballarat on 30^th January 1873. Peter had been born in Warrenheip in 1851 and Margaret in Geelong in 1854. Peter’s father Donald had migrated from Scotland with his wife in 1841. He named his son in honour of his employer, Peter Inglis, who was a famous founding colonist of Victoria. His hospitality and generosity was well known in those times. Warrenheip was one of his properties. At some stage Inglis was changed or corrupted to Ingles. Peter was educated at Buninyong State School, before following business pursuits in Melbourne. He lived in Buninyong for many years before settling on land at Carrum, according to the Ballarat and District Citizens and Sports 1916, a publication listing people from the area. While in Melbourne, he joined the Yarra Borderers, (56^th Regiment).

On 29^th April 1915, Peter married Lillian May Harvey at South Melbourne. Lillian had been born on 6^th May 1894 at Eaglehawk Victoria, a daughter to Richard Harvey and Grace Morcom Whitford, who had married in 1876 in Victoria. Grace had migrated from England in 1870. Richard, who migrated from England in 1869, was an engine driver in the 1903 Electoral Roll, but by the 1909 roll, he was a farmer at Carrum. In the 1914 roll, he was an engine driver and they were living at Long Gully. In The Argus on Saturday 1^st May 1915 page 11 under family notices – “STEWART—HARVEY.—On the 29th April, at the Presbyterian Manse, Dorcas street, South Melbourne, by Rev. A. McCarlie – Inglis, Peter Stewart, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Stewart, of 136 Union street, Windsor, to Lillian May Harvey, fifth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Harvey, of “Fernleigh,” Backhaus street, Long Gully, Bendigo.”

His application for a Commission in the AIF form, in the 3^rd Military District, shows Ingles Peter Stewart applied on 29^th April 1915. The original record has his name as Inglis Peter Stewart. He was a married British subject, born on 9^th September 1892 whose present civil employment was as a builder. His religious denomination was Presbyterian. He had no educational qualifications. For his previous military qualifications, he was in the 6^th AIR for 1 year and 4 months, the 56^th Infantry for 2 years and 10 months and was a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 56^th. He qualified at that rank on 1^st September 1914. His next of kin was listed as his wife, “Lillian May Stewart” and his postal address was 136 Union Street Windsor. He was issued pay book 22462. Peter was describes as being 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighing 11 stone 6 pounds, chest measurement of 35 inches and having good eyesight. His term of service was for the war and 4 months and his qualification was Machine Gun Officer.

C Company of the 22^nd Infantry Battalion, as part of the 6^th Infantry Brigade, embarked at Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses A38 on 10^th May 1915 (another record has 8^th). His name was recorded on the embarkation roll as Inglis Peter Stewart, a 23 year old 2^nd Lieutenant. His trade was builder and his address was “Fernleigh” Backhaus-street, Long Gully, Bendigo, Victoria. His next of kin was listed as Lillian May Stewart, wife, of 106 Union Street Windsor. His religion was Presbyterian. Peter was being paid 15 shillings a day.

He was promoted to officer in charge of the machine gun section before they left Egypt. Peter was promoted to Lieutenant on 26^th August 1915. He proceeded to join the MEF on the Gallipoli peninsula on 30^th August 1915. His promotion to Lieutenant was gazetted on 2^nd December 1915 and published in The Argus on the 3^rd.

Lieutenant Inglis Peter Stewart was recommended for an award while in the 22^nd Battalion for an action at C2 Tunnel at ANZAC on 29^th October 1915, where he “Led a party of volunteers into the tunnel and assisted in bringing up the last body from the shaft. He was himself the last of the rescuing party to leave the shaft.” He had not been previously recommended. Another record for this recommendation also has written before the entry above “For his gallantry during the rescue operations at C2 Tunnel opposite JOHNSTONE”S JOLLY, ANZAC, of officers and men who were “gassed” as a result of an explosion of ammonal.” He was listed as position 6 in the awards list. The 4^th Field Company Engineers had detonated a mine in tunnel C2 in the 22^nd Battalion’s part of the line. It failed to break through to open air, causing the poisonous gasses from the explosion to remain in the tunnel. Lieutenant Frederick Bowra was overcome by the gasses as he was lowered into a shaft to the tunnel. Lieutenant Edwin Bazeley and Sapper Frederick Currington and the Lieutenant Charles Thom went to his aid and were all overcome. Toxic gasses were then detected coming up the shaft. Several men participated in a rescue attempt. Five men died as a result of this incident and several were hospitalised. Peter was one of them and he spent the next two days in the 6^th Light Horse Field Ambulance Hospital before returning to the 22^nd Battalion. A later record also mentions he was “awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery in thrice descending shaft at Anzac trenches after explosion of gas, despite great personal danger, saving several men from suffocation.” Other men involved also received gallantry awards.

A record stated he was wounded on 31^st October 1915 at Anzac and returned to duty on the same day from the 6^th Field Ambulance. The record from the 6^th Light Horse Field Ambulance is slightly different, with Lieutenant I P Stewart of the Machine Gun Section of the 22^nd Battalion being admitted to hospital on 29^th October being asphyxiated, and discharged to duty with the 22^nd Battalion on 31^st October. Lillian was notified by Base Records of this, and that it was not serious, on 5^th November 1915. The 22^nd Battalion served on Gallipoli until the evacuation in December 1915.

On 7^th January 1916, he disembarked at Alexandria from Mudros. The Battalion arrived at Moascar on 8^th March. There were many changes in the ten days they were there, including Lieutenant Stewart becoming Transport Officer. He proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force from Alexandria on 19^th March 1916, arriving at Marseilles and disembarking on the 26^th. In early April 1916, the Battalion moved into the reserve breastwork trenches near Fleurbaix. After a time at Pozieres, including the major action of the Somme offensive, they headed to the Somme region and arriving at billets at Renescure on 9^th July, Lieutenant Stewart became permanent Orderly Officer. He was appointed Adjutant on 27^th June 1916. Another entry said he was appointed acting Adjutant on 16^th July 1916.

General Sir Charles Munro’s despatches in the London Gazette of 11^th July 1916 mentioned Peter for distinguished and gallant service rendered in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. A letter was sent to Lillian on 4^th December 1916 from Base Records to 136 Union Street, advising her of this and that it had been published in the London Gazette of 11^th July 1916. Peter was appointed to the rank of Captain on 12^th August 1916 in France.

Captain Inglis Peter Stewart was recommended for a Mention in Despatches on 15^th September 1916 “For sterling good work as Adjutant of the Battalion since landing in FRANCE (another recommendation also includes 26^th March 1916). In the absence of messengers during the action at POZIERES, he carried orders to the front line under heavy fire, watching over the execution of his orders and returned with accurate and full reports. He has proved himself an Officer of sound judgement, reliable and energetic, and his conduct throughout has been most gallant. He remained on duty on recovering consciousness after being lifted off his feet by a H.E. shell at POZIERES.” The original hand-written recommendation, done on 9^th August 1916, also mentioned he was “already awarded the Military Cross”, and it recommended he be awarded the Distinguished Service Order, but that was crossed out.

Lillian must have shifted around a few times, as his service records have her at c/o Mrs R Harvey of Kirkwood Street Eaglehawk Victoria and then c/o Mrs Temple of 41 Bay View Rd Yarraville Victoria.

Peter was Mentioned in Despatches as Ingles Peter Stewart, and it was published in the London Gazette on 13^th July 1916 on page 6955, position 45. He was again mentioned with the entry on 4^th January 1917 on page 255 position 99. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 13^th November 1916 for distinguished and gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field. It was published in the London Gazette of 2^nd January 1917, and on 9^th July 1917, Base Records sent Lillian an extract to her. On 20^th December 1916, he was evacuated from the field as he was sick (pyrexia of unknown origin). He was sent through 1^st AMD Station to 15^th Australian Field Ambulance and was discharged back to his Battalion on 5^th January 1917.

The 22^nd Battalion was involved in bloody and muddy fighting in 1917 from Bullecourt to Broodseinde.

On 19^th July 1917, he was sent to hospital being sick and he re-joined his battalion on 18^th August. Another record said he went to Paris on leave on the 19^th, was sent to hospital sick on the same day and was admitted to 2^nd Red Cross Hospital at Rouen with contusions on his right foot (mild) on 26^th July. Lillian was sent a letter advising her of this, but the original went to 136 Union Street Windsor (Peter’s parents address). She advised them of the address change to Kirkwood Street Eaglehawk, which they acknowledged. Lillian also asked why she did not get notification of his wounding and had to read it in the casualty lists in the local paper.

Captain Ingles Peter Stewart MC was recommended for a Bar to his MC on 14^th October 1917 by the Brigadier-General commanding the 6^th Australian Infantry Brigade “For the most conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. At BROODSEINDE on night 3/4^th October and prior to the attack this Officer supervise the laying out of the Jumping Off Tape and the necessary forming up of the Assaulting Waves. On the morning 4^th October he was in company with one N.C.O. on the corner of ZONNEBEKE LAKE in a position which had not been completely mopped up. This post was still active but this Officer dealt with the snipers with his revolver and brought back to our lines 30 prisoners and 3 Machine Guns. On the 9^th October he again supervised the Battalion forming up for the attack and throughout the whole operation proved himself tireless cheerful and alert and the success of the operations entrusted to the Unit is largely due to his careful and thorough work.” On 15^th September 1916, he had also been recommended for a Mention for the same event (it also had Bar to MC, but that had been crossed out). That was approved for the General List.

He was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross in the Field on 3^rd November 1917. The statement for service of the award was cut and pasted into his service record and reads “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in supervising the laying out of the jumping-off tape, and the forming up of the assaulting waves. In company with one N.C.O. he found himself in a position which had not been completely mopped up. He dealt with the snipers with his revolver and brought back thirty prisoners and three machine guns.” A letter was sent to his wife at Kirkwood Street Eaglehawk from Base Records on 10^th September 1918, detailing the above award which was announced in the London Gazette on 26^th November 1917. She had been previously notified of the award on 21^st March 1918 that the King was pleased to confer a Bar to the Military Cross for him for gallantry and distinguished service in the field.

The London Gazette published his award of a Military Cross as Lieutenant Inglis Peter Stewart on 3^rd June 1916. He was awarded it as part of the list of awards of military honours in connection with the King’s birthday. . Base Records sent Lillian a notification of this on 22^nd September 1916, advising her it was also published in the London Gazette of 3^rd June 1916.

As Ingles, his award of the Bar to the Military Cross was published in the London Gazette on 26^th November 1917 on page 12317, position 9 and the citation was published on 6^th April 1918 on page 4205, position 8. An article in the Bendigonian on 17^th January 1918 read “SOLDIERS HONORED. Lieut. Inglis Stewart, of Eaglehawk, has received the following letter of congratulation from General Birdwood on his being awarded a bar to the Military Cross: — “I write to congratulate you most heartily upon the award to you of a bar to the Military Cross, which you have fully earned by your conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations at Broodseinde on 4th and 9th October. I know that on the former date you supervised the laying out of the ‘jumping off’ tape, and the forming up of the assaulting waves. Later, with the assistance of an N.C.O., you attacked a strong post in an area which had not been completely mopped up, capturing 30 prisoners and three machine guns. On 9th October you again rendered valuable service in the initial stages of the attack, while throughout the whole operation your untiring energy and keenness greatly contributed to the success achieved. With many thanks for your good work and your good wishes for the future.”

He was attached to Headquarters of 6^th Infantry Brigade on 6^th February 1918 from 22^nd Battalion as Acting Staff Captain. On 3^rd March 1918 he ceased to be attached to Headquarters and resumed regimental duty. The Battalion was involved in actions to stop the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion reached Renescure on 9^th July 1918, where Peter became permanent Orderly Officer, and shortly afterwards Adjutant. He held this position until he was incapacitated by wounds in August 1918.

He was wounded for a second occasion on the 16^th in France and went through the 7^th Australian Field Ambulance and the 55^th Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. Peter was then admitted to 10^th British Red Cross Hospital on 17^th August. He was then invalided to the UK on 24th August. Peter was admitted to 3^rd London General Hospital on 26^th August 1918 with gunshot wounds to the left chest, arm and knee which were described as slight. He relinquished his appointment of Adjutant on being evacuated wounded on the 16^th. Peter was placed on the Regimental Seconded List as wounded on the same date.

A letter was sent to Lillian from Base Records on 16^th September 1918, stating “Captain I. P. Stewart “M.C.” transferred to 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London, England, 26/8/18, suffering from gunshot wound chest, arm and knees, mild.” His postal address was to be his name and 22^nd Battalion, AIF abroad. She was also sent one on 28^th August, advising he had been wounded for a 2^nd time. His service record described his wounding as gunshot wound to left arm, left chest and left knee.

Base Records sent Lillian a list detailing when he was wounded or ill on 6^th November 1918 to 76 South Street South Melbourne for a Lodge Certificate.

In England, he was meant to return to Australia on Ulysses, but he did not embark. A note said he accidently did not embark. On 21^st January 1919 he was given leave until he was recalled. A note was written stating he was “in a fit condition to have leave while awaiting to go to Australia” by a medical Captain on that day. He returned to Australia on Czaritza on 16^th March 1919. On 7^th April, he transhipped at Alexandria to Dunluce Castle and arrived in Melbourne on 15^th May 1919.

His occupation before he enlisted was a builder from Defence Records and Form Number 2 said he was a house contractor. On his demobilisation form his Education Standard reached was State School and his permanent address on enlisting was 13 Ardoch Street Essendon. He was married to Lillian and they had no children.

Outdoors group portrait of officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 22nd Battalion. Seated on the left is Captain Ingles Peter Stewart, MC and Bar, MID. A 23 year old builder from Bendigo, Victoria prior to being appointed a Second Lieutenant on 29 April 1915, he embarked for overseas with C Company from Melbourne on 10 May 1915 aboard HMAT Ulysses. He was wounded at Gallipoli and later awarded a Military Cross for his gallantry there. While serving on the Western Front, he was awarded a Bar to the Military Cross and was Mentioned in Despatches for his “sterling good work” at Pozieres, France. After being wounded at Pozieres on 16 August 1918, he was evacuated to England and then returned to Australia arriving on 15 May 1919.

Group portrait of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 22nd Battalion. Third row: 12^th from left: Captain Ingles Peter Stewart, MC & Bar.

On 9^th January 1919, Peter was examined for examination of his disability and progress since the last time he was seen. He was admitted to 3^rd London General Hospital and an operation was suggested by the Board in late 1918. Examination by specialists showed that sensation in the median nerve area was improving and he had fair flexion of his fingers, even his index. He still experienced cyanosis of his hand due to temperature changes. The opinion was that improvement would be maintained and that no operation was necessary. Peter said he had improved. In April 1919 a note said the arm was almost normal and he had had an injury to the median nerve. An assessment in May 1919 noted Peter complained of pain in the wound in the left arm with weakness and a stiff elbow. He had no trouble with his knee or chest and his reports were clear and general health good. The description of his wounds showed he had a healed scar of entry on the back of his scapula and in axilla, and exit scar at inner side of biceps. There was paraesthesia in distribution of median nerve in the forearm and hand, with some limitation in elevation. A prescription of assistant movements and massage of his shoulder daily was recommended with re-educative movements to the forearm, hand and fingers daily. A few days later, Peter still complained of limitation of movement of the shoulder and some fingers. He felt a muscle in his back, weak movements in some fingers and also pins and needles in some.

On 18^th February 1919, Lillian sent Base Records a letter, enquiring when Peter was returning home as she had received a note from him saying he was leaving on 14^th January, but she had not seen him listed in the returns in the newspaper. They replied, saying they had no record of when he was returning, but would notify her when they did and also acknowledging her change of address. In September 1919, Base Records sent him a letter at 41 Bay View Road for a Lodge Certificate, but was returned to sender as unclaimed. Another was sent to 25 Elm Grove. It was a letter to the Secretary of the Sons of Temperance Friendly Society and gave a list of his service and when he was ill or wounded.

The 1919 Electoral has Ingles Peter and Lillian May Stewart living at 25 Elm Grove Windsor and his occupation was carpenter.

Peter was entitled for the gunshot wound to the left upper arm and left axilla, but not to anything else.

Another examination in July 1919 showed the scar tissue was looser and he had full shoulder movement. He still had some issues with his hand and they said he should be fit for discharge in a month. In September, he showed more improvement but had some pain. His leg was fine. They also did an x-ray and urine test. He was diagnosed with scabies on 16^th September 1919 and was treated and discharged on 4^th October.

The Final Board on 5^th October 1919 noted his disability was due to service but was not permanent and improvement was anticipated. He had incapacity of a third and was recommended for discharge as permanently unfit for General Service. He was granted a pension of 33% from 6^th December 1919 in respect of GSW of left arm and chest.

His appointment in the AIF as a Captain was terminated in the 3^rd Military District on 5^th December 1919. He signed for his 1914-15 Star on 21^st July 1920, his MiD certificates on 14^th June and 30^th June 1921 and his British War and Victory medals on 3^rd July 1922.

An examination in August 1920 stated Peter was in good health, but that there had been no improvement to his wounds. During that time, Peter was still working as a carpenter, but he had had only 6 weeks employment in 6 months and had been a traveller for 3 months. He was recommended for admission to No. 11 Australian general Hospital. Upon admittance and examination, he had inflamed scars and they were becoming indurate under the left arm. Abscesses were operated on and pus and some scar tissue removed. The arm healed fine, but the nerve in his arm was still troublesome. He also had dental treatment while there. His pension was increased to 100% while in hospital. When discharged, his pension went back to 33%.

On 11^th November 1920, Peter joined the Victoria Police as Constable 6495. In the Victoria Police Gazette of 17^th February 1921, he was listed at the Depot, was married and worked on foot. The Gazette issues of 20^th April 1922 and 1^st February 1923 show him at Easternwick P.C.B. with other details being the same. Entries in the Gazette give some idea of what he was doing. On 1^st March 1922, he arrested Henry Joseph Evans in Malvern East, who was involved with larceny, with the property being traced to his possession and recovered. Another report on 22^nd July 1922 at Easternwick shows that Rupert George Wilson was arrested by Peter and another Constable for larceny and housebreaking offences, where most of the property was recovered. They also arrested him again on 28^th September 1922, again for housebreaking, where a portion of the property was recovered in his possession. The 13^th December 1923 edition of the Victoria Police Gazette has a list of discharges, with Constable 6495 Peter Ingles Stewart being discharged on 1^st November 1923 at Bourke District. Apparently he was involved in the Police strike in Melbourne of 1923 and was discharged as a result of this.

Peter continued his militia service after the war, commanding the 22^nd Battalion from 31^st March 1921 to 31^st December 1922 with the rank of Major. The 1922 and 1924 Electoral Rolls show Ingles Peter and Lillian May Stewart living at 16 Moore Street Brighton, with Peter being a carpenter and Lillian doing home duties. Peter did not obviously change his occupation for those rolls.

A year later, another examination discussed how his general health was good and there had been improvement. His incapacity was reduced to a quarter with his pension dropping to the same mark from September 1921. An examination in September 1921 showed he had slightly put on weight; his arm had a slight weakness and gave pain in changes of weather. There was slight improvement and as he lost no time in employment as a Constable, his pension was dropped to 20%. He missed the next review and his pension was suspended. In February 1924, he attended a review which showed a slight weight gain and that he was in “good physique and condition”. He was rated as partially incapacitated and his pension was reduced to 16.6%. He was also unemployed. His next review in September 1924 showed he had no further improvement and he ached at change of weather or after heavy work. His pension was still the same. Peter missed the next review and his pension was suspended in November and cancelled in December. Peter wrote a letter to them in January 1925, saying he had been working in the country and had returned after the appointment and was asking for another. After being assessed on 13^th January 1926, with no changes, his pension was restored and continued as before. His employment was listed as driving a motor truck.

A report in the Victoria Police Gazette of 14^th August 1924 lists an incident from 5^th August 1924 in which Peter, a clerk of “”Inglewood”, Moore-street, Brighton, reports stolen from the Golden Fleece Hotel, corner of Russell and Bourke streets, Melbourne, a gent’s blue-black cloth overcoat, with a belt attached, in the pocket of which were 9 letters, containing cheques…”. The cheques amounted to over 16 pounds and the total value stolen was over 21 pounds.

The 1924 AMF Army List shows Peter listed under 3^rd Military District 22^nd Battalion (part of 3^rd Division, 4^th Infantry Brigade) as a Major at Base Headquarters at Richmond where he was 2IC. He was part of the permanent Militia. A list shows he was first commissioned in the 56^th Infantry as a 2^nd Lieutenant on 1^st September 1914 and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1915. After the war he is listed as a Lieutenant in 2/22^nd Infantry on 1^st October 1918, and a Captain on 16^th December 1919. On 31^st March 1921, he was a Captain in 22^nd Battalion, and honorary Major on 31^st March 1921 and a Major on 1^st June 1922 in the 22^nd Battalion. His Staff Service was recorded as Adjutant 22^nd Battalion AIF from 27^th June 1916 to 16^th August 1918 and Commanding Officer 22^nd Battalion as Staff Captain from 31^st March 1921 to 31^st December 1922.

On 10^th March 1926, he was examined and had brachial and cervical neuritis and swelling in the plantar nerve on the sole of a foot. He also had boils on buttocks and legs which started to appear 3 months before and he felt unwell. Peter was given a prescription of Potassium Citrate Draught in April 1926, which he took for 3 weeks. After being treated in hospital for his boils, where he was given injections, he improved and was discharged on 18^th May.

Margaret Stewart, his mother, passed away on 28^th July 1926 “at the residence of her daughter (Mrs. Thompson), 55 Dundas Place, Albert Park” in Melbourne, as recorded in The Argus of Thursday 29^th July. She was the “loving wife of Peter Stewart (late of Buninyong). At rest.”

His next examination on 17^th May 1928 showed no improvement and he had put on a bit of weight. His incapacity was the same and he had lost a month of work due to ill-health. His pension was to continue at 16.6% indefinitely. In mid-1928 he notified Pensions that his address was 29 The Avenue Balaclava. Another medical form has the same address, but at East St. Kilda.

He was awarded a Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal on 28^th April 1928 (as recorded in Commonwealth Gazette No. 40 and it shows he was a Major in the 22^nd Battalion (militia) in the 3^rd Military District) and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration on 23^rd August 1928 (as recorded in Commonwealth Gazette No. 88 with rank of Major).

Sir John Monash became the head of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) from October 1920. He apparently knew Peter and arranged a job for him. His records indicate he joined on 2^nd April 1929 as a diver at Gippsland. His address was 99 Kooyong Road Caulfield and his next of kin was Lillian. Another registration form gave his address as 39 Park Street Parkville and he commenced work at Yarragon as a lorry driver.

“On Sunday last, at about 1.30 p.m., three State Electricity employers were driving a motor truck towards Warragul, and were rounding a curve near Charlesworth’s garage, Yarragon, the truck could not take the corner at the pace travelling and overturned. Stewart sustained a broken arm, while other occupants, Frank Ross and Thomas Hope, escaped with a severe shaking.” This article was recorded under Accidents in the Morwell Advertiser of Friday 28^th June 1929. His record indicated he broke his arm at 2pm on 16^th June 1929 and he was on leave from the 17^th to 3^rd February 1930. Another record he was driving the motor lorry which skidded and overturned and he broke his right arm. He was paid a series of cheques from 30^th June 1929 until 31^st January 1930, which was his full and final settlement. In 1931 he had a few hours leave on different days.

In 1932, Lillian May Stewart petitioned for divorce from Ingles Peter Stewart and was listed as suit number 248 in the Victorian Public Records Office.

On 13^th October 1932, The Gippsland Times newspaper had the following article under ELECTROCUTED. Linesman Killed at Warragal, “At 1.15 a.m. on Sunday last, an employee of the State Electricity Commission (Mr Peter Ingles Patrick Stewart of Trafalgar) was electrocuted when a ladder which he was placing in position against an electric light pole near the Commercial Hotel in Queens street, Warragul, came in contact with a line carrying 22,000 volts. It was raining heavily at the time and it is thought that portion of the ladder acted as a conductor for the electric current. Stewart was wearing rubber boots, but as he had not mounted the ladder he had neglected to take the precaution of putting on his rubber gloves. He died in 15 minutes, although Dr. Con. Ley tried without avail resuscitation methods for over two hours.” “The Australasian newspaper of Saturday 15^th October 1932 had under the Personal column “While he was engaged in emergency work repairing an electrical fault on wires near the Commercial Hotel at a quarter past 1 o’clock on Sunday morning, Mr Peter Ingles Patrick Stewart, aged 40 years, an employee of the State Electricity Commission, was killed by electricity. Stewart was on the ground, and had placed a ladder against a pole. Rain had been falling, and the ladder was wet. It is believed that Stewart received the charge from a line carrying 22,000 volts through the ladder. An inquiry which was opened by the deputy coroner (Mr. J. Cromie J.P.) was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Mr. Stewart, who was unmarried, was a resident of Trafalgar, where his boyhood was spent. He had a fine war record, enlisting as a private and returning to Australia aged 26 years with the rank of major and several decorations, including the Military Cross. He was greatly respected throughout the district.” It also said he spent his early days in Trafalgar, before going to Melbourne, and had moved back there about four years earlier.

The inquest returned an open finding. Evidence given by the other person who was with Peter, Joseph Walter Leslie Baker (also a linesman), who said they were raising an extension ladder which touched a tubular conductor. Peter said to him “It’s got me, Hal!” The ladder had been extended more than necessary and that was why it touched the conductor. The wet conditions also contributed to the intensity of the shock, which would be sufficient to cause death. Mr Cromie “said that he did not consider that the necessary care and control had been observed” by either of them. A doctor tried to revive him for one and a half hours. Another newspaper article stated he “was recognised as an able staff officer, and had been termed the ideal soldier by men in high command. In civilian life, he always stood by his comrades. With gentlemanly and broad outlook, he fitted easily into any circle. Countless friends in many parts of the State mourn their loss.” An inquest was held at Warragul on 17^th October 1932. His sister, Violet Thompson identified his body at Gippsland Mortuary and said when she saw him a few months before, he was in good health. Walter Baker of Seven Mile Road Trafalgar, was with Peter “in Queen Street at switch pole No. 5. No one else was present when I arrived there – I said I would operate the switch and give the signal.” It is a warning to let people know the power is being cut. “When I got out the deceased said to McDonald “right oh Tango we’ll get the ladder”. McDonald and Stewart brought the ladder against the pole in a closed condition. McDonald left to get the bus. I assisted the deceased to extend the ladder, I was pulling on the left hand rope and deceased pulling on the right hand rope. The ladder was extended up the pole above the lower extension arm. Deceased was endeavouring to trip the ladder. I was holding the left rope. There was a flash, I was thrown away from the ladder. When I recovered I saw deceased still standing at the foot of the ladder and he said “it’s got me Wall” and fell over. I went to his assistance and called for help. Some chaps came in a car and I instructed them to go for a Doctor.” The Doctor came and examined him and found no signs of live due to cardiac and respiratory failure due to electric shock. The electricity inspector examined the ladder and showed the right side had struck the conductor and travelled through it and through Peter. Being wet pronounced the effect.

The Argus of Tuesday 11^th October 1932 had the following death notices “STEWART. – On the 9^th October (result of accident with electric wire), at Warragul, Peter Ingles Patrick, loving son of Peter and the late Margaret Stewart, fond brother of Doll (Mrs. Thompson), in his 41^st year, late 22^nd Batt., A.I.F. – Rest in peace.” and “On the 9^th October (result of accident), at Warragul, Peter Ingles Patrick, dearly beloved fiancé of Tessie Freyne. – May his soul be at peace.” A funeral notice in the same paper read “STEWART. – The Friends and Relatives of the late P. I. PATRICK STEWART are hereby informed that his remains will be interred in the New Melbourne Cemetery, Fawkner. The funeral is appointed to leave the residence of his sister (Mrs. Thomson), No. 10 Wilson avenue, South Brunswick, THIS DAY (Tuesday), at 3 p.m.”

At the time of his death, Peter was getting a pension of 14 shillings a fortnight and Lillian was getting 6 shillings. Workers Compensation had him listed as a Patrol Driver, aged 40 years, the place of the accident was Queen Street Warragul at 1 am on 9^th October 1932, and it was fatal due to electric shock of 22000 volts. They also listed the cause of the accident and the amount of compensation paid was 75 pounds, which was for funeral expenses. An open verdict was recorded at the Coronial Inquiry held at Warragul on Friday 21^st October 1932. Peter was buried in the Roman Catholic section of Fawkner Cemetery on 11^th October 1932, in Section M 2884.

Lillian applied for his death to be accepted as war related, but the original application on 9^th October 1932 was rejected by the State Board on 16^th November 1932. It was determined his death was not due to war service and as such claims and appeals done on 17^th February 1936 and 9^th September 1936 were not covered. Lillian applied for a war pension both times, but it was found that his death due to electric shock was not due to war service. She was applying as a widow and her address was c/o Mrs G Ennor, 34 Mount Korong Rd, Bendigo. In her appeal she stated “That after my husband was discharged from the Army he was unable to follow his former occupation as carpenter through injuries received while on Active Service, therefore compelling him to seek other employment which ultimately resulted in his death.” A doctor reviewing the case wrote “Though deceased had excellent Field Service, it is obvious from the inquest notes, that such service was not a factor in the cause of death.” Another doctor concurred. A third doctor wrote in February 1936 “Death from Electric Shock, was on the evidence purely accidental and not attributable to W.S.” A reply was sent to her on 25^th February 1936, which said “With reference to your appeal, I have to advise that the case of your late husband was referred to the Repatriation Commission, but was unable to accept his death as due to War Service.” She had 12 months to lodge another appeal.

Peter Ingles Stewart, his father, passed away on 18^th June 1933 at 10 Wilson Avenue South Brunswick in Melbourne, at his daughter’s house. He was 85 years old. The Argus of Monday 19^th June 1933 had death notices from his family and also a notice from “Peter Ingles Patrick (deceased), and loving friend of Tessie Freyne.” His remains were interred in the New Melbourne General Cemetery.

One of Lillian’s brothers, Richard Alfred Harvey, served with the AIF in WW1. Richard had previous military experience with school cadets and 56^th Infantry (in which he rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant). Before the war, he worked as an iron dresser. He joined on 27^th April 1915 as Private 2598 in the 5^th Battalion. He was transferred to the 57^th Battalion and promoted to Corporal in early 1916. Richard was killed in action in France on 12^th December 1916. The battalion war diary for the day reads “During the day the Battalion was employed on Engineer work in the Brigade Sector. The enemy observed some of the parties and shelled them. Casualties 2 O.R. killed 1 O.R. wounded. There were several light falls of snow during the day.” He was buried, with the location recorded, but the grave was destroyed in subsequent fighting, so he has no known grave. He is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux. Richard was married and her name was also Lillian May. She remarried.

One of Peter’s older brothers also served in WW1. William John Stewart joined the 4^th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron, as Private 181 on 18^th August 1914 at Broadmeadows. He was a 32 year old railway employee on enlistment and had previous served for 7 years with the 10^th Light Horse. His address was Carrum House at Carrum, with his next of kin being his father at the same address. He progressed through the ranks and in January 1916 was promoted to Sergeant. In July 1916, he was transferred to 2^nd Anzac L.H.R. and posted to D Squadron. His regiment was given a new designation of 22^nd Army Corps Light Horse Regiment in December 1917. He was wounded in action in France on 18^th April 1918. It appears he was gassed. William was awarded the Military Medal which was recorded in his service records on 13^th August 1918 and the London Gazette on 6^th August 1918 on page 9256, position 35. He returned to Australia on 24^th September 1918. In the early 1920’s, William was sent the standard WW1 trio of medals to go with his MM.

In January 1936, Lillian wrote to seek an increase in her War Pension. “I am the widow of the late Capt. Ingles Peter Stewart M.C. late of 22^nd Battalion, who met his death accidently three years last October. I was obliges to procure a position, but after some weeks I had to give it up as I developed Arthritic Rheumatism, and have been treated at Melbourne and Bendigo Public Hospitals for over two years, and am present being treated at the Bendigo Base Hospital, but they seemingly can’t do more that relieve it. My left knee and arm are mostly affected, being enlarged and swollen. I cannot straighten either, consequently I am a little lame, and in much pain, and unable to earn a living. I have been living with my friends and relations since my disability.”

Lillian remarried in 1937 to Cornelius Salis in Marong Victoria. Cornelius had been born in 1887 in Victoria and had enlisted in WW1 as Private 668 in B Company 38^th Battalion, but was discharged as medically unfit due to a hernia 4 months later. He was a farmer, and passed away on 17^th May 1944 at Marong. Lillian moved to Bendigo, where she lived until she died on 11^th April 1986.

Honour Roll at Carrum RSL (Victoria) featuring W & I Stewart. The Honour Board was destroyed in a fire after the Carrum RSL folded.

Through his life he used variations on his name, but this story has been written using his birth names, as recorded. Where other variations have been used in records, they have been written as such. Apparently he disliked his initials, hence the changes in his name.

His medals are Military Cross and Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with MiD oak leaf, Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration.

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.

Captain Eric William Gregg Wren CdeG (Fr)

3^rd Battalion AIF

14^th Infantry Training Battalion

by Robert Simpson

Studio portrait of Captain Eric William Greg Wren, Croix de Guerre, 3rd Battalion.

Eric William Gregg Wren was born on 17^th July 1888 at Gunning according to the birth index, or Crookwell according to his WW1 and WW2 service records. They are about 50km apart in New South Wales. He was a son to Alfred Ernest Wren and Ann Maria Townsend O’Neill, who had been married on 12^th January 1886 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. Alfred was a son to James Wren and Mary Maud Laird, who had been married in New South Wales in 1852. James had been born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England in 1811 and had been convicted in 1839 of stabbing with intent to do bodily harm. He was given 15 years transportation and after spending some time in Bedford prison, was sent to Australia, arriving in New South Wales in November 1840 on the ship Eden. He was listed as a carpenter. James could read and write, was a single protestant and had no prior conviction. He was 5 foot 6 inches, ruddy and freckled with brown hair and eyes. James also had a horizontal scar on the centre of his chin, a scar on the knuckle of the right thumb and a scar on the back of the ball of the left thumb. Mary had been born in Ireland in 1824 and had migrated to Sydney in 1841, and had been previously married in 1843 to James Phillips, who died in 1850. They had eight children, including Alfred. James died in 1873 and Mary in 1904. Alfred joined the Police force, being listed as an ordinary constable no. 4612 from May 1884 in the June 1884 Police Gazette. In 1903 they were at Yass Street Cootamundra with Alfred a Police constable. Alfred and Ann moved to Casino before 1918 and remained there until their deaths. Prior to enlisting, Eric was studying at Sydney University, doing a Bachelor of Economics. In 1912, he was the Captain of the Strathfield B. I. Team, which played Killara for the B Grade premiership. The 1913 electoral roll has Eric living at 28 Toxteth Street Glebe as a clerk.

Eric enlisted for service abroad with the Australian Imperial Force on 17^th August 1914, joining A Company, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Infantry Brigade as Private 1487. He stated he was a natural born British Subject born near Crookwell and was a 26 year-old clerk living in Sydney. He was single and had not been an apprentice. His next of kin was originally written as his father, Mr A E Wren of Victoria Street Berry. That was crossed out and written in red was (widow) Dorothy Wren 21 Cooper St Strathfield. He had never been in any force before. Eric signed the oath of allegiance at Kensington Racecourse in Sydney on 25^th August and was appointed to A Company, 3^rd Battalion on the same day as a Corporal. His description on enlistment stated he was 26 years and 1 month old, 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighed 182 pounds, had a chest measurement of 40 inches and had a fair complexion with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He had no distinctive marks and his religious denomination was Church of England.

He embarked with the 3^rd Infantry Battalion “H” Company as 1487 Corporal on HMAT Euripides A14 in Sydney on 20^th October 1914. Eric was listed on the nominal roll as a 26 year-old clerk, living at Victoria Street Berry. His father, living at the same address, was the next of kin. Church of England was his religion and his daily pay before embarkation was 9 shillings. They stopped briefly at Albany, before arriving at Egypt on 2^nd December 1914.

Eric was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 5^th April 1915. On that day, he embarked on Dorflinger to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. The Battalion landing with the second and third waves at Gallipoli on 25^th April 1915. Eric was wounded with a bullet wound to the neck sometime between 25^th to 30^th April.

From HS Itonus, Sergeant Eric Wren was admitted to No 17 General Hospital in Alexandria with a severe gunshot wound to the chest on 30^th April 1915. He was transferred on 7^th May 1915 to a convalescent camp. Another record says GSW to the neck. He had been wounded sometime between the 25^th and the 30^th on Gallipoli. His medical history stated he was “wounded on Gallipoli with bullet through neck, exit right side of spine. No damage to lung.” On 20^th May, he embarked from Alexandria.

Under the heading “Gallipoli Heroes”, the Crookwell Gazette (NSW) of Tuesday 25 May 1915, page 2 had the following: “Among the soldiers wounded at the Dardanelles” is “Lance-Sergeant Eric Wren”, “a son of Senior-Constable Wren, who was well-known about these parts”.

The Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer (NSW) of Tuesday 8 June 1915, page 2 contained “NEWS AND NOTES. Information was received today that Sergeant Eric Wren is in the Victoria Hospital, Alexandria and is doing well.”

His father was reported in the local paper; the Nowra Leader (NSW) of Friday 23 July 1915, page 1 under PERSONAL. “Sergeant Wren: “When I left Berry this morning I was told there would not be two people at the Bomaderry recruit meeting. When I said we expected 60 people (Mr. Reid: There here too). I was told to report myself as mad. But here’s the answer to the volunteer system — the people only require rousing. I am proud of it. (Loud applause).” There was also a full page article in the same paper on page 8 about the recruiting meeting, the speeches made (including by Sergeant Wren) and the great enthusiasm. Eric had been promoted to Sergeant on 23^rd June 1915.

On 1^st August 1915, he was wounded again and was sent to Mudros. His medical history says he was “wounded by bomb right side of face and left shoulder”. He also had dysentery and he was evacuated to Lemnos Hospital for 6 weeks. Eric was appointed 2^nd Lieutenant in the AIF on 4^th August 1915 on ANZAC. The Battalion was involved in the attack on Lone Pine on 6^th August. For the attack, Eric was with A Company. The attack took a heavy toll on the Battalion. Eric had taken over the machine guns. In Reveille in 1931, he recalled the day: “Out of 23 officers who went over the top at Lone Pine, 16 were either killed outright or died of wounds, including the Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. E. S. Brown.” Eric also described how one of the officers (Lieutenant McGowan) was involved in fierce hand-to-hand fighting and was wounded between trenches, where he lay exposed to fire and grenades for 36 hours before being brought to safety. He was wounded in 15 different places and was taken to hospital, only to succumb to pneumonia. Of 856 other ranks, only 277 remained after the attack. During a Turkish counterattack on the 9^th, Eric and 5 other men were ordered by Lieutenant Howell-Price to scramble onto the parapet, firing at the Turks and advising others where to throw bombs. Eric and Private Wilson, who were bombing at the same post, saw Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Scobie of the 2^nd Battalion go down after throwing a bomb, but could not see any mark on him. They assumed he had been shot. Lieutenant E W Wren of A Company 3^rd Battalion was admitted to No 3 Australian General Hospital at Mudros on 13^th August 1915 with gastroenteritis and conjunctivitis. He was transferred after 12 days treatment on 24^th August 1915. On 24^th August 1915, he was admitted to No 52 (Lowland) Casualty Clearing Station on Mudros West from 3^rd General Hospital with gastroenteritis. He was 22 days under treatment and was discharged to duty on 14^th September 1915, to Base Details. He re-joined his unit from Mudros on 16^th September.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) of Friday 27 August 1915, page 8 had the following article: – “LIEUT. ERIC WREN. Lieutenant Eric Wren (wounded, second occasion) is a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wren, of Berry. He left Sydney as a corporal with the 1st Infantry Brigade, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in Egypt, which rank he held when previously wounded in the landing of the first contingent of troops on April 25. He was subsequently promoted to second lieutenant. Prior to his departure for the front Lieutenant Wren figured prominently in metropolitan sporting circles, particularly tennis, in which he is the holder of numerous trophies won in first-grade tournaments.” It was mentioned in other newspapers also.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 14^th November 1915 on ANZAC. Eric stayed there until the evacuation, which began on 18^th December. By the 19^th, there were only 5 3^rd Battalion officers and 61 other ranks, with one machine gun, in their front line sector. They moved the machine gun up and down, firing short bursts, to give an illusion of a well-manned firing line. Bombers also threw bombs from various points. Eric left the front line at 2.40am on the 20^th.

On 29^th December 1915, he disembarked at Alexandria from Limla. In February 1916, he was the company commander of C Company.

The Sun (Sydney, NSW) of Sunday 5 March 1916, page 5 had the following: -“Lieutenant Eric Wren, of the 3rd Battalion, who has been recommended for a captaincy. He was one of the four officers who had charge of the rear-guard party at the evacuation of Gallipoli. At the outbreak of war he enlisted as a private, and left with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade. Twice he has been reported wounded.”

On 12^th March 1916, he was promoted to Captain.

He embarked on HMTS Grampian on 22^nd March 1916 at Alexandria for Overseas, disembarking at Marseilles on 28^th March. When they arrived at Pozieres and moved into the front line, Eric was with C Company in a support trench running across Sausage Valley.

The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW) of Saturday 1 July 1916, page 2 had the following article: – “LOCAL AND GENERAL Lieut. Eric Wren (son of Sergeant Wren, of Berry), who -took part in the historic lauding at Gallipoli, and has since been continuously on active service, has been promoted to the rank of Captain.”

On 23^rd July 1916, he was placed on the seconded list.

After being wounded in action on the 23^rd, he was admitted to the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station on 23^rd July 1916 and was transferred to No.19 AT on the 24^th. He was admitted to No.2 Red Cross at Rouen on 25^th July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the elbow and forearm fracture. His medical history stated “Wound of right arm with gas gangrene, necessitating amputation.” Eric was listed as dangerously ill on the 26^th. The Battalion had been fighting a major action at Pozieres in July. He had been severely wounded just after leaving the jumping-off trench.

The Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer (NSW), on Friday 4 August 1916, page 2 had the following article: “The relatives in Queanbeyan of Captain E. Wren have received the following cable: “Regret reported Captain Eric William Gregg Wren, wounded, apparently third occasion, dangerously ill; gunshot wound fore-arm and elbow.”” The Cootamundra Herald (NSW) of Friday 4 August 1916, page 2 also had an article on him: “CAPTAIN ERIC WREN WOUNDED. Advice has been received in Sydney that Captain Eric Wren has been wounded, and is dangerously ill in France. He was previously wounded twice at Gallipoli. Captain Wren is an old Cootamundra District School boy, being the eldest son of Constable Wren. He was associated with some of his old schoolmates in the 3rd Battalion, and left Australia with them three years ago. He has risen from corporal to captain on the battle field.”

On Saturday 5 August 1916, the Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) on page 14 had this entry: “CAPTAIN WREN. Sergeant Wren, of the Berry police, has been informed that his son, Captain Eric Wren, has been dangerously wounded in France. This is the third occasion on which Captain Wren has been wounded. He left Sydney as a corporal. Prior to his enlistment he was in the railway service in Sydney.” The Goulburn Evening Penny Post of the same date also added “. Captain Eric Wren left Sydney with the First Division, and was at Gallipoli from the landing to the evacuation. He enlisted as a private. He was at one time in the railway Department, Goulburn. His father when in this city was a member of the police force, and resided at North Goulburn.”

On 7^th August 1916, Eric was recommended for the Military Cross while a Captain with the 3^rd Battalion. Then on the 12^th August, he was recommended for the French Croix de Guerre. Eric was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, which was promulgated on 8^th December 1916 in the London Gazette page 12040, position 4. His first recommendation was kept as a handwritten copy, which records the date as 23^rd July 1916 at Pozieres and notes he was previously recommended in August 1915. No copy of that is available. The form was signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Owen G Howell-Price, commanding 3^rd Battalion and Brigadier-General Nevill M Smyth, commanding 1^st Australian Infantry Brigade on 7^th August. The second recommendation was the same as the first, but typed. It reads: – “For great bravery and gallantry under heavy shell fire, at POZIERES, France, on 23^rd July 1916. When wounded ingetting his men into position for the assault he remained at his post until all was in readiness. As a result of this wound he has since lost his right arm. This officer has conformed conspicuous service under fire on other occasions, notably when his company billets were shelled at SAILLY and again in the line at FLEURBAIX when the enemy retaliated heavy on our trenches in reply to a raid by our troops. He has always inspired his men with confidence and fostered an offensive spirit by his splendid example. He was recommended, but received no reward, for his gallantry at LONE PINE, GALLIPOLI, where he hung on to a trench under pressure of heavy counter attacks, for a time only aided by one man. His whole period of service has been of a brilliant order rising from Corporal to Captain and Company Commander during this campaign.” It was signed by the GOC 1^st Infantry Brigade.

He was sent to England on 26^th August 1916 from Rouen with a gunshot wound to the arm (amputated), leaving from Havre on that day. He contracted E.R.Y. and had a relapse. On 29^th August, he was sent to 4^th London General Hospital at Denmark Hill dangerously ill (although an entry above says “G.S.W. Amp. Right arm Slight). He was again listed as dangerously ill on 11^th September 1916. On 29^th November 1916, the Officer Commanding at the hospital wrote that he was progressing favourably. He was transferred from 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital to 2^nd Auxiliary Hospital with an amputated arm on 13^th December 1916. Another undated entry says “Convalescent”.

On Saturday 14 October 1916, the Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW) page 2 had “An Anzac Hero. Sergeant Wren, of Berry, has received the following cable from his son, Captain Eric Wren: — ‘Well again. Right arm amputated. Received French decoration, Croix de Guerre.’” Captain Wren received a wound in the right arm when leading his company into action at Pozieres, and, whilst being carried off the field by the stretcher bearers, received a second wound in the same arm, necessitating the amputation. We may add that Captain Wren enlisted as a private in the old 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, on August 13, 1914, nine days after war was declared, and sailed with the first, detachment to leave Australia. He was wounded at Gallipoli and at Loue Pine, and was one of the last to leave at the evacuation. He received his commission for leading the charge at Lone Pine.”

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) of Saturday 14 October 1916, page 9 had the following: “FRENCH DECORATION. CAPTAIN ERIC WREN. Captain Wren, who has received the French Croix do Guerre, was an ex-student at Sydney University, and occupied a prominent position in the clerical branch of the New South Wales Government Railways. He enlisted in Sydney at the commencement of hostilities, and sailed with the second contingent. He took part in the lighting at Gallipoli, where he was twice wounded. He has recently been severely wounded in France, as the result of which his right arm has been amputated at the elbow. Prior to enlisting, Captain Wren was a prominent figure in metropolitan sporting circles, particularly tennis, and is the holder of numerous trophies won in first grade matches.” Numerous other newspapers from New South Wales and Queensland carried an article promoting Eric being awarded the Croix de Guerre. He was the only officer in the 3^rd Battalion to receive the Croix de Guerre (French).

Under the heading “SEVERELY WOUNDED” in the Argus (Melbourne) of Friday 1 September 1916, page 8 was the entry “NEW SOUTH WALES. – Captain E. W. G. Wren”. The Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer (NSW) of Tuesday 17 October 1916, page 2 had an article on “CAPTAIN ERIC WREN. The parents of Captain Eric Wren, of Berry, have received information that their son has lost his right arm as the result of injuries received at the battle of Pozieres. Captain Wren who has shown conspicuous bravery on the field – he has been several times promoted during the progress of hostilities has received – the French Croix-de-Guerre. The young soldier, who is a clever musician and an all-round sport, went through the Gallipoli campaign, and, has been twice wounded since. Captain Wren was exceedingly popular with his men, and his one regret now is that he will not be able to return to the front.”

He was placed on the supernumerary list on 23^rd October 1916.

The Evening News (Sydney, NSW) of Friday 3 November 1916, page 6 had “N.S.W. HONOR ROLL. CAPTAIN ERIC WREN, of Berry. Wounded. Captain Eric Wren, who has been wounded at Pozieres, was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, and landed at Gallipoli, where he was twice wounded. After the evacuation, he went to France, where he lost his right arm, through gun-shot wounds at Pozieres Previous his enlisting, he was a student at Sydney University.” The article also had a photo of him, but the quality of the article is too poor to copy it.

Major Charles Edward Wassell, Officer Commanding of No. 4 and 5 Australian Auxiliary Hospitals wrote from No 5 Hospital at Digswell House Welwyn to DMS Administrative Headquarters in England, saying “This recommends Captain Wren, 3^rd. Bn. A.I.F. for a fortnight’s leave from 20/11/16. After that period I consider that he would be a suitable case to send to Lady De La Rue at Lockleys, Welwyn.” Early in December, a bulbous nerve was removed from his stump as it had been quite painful.

The Register (Adelaide) on Monday 11 December 1916, page 7 and the Southern Cross (Adelaide) on Friday 15 December 1916, page 20 both had the following entry “The French Croix de Guerre has been awarded .to the following Australian officers:— Capt. Eric William Gregg Wren, 3rd Battalion (N.S.W).” His service record has an entry on 28^th December 1916 “The President of the French Republic has bestowed the Decoration Cross de Guerrie in recognition of his distinguished services during the Campaign”.

He was transferred to Cobham Hall in London from 2^nd Auxiliary Hospital on 12^th January 1917. On 3^rd April 1917, he was discharged to Perham Downs from hospital.

On 2^nd April 1917, he was seconded for duty with the 14^th Infantry Training Battalion at Hurdcott, as the second in command. A record also on that date stated he was transferred from 3^rd Battalion supernumerary list to permanent supply list. He was marched in to the 14^th Training Battalion from AIF Headquarters on the 5^th. While there, he was President of the Officers Mess.

Base Records sent Mr A E Wren Esquire of Victoria Street Berry a letter on 25^th April 1917, stating: – “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Supplement No. 29854 to the London Gazette of 8^th December, 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by Captain E. W. G. Wren, 3^rd Battalion. AWARDED THE CROIX DE GUERRE. “The President of the French Republic has bestowed the decoration “Croix de Guerre” on the undermentioned officer, in recognition of his distinguished service during the campaign :- Captain ERIC WILLIAM GREGG WREN.””

On 22^nd June 1917, he was detached to 2^nd Infantry Battalion from attached duty with 14^th Training Battalion.

A confidential report was sent to the Examining Board from RMO R S De Corney Bennett of 3^rd T. B. at Dorrington Camp on 11^th August 1917. It read: – “Captain Wren’s Medical History. April 26^th 1915 was wounded on Gallipoli with bullet through neck, exit right side of spine. No damage to lung. Invalided to Egypt; in Hospital onemonth. August 13^th 1915, wounded by bomb right side of face and left shoulder, had Dysentery at the time; evacuated to Lemnos Hospital 6 weeks. July 24^th 1916. Wound of right arm with gas gangrene, necessitating amputation. August 28^th, 1916. Contracted E.R.Y. and had relapse; convalescent middle of November. December, early in the month Bulbous nerve removed from stump. March 1917. COmmenced duty. At present 2^nd in command and Training Officer of 3^rd T.B., Dorrington Camp. Light Duty conditional. Has not been in very good health lately, complaining of pain in stump and shoulder during cold and damp weather; otherwise stump in very satisfactory condition. Haemorrhoids also have been giving trouble but are better now. Has been r ather depressed lately and worries over his work. In my opinion a change to Australia would be beneficial to his health, both mentally and bodily.”

On 16^th August 1917, he was admitted to Cobham Downs with NYD (not yet diagnosed) and was discharged to Weymouth on 2^nd September 1917. He had been deemed unfit for all services permanently on 13^th August 1917. He proceeded to No.2 Commonwealth Depot to await embarkation to Australia.

Eric returned to Australia on 10^th September 1917. He arrived in Australia on A38 HMAT Ulysses on 16^th November 1917. His appointment was terminated in Australia on 13^th December 1917. A letter from Victoria Barracks in Sydney showed he was “recommended for termination of appointment from the Australian Imperial Force in consequence of Medical unfitness” and was sent to Base Records on 3^rd December 1917 with documents referring to his case. His address was listed as 15 Arcadia Road, Glebe Point NSW.

The Arrow (Sydney) of Friday 30 November 1917, page 3 had the following article: – “CAPTAIN ERIC WREN, One of our First Grade tennis players, has returned from the front minus his right arm. That is not going to stop him playing tennis, and he is practising with his left arm, and making good progress. Before he enlisted he promised to become one of the State’s best men. Young Wren enlisted as a private, took part in the heroic landing at Gallipoli, and was promoted for gallant service.”

Eric married Dorothy Brown on 27^th August 1918 in Queensland. Dorothy had been born on 10^th September 1886 in Brisbane, a child to David Laughland Brown and Marion Wight. David had been born in Scotland in 1839 and married Marion in Brisbane on 29^th November 1870. He passed away in 1907 and is buried in Toowong Cemetery Brisbane. They had 12 children. Marion was born in Scotland in 1851 and died in 1928 in Brisbane.

They had two sons, Eric David Wren, born on 29^th August 1919 in Sydney and Ian Douglas Kay Wren, who was born on 4^th July 1924 at Sydney.

His father was recorded in Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW) of Tuesday 9 September 1919, page 2 in an article: – “Soldiers’ Trouble at Casino. The cases against the soldiers who allegedly made trouble with Constable Schuman and another policeman at Casino, were called on last week, when the case of Cyril Ellem (a Macleay River lad) was taken first, obscene language being the ground of action. In the course of his cross-examination at the hands of Sergeant Wren, Ellem admitted that he did not think it was becoming conduct for returned soldiers to do as they had done. The Police Magistrate here interposed. He asked defendant if, in view of the very proper answer he had given to the last question, he did not think it would be a good thing to find a shorter way out of the proceedings. If it was his desire to go on, he would see that every vestige of evidence was dragged out. There was also a shorter way to end the matter. It was for defendant to say which he would choose. Defendant agreed to an adjournment, during which the parties conferred with the Magistrate. On resuming, Mr. Kissane said he had been instructed to say that the soldiers regretted, without making admissions, coming into conflict with the police, and desired to thank his Worship for the course he had taken. Sergt. Wren remarked that he was quite satisfied and was pleased the matter had been settled. There was one thing, however, which he desired to refer to. It had been suggested that Constable Schuman was a German. That was absolutely un-true. He had his birth certificate which showed that he was not only an Australian himself, but that his parents were also Australian born. The Police Magistrate, in dismissing the information against defendant and the charges against the others, said the Australian boys had fought and established a magnificent reputation, and they could always look for the sympathy of the court, and they could look for it much more readily when they took the straightforward course, which they had done that day.”

In the 1930 electoral roll, they were living at 13 Cooper St Strathfield, where he was a clerk and she did home duties. By the 1934 roll, they had moved to 21 Cooper St Strathfield, with the same occupations.

As honorary historian of the 3^rd Battalion AIF Association, Eric wrote a letter to T Robinson, Officer in Charge of Base Records in Melbourne on 3^rd November 1934 from his home “Therma” 21 Cooper Street Strathfield. The letter read: – “Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your letter of the 25^th Sept last, in which you mentioned the fact that Corporal L. T. Monks, 3^rd Battalion, was found to have been killed in action at Gallipoli between the 7^th and 12^th August, 1915, and that the information was the result of a Court of Enquiry. Would it be possible to obtain a list of 3^rd Battalion from you who were presumed to have been killed in that action? If you have the 3^rd Bn. list I would be glad to have copy of same? If it is a case of hunting through each man’s individual file to secure the information I realise only too well the futility of asking for such information. On the other hand if the Court of Enquiry proceedings are available to you, it would make a valuable footnote to my account of the Battle of Lone Pine. Thanking you for your courtesy in these matters, Yours faithfully, Eric Wren”. A letter from Base Records to him replied: – “Dear Sir, With reference to your further communication of 3.11.1934, I am forwarding herewith as requested copy of Court of Enquiry Proceedings held for the purpose of investigating the fate of 3^rd. Battalion personnel reported missing at Gallipoli, which I trust will meet with your requirements. It is to be understood that the information disclosed herein is to be regarded as confidential, and I should be obliged if you would kindly undertake to return the enclosed copy at your earliest convenience under registered cover.” It was signed by the Officer Commanding Base Records. It was sent on 12^th November 1934 by registered post No. 3337. On 19^th November, Eric replied to Base Record, saying: – “I am in receipt of your letter of the 9^th inst enclosing Court of Enquiry Proceedings into the case of missing men at Gallipoli, for which many thanks. I have noted your paragraph regarding the information being kept confidential and you have my assurance that your confidence will not be misplaced. Before the Publication of the History of the whole of the manuscript will be submitted to the Secretary of the Defence Department, who will presumably send it on to Dr. Bean for censorship, I mention this fact so as to put your mind at rest regarding any information you may supply me with from time to time. Your file of papers will be returned to you per registered letter within the course of a few days. Thanking you for your help in the matter” and it was signed by Eric Wren. Base Records received it on the 21^st. Eric sent the original copy of the Base Record letter back, with a note on the back “Papers are returned herewith very many thanks for your assistance in the matter”. It was dated 17^th December and reached Base Records on 19^th December 1934.

The Katoomba Daily (NSW) of Thursday 6 July 1933, page 1 contained this article: – “WAR HISTORY THIRD BATTALION. The Honorary Secretary of the Soldiers’ Poppy Day Appeal has informed the Town Clerk (Mr. F. C. Taylor.) that Captain Eric Wren, of the 3rd Battalion, A.I.F., is compiling a battalion history and wishes to get in touch with all late men of the 3rd Battalion A.I.F. He asks that if there are any ex-Third Battalion men in this district they be requested to get in touch with Mr. Wren, ‘Therma,’ 21 Cooper St., Strathfield, with as little delay as possible.” Other newspapers of the district carried similar articles.

The Sun (Sydney, NSW) of Saturday 30 March 1935, page 7 had the following article: – “3rd Battalion History The history of the 3rd Battalion (A.I.F.), which is now in the hands of the printer, will be ready for sale on Anzac Day Captain Eric Wren, of the N.S.W. Railways, who served with the 3rd Battalion at Gallipoli and in France, was chiefly responsible for its compilation.”

Their address was still 21 Cooper St Strathfield in the 1935 NSW electoral roll and Eric was listed as a clerk, with Dorothy doing home duties.

The Argus (Melbourne) of Saturday 20 July 1935, page 7 had the following story: – “BATTLE GLORY

History of 3rd Battalion

Randwick to Hargicourt “The History of the 3rd Battalion AIF” by Eric Wren (Australia Ronald C McDonald), 10/

Major-General Sir Nevill Smith, VC, who writes a foreword to this useful history, reminds us that the 3rd Battalion lost more men killed in action than any other Australian regiment, and he draws an interesting parallel between the casualties at the Battle of Lone Pine, where the battalion lost 70 per cent of its officers, and the British Third Foot The Buffs, which entered the Battle of Albuera, in 1811, with 24 officers and 750 other ranks, and had a roll-call next morning of five officers and 35 men As a typical example of the spirit of high determination and endurance that moved the battalion in the field, Major-General Smyth recalls the case of Sergeant A A Foley, who received seven wounds in the war and returned each time to his comrades. It is 20 years since the 3rd covered itself in glory on the shrapnel-swept hills of Gallipoli, and the long interval has enabled Mr Wren, who played a not inconspicuous part in the battalion’s adventures, to gather much material that would not have been so readily to hand had his book been compiled contemporarily or soon after the event. He has done his work thoroughly and well. The training, the convoy, the manoeuvres In Egypt (when Colonel MacLaurin delivered his famous judgment, “Men, you are now fit for war”), the battles, the rests in billets, leave in Blighty, the rehearsals behind the lines, transport by train ‘bus, and foot-no incident, big or little, has escaped Mr Wren’s memory. Full justice is done to the Landing, to the repulse of the Turkish attack at Owen’s Gully, to the Battle of Lone Pine, to the arrival in France, the capture of Pozieres and the second fight at Pozieres, the fighting at Flers, the victory at Hermies the battle of Bullecourt, the terrible fighting in the Ypres salient-Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde-the foiling of the German advance upon Amiens, with the defence of Hazebrouck and the Battle of Strazeele, and the advance to victory in August, 1918 with the battles of Proyart, Chuignes, and Hargicourt In describing all these stirring events, Mr Wren has used a graphic pen, and to heighten the realism he has made liberal use of letters written at the time by members of the battalion.”

Captain Eric Wren had first released his Battalion History for the 1935 Anzac Day; likewise, this reprint was released for the 2013 Anzac Day.

This site – https://3rdbattalionaif.wordpress.com/page/3/ – has an excerpt from his book on the Capture of Pozieres on 20^th July 1916.

The Cootamundra Herald (NSW) of Friday 17 April 1936, page 7 has an article, which was also recorded in other papers of the time. “A.I.F. HISTORY PRAISED IN LONDON The history of the 3rd Battalion A.I.F., written by a Cootamundra “old boy,” Captain Eric Wren, of the New South Wales Railway Department, has received high commendation from “The Times.” “Many characters come to life in a manner unusual in books of this sort, and the descriptions are most realistic” says ”The Times,” which adds: “The story of Gallipoli has been told often enough but, there is something more to be learnt here of its miseries; the dreadful sickness and weakness of the troops; the plague of flies; the lack of rest and of the comforts to be obtained when out of the line in more fortunate theatres of war.” Captain Wren was an original member of the 3rd Battalion, and lost an arm at Pozieres.”

Another article was written in the Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) of Thursday 25 April 1935, page 14

“3rd BATTALION, A.I.F.

A GLOWING HISTORY.

(BY F. M. CUTLACK.)

Aptly enough for Anzac Day, Captain Eric Wren, late of the 3rd Battalion, A.I.F., has written his history of the battalion under the title of “From Randwick to Hargicourt” (published by Ronald G. McDonald, Sydney). General Sir Nevill Smyth, V.C., writes a foreword, and there are messages of congratulation to survivors of the old battalion from the late Major-General Sir Horace Walker (who formerly commanded the 1st Division) and Brigadier-General Lesslie (formerly commander of 1st Brigade). Captain Wren has had to collect the material for this story from many sources within and without the ranks of the unit. It might have been written, he states, sixteen years ago, but for good and sufficient reasons was not. He thinks that the story can now be told better, in the “mellowed perspective” of twenty years after; and certainly this writer, who has read many war reminiscences and unit histories, is convinced that it could not be told better than Captain Wren has told it here.

It is no easy task to write the war record of a unit which shall fulfil the special demand of what is almost a family history, and yet shall by its narrative force command the interest of general readers. Captain Wren has accomplished that task. A test of it is the skill with which he has contrived to reveal the difference between the battalion atmosphere of Gallipoli and that of the Somme, the first, gruelling in war and the second, the gradual growth in efficiency, understanding of combined action, and esprit de corps. The trick is not so easy as Captain Wren’s simple and lucid style would suggest. The search for descriptions of battalion life in records possessed by survivors or left by the dead, senior officers, or privates, has apparently been very thorough; and the bare bones of the battalion diary, the essential framework of honest history, is adorned constantly with living personal narratives of each notable event of experience.

It is a far cry from the first assembly at Randwick to the final retirement, from the fighting line after Hargicourt; and in the icy mud of the Somme winter, when the Mena sands and the Pyramids seemed to belong to a pre-historic age, Australia remoter still, was indeed, another world. The battalion was constantly bereft of sterling leaders, officers, and n.c.o.’s, and of its most experienced soldiers—killed in action; and was as regularly replenished from cadre. Sir Nevill Smyth records that the 3rd Battalion lost more men killed in action than any other Australian regiment. It lost in the three days’ fighting at Lone Pine in August, 1915, nearly three-quarters of its numbers. Only six officers out of 27 were not casualties, and 277 other ranks out of 856. Again in the murderous first attack on Pozieres the battalion’s casual-ties were 14 officers (five killed) and 510 men (144 killed or missing). Second Bullecourt was another costly action. But the enemy responsible for these losses on each occasion suffered damages of equal severity.

There are several amusing stories of battalion life, of the sort that every Australian battalion could retail. The book is liberally illustrated with photographs, some of them reproductions which many Australian soldiers will treasure, and there is a nominal roll of all who served in the battalion, numbering some 5400 names.”

His picture in the book.

His address was listed as Stores Branch NSW Railways, Wynyard Station Sydney from 1936 to 1938, but his usual address of “Therma” 21 Cooper St Strathfield NSW was also recorded with dates 1921 to 1938.

Eric & Dorothy.

On 27^th November 1937, the Deputy Commissioner of the Repatriation Commission asked Base Records for documents relating to Eric’s service, which were forwarded to them on 1^st December.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) of Tuesday 26 April 1938, page 3 had an article on a nurses reunion, and part of the article was a discussion about matron Kellett as follows: “Wearing more medals than anybody was Matron A. M. Kellett, C.B.E., R.R.C., whose other decorations comprise the 1914 Star and the Service, Victory, Jubilee, Coronation, and Florence Nightingale medals. Matron was having an animated chat with Mrs. Eric Wren, wife of Captain Wren.

“She annexed the only officer who came to the 2nd Australian Army Headquarters Circle,” said matron. “She was Sister Dorothy Brown in those days.”

“Matron was always a brilliant match-maker,” said Mrs. Wren.

“Well, it wasn’t so much match-making as marriage-attending,” replied Matron Kellett, who confessed that she had attended 12 marriages of members of her staff during the war.”

 

Eric served in WW2 as N272113 ACMF, but his service record and a record about his death are not online and have not been examined. Another record for him, listed as R107887 is open but not online. He enlisted on 12^th June 1941 at Paddington and was living at 21 Cooper St, Strathfield, New South Wales with his occupation as clerk. A note on one of his service records says Temporary major with AHQ from 18^th June 1941. He died on 24^th June 1941 in Melbourne as a Captain with HQ 1^st Provost Company. He is listed on the Roll of Honour at Sydney.

In the New South Wales index to deceased estate files, Eric was noted as a clerk, whose address was Strathfield with date of grant 29^th July 1941 and his lawyers were Biddulph & Salenger. His estate was £2476. The CWGC entry for him reads “WREN, Capt. ERIC WILLIAM GREGG, N.272113. A.C.M.F. H.Q. Pro. Coy., Australian Army Provost Corps. 24^th June, 1941. Son of Alfred Ernest and Ann Maria Townsend Wren; husband of Dorothy Wren, of Strathfield, New South Wales. B.Ec. (Sydney). Panel 2 (cremated Springvale Crematorium).” His ashes are at the Victoria Cremation Memorial.

 

Heading at memorial

Close up of panel.

 

The Sydney Morning Herald had a death notice for him on 27^th June 1941, stating he died at Caulfield Military Hospital. On the 28^th, the paper had the following obituary: – “The death has occurred in Melbourne of Major Eric William Gregg Wren, historian of the 3rd Battalion, A.I.F. Major Wren enlisted in 1914 as a private, and left Australia as a corporal. After the landing of his battalion at Gallipoli he was promoted to sergeant, and held his commission in the attack on Lone Pine. After the evacuation he was promoted to captain, and was in charge of “C” Company during the Somme offensive. In the attack on Pozieres he lost an arm, and was later appointed second in command of Training Battalion. He was decorated with the Croix de Guerre. After his return from active service Major Wren resumed his duties with the New South Wales Government Railways, and until recently was staff superintendent of the stores branch. Two weeks ago he was appointed Major in the Ordnance Branch, and was transferred to Melbourne last week. Major Wren was chairman of the 2nd/4th Battalion Comforts Fund, past vice-president of the Limbless Soldiers’ Association, and was connected with many sporting bodies. He was the historian of the 3rd Battalion, and wrote Randwick to Hargicourt. He is survived by Mrs. Wren and two sons, the elder of whom is now serving abroad.”

 

An obituary also was in the Northern Star (Lismore, NSW) on Wednesday 25 June 1941, page 4

“CAPTAIN ERIC WREN

CASINO, Tuesday.—The death occurred in the Caulfield Military Hospital this morning of Captain Eric Wren (52), son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wren, of Casino, and brother of Mrs. H. J. Waddell, of Casino. Capt. Wren, who resided in Sydney, left there at the beginning of last week for Melbourne to take up the important appointment of Deputy Director of Ordnance at army headquarters. He was in his usual good health then but became ill later in the week and entered hospital for an operation. The deceased served with distinction in the A.I.F, in the last war, being a member of the 3rd Battalion. He enlisted a few days after the outbreak of war in 1914 and left Australia with the first contingent. For distinguished conduct during the fighting in France he was awarded the French honour of the Croix de Guerre, being decorated at a function in Paris. Capt. Wren lost his right arm while serving in France in 1916. He had been an interstate tennis player before the war and on returning to Australia he continued to participate in the game, despite the loss of the arm. He secured the degree of bachelor of economics at Sydney University and was the author of an entertaining book entitled “Randwick to Hargincourt,” dealing with his wartime experiences.

He is survived by a widow and two sons. One of them, Lieut. David Wren, is at present overseas with the A.I.F. and. like his father, enlisted within a few days of the outbreak of the present war.

The remains will be cremated in Melbourne to-morrow after a military funeral.”

The University of Sydney has an entry in their Book of Remembrance which lists his military service. It also notes he received a Bachelor of Economics in 1921, and a note says that “this is the degree earned or studied before enlisting, so he may have been part way through it when he enlisted. – http://beyond1914.sydney.edu.au/profile/4380/eric-william-gregg-wren . He is listed in the book University of Sydney: Roll of Service on page 551, which gives and outline of his service and promotions in WW1 and noted he was the author of “Randwick to Hargicourt”.

His will is listed in NSW records as 260143- Wren Eric William Gregg, late of Strathfield- Clerk; and reads “This is the last will and testament of me Eric William Gregg Wren of “Therma” Cooper Street Strathfield near Sydney in the State of New South Wales I give devise and bequeath all the reel and personal property whatsoever and wheresover situate of which I may be possessed at the date of my death to my wife Dorothy Wren and I appoint my said wife Dorothy Wren to be the executrix of this my Will Dated this twelfth day of July 1921 ERIC WILLIAM GREGG WREN. Signed by the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of Jack Cassidy and Ruby Brown who both being present at the same time at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto set their signatures; – Witnesses Jack Cassidy “Ivanhoe” Eurelle St Burwood- Ruby Brown 202 Bowen Terrace Brisbane Queensland. 29^th July 1942. On this date Probate of the last Will and Testament of the abovenamed deceased (dated the 12^th day of July 1921) was granted to Dorothy Wren the sole Executrix named in the said Will (Subject to usual enemy conditions) Testator died on the 24^th day of June 1941- Estate sworn at the value of £2,475.14.5 nett.

Dorothy continued to live at 21 Cooper St Strathfield from 1943 to 1963 electoral rolls, doing home duties. Sometime after 1963 she moved to Townsville, dying there on 28^th August 1970.

 

With their sons: –

 

Eric David Wren joined the army in WW2 as NX64 on 21^st October 1939 at Victoria Barracks Sydney. He was a 20 year old law clerk, height 5 foot 10 inches, a ruddy complexion with black hair and brown eyes. His next of kin was his father, at 21 Cooper Street Strathfield, which was also his address. Eric served from 22^nd October 1939 to 23^rd February 1946. His ranks were Lieutenant (Provisional) from 3^rd June 1939 and Captain from 2^nd September 1941. He was taken on the strength of the 2/4 Battalion on 23^rd October 1940. He was sent to the Mediterranean where he was transferred to “X” AA RAA. From October 1942, he spent his time in Australia until October 1944, when he was posted to ANGAU. He was seconded to 19 A.I.T.B on 7^th March 1943 and to LHQ S of Civil Affairs on 5^th February 1945. On 31^st May 1945 he was sent to British North Borneo. On 24^th March 1946, he was discharged as Captain in the 2/4 Australian Infantry Battalion and transferred to Reserve of Officers 2^nd MD, and was transferred to 1MD on 8^th June 1948 and back on 19^th April 1950. He had served with his Battalion at Tobruk, Wadi Derna, Benghazi, Greece, Crete, Syria and New Guinea. He was entitled to 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence, War and Australian Service Medals.

There is also a record at NAA which states he was a Patrol Officer in Papua New Guinea, with the date of 1965, but the file is not open. In 1958 he was living in Liverpool at Wilson Road Green Valley and he was a machinist. He married Beverley Mary Hancock (1942 to 2013) in 1963. The 1972 electoral roll shows him as a machinist living at 227 Memorial Avenue Liverpool, but with Eva Amanda Wren who was doing home duties. They were both still there in 1977 and 1980 rolls. He died on 25^th November 1995 in Ballina.

 

 

Ian Douglas Kay Wren was listed in the 1949 electoral roll as a soldier, living at his parent’s home with his mother. He enlisted in WW2 on 13^th December 1944 at Duntroon and was discharged on 7^th July 1968 as 2391 (NX179837) Captain in the Australian Staff Corps. His service record on NAA is open with exceptions, but not online. In 1951, he married Gwen Maslen Kaill (1927-2002). In the 1954 electoral roll, they were living at 32 Married Quarters Kapooka. In the 1972 roll, they were at 14 Mill Road Tulle and he was a registrar. By 1977, they were living near Lismore and he was an education administrator. By 1980, they had shifted to Quilty Road, just outside of Lismore and he was an administrator. He died on 25^th December 2012 in Kingaroy.

 

 

With his family: –

Alfred Ernest Wren was listed as an auctioneer from the 1930 to 1943 electoral rolls, living at 45 Barker Street Casino. His wife was just recorded as Townsend Wren in all the rolls. Alfred passed away on 21^st March 1947. His index to deceased estate files recorded him as a retired Police Sergeant, living at Casino and probate was granted on 19^th April 1947. He was buried in Casino West Cemetery in the Old Presbyterian section on 22^nd March 1947, in Row 1 Plot 19. His record also noted him as a retired police officer.

Ann Maria Townsend Wren was listed at 140 Hickey Street Casino in the 1949 electoral roll, still doing home duties. She passed away in Brisbane on 21^st November 1953. It is not known if she is buried at Casino cemetery.

Alfred and Ann had three other children: –

Lillias Charlotte Jane Webb was born on 26^th January 1887 in Queanbeyan. She married Edward George Chatfield (1870-1936) on 15^th October 1918, was a dressmaker and died on 27^th November 1945 in Queanbeyan and is buried in Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery.

Alfred Gordon Webb was born on 16^th April 1890 in Braidwood, New South Wales. In 1913 electoral roll, he was living at 28 Campbell Street St. Leonards and was a clerk. He married Alma Patterson in 1921 in Randwick. In 1930, they were living at 245 Rainbow Street, Randwick and he was still a clerk and Alma a school teacher. In subsequent electoral rolls from 1942 to 1972, they were living at 242 Rainbow Street, both with the same occupations. Alfred died on 18^th August 1973 in Newtown, New South Wales. Alma died in 1983.

Birdie Madeline Violet Wren was born on 13^th July 1898 at Cootamundra. She married Henry James Waddell (1886-1958) in 1920 in Lismore. In the 1930 electoral roll, they were living at Hickey Street Casino and Henry was a medical practitioner, with Birdie doing home duties. They were still there in the 1937 roll. In WW2, Henry served and was discharged as Captain N458173 in the 22^nd Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps on 30^th September 1945. His service records are not opened. She died in 1974.

His medals are 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Croix de Guerre.

 

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.