WW1

STILL, Lieutenant George Alfred MC

Posted May 17, 2017 by Admin

Lieutenant George Alfred Still MC

31st Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

George Alfred Still was born in Reigate, Surrey, England on 4^th January 1883 at Montpelier Villa, London Road, Red Hill. His father was listed as a schoolmaster. He was one of eight children to George Ewers Still and Lucy Arnold. George and Lucy were married on 28^th December 1880 at West Brompton. In the 1881 census George was living at Hove in Sussex with his parents and Lucy was with her parents in London. He was a graduate of St. Mark’s College. George was listed as a School Master and Lucy was a Fancy Goods Assistant, working in the fancy goods trade with her father and siblings. Their first child Sarah was born in late 1881. George Alfred was the second child. He had 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

In July 1884, the four of them departed Liverpool for Brisbane on the Nevasa, arriving there on the 8^th of September. George was one of a batch of teachers brought out from England by the Queensland Government. He took up a position as headmaster of Newtown School in Maryborough (now Maryborough West State School). After arriving in Queensland the rest of the children were born from 1885 to 1901. A younger brother, Kenneth Victor, who was born in 1893, died in Maryborough and was buried in the cemetery there in 1895. In 1895, at the end of year breakup, the headmaster George Still gave a report which included “that Haidee Sunners and George Still obtained Grammar School Scholarships at the last examination, the latter not being twelve years old at the time.” In 1898 a list of passes of the Maryborough candidates for the Junior Public Examinations for the University of Sydney were published and included George, who matriculated with English A, French C, Latin C, Greek B, arithmetic B and algebra B. The youngest brother and family member, Victor, was born in Maryborough in 1897.

The 1903 Electoral Roll shows they were living at Ariadne Street in Maryborough and George Ewers was a Schoolmaster. In December 1905 the Maryborough Chronicle reported the breakup at Maryborough West State School and that that “was the twentieth and last at which Mr. Still would preside.” An address was read to him from the staff and children and he was presented with a parting gift. The family relocated to Boonah where he was a school teacher and they were still there in 1908 and by the 1913 Electoral Roll. He was head teacher of the Boonah State School and then Brassall State School.

By 1905 George Alfred Still had started working and on the 1^st October, he was appointed as a Draftsman in the Survey office of the Department of Public Lands. On 26^th March 1908 he married Maggie Gilles Smith Gibson in Queensland. Maggie had been born in Queensland on 20^th April 1883, a daughter to Andrew Gibson and Margaret Smith. By the 1905 Electoral Roll she was living with a sister in Kelvin Grove Road Brisbane and was doing domestic duties. In the 1908 Electoral Roll they were at Simpson Road, West Paddington, Brisbane and he was listed as a surveyor. On 23^rd February 1912 he was listed in the Queensland Gazette as a Professional Class IV, in the Survey Office, Department of Public Lands. The 1913 Roll has them living at Fernberg Road, West Paddington with his occupation as surveyor.

On 27^th May 1915 George attested with the 31^st Battalion in Brisbane. The 31^st Battalion was raised at Enogerra in Brisbane as part of the 8^th Brigade in August 1915. He then applied for a Commission on 20^th August, as he qualified at an examination for first appointment as 2^nd Lieutenant. He was appointed to the AIF on the 30^th. His educational qualifications were listed as Grammar School, Public Service Examination and Sydney University Junior, Matriculation and Senior Examinations. He requested that 10 shillings per day was to go to his wife on 29^th September, which Maggie signed for.

On 5^th November 1915, the 31^st Battalion (1^st Reinforcements) embarked on HMAT Bakara A41 in Melbourne. On the Nominal Roll, George was listed as a Lieutenant of 32 years old, a surveyor of address “Nowra”, Upper Fernberg Road, Ithaca, Brisbane. Oddly his wife’s address is given as Simpson’s Rd, Upper Paddington in Brisbane. His religion was listed as Presbyterian and he was a British subject. The description of his present civil employment was given as computing draftsman and surveyor at the Survey Office Lands Department. His previous military experience was noted as 2 years’ Field Artillery in Brisbane and 6 years Grammar School Cadets where he held the rank of Lieutenant. He was 5 foot 8.75 inches tall, weighed 156 pounds, had a chest measurement of 36.5 to 38.5 inches, and was of fair complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. His vision was 6/6 and 6/12 and had 2 vaccination marks on the right arm and a mole on the right shoulder. His term of service was for the duration of the war and 4 months.

They disembarked at Suez on 7^th December 1915. On 2^nd March 1916, he was posted to B Company at Tel-el-Kebir and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 21^st.

Group portrait of officers of the 31st Battalion, on board A62 HMAT Wandilla enroute to Egypt. From left, Front row: 2nd Lt George Alfred Still from Brisbane (later awarded MC).

The Battalion embarked at Alexandria to join the BEF on the Honorata on 16^th June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on the 23^rd. George was placed as Intelligence Officer under Lieutenant-Colonel Fred Toll, the Commanding Officer of the Battalion and worked closely with him. Prior to the attack, George and other observers gathered information and were praised by Toll who said the “men of this party also deserve praise for their untiring efforts and constant vigilance throughout the period 6^th to 19^th July.” The 31^st Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19^th July 1916. The assault had been postponed from the 17^th, but even then the Battalion had suffer casualties due to enemy shelling. After a 7 hour artillery bombardment, which was ineffective, the attack was mown down by the German machine-gunners with severe losses. After the first two waves were sent off and mauled, Toll, realising the futility of the attack, and George (who had been buried by an artillery shell before the attack) led the third and fourth waves. Some German trenches were taken, but were lost due to no support and fierce counter-attacks. With Lieutenant-Colonel Toll, George had much difficulty in holding the troops, who had seen another Battalion withdraw and began to go back across No-Man’s Land. In his notes on Fromelles, C. E. W. Bean writes “Toll, at 5.45, finding himself alone with Lt. Still and Cpl. Carew, both seriously wounded, strode back across No-Man’s Land, practically the last of his brigade.” Both flanks had been broken and they returned to the original front lines, with very heavy casualties. 544 men of the 31^st Battalion were casualties. The 5^th Division had over 5000 casualties.

George was placed on the seconded list as evacuated sick on the 24^thJuly. On 30^th July 1916 George was sent from the 30^th General Hospital at Calais to England with debility and eye strain (severe) on the HS Brighton. When Lieutenant-Colonel Toll wrote up the War Diary, he nominated twenty Officers and men for distinction in order of merit, with Lieutenant Still being the first name on the list and his name underlined for special consideration. Toll wrote “Lieut. G. A. STILL For gallantry in organising straggling troops and advancing over open country in rear of enemy’s position, also for keeping up communications with Brigade Heaq. by means of pigeons, and later runners, and in German main breastworks during the night, assisted in consolidating positions won, and generally devotion to duty.” Army Form W 3121 has George listed in an immediate award list on 3^rd August with the entry reading “At PETILLION on 19^th/20^th July 1916, displayed gallantry in organising straggling troops and advancing over open country in rear of enemies positions, also in keeping up communication with Brigade Headquarters by means of pigeons and later runners. When in the German main breastworks during the night assisted in consolidating the position won and displayed most praiseworthy devotion to duty.” It was stamped awarded M.C. on 28^th August. On 31^st August 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross in France. It was gazetted in the London Gazette on 26^th September 1916 page 9436. The entry reads: – “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He rallied and organised straggling troops, and led them on over open country. During the night, in the enemy’s main breastwork, he ably assisted in consolidating the position won.” He was the only Queensland officer to be awarded the Military Cross for that battle, the only other one that was awarded to the 31^st Battalion was to 2^nd Lieutenant L J Trounson from Maryborough Victoria. On 20^th September 1916 he was discharged from Brook War Hospital at Woolwich. He was placed on the supernumerary list on 24^th October. George was marched in at Weymouth on 26^th January 1917, marched out for embarkation to Australia on 10^th February and was struck off strength on 13th February. He returned to Australia on HT Ulysses at Plymouth on 13^th February. His record originally said gunshot wound to chest and arm, which were crossed out, and then recorded as shell shock and amblyopia of the left eye. In his reference, Bean mentions that George lost sight in one eye, but that is not confirmed in his records.

George was marched in to the Number 2 Command Depot. He was discharged in Queensland on 22^nd June 1917. In his statement of service form, Maggie’s original address was given as “Matea” Karella Rd Cremorne Sydney NSW, which was crossed out with the Simpson’s Road address added. He was added to the Reserve of Officers list on 1^st July 1920 as a Lieutenant.

From the 1925 to 1943 Electoral Rolls they were living in Flaxton, a tiny village near Nambour and he was an orchardist; very much a change in his occupation. By 1925 his father had retired and was living in Ipswich. He was appointed a returning officer for Fassifern and Bremer electorates. He was admitted to the Ipswich General Hospital in June 1934. George Ewers Still passed away on 20^th October 1934 in Queensland. An obituary stated he was head teacher at Maryborough West State School for 20 years, 11 years at Boonah and 8 at Brassall and retired in 1925. He was also a member of the Maryborough and Ipswich District Teachers’ Associations. On 6^th November 1947 Lucy (his mother) passed away at Rosalie and was privately cremated. In the 1949 roll they had retired to Tugun on the Gold Coast. They shifted again and by the 1954 Electoral Roll they were living on the corner of North and Bayview Roads at number 121 North Street at Brighton, and were still there in the 1958 Roll. He was still retired. The 1963 roll finds both of them in a retirement village called Iona at Brookfield Road Kenmore, in Brisbane. Maggie passed away on 2^nd December 1964 and George passed away in 1968. They had no children.

He was awarded the Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

One of George’s younger brothers, Victor, also served in WW1. Victor was an engine fitter from Boonah. He enlisted as Private 2674 in the 9^th Battalion on 26^th May 1915, was transferred to the 49^th Battalion on 2^nd April 1917 in France and was wounded in 1917 with a severe gunshot wound of the back. He was admitted to hospital and died of wounds on 29^th October 1917 at 5.25 am. Victor is buried in Mont Houn Military Cemetery, grave number 663B.

A sister, Lucy Elizabeth, married John Mitchell Norris in 1912. John served in WW1 as Sapper 22312 in the Field Company Engineers, but did not embark until March 1918. He returned to Australia in August 1919.

His youngest brother, Arnold born in 1901 in Maryborough, became a Police Constable there. He served in a few places in Queensland, rising to the rank of Senior Sergeant when he was in Brisbane. He passed away there in 1971. Arnold’s son, Leonard Victor Still married Helen Martin Steel, whose brother, Robert Martin Steel, served in WW1 as Sapper 5423 in the Mining and Tunnelling Company. Robert was born in Scotland, was a miner and migrated to Queensland in 1911. His son, James Robert Steel born in 1922 in Ipswich, served in WW2 as Leading Aircraftman 426006 in 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight.

Robert Martin Steel

Private Victor Still 2674.

WATSON, Colonel William Walker Russell, CB CMG MiD VD Leg D’Hon (Fr)

Posted May 17, 2017 by Admin

Colonel William Walker Russell Watson CB CMG MiD VD

Leg D’Hon (Fr)

2nd NSW Mounted Infantry Contingent

1902 Coronation Contingent

Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force

24th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo taken September 1914.

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

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

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

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

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

He was appointed CMG on December 1918.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ASHBURNER, Clifford William Ernest MiD

Posted May 17, 2017 by Admin

Clifford William Ernest Ashburner MiD

9^th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

4^th Brigade Machine Gun Squadron, AIF

12th Garrison Battalion

Headquarters British Commonwealth Occupation Force

by Robert Simpson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rosemary’s medals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In loving memory of

Clifford W Ashburner

Who died 25^th June 1966

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

A.I.F. 1939-45

R.I.P.

My Father

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

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

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

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

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

BENNETT, Lance Sergeant Godfrey Arthur

Posted May 5, 2017 by Admin

Lance Sergeant Godfrey Arthur Bennett

6th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

Godfrey Arthur Bennett was born in Balwyn Victoria on 31^st July 1894, a son to George Jesse Bennett and Harriet Ann Bentley. His birth record has his name as Arth Godfrey Bennett, but nowhere else is it listed this way. George had been previously married to Charlotte Hancock in 1872 in Victoria. They had five children and the youngest passed away at 3 months in 1880. Charlotte passed away in 1881 and he remarried to Harriet Ann Bentley in 1885. They had six children, two dying in childhood. Harriet May Bennett was born in 1888 and died in 1889 and George Percival Bennett was born in 1891 and died in 1900. The other three sons and daughter all lived to adulthood. Godfrey was the youngest child. George was a school teacher, originally from South Africa, and they lived at 8 Cross St Canterbury in the 1900’s and 1910’s.

Godfrey enlisted on 17^th August 1914 in Melbourne as 764 Lance Sergeant in the 6^th Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Brigade Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force. The 6^th was one of the first Battalions raised for the war. It was raised within a couple of weeks of the war being declared. His records say he was born in Camberwell, Canterbury and he was 20 years and 1 month old when he joined. He was a natural born British Subject and his occupation was a Clerk. His father was listed as next of kin at the Cross St. address. Physical details include: height 5 foot 9 inches, weight 12 stone, chest measurement 36 to 39 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Religious denomination was Presbyterian. He was posted to G Company and his terms of service was for the duration of the war and 4 months afterwards. Prior military service included 1 year Senior Cadets and 2 years Citizens Forces in the 48^th Infantry. He signed his name as Godfrey Arthur Bennett. Pay was 9 shillings a day. He embarked on HMAT Hororata A20 on 19^th October 1914 from Melbourne. From Alexandria on 5^th April 1915 he embarked to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force with the Gallipoli Campaign. The Battalion was part of the second wave that landed at Gallipoli on the 25^th April.

With his brother Henry in charge, about 300 of the Battalion moved to an advance position on Pine Ridge during the first day of the landing, after quickly moving over a couple of ridges. Henry was wounded and forced to retire to seek treatment while they were consolidating the position. While away, the Turkish forces counterattacked the position, surrounded the men there and all were killed including Godfrey. He was killed on 25^th April 1915 at Gallipoli and it is not known where he was buried. Initially he was posted as missing by his Commanding Officer. A court of enquiry on 24^th April 1916 found he was killed in action on that day. The finding of the Court was “dead”. Witness statements were gathered by the Red Cross to assist. Lance Corporal A. T. Hope 207 stated he was in the landing, he saw him a few minutes afterwards and soon after it he picked up his cigarette case and gave it to Colonel Bennett. That was the last time he saw him and he believed him to be dead. Staff Sergeant Gay of the 6^th Regiment stated that on 18^th June 1915 his body was found at Queen’s Post. (Probably a typing error and it should be Quinn’s Post). He is mentioned on Panel 25 of the wall of the Memorial at Lone Pine Cemetery. Apparently in 1919, their remains were found high up on Gun Ridge, the farthest point the Australians had penetrated to on that day.

His eldest brother, Henry Gordon Bennett born 15^th April 1887 in Balwyn, also served. In the 1914 Electoral Roll at Strathfieldsaye Bendigo he was listed as an apiarist with his address as Longlea, although he was working with AMP at that time. He was a Major in the 6^th Battalion and left Melbourne on 19^th October 1914 on HMAT Hororata A20 with his brother. Henry became the youngest General in the Australian Army. He was awarded many awards including: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, Montenegrin Order of Danilo Third Class, Companion of the Order of the Bath and was Mentioned in Despatches eight times. In WW2 he was in charge of the 8^th Brigade and during the fall of Singapore escaped back to Australia. After the war a court of enquiry found he was not justified in leaving, amidst protestations from his men of the 8^th Brigade. He died 1^st October 1962 in Dural, New South Wales.

A half-brother, William Stanley Bennett born 1879 also served. He embarked in May 1917 as Private 6924 in the 24^th Battalion and was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to the 10^th Battalion. While there he was MID and awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order. He returned to Australia in 1919.

On 17^th September 1915 his brother, Reginald E Bennett of Cross St wrote to Base Records saying that he had heard that Godfrey had been wounded and was sent to a hospital at Gibraltar and wanted to confirm that. From further enquiries it was established that he was not there and as there was no official report on him yet, he would be notified when more information was forthcoming. But there was no brother named Reginald, the only one he could be was Alfred Edward Bennett, born 1889. Why he would change his first name is not known. Another letter was sent by Bertram Jones, who was the husband of Maude Ethel Bennett (born 1885, married 1913). He wrote from “Crawford” St Georges Dr, Mount Albert on 15^th July 1915 that he had heard from Major Bennett (Godfrey’s brother) that Godfrey was on the “Braemore Castle” wounded and he had heard it from someone else. His brother also stated he was not in the firing line, even though there was no confirmation of him being missing. He was looking for a reply to relieve the minds of Godfrey’s parents and his wife. The reply stated that no record had been sent to show him missing, but a cable wound be sent to clarify the matter and next of kin notified when a reply was received. A cable was sent to Cairo. A memorial to him was placed in The Argus on Wednesday 25^th September 1917 by his parents.

George wrote to the Officer in charge for distribution of Peace Day tickets, asking if he and his wife could have tickets to the steps of Parliament House and they were issued the next day. George passed away on 10^th June 1920 and it was noted on the service record of Godfrey that next of kin was now his mother, Mrs H. A. Bennett c/o A. E. Bennett 62 A.M.P. Chambers Perth, then c/o Mrs Marchant Springvale Rd Tunstall Victoria. She had sent a letter confirming the change of address to Western Australia and then her return to Victoria on 5^th August. A letter had been sent on 29^th July 1920 to Mr Bennett at Cross St asking if he would fill in a form for Godfrey and saying that an intensive search was being made over all old battlefields to find unregistered graves and if so he would be notified. If nothing was found, his name would be placed on a memorial nearest to where he fell. The form was not filled in. but returned by his mother with notes on the side that there was no need to fill in the details on the form as his body was never found. It is signed by his father, but can’t be as he was already dead. His mother signed for his Star on 3^rd September 1920, a Memorial Scroll on 6^th July 1921, his Victory Medal on 7^th July 1922 and his Memorial Plaque on 6^th October 1922. In June 1921 Base Records wrote to Harriet, asking if there was any letters she may have received that would help them find his last resting place so they might be able to identify his grave. Her reply included the following; “My son was seen alive at Gallipoli and the Turks were close on him on 25^th April 1915. After a few months he was reported as missing by the Defence Department. I have not been able to find anything out since.” Also in 1921, Base Records were wondering what had happened to his 1914-15 Star as it had been posted to his father, who was now deceased and had sent a letter to 3^rd Military District in search of it.

He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. He was also awarded an Australian Senior Cadet Competition Medal 1911-1914.

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.

BECK, Captain William Thomas DSO MiD

Posted May 5, 2017 by Admin

Captain William Thomas Beck DSO, MiD

New Zealand & Australian Division HQ (Ordnance)

by Robert Simpson

15/12 Captain William Thomas Beck DSO

New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps

Captain William Thomas Beck and son Driver 43566 Thomas Nathan Beck

William Thomas Beck was born at Castlemaine, Victoria on 7^th May 1866 to Richard and Sarah Beck. Richard was born in Market Bosworth, Leicester, England and left for Australia in 1851. Sarah Beck (nee Taylor) was born 15^th June 1844 Cheapside, Burnley, England and they married on 15^th November 1862 in Congregational Parsonage Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia.

They all migrated to New Zealand when William was a young child and lived at Kanieri, Hokitaka, on the west coast of the South Island. Richard was a butcher and Sarah was appointed in 1895 as Wellington’s first Full-time Police Matron in New Zealand, stationed at Wellington, Lambton Quay Headquarters Station; dealing with all women prisoners. Police Matron Sarah Beck was also involved in enforcing the first Infant Life Protection Act in New Zealand.

William had 2 brothers and 1 sister. He married Edith Chick (born 28^th February 1874 at “Chick Hotel”, Port Chalmers, New Zealand) at Holy Trinity Church 8^th June 1896, Port Chalmers. They had 3 children; Thomas Nathan born 1^st January 1897, Olive Ivy born 10^th March 1903 and Ellen Edith born 8^th September 1895.

In 1896, he was a torpedoman in the Torpedoman Corps at Deborah Bay, Dunedin.

In the Auckland Military District, under Administrative Staff he was listed as Assistant Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores on 24^th December 1903 at the rank of Lieutenant (temp. Hon. Captain).

On his Attestation paper, dated 21^st August 1914, it is noted that 15/12 Beck, William Thomas of Divisional Headquarters had a calling of Soldier and employer as New Zealand Government, with and address of Defense Department Auckland and that he belonged to the NZ Staff Corps and he has signed as a Captain, although at the time it was an honorary rank. He was with the 1^st NZEF (New Zealand Expeditionary Force) Auckland Regiment and his Terms of Service were stated as being for the “period of war”. His qualification was with the Ordnance Department as the Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (D.A.D.O.S.) for the N.Z. and A. Division.

He embarked on Transport ship HMNZT 3 “Maunganui” at Wellington on 16^th October 1914 as one of 38 officers and 528 men on the ship. 204 horses were also onboard. He is recorded as being with the Army Ordnance Corps, attached to the New Zealand Staff Corps. They arrived at Suez, Egypt on 3^rd December 1914. Beck was the senior Ordnance Officer in the staff of Major General Godley; Commander of the NZ and Australian Division which included the Australian 4th Brigade AIF. He was promoted to Captain on 14^th January 1915 at Dardanelles.

Captain William Beck got into the first boat to land at Gallipoli with the Australian and New Zealand Division. He was also the first New Zealander to land with a New Zealand unit as an Ordnance Staff Officer. About 9am Staff Officers of the NZ & A Division were told to get in the boats. Lieutenant-Colonel Fenwick, Colonels’ Braithwaite, Chaytor and Mandris, Major Hughes and Captain Beck got into the first boat. They were hampered by their own kit: – overcoat, revolver, glasses, map, case, haversack, 3 days rations, firewood, Red Cross satchel and water bottle. Fenwick said “It was a certainty that we would drown if we sank”. A very fat rosy midshipman in charge of a steam picket boat came along and took their string of boats in tow. Their boat grounded about 50 feet from the shore and they hopped out. Fenwick fell into a hole up to his neck. He could hardly struggle ashore and when he did the first thing he saw was Beck sitting on a stone, roaring with laughter at them. Captain Beck was the first New Zealander of Godley’s force to get onto Gallipoli. It seems mildly ironic that in this first major operation, the first New Zealander to land was the Ordnance Staff Officer of the Division. A friend of his is quoted as saying when he arrived at the beach on the morning of 25^th April 1915 he saw Beck approaching, smiling. A part of Anzac Cove was named after him, Beck’s Bluff.

1915. Captain Beck and Lieutenant Lawless- (photo at Auckland War Memorial Museum).

Lieutenant Colonel George Johnston, the CRA of the NZ and Australian Artillery; wrote in his diary on 15^th October 1915, “Today, I received a cake from Beck, formerly a gunner in the RNZA, now commissioned in the Ordnance Depot. He sent it from Alexandria. It was very decent of him, as I don’t know him very well”.

1915. Captain W Beck DSO (photo at Auckland War Memorial Museum).

He was transferred to duty at Alexandria on 1^st August 1915 and invalided back to New Zealand from Suez on 20th November 1915 on the ship “Tahiti” and discharged on 19 February 1916 from the NZEF to the NZ Army. Beck was appointed Assistant Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores, Auckland Military District in 1917.

The photo at the top is of him with his son Thomas Nathan Beck, both in uniform. Thomas was a Driver in the New Zealand Army Service Corps during WW1. He enlisted in 1917 and embarked on the Waitemata on 14^th July 1917 for England. There is also a photo of the whole family. After resigning in March 1918, William took up employment with the Public Works Department at Apia in Samoa, before retiring in 1922. In the 1928 electoral roll, he is listed as P.W.D Ngahanranga at Wellington as a soldier. The same details are in the 1935 roll. He went through divorce proceedings with his wife in 1936-7. He then remarried, to Isabel Annie Murray in 1937. In the 1946 electoral roll, they were both living at 21 Hobson Crescent Wellington, with William a retired soldier and Annie doing home duties.

Thomas Nathan Beck.

William Beck died on 15^th January 1947 in Wellington. at 82 years old and is buried at Karori Cemetery, Wellington NZ in Area 11, Block B, Row 28, Number 30, in the soldiers’ section. Edith died 8^th September 1959 in Dunedin.

A photo of his family.

Isobel moved to Canterbury sometime after his death and was found there in the 1963 and 1972 electoral rolls. She passed away in 1977 in Christchurch NZ. Ellen Edith Beck married in 1939 and passed away in 1995 in Christchurch. Olive Ivy Beck married and passed away in 1985 in Dunedin. Thomas Nathan Beck worked as an engineer after the war, was married twice, moved to Australia (living in NSW) and died in Artarmon, Sydney NSW in 1967.

William’s religion was noted as Church of England.

Period of Service was from 21^st August 1914 (at 48 years old) to 19^th February 1916.

Theatre of operation – Egyptian and Balkan (1915 Gallipoli)

Decorations – Distinguished Service Order

1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches
Gallipoli Medal (unofficial)

Highest Rank in the NZEF – Captain 14^th June 1915 and in the NZ Army Ordnance Corps.

First appointment in NZEF – Honorary Captain 5^th August 1914

Appointed DADOS NZ & A Division 19 February 1916

He was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Ian Hamilton, the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 26^th August 1915 and was to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, recorded in the London Gazette 8^th November 1915, for Distinguished service in the field during operations in the Dardanelles.

Captain William Thomas Beck and son Driver 43566 Thomas Nathan Beck

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.

BARRETT, Sgt Ralph DCM MiD

Posted May 4, 2017 by Admin

1410 Sgt Ralph Barrett DCM MiD

15th Battalion, AIF

4th Pioneer Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

1410 Sgt Ralph Barrett DCM MiD – 15 Bn AIF

Ralph Barrett was born in Steiglitz Victoria in 1884 a son to Ralph Barrett and Eliza Emma Hartshorn. They had been married in 1869 in Steiglitz and had eight children, of which Ralph was the youngest. Steiglitz was a town about 90 km west from Melbourne, named after the von Stieglitz family which owned the area as farmers. It was founded in the 1850’s after gold was found nearby. By the 1870’s the town had declined as the gold ran out. Gold mining recommenced in the 1890’s due to processing of the tailings but declined in 1896 due to disappointing returns. His Father worked as a miner. Little is known of his childhood except in 1886 his Mother passed away and in 1897 his Father did also. So, he may have been raised by older siblings, but who knows what happened after their Father died. They may have been fostered out. He first appears in the 1914 electoral roll in Bell Post Hill, Geelong North, Coria, Victoria as a labourer. There is a record in the Victoria Police Gazette of 3^rd July 1902 on page 3 “RALPH BARRETT.-A warrant of commitment has been issued by the Scarsdale Bench against Ralph Barrett for 7 days’ imprisonment, in default of payment of 10s., fine, and 5s., costs, for using indecent language. Description :- Known as Wolf Barrett, labourer, about 20 years of age, looks older, 5 feet 9 inches high, stout build, dark complexion, black hair, no hair on face ; poorly dressed and dirty. – O.5928. 28^th June 1902.”

He enlisted on 10^th September 1914 in Geelong as Private 1410, 1^st reinforcements 15^th Battalion. He stated his age as 28 (27 years and 11 months), but he was actually 30. Ralph gives a brother as his next-of-kin as Edward, who was living in Berringa (states Scarsdale, near Ballarat, Victoria on embarkation roll) and states his occupation as a labourer. He was 5 foot 10 inches, weighed 14 stone and 9 pounds, had a chest measurement of 42 inches, and was of dark complexion with brown eyes and dark hair. His religion was Church of England. He had a scar on the right side of his forehead.

The regiment embarked on 22^nd December 1914 from Melbourne on A35 HMAT Berrima. They arrived in Egypt on 31^st January 1915. As part of the 4^th Brigade they landed at Gallipoli on the afternoon of the 25^th April. They were involved in the massive Turkish counter-attack on the 19^th May, where Albert Jacka was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant acts. From May to August the battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line. The 4^th Brigade attacked Hill 971 in August, advanced during the night of 6^th August but made slow progress due the difficult terrain. By dawn on 7^th August they were well short of their objective. An assault on the summit attempted on 8^th August proved a costly failure as the Turks were waiting on the high ground. He was promoted to Corporal on 9^th August 1915. On the 20^th he was transferred from the 4^th Field Ambulance at ANZAC with dysentery to 16^th Casualty Clearing Station at Mudros with enteritis and it was so bad he was sent to England on the 22^nd on the Caledonia. He was admitted to the Military Hospital Lewisham on 1^st September. On 3^rd December he arrived at Mudros on the Olympic. He rejoined the unit from 8^th December 1915 at Gallipoli. He is mentioned in the London Gazette as Corporal 1410A, 15^th Australian Imperial Force for the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 29^th November 1915. His citation reads: – “BARRETT R. Cpl. 1410a 15 Bn. For conspicuous gallantry on 6-7^th August and 10^th August 1915, at Chunuk Bair (Dardanelles). During the advance, and later, when the trenches were congested with dead and wounded, he made continual journeys across open ground under heavy shell and rifle fire to bring up ammunition. His courage and devotion to duty throughout a critical period exercised the greatest influence over the troops holding that section of the trenches, and assisted to restore confidence. 29.11.15.” Ralph is listed in the London Gazette on 28^th January 1916 as Private 1410 15^th Battalion Australian Infantry, for a Mentioned in Despatches. He rejoined the battalion at Anzac on 8^th December 1915 and then they withdrew from Gallipoli and disembarked at Alexandria on the 29^th.

Unfortunately, from here his service record took a turn for the worse. On 3^rd January 1916 he was admitted to the 4^th Field Ambulance at Ismailia, transferred to the 2^nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and admitted to Detention Barracks Isolation Hospital at Abbassia with venereal disease. He was discharged to duty on 16^th February 1916 at the Base and to his unit on 5^th March. He requested to revert to the rank of Private on 11^th. On 16^th March 1916 he was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion and is taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir and reverted to the rank of Private from Acting Sergeant. He was promoted to Sergeant on 27^th May 1916. The Battalion proceeded to join the BEF at Alexandria on 4^th June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 11^th June. On 22^nd July 1916 a Field General Court Martial was held. The charge was “disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer 6-7-16”. He was found guilty and the sentence was to be reduced to the ranks. The sentence was commuted to read “To rank and precedence as if his appointment to the rank of Sergeant bore date 22-7-16”. On 25^th November 1916 another Field General Court Martial was held. The charge was “Absenting himself without leave in that he in the Field at Brailly absented himself from tattoo 9pm 3-11-16 until Reveille 6am 4-11-16”. He was found guilty and the sentence was “To be reduced to the ranks & to forfeit all ordinary pay for a period of 14 days”. He also had a period of waiting before the trial of 20 days, bringing the total forfeiture to 35 days pay. The court martial was with another soldier, Private Jack Casey 1842. Jack seemed to have had a chequered military career and was in trouble a fair bit. Whether they went AWOL together or not is not known. Ralph was on leave from the 2^nd to 14^th August 1917. On 26^th October 1917 he was appointed as a Driver and transferred to 5^th Division Engineers. He returned to company duties and reverted to Private on 13^th January 1918. He went to Paris on leave from 19^th to 27^th February. On 7^th March 1918 he was detached for duty with Anzac workshops and was attached to the 4^th Siege Company Royal Engineers for duty on 14^th May. On 27^th September he proceeded on leave for Australia from Taranto as per record from 4^th Pioneer Battalion C. O. He embarked for Australia on 8^th October 1918 and was discharged from service on 2^nd February 1919.

A letter was sent to his brother Edward at Scarsdale Victoria on 28^th April 1916 detailing his Mentioned in Despatches and one on 27^th March 1916 detailing his award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and details of the award.

In 1924 he was in the electoral roll as living at 32 Fenwick St Geelong with his job being a labourer. Unfortunately, not much more can be found of his life. He may have been married to Florence Elizabeth, but no marriage record can be found, there is no record of her surname and she appears to have passed away in Grafton on 11^th October 1928 as Florence Elizabeth Barrett, parents William and Sarah J, as recorded in NSW BDM, registration number 20558/1928. They must have moved to Grafton beforehand. In 1953 he was still living in Grafton. A letter from his Grafton branch RSL and the NSW RSL branch to the records office in that year asks for his details, as he seems to have been in a car accident at some stage before then and had lost his memory. They were using his records to try to help him to recall those past events and his army service. The NSW RSL mentions him being involved in a car accident some time ago and suffering serious head injuries. “Grafton Sub-branch have been assisting Mr. Barrett in rehabilitating himself and desire this information in support of these efforts”. The Grafton branch letter dated 8^th June 1953 mentions him suffering from loss of memory. He signed for his Mention in Despatches certificate on 24^th June 1921 and he did receive his 1914-1915 star. According to the records he never received his British War or Victory medals. A letter was sent from Ralph on 21^st August 1923, but no address was included and although a note says try Scarsdale, they were returned unclaimed on 8^th November 1923.

With his family :-

Amelia Barratt was born in 1870 in Steiglitz. She married John Brassil in 1889 in Victoria and then Ernest Alfred Ord in 1915 after her first husband passed away. Her son Sylvester Brassil served in WW1 as Private 823 in the 31^st Battalion, transferred to 5^th Division Signal Company. She passed away on 22^nd September 1938 in Werribee, Victoria.

Edward Barratt was born in 1871 in Steiglitz. He married Eliza Friday in 1897 in Victoria. In 1914 his address is recorded as Berringa P.O. as on Ralph’s service records or Scarsdale near Ballarat as on the troopship list. He died on 6^th September 1939 at Steiglitz and is buried in Geelong Eastern Cemetery with his wife (1953) and a son (Albert Edward Barrett, born and died in 1902).

Eliza Emma Barrett was born in 1872 in Steiglitz. She married William Ernest Valenti Lampmann. In the 1913 electoral roll they were living at Belgrade Street Hawthorn. William died in 1937 and she died in 1938 and they are buried in Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Benjamin Barrett was born in Steiglitz in 1873. He married Mary McCallum in 1902. In the 1903 electoral roll they were living in Scarsdale in Share Road Yallow Creek and he was a miner. He died on 17^th September 1938 and is buried in Smythesdale Cemetery.

John William Barrett was born in Barr, Victoria on 31^st July 1877. He married Elizabeth Ann Vernon in 1907 in Victoria. In the 1927 electoral roll they were living at Campbell Street Ararat and he was a miner. He died in 1962 in Ararat.

Sarah Ann Barrett was born in 1879 in Barraport Victoria. She married Thomas Augustus Everest in 1900 in Victoria. In the 1915 electoral roll he was a compositor and they were living at 105 Kilgour Street Geelong. He passed away in 1921 and she married Joseph Ernest Bamford. The Camperdown Chronicle of Friday 2^nd June 1950 in page 7 had “MRS. Sarah Ann Bamford. widow of the late Mr. Joseph Ernest Bamford, died at Camperdown on Thursday, May 25, at the age of 71 years. For 25 years the late Mrs. Bamford resided at Gnotuk and later with her daughter, Mrs Hames, of Walls Street. She was born at. Blackwood and was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barrett. She is survived by three daughters and one son by a former marriage. The funeral was to the Camperdown cemetery on Friday May 26, from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, following a service conducted by the Rev. D. Wong, who also officiated at the graveside in the absence of the Rev. D. Drennan. Coffin-bearers were Messrs. J. Widdison, A. Hinkley, H. Schache and N. Boyd. The arrangements were carried but by Messrs. Collie and Lourey.”

Mary Louisa Barrett was born in Steiglitz in 1883. She did not marry and died in Hamilton Victoria in 1968.

The Maryborough Colonial & Military Museum just has his 1914-15 Star.

He passed away in Parramatta on 25^th September 1955 and was buried in Liverpool Cemetery and Crematorium in Plot: Ang H, Section: 2, Grave 166 on the 28^th. They have his age as 69. Unfortunately, there is no grave stone.

An update in 2020; the museum first applied to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 2 December 2019 about the grave having no memorial. They responded on 7 January 20 and advised that the application had been accepted. On 14 May 2020 the museum received official advice from DVA that the official memorial had been erected and they also included the three photos below.

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.

BRAND, RSM Stephen MM and bar, MiD

Posted May 4, 2017 by Admin

1321 RSM Stephen Brand MM and bar, MiD

9th Battalion, AIF

by Robert Simpson

Stephen Brand was born in Stockton – on – Tees in Durham County in July 1890, the second of five children to William and Rosie Brand. William was an owner of a Refreshment House according to the 1901 census. Stephen was still living with them in the 1891 and 1901 census. On his service record, it stated he was an Apprentice Draper at Evans & Co. for 7 years and he had completed his time. He does not appear in the 1911 census so he must have migrated before this. It would appear his Father died in 1910, so this may have been the cause. He must have travelled to somewhere else first as there is no person named Brand leaving England for Australia between 1901 and 1911. Apart from his Attestation Form, the first sign of him in Australia is on the 1915 Electoral Roll in the District of Normanby, Rockhampton Division where he is listed as being at 48-mile Camp, North Coast Railway, labourer and the record was dated as being received on 25^th January 1915.

However, he enlisted in Rockhampton on 21^st December 1914 as 1321 Private Stephen Brand, 2^nd Reinforcements, 9^th Infantry Battalion. It was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF and recruited in Queensland. He listed his Mother, Rosannah Brand, Waverly Hotel, then 122 High St, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England as his next of kin. He was single and had no previous military experience. He gave his age as 24and a half years, 5 foot 10.5 inches tall, weight of 158 pounds, chest measurement of 33.5 to 37.5 inches, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, reddish golden hair, his religious denomination as Presbyterian and he had 3 vaccination marks on his left arm. He was appointed to the 2^nd reinforcements 9^th Infantry Battalion at Enoggera on 8^th February 1915.

He embarked from Brisbane Australia on 13^th February 1915 on HMAT Seang Bee A48, and joined his unit at ANZAC on 7^th May 1915. On 11^th May 1915 he was wounded (bullet wound in upper arm) and was transferred from 1^st ACCS to the Hospital Ship. A record of his wounding appears in The Queenslander on Saturday 3^rd July 1915 as Pte. S Brand, 9^th Btn. (2^nd Rfts.) England. There is also a record of a shrapnel wound to the scalp on 11^th June 1915. He rejoined his unit at Gabe Tepe on 13^th June 1915. He was promoted to Temporary Corporal on 4^th September at ANZAC and promoted to Lance Corporal, but the promotion was cancelled on his evacuation on 13^th September for a “Not Yet Determined Pyrexia” when he was admitted to “Nevasa”. On the 19^th he was admitted to the 2^nd AGH and was discharged to Base Details at Cairo on the 18^th November. He was admitted to the 3^rd Australian Hospital with diarrhoea on the 29^th and rejoined unit at Tel-el-Kebir on the 8^th January 1916 as Gallipoli had been withdrawn. He was appointed a Temporary Corporal on 29^th February 1916 and appointed Lance Sergeant on 24^th March. He proceeded to join BEF at Alexandria on 27^th March on Saxonia and disembarked at Marseilles on 3^rd April 1916.

His temporary rank of Corporal was approved in the field on 17^th April and he was promoted to Sergeant in France on 14^th July. He was sent to hospital as sick on 9^th January 1917 and sent to Rouen as Not Yet Diagnosed on the 11^th. He was diagnosed with Venereal Disease (Gonorrhoea) and transferred to No. 51 General Hospital on the 13^th and admitted there at Etaples on the14th. He spent quite a while there (total period of 33 days) and he must have got bored as on 27^th February he committed a crime; breaking out of hospital for which the award was to be severely reprimanded by the C.O. of the 51^st General Hospital on the 1^st March. He was discharged to base details, 1^st ADBD on 20^th March and proceeded to unit on 31^st and joined the Battalion on 1^st April. On 13^th May 1917 he was promoted to Temporary CSM and WO (Class 2) (as Williams was evacuated).

On the 15^th May 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal. The London Gazette Supplement of 17^th July listed 1321 CSM (Temp) S Brand, 9^th Btn. as being awarded the Military Medal and this was promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 189 on 8^th November 1917. The award states “at Bullecourt, France on the night of 6/7 May 1917, Sgt. Brand during a successful bombing attack on the Hindenburg Line showed great initiative and devotion to duty. He was in charge of the Company Ammunition Dump, and during the attack organised parties, and kept all posts well supplied. At one time a shell set fire to his dump, and by his gallant and quick action in putting out the fire he saved a large quantity of ammunition”. A letter was sent to his Mother stating this and at the time they were living at Waverley Hotel, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham. On 11^th August, he was promoted to CSM (WO Class 2) (as Brown was wounded). He was sent on leave on 7^th December 1917 to the UK and rejoined the battalion on 22^nd December 1917. On 31^st December, he was wounded accidently; a gunshot wound to the hand, and was admitted to the 1^st ADRS in the field on 1^st January 1918. A notice was published in The Queenslander on Saturday 9^th February 1918 stating T.-C.S.M. Stephen Brand, England (2nd occ.). He was discharged to unit and rejoined the Battalion on the 7^th. On 8^th March 1918, he was specially mentioned in Douglas Haig’s Despatch for gallant and distinguished service in the field. It also states “I have it in command from the King to record His Majesty’s high appreciation of the services rendered”. It is signed Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for War.

On the 5^th May 1918 a Field General Court Marshal was held. His crime was when on active service, drunkenness and the finding was guilty. For his sentence, he was reduced to the Ranks from CSM and this was confirmed by G.O.C. 3^rd Australian Infantry Brigade. He was in confinement awaiting trial from 13^th April to 4^th May and had a total forfeiture of 23 days pay. For the trial, he pleaded not guilty. Two witnesses, Major H James M.C. and Lieutenant H. N. Knowles stated at St. Roch Station Amiens in the morning, Brand was staggering backwards and forwards. He was drunk and not in a fit condition to carry out his duties. Brand stated that the Battalion arrived at the station at 9.20 a.m. He then lay down and went to sleep. He was awoken by his Company Commander at 10.15 a.m. who informed him he was under arrest. In defence, Lieutenant T. A. L. Gower stated he found him an excellent soldier and most conscientious as regards to his duties.

On 5^th June 1918, he was promoted to Corporal and he was sent to XV Expo School for 1 day on the 22^nd. He was promoted to Sergeant (Sutton KIA) on the 1^st July and on 11^th August he was promoted to CSM WO Class 2 (Todd DOW). The battalion participated in the great allied offensive of 1918 and fought near Amiens in 8^th August. On 14^th September, he was promoted to T/CSM (Temp WO Class 1). From 5^th to 30^th October he was at 4^th Army School and on 14^th December he was promoted to RSM (WO Class 1). On 9^th January 1919, he was sent on leave to the UK and he was there from 12^th to 26^th January. He rejoined his unit in the UK on 28^th. On 13^th March 1919, he was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal. The entry states “at BOIS CHREPY on 10^th August 1918 when all the Officers of his Company had become casualties he assumed command. When the advance was temporary checked in the Wood this N.C.O. led his Company to the attack with great ability and fearlessness. He kept Battalion Headquarters well informed with the different phases of the operation and personally patrolled his Company front. During the enemy counter attack at 7 a.m. on the morning of the 11^th instant this N.C.O. summed up the situation with remarkable smartness and ability and employed his Company to the best advantage. By the tactical handling and dogged perseverance of this N.C.O. the enemy was engaged at close quarters and his efforts of attack were frustrated” On 22^nd May he was marched out for return to Australia, going to England on 28^th May and boarding the troopship Takada on the 29^th. He returned to Australia and disembarked on 7^th September 1919.

A change of address for his parents was noted on 23^rd January 1918 to Rosannah Brand, 122 High St. Stockton-on-Tees Durham England. His Mother was sent a letter detailing the Supplement to the London Gazette of 28^th May 1918 that he had a Mention in Despatches in Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatch of 7^th April 1918 and this was promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 165 on 24^th October 1918. The Mention was for the period 22^nd September 1917 to 24^th February 1918. On 22^nd July 1919, a letter was sent to his Mother re the award of a Bar to his Military Medal which was promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 75 on 17^th June 1919.

He did not live in Australia for too much longer. He signed for his MID and 2 emblems on 11^th April 1920 and a letter also notes his change of address to Hangatiki, Kings Country, New Zealand so he must have migrated there beforehand. It is also referred to in another letter dated 27^th April 1920 about his 1914-15 star. He requests his British War and Victory Medals on December 1922. He asks for a duplicate set of MID emblems in 21^st October 1937 and again on 2^nd August 1939 to the Defence Department in Melbourne from Totara Flats, Reefton Line New Zealand and also asks what was the correct length to mount his medals on a bar. The reply gave him the price of replacement MID leaves and the length depends on the length of the longest ribbon with the bar attached. On 3^rd September 1942 asks for a Silver Rosette to denote a bar to his Military Medal but there is no stock so he is advised that it will be sent in the future.

He moved around a bit in New Zealand, between 1928 and 1938 electoral rolls he lived at the City Hotel Ross, and Totara Flat on the West Coast. Between 1946 and 1954 rolls he was at Amberley, Canterbury and he was a sawmill worker at all those places. 1957 finds him at Whakatu, Hawk’s Bay as a freezing worker and in 1963 he has moved to Carlyle St. Napier and is retired. It would appear he never married. He passed away on Friday 10^th July 1964 in Napier and is buried in Wharerangi Cemetery in Section 15 Plot 5. He was buried there by Nicholson & Son Ltd on Monday 13^th July 1964.

On 29^th March 1965, a letter from New Zealand High Commissioner in Canberra stating he died in Napier NZ 10^th July 1964 intestate and as there was no NOK, his medals and decorations were sent to the Army Headquarters and were forwarded to the Army Department at Canberra for safe keeping. Another letter says they will be held at Central Army Records Office with his service documents.

The items that were returned from New Zealand and placed in stock were:-

1914-15 Star No. 872

British War Medal No. 8679

Victory Medal No. 8479

2x Oak Leaves (MID)

Military Medal and Bar

AIF badge

MID Certificate

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.

CARBERRY, RQMS Thomas MM MiD

Posted May 4, 2017 by Admin

TOLMIE, Private Roy Colin

Posted May 4, 2017 by Admin

352 Private Roy Colin Tolmie

6^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

Roy Colin Tolmie was born in 1890 in Collingwood, Victoria. He was the first son of James Isaac Collins Tolmie and Ada Oliver. James had been born in Australia and this was his second marriage, his first wife having died in 1887. James and Ada were married on 17^th December 1888 in Victoria. Ada was also born in Victoria. They had another son, Raymond Oliver in 1892. This constituted their family. They lived in Melbourne. He attended Middle Park State School and was involved with the cadets at some stage. In the 1903 Electoral Roll they were living at 149 Dank St., Canterbury, South Melbourne and James was a constable. In 1905 Roy was placed second in the violin solo, under sixteen-year group at the Musical and Elocutionary Competitions at the Dandenong Town Hall on 12^th July. By 1914 they had moved to 160 High St. Kew. James had changed professions and was a tobacconist. Roy had a job as a clerk.

On 21^st August 1914 Roy enlisted at Richmond as Private 352 6^th Battalion AIEF and was assigned in C Company, 6^th Battalion. He was still living at 160 High St. Collingwood, with his parents, and gives his Father as next-of-kin. He was 24 years and 6 months old, 5 foot 9.5 inches tall, weighed 10 stone 4 pounds, had a chest measurement of 35 inches, a medium complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He gave his religion as Presbyterian. He had an appendix scar from and operation in 1910 and had had 3 vaccines as an infant and 2 recently.

The 6^th Battalion embarked on HMAT Hororata A20 in Melbourne on 19^th October 1914 and arrived in Egypt on 2^nd December. He embarked to join the M.E.F. at Alexandria on 5^th April 1915 (Gallipoli campaign). The 6^th Battalion was part of the second wave to land at Gallipoli on the 25^th. It was to form the Brigade reserve and part of it was to be involved in replenishing ammunition. A note on the operation order states that the bayonet will be used wherever possible and water and ammunition were to be conserved.

He was killed on 25^th April 1915 and has no known grave. His active service record simply states “killed in action Gallipoli 25/4/15”. It is not known what happened to him that day or what happened to his body afterwards. The Battalion War Diary for that month is missing, but thankfully a Lieutenant in the 8^th Battalion found notes of that day and recorded them for the 2^nd Infantry Brigade Diary. It mentions the assault on Kaba Tepe and how intense the battle was and that casualties were heavy. There was no will made beforehand. He is remembered on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli, one of the 487 men of the AIF who were killed that day and have no known grave. There were two parcels of his effects sent to his parents, one contained 2 testaments and 2 postcards, the other contained a disc, a knife, a bangle, letters and a purse containing 2 keys and 6 coins. They were signed for by his Father after being delivered by Thomas Cook.

His Father wrote to the Defence Base asking for a death certificate in 1916, so that the Railway Benefit Society can pay him the allowance and a Lodge also writes for a record to pay a funeral fund. He also signs for his 1914-15 Star, British War medal and Victory medal, his Memorial Scroll and Plaque. His parents must have missed him dearly, as there are memorial notices for him for quite a few years afterwards.

His Father was fined in 1928 for using his tobacco shop as a premises for betting. James Tolmie passed away in 1946.

His brother, Raymond, joined up on 8^th June 1915 with the 22^nd Battalion (8^th Reinforcements) as Private 1967. His occupation was a chauffer and it was also this on the 1914 Electoral Roll. He was still living with his parents at 160 High St. He had served with the cadets at Albert Park for 2 years. His description was age 23 years 5 months, height 5 feet 3.25 inches, weight 10 stone 11 pounds, chest measurement 33.5 to 35.5 inches, fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair and a Presbyterian. The battalion embarked on HMAT Anchises A68 on 26^th August 1915. The army did not go well with him and he went AWL a few times and was drunk as well which lead to a Field General Court Martial in 1916. He was admitted to hospital with scoliosis and was also wounded in action. He was transferred to the A.A.S.C.M.T. in 1917. Eventually he was returned to Australia in 1917 and discharged in early 1918. He applied for a pension, but it was rejected. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

After the war, he lived with his parents at the same address and he was a motor mechanic. In 1923, he was fined for having driven a motor car along St. Kilda Rd at a dangerous speed. Constable Smith gave evidence that on 16^th December he timed the car driven by Tolmie and found it was travelling at the rate of 31.25 miles an hour. He was fined 2 pounds. He married Eileen Theresa Quinn in 1924 in Melbourne. They had two sons, James Oliver born 1924 and John Colin born in 1931. In 1931, they were living at 3 Iona St and he had no occupation. The 1936, 7 and 42 Electoral Rolls show them living at 30 Barker St and he was a public servant. From 1949 to 1968 the address was 30 Dundas Place and he was a driver. He died in 1971 in Morning Hill, Victoria.

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.

ANZAC stories from the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Queensland

WW1

STILL, Lieutenant George Alfred MC

WATSON, Colonel William Walker Russell, CB CMG MiD VD Leg D’Hon (Fr)

ASHBURNER, Clifford William Ernest MiD

BENNETT, Lance Sergeant Godfrey Arthur

BECK, Captain William Thomas DSO MiD

BARRETT, Sgt Ralph DCM MiD

BRAND, RSM Stephen MM and bar, MiD

CARBERRY, RQMS Thomas MM MiD

TOLMIE, Private Roy Colin

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