Category Archives: Recruits

Cormack Peter SMITH

Posted on February 5, 2023 | Leave a comment

Cormack Peter SMITH

Per his military service record (Depot), Cormack Peter Smith was born at Katoomba, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 30 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 9 inches tall, weight 140 lbs., with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair.  His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.  He claimed that he had no previous military service.

His next of kin was recorded on his Attestation Paper as his mother, Mrs Ellen Smith, Katoomba, N.S.W.

He completed his medical examination on 5th November 1915 at Katoomba. He was attested in Katoomba on the same day.

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

On 24th November 1915 Private Smith was charged with Not on List but Present in Camp. He was fined one day’s pay.

On 9th January 1916 Private Smith was charged with desertion.  A note on the charge record in his military service record noted ‘Deserves punishment but had an invalided family to look after’.

The New South Wales Police Gazette recorded that ‘Cormack Peter Smith, military deserter, had been arrested by Katoomba Police, and handed over to the military authorities.[2]

On 10th March 1916 Private Smith was discharged Services no Longer Required.

[1] NAA: B2455, SMITH C. P.

[2] Apprehensions. (1916, March 15). New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 – 1930), p. 152. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251742718

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Thomas DELANEY

Posted on November 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

Thomas DELANEY

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4764), Thomas Delaney was born at Parramatta, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 31 years and 1 month, his marital status as married, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 3 inches tall, weight 119 lbs., with a medium complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

His ‘Joined on’ date on his Attestation Paper was 11th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield). He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11th November 1915.

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

‘Tom Delaney’ was one of 14 ‘local boys’ (along with several other Coo-ees) to be presented with a sheepskin vest and a money belt, and a wristlet watch, at a farewell held in the Elite Hall in Guildford on Thursday 9th December 1915.[2]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Woodville Road, Guildford, N.S.W., and his next of kin was listed as his wife, Mrs R. M. Delaney, at the same address.[3]

On 8th March 1916 Private Delaney, along with many of the other Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, with the 15th reinforcements for the 13th Battalion.

Troopship HMAT A15 Star of England. Australian War Memorial Collection AWM H17014.

He arrived in Egypt on 11th April 1916.

On 16th April 1916 he transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Tel El Kebir, Egypt.

On 4th June 1916 Private Delaney left Alexandria aboard the Transport Scotian bound for France.  He arrived at Marseilles on 11th June 1916.

He served with the 4th Pioneer Battalion in France and Belgium.

On the 24th of January 1917 the 4th Pioneer Battalion was conducting works in the vicinity of Longueval, France when Private Delany was admitted to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance, then transferred to the ANZAC Corps Rest Station with Rheumatism.[4] On 31st January 1917 he was transferred by Ambulance Train to the 2nd General Hospital where he was admitted on 1st February 1917, and diagnosed with Myalgia.

On 25th February 1917 Private Delaney was sent to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France.

On 14th March 1917 he rejoined the 4th Pioneer Battalion when it was resting in the vicinity of Longueval, France.[5]

On 23rd July 1917 Private Delaney was detached to the 2nd ANZAC Corps School.

Private Delaney rejoined the Battalion on 15th August 1917 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Kemmel Hill, Belgium.[6]

On 21st September 1918 Private Delaney was granted leave to England.

On 7th October 1918, whilst on leave, Private Delaney was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford, England, sick. He was discharged from hospital to the Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse, England, on 11th November 1918.

Private Delaney marched into the No.1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England, on 26th November 1918.

On 15th January 1919 Private Delaney commenced his return to Australia aboard the HMAT City of Exeter.

He arrived in Australia on 6th March 1919.  He was discharged Medically Unfit on 20th March 1919.

 

[1] NAA B2455, DELANEY T

[2] FAREWELLING. (1915, December 11). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), p. 5. Retrieved November 15, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86106306

[3] Australian War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Rolls, Thomas Delaney, HMAT Star of England A15, 8th March 1916.

[4] Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, AWM AWM4 Subclass 14/16 – 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion, AWM4 14/16/11 – January 1917 ; NAA B2455, DELANEY T

[5] Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, AWM AWM4 Subclass 14/16 – 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion AWM4 14/16/13 – March 1917

[6] Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, AWM AWM4 Subclass 14/16 – 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion, AWM4 14/16/18 – August 1917

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Thomas MCGRORY

Posted on November 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

Thomas MCGRORY

Per his military service record (Depot), Thomas McGrory was born at Glasgow, Scotland.[1]  He gave his age as 32 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as boxer.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 10 inches tall, weight 13 stone 2 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair.  His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.  He claimed that he had 8 ½ previous military service as a Corporal in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in the British Army.

His next of kin was recorded on his Attestation Paper as his mother, Mrs M. McGrory, 360 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Vic.

He was named in the Leader as one of the men who enlisted with the Coo-ees at Orange.[2]

He completed his medical examination on 24th October 1915 at Orange. He was attested by Captain T. A. Nicholas at Orange on the same day.

While the Coo-ees were at Lithgow, Private McGrory was charged by Captain A. C. Eade with being absent without leave on 1st November 1915, and was fined one pound.

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

Private McGrory went absent without leave from the 16th until the 22nd of December 1915 when he was arrested by the Civil Police at Circular Quay. He went before a Civil Court on the 23rd of December where he was fined three pounds for an unknown offence, He was then handed to the Military Police who escorted him to Victoria Barracks where he was placed under guard.

On 24th of December Private McGrory broke guard and went absent without leave again till the 28th of December 1915.

On 29th of December 1915 Private McGrory was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force not likely to become an efficient soldier.

Thomas McGrory was involved in hearing at the Central Police Court on 25th January 1916, followed by a court case on 6th March 1916 at the Darlinghurst Quarter Sessions, in which he was charged with having assaulted another Coo-ee (Private Daniel Lynch) at Central Railway Station about midnight on January 16th 1916, and robbed him of two pounds and five shillings.[3]

According to Thomas McGrory’s  statement, ‘he and Lynch and several other soldiers had been drinking together’, and ‘a general fight ensued, and that was all there was to it’. He claimed ‘he did not attack Lynch in the way alleged, and did not rob him’, and that ‘he joined the Coo-ees at Orange, and became acquainted with Lynch on the march down’.[4]  Thomas McGrory was subsequently found guilty by the jury and was remanded for sentence.

 

[1] NAA B2455, MCGRORY T

[2] THE RECRUITS. (1915, October 25). Leader (Orange, NSW : 1912 – 1922), p. 4. Retrieved November 26, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117842599

[3] ‘Soldier Charged’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 1916, p. 6. Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28782852  ;’Coo-ees in a Brawl’, The Sun, 6 March 1916, p. 5 (Final Extra). Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221356476

[4] ’Coo-ees in a Brawl’, The Sun, 6 March 1916, p. 5 (Final Extra). Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221356476

 

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Thomas CULLEY

Posted on November 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

Thomas CULLEY

Per his military service record (Depot), Thomas Culley was born at Waterloo, Sydney.[1]  He gave his age as 30 years and 5 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as labourer.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 4 inches tall, weight 142 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and grey hair.  His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.  He claimed that he had no previous military service.

His next of kin was recorded on his Attestation Paper as his wife, Mrs T Culley, 13 Centre Street, Redfern, Sydney, Vic.

Thomas Culley caught a train from Geurie to Orange on a rail ticket issued on 22nd October 1915, where he joined the Coo-ees.[2]

He was named in the Leader as one of the men who enlisted with the Coo-ees at Orange.[3]

He completed his medical examination on 24th October 1915 at Orange. He was attested by Captain T. A. Nicholas at Orange on the same day.

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

On 7th December 1915 Private Culley was charged with being absent without leave from 3rd December 1915 until 7th December 1916. He was fined 10 shillings.

On 23rd February 1916 Private Culley was charged by Courts Martial with being absent without leave from the Liverpool Camp from 21st December 1915 until 31st January 1916. He was sentenced to 60 days detention.

On the 1st May 1916 Private Culley went absent without leave again at Kiama. On 23rd May he was posted as a deserter and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The warrant was withdrawn on 30th January 1919.

 

[1] NAA: B2455, CULLEY T

[2] Letter from Capt. W. T. Hitchen to Superintendent of Lines Sydney dated 4th November 1915 in: Alex Halden (Joe) Miller papers mainly relating to the Gilgandra Coo-ee Recruitment March, New South Wales, 1912-1921, 1939. Gilgandra Coo-ee Recruitment March correspondence and papers, 1915-1939.

[3] THE RECRUITS. (1915, October 25). Leader (Orange, NSW : 1912 – 1922), p. 4. Retrieved November 26, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117842599

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Robert MITCHELL

Posted on April 25, 2019 | 1 comment

Robert Alexander Gordon MITCHELL

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4843),  Robert Alexander Gordon Mitchell was born at Cobar, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 27 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 9 ½ inches tall, weight 154 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair.  His religious denomination was Presbyterian. He claimed to have had no previous military service.

A send-off was held on Thursday 28th October 1915 at the Court House Hotel in Cobar for Robert and his brother Walter Mitchell, Norman Francisco, and Andrew Lennox, and they were then cheered by many friends when they left Cobar by train on 30th October 1915 to join the A.I.F.[2]

Robert Mitchell completed his medical examination, and was attested with the other three men at Dubbo on 2nd November 1915, (the day the Coo-ees were at Lithgow).

Robert and his brother Walter Mitchell, Andrew Lennox, and Norman Francisco then travelled to catch up with the Coo-ees, and were waiting to join the Coo-ee March when the Coo-ees arrived at Mt. Victoria two days later, on 4th November 1915.[3]

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

A farewell was held at the Masonic Hall in Cobar at the Masonic Hall on Friday 3rd March 1916 to bid farewell to Private Bob Mitchell and his brother Corporal Walter Mitchell, when they were on final leave before departing overseas. [4]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Cornish Town, Cobar, N.S.W., and his next of kin was listed as his mother, Mrs E. A. Mitchell, Cornish Town, Cobar, N.S.W.[5]

On 8th March 1916 Private Mitchell, along with his brother Walter, and many of the other Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, with the 15th reinforcements for the 13th Battalion.

Troopship HMAT A15 Star of England. Australian War Memorial Collection AWM H17014.

He arrived in Egypt on 11th April 1916.

On 16th April 1916 Private Mitchell was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery at Tel-el-Kebir, and taken on strength of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade, and mustered Driver.

On 22nd May 1916 Driver Mitchell was transferred to the 110th Australian (Howitzer) Battery.

On 5th June 1916 Driver Mitchell left Alexandria aboard the HMT Oriana bound for France.  He arrived at Marseilles on 13th June 1916.

On 21st September 1916 Driver Mitchell was sent to the 1st Australian Field Ambulance with a hernia. On 30th September 1916 he was moved back to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station. On 3rd October 1916 he was admitted to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, France. On 9th October 1916 he was transferred to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples, France.

On 10th October 1916 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen at Calais for evacuation to England. On 11th October 1916 he was admitted to the Queen Mary’s Military Hospital at Whalley, England.

He was discharged from hospital and went on leave from 12th February 1917 to 27th February 1917, then reported to  the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, England.

On 30th April 1917 Driver Mitchell was charged with being absent without leave from noon on 25th April 1917 till 1545 on 28th April 1917. He was awarded 7 days confined to camp and fined 4 days pay.

Driver Mitchell departed Southampton, England, on 19th June 1917. He arrived at the Australian General Base Depot at Rouelles on 20th June 1917.

He rejoined the 10th Field Artillery Brigade on 5th July 1917.

On 22nd January 1918 Driver Mitchell went to Paris on leave. He was due to return to his unit on 31st January 1918, however did not return until 4th February 1918.

On 8th February 1918 Driver Mitchell was sent to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station sick. On 9th February 1918 he was placed aboard the 37th Ambulance Train and moved to the 39th General Hospital at Le Harve, France, where he was admitted on 12th February 1918.

On 12th April 1918 Driver Mitchell was court martialed for failing to obey Hospital Orders in that on 4th April 1918 whilst a patient at the 39th General Hospital was gambling contrary to Order 19 which forbids gambling. He was found guilty and awarded 10 days Field Punishment no. 1.

Driver Mitchell was discharged from hospital on 21st April 1918 and sent to the Australian General Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

He rejoined his unit on 3rd May 1918.

On 10th May 1918 a Field General Court Martial was held where Driver Mitchell was charged with when on active service being absent without leave from 31st January 1918 till 4th February 1918. He was found guilty and awarded 21 days field punishment no. 2 and fined 120 days pay.

On 25th August 1918 Driver Mitchell went on leave. He rejoined the 10th Field Artillery Brigade on 14th September 1918.

On 28th January 1919 Driver Mitchell went to Paris on leave. He returned to his unit on 11th February 1919.

On 4th March 1919 Driver Mitchell marched into the Australian General Base Depot at Le Harve, France, to commence his return to Australia.

On 13th March 1919 he departed France, arriving at Weymouth on 14th March 1919. He then marched into the No. 4 Command Depot.

On 1st May 1919 Driver Mitchell departed England aboard the Transport China bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 11th June 1919.

He was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 26th July 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, MITCHELL ROBERT ALEXANDER GORDON

[2] SUMMARY. (1915, October 30). Western Age (Dubbo, NSW : 1914 – 1932), p. 2. Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136723099

[3] SUMMARY. (1915, November 6). Western Age (Dubbo, NSW : 1914 – 1932), p. 2. Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136724708

[4] Cobar’s Farewell. (1916, March 10). Western Age (Dubbo, NSW : 1914 – 1932), p. 2. Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136721446

[5] Australian War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Rolls, Robert Alexander Mitchell, HMAT Star of England A15, 8th March 1916.

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Herbert RANE

Posted on April 25, 2019 | Leave a comment

Herbert RANE

Per his military service record (Depot), Herbert Rane was born at Windsor, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 28 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, weight 151 lbs., with a fair complexion, dark blue eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

His next of kin and was recorded as Mrs East, Australia Street, Newtown.

The National Advocate reported his falling in with the Coo-ees as follows:

‘On the road from Bathurst to Yelthome … a “tramp” was met. “Come on,’’ shouted the Coo-ees in chorus, “there’s room for you. You are going the wrong way.” The tramp hesitated. The Coo-ees became more insistent in their urging. A few more seconds’ cogitation the tramp threw down his “billy”, and after being examined, signed on to fight for his King and country. His welcome from the Coo-ees was indeed enthusiastic’.[2]

Herbert Rane completed his medical examination with Glanmire’s doctor, Dr Coombes, and was attested by Captain A. C. Eade at Glanmire on 29th October 1915 (where the Coo-ees stopped for lunch on their way from Bathurst to Yetholme).[3]

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

On 16th December 1915 Private Rane was discharged from the A.I.F. not likely to become an efficient soldier.

 

[1] NAA B2455, RANE HERBERT

[2] A “TRAMP” FALLS IN. (1915, October 30). National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158152728

[3] THE COO-EES (1915, November 1). The Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925), p. 3. Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111237023

 

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Frederick Dudley William SINDEL

Posted on March 3, 2019 | Leave a comment

Frederick Dudley William SINDEL

Per his military service record (Depot), Frederick Dudley William Sindel was born at Nowra, N.S.W.[1]  He signed his name as Fred Sindel. He gave his age as 21 years and 8 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as potter.  His description on his Certificate of medical examination was height 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 10 stone, with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair.  His religious denomination was Church of England.  He claimed that he had previous military service in the 29 Infantry Liverpool.

He gave his postal address as Harrison Street, Ultimo, on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form.

His next of kin on his Attestation Paper was listed his brother, William Sindel, Dargan Street, Glebe, N.S.W.

“Ned Sindel” was reported as having joined the Coo-ees in Blayney in The Bathurst Times on 28th October 1915.[2]

He completed his medical examination, and was attested by Captain A. C. Eade, at Blayney on 27th October 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Blayney to Bathampton).

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

Private Sindel went absent without leave on 27th and 31st January 1916, and also the 1st of February 1916.

The discharge paper in his file records that on 18th February 1916 Private Sindel was discharged from the A.I.F. at his ‘wife’s request’.[3]

 

[1] NAA: B2455, SINDEL FREDERICK DUDLEY WILLIAM

[2] WESTERN NEWS (1915, October 28). The Bathurst Times (NSW : 1909 – 1925), p. 3. Retrieved November 10, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111243224

[3] NSW BDM Index, Marriage, 233/1916 SINDEL FREDERICK D W HORSEY ETHEL SYDNEY. He married on 6 January 1916, according to the Mid North Coast Pioneers website http://stuart.scss.dyndns.info/FamilyTree/individual.php?pid=I8467&ged=Gregory-Hudson.ged

 

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John WILLIAMS

Posted on November 4, 2018 | Leave a comment

John WILLIAMS

Per his military service record (Depot), John Williams was born at Orange, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 33 years and 4 months, his marital status as widower, and his occupation as miner. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 8 stone 12 lbs., with a dark complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

John Williams left from Gilgandra to join the Coo-ees.

Dr Henry Peet signed the ‘Preliminary Medical Examination section’ on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form (addressed to the Recruiting Officer at Dubbo) at Gilgandra on 22nd October 1915. John Williams listed his postal address on this form as ‘Gilgandra’.

A. H. Miller, Organising Secretary of the Gilgandra-Sydney route march, from the Gilgandra Recruiting Association, sent a telegram from Gilgandra to Major Wynne, Gilgandra Coo-ees, Orange, stating that he ‘forgot [to] send Williams medical papers sending today mail to Orange’.[2]

John Williams completed his medical examination, and was attested by Captain T. A. Nicholas, at Orange on 24th October 1915 (while the Coo-ees had a rest day at Orange).

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

On 14th December 1915 Private Williams was charged with being absent without leave from 8th December 1915 till 14th December 1915. He was recommended to be discharged.

On 15th December 1915 Private Williams was discharged not likely to become an efficient soldier.

 

[1] NAA: B2455, WILLIAMS J

[2] Telegram from A. H. Miller to Captain Wynne October 1915 in: Alex Halden (Joe) Miller papers mainly relating to the Gilgandra Coo-ee Recruitment March, New South Wales, 1912-1921, 1939. Gilgandra Coo-ee Recruitment March correspondence and papers, 1915-1939.

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Benjamin William DAVIS

Posted on November 4, 2018 | Leave a comment

Benjamin William DAVIS

Per his military service record (2320), Benjamin William Davis was born at Sydney, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 18 years and 2 months (although it appears he was only about 16 ½ years of age at the time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as greengrocer.[2] His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 3 inches tall, weight 8 stone 2 lbs., with a medium complexion, grey eyes, and black hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed to have 18 months previous military service in the Senior Cadets.

‘B. W. Davis’ was named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Katoomba.[3]

He completed his medical examination, and was attested by Lieutenant F. Middenway, on the 5th November 1915 at Katoomba.

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

Private Davis, along with several other local Coo-ees, including Privates Trow, Nimmo, Pettigrew, Perkins, Hayes, Duff, and Mason, was given a send-off at the Empire Theatre in Katoomba on Wednesday evening 15th December 1915, where Mayor James presented them with medals, and ‘spoke highly of the courage of the boys who marched away with the Coo-ees, and wished them every luck in the great fight they were undertaking’.[4]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was “Eden” Leichardt Street, Katoomba N.S.W.[5] His next of kin was listed as his father, B. W. Davis, at the same address.

On 3rd May 1916 Privater Davis departed Sydney on the HMAT Hymettus A1, with the 16th reinforcements for the 6th Light Horse Regiment.

On 22nd May 1916, whilst on the voyage to Egypt, Private Davis was charged with absenting himself without leave from all parades on 18th and 19th May 1916 and being a malingerer. He was awarded 120 hours detention.

After arriving in Egypt, Trooper Davis was taken on strength of the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir on 27th June 1916.

On 1st July 1916 Trooper Davis was admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital sick.  He was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Abbassia on 4th July 1916. He was discharged and returned to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment on 27th July 1916.

On 5th August 1916 Trooper Davis was transferred to the 6th Light Horse Regiment at Tel-el-Kebir.

On 14th January 1917 Trooper Davis was sent to the 2nd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance for dental treatment. He returned to the Regiment on 15th January 1917.

He served with the 6th Light Horse Regiment until  23rd March 1918, when Trooper Davis was sent to the 2nd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance sick. On 24th March he was moved back to the 66th Casualty Clearing Station. On 25th March 1918 he was moved to the 76th Casualty Clearing Station. On 27th March 1918 he was admitted to the 43rd Stationary Hospital. On 28th March 1918 he was transferred to the 24th Stationary Hospital at Kantara. On 29th March he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital at Moascar. On 19th April 1918 he was transferred to the 14th Australian General Hospital.

On 26th April 1918 he was sent to a Rest Camp at Port Said. He was discharged on 15th May 1918 and sent to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar.

On 18th June 1918 Trooper Davis was charged with when on active service ‘he at Cairo on the 16th of June 1918 made use of a document purporting to be a genuine pass well knowing that the date thereon had been altered’, and also with being absent without leave from 0900 on 13th June 1918 till apprehended by the Military Police in Cairo at 0945 on 16th June 1918. He was fined 4 days pay and awarded 28 days Field Punishment No. 2.

Trooper Davis re-joined the 6th Light Horse Regiment at Moascar on 25th July 1918.

On 17th December 1918 Trooper Davis was admitted to the 78th General Hospital suffering Lupus Vulgaris. On the 18th of December 1918 he was transferred to the 44th Stationary Hospital at Kantara, then onto the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia later that day.

On 26th January 1919 Trooper Davis commenced his return to Australia from Suez aboard the HT Damosthenes for medical discharge.

He arrived in Australia on 2nd March 1919.

He was discharged medically unfit on 28th June 1919.

 

[1] NAA: B2455, DAVIS B W

[2] NAA: B2455, DAVIS B W – Date of birth given as 14th April 1899 in a Statutory Declaration dated 19th May 1953.

[3] March O’er the Mountains. (1915, November 12). The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), p. 3. Retrieved September 21, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142

[4] Benefit to Our Boys. (1915, December 17). The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108041454

[5] Australian War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Roll, Benjamin William Davis, HMAT Hymettus A1, 3rd May 1916.

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Francis Birmingham BROWN

Posted on October 28, 2018 | Leave a comment

Francis Birmingham BROWN

Per his military service record (Depot), Francis Birmingham Brown was born in Jerilderie, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 44 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 5 inches tall, weight 143 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and ‘brown going grey’ hair.  His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.  He claimed to have 5 weeks previous military service at Rosehill in 1914 but was allowed to leave after he ‘complained’ that the ‘physical drill affected’ him.

His next of kin was recorded on his Australian Imperial Force Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad form as Thomas Brown, Jerilderie N.S.W.

He joined the Coo-ees at Wellington.[2] He completed his medical examination at Wellington on 16th October 1915 (the day the Coo-ees arrived at Wellington).  He was attested at by Captain T. A. Nicholas at Stuart Town on 20th October 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Stuart Town to Euchareena).

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

His Statement of Service records that he served at the Infantry Depot at Liverpool until 9th January  1916 when he deserted from Liverpool Camp.  (Fellow Coo-ee Private Sloey from Wellington also deserted from Liverpool Camp on the same day.)

A warrant was issued for his arrest on 15th February 1916.

The Wellington Times reported on 7th April 1919 that ‘the death took place this morning at Wellington Hospital of Francis Brown, at the age of 50 years’, and that ‘he joined the Coo-ees when they came through Wellington, but was afterwards discharged as medically unfit’.[3]

The warrant for his arrest was withdrawn on 30th January 1919. His record is stamped ‘Discharged prior to leaving Australia’.

 

[1] NAA: B2455, BROWN F B

[2] NAA: B2455, BROWN F B

[3] OBITUARY. (1919, April 7). Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 28, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143232113

 

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