Tag Archives: Mount Victoria

Andrew George LENNOX

Posted on April 7, 2018 | Leave a comment

Andrew George LENNOX

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4824),  Andrew George Lennox was born at Bourke, N.S.W.[1]  He gave his age as 19 years and 8 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as railway porter.  His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 7 inches tall, weight 185 lbs., with a medium complexion, grey eyes, and medium 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 Andrew Lennox, Norman Francisco, and brothers Walter and Robert Mitchell, and they were then cheered by many friends when they left Cobar by train on Saturday 30th October 1915 to join the A.I.F.[2]

All four of them completed their medical examinations, and were attested, at Dubbo on Monday 2nd November 1915, (the day the Coo-ees were at Lithgow).

Andrew Lennox then traveled by train with these three other Cobar men to catch up with the Coo-ees.  They were waiting to join the Coo-ee March when the Coo-ees arrived at Mt. Victoria three days later, on Thursday 4th November 1915.[3]

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

Private Lennox and fellow Coo-ee Private Francisco while home on leave were given a farewell at the Star Hotel in Cobar on Saturday, 1st January 1916.[4]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Marshall Street, Cobar, N.S.W., and his next of kin was listed as his father, A. Lennox, at the same address.[5]

On 8th March 1916 Private Lennox, 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 Lennox 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 1st September 1918 Private Lennox went on leave to England.

He returned to the 4th Pioneer Battalion on 17th September 1918, and was transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion in France.

On 16th November 1918 Private Lennox was sent to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance sick. He was moved back to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station on 17th November 1918.

On 22nd November 1918 he was placed aboard the 2nd Ambulance Train and moved to the 2nd Convalescent Depot, arriving on 23rd November 1918. On 24th November 1918 he was transferred to the 39th General Hospital at Le Harve, France, where he was admitted on 25th November 1918.

On 26th December 1918 Private Lennox was placed aboard a Hospital Ship for evacuation to England.  He was admitted to the Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford, England, on 27th December 1918.

On 10th May 1919 he was discharged from hospital, and sent to the Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse, England.

On 12th May 1919 Private Lennox was sent back to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford sick.

He was discharged from hospital on 21st July 1919, and sent to the No. 2 Group at Sutton Veny, England.

On 22nd August 1919 Private Lennox left England on the H.T.t Anchises bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 13th October 1919.

He was discharged Termination of Period of Enlistment on 5th December 1919.

 

[1] NAA B2455, LENNOX ANDREW GEORGE

[2] ‘Summary’, Western Age, 30 October 1915, p. 2. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136723099

[3] Summary’, Western Age, 6 November 1915, p. 2. Retrieved April 4, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136724708

[4] Valedictory. (1916, January 4). Western Age (Dubbo, NSW : 1914 – 1932), p. 2. Retrieved February 18, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136725949

[5] Australia War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Rolls, Andrew George Lennox, HMAT Star of England A15, 8th March 1916.

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Day 27, Friday, 5 November, 1915, Mount Victoria to Katoomba

Posted on February 21, 2014 | Leave a comment

Transcription of an extract from an article titled ‘The Route March : Through the Mountains’ in The Farmer and Settler, 9 November, 1915, p. 3 [1 of 3]

[N.B. Includes a further description of Day 26, Thursday, 4 November, 1915, at Katoomba]

‘THE ROUTE MARCH
Through the Mountains
THE COLUMN REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

The Great Western Route march has crossed the range, and is now swinging down the slopes towards the foothills   and the city — whose lights can be seen glowing at night like the haze above a furnace.

Mount Victoria.
The first of the chain of Blue Mountain towns, Mount Victoria, welcomed the “Coo-ees” right royally on Thursday, and for the men it must be said that they looked worthy of their reception, as hard and wiry a force of soldiers in the raw as any officer could desire to com- mand; and feeling as well as looking more soldierly than they had done, with their new uniform- dungarees and white hats — the recruits’ dress of the training camps. The march into town was followed by the official welcome at the flag- staff — where a special flag was unfurled; then in the afternoon Captain Eade put the men through a stiff two hours’ course of drill; and at night there was a camp concert, with recruiting speeches.

The entry into Blackheath (Sydney Morning Herald 8/11/1915)

The entry into Blackheath (Sydney Morning Herald 8/11/1915)

Blackheath.
The column marched out of Mount Victoria at nine o’clock on Friday morning, and covered the four miles to Blackheath in less than an hour. Half a mile out the Metropolitan Schools’ Military Band met the contingent, and played it into the town, where a triumphal arch had been erected in honor of the occasion. The best feature of the Blackheath welcome was the presence of a guard of honor of returned soldiers from Anzac and Rabaul, under Col. Paton.

After the president of the local progress association had formally welcomed the troops, Captain Hitchen performed the ceremony of “breaking the flag” at the home of Mr. W. R. Tully. Then the procession; headed, by the school children, moved on to the Blackheath Hall, where a substantial meal, prepared by the district ladies, was enjoyed to the full. Here two recruits joined amid the cheers of the public, and the still lustier cheers of the “Coo-ees.”

Medlow Baths.
Next stop, Medlow! But a very short stop it was, as the time was limited. Cool drinks were served, cheers were given, and the column passed on. The march to Katoomba was a rather trying one, as bush fires were raging and the road was overhung with a pall of dense smoke.

 Katoomba.
Arrived at the Explorers’ Tree, the contingent found a detachment of the 41st Regiment drawn up to meet them, also the members of the rifle clubs, the cadets, boy scouts, and school children, with scores of motor cars and other vehicles, and a striking tableau representing the Allies. A speech of welcome was made by Ald. Brierley, Mayor of Katoomba, and then the procession, a mile long, traversed the principal thoroughfare to the skating rink, the route being thronged with thousands of cheering citizens. Katoomba gave the lads great entertainment, three solid meals, free baths, free picture shows, free socks, and free everything else to add to their comfort. At the Katoomba theatre in the afternoon, the mayor presented a local recruit. Pte. Perkins, with a wristlet watch, subscribed by the Boys’ Association. At night the public reception was turned as usual into a recruiting meeting, and five men signed on.’

… [Cont.]

Click here to access the article on Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116669569

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Day 26, Thursday, 4 November, 1915, Hartley to Mount Victoria

Posted on February 15, 2014 | Leave a comment

Transcription of an extract from an article titled ‘The Route March : Through Lithgow District’ in The Farmer and Settler, 5 November, 1915, p. 3 [part 4 of 4]
… [Continued]

Coo-ees climbing Berghofers Pass on Mt. Victoria (Sydney Mail 17/11/1915)

Coo-ees climbing Berghofers Pass on Mt. Victoria (Sydney Mail 17/11/1915)

‘Mount Victoria.    
New Victoria Pass was negotiated on Thursday, and the grade tried the transport horses severely. The men appreciated the scenery, but were glad when Mt. Victoria was reached, as it was a dry stage, and the day was warm as it ever could be in the mountains. About a mile out of town the column was met by the Rev. P. J. Hefferman and a party of school children and townspeople. Seven recruits were there also, lined up at the roadside waiting to join the “Coo-ees,” a sight that gladdened the hearts of all. The time of arrival had been fixed so that the marching recruits would be present at the unfurling of a flag on the new staff erected in honor of the arrival of the “Coo-ees.” This ceremony was performed with all due impressiveness, after which the boys adjourned to dinner. Another afternoon’s good hard drill was then given the troops. It is rumored that Colonel Ramacciotti, the State Commandant, intends to make an inspection, but when and where is known only to himself. Staff Captain Eade and Staff Sergeant-Major Scott are accompanying the men to Sydney, also Lieut. Middlemay, of the local camp, and a sergeant of the A.M.C., so the Gilgandra route march is now getting full staff recognition. An open air camp fire concert was held last night, in the Mount Victoria Park, with an excellent programme of harmony and recruiting speeches. Two more recruits caught up by train last night, and the strength of the column is now one hundred and eighty.’

Click here to access the article on Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116680017

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