1915 Coo-ee March

William FARTHING

Posted on July 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

William FARTHING

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4773), William Farthing was born at Moss Vale, N.S.W. He gave his age as 29 years and 10 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 11 inches tall, weight 155 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and sandy hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

He completed his medical on the 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Parramatta on the 11^th November 1915. The Coo-ees had held a recruiting meeting in the Park at Parramatta on the evening of the 10^th November, where it was reported that 41 men had offered themselves as recruits.[1]

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 21^st January 1916 Private Farthing was charged with being absent from parade at the Liverpool Camp, and he was fined 5 shillings. On 3^rd February 1916 he was charged with being absent without leave for 1 day, and he was fined 5 shillings. On 21^st February 1916 he was charged with being absent without leave for 2 days, and he was fined 20 shillings.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Eglington Street, Lidcombe, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his wife, Mrs A. M. [Ada May] Farthing, Eglington Street, Lidcombe, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Farthing departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, as part of the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 27^th March 1916 he was charged with breaking ship, and was fined 5 pounds.

He arrived in Egypt on the HMAT A15 Star of England on 11^th April 1916.

On 18^th April he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel El Kebir, Egypt, suffering from mumps. He was discharged on 26^th April 1916. On 30^th April 1916 Private Farthing was again admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital suffering mumps. He was discharged on 31^st May 1916, and proceeded to England [date and ship unknown].

On 21^st June 1916 Private Farthing was admitted to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England sick (on the same day that Bill Hitchen was also admitted to the same hospital).

He was discharged on 9^th November 1916 and sent to the Number 1 Command Depot at Pernham Downs, England, arriving on 11^th November 1916.

On 5^th December 1916 Private Farthing was charged with being absent from 0900 on 2nd December until 1930 on 3rd December 1916. He was awarded 48 hours detention and fined 4 days pay.

On 16^th January 1917 Private Farthing departed England on the ship Princess Victoria bound for France. He arrived at the 4th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples on 17^th January 1917.

On 21^st January 1917 Private Farthing marched into the 13th Battalion when it was performing fatigue duties at Mametz, France.

On 15^th August 1917 Private Farthing was detached to the 4th Australian Division Traffic Police. On 30^th October 1917 he was charged with Neglecting to Obey a Lawful Order given by a Superior Officer. He was awarded forfeiture of 21 days pay. He was also sent back to the 13th Battalion.

On 8^th September 1918 Private Farthing went on leave to England. He rejoined the 13th Battalion on 24^th September 1918 when it was at Picquigny, France.

On 31^st December 1918 Private Farthing went to Paris on leave. He returned on 7^th January 1919 and was admitted to the Canadian General Hospital suffering Inguinal Adenitis. On 5^th February 1919 he was transferred to the 3rd Stationary Hospital. On 17^th February 1919 he was sent to England on board a hospital ship and admitted to the King George Hospital in London suffering from boils.

On 25^th February 1919 Private Farthing was discharged from hospital and went on leave to report to the Number 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny on 11^th March 1919.

On 13^th March 1919 Private Farthing marched into the Number 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England.

On 5^th April 1919 Private Farthing departed England aboard the transport Armagh bound for Australia. He arrived in Sydney on 20^th May 1919 and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 4^th July 1919.

[1] ‘The procession’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 13 November 1915, p. 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86101767

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Posted in Recruits

Tagged Auburn LGA recruits, Lidcombe, Parramatta recruits, William Farthing

William Joseph MUNRO

Posted on July 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

William Joseph MUNRO

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4853), William Joseph Munro was born at Parramatta, N.S.W. He gave his age as 23 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as station hand / laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 6 ½ inches tall, weight 135 lbs., with a dark complexion, light hazel eyes, and black hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Ox Hide, Cook Street, Lidcombe, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, J. Munro, Ox Hide, Cook Street, Lidcombe, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Munro departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, as part of the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916.

On 7^th June 1916 Private Munro left Alexandria aboard the Transport Ionian bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on 14^th June 1916.

He was sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France. On 21^st July 1916 he joined the 13^th Battalion whilst it was training at the Somme, France. He participated in the 13^th Battalion’s first major offensive action in France at Pozieres in August 1916.

On 30^th August 1916 Private Munro was with the 13^th Battalion when it was in action at Pozieres, France. On this day Private Munro was reported Missing In Action.

On 27^th September 1916 Private Munro was reported to be a Prisoner of War being held at Gefangenenlager at Dulmen in Westfalia, Germany. On the 16^th of December 1916 he was reported to have been moved to Munster 1/W, Germany.

A photo of him appeared in the Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate on 8^th June 1918 with another prisoner of war and a German prison guard, reporting that he was working in the salt mines.[2]

W. J. Munro (seated) with another prisoner of war and a German guard, 1918 (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 8/6/1918)

Private Munro remained a prisoner for the remainder of the war. In December 1918 he was repatriated to England, arriving at Hull on 7^th December 1918, and in London on 9^th December 1918.

On 28^th January 1919 Private Munro was charged with Being Absent Without Leave from 10 am on 11^th January 1919 until 9 am on 28^th January 1919. He was fined a total of 34 days pay. On 29^th January 1919 Private Munro marched into the Number One Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England.

On 2^nd March 1919 Private Munro departed England aboard the Derbyshire bound for Australia. He arrived in Australia on 24^th April 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 9^th June 1919.

[1] ‘The procession’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 13 November 1915, p. 11, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86101767

[2] ‘Australians and German Guard’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 8 June 1918, p. 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86207336

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Posted in Recruits

Tagged Auburn LGA recruits, Lidcombe, Parramatta recruits, Prisoner of war, William Joseph Munro

William Henry NICHOLLS

Posted on July 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

William Henry NICHOLLS

Per his military service record (regimental no. 2369), William Henry Nicholls was born at Camperdown, Sydney, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 27 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as contractor. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 10 inches tall, weight 143 lbs., with a fair complexion, green eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had 12 months experience in the school cadets.

He completed his medical on the 2^nd October 1915 at Coonamble, and was attested at Coonamble on the 21s October 1915. However another Application to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form in his service record was made at Dubbo on 21^st October 1915 (after the Coo-ee March had passed through this town), and his medical examination form dated 2^nd October 1915 at Coonamble is countersigned by Dr. E.H. Burkett at Dubbo and dated 21^st October 1915.

William Henry Nicholls was reported to have been ‘one of the Coo-ees’ in the Leader.[2] It appears that he was one of the two men from Coonamble reported in the Gilgandra Weekly as catching up with the Coo-ees at Molong on 22^nd October 1915 – the other being ‘Coonambleite’ Jack Parker, who also did his medical at Dubbo on 21^st October 1915.[3]

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On the 23rd March 1916 he was transferred to the 16^th Reinforcements for the 7^th Light Horse Regiment.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Coonamble, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his aunt, Salina [sic] Ann Bradbury, Richmond, Rocky Point Road, Sans Souci, N.S.W.

On 18^th April 1916 Trooper Nicholls departed Sydney on the HMAT A56 Palermo, arriving in Egypt on 18^th May 1916.

On 21^st May 1916 Trooper Nicholls was admitted to the Government Hospital at Suez with Mumps. On 17^th June 1916 he was discharged from hospital and rejoined the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt.

On 5^th August 1916 Trooper Nicholls departed the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment to join the 7^th Light Horse Regiment. On 16^th August 1916 Trooper Nicholls marched into the 7^th Light Horse Regiment when it was resting at Bir Etmaler, Egypt.

On 14^th February 1917 the Regiment was conducting training at Masaid, Egypt. Trooper Nicholls was detached to the Division Headquarters for duty. He returned to the Regiment on 1^st March 1917 when it was resting at Sheik Zowaiid, Egypt.

On 8^th March 1917 the Regiment was conducting usual camp duties at Bir Abu Shunnar, Egypt – on this day Trooper Nicholls was charged with loss of equipment viz sword and bayonet.

On 24^th of April 1917 the Regiment was manning outposts and Patrolling in the Sinai after being involved in the Second Battle of Gaza. A Squadron of the 7^th Regiment had an engagement with a party of Turkish Cavalry at Tel Al Tarar. 18 Turks were captured one of them wounded. Trooper Nicholls was evacuated to the 54^th Casualty Clearing Station at Deir el Belah suffering Heat Exhaustion. On 25^th April 1917 he moved by Hospital Train to the 26^th Casualty Clearing Station at El Arish, arriving on 28^th April 1917. On 30^th April 1917 he was transferred to the 24^th Stationary Hospital at Kantara, Egypt, suffering from Pyrexia (Fever), arriving on the 1^st of May 1917. Later that day he was transferred to the 14^th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia, Egypt.

On 16^th May 1917 Trooper Nicholls was discharged from hospital and reported to the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar, Egypt.

On 30^th May 1917 Trooper Nicholls was detached for duty at the Headquarters of the Australian New Zealand Mounted Division Training Centre. Trooper Nicholls remained on this detached duty until 7^th November 1917 when he was sent back to the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment.

On 18^th November 1917 Trooper Nicholls left the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment for return to the 7^th Light Horse Regiment. On the way, on 20^th November 1917 he was admitted to the 2^nd Light Horse Field Ambulance suffering from Gonorrhoea. That same day he was transferred to the 66^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 21^st November 1917 he was transferred to the 44^th Stationary Hospital at Kantara, Egypt. On 22^nd November 1917 he was sent to the 2^nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Moascar, Egypt.

On 18^th December 1917 Trooper Nicholls was discharged from hospital and returned to the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment. On 31^st December 1917 Trooper Nicholls was sent to the rest camp at Port Said, Egypt. On 20^th January 1918 he left the rest camp and returned to the 2^nd Light Horse Training Regiment.

On 21^st March 1918 Trooper Nicholls was charged with When on Active Service Absenting himself Without Leave from 0900 20^th March 1918 until he reported himself at 0830 21^st March 1918. He was awarded 7 days confined to Camp and fined 2 days pay.

On 12^th April 1918 Trooper Nicholls rejoined the 7^th Light Horse Regiment when it was in action around Wadi Augua, Palestine.

On 7^th May 1918 the 7^th Light Horse Regiment was at Jericho, Palestine, when at 0500 eight enemy aeroplanes bombed the camp. The Regiment’s casualties were 3 killed and 10 wounded. Trooper Nicholls was one of those killed in action.

Trooper Nicholls is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

Grave of Trooper W. H. Nicholls at Jerusalem War Cemetery (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 20/2/2020)

Trooper Nicholls’ name is commemorated on panel 5 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

W. H. Nicholls’ name on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour (Photograph: S. &. H. Thompson 5/1/2015)

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register lists that he was the son of the late Arthur and Louisa Nicholls.[4]

[1] NAA B2455, NICHOLLS W H

[2] ‘Personal’, Leader, 22 May 1918, p. 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100963899

[3] ‘With the “Coo-ees.” From town to town’, Gilgandra Weekly , 20 October 1915, p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119923919 ; ‘Our soldiers’, The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, 2 November 1915, p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77601759

[4] Nicholls, Tpr. William Henry, 2369, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register, Jerusalem War Cemetery, http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/647728/NICHOLLS,%20WILLIAM%20HENRY

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Coonamble recruits, HMAT A56 Palermo, Jerusalem War Cemetery, Molong recruits, William Henry Nicholls

Thomas JACKSON

Posted on July 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thomas JACKSON

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4816), Thomas Jackson was born at Longford, Derby, Derbyshire, England. He gave his age as 32 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, weight 146 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

Thomas Jackson had come to Australia about 1911, when he was 28 years of age.[1] The Wellington Times recorded “Jackson” as one of the four recruits who stepped forward offering to join the Coo-ee March when the Coo-ees recruited at Geurie on 15^th October 1915.[2]

He completed his medical on the 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone by Captain Nicholas on the 19^th October 1915.

After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 2^nd February 1916 Private Jackson was charged with being Absent Without Leave for one day. He was fined one days forfeiture of pay.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Longford, near Derby, England, and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs L. [Louisa] Jackson, Longford, near Derby, England.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Jackson along with many of the other Coo-ees departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

On the 3^rd of May 1916 Private JACKSON was hospitalised at the 31^st General Hospital at Port Said sick. He was discharged to duty on 2^nd June 1916.

Private Jackson proceeded overseas to join his unit in France [date and ship unknown], via England, leaving the 4^th Training Battalion at Rollestone on 30^th July 1916. He marched into the 4^th Division Base Depot at Etaples in France on 1^st August 1916. On 19^th August 1916 he was taken on strength of the 13^th Battalion whilst it was resting at Pernois, after just coming out of the line at Pozieres.

On 25^th September 1916 whilst the 13^th Battalion was in action in the vicinity of Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Jackson was admitted to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Enteritis. He rejoined the Battalion on the 1^st of October 1916.

On 11^th April 1917 Private Jackson was with the 13^th Battalion when it launched an unsuccessful attack on the Hindenburg Line in the vicinity of Bullecourt, France. During this attack Private Jackson was wounded in action, receiving shrapnel wounds to his face and neck. He was evacuated to the 56^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 13^th April he was admitted to the 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen. On 14^th April he was admitted to the 2^nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen. On 21^st April he was discharged and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. On 30^th April 1917 he rejoined the 13^th Battalion whilst the Battalion was conducting training at Ribemont, France.

On 28^th May 1917 Private Jackson was charged with being Absent Without Leave from Tattoo roll call on 24^th May 1917 from 9.00 pm to 9.45 pm whilst the Battalion was in training. He was fined one days pay.

On 16^th June 1917 Private Jackson was with the 13^th Battalion when it was manning support trenches in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium. Private Jackson was one of two men killed from the 13^th Battalion that day. Another five men were wounded.

Per his service record he was “buried N. of Hill 63 and about 250 yds N.E. of thatched cottage and about 100 yds West of above, close to Old Dugouts of support trench 1 ¾ mls S.S.W of Messines France”. However, Private Jackson’s grave could not be located after the war, and his name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

T. Jackson’s name on the Menin Gate Memorial (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2012)

Private Jackson’s name is commemorated on panel 69 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

His name is also remembered on the St. Chad’s Church War Memorial, at Longford in Derbyshire, England.[3]

[1] Thomas Jackson, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour Circular, https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1643701/

[2] ‘Hitchen’s Coo-ees’, Wellington Times, 18 October 1915, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143388423

[3] ‘Thomas Jackson’, Longford St. Chad’s Church War Memorial, Derbyshire, England, http://www.militaryimages.net/media/longford-church-war-memorial-derbyshire.57565/

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Geurie recruits, Menin Gate Memorial, Thomas Jackson

Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

Posted on June 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4840), Laurence Leslie Maguire was born at Gilgandra, N.S.W. He gave his age as 25 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 4 ½ inches tall, weight 10 stone 7 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Anglican. He claimed that he had no previous military service. He completed his medical on the 8^th October 1915 1915 at Gilgandra, and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Gilgandra on the 9^th October 1915.

After completing the Co-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Woodvale Park, Curban, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, R. Maguire, Belmore Street, Gulgong, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Maguire along with many of the other Coo-ees departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion on the 20^th May 1916.

On the 7^th June 1916 Private Maguire left Alexandria aboard the transport Huntspill bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 14^th June 1916.

On the 19^th July 1916 Private Maguire was taken on strength of the 45^th Battalion.

On 6^th November 1916 the 45^th Battalion had just arrived at Dernancourt, France for training when Private Maguire was injured by having his right foot scalded. He was sent to the 1^st New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens, France. On 9^th November 1916 he was sent by hospital train to the 8^th General Hospital at Rouen, France, arriving on the 10^th of November 1916. On 27^th November 1916 he was sent to Le Harve, France, where on 28^thNovember 1916 he boarded the hospital ship Gloucester Castle. After arriving in England he was admitted to the 2^nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol, England.

On 10^th January 1917 Private Maguire was discharged from the 2^nd Southern General Hospital and went on leave until 25^th January 1917, when he reported to the No. 1 Command Depot at Pernham Downs, England.

On 3^rd February 1917 Private Maguire was admitted to the 1^st Camp Hospital at Parkhouse, England sick. He remained hospitalised until 14^th April 1917. He returned to the No. 1 Command Depot on 16^th April 1917.

On 25^th April 1917 Private Maguire was transferred to the 62^nd Battalion which was then forming in England. Private Maguire went to the battalion lines at Windmill Hill Camp. On 12^th September 1917 Private Maguire was returned to the 45^th Battalion, after the decision was made to disband the 62^nd Battalion. On 12^th September 1917 Private Maguire departed Southampton, England bound for France.

On 13^th September 1917 Private Maguire marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France. On 21^st September 1917 he departed Etaples to rejoin the 45^th Battalion. On 22^nd of September 1917 Private Maguire arrived at the 45^th Battalion when it was about to go into action in the Ypres area of Belgium, in the Passchendaele offensive.

On 1st November 1917 he was appointed Lance Corporal.

After serving with the 45th Battalion during the winter of 1917-1918, Lance Corporal Maguire was killed in action during a German artillery barrage when manning the line against the German offensive near Dernacourt, France, on 2^nd April 1918.

According to a letter sent home to his father that was published in the Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative by Captain Holman, 45^th Battalion, Lance Corporal Maguire was buried on the embankment of the Albert-Amiens railway, near Albert, France.[1] His service record reports that he was buried at Albert, France. However after the war his grave could not be located, and he has no known grave.

Lance Corporal Maguire is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France. The register at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial notes that he was the son of Richard Gould Maguire, and Charlotte Maguire, of Gulgong, N.S.W.

Lance Corporal Maguire’s name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Lance Corporal Maguire’s name is commemorated on panel 140 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

Lance Corporal Maguire’s name is also remembered on the Gilgandra War Memorial.

[1] ‘How ‘Laurie Maguire was killed’, Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, 15 July 1918, p. 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156994727

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Gilgandra recruits, Gilgandra War Memorial, Laurence Leslie Maguire, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

Blue dungarees and white hats

Posted on June 27, 2015 | Leave a comment

BLUE DUNGAREES AND WHITE HATS

The blue dungaree suits and white hats issued to the Coo-ee recruits at Lithgow were not unique to the 1915 Coo-ee March.

Following Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Order No. 2 on 26 August 1914, which ‘prescribed the uniform, kit, and necessaries to be issued to each member of the AIF’, enrolling recruits in the AIF were to be issued with a dungaree jacket, a pair of dungaree trousers, and a white hat. [1] This hat was described as a ‘white linen hat’ in The Sydney Morning Herald.[2]

“Marmalades” – the new raw recruits in the military camps – were issued with the blue dungaree suits and white hats as their initial uniform, which, according to an article in the National Advocate, if not washed before being worn for the first time, gave a ‘blue tint’ to the mens’ skins, ‘a tinge which gradually deepens upon further acquaintance’ with the unwashed suits.[3]

The Minister for Defence had instructed that dungarees were to be issued to the recruits on the Coo-ee March at Lithgow or Wallerawang, ‘so that the men may finish their march in some approach to uniform’.[4]

Coo-ees on Victoria Pass (Sydney Mail 17/11/1915)

Coo-ees in their crisp new dungaree suits and white hats climbing Berghofers Pass on their way to Mt. Victoria (Sydney Mail 17/11/1915)

Following the issue of the blue dungarees and white hats to the Coo-ees at Lithgow, The Farmer and Settler noted that when the Coo-ees were welcomed at Mount Victoria the men looked ‘more soldierly than they had done, with their new uniform, dungarees and white hats – the recruits’ dress of the training camps’.[5]

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on their arrival and triumphant procession into the city of Sydney that they ‘wore blue dungarees which didn’t always fit them, and they were somewhat travel-stained and weary after five weeks’ march – somewhat slouchy, in fact; but the city never gave a more enthusiastic welcome to any body of men that it gave to these 263 men from the country.’[6]

The start and the finish (Sydney Morning Herald 13/11/1915)

[1]Australian War Memorial, ‘Soldier’s kit, First World War (1914), https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/soldiers_kit/

[2] ‘Our troops. Enrolling recruits. The equipment’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 September 1914, p. 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15544205

[3] ‘Liverpool Camp’, National Advocate, 2 October 1915, p. 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158151954

[4] Great Route March. Gilgandra to the coast : the “snowball” growing as it rolls’, The Farmer and Settler, 29 October 1915, p. 3. Retrieved June 27, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116671286

[5] ‘The Route March through the mountains. The column reviewed by the Governor-General’, The Farmer and Settler, 9 November 1915, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116669569

[6] ‘The Coo-ees. Gilgandra men in Sydney. A Great Welcome. Stirring scenes’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 November 1915, p. 19, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15624720

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Posted in Research notes

Tagged Blue dungarees, Uniform, White hats

Karl Alex Frederick NIELSON

Posted on June 20, 2015 | 1 comment

Karl Alex Frederick NIELSON

Per his Application for Certificate of Naturalization dated 4^th September 1915, under the name Karl Axel Frederik Nielsen, he was born on 19^th December 1890 at Nestved, Sjaelland, Denmark, and arrived in Newcastle, Australia, from the United States of America on 15^th April 1913, on the Canada Cape.[1] Per a letter in this file dated 29^th August 1915 he applied to be naturalized so he could be eligible to enlist to join a “mate” who had already enlisted.

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4865), Karl Alex Frederick Nielson was born at Sjelland, Denmark. He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as Bushman. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a ruddy complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service. Although he did not complete his medical examination until 13^th November 1915 at Liverpool, and was attested at Liverpool on the 13^th November 1915, his date of joining on the nominal roll was recorded as the 8^th November 1915, when the Coo-ees were on their way from Lawson to Springwood. Per The Blue Mountains Echo he was one of three recruits to join the Coo-es from Hazelbrook.[2]

After the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll he is named as Karl Axle Nielson, and his address at time of enrolment was C/- Mrs. Hook, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, N.S.W. His next of kin is listed as Mrs D. [i.e. E.] Hook, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, N.S.W.

Mrs [Ellen] Hook described him in a letter dated 4^th December 1921 in his service record as “a mate of my son [Augustus “Gus” James Hook, who had joined the AIF on 26^th August 1915] and always made my place his home long before he enlisted”.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Nielson along with many of the other Coo-ees departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

On 16^th April 1916 Private Nielson was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On 6^th May 1916 Private Nielson was admitted to the 54^th Casualty Clearing Station at Serapeum, Egypt, with an illness Not Yet Diagnosed. That same day he was transferred to the 12^th Field Ambulance. On 22^nd May 1916 Private Nielson was discharged and returned to his unit

On 4^th June 1916 Private Nielson left Alexandria aboard the Transport Scotian bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on 11^th June 1916.

On 15^th July 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was at Canaples, France, conducting training. On this day Private Nielson was charged with Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline in that he while on Parade replied in an insubordinate manner to NCO who was instructing Parade. He was awarded one day Field Punishment Number 2.

On 6^th August 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was maintaining Tramway Trench in the ruins of the village of Pozieres which was under heavy German artillery fire during the Battle of Pozieres when Private Nielson was killed in action. Also killed with him in the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on the same day were fellow Coo-ees Oliver James Harmon (who joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta), and John Tarlington (who joined at Blayney).

An entry in Private Nielson’s service record notes that he was ‘Believed buried at Copse Avenue Pozieres’. However his body was not able to be located.

Private Nielson is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Private Nielson’s name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Private Nielson’s name is commemorated on panel 114 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour. His place of association is Hazelbrook.

Hi name is also remembered on the Wentworth Falls War Memorial.

[1] Karl Axel Frederik Nielsen, Hazelbrook, Labourer, ‘Application for Certificate of Naturalization’, stamped 17 September 1915, http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=33454

[2] ‘Hazelbrook’, The Blue Mountain Echo , 19 November 1915, p. 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108047454. Note: named as “Harry Neilsen”, and “An earlier recruit, Mr. Gus Hook, was also present”.

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Hazelbrook recruits, Karl Alex Frederick Nielson, Springwood recruits, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Wentworth Falls War Memorial

Rowland John WILSON

Posted on June 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

Rowland John WILSON

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4910), Rowland John Wilson was born at Tallawang, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 24 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 10 stone 6 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had 3 months experience with the Lawson Rifle Club. The “Joined on” date on his Attestation Paper was 7th November 1915. He was attested at Lawson on 7^th November 1915.

After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion. He completed his medical examination at Liverpool on 15^th November 1915.

On his embarkation roll he is listed under the name Ronald John Wilson, and his address at time of enrolment was Queens Road, Lawson, N.S.W. His next of kin is listed as his brother [i.e. uncle], P. J. Wilson, Queens Road, Lawson, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Wilson along with many of the other Coo-ees departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916. On the 19^th April 1916 Private Wilson was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On the 2^nd June 1916 Private Wilson left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 8^th June 1916.

Private Wilson served with the 45^th Battalion during its first action at Fleurbaix, France in July 1916. Private Wilson then moved with the 45^th Battalion to Pozieres, France, in early August 1916.

Private Wilson was killed on the night of the 7^th/8^th August 1916 when the 45^th Battalion was under heavy enemy artillery fire between Pozieres and Martinpuich in the Battle of Pozieres – the same night that fellow Coo-ee William Emerton Hunter was killed, who was also in the 45^th Battalion.

Private Wilson’s date of death is recorded as 8^th August 1916. He has no known grave.

Private Wilson is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Private Wilson’s name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Private Wilson’s name is commemorated on panel 141 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

His name is also remembered on the Lawson War Memorial.

[1] NAA: B2455, WILSON R J

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Lawson recruits, Lawson War Memorial, Rowland John WIlson, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

William WEBBER

Posted on June 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

William WEBBER

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4917), William Webber was born at Granville, N.S.W. He gave his age as 23 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as fitter. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 5 inches tall, weight 136 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military experience. He completed his medical on the 11^th November 1915 at Ashfield, and was attested at Ashfield on the 11^th November 1915.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Walker Street, Five Dock, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs. M. E. [Mary Elizabeth] Webber, Walker Street, Five Dock, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Webber departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, arriving in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916. On the 19^th April 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Serapeum.

On 1^st May 1916 at Serapeum, Egypt, Private Webber was charged with Being Absent Without Leave from 0815 on 29^th April 1916 to 1500 on 30^th April 1916. He was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks and forfeiture of four days pay. On 25^th May 1916 Private Webber was charged with being Absent for Parade at 1830. He was awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks.

On 2^nd June 1916 Private Webber left Alexandria aboard the Transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

Private Webber served with the 45^th Battalion through its first action at Fleurbaix, France in July 1916.

On 6^th August 1916 the 45^th Battalion was in action between Pozieres and Martinpuch, France. They had been under heavy artillery fire since entering the battle the day before, and suffered numerous casualties, with 32 killed (including fellow Coo-ee Jack Morris who had joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta), and 70 wounded. Private Webber was evacuated suffering shell shock, and listed as wounded in action. He was sent back to the 1^st Australian Rest Station. On 14^th August 1916 Private Webber returned to the Battalion when it was relieving the 46^th Battalion in the front line near Pozieres.

On 16^th September 1916 the 45^th Battalion had been moved to Victoria Camp near Rhenninghelst, Belgium, conducting training. On this day Private Webber was charged with being Absent for Parade at 0645, 0900, 1400 on 15^th September 1916. He was awarded 7 days field Punishment Number 2.

On 7^th November 1916 the 45^th Battalion was at Dernacourt, France, conducting training, when Private Webber was charged with Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline to with making remarks likely to cause insubordination. He was awarded 14 days Field Punishment Number 2.

On 11^th November 1916 the 45^th Battalion moved forward from Dernacourt to Fricourt, France. At 1030 on this day Private Webber went missing. He was not located until 1115 on 7^th December 1916. Private Webber was placed under arrest and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France, under escort.

On 26^th December 1916 a Field General Court Martial was held with Private Webber being charged with When on Active Service Deserting his Majesty’s Service. Private Webber was found guilty and sentenced to be shot. On 3^rd January 1917 the sentence was varied by General Rawlinson, Commander of the 4^th Army, to 10 years Penal Servitude.

On 20^th January 1917 Private Webber was admitted to the Number 1 Military Prison at Rouen, France, to undergo his sentence. On 4^th February 1917 the sentence was commuted to 2 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour by the Commander In Chief.

On 25^th January 1918 Private Webber was released from the number 1 Military Prison at Rouen, France, with the remainder of his sentence being suspended. On 29^th January 1918 Private Webber rejoined the 45^th Battalion whilst it was training at La Clytte, Belgium.

On 6^th April 1918 the 45^th Battalion was in action in the vicinity of Dernacourt, France, when Private Webber was killed by an artillery shell that burst in the trench he was manning.

Private Cyril Roy McMillan, who had joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta, was taken as a German prisoner of war in the same battle, and he reported after his release in a letter to “The Argus” dated 20^th November 1918, that Webber, whom he described as one of his ‘mates’ he had ‘enlisted with’, had been ‘killed alongside’ him, just before they ‘started to advance on the Germans’ (The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 18/1/1919, p. 10).

Private Webber was initially buried in the trench by his platoon members, then later reinterred at the Millencourt Communal Cemetery near Albert, however in later fighting the grave was lost or destroyed and could not be located.

Private Webber has no known grave, and is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Private Webber’s name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Private Webber’s name is commemorated on panel 140 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

Private Webber’s name is also remembered on the Five Dock War Memorial.

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Ashfield recruits, Cyril Roy McMillan, Five Dock War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, William Webber

Jack MORRIS

Posted on June 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

Jack MORRIS

Jack Morris (Photograph: Australian War Memorial)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4849), Jack Morris was born at Pennant Hills, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as rivetter. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 4 ½ inches tall, weight 134 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light hair. His religious denomination was Wesleyan. He claimed that he had 4 years previous V.T. experience. He completed his medical on the 11^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Parramatta on the 11^th November 1915. A note in his service record from his mother Annie Morris gave permission for her son Jack Morris to enlist in the Australian Expeditionary Force, dated 11^th November 1915.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Sorrell Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his widowed mother, Mrs. A. [Annie] Morris, Sorrell Street, Parramatta, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Morris departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, arriving in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916. On the 19^th April 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Serapeum. On the 23^rd April 1916 he was sent to hospital sick. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 1^st May 1916.

On 2^nd June 1916 Private Morris left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

Private Morris served with the 45^th Battalion through its first action at Fleurbaix in France in July 1916, then as it moved to Pozieres in early August 1916. It was whist the 45^th Battalion was in action in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, that Private Morris was killed in action on the night of the 5^th/6th^th of August 1916. His official date of death is the 6^th August 1916. He has no known grave.

He died in the Battle of Pozieres on the same day as three Coo-ees in the 4^th Pioneer Division – Oliver Harmon, another Coo-ee who joined at Parramatta, John Tarlington, who joined the Coo-ees at Blayney, and Karl Alex Frederick Neilson, who joined the Coo-ees at Springwood.

His death was reported in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (9/9/1916 p. 4) as follows:

‘The Late Private Jack Morris.
The only son of a Parramatta widow.
One of the very sad cases of the losses of brave young soldiers was that when it was officially reported early this week to Mrs. Morris, widow, of Sorrell-street, Parramatta North, that her only son, a well-known Parramatta lad, Private Charles John (“Jack”) Morris, who enlisted at Parramatta with “the Coo-ees,” had been killed. Private Morris was born at Pennant Hills, and he would have been 19 years of age, had he lived, on the 28^th of October. He was educated at the Brothers’ School, Parramatta North. His last letter was received three weeks ago, and was dated June 24. He had been to Egypt, and had then gone on to France, and was at the time of writing at the back of the fighting line, and within the sound of the guns. He left four sisters. He was reported to have been killed in action on the 5^th or 6^th of August.’

Private Morris is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Private Morris’ name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Private Morris’ name is commemorated on panel 140 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

Private Morris’ name is also listed on the Parramatta War Memorial (under C. J. Morris).

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Jack Morris, Parramatta recruits, Parramatta War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

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1915 Coo-ee March

William FARTHING

William Joseph MUNRO

William Henry NICHOLLS

Thomas JACKSON

Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

Blue dungarees and white hats

Karl Alex Frederick NIELSON

Rowland John WILSON

William WEBBER

Jack MORRIS

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