Tag Archives: HMAT A15 Star of England

Percy Frederick COOPER

Posted on May 18, 2017 | Leave a comment

Percy Frederick COOPER

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4750), Percy Frederick Cooper was born at Newport, Isle of Wight, England.[1] He gave his age as 28 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as railway fettler. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 8inches tall, weight 150 lbs., with a dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed to have 2 years and 7 months previous military service with the Howitzer Battery Royal Field Artillery.

He was attested by Captain A. C. Eade at Lawson at Lawson on 7^th November 1915. The Coo-ees had held a recruiting meeting in front of the post office at Lawson the evening before.[2]

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

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Parkview, West Street, Petersham, N.S.W. His next of kin is listed as his father, H. [Henry] Cooper, 6 Bellemead Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, England.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Cooper 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 19^th April 1916 Private Cooper was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On the 2^nd June 1916 Private Cooper left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France, disembarking at Marseilles on 9^th June 1916.

Private Cooper served with the 45^th Battalion through its first action at Fleurbaix, France in July 1916 then through the battles around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in August, September and October 1916.

On 17^th April 1917 the 45^th Battalion was training at Bresle in France, when Private Cooper was admitted to the 13^th Field Ambulance suffering Rheumatism. He was sent to the Divisional Rest Station. On 24^th April 1917 he was transferred to the 56^th Casualty Clearing Station. He was discharged to duty on 11^th May 1917. On 12^th May 1917 Private Cooper returned to the 45^th Battalion when it was still at Bresle, France.

Less than a month later, on 8^th June 1917 the 45^th Battalion was involved in the Battle of Messines in Belgium when Private Cooper was wounded in action receiving a gunshot wound to his neck and back and left knee. He was evacuated to the 9^th Field Ambulance. On 9^th June 1917 he was transferred to the 9^th General Hospital at Rouen, France. On 14^th June 1917 Private Cooper was placed aboard Hospital Ship St. George for evacuation to England. On 15^th June 1917 he was admitted to the Tooting Military Hospital with gunshot wound to the right shoulder and left knee. On the 19^th of July 1917 he was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, England.

On 23^rd July 1917 Private Cooper was discharged from Hospital and granted leave to report to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 6^th August 1917.

On 21^st August 1917 Private Cooper marched in to the Overseas Training Brigade at Perham Downs.

On 17^th September 1917 Private Cooper departed Southampton, England for return to France. On 18^th September 1917 Private Cooper marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 30^th September 1917 Private Cooper re-joined the 45^th Battalion when it was at China Wall, near Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium, after just coming out of the front line.

Just over two months later, on 5^th December 1917 the 45^th Battalion was at St Quentin, France, preparing to move to Peronne, when Private Cooper was sent to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance, then admitted to the 2^nd Canadian General Hospital suffering Trench Fever. On 9^th December 1917 he was transferred to the 3^rd Convalescent Depot.

On 22^nd January 1918 he was discharged and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve.

On 9^th February 1918 Private Cooper returned to the 45^th Battalion when it was at in the front line in the vicinity of Hollebeke, Belgium.

On 28^th September 1918 Private Cooper was appointed a Lance Corporal when the Battalion was at Pissy, France.

On 1^st October 1918 Lance Corporal Cooper was granted leave to England. He re-joined the 45^th Battalion on 17^th October 1918 when it was at Pissy, France. He remained with the 45^th Battalion in France for the rest of the war.

On 18^th January 1919 Lance Corporal Cooper was granted leave to England until 3^rd February 1919.

He returned to the 45^th Battalion on 14^th February 1919 when it was training in the vicinity of Namur, Belgium.

On 23^rd February 1919 Lance Corporal Cooper departed France bound for England to commence his return to Australia. Lance Corporal Cooper marched into the No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 14^th March 1919.

Lance Corporal Cooper commenced his return to Australia from Devonport on 1^st May 1919 aboard the H.T. China, arriving in Australia on 11^th June 1919.

He was discharged medically unfit on 11^th August 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, COOPER P F

[2] ‘Coo-ees at Lawson’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 12 November 1915, p. 6. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042178

Leave a comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Lawson recruits, Percy Frederick Cooper

Sidney Stanley CANNON

Posted on May 16, 2017 | 1 comment

Sidney Stanley CANNON

Private Sidney Stanley Cannon (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 7/7/1917)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4744), Sidney Stanley Cannon was born at Parramatta, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 21 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as carpenter. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 135 lbs., with a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was recorded as Church of England. He claimed that he had 4 years previous military service in the Senior Cadets (universal training).

He completed his medical examination on 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

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

On 2^nd February 1916 whilst training at the Liverpool Camp Private Cannon was charged with being absent without leave for 2 days and from 1 parade. He was fined 10 shillings.

On 22^nd February 1916 Private Cannon was charged with being absent from fatigue and insubordination. He was fined a total of 25 shillings.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was George Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, I. [Isaac] R. Cannon, at the same address.

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

On 16^th April 1916 Private Cannon was transferred to the 4^thPioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt.

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

On 9^th July 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was engaged in works in the vicinity of Fleurbaix, France when Private Cannon was evacuated to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Bronchitis. On 10^th July 1916 he was transferred to the 5^th Divisional Rest Station. On 14^th July 1916 he re-joined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion as it arrived at Canaples, France, for training.

On 4^th November 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was training at Breilly, France, when Private Cannon was admitted to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance with stiff joints. He was admitted to the 3^rdStationary Hospital at Amiens, France, later that day with an injured thumb. A note in his service record reported that his injury to thumb was ‘caused by cold exposure when on duty, soldier not to blame’. On 8^th November 1916 he was placed aboard the 4^th Ambulance Train and moved to the 1^st Australian General Hospital in Rouen, France, where he was admitted the next day. He was transferred to the 2^nd Convalescent Depot at Rouen with a dislocated thumb on 10^th November 1916.

On 23^rd November 1916 Private Cannon was discharged and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France. He was admitted to the 26^th General Hospital at Etaples with the dislocated thumb on 28^th November 1916. On 2^nd December 1916 he was discharged to the 6^th Convalescent Depot. He was sent back to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot on 13^th December 1916.

On 17^th January 1917 Private Cannon marched out of the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot to return to his unit. He re-joined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 19^th January 1917 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Longueval, France.

On 6^th June 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was in camp in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium, where it had been constructing roads, when Private Cannon was wounded in action, receiving an explosive shell wound to his right temple.[2] On 6^th June 1917 Private Cannon was evacuated to the 77^th Field Ambulance, then moved back to the 53^rd Casualty Clearing Station, then to the 1^st Casualty Clearing Station, before he was admitted to the 1^st New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Hazebrouck, France.

On 3^rd July 1917 Private Cannon was placed aboard the 8^th Ambulance Train and sent to the 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, France, and admitted with gunshot wound to the temple.

On 13^th July 1917 Private Cannon was sent by Hospital Ship to England. He was admitted to the Fulham Military Hospital on 14^th July 1917.

On 3^rd August 1917 Private Cannon was transferred to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England. On 9^th August 1917 he was granted leave, to report to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on 23^rd August 1917.

On 28^th August 1917 Private Cannon was transferred to the No. 4 Command Depot at Codford, England.

On 30^th October 1917 Private Cannon went before a Medical Board that classed him unfit for general service for more than six months and unfit for home service, due to his gunshot wound and strain.

On 24^th November 1917 Private Cannon was transferred back to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

Private Cannon commenced his return to Australia from Plymouth on 20^th December 1917 aboard the HMAT A54 Runic to be medically discharged with gunshot wound, right ankle debility and tachycardia.

He arrived in Australia on 14^th February 1918.

On 6^th July 1918 Private Cannon went before a Medical Board at the 4^th Australian General Hospital at Randwick, Sydney, where his recommendation to be discharged was confirmed.

He was discharged medically unfit on 20^th July 1918.

[1] NAA: B2455, CANNON S S

[2] AWM4 14/16/16 – June 1917, Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, 4^th Australian Pioneer Battalion.

1 Comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Parramatta recruits, Sidney Stanley Cannon

Francis Charles Edward CLARKE

Posted on April 17, 2017 | 1 comment

Francis Charles Edward CLARKE

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4746, Francis Charles Edward Clarke was born at Melbourne, Victoria[1] He gave his age as 20 years and 9 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as engineering fitter. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 10 inches tall, weight 125 lbs., with a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was recorded as Baptist. He claimed that he had 1 years previous military service in the Cadets (universal training). He also stated that he had been previously rejected by the AIF due to deficient chest measurement. A letter from his parents F. [Francis] Clarke and Emily B. Clarke dated 12^th November 1915 in his service record gave permission for their son to ‘join the forces for the front’.

He completed his medical examination on 11^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Liverpool on the 15^th November 1915 (with the Oath to be taken by person being enlisted section dated from 11^th November 1915). His Statement of Service in his service record dates from 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 Harris Street, Harris Park, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, E.[sic] Clarke, at the same address. His “Date of joining” on his embarkation roll was 11^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield).

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

On 16^th April 1916 Private Clarke was transferred to the 4^thPioneer Battalion at Tel El Kebir, Egypt.

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

On 12^th May 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was training at St Gratien, France, where Private Clarke was promoted to Lance Corporal.

On 20^thMay 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was resting at Vieux Berquin, France, where Lance Corporal Clarke was promoted to Corporal.

On 13^th July 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was constructing tramways in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium, when Corporal Clarke was admitted to the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from D.A.H. (Disordered Action of the Heart). He was discharged from hospital to duty on 15^th July 1917.

Corporal Clarke rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 16^th July 1917. The next day he was admitted to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance with D.A.H. He was transferred to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on the 20^th of July 1917. On the 21^st of July 1917 he was placed aboard the 27^th Ambulance Train and sent to Rouen, France, where he was admitted to the 5^th General Hospital the next day on 22^nd July 1917. On 23^rd of July 1917 he was sent to the 2^nd Convalescent Depot. On the 6^th of August 1917 he was sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 15^th October 1917 Corporal Clarke was admitted to the 2^nd General Hospital at Le Havre suffering Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection). He was discharged back to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot on 21^st October 1917.

Corporal Clarke rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 13^th November 1917 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Ypres, Belgium.

On 20^th January 1918 Corporal Clarke was sent to Gas School. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 26^th January 1918 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Godezonne, Belgium.

On 3^rd March 1918 Corporal Clarke went to Paris on leave. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 12^th March 1918 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Vierstraat, Belgium.

On 14^th March 1918 Corporal Clarke was admitted to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering Scabies. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 23^rd March 1918 when it was conducting works in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium.

On 8^th October 1918 Corporal Clare went on leave to England. He returned to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 25^th October 1918 when it was conducting training in the vicinity of Ailly-sur-Somme, France.

On 27^th December 1918 Corporal Clarke was detached for duty with the 353^rd Electrical and Mechanical Company. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 25^th January 1919.

On 27^th January 1919 Corporal Clarke marched out of the 4^th Pioneer Battalion to the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve to commence his return to Australia.

On 10^th February 1919 he departed Le Harve, France, bound for England. He arrived at Weymouth and marched in to the 3^rd Training Brigade on 11^th February 1919.

Corporal Clarke commenced his return to Australia on 13^th April 1919 aboard the H.T. Commonwealth.

He arrived at Sydney in Australia on 12^th June 1919.

He was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 27^th July 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, CLARKE F C E

1 Comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged Francis Charles Edward Clarke, HMAT A15 Star of England, Parramatta recruits

Thomas William HASKETT

Posted on April 17, 2017 | Leave a comment

Thomas William HASKETT

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4793), Thomas William Haskett was born at Manuhull, Dorsetshire, [England].[1] He gave his age as 43 years and 5 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 140 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had 1 years previous military service in the 3^rd Battalion of the Dorset Regiment.

He was attested by Lieutenant F. Middenway at Springwood, but there is an anomaly with the date of his attestation on his Attestation Paper of Persons Listed for Service Abroad. The date on the Certificate of Attesting Officer section of his Attestation Paper was originally recorded as 9^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Springwood to Penrith), but this date has been changed on the form to 5^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Mount Victoria to Katoomba). The Oath to be taken by person being enlisted section is dated from 5^th November 1915.

His “Joined on” date on his Attestation Paper was recorded as 5^th November 1915, so it appears he may possibly have joined the Coo-ee March somewhere in the Blue Mountains before they arrived at Springwood. He lived at Wentworth Falls, and was employed by Blue Mountains Shire Council on one of the shire gangs at the time he joined the Coo-ee March.[2]

He completed his medical examination at Ashfield on 11^th November 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 Bathurst Road, Wentworth Falls, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his wife, Mrs A. [Annie] Haskett, at the same address.

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

On 19^th April 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On 2^nd June 1916 Private Haskett left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France. He arrived at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

Private Haskett served with the 45^th Battalion in France until 31^st August 1916, when he was sent to the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station suffering from ‘Oedema of penus’. He was placed aboard the 28^th Ambulance Train and admitted to the 3^rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, France, later that day.

He was later placed aboard the Hospital Ship St Dennis in Boulogne Harbour for evacuation to England.

After arrival in England, on 31^st January 1917 he was admitted to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, England, with odema nephritis.

On 23^rd March 1917 Private Haskett was discharged from hospital, and granted leave to report back on 7^th April 1917. He then marched into the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England, on 9^thApril 1917.

On 4^th May 1917 Private Haskett departed Devonport, England, bound for Australia aboard the H.T. Miltiades for medical discharge (chronic nephritis).

He arrived in Australia on 5^th July 1917.

The Lithgow Mercury reported that a concert and dance was held at Wentworth Falls to welcome home Private T. W. Haskett (and send off several other soldiers) in August 1917.[3]

Private Haskett was discharged Medically Unfit on 4^th October 1917.

[1] NAA: B2455, HASKETT T W

[2] ‘Wentworth Falls’, Lithgow Mercury, 7 February 1916, p. 3. Retrieved April 16, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218728295

[3] ‘Wentworth Falls’, Lithgow Mercury, 31 August 1917, p. 3. Retrieved April 16, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218767520

Leave a comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Springwood recruits, Thomas William Haskett

Robert William PETTIGREW

Posted on April 16, 2017 | Leave a comment

Robert William PETTIGREW

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4876), Robert William Pettigrew was born at Stanley, Victoria.[1] He gave his age as 30 years and 7 months, his marital status as widower, and his occupation as teamster. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 5 ¾ inches tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

He completed his medical examination at Katoomba on 5^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees stayed overnight at Katoomba), and was attested by Lieutenant Edward Shaw at Katoomba on the same day.

‘R. W. Pettigrew’ was named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of ‘the lads who answered the call, and marched out with the Coo-ees’ at Katoomba.[2]

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 C/o Mrs P. Birtles, Wattlegrove Station, Wooragee, Victoria, and his next of kin is listed as his step-sister, Mrs P. Birtles, as the same address.

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

On 13^th April 1916 he was admitted to the No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, with asthma.

On 20^th May 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On 7^th June 1916 Private Pettigrew left Alexandria aboard the transport Huntspill bound for France. He arrived at Marseilles on 14^th June 1916.

On 1^st July 1916 Private Pettigrew was charged with being absent from entrainment parade at Marseilles on 15^th June 1916 . He was fined 8 days pay.

On 9^th August 1916 Private Pettigrew was taken on strength of the 45^th Battalion when it was manning the support line in the vicinity of Pozieres, France.

Private Pettigrew was with the 45^th Battalion in the field in France for the next 12 days, where it was in support from 9^th to 11^th August 1916 supplying fatigue and working parties, then engaged in the reserve and front lines from 12^th to 15^th August 1916. The 45^th Battalion then undertook several days marching as the Battalion moved from the front line to Albert, Warloy, and Herissart, then marched to Berteaucourt ‘in heavy rain’ on 19^th August 1916, to be reorganised and refitted.[3]

On 21^st August 1916 Private Pettigrew was taken by ambulance train from the 4^th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted to the 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, France, suffering from bronchial asthma. On 22^nd August 1916 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship St Dennis in Boulogne Harbour from evacuation to England with bronchitis. On 21^st August 1916 Private Pettigrew was taken by ambulance train from the 4^th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted to the 13^th General Hospital at Boulogne, France, suffering from bronchial asthma. On 22^nd August 1916 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship St Dennis in Boulogne Harbour from evacuation to England with bronchitis.

On 23^rd August 1916 he was admitted to the Chatham Military Hospital in England. On 12^th October 1916 he was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in England.

He was discharged on the 21^st of October 1916 and granted leave to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 6^th November 1916.

On 8^th November 1916 Private Pettigrew was charged with being absent without leave from 3.30 pm on 6^th November 1916 till 8.45 pm on 7^th November 1916. He was awarded 7 days confined to camp and fined 2 days pay.

On 13^th November 1916 Private Pettigrew was transferred to the No. 4 Command Depot at Wareham, England.

On the 3rd of March 1917 Private Pettigrew was transferred to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England.

On 4^th May 1917 he was admitted to Verne Citadel holding station at Portland, England, with asthma.

On 23^rd May 1917 Private Pettigrew departed England aboard the HMAT A33 Ayrshire bound for Australia for medical discharge with asthma.

After arriving in Australia he was discharged Medically Unfit on 21^st January 1918.

[1] NAA: B2455, PETTIGREW ROBERT WILLIAM

[2] March o’er the Mountains’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 12 November 1915, p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142

[3] AWM4 23/62/6 – August 1916, Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War, 45^th Infantry Battalion

Leave a comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Katoomba recruits, Robert William Pettigrew

Sydney Raymond CARVER

Posted on April 13, 2017 | Leave a comment

Sydney Raymond CARVER

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4745), Sydney Raymond Carver was born at Hill End, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 30 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as fettler. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. His religious denomination was Methodist. He claimed that he had served for 5 years in the Hill End Rifle Club.

He was attested by Captain A. C. Eade at Katoomba on 5^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Mount Victoria to Katoomba). He did not complete his medical examination until 13^th November 1915 at Liverpool.

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

Sydney Raymond Carver was also known as “Tom” Carver.[2] He was referred to as ‘Private Tom Carver, of the Coo-ees … home on final leave’, in the Lithgow Mercury on 29^th December 1915.[3]

The National Advocate reported that Private S. Carver was given a send-off on Thursday night 30^th December 1915 in the Royal Hall at Hill End, where he was presented with a wristlet watch.[4]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Hill End, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, B. [Benjamin] Carver, Hill End, N.S.W.

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

On 19^th April 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

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

On 4^th July 1916 Private Carver was sent to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Influenza. On 7^th July 1916 he was sent to the 4^th Division Rest Station. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 9^th July 1916.

On 30^th July 1916 Private Carver was promoted to Lance Corporal.

On 24^th August 1916 he was promoted to Corporal.

On 6^th April 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant.

On 11^th April 1917 the 45^th Battalion was moving into the front line in the vicinity of Noreuil, France when Sergeant Carver was wounded in action, receiving a shrapnel wound to his left leg. He was sent to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance, then moved back to the 9^th Casualty Clearing Station, then the 56^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 12^th April 1917 he was placed aboard the 11^th Ambulance Train. On 13^th April 1917 he was admitted to the 1^st General Hospital at Entretat, France.

On 25^th April 1917 Sergeant Carver was placed aboard a hospital ship for evacuation to England. On 26^th April 1917 he was admitted to the 2^nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol, England.

He was discharged from hospital on 21^st May 1917, and granted leave to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 5^th June 1917.

On 26^th June 1917 he was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade.

On 9^th December 1917 Sergeant Carver departed Southampton bound for France. He arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France, on 10^th December 1917.

He rejoined the 45^th Battalion when it was training at Haut Allaines, France, on 16^th December 1917.

On 5^th April 1918 the 45^th Battalion was in action around Dernacourt, France, when Sergeant Carver was wounded in action for the second time, receiving a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was sent to the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance, then back to the 29^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 6^th April 1918 he was placed aboard the 27^th Ambulance Train being admitted to the 7^th Canadian General Hospital on the 7^th of April 1918 at Etaples, France.

On 25^th April 1918 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth for evacuation to England. On 26^th April 1918 he was admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury in England.

On 3^rd June 1918 he was transferred to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England. He was discharged on 18^th June 1918 and sent to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, England.

On 3^rd July 1918 Sergeant Carver was admitted to the Fovant Military Hospital sick. He was discharged on 31^st July 1918.

On 11^th September 1918 Sergeant Carver was transferred to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England.

On 21^st October 1918 Sergeant Carver was sent to the Overseas Training Brigade.

He departed Southampton on 21^st November 1918 bound for France. He arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France, on 22^nd November 1918.

He rejoined the 45^th Battalion in France on 1^st December 1918.

On 19^th March 1919 Sergeant Carver was sent to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance sick with old abdomen wound. He was discharged, and rejoined the 45^th Battalion, on 25^th March 1919.

On 6^th April 1919 Sergeant Carver was sent to the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve.

On 11^th April 1919 Sergeant Carver was admitted to the 39^th General Hospital sick at Le Havre.

On 18^th April 1918 he was placed aboard a hospital ship for evacuation to England. He was admitted to the 1^st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford, England, on 19^th April 1919.

He was discharged on 4^th July 1919 and sent to the No. 2 Depot at Sutton Veny, England.

On 23^rd July 1919 Sergeant Carver departed England aboard the H.T. Suevic bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia 10^th September 1919, and was discharged medically unfit on 10^th November 1919.

The Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative reported that Sergeant Carver was one of the soldiers who were given a welcome home at a large gathering held at the Royal Hall in Hill End on Friday 3^rd October 1919. Each soldier was given an inscribed gold medal, and a ‘useful bundle of clothing from the ladies’ knitting circle’.[5]

Research note: Sydney Raymond ‘Tom’ Carver was not named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of ‘the lads who answered the call, and marched out with the Coo-ees’ at Katoomba.[6] His “Joined on” date on his Attestation Paper is 5^th November 1915, so it appears possible that he may have joined the Coo-ees somewhere on that day before they reached Katoomba. The Coo-ees picked up two recruits in Blackheath on route from Mount Victoria to Katoomba.[7] One of these men was Thomas Walsh. ‘T. Carver’ and ‘T. Walsh’ are listed together on the Blackheath Roll of Honor published in The Blue Mountain Echo on 13^th April 1917.[8] It appears a possibility that ‘Tom’ Carver may have been the other recruit who joined the Coo-ees at Blackheath.

[1] NAA: B2455, CARVER S R

[2] ‘CARVER, Sydney Raymond (Tom) : Service Number – 4745’’, Hill End War Memorial, http://www.heatgg.org.au/resources/databases/hill-end-war-memorial/

[3] ‘Hill End’, Lithgow Mercury, 29 December 1915, p. 4. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218453720

[4] ‘’Hill End Recruits’, National Advocate, 6 January 1916, p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158046862

[5] ‘Soldiers’ Welcome Home’, Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, 9 October 1919, p. 12. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157039404

[6] ‘March o’er the Mountains’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 12 November 1915, p. 2. Retrieved September 21, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142 [on page 3]

[7] ‘The Route March’, The Farmer and Settler, 9 November 1915, p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116669569

[8] ‘Eastertide at Blackheath’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 13 April 1917, p. 3. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108244227

Leave a comment

Posted in Recruits, Research notes

Tagged Blackheath recruits, HMAT A15 Star of England, Katoomba recruits, Sydney Raymond Carver

Reginald Arthur COWELL

Posted on April 1, 2017 | Leave a comment

Reginald Arthur COWELL

Private R. A. Cowell (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 19/1/1918)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4751), Reginald Arthur Cowell was born at Ermington, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 19 years 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as nurseryman. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 132 lbs., with a sallow complexion, brown eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

Reginald Arthur Cowell joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta.[2] 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.[3]

He completed his medical examination at Parramatta on 10^th November 1915, and was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

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

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate reported on 11^th March 1916 that a send-off had been given for Private Reginald Cowell the previous Friday ‘who is leaving with the Coo-ees this week for the front’, and that he was presented ‘with a silver-mounted pipe, tobacco pouch and silver pencil’.[4]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Excelsior Avenue, Castle Hill, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, W. A. [William Arthur] Cowell, at the same address.

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

On 7^th June 1916 Private Cowell left Alexandria aboard the Transport Ionian bound for France, and he arrived at Marseilles on 14^th June 1916.

Private Cowell, (along with several other Coo-ees, including Privates Watson, Easterbrook, Healey, and Mason), marched into the 13^th Battalion on 19^th August 1916 when it was resting and reorganising at Pernois, France.

On 23^rd September 1916 the 13^th Battalion was manning the front line in the vicinity of Voormezeele, Belgium when Private Cowell was transferred to the 4^th Division Light Trench Mortar Battery.

On 25^th September he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Light Trench Mortar Battery in the vicinity of Voormezeele, Belgium.

On 11^th April 1917 the 4^th Division Light Trench Mortar Battery was involved in the attack on the Hindenburg Line in the vicinity of Bullecourt, France, when Private Cowell was wounded in action, receiving at shrapnel wound to his face. He was evacuated to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance. He was then moved back to the 9^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 12^th April he was placed aboard the 11^th Ambulance Train. He was admitted to the 1^st General Hospital at Rouen on 13^th April 1917.

On 28^th April 1917 Private Cowell was discharged to Base details and sent to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 22^nd June 1917 Private Cowell was charged with being absent without leave from Sick Parade. He was awarded forfeiture of two days pay.

On 1^st July 1917 Private Cowell departed the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot to return to his unit. He joined the 4^th Division Light Trench Mortar Battery on 5^th July 1917 when it was manning the front line in the vicinity of Ypres, Belgium.

On 19^th October 1917 Private Cowell was with the 4^th Division Light Trench Mortar Battery manning the front line in the vicinity of Passchendaele, Belgium, when he was wounded in action for the second time, receiving a shrapnel wound to his right eye. He was evacuated to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance. On 26^th October 1917 he was discharged and returned to his unit in Belgium.

On 5^th September 1918 Private Cowell was sent to England on leave. He returned to his unit in France from leave on 23^rd September 1918.

On 30^th January 1919 Private Cowell was sent to the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve to begin his return to Australia. He left Le Harve on 10^th February 1919, and arrived at Weymouth in England on 11^th February 1919.

On 15^th February 1919 Private Cowell was admitted to the Fovant Military Hospital seriously ill with Broncho Pneumonia. On 27^th February 1919 he was transferred to the 1^st Australian General Hospital at Sutton Veny, England. He was discharged from hospital to the 3^rd Training Brigade on 15^th March 1919.

Private Cowell departed England aboard the H.T. Commonwealth bound for Australia on 13^th April 1919.

He arrived in Australia on 12^th June 1919, and was discharged on 17^th October 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, COWELL R A

[2] ‘Our Brave Boys on the Battle Fields’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 19 January 1918, p. 4. Retrieved April 1, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86205203

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

[4] ‘A Send-off’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 11 March 1916, p. 11. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86070741

Leave a comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Parramatta recruits, Reginald Arthur Cowell

Lewis Reginald DUFF

Posted on March 22, 2017 | Leave a comment

Lewis Reginald DUFF

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4766), Lewis Reginald Duff was born at Katoomba, N.S.W. [1] He gave his age as 18 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination form was height 5 feet 5 ¾ inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Presbyterian. He claimed that he had no previous military service.

His father Lewis J. Duff gave his consent on his son’s Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form. Lewis Reginald Duff completed his medical examination at Katoomba on 5^th November 1915, and was attested by Lieutenant F. Middenway at Katoomba on the same day.

‘Lewis Duff’ was named in The Blue Mountain Echo as one of ‘the lads who answered the call, and marched out with the Coo-ees’ at Katoomba.[2]

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 Alma Cottage, Lurline Street, Katoomba, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, L. Duff, at the same address.

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

On 19^th April 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On 2^nd June 1916 Private Duff left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France. He arrived at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

Private Duff served with the 45^th Battalion in France and Belgium for most of the remainder of the First World War.

Letters sent home to his parents which were published in The Blue Mountain Echo, in which he is usually referred to by his middle name, “Reg. Duff” (as both his father and grandfather were called Lewis Duff), tell us something of his experiences during the war.

A letter dated 15^th September 1916 that Private Duff wrote to his parents at Katoomba was printed in The Blue Mountain Echo: “I have just come from the trenches, after a solid seven days without a spell. This is my third stretch out, and, so far, I’m altogether. Scratched in several places, but nothing serious. Our last experience was the worst, so far. It rained nearly all the time, and, in some places, we were up to our knees in mud and water. It was deadly, but we bogged through. We were relieved by the Canadians – fine fellows, fine fighters. I doubt if we will go back to the old lines. We are being re-fitted, and it is rumoured we are to the entrained and sent to another part of the front. All our old cloth go to the wash. It is commencing to get very cold here, and we are getting the misty rains, just like the Mountains… I forgot to mention our company received ‘special mention’ in army orders for the work done. Our officers are very proud- so that’s something”.[3]

His brother Cecil Duff wrote home to his parents from England in late 1916 that “I met an officer of the platoon young Reg. is in last Monday, and he gives a good account of him’’ and he said “Reg. was a game little fighter, very hardy, and was well liked…”.[4]

The next entry in Private Duff’s service record is not for nine months after he arrived in France, when it was recorded that on 5^th March 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

Three months later, on 14^th June 1917 he was promoted to Temporary Corporal.

His rank was made Corporal on 15^th July 1917.

In a letter to his parents [not dated] that was published in The Blue Mountain Echo on 28^th September 1917, Corporal Duff wrote: “Orders are out for another push on the Flanders front, and long ere you receive this we will be back and up to our neck in it again. We are getting quite used to it now, as, although I have not mentioned much about it, I have been right in the thick of it all along. I have been in very push from the beginning of last year’s offensive at Pozieres. Our Battalion went through that. We were then recalled and sent up to Ypres, in Belgium, and then back down on the Somme again, landing there for the big start in November. We hung on there till April of this year, through all the fighting at Gueudecourt. We were instrumental in forcing Fritz to retreat from Bapaume, and we followed close on his wake right up to the Hindenburg line, at Bullecourt. We didn’t go over here, but, later, when our other Battalions broke through, we returned and aided in holding our gains for a couple of days. When we were relieved, the Huns drove out successors out again, but we doubled back and took them again. After that we were sent to Messines, where there was more rough work. On the completion of that stunt (“stunt,” by the way, is a soldierism for engagement or contract), we went further along the line, where they were hard at it when my squad got furlough. You will see by the foregoing that our boys have done their bit. There are not many left of the old Battalion – that is, of the boys who came with me from Egypt. One by one they drop out, and now men take their places, but so far I’ve been lucky, very lucky. I’ve had enough escapes to account for half a dozen good men, but I’m still all together, so that’s the main thing. Hope I pull through as well on my return, as there’s lots of work ahead”.[5]

On 27^th February 1918 Corporal Duff was granted leave to England. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 15^th March 1918.

On 15^th July 1918 Corporal Duff was promoted to Sergeant.

On 31^st August 1918 Sergeant Duff was detached for duty to the Permanent Cadre of the 3^rd Training Brigade in England.

On 2^nd September 1918 Sergeant Duff arrived at Folkstone, England from France. On 3^rd September 1918 Sergeant Duff marched in to the 3^rd Training Brigade and to the Permanent Cadre at the Musketry School in Tidworth, England.

On 23^rd September 1918 Sergeant Duff was detached to the Drill School at Chelsea, England.

On 20^th October 1918 Sergeant Duff was taken on strength of the 12^th Training Battalion at Hurdcott, England.

On 11^th November 1918 Sergeant Duff was transferred to the No. 2 Camp at Park House, England.

On 14^th December 1918 he returned to the 12^th Training Battalion.

The Blue Mountains Echo on 28^th March 1919 printed an extract from a letter sent by Sergeant Reg. Duff to his mother from Hurdcott, England, in which he stated that he “received three parcels last night (23.1.19)” and that” One was from home, with Xmas cake and sox…”, and that “I was expecting to be going home shortly ; but I had a disappointment yesterday, when they told me I would be going back to France on January 28… I am just back from my Xmas leave. I had a few days in Scotland, but spent most of my time in London, as I know some nice people there. I had only been back from my leave a few days when they gave me the Xmas leave. Well, I don’t want any more leave now ; I’ll wait until I get home”.[6]

On 29^th January 1919 Sergeant Duff departed Southampton bound for France. He arrived at the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve, France, on 30^th January 1919. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 5th February 1919.

On 6^th April 1919 Sergeant Duff arrived at the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve to commence his return to Australia.

On 15^th April 1919 Sergeant Duff departed France bound for England. On 16^th April he marched into the No. 4 Group at Hurdcott, England.

On 2^nd June 1919 Sergeant Duff departed Devonport, England, aboard the H.T. Beltana bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 19^th July 1919. He was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 12^th September 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, DUFF L R

[2] ‘March o’er the Mountains’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 12 November 1915, p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042142

[3] ‘The Soldiers’ Mailbag’, The Blue Mountain Echo (NSW : 1909 – 1928), 10 November 1916, p. 1. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108042760

[4] ‘Fragments from France, The Blue Mountain Echo, 2 February 1917, p. 3. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108248522

[5] ‘Right in the Thick of It’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 28 September 1917, p. 1. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108249657

[6] ‘News of Our Boys’, The Blue Mountain Echo, 28 March 1919, p. 6. Retrieved March 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108246428

Leave a comment

Posted in Letters, Recruits

Tagged HMAT A15 Star of England, Katoomba recruits, Lewis Reginald Duff

Cyril Roy MCMILLAN

Posted on March 12, 2017 | Leave a comment

Cyril Roy MCMILLAN

Private Roy McMillan (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 11/5/1918)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4861), Cyril Roy McMillan was born at Singleton, N.S.W.[1] (This place of birth appears to have been recorded in error, as his birth was registered at Silverton, N.S.W., where his father was stationed as a Police Constable).[2] He gave his age as 19 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as engineer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 7 inches tall, weight 123 ½ lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed to have 4 years military service in the Cadets and was still serving.

He completed his medical examination at Parramatta on 10^th November 1915. His initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form was dated 11^th November 1915, and his father’s signature giving his consent is on this form. He was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

After a successful recruiting meeting the evening before, the Coo-ees left Parramatta on the morning of 11^th November 1915, with an official count of 27 new recruits from that town.

After completing the Coo-ee March Cyril Roy McMillan went into Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 11^th February 1916 Private McMillan was charged with being absent from fatigue duty. He was fined 5 Shillings.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate reported that Private ‘Roy McMillan’ was presented with a silver-mounted pipe, fountain pen, and other articles, at a send-off held for him and fellow Parramatta recruit Jack Saunders, at Parramatta on Monday 14^th February 1916.[3] (He was named as Roy McMillan in several articles in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate).

On his embarkation roll Private McMillan’s address at time of enrolment was Marsden Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, F. C. [Franklin Cutbush]. McMillan, at the same address.

On 8^th March 1916 Private McMillan, along with many of the other Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, as15th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916.

On 19^th April 1916 Private McMillan was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On 2^nd June 1916 Private McMillan left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France. He arrived at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

On 4^th July 1916 the 45^th Battalion was at Sailly-Sur-Lys preparing to move into the trenches for the first time, when Private McMillan was evacuated to the12th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from septic foot. On 7^th July 1916 he was sent to the 4^th Division Rest Station. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on the 12^th of July 1916.

On 20^th June 1916 Private McMillan was charged with being absent from billet without leave. He was awarded 7 days confined to barracks.

On 6^th September 1916 the 45^th Battalion was refitting at Beauval, France, when Private McMillan was evacuated to hospital. On 10^th September 1916 he was admitted to the 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital suffering myalgia. On 19^th September 1916 he was discharged from hospital to the 1^st Convalescent Depot. On 24^th September 1916 he went to the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 17^th October 1916.

On 7^th March 1917 the 45^th Battalion was training at Bresle, France, when Private McMillan was evacuated to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance, then transferred to the 3^rd Australian Field Ambulance with trench feet. On 8^th March 1917 he was moved back to the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station. On 11^th March 1917 he was placed aboard the 9^th Ambulance Train and admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France. On 13^th March 1917 he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Warilda at Le Havre for transfer to England with trench feet. He was admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital at Brighton, England, on 14^th March 1916.

A letter dated 23^rd March 1917 that he sent home to his father was reported on in the The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate: ‘Sergeant McMillan, of the Parramatta police force, has received a letter from his son, Private Cyril Roy McMillan … in which he stated that he had then been in hospital in England suffering with trench feet’, and that ‘In describing the complaint, he says that the toes swell up, then wither away, and fall off in bad cases’.[4]

On 27^th April 1917 Private McMillan was discharged from hospital and granted leave to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 12^th May 1917.

On 20^th July 1917 he was transferred to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, England.

On 23^rd November 1917 he marched in to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny.

On 6^th December 1917 he marched into the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, England, near Sutton Veny.

On 3^rd January 1918 Private McMillan departed Southampton bound for France. He arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France, on 4^th January 1918.

On 22^nd January 1918 Private McMillan rejoined the 45^th Battalion when it was resting at La Clytte, Belgium.

On 5^th and 6^th April 1918 the 45^th Battalion was in action around Dernacourt, France. On 13^th April 1918 it was recorded in Private McMillan’s service record that he was reported Missing In Action on 5^th April 1918. On 14^th May 1918 he was reported to be a Prisoner of War in Germany.

After being released at the end of hostilities, Private McMillan was repatriated to England on 10^th December 1918, and admitted to the 4^th London General Hospital, suffering Dysentery. On 18^th December he was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital.

Private McMillan wrote the following letter to The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate about his prisoner of war experience, which was published in the paper on 18^th January 1919:

‘France, 30th Nov., 1918. The following letter reached ‘The Argus’ on Thursday: — “Dear Sir, — I am sending you a few lines, and would like you to publish them in the old paper. I left Parramatta three years ago, with the Coo-ees, and I am sorry to say there are only two or three of us left to tell the tale. I was taken prisoner in that big stunt last March and April. One of my mates that I enlisted with was killed alongside me, just before we started to advance towards the Germans. His name is Webber.[5] Most of the boys will know him. For the first five days I was captured I had nothing to eat. All they would give us was a drop of water to drink. We were taken further back behind the lines, and there we were counted out into working parties, about 300 in a party, then again sent up behind the German lines, on munition dumps, and different kinds of work. There we stayed until our people started to make the big advance, and we were gradually moved back to Germany. But never the whole journey did we have a lift in a train or motor lorry. We had to foot it the whole way, right across Belgium, 20 and 30 miles a day, and hardly anything to eat. In passing through the Belgium towns the Belgians would do their best to help us. They would give us bread and comforts, but the Germans would take all that off us and knock us down with their rifles. But we were never downhearted — we would scramble to our foot again and still have another go at it. It was either that or starvation. We were mostly living on potato peelings, turnip peelings, and cabbag[e] leaves, and it was an awful sight to see us having our dinner. The poor lads were dying every day, and yet they would not give us any care. When we wanted a smoke we had to pick up the ends of cigarettes and cigars which the Germans had dropped, and not every one of us could get that much. You can’t imagine how happy we are to-day, now that we are released. We were released about two weeks ago. They just cast us adrift and told us to find our way back. They never gave us any bread to start with, not even a bite. Only for the Belgians we should have had hundreds of deaths along the road. But the Belgians cared for us in every manner possible. My mate and I were taken in by a Belgian lady, and there we stayed for five days, living on the best. When we were leaving they packed our bags with sandwiches and cakes, also plenty of cigarettes and money. We crossed the British lines on the 17th Nov., and we were heartily greeted by our own lads. Several of us had to go to hospital through sickness. I am in hospital at present, but will be across to England for Christmas, and hope to be home in Parramatta shortly afterwards. I think I will close for the present, as it is getting beyond my time for sitting up. — I remain, your soldier friend, No. 4861, Pte. C. R. McMillan ’45th Batt.'” [Private McMillan is a son of Sergt. McMillan, till recently stationed at Parramatta police station.]’[6]

On 23^rd December 1918 Private McMillan was discharged from hospital, and granted leave to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England, on 23^rd January 1919.

He was granted leave again from 7^th June 1919 to 19^th September 1919. During this period of leave he attended a Motor Training Institute in London.

On 25^th September 1919 Private McMillan departed Devonport, England, aboard the H.T. Port Denison, bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 17^th November 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 9^th January 1920.

[1] NAA: B2455, MCMILLAN C R

[2] NSW Birth Registration, MCMILLAN CYRIL R 34803/1896 FRANKLIN C MARGARET A SILVERTON ; ‘Local and General’, Western Grazier, 15 January 1896, p. 2. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13381118

[3] ‘The Sheepskin Fund’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 19 February 1916, p. 11. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86072411

[4] ‘Personal Pars’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 26 May 1917, p. 6. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86086965

[5] William WEBBER was one of the Coo-ees attested at Ashfield. He was killed in action on 6^th April 1918.

[6] ‘German Atrocities. A Parramatta Prisoner’s Story’, .The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 18 January 1919, p. 10. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86118958

Leave a comment

Posted in Letters, Recruits

Tagged Cyril Roy McMillan, HMAT A15 Star of England, Parramatta recruits, Prisoner of war

Bert KILDUFF

Posted on March 11, 2017 | 1 comment

Bert KILDUFF

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4818), Bert Kilduff was born at Windsor, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 23 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as butcher. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 5 inches tall, weight 9 stone, with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was recorded as Church of England on his initial Attestation Paper (but was recorded as Roman Catholic on his second Attestation Paper). He claimed that he had no previous military service. He completed his medical examination on 12^th November, 1915 at Ashfield, and was attested by Lieutenant S. Stirling at Ashfield on 12^th November, 1915, along with two other Coo-ees, on the last day of the Coo-ee March, when the Coo-ees marched from Ashfield to Sydney.

After completing the Coee-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion. His initial period of service on his Statement of Service form is from 12^th November 1915 until 15^th January 1916.

A letter dated 22^nd December 1915 in his service record, addressed to the C. O., 13^th Battalion, stated that ‘This man was fined £5 at the Central Police Court for using obscene language’, and had ‘received a suit of plain clothes’. Another letter dated 23^rd December 1915 addressed to the C.O., 13^th Battalion, from Lt. Colonel R. C. Simpson, A.A.G. A.I.F. Camp, stated that ‘This man’s clothes have been taken from him at Head Quarters’, and that ‘Attestation papers should be forwarded to me together with discharge papers made out in full, stating that he has been discharged as undesirable’. On 15^th January 1916 Private Kilduff was discharged Services no Longer Required.

Two days later, Bert Kilduff re-enlisted in the A.I.F. He undertook another medical examination on 17^th January 1916 at Sydney, and was attested at Liverpool on 18^th January 1916. He re-joined the Coo-ees at Liverpool Camp, as 15^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

While at Liverpool Camp, on 16^th February 1916 Private Kilduff was charged with insubordination and fined.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Riverstone, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his aunt, Mrs C. [Cecily] Viney, Riverstone, N.S.W. His “Date of joining” on his embarkation roll was 11^th November 1915 (the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield).

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

On 16^th April 1916 Private Kilduff was transferred to the 4^thPioneer Battalion at Tel El Kebir, Egypt.

On 27^th April 1916 Private Kilduff was admitted to the 54^th Casualty Clearing Station with Mumps. He was discharged on 17^th May 1916.

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

On 21^st June 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was at Strazeele, France, when Private Kilduff was admitted to the 13^th Australian Field Ambulance with Tonsillitis. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 25^th June 1916 when it was working on constructing the Bois Grenier Line near Armentieres, France.

Private Kilduff served with the 4^th Pioneer Battalion throughout its service on the Western Front, including Pozieres in August 1916, Mouquet Farm in September 1916, and Flers in October 1916.

On 4^th November 1916 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was training at Breilly, France, when Private Kilduff was charged with being absent without leave from 2100 till 2130 on 3^rd November 1016. He was fined 14 days pay.

On 9^th March 1917 the 4^th Pioneer Battalion was constructing railways and training in the vicinity of Longueval, France, when Private Kilduff was admitted to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance for dental treatment. He was discharged on 17^th March 1917, but was admitted to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance sick suffering urethral stricture on the same day. On 18^th March 1917 he was moved to the 3^rd Casualty Clearing Station. He was transferred by ambulance train to the 1^st Australian General Hospital at Rouen, France, arriving on 21^st of March 1917.

On 30^th March 1917 Private Kilduff was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle at Le Harve, France, for transfer to England. He was admitted to the 5^th Southern General Hospital at Portsmouth, England, on 31^st March 1917.

On 20^th June 1917 Private Kilduff was transferred the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England.

On 23^rd June Private Kilduff was discharged from hospital to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England. On 29^th June 1917 he was transferred to the No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, England.

On 13^th August 1917 Private Kilduff was admonished with neglecting to obey Group Orders at Salisbury on 4^th August 1917.

On 8^th September 1917 Private Kilduff marched into the Overseas Training Brigade at Perham Downs, England.

On 11^th October 1917 Private Kilduff departed Southampton bound for France. On 13^th October 1917 he marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

On 21^st October 1917 Private Kilduff rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion when it was working on keeping the Zonnebeke Road in Belgium operational during the Third Battle of Ypres.

After serving with the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front for almost another year, on 9^th October 1918 Private Kilduff was granted leave to England. He rejoined the 4^th Pioneer Battalion on 26^th October 1918 whilst it was training at Ailly-sur-Somme, France.

On 10^th February 1919 Private Kilduff was transferred to England for return to Australia. He marched into the 3^rd Training Brigade at Fovant, England, on 11^th February 1919.

On 16^th February 1919 Private Kilduff was admitted to the No. 2 Group Hospital with Influenza. He was discharged on 26^th February 1919.

On 13^th April 1919 Private Kilduff commenced his return to Australia aboard the H.T. Commonwealth. He arrived in Australia on 12^th June 1919, and was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 27^th July 1919.

[1] NAA: B2455, KILDUFF BERT

1 Comment

Posted in Recruits

Tagged Ashfield recruits, Bert Kilduff, HMAT A15 Star of England

	Helen Thompson on James MCGEECHAN
	Mylee Mann on James MCGEECHAN
	Dan McKeown on Remembering the Coo-ees on Anz…
	from unohu on Remembering the Coo-ees on Anz…
	Lesley Abrahams on Remembering the Coo-ees on Anz…

Tag Archives: HMAT A15 Star of England

Percy Frederick COOPER

Sidney Stanley CANNON

Francis Charles Edward CLARKE

Thomas William HASKETT

Robert William PETTIGREW

Sydney Raymond CARVER

Reginald Arthur COWELL

Lewis Reginald DUFF

Cyril Roy MCMILLAN

Bert KILDUFF

Recent Posts

Categories

Follow Blog via Email

Tags

Recent Comments

Archives