Monthly Archives: April 2016

Francis Noel WHITE

Posted on April 24, 2016 | 2 comments

Francis Noel WHITE

Per his military service record (regimental no. 2395), Francis Noel White was born at Canterbury, Kent, in England. He gave his age as 35 years and 9 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as wheelwright. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 ½ inches tall, weight 12 stone 7 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Anglican.

He completed his medical at Gilgandra on 7^th October 1915, and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915. He claimed to have had 2 years and 3 days previous military service with the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles. He also stated he had been rejected once before as unfit for His Majesty’s Service with a “hit knee”.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Menangle Light Horse Camp as reinforcement for the 6^th Light Horse Regiment.

Francis Noel White was reported in The Bathurst Times as having been charged at Bathurst Police Court with ‘having travelled between Sydney and Bathurst without a ticket on the night of February 5’ 1916, and also ‘having attempted to travel on the return journey’ without a ticket, and was described as ‘a member of the Sixth Light Horse, and a rather good-looking Englishman of cultured speech’, who was ‘fortunate enough to be remembered favorably by Captain Hitchen’, and that ‘had not Captain Hitchen came to his rescue’, White ‘would in all probability be now spending two days in the shamed seclusion of the Bathurst Gaol’, instead of back in camp at Liverpool. White said in court that he was on final leave, and that he sailed on Friday. White also said that ‘he was from England originally’, and had been ‘working on stations up to the time’ he joined the Coo-ees. Captain Hitchen ‘informed the Bench that White had come all the way with the “Coo-ees” as a transport driver’, and that White had been in his ‘employ for a few weeks before the commencement of the march’, and that he ‘had found him a man of good character at all times, and one who had conducted himself well right through the piece’, and offered to pay White’s fare.[1]

An initial regimental number of 2254 is crossed out on his service record, and ‘16^th REINFTS 6th L.H.’ stamped over 15^th Reinforcements 6^th Regiment, A.L.H., which had initially been recorded for his unit, so it appears this episode may have held up his embarkation overseas.

On his embarkation roll his address as time of enrolment was not recorded, and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs Merser, c/o Mrs Bosworth, “Linton”, College Lane, East Grimstead, Sussex, England.

Trooper White departed Sydney on the HMAT Hymttus 1 on 3^rdof May 1916, as 16^th Reinforcements for the 6^th Light Horse Regiment.

After arriving in Egypt he was taken on strength by the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el Kebir on 27^th June 1916.

On 8^th September 1916 he was temporarily attached to Military Police Headquarters, at Moascar.

On 27^th September 1916 a Field General Court Marshal was held at Moascar, where Private White charged with drunkenness when on active service on 20^th September 1916, and he was sentenced to 21 days Field Punishment Number 2.

On 1^st October 1916 he was admitted to the 24^th Stationary Hospital, with Paraphimosis.

He rejoined Police Headquarters from Hospital on 14^th October 1916.

On 18^th October 1916 he rejoined the 6^th Light Horse Regiment.

On 16^th November 1916 Trooper White was transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps at Abbassia. On 19^th November 1916 he was taken on strength of 3^rd Company, Imperial Camel Corps.

Trooper White served with the Imperial Camel Corps in El-Mustagidda and El-Arish in Egypt until 5^th February 1917, when after jumping off a camel he aggravated an old injury to his right knee where he had been ‘kicked by a horse 11 years ago’ , resulting in him being hospitalised. He was taken by hospital train and admitted to the 24^th Stationary Hospital with Synovitis knee on 9^th February 1917.

On 12^th February 1917 he was admitted to the No. 14 Australian General Hospital at Abbassia.

On 8^th March 1917 Trooper White embarked from Suez, Egypt, aboard the HMAT Willochra bound for Australia, with Arthritis in the right knee.

He arrived at Melbourne on 25^th April 1917. He was discharged medically unfit in Sydney on 25^th May 1917.

[1] ‘A Coo-ee charged at Police Court : Captain Hitchen to the rescue’, The Bathurst Times, 8 February 1916, p. 4. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109940688

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Posted in Recruits

Tagged Francis N. White, Gilgandra recruits, HMAT Hymttus 1

Procession that welcomed the Coo-ees to Bathurst 28 October 1915

Posted on April 17, 2016 | Leave a comment

Procession that welcomed the Coo-ees to Bathurst 28^thOctober 1915

Procession welcoming the Coo-ees to Bathurst, 28/10/1915. Photograph courtesy Margaret Murden and Dorothy Clampett.

Procession welcoming the Coo-ees to Bathurst, 28/10/1915. Photograph courtesy Dorothy Clampett and Margaret Murden.

This photograph of the procession that welcomed the Coo-ees to Bathurst on Thursday 28^th October , was taken from the corner of Russell Street and William Street, looking towards to Bathurst Court House.

The photograph partly shows two mounted police in the foreground, on William Street, then a brass band, following by men carrying rifles, at the head of a procession marching along Russell Street, next to King’s Parade. Trees obscure the rest of the procession. Spectators line the street. Bunting hangs across the road. The majestic Bathurst Court House can be seen in the background.

This photograph is from the family album of Lieutenant Frank Middenway’s daughters, now held by his granddaughters, Dorothy Clampett and Margaret Murden. Lieutenant Middenway, from Lithgow Army Camp, assisted with recruitment on the Coo-ee March from Lithgow to Sydney.

This photograph was recently published in an article titled ‘Coo-ee’, written by Ann O’Connell, in ‘Ashfield Answers the Call’, Ashfield History No. 20, Journal of the Ashfield and District Historical Society Inc.[1]

A description of the procession that lead the Coo-ees through the streets of Bathurst to the Soldiers’ Memorial in King’s Parade, which was built in 1909 to honour the Bathurst men who served in the 1899-1902 South African War, is given in the following transcription of an article titled ‘Recruits’ published in the Bathurst Times on 29 October 1915: [2]

‘RECRUITS

THE GILGANDRA BOYS

BRILLIANT BATHURST RECEPTION.

SPEAKERS’ LAUDATORY REMARKS.

BIG CROWDS IN THE STREETS AND PARK.

Down the hill along Lambert-street at about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon came a procession unique in the history of Bathurst, and one which portended the serious manner in which the serious crisis in which the Empire is at present involved is taken by the males of the community. For the Gilgandra recruits— that gallant band of volunteers inaugurated by Captain T B. [sic] Hitchen — were entering the good old City of the Plains, and the Bathurst people had determined that the reception accorded them should be one worthy of the town and district.

Enough has been said of the commendable nature of the scheme of Captain Hitchen, and the arrival yesterday of the ever-increasing band of men that goes to prove the value of the captain’s recruiting effort was made the occasion of a gala day in Bathurst, the attendance in the streets and elsewhere, and the enthusiasm displayed being typical of the high esteem in which the marching recruits are held.

WORDS OF WELCOME.

At the corner of Stewart and Lambert streets, where the procession entered the town proper, a sign was displayed on the balcony of the Hotel Dudley, which read: ‘Well done, Coo-ees! We welcome you, and wish you God-speed,’ and this formed a fitting word of welcome to the gallant little band. All along the streets to the King’s Parade, where the Union Jack and Australian ensign flew proudly aloft on the newly erected flagstaff, crowds of enthusiastic citizens lined the way, and united in the effort to make the welcome to the recruits a warm one.

The procession was headed by a section of mounted police, behind which marched the City and Salvation Army Bands, discoursing excellent martial music. The local cadets followed, marching in good time ahead of scholars of the various schools and convents of the district, wearing the dainty costumes aired on the Belgian Day and Australia Day celebrations. His Worship the Mayor came next in a conveyance, followed by Mr A. G. Chiplin, in solitary glory in a hansom cab. The Military Band, under Mr. Lewins preceded the Gilgandra and other recruits, who were accorded a royal reception all along the route. “First Stop— Berlin,” read the inscription on one of the transport waggons, and each of the conveyances of the various units bore some similar indication of the determined spirit of the volunteers. The Civilian Rifle Club members marched behind the recruits, and were followed by a number of motor cars and other vehicles. The appearance of the banner “Bathurst Boomerangs” was the signal for an out-burst of emphasised applause, and the local quota to the strength of the contingent was accorded a brilliant reception.

On the way to the King’s Parade the frequent call of “Coo-ee!” echoed in the air, punctuated by the musical clang of the bells of All Saints’ Cathedral and the cheers of the multitude. Bunting was prominent everywhere, and as the procession turned into Russell-street from George-street it passed beneath a string of flags and words of welcome.

The Soldiers’ Memorial (built 1909) at King’s Parade, Bathurst. Photograph: H. Thompson

THE MAYOR’S WELCOME.

The scene when the recruits and others assembled at the Soldiers’ Memorial was a memorable one, and the remarks of the Mayor when welcoming the recruits were lost on the ears of the majority of the big assemblage. Nevertheless there was no mistaking the enthusiastic spirit of the multitude, and Bathurst may well feel proud of the greeting it accorded the band of gallant Empire defenders on their arrival.

Mr Beavis, who was supported on the Memorial by Captain Hitchen, Major Wynne, Captain Eade, Sergeant Lea, Mr. Fern, M.L.A., Major Machattie, and others formally welcomed the recruits to Bathurst. He mentioned that the town had already spent £15,000 in contributing to the various war funds, and that 400 of its men had joined the colors, while doubtless from 500 to 1000 more would do so in the future.

Captain Hitchen returned thanks for the reception accorded the recruits, which had been most flattering to himself and all concerned.

INTO CAMP.

Having been entertained at after-noon tea by the ladies’ committee, the recruits marched to the Show Ground, where an excellent evening meal was served, in order that they might attend the evening’s proceedings in Machattie Park refreshed and keen on the recruiting aspect of the fixture.’

To read this article on Trove click here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111246742

[1] O’Connell, Ann, ‘Coo-ee’, ‘Ashfield Answers the Call’, Ashfield History No. 20, Journal of the Ashfield and District Historical Society Inc., p. 42.

[2] ‘Recruits’, The Bathurst Times, 29 October 1915, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111246742

Coo-ee article in Journal of the Ashfield & District Historical Society Inc.

Posted on April 3, 2016 | 1 comment

‘Coo-ee!’ article in Ashfield History No. 20, Journal of the Ashfield & District Historical Society Inc.

Ashfield History No 20, published by Ashfield & District Historical Society Inc., November 2015.

A very interesting 31 page article titled ‘Coo-ee’, written by Ann O’Connell, has been published in ‘Ashfield Answers the Call’, Ashfield History No. 20, Journal of the Ashfield and District Historical Society Inc.

Written from an Ashfield perspective, this provides a very informative overview of the 1915 Coo-ee March, with information about the march from its beginning in Gilgandra to its end in Sydney, and the 22 recruits who joined the Coo-ee March at Ashfield. The article also includes lots of very interesting illustrations, including some photographs which have not been published before being printed in this article.

These include photographs from the personal family albums of Lieutenant Frank Middenway’s daughters, now held by his granddaughters, Dorothy Clampett and Margaret Murden. One of these photographs is of the Coo-ees marching in a procession in front of the Bathurst Court House, in Russell Street, Bathurst, and one of the ‘Coo-ees near Wang’, showing local people with pushbikes, horses and sulkies, greeting the Coo-ees on a country road near Wallerawang (both on page 42).

Lieutenant Middenway, from Lithgow Army Camp, accompanied Captain Eade and Staff Sergeant Major Scott from Lithgow to Sydney, to assist with recruitment on the Coo-ee March.[1] His signature as Attesting Officer is on many of the Coo-ees’ Attestation Papers in their service records.

This article also includes photographs of the Ashfield Drill Hall, where the Coo-ees stayed overnight on 11^th November 1915.

There is also a photograph of one of the purple Coo-ee “badge” ribbons that has been kept in Lieutenant Middenway’s family album.

This journal issue is available from sale for $20.00 plus $10.00 postage and handling from the Ashfield & District Historical Society, PO Box 20, Ashfield, NSW 1800. See their publications page for further information: http://users.tpg.com.au/adhsashfield1/ADHS-publications.htm

[1] ‘General’, Lithgow Mercury, 3 November 1915, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218452406

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Posted in Remembering the Coo-ees, Research notes

Tagged Ashfield, Lieut. Frank Middenway, Publications, Purple ribbons

TIMELINE April 1916

Posted on April 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

TIMELINE April 1916

Saturday, 1 April 1916

Joseph ARMSTRONG, Percy George BROWN, Charles William Gordon CONROY, Edwin Joseph FULLER, John MARTIN, Donald Singleton STEWART, John TARLINGTON, John William THOMPSON, William Charles WALKER, Joseph Patrick WALLIS, and Colin David WREN, the Coo-ees who on 16^th February 1916 had embarked for Egypt on the HMAT Ballarat A70 as 14^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion, were all transferred to the 54^th Battalion at Ferry Post, Egypt.

Sunday, 9 April 1916

Lewis LEOVILLE and five other Coo-ees embarked from Sydney on the HMAT A71 Nestor.

Photograph of HMAT A71 Nestor loaded with troops on an earlier voyage, taken 11 October 1915. Part of the Australian War Memorial Collection. PB0607.

Tuesday, 11 April 1916

The bulk of the Coo-ees arrive at Alexandra in Egypt on the HMAT A15 Star of England.

Friday, 14 April 1916

William Thomas HITCHEN embarked from Sydney on the HMAT A14 Ceramic.

Sunday, 16 April 1916

Joseph PARRISH , Karl Alex Frederick NIELSON and John QUINN transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.

Tuesday, 18 April 1916

William Henry NICHOLLS and two other Coo-ees embarked from Sydney on the HMAT A56 Palermo.

Wednesday, 19 April 1916

Harold BAXTER, Harold Brooks DAVIS and Alan Chesher JOHNSON (Alan Cheshyre JANION) transferred to the 45th Battalion in Egypt.

Sunday, 25 April 1916

First anniversary of the landing of Australian troops at Gallipoli. William Hilton SAUNDERS had wrote in his diary about his experience on the first Anzac Day held on 25^th April 1916, where a sports day was held in the Australian camp in Egypt where he and the other Coo-ees were in training. He wrote the following words:

W. H. Saunders diary entry 25/4/1916 (Image part of the State Library of NSW collection)

April 1916: 25 Easter Tuesday. “1st anniversary of landing at A.N.Z.A.C. Holiday for all troops in Egypt. Sports held on the Canal. Swimming etc. on the water. Did not go over myself felt too lazy. Stayed in camp & wrote home.”

Wednesday, 26 April 1916

Ronald Hector PERKINS and another Katoomba Coo-ee embarked from Sydney on the HMAT A39 Port Macquarie.

Ronald Hector PERKINS

Posted on April 3, 2016 | 2 comments

Ronald Hector PERKINS

Per his military service record (regimental no. 2472), Ronald Hector Perkins was born at Katoomba, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 4 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as carrier’s employee. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 inches tall, weight approximately 180 lbs., with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Congregational. He claimed that he had no previous military service ‘excepting compulsory training’. He completed his medical on the 5^th November 1915 at Katoomba, and was attested at Katoomba by Lieutenant F. Middenway on the same day.

He was named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Katoomba.[1]

After completing the march he went to Menangle Park Camp as reinforcement for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Bent Street, Katoomba, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs Fanny Perkins, at the same address.

On 26^th April 1916 Trooper Perkins departed Sydney on the HMAT Port Macquarie A39.

After arriving at Suez in Egypt, on 21^st June 1916 Trooper Perkins was taken on strength with the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Te-el-Kebir.

On 5^th July 1916 Trooper Perkins transferred to the 1^st Light Horse Regiment at Romani in Palestine.

Photograph of ‘Horse and tent lines of the 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment’, Romani Area, ca. August 1916. Part of the Australian War Memorial Collection. P00153.020

The 1^st Light Horse Regiment participated in the Battle of Romani 3-5^th August 1916.[2]

On 6^th August 1916 Trooper Perkins was admitted to the 1^st Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismallia, Egypt, with an injury to his left shoulder. On 9^th August 1916 he was transferred to the 3^rd Australian General Hospital at Abbassia, Egypt. On 5^th of September 1916 he was transferred to the British Red Cross Convalescent Hospital at Montazah, Egypt. He was discharged to duty on 18^th September 1916.

He was taken on strength with the 1^st Light Horse Regiment from the 1^st Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar, Egypt, on 13^th October 1916.

On 2^nd August 1917 Trooper Perkins was appointed as a temporary Driver.

On 6^th September 1917 Driver Perkins was sent to a rest camp at Port Said, Egypt. He rejoined the 1^st Light Horse Regiment on 16^th September 1917.

On 16^th March 1918 Driver Perkins’ rank status was formally changed to Driver.

On 15^th May 1918 Driver Perkins was charged with when on active service on 3^rd May 1918 being out of bounds in Jerusalem without a pass. He was fined one days pay.

On 16^th June 1918 Driver Perkins was charged with on the 14^th of June 1918 polluting drink ration by washing a horse within two yards of a stream, refusing to give his name and number to a member of the Military Police, and failing to produce an identity disc. He was fined two days pay.

On 27^th September 1918 Driver Perkins was sent to hospital sick with malaria. On 30^th September 1918 he was moved to the 66^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 3^rd October 1918 he was sent to the 26^th Casualty Clearing Station, then admitted to the 47^th Stationary Hospital at Gaza, Palestine later that day.

On 5^th October 1918 he was transferred to the 44^th Stationary Hospital. On 13^th October 1918 he was transferred to the 14^th Australian General Hospital at Port Said, Egypt.

He was discharged on 8^th November 1918 and sent to a Rest Camp at Port Said, Egypt.

On 10^th November 1918 Driver Perkins was granted 14 days leave in Cairo, Egypt. He returned from leave on 24^th November 1918, and rejoined the 1^st Light Horse Regiment at Moascar, Egypt, on 29^th November 1918.

On 13^th March 1919 Driver Perkins embarked from Kantara, Egypt, and commenced his return to Australia aboard the H.T. Ulimaroa. He arrived in Australia on 24^th April 1919.

His parents invited about 100 guests to a function held at the Masonic Hall in Katoomba on Wednesday evening 30^th April 1919 to welcome home their sons ‘Harold and Ron Perkins back from the front’, and a ‘pleasant evening was spend with music and dancing’.[3]

He was discharged from the A.I.F. medically unfit on 23^rd June 1919.

[1] ‘March o’er the Mountains’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 12 November 1915, pp. 2-3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142

[2] AWM4 Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, Item no. 10/6/16, 1^st Australian Light Horse Regiment, August 1916, accessed 3 April 2016, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1011913/

[3] ‘Welcome back’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 2 May 1919 , p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108252021

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Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT Port Macquarie A39, Katoomba recruits, Ronald Hector Perkins

	Helen Thompson on Norman Hamond FRANCISCO
	Robert (Bob) Cavill on Walter CAVILL
	Mark Francisco on Norman Hamond FRANCISCO
	Sonia on Leo Ambrose STINSON
	Helen Thompson on Ronald Hector PERKINS