Tag Archives: Stanley E. Stephens

Honour Roll

Posted on April 25, 2017 | 3 comments

Coo-ee March Roll of Honour

Stephen and I have found through our research on the 263 men who were recruited on the 1915 Gilgandra to Sydney Coo-ee March, that 41 of them died while on active service overseas during WWI.

Stephen and I visited the graves of the fallen Coo-ees in France, Belgium and England in 2012, 2014, and 2016. During our 2016 visit we took a travelling wreath to rest on each of their graves. The Coo-ee March 2015 Inc. (Gilgandra Sub-Committee) provided the purple Coo-ee “badge” ribbon that we placed on our wreath, which had been created to be worn by the marchers during the 2015 Coo-ee March Re-enactment in memory of the purple “badges” worn by the original Coo-ees during the 1915 Coo-ee March. We left an Australian flag and a commemorative information card on each of their graves.

4730 Private Harold BAXTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Harold Baxter’s headstone, at Bancourt British Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

Harold Baxter was born at Illford, Essex, England. He gave his age as 22 years and 4 months (though he was actually only 18 years and 4 months at the time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as a farm labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915, and completed his medical examination on the 10^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt on 19^th April 1916.

Private Baxter was killed in action on 22^nd November 1916, near Guedecourt, France. His age at death is listed at 20 years on his headstone, but he was only 19 year and 6 months of age when de died.

He was buried at the Bancourt British Cemetery, at Bancourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/01/harold-baxter/

4460 Private Charles William Gordon CONROY

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

“CONROY C. W.” name on V. C. Corner Cemetery and Memorial (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 10/9/2016)

Charles William Gordon Conroy was born at Thames, New Zealand. He gave his age as 41 years and 6 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as chemist, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Orange. He was attested, and completed his medical examination, at Orange on 25^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916, with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He was transferred to the 54^th Australian Infantry Battalion in Egypt on 1^st April 1916.

Private Conroy was killed in action on 19^th/20^th July 1916, during the Battle of Fromelles, aged 42 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on Panel 10 at the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial at Fromelles, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/07/charles-william-gordon-conroy/

4757 Private Bernard COYTE

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Bernard Coyte’s headstone at Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

Bernard Coyte was born at Borenore, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer & labourer when he enlisted. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Orange on 14^th October 1915. He joined the Coo-ee March when the Coo-ees arrived at Orange on 23^rd October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Coyte was killed in action on 18^th September 1918, in the vicinity of Le Verguier, France, aged 24 years.

He was buried at the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension at Jeancourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/03/31/bernard-coyte/

4753 Private James CRAWFORD

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

James Crawford’s headstone, Contay British Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 8/9/2016)

James Crawford was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He gave his age as 38 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as farmer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He completed his medical on 8^th October 1915 at Gilgandra, and was attested on 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Crawford was wounded in action near Mouquet Farm, France, on 31^st August 1916. He died of his wounds at the 49^th Casualty Clearing Station on 3^rd September 1916, aged 46 years.

He was buried at the Contay British Cemetery at Contay, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/30/james-crawford/

Lieutenant Harry DAVENPORT

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Swendson H. (served as Davenport H.) name in Lieutenant section on 4th Bn. Australian Infantry Battalion panel at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper (Ypres), Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2012)

Harry Davenport (aka Harry Swendson) stated on his Attestation Paper that he was born in Toronto, Canada ( but he was actually born at Hawthorn, Atchison County, Kansas). He gave his age as 41 years (though he appears to have been several years younger), his marital status as widower, and his occupation as billiard table proprietor, when he enlisted. He was on of the men who stepped forward and gave his name when the Coo-ees recruited in Wongarbon on 14^th October 1915. He joined the Coo-ee March at Orange. He completed his medical examination, and was attested at Orange on 24^th October 1915.

After attending the A.I.F. Officer Training School at Duntroon, Second Lieutenant Davenport embarked for active service from Sydney on SS Port Nicholson on 8^th November 1916, as part of the 22^nd reinforcement for the 4^th Infantry Battalion. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 16^th July 1917.

Lieutenant Davenport was wounded in action on 4^th October 1917, at Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium. He died of his wounds that same day, aged 35 years. He was buried at Broodenside Ridge, however his grave marker was destroyed in further fighting.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/21/harry-davenport-aka-harry-swendson/

4759 Private Harold Brooks DAVIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Harold Brooks Davis’s headstone at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2016)

Harold Brooks Davis was born at Parramatta, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years (although he was actually only 14 years and 8 months old at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as plumber, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March in the Blue Mountains on 8^th November 1915. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915. He was the youngest of the Coo-ees to enlist.

Private Davis was wounded in action on 21^st February 1917 in the vicinity of Guedecourt, France. He was evacuated to the 6^th General Hospital, at Rouen, France. He died of his wounds on 28^th February 1917, the day before his 16^th birthday. His age is recorded as 16 years on his headstone.

He was buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/05/04/harold-brooks-davis/

3017B Private Allan James DENMEAD

19^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

A.J. Denmead’s name on the Villers-Brettoneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 7/9/2014)

Allan James Denmead was born at Goulburn, N.S.W. He gave his age as 27 years and 8 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst. He was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915. He did not complete a medical examination on the Coo-ee March.

He was initially discharged as medically unfit with varicous veins on 13^th December 1916, but he successfully re-enlisted at Bathurst on 28^th June 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A 11 Ascanius on 26^th October 1916 with the 7^th reinforcements for the 53^rd Battalion. He was transferred to the 19^th Battalion after he arrived in England in early 1917.

Private Denmead was killed in action on 3^rd May 1917 during an attack on the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt, France, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/tag/allan-james-denmead/

6251 Private Francis Charles FINLAYSON

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Francis Charles Finlayson was born at Redfern, N.S.W. He gave his age as 28 years, his marital status as married, and his occupation as book keeper, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

Acting Corporal Finlayson embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides on 9^th September 1916, with the 20^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He reverted to the rand of Private on arrival in France on 17^th January 1917.

Private Finlayson was killed in action on 4^th February 1917 in an attack on the German trenches in the vicinity of Guedecourt, France, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the on Villers Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/tag/francis-charles-finlayson/

6289 Sapper Charles Arthur FINN

13th Field Company, Australian Engineers, A.I.F.

Charles Arthur Finn’s headstone at H.A.C. Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

Charles Arthur Finn was born at Mt McDonald, N.S.W. He gave his age as 27 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as blacksmith, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He completed his medical on 7^th October 1915 at Gilgandra and was attested on 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A26 Armadale on the 21^st of March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 1^st Field Company Engineers. Sapper Finn was transferred to the 13^th Field Company Engineers on 27^th August 1916.

Sapper Finn was killed in action on 7^th April 1917 in the vicinity of Bapaume, France, aged 29 years.

He was buried at the H.A.C. British Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/05/30/charles-arthur-finn/

4789 Gunner Charles Alfred HAMPSON

10th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F.

Charles Alfred Hampson’s headstone at H.A.C. Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

Charles Alfred Hampson was born at Petersham, N.S.W. He gave his age as 17 years and 8 months (although he was actually only 16 years and 8 months at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as machinist, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Lithgow. He completed his medical on 31^st October 1915 at Lithgow, and was attested at Lithgow on the 1^st November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916, with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

On 16^th April 1915 Gunner Hampson was transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Tel-el-Kebir (along with his father Lightfoot).

Gunner Hampson was killed in action on 28^th April 1917 during the Battle of Bullecourt, France. Although his age is listed as 19 years on his headstone, he was only 18 years and 2 months old when he died.

He was buried at the H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/12/charles-alfred-hampson/

4791 Private Oliver James HARMON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

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

Oliver James Harmon was born at Redfern, N.S.W. He gave his age as 31 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as boiler makers’ assistant, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta. He completed his medical examination on 10^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion on 8^th March 1916. On 16^th April 1916 Private Harmon was transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt.

Private Harmon was killed in action in the Battle of Pozieres on 6^th August 1916, aged 32 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/?s=oliver+harmon

1677 Corporal William Thomas HITCHEN

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Bill Hitchen’s headstone, Harefield (St. Mary) Churchyard (Photograph: S & H Thompson 26/8/2016)

William “Bill” Thomas Hitchen was born at Mudgee, N.S.W. He gave his age as 44 years and 2 months (although he was 51 years old at the time), his marital status as married, and his occupation as plumber, when he enlisted. “Captain” Bill Hitchen was the leader of the Coo-ee March. His official enlistment date is 10^th October 1915, the date the Coo-ee March commenced in Gilgandra. However, he did not complete his medical examination and attestation until the 24^th February 1916 at Bathurst, after he assisted in organising the Kookaburra March from Tooraweenah to Bathurst in early 1916. He was allocated to the 2^nd reinforcements to the 45^th Battalion as Corporal.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 14^th of April 1916. After further training in Egypt, he embarked from Alexandria on the 6^th of June 1916. Soon after arriving at Plymouth, England, he was admitted to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park on 21^st June 1916 with Melanotic Sarcoma, where he died of this illness on 3^rd September 1916. His age was recorded as 44 years on his headstone.

He was buried at the Harefield (St. Mary’s) Churchyard at Harefield, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/08/19/william-thomas-hitchen/

2196 Private Percy Walter HOLPEN

46th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Percy Walter Holpen’s headstone, Le Baraques Military Cemetery, France (Photograph:S. & H. Thompson 29/8/2016)

Percy Walter Holpen was born at Brisbane, Queensland. He gave his age as 21 years and 11 months (athough he was actually only 17 years and 9 months at this time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as carter, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington. He did a preliminary medical examination at Wellington on 16^th October 1915, and was provisionally accepted for enlistment at Dripstone on the 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A26 Armadale on 21^st March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 1^st Light Horse Regiment. He was transferred to the 46^th Battalion in France on 10^th July 1916.

Private Holpen died of illness (Influenza) on 26^th November 1918 at the 30^th General Hospital, Calais, France, aged 20 years.

He was buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery at Calais, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/01/percy-walter-holpen/

1887 Private Frank HUMPHREY

60th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Frank Humphrey’s headstone at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2016)

Frank Humphrey was born at Hull, Yorkshire, England. He gave his age as 33 years and 3 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as bricklayer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915.

He was discharged with his services no longer required at Liverpool Camp on 4^th January 1916. However he re-enlisted at Wangaratta in Victoria on 11^th February 1916.

He embarked for active service from Melbourne on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 1^st May 1916 with the 3^rd reinforcements for the 60^th Battalion.

Soon after his arrival in France, Private Humphrey died of illness (Bacillary Dysentery) on 23^rd August 1916 at the 7^th Canadian Stationary Hospital at Le Harve, France, aged 34 years.

He was buried at Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Harvre, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/27/frank-humphrey/

4807 Private William Emerton HUNTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

W. E. Hunter’s name on the Villers-Brettoneux Memorial (Photograph: S. Thompson 7/9/2014)

William Emerton Hunter was born at Sydney, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as wheat lumper, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Geurie. He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 19^th April 1916 Private Hunter was transferred to the 45^th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

Private Hunter was killed in action on 7^th August 1916, in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 21 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/02/01/william-emerton-hunter/

4816 Private Thomas JACKSON

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Thomas Jackson was born at Longford, Derby, Derbyshire, England. He gave his age as 32 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Geurie. He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on 19^th October 1915

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion.

Private Jackson was killed in action on 16^th June 1917, in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium, aged 33 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/07/04/thomas-jackson/

4817 Private Alan Chesher JOHNSON

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

A. C. Janion served as A. C. Johnson on 45th Battalion panel at the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2012)

Alan Chesher [Chester] Johnson (aka Alan Cheshyre Janion) was born at Liverpool, England. He gave his age as 33 years (though this may not have been correct), his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington. He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Dripstone on the 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

Private Johnson was killed in action on 7^th June 1917 in the vicinity of Messines, Belgium. His age at time of death was listed as 31 years on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/23/alan-chesher-johnson-alan-cheshyre-janion/

384 Lance Corporal Darcy KEATING

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

D. Keating’s name on on 4th Battalion panel [in Lance Corporal section] at the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2012)

Darcy Keating was born at Warren, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 6 months (though it appears that he was younger), his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington. He completed his medical on16^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested at Mumbil on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray on 3^rd May 1916 with the 2^nd reinforcements for the 1^st Anzac Cyclist Battalion.

Private Keating on 7^th September 1916 was transferred to the 1^st Training Battalion at Perham Downs, England. He joined the 4^th Australian Infantry Battalion in France on 5^th November 1916.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 15^th July 1917.

Lance Corporal Keating was killed in action on 4^th October 1917 in the vicinity of Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium. His age was recorded as 20 years at time of death on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/01/darcy-keating/

5489 Private Lewis LEOVILLE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Lewis Leoville’s headstone at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 8/9/2016)

Lewis (Louis) Leoville was born at Marseilles, France. He gave his age as 41 years, his marital status as married, and his occupation as barber. He joined the Coo-ee March at Lithgow. He completed his medical on 3^rdNovember 1915 at Lithgow, and was attested at Lithgow on the same day.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A71 Nestor on 9^thApril 1916, with the 17^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He was transferred to the 45^th Battalion on 20^th May 1916 in Egypt.

Private Leoville was wounded in action in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, on 8^th August 1916. He died of his wounds later that day, aged 42 years.

He was buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Extension Cemetery, at Warloy-Baillon, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/24/lewis-leoville/

4832 Private Spencer John LETCHER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Spencer John Letcher’s headstone at AIF Burial Ground, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 8/9/2016)

Spencer John Letcher was born at Cowra, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years and 1 month (although he was actually only 16 years and 7 months at that time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as painter, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915.

Private Letcher was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in vicinity of Pozieres, France. Although his age was recorded as 18 years on his headstone, he was actually only 17 years and 4 months at the time of his death.

He was buried at the A.I.F. Burial Ground, at Flers, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/24/spencer-john-letcher/

4830 Private Samuel LUKE

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Samuel Luke’s headstone at Vaulx Hill Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

Samuel Luke was born at St. Marys, N.S.W. He gave his age as 38 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at St. Marys. . He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 25^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion at Serapeum, Egypt.

Private Luke was killed in action on 21^st April 1917 during the 1^st Battle of Bullecourt in the vicinity of Vaulx-Vraucourt, France, aged 40 years.

He was buried at the Vaulx Hill Cemetery, at Vaulx-Vraucourt, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/04/06/samuel-luke

4840 Lance Corporal Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Laurence Leslie Maguire was born at Gilgandra, N.S.W. He gave his age as 25 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He completed his medical examination at Gilgandra on 8^th October 1915, and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 20^th May 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1^st November 1917.

Lance Corporal Maguire was killed in action on 2^nd April 1918, in the vicinity of Dernacourt, France. He was buried near Albert, but after the war his grave could not be located.

His age at time of death was recorded as 28 years on his AWM Roll of Honour Circular.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/28/laurence-leslie-maguire/

4541 Corporal John MARTIN

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

John Martin’s headstone at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 9/9/2016)

John Martin was born at Melbourne, Victoria. He gave his age as 34 years 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Molong. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Molong on 22^nd October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A70 Ballarat on 16^th February 1916 with the 14^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 1^st April 1916 he was transferred to the 54^th Battalion at Ferry Post, Egypt.

He was promoted to Corporal on 27^th May 1917.

Corporal Martin was killed in action on 1^st September 1918 at Peronne, France, aged 38 years.

He was buried at the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, at Peronne, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/03/22/john-martin/

4858 Gunner Wilfred Ernest MCDONALD

4th Division Heavy and Medium Trench Mortar Battery Field Artillery A.I.F.

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

Wilfred Ernest McDonald was born at Dubbo, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. He completed his medical on the 8^th October at Gilgandra before the beginning of the Coo-ee March. He presented to join the Coo-ee March at his home town of Wongarbon on 14^th October 1915. He was attested at Stuart Town on 19^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On the 16^th of April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery at Telelkebir. On the 27^th May 1916 he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Ammunition Column. On the 25th June 1916 Gunner McDonald was transferred to the V4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery.

Gunner McDonald was killed in action on 3^rd May 1917 between Ecoust and Bullecourt in France, aged 22 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/07/01/wilfred-ernest-mcdonald/

4920 Private Edward Joseph MCGARRY

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

Edward Joseph McGarry’s headstone at Heilly Station Cemetery, France. His name is on the bottom of the headstone (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 12/9/2016)

Edward Joseph McGarry was born at Kelso, N.S.W. He gave his age as 35 years and 8 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as fuelman, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Bathurst. He was attested at Bathurst on 28^th October 1915, but did not complete his medical until 13^th November October 1915 at Liverpool.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 16^th April 1916 he transferred to the 4^th Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.

Private McGarry was wounded in action on 12^th December 1916 in the vicinity of Longueval, France. He died of his wounds the next day on 13^th December 1916 at the 38^th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, France, aged 35 years (per his headstone and AWM Roll of Honour Circular).

He was buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, at Mericourt-L’Abbe, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/02/edward-joseph-mcgarry/

4857 Private Joseph Raymond MCGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Raymond McGuire’s headstone at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 29/8/2016)

Joseph Raymond McGuire was born at Redfern, N.S.W. He gave his age as 33 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as tinworker labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March on 11^th November 1915, the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

Private McGuire was wounded in action on 29^th September 1917 in the vicinity of Westhoek Ridge, Belgium. He was evacuated to the 10^th Casualty Clearing Station, but died of his wounds later the same day, aged 36 years.

He was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, at Lijssentoek, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/10/19/joseph-raymond-mcguire/

2708 Private Archibald MCINTYRE

56^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Archibald McIntyre’s headstone at Puchevillers British Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 8/9/2016)

Archibald McIntyre was born at Glasgow, Scotland. He gave his age as 31 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Blayney. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Blayney on 26^th October 1915.

He was discharged at Liverpool Camp on 29^th November 1915 for defective vision. He successfully re-enlisted on 19^th May 1916 at Sydney, passing his medical examination on 19^th May 1916, and was attested at the Royal Agricultural Showground at Sydney on 20^th May 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7^thOctober 1916 with the 6^th reinforcements for the 56^th Battalion.

Private McIntyre was with the 56^th Battalion in France when he was evacuated to hospital sick on 22^nd March 1917. He died of illness (Cerebro Spinal Meningitis) on 26^th March 1917 at the South Midland Casualty Clearing Station Puchevillers, France, aged 32 years.

He was buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, at Puchevillers, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/02/11/archibald-mcintyre/

4849 Private Jack MORRIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Charles James “Jack” Morris was born at Pennant Hills, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as rivetter, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Parramatta. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Parramatta on 11^th November 1915.

Private Morris was killed in action on the night of 5^th/6^th August 1916, in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 18 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/07/jack-morris/

2369 Trooper William Henry NICHOLLS

7th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F.

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

William Henry Nicholls was born at Camperdown, Sydney, N.S.W. He gave his age as 27 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as contractor, when he enlisted. He completed his medical examination at Coonamble on 2^nd October 1915, and was attested at Dubbo on 21^st October 1915, before joining the Coo-ee March at Molong.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT Palermo on 18^th April 1916 with the 16^th reinforcements for the 7^th Light Horse Regiment.

Trooper Nicholls was killed in action on 7^th May 1918 when enemy aeroplanes bombed the camp of the 7^th Light Horse Regiment at Jericho, Palestine. He was aged 30 years.

He was buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery at Jerusalem, Israel.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/07/05/william-henry-nicholls/

4865 Private Karl ALEX FREDERICK NIELSEN

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

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

Karl Alex Frederick Nielson (aka Karl Frederik Nielsen) was born at Sjelland, Denmark. He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as bushman, when he enlisted. Although he was not attested and did not complete his medical examination until 13^th November 1915 at Liverpool, his date of joining on the nominal roll was recorded as the 8^th November 1915, when the Coo-ees were on their way from Lawson to Springwood. Per The Blue Mountains Echo he was one of three recruits to join the Coo-ees from Hazelbrook.

Private Nielsen was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 25 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/20/karl-alex-frederick-nielson/

7048 Private Patrick Joseph O’LOUGHLIN

3^rd Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

P. J. O’Loughen’s name on 3rd Battalion Australian Infantry panel [third row in centre on right] at the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2012)

Patrick Joseph O’Loughlin (O’Loughlen) was born at Ballyvaugan, County Clare, Ireland. He gave his age as 27 years and 8 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He was one of the four recruits sent by the Parkes Recruiting Association to join the Coo-ees at Molong. He completed his medical examination at Molong on 22^nd October 1915, and was attested at Molong (8 miles east) on 22^nd October 1915.

He was discharged medically unfit (varicose veins) on 29^th November 1915. However he successfully re-enlisted at Dubbo Army Camp on 27^th October 1916.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A24 Benalla on 9^th November 1916 with the 23^rd reinforcements for the 3^rd Battalion.

Private O’Loughlin was killed in action on 18^th September 1917 in the vicinity of Dickebusch, near Ypres, in Belgium, aged 29 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/30/patrick-joseph-oloughlin-oloughlen/

6199 Private James O’NEILL

18th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

James O’Neill’s headstone at the Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 30/8/2016)

James O’Neill was born at Hay, N.S.W. He gave his age as 35 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington. completed his medical examination on 17^th October 1915 at Wellington, and was attested on 19^th October 1915 at Stuart Town.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A11 Ascanius on 25^thOctober 1916 with the 17^th reinforcements for the 18^th Battalion.

Private O’Neill was wounded in action on 19^th September 1917 at Bellewaarde Ridge, Belgium. He was evacuated to the 3^rd Australian Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds later that day, aged 37 years.

He was buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery, at Iepers, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/10/19/james-oneill/

4866 Private Joseph PARRISH

4th Machine Gun Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Parrish’s headstone at Terlincthun British Cemetery, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 11/9/2016)

Joseph Parrish was born at Monmouthshire, Wales. He gave his age as 18 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as miner, when he enlisted. He presented to join the Coo-ees at Wellington. He completed his medical examination on 16^th October 1915 at Wellington, then joined the Coo-ees at Orange, where he was attested at Orange on the 24^th October 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On the 16^th April 1916 Private Parrish was transferred to the 4th Pioneer Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.

On the 12th May 1918 Private Parrish was transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

Private Parrish was wounded in action on 10^th June 1918 in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux, France. He died of his wounds on 27^th June 1918 at the 53^rd General Hospital at Abbeville, France, aged 21 years.

He was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, at Wimille, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/01/29/joseph-parrish/

4886 Private Arthur Charles REID

4^th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery A.I.F.

Arthur Charles Reid’s headstone at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 31/8/2016)

Arthur Charles Reid (Read) was born at Forbes, N.S.W. He gave his age as 25 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as shearing machine expert, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March by the time the Coo-ees reached Katoomba. He was attested on 5^th November at Katoomba, and completed his medical examination on 6^th November 1915 at Lawson.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. On 16^th April 1916 Private Reid transferred to the 4^th Division Artillery and his rank designation changed to Gunner. On the 25^th June 1916 he was taken on strength of the 4^th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery in France.

Gunner Reid was wounded in action on 8^th September 1916 in the vicinity of Vierssraat, Belgium. He was evacuated to the 11^th Canadian Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds the next day on 9^th September 1916, aged 25 years.

He was buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, De Klitje, Flanders, Belgium.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/11/15/arthur-charles-reid/

4891 Private John Thomas SMITH

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

John Thomas Smith’s headstone at Melcombe Regis Cemetery, Weymouth, England (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 14/9/2016)

John Thomas Smith was born at Wigan, Lancashire, England. He gave his age as 30 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as miner, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Wellington. He completed his medical examination on 16^thOctober 1915 at Wellington, and was attested on 19^th October 1915 at Stuart Town.

Private Smith was wounded in action on 5^th April 1918 near Henencourt Wood, France. He was evacuated to England, and died of his wounds on 23^rd April 1918 at the Dorset County Hospital, England, aged 33 years.

He was buried at Melcombe Regis Cemetery, at Dorset, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/26/john-thomas-smith/

6320 Private Stanley Everard STEPHENS

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Stanley Everard Stephens was born at Melbourne, Victoria. He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as journalist, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Gilgandra. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Gilgandra on 9^th October 1915. On the march he was given the rank of Acting Sergeant, and was appointed Secretary of the travelling committee of control appointed for the Coo-ee March at Stuart Town. .

Acting Sergeant Stephens embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September 1916 as 20^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On 22^nd December 1916 he arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France, where he reverted to the rank of Private.

Acting Sergeant Stephens departed Sydney on the HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September 1916 as 20^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

His rank reverted to Private when he arrived in France on 22^nd December 1916.

Private Stephens was killed in action on 11^th April 1917 during an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bullecourt, France, aged 26 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/10/04/stanley-everard-stephens/

4605 Private John TARLINGTON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

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

John Tarlington was born at Glen Innes, N.S.W. He gave his age as 38 years and 7 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as laborer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Blayney. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Blayney on 26^th October 1915.

Private Tarlington was killed in action on 6^th August 1916 in the vicinity of Pozieres, France, aged 39 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/05/24/john-tarlington/

4903 Sergeant Thomas THORNE

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Thomas Thorne’s headstone at Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, England (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson 13/9/2016)

Thomas Thorne was born at Hay, N.S.W. He gave his age as 22 years and 2 months, his marital status as married, and his occupation as motor driver, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Lawson, and was attested at Lawson on the 7^th November 1915. He completed his medical examination at Liverpool on 13^th November 1915.

He embarked for active service from Sydney on HMAT A15 Star of England on 8^th March 1916 with the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916, and he was admitted to the 31^st General Hospital at Port Said, Egypt, on the same day. He was discharged for duty on 21^st May 1916.

Acting Sergeant Thorne was admitted to Devonport Military Hospital on his arrival in England, and he died of Pneumonia two days later on 18^th June 1916, aged 23 years. He was the first of the Coo-ees to die on active service.

He was buried at Plymouth (Efford) Cemetery, at Plymouth, England.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/12/26/thomas-thorne/

4617 Private Joseph Patrick WALLIS

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Joseph Patrick Wallis’s headstone at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France (Photograph S. & H. Thompson 10/9/2016)

Joseph Patrick Wallis (aka Joseph Patrick Wailes) was born at Darlinghurst, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years and 4 months (although he was actually 17 years and 1 month old at that time), his marital status as single, and his occupation as seaman, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Dubbo. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Dubbo on 13^th October 1915.

Private Wallis was killed in action on 20^th July 1916 during Battle of Fromelles, France.

He was buried at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, Fromelles, France. Although his headstone records his age as 19 years, he was actually only 17 years and 10 months when he died.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2014/06/01/joseph-patrick-wallis/

4917 Private William WEBBER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

William Webber was born at Granville, N.S.W. He gave his age as 23 years and 5 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as fitter, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March on 11^th November 1915, the day the Coo-ees marched from Parramatta to Ashfield. He completed his medical examination and was attested at Ashfield on 11^th November 1915.

Private Webber was killed in action on 6^th April 1918 in the vicinity of Dernacourt, France, aged 26 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/08/william-webber/

4910 Private Rowland John WILSON

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

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

Rowland John Wilson was born at Tallawang, N.S.W. He gave his age as 24 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer, when he enlisted. He joined the Coo-ee March at Lawson. He was attested at Lawson on 7^th November 1915. He completed his medical examination at Liverpool on 15^th November 1915.

Private Wilson was killed in action on the night of the 7^th/8^th August 1916 in the Battle of Pozieres between Pozieres and Martinpuich, aged 24 years.

He has no known grave. His name is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France.

Click here to read his full story: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/06/20/rowland-john-wilson/

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Posted in Honour Roll

Tagged Alan Chesher Johnson (Janion), Allan James Denmead, Archibald McIntyre, Arthur Charles Reid, Bernard Coyte, Charles Alfred Hampson, Charles Arthur Finn, Charles William Gordon Conroy, Darcy Keating, Edward Joseph McGarry, Francis Charles Finlayson, Frank Humphrey, Harold Baxter, Harold Brooks Davis, Harry Davenport, Jack Morris, James Crawford, James O'Neill, John Martin, John Tarlington, John Thomas Smith, Joseph Parrish, Joseph Patrick Wallis, Karl Alex Frederick Nielson, Laurence Leslie Maguire, Louis Leoville, Oliver James Harmon, Patrick O'Loughlin, Percy Walter Holpen, Rowland John WIlson, Samuel Luke, Spencer John Letcher, Stanley E. Stephens, Thomas Jackson, Thomas Thorne, Wilfred Ernest McDonald, William (Bill) Thomas Hitchen, William Emerton Hunter, William Henry Nicholls, William Webber

Stanley Everard STEPHENS

Posted on October 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

Stanley Everard STEPHENS

Stanley Everard Stephens (Photograph courtesy of M. Stephens)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 6320), Stanley Everard Stephens was born at Melbourne, Victoria. He gave his age as 24 years and 11 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as journalist. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 inches tall, weight 136 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed to have previous military service with the Naval Reserve and the New Guinea Expeditionary Force. He completed his medical on the 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra (the day before the commencement of the Coo-ee March), and was attested by Captain Nicholas at Gilgandra on the 9^th October 1915.

Stanley Stephens joined the Coo-ee March as both a recruit, and as a special reporter to The Farmer and Settler, of which his father Harry J. Stephens was the editor.

On the march he was given the rank of Acting Sergeant, and was appointed Secretary of the travelling committee of control appointed for the Coo-ee March at Stuart Town, with Major Wynne as chairman, Captain Hitchen, Q.M.S. Lee, and Mr H. T. Blacket, during a visit by A. H. Miller (Secretary), and C. H. Richards and P. J. MacManus, from the Gilgandra Recruiting Committee.[1] In this role he assisted with the day to day running of the march, and maintained the accounts.[2]

After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion. He was made Acting Company Sergeant Major on 16^th November 2015.

On 7^th February 1916 Acting Company Sergeant Major Stephens was sent to the Depot School for NCO’s, then on 18^th March 1916 he was sent to the Officer School at Duntroon.

His father Harry Stephens wrote in a letter to A. H. Miller (Secretary of the Gilgandra Recruiting Committee) dated 9^th March 1916 (the day after most of the Coo-ees embarked for Egypt on the HMAT A15 Star of England) : ‘Stan is now at the officers’ school, which this week is at the show ground, Sydney, but next week should be at Duntroon. The Coo-ees sailed on Wednesday morning. They spent the previous night at the show ground and Stan was with them right through and saw them off. He would have liked to go with them, but I thought he ought not to miss the greater opportunity offered in the officers’ school. He speaks of them as the finest of all the reinforcements that were reviewed the other afternoon. They have done well so far, and there need be no doubt of the record they will put up when they join the 13^th. in Egypt – one of the battalions that has done excellently in the Gallipoli fighting.’[3]

He returned to the 13^th Battalion on the 10^th of May 1916 as Acting Company Sergeant Major.

On his embarkation roll his rank was Acting Sergeant, and his address at time of enrolment was 25 Roslyn Gardens, Darlinghurst, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs E. [Effie] Stephens, 19 Roslyn Gardens, Darlinghurst, N.S.W.

Acting Sergeant Stephens departed Sydney on the HMAT A14 Euripides on 9th September 1916 as 20^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion, and arrived in Plymouth, England, on 26^th October 1916. With him travelled fellow Coo-ees Acting Sergeant Thomas W. Dowd, and Acting Corporal Francis Charles Finlayson.

On 4^rd November 1916 Acting Sergeant Stephens marched into the 4^th Training Battalion at Codford, England.

On 20^th December 1916 Acting Sergeant Stephens departed Folkestone aboard the SS Princess Clementine bound for France. On 22^nd December 1916 he arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France, where he reverted to the rank of Private.

The Farmer and Settler reported that ‘Stan E. Stephens, of the “Farmer and Settler” staff, who left Sydney as sergeant-major of a reinforcement company of the 13^th Battalion, lost his n.c.o. rank as soon as he set foot in France, because the Australian army there has a healthy regulation that gives precedence to men that have earned their stripes’.[4]

On 2^nd January 1917 Private Stephens joined at the 13^th Battalion at Ribemont, France, to undergo training.

Private Stephens described his first “baptism of fire” going “over the top” on a raid on a German trench in the front line in the vicinity of Guedecourt, France, on the night of 4^th February 1917, in a letter home that was published in The Farmer and Settler on 17^th August 1917.[5] He wrote:

… “Some one said: ‘Get ready’, and I was just wishing I was at home, or anywhere else in the wide world, when a fervent ‘Ah!’ in the vicinity made me look around. A mess-tin full of rum was being passed along. Everyone took a swig, and passed it on. There was plenty in it when it came to me, and I just gulped down a couple of mouthfuls and handed it to Fin [Finlayson], when, ‘bang,’ ‘bang,’ ‘screech,’ ‘screech,’ over our heads came some shells. Many men involuntarily ‘ducked,’ but were reassured by someone saying: ‘They’re ours.’ So they were. The barrage had started — only a minute to go! Thank Heaven for that rum. It pulled me together, stopped the nervous trembling that made me afraid that everybody would notice me and think I was going to ‘squib’ it. I was cool enough to notice things then, but still I glanced hatefully now and then at the top of the bank above me.

“Somebody said: ‘Now!’ There was a bustle, and I found myself up in No Man’s Land jostling someone to get around a shell-hole. The order had come simultaneously from both ends of our line, so that we at the centre were a bit behind — a sag in the middle. Everything could be seen as clear as day; the line stretched out to right and left. We crouched in our advance, moving slowly, picking our way, with the shells shrieking over us, and bursting only a few yards in front of us. I thought about the ‘backwash.’ Why weren’t some of us killed. Would they knock our heads off if we stood up straight? We were in semi-open order, perhaps five or six deep, and advancing slowly. Oh!, the weight on my back from the heavy kit and the stooping. Yet I felt amused at the struggles of a chap that was sitting down, softly cursing a piece of barbed wire— such silly, meaningless curses. Another stumbled in front of me, and I nearly jabbed him with my bayonet. Then I looked around smartly, to see if any one was close enough behind me to treat me likewise.

“The wire! We were up to it already. But the shells weren’t finished. They had made a good mess of it, I saw as I stepped through from loop to loop. A piece caught me somewhere, but something gave way and I was free again. No; the shells weren’t finished yet. ‘They are bursting behind me.’ I exclaimed to myself, ‘Why on earth don’t I get killed? Are they charmed, so as to kill only Fritzes.’ I caught the flash of another out of the tail of my eye, and then there was a straight line of intermittent flashes in front. What’s this? At that moment I slid and scrambled down a steep, bank and found myself in the German trench!

“Our barrage was just lifting. A Fritz officer afterwards said: ‘I knew you were Australians; you come in with your barrage; you are too quick for us.’ Yes, we went in with the barrage, instead of a few moments after it— and without a casualty!

“The details of this, my first hop-over, my baptism of fire, are indelibly printed on my memory. I shall always remember the impressions made on me, down to the most trivial incident of the hop-over. Thinking over it afterwards, I have tried to reason out why we got in with our barrage. It’s a good fault, for it prevents the Germans from getting ready for us when the barrage lifts. The Germans reckon that the Australians are always too quick for them that way. I certainly believe that a spirit of ‘don’t-care-a-damn’ was abroad; or, maybe, it was hereditary bloodthirstiness that came out in the excitement, and made us, for the time being, all ‘hogs for stoush.’ I think only the fear that we would be killed by our own curtain of fire kept us from actually running. It wasn’t the rum, anyhow, as the slanderous have asserted. The rum, I found out afterwards, was our first casualty, being broken in the coming up, so that the only rum issued was half a demi-john to a small section of trench that I happened to be in. The jar was found by a chap taking German prisoners back half an hour later, still nearly half full.’… [Click here to read a full transcription of this article: https://cooeemarch1915.com/2015/03/19/stanley-e-stephens-letter-about-his-baptism-of-fire-in-the-trenches]

Three days later, on 7^th February 1917 Private Stephens was slightly wounded in action whilst the Battalion was in action near Guedecourt, France. He was one of 51 wounded this day another 21 members of the Battalion were killed. He re-joined the Battalion on 15^th February 1917 whilst it was training and conducting fatigues at Mametz, France.

Just over two months later, on 11^th April 1917 Private Stephens was reported Missing in Action during an attack on the Hindenburg Line near Bullecourt, France. He was one of 367 men from the Battalion reported missing this day, and another 25 were killed and 118 wounded.

After a Court of Enquiry was held by the Battalion on 8^th October 1917 Private Stephens was officially listed as Killed in Action.

Private Stephens has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.

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

Private Stephens’ name is also commemorated on panel 71 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.

[1] ‘Our soldiers’, The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, 26 October 1915, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77601552

[2] ‘Gilgandra Recruiting Association’, Gilgandra Weekly, 10 December 1915, p. 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119922432

[3] Letter from H. J. Stephens to A. H. Miller dated 9^th March 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.

[4] ‘The soldiers that voted “No”’, The Farmer and Settler, April 1917, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116643546

[5] ‘A baptism of fire’, The Farmer and Settler, 17 August, 1917, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116642518

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Posted in Recruits, Roll of honour

Tagged Francis Charles Finlayson, Gilgandra recruits, Stanley E. Stephens, Thomas Walter Dowd

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial – France

Posted on May 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL

On 7^th August 2014 Stephen and I visited the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, which is located about 2 km north of the village of Villers-Bretonneux. It was our second visit to this memorial.

The photograph below shows the Villers-Bretonneus Memorial, with some of the headstones in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery in the foreground.

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (PhotographL S. & H. Thompson, 5/9/2012)

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson, 5/9/2012)

Red poppies grow in the garden beds near the entrance to the memorial. Beautiful roses and other flowers are planted in amongst the graves in the cemetery section. Bullet holes from World War II German aircraft can be seen on a wall, and on the tower.

Bullet holes in wall at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson, 7/9/2014)

Bullet holes in a wall at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Photograph: S. & H. Thompson, 7/9/2014)

A quite prophetic article in The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate described the importance of this memorial, which was unveiled by King George VI on 22 July 1938, as follows:

‘A magnificent and dignified structure, it will perpetuate the memory of thousands of Australians who gave their lives on the battlefields of France in the greatest war the world has yet known. It is not the only war memorial dedicated to the memory of Australians and other sons of the Empire who died in France, but to us it is the most significant, for it marks the scene where Australians played an outstanding part in stemming the flow of the grey enemy hordes which threatened to engulf France. It was there, on April 24, 1918, that sons of Australia helped to halt the Germans who had burst through the British lines. It was the turning point of the war, for it was followed with a counter attack on April 24 – eve of the third anniversary of Anzac Day – which started the general allied advance that eventually brought peace. On that Anzac eve, there were 2500 Australian casualties, so the blood toll was heavy. The Villers-Bretonneux Memorial however, symbolises something more that the feats of arms and self-sacrifice of Australia’s sons. It stands as a reminder of the bond between France and the British Empire, cemented imperishably during 1914-18. Australians joined with the French in facing a common enemy, and France will not forget. Even when Time dims the memories of the awful horrors of the war years, the Villers-Bretonneux and other memorials will stand as mute sentinels of the friendship between the French and English. Generations to come will remember that French soil has been enriched by British blood; that sons of Australia and other parts of the Empire are sleeping beneath the poppies which blow on the foreign land they died to save …’[1]

The photograph below, taken from the tower at the top of the memorial, looking towards the main entrance, shows the size of the beautifully laid out site, and the rolling hills of the surrounding French countryside.

Looking from the Tower to the Main Entrance at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Photograph: S. &. H. Thompson 5/9/2012)

This Australian National Memorial was erected to commemorate all Australian soldiers who fought and died in France and Belgium during the First World War, and to name those who have no known grave.

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website http://www.cwgc.org/, the names of 10,762 Australian soldiers are commemorated by this memorial. They died in the battlefields of the Somme, and Arras, and in the advance by the Germans in 1918, and the Allied advance to victory.

The memorial is situated behind the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, which contains the remains of graves brought in from other burial grounds and the battlefields in the area.

The names of 12 Coo-ees are commemorated at this memorial. Their names are listed in unit order on the walls.

Wilfred Ernest McDONALD 4^th HTM Bty, who joined the Coo-ees at Wongarbon

Karl Alex Frederick NEILSEN 4^th Pioneer BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Springwood

Oliver James HARMON 4^th Pioneer BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta

John TARLINGTON 4^th Pioneer BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Blayney

Francis Charles FINLAYSON 13^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta

Stanley Everard STEPHENS 13^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Gilgandra

Allan James DENMEAD 19^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Bathurst

William Emerton HUNTER 45^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Geurie

Lawrence Leslie MAGUIRE 45^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Gilgandra

Jack MORRIS 45^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta

William WEBBER 45^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Ashfield

Rowland John WILSON 45^th BN, who joined the Coo-ees at Lawson

A photograph of their name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial will be placed on each individual Coo-ee’s blog entry, and form part of a Roll of Honour for the fallen Coo-ees on this blog.

[1] Villers-Bretonneux, The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, 23 July 1938, p. 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132276037

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Posted in Cemeteries and Memorials

Tagged Allan James Denmead, Francis Charles Finlayson, Jack Morris, John Tarlington, Karl Alex Frederick Nielson, Lawrence L. McGuire, Oliver James Harmon, Rowland John WIlson, Stanley E. Stephens, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Wilfred Ernest McDonald, William Emerton Hunter, William Webber

Stanley E. Stephens’ letter about his ‘baptism of fire’ in the trenches

Posted on March 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

Transcript of an article by “Coo-ee” Stanley. E. Stephens titled ‘A Baptism of Fire” published in The Farmer and Settler on 17 August 1917, p. 2.

‘A BAPTISM OF FIRE
A “Hop-Over” In France
VIVID DESCRIPTION OF TRENCH RAID.

The “raids” upon the German trenches carried out by the British forces have been among the most successful enterprises with which the war has made newspaper readers familiar, and their effect upon the enemy has been of the highest military importance, breaking down his moral, shattering his nerves, and making him, in most cases, an easy prey to the attacking party. A vivid description of one of these raids, and one that is interesting also, because of the personal and psychological disclosures made, was given by Stan E. Stephens, formerly on the “Farmer and Settler” staff in a letter that he wrote from France shortly before he participated in the attack upon Lagnicourt, in which action he was reported among the “missing.”

“On the night of February 4th, we ‘went in’ — into the front line,” he writes. “As we had suspected for some time past, we were to do a ‘stunt.’ There was a ‘hop over’ for us, to try to take a trench that some other battalion had taken and failed to hold, four or five days before. We dumped our blankets, and at about eight p.m. moved off in Indian file; stopped a moment at an ammunition dump at a chalk pit, to fill our pockets with bombs; then on again, in dead silence, crouching. We passed through a sap running forward to our front line, which we entered, squeezing past the Victorians that were holding it, and thus getting into position for the ‘hop over,’ only a few minutes to ten p.m. It had taken us two hours to come three-quarters of a mile. The moon was like an electric incandescent lamp in the frosty sky. Our hearts were thumping, and one heard muttered words and curses, as we stumbled into our places, and nervously filled our magazines and fixed our bayonets. I was wondering if I could ever bring myself to get over that bank, two feet above my head, where I crouched in what was merely a shell-hole connected with other shell-holes, and called a trench. Fritz was quiet. It must surely be ten o’clock — the time we were to go over. The big wild Irishman, Tom Riley, was on my right, Finlayson and Lord on my left.

“The plan of attack on this occasion was explained to us before we moved off, and was similar in the main points to the teachings we had had back in England. A two-minute barrage was to open on the enemy wire at ten p.m. making a passage for us, and then lifting to the trench, putting the enemy to flight, and smashing things up generally. At the end of two minutes (10.2 p.m.) the barrage was to lift altogether, and play on to the enemy supports and communications. We were to hop out at one minute past ten, and it was estimated that it would take us a minute to cross, reaching the wire as the barrage lifted to the supports — distance across, 150 yards. Our objective was a trench (already known as Stormy trench), in which Fritz had a strong post.

A Nerve-steadying Drink.
“Some one said: ‘Get ready’, and I was just wishing I was at home, or anywhere else in the wide world, when a fervent ‘Ah!’ in the vicinity made me look around. A mess-tin full of rum was being passed along. Everyone took a swig, and passed it on. There was plenty in it when it came to me, and I just gulped down a couple of mouthfuls and handed it to Fin, when, ‘bang,’ ‘bang,’ ‘screech,’ ‘screech,’ over our heads came some shells. Many men involuntarily ‘ducked,’ but were reassured by someone saying: ‘They’re ours.’ So they were. The barrage had started — only a minute to go! Thank Heaven for that rum. It pulled me together, stopped the nervous trembling that made me afraid that everybody would notice me and think I was going to ‘squib’ it. I was cool enough to notice things then, but still I glanced hatefully now and then at the top of the bank above me.

Too Quick for Fritz.
“Our barrage was just lifting. A Fritz officer afterwards said: ‘I knew you were Australians; you come in with your barrage; you are too quick for us.’ Yes, we went in with the barrage, instead of a few moments after it— and without a casualty!

“Just by the way, I might mention that he gave this batch of Fritzes a nip each, and filled his own waterbottle before giving the remainder to the Victorians (the men holding the old front trench), and bustling his herd back to Chalk Pit. The poor beggars wanted it! They were almost in a state of collapse from our bombardment. I was to experience the same sort of bombardment very soon after.

Delighted to be Prisoners.
“To get back to it: The Fritzes that remained in the trench to meet us were still down their dugouts when the first men hopped in. The trench was big, wide, and deep. They came up crying, ‘Mercy, kamerad,’ whining and cowering in the bottom of the trench in a way that made me feel very brave; and, I have no doubt, the same feelings were experienced by others. They were shooed off at once in batches of ten or a dozen, as they were found, back to — somewhere. They were delighted to find that they were to be prisoners, pointing back to our lines and saying, ‘Mercy, kamerad,’ and ‘Kamerad good,’ etc. But they didn’t care about going over the top to go back. I helped one chap persuade his lot to go. I don’t think I actually stuck it into them, but they went! Like a mob of sheep, once started on their feet, they raced over the top and across No Man’s land for their very lives, the escort a good last, laughing fit to burst, at their scurry.

“Finlayson was separated from us in the hop-over, and entered the trench some distance on our right. Lord and I were together. Our bombardment continued on the enemy reserves, and Fritz had commenced ‘putting them into us.’ The row was deafening, and we were having casualties; not very many, but every now and then the order would be passed along for stretcher bearers. Just as I stepped down for a smoke (it would be about midnight) Fin. came along the trench looking for us. After yarning for a minute or two he went back to fetch his web gear and rifle, etc., up to our ‘possy.’ He and I had been mates for a long while, back in Kiama, and together with Lord, had run our affairs on an ‘all in and share alike’ basis, since going into the line. He had only been gone about ten minutes when another mate named Moss Paine came to tell me that Fin. was killed. I went back along the trench with Moss, but Fin. had been hit in the chest with a piece of shell that exploded in the trench, and had dropped without a word. Another good chap, Dave Whittingham (a tent mate at Duntroon), was hit everywhere, and died in half an hour. Moss Paine, who was standing between them— the three were talking together—was not touched. Needless to say, I was much upset. “The little bit of a trench we took has ‘opened up the game’ on this front, seemingly. It was on a rise that obstructed our observation of enemy lines; now the tables are turned.”’

Click here to view the article on Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116642518

Note: Stanley E. Stephens was The Farmer and Settler newspaper’s official reporter on the Coo-ee March. He also joined the Coo-ees at Gilgandra as a recruit, and had the rank of sergeant on the march. Francis Charles Finlayson (whose death is reported in this article) joined the Coo-ees at Parramatta.

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Posted in Letters, Other articles

Tagged Francis Charles Finlayson, Stanley E. Stephens

The Coo-ees in Liverpool Camp

Posted on February 25, 2014 | Leave a comment

Transcription of an article titled ‘Route Marches : Gathering of the Clans : The “Cooees” winning praise in camp’ in The Farmer and Settler, 5 January, 1916, p. 3.

‘ROUTE MARCHES.
Gathering of the Clans
THE “COOEES” WINNING PRAISE IN CAMP.

The lying rumors that have been spread — maliciously by enemy sympathisers, without a doubt — concerning the men that took part in the Gilgandra route march render it expedient that a few definite facts should be published to nail the lies like vermin on a barn door.

When the Inspector-General (General McCay) reviewed the troops in training at Liverpool camp the other day, he did the job thoroughly, taking them battalion by battalion, and company by company, criticising severely when the facts called for it, and giving a little carefully measured praise where it was due. When he had seen E company of the 13th Battalion he complimented the commanding officer on the appearance of his men, and said that they were “the steadiest on parade that day.” He did not know until later that E company was the present regimental name of our old friends, the “Coo-ees.” These men from the west had been in camp little more than a month, and the companies they were so flatteringly compared with consisted in some cases of men that had been drilling for three months or more; so the compliment was something for the “Coo-ees” to be proud of.

Another fact suggesting that the time spent in marching to the seaboard is not wasted: On the day of the great “round up” in Sydney, when every man in uniform outside the camps was called upon “to show cause,” the whole force at Liverpool was taken for a fourteen miles forced march over rough roads, on a stifling day under a broiling sun. “The Coo-ees did it smiling, while nearly all the rest were nearer tears” is the way in which an observer illustrates the contrast in condition between the men that had marched over the Blue Mountains and the others. So route marches not only bring the young men of the rural settlements face to face with their duty, but they have some definite value also in fitting men for soldiering.

Now for some statistics: The Coo-ees marched into camp 273 strong, and seven men were added from other units, because of technical knowledge or for other reasons. Of this number, unfortunately, twenty-one failed to pass the severe Liverpool medical test, and sixteen, for medical or disciplinary reasons, have since been transferred to the home defence forces, or have been discharged — not a large proportion to lose in comparison with the camp experience of other units. And although thirty men, at their own request, have been transferred to the Light Horse, it will be seen that the “Coo-ees” column is still substantially intact, an assertion that is further supported by the fact that every non-com. but one in the present E company marched with the column from the west. The company sergeant-major is S. E. Stephens, who, since his service with the first expeditionary force in New Guinea, has been on the “Farmer and Settler” editorial staff; he went to Gilgandra to report the route march for this journal, re-enlisted there, and marched into camp with the column. The platoon sergeants are: H. Davenport, of Wongarbon; L. R. Anlezark, of Orange; T. W. Dowd. of Wongarbon; and E. S. Taylour, of Wentworthville. Corporals: C. H. Maidens, of Molong; W. W. Smith, of Geurie; J. E. L. Hourigan of Parramatta; J. G. Cameron, of Gilgandra; J. McKeown, of Gilgandra; and Pay Corporal J. C. Gilmour, of Coonamble. Others of the men gathered in on that first route march are qualifying for the non-com. class; but unfortunately, as the “Coo-ees” are reinforcements for a battalion already at the front, and not part of a new battalion, these ranks may be only temporary. How well, on the whole, the “Coo-ees” are behaving, and how quickly they are assimilating the lessons to be learned at Liverpool is evidenced by the fact, that although they only marched into camp on November 14th, a fairly big draft has already been made upon E company to make up the 14th reinforcements for the battalion at the front.

The next time that the story is whispered that the “Coo-ees” proved to be a bad lot, the readers of the “Farmer and Settler” will be able to say that they know better; that the “Coo-ees” are the pride of their company officers, have been complimented by General McCay, came smiling out of a forced march, have lost very few men through misbehavior, and are getting fit so rapidly that they will very shortly all be in Europe putting fresh battle names on the proud colors of the “Fighting Thirteenth.”’

Click here to access the article on Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116676486

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Posted in Other articles, Recruits

Tagged Charles Henry Maidens, Ernest S. Taylour, Harry Davenport, James Gerald Cameron, James McKeown, John Edward Leslie Hourigan, Joseph C. Gilmour, Leslie Reginald Anlezark, Liverpool Camp, Stanley E. Stephens, Thomas Walter Dowd, William Smith

Day 1, Sunday, 10th October, 1915, Gilgandra to Balladoran

Posted on January 27, 2014 | 1 comment

The start at Gilgandra (Daily Telegraph 12/10/1915)

Transcribed from The Farmer and Settler, 12 October, 1915, p. 3.

‘THE ROUTE MARCH. Gilgandra to the Coast TRIUMPHANT SEND-OFF BY THE PEOPLE.

Gilgandra’s greatest of all events, the start of the route march, became a fact of history on Sunday last, when the contingent after a simple religious ceremony stepped out on its long march to the coast.

On Saturday, when the ‘Farmer and Settler’ special reporter, who will march to Sydney, arrived at Gilgandra, he found Captain Nicholas and Drs. Burkitt and Cooper, of Dubbo, on the ground. Captain Nicholas has been appointed to take charge of the contingent, and be will be their leader and instructor all the way through to Sydney.

On Saturday afternoon twenty-five recruits were sworn in. Two failed to pass the doctor, but they will march through to the coast nevertheless. The number of recruits would have been double if the recruiting association had not been compelled to wait so long for the permission of the military authorities, the result being that many men grew tired of waiting, and went into camp. The doctor said that the Gilgandra men were as fine a body of recruits as he had seen, with good feet and sound constitutions. On Saturday night a torchlight procession paraded the town, headed by the band. The recruits were followed by the rifle club and the boy scouts. In the interval of a picture show, Major Winn, of Sydney, and Private Lee, the ex-clergyman recruit, made special appeals to the young men to volunteer.

There were fully three thousand persons, almost the whole population of the district, at the open-air consecration service on Sunday morning, when the Rev. W. Jenkins commended the men to their Creator.

The shire president, Mr. Barden, said he was sure that the twenty-five starting out would be five hundred at the end of the long march. Almost the whole of the people, the largest gathering ever seen at Gilgandra, accompanied the march to Boberah, where a general programme of hand-shaking took place. A guard of honor of young horsewomen rode at the head of the procession, and the local recruiting association and shire councillors took part. Captain Nicholas formed up his little force — grown already to thirty-one men; and Mr. W. T. Hitchens had the honor of giving the first words of command–‘Quick march.’ Amid resounding cheers the route march had begun, and it was followed for several miles of its long journey, by a great cavalcade of horses and vehicles. Then there was a halt, with more good-byes, more cheers, and the rifle club fired a parting volley.

The heat was intense, and the dust hung over the troops like a pillar of cloud — a fiery cloud, so that when the first stop, Marthaguy, was reached, all were grateful for the lunch spread by the residents, and not less for the facilities provided for a wash and a freshen up. At Marthaguy one new recruit fell in. Many of the Gilgandra folk still followed the column. The young daughter of a prominent citizen left her car and marched alongside the men for some distance; she announced her intention of being present in Martin Place at the finish, and declared that if she had been a boy she would have marched all the way, and gone to the front with the contingent. It is a pity that some of the boys have not the spirit of the girls.

Patriotic sons of the West. A 320 mile march (Sydney Mail 20/10/1915)

‘Patriotic sons of the West. A 320 mile march’ – Coo-ees on the road to Balladoran (Sydney Mail 20/10/1915)

At Balladoran the townspeople met the column a mile out of town and escorted them to their camp with banners, and gave them a hearty welcome. The camp was reached at five o’clock, and here another recruit joined the column.

Following are the names of the first twenty-five to enlist:–

John Quinn, John Macnamara, Stanley E. Stephens, Jack Hunt, William L. Hunt, Albert W. Pearce, Leslie W. Greenleaf, Arthur C. Finn, Francis N. White, Alfred Wardroffe, Victor Quinton, William Alston, Sidney Bennett, John R. Lee, Harold Baxter, Charles R. Wheeler, E. T. Hitchen, James McKeown, James Crowford, Charles E. Marchant, Andrew J. MacGregor, Lawrence L. McGuire, Robert C. Campbell, Peter Wilson, and Frank Humphrey.’

Click here to view the article on Trove: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116668904

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Posted in Description of the route, Recruits, Towns

Tagged Albert W. Pearce, Alfred Wardroffe, Andrew J. MacGregor, Balladoran, C. A. Finn, Charles E. Marchant, Charles R. Wheeler, DAY 1, Francis N. White, Frank Humphrey, Gilgandra, Harold Baxter, Jack Hunt, James Crawford, James McKeown, John McNamara, John Quinn, John R. Lee, Lawrence L. McGuire, Leslie W. Greenleaf, Marthaguy, Peter Wilson, Robert C. Campbell, Sidney Bennett, Stanley E. Stephens, Victor Quinton, William (Bill) Thomas Hitchen, William Alston, William L. Hunt

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

Tag Archives: Stanley E. Stephens

Honour Roll

Coo-ee March Roll of Honour

4730 Private Harold BAXTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4460 Private Charles William Gordon CONROY

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4757 Private Bernard COYTE

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4753 Private James CRAWFORD

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

Lieutenant Harry DAVENPORT

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4759 Private Harold Brooks DAVIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

3017B Private Allan James DENMEAD

19th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

6251 Private Francis Charles FINLAYSON

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

6289 Sapper Charles Arthur FINN

13th Field Company, Australian Engineers, A.I.F.

4789 Gunner Charles Alfred HAMPSON

10th Field Artillery Brigade A.I.F.

4791 Private Oliver James HARMON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

1677 Corporal William Thomas HITCHEN

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

2196 Private Percy Walter HOLPEN

46th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

1887 Private Frank HUMPHREY

60th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4807 Private William Emerton HUNTER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4816 Private Thomas JACKSON

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4817 Private Alan Chesher JOHNSON

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

384 Lance Corporal Darcy KEATING

4th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

5489 Private Lewis LEOVILLE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4832 Private Spencer John LETCHER

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4830 Private Samuel LUKE

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

4840 Lance Corporal Laurence Leslie MAGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4541 Corporal John MARTIN

54th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4858 Gunner Wilfred Ernest MCDONALD

4th Division Heavy and Medium Trench Mortar Battery Field Artillery A.I.F.

4920 Private Edward Joseph MCGARRY

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

4857 Private Joseph Raymond MCGUIRE

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

2708 Private Archibald MCINTYRE

56th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4849 Private Jack MORRIS

45th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

2369 Trooper William Henry NICHOLLS

7th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F.

4865 Private Karl ALEX FREDERICK NIELSEN

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

7048 Private Patrick Joseph O’LOUGHLIN

3rd Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

6199 Private James O’NEILL

18th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4866 Private Joseph PARRISH

4th Machine Gun Battalion A.I.F.

4886 Private Arthur Charles REID

4th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery A.I.F.

4891 Private John Thomas SMITH

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

6320 Private Stanley Everard STEPHENS

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4605 Private John TARLINGTON

4th Pioneer Battalion A.I.F.

4903 Sergeant Thomas THORNE

13th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4617 Private Joseph Patrick WALLIS

19^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

56^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

3^rd Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

4^th Division Medium Trench Mortar Battery A.I.F.

13^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.

45^th Infantry Battalion A.I.F.