Soldiers to be commemorated on the - e qresources.macknortshs.eq.edu.au/ANZAC/combookalphabetical.pdf · Soldiers to be commemorated on the Remembrance 2008 Commemorative Tour World

Soldiers to be commemorated on the Remembrance 2008 Commemorative Tour

World War One Pte Ernest ARCHIBALD 8th Bn Pte James ARCHIBALD 14th Bn *Pte James AVERY 51st Bn *L/Corp Arthur BARBAT 12th AMGC Rfl George BARSON 4th BN NZ Rifle Bde Pte Ernest BAULCH 60th Bn Pte Leith BAULCH 8th Bn Pte William BAULCH 58th Bn Pte Walter BAXTER 9th Bn *2nd Lt Charles BEANLAND 25th Bn Pte James BECKER 47th Bn *Pte William BEITZ 41st BN Pte James BOOTH 15th Bn Pte William BODY 29th Bn *Pte Sydney BRAITHWAITE 4th Pioneers *Pte Lowry BRISBIN 9th Bn *Pte Frederick BURNELL 6th Bn Pte Michael BYRNE 29th Bn Pte Thomas CARLSON 23rd Bn *Pte James COLE 9th Bn Pte Charles COLEY 25th Bn Sgt David COYNE AM 31st Bn *Gnr Leonard DOBBS 1st Bde AFA *Pte Albert DUMINSKI 41st Bn *2nd Lt Benjamin EDWARDS 7th Bn *Pte Albert FLEETWOOD 46th Bn *Pte James FORBES 38th Bn Pte George FORD 9th Bn *Pte William FRY 52nd Bn Pte John GALLAGHER 47th Bn L/Sgt John GOODYEAR W’shire Reg Cpl Albert GRAFFUNDER 2nd LHR *Lt John HANLEY 5th LHR *Cpl Alfred HILL 6th Bn Pte Edward HINTON 49th Bn Lt Kenneth HOLMES AFC Pte Horace HULL 42nd Bn Pte William HULL 46th Bn *Pte John HUNTER 49th Bn *Pte Robert JOHNS 15th Bn Pte Arthur JOHNSON 9th Bn Sgt Harold JONES 37th Bn Pte Herbert KITCHEN 15th AMGC *L/Corp James LAUNCHBURY 25th AMGC Pte Thomas LILLINGSTON 41st Bn Pte Walter LYNAM 51st Bn Pte Lawrence MADIGAN 25th Bn Sgt Thomas MADIGAN 12th AMGC Capt Ivor MARGETTS 12th Bn Pte Sidney MARSH 25th Bn L/Corp Edward MARSHALL 50th Bn Pte Oscar MATTHIES 8th LHR Pte Edward McDONNELL 4th Pioneers Pte Frederick McGUIRE 2nd Bn

*Pte Roderick McLENNAN 47th Bn Cpl Stanley MIDDLETON 8th LHR *L/Corp Victor NEGUS 47th Bn Pte Brendon O’BRIEN 3rd Bn Pte William PAGE 16th Bn Pte James PATERSON 49th Bn L/Corp James PEARCE 48th Bn Pte Walter PEARCE 8th AMGC *Gnr Edward PLATT 11th Bde AFA Pte Andrew PORTER 26th Bn *Pte Arthur REEDMAN 11th AAMC *Pte Victor REEDMAN 52nd Bn *Pte Wilfred REEDMAN 9th Bn *Pte Thomas RODGER KO Scottish Bdrers Pte Frederick ROGERS 12th Bn Pte George ROSE Middlesex Reg Pte James SCANLON 47th Bn L/Corp George SEARLE 25th Bn *Pte Lindsay SHARP 25th Bn Pte William SHAW 26th Bn Pte John SINCLAIR Seaforth Highlanders Pte Walter SINCLAIR 31st Bn Pte Samuel TEENEY Royal Inniskilling Fus. Pte Charles TIPPER 11th Bn Pte William TURTON 9th Bn L/Corp George WOLLASTON Royal B’shire Reg Pte William WOLLASTON Royal W’shire Reg *Gnr Herbert WARD 5th Div Tr Mortar *Pte Robert WARD 13th Bn *Cpl William WARD 49th Bn Pte George WATERS 15th Bn Dvr William WOOD 4th Amm AFA

Pte Frederick GILMOUR 1st Bn Canadian Rfl Benjamin MOWLES 9th Rifle Bde Pte Frederick G MOWLES 11th MGC Pte Frederick W MOWLES Suffolk Yeomanry Gnr Henry MOWLES Royal Field Artillery Pte Thomas MOWLES Royal Fusiliers Rfl Walter MOWLES Kings Royal Rifle Corps

World War Two Pte Norman BROWN 2/26th Bn Sgt James COWAN 2/3rd Machine Gun Bn Sgt John GRAY 2/26th Bn Pte James HENDERSON AAOC Gnr D’Arcy HORE 2/10th Field Reg. *Sqdn Ldr Eric JARMAN DFC 460 Sqdn *Gnr Roy KELLY 2/10 Field Reg. Pte Daniel O’CONNOR 2/26th Bn Pte Roy O’CONNOR 2/26th Bn Pte John PALAZZI AASC Pte Walter STOWE 2/19th Bn Pte Aubrey THEODORE 2/26th Bn Pte Ross WRIGHT AASC

World War One Sgt Harry SLINGSBY 16th Bn Royal Cheshire Reg. Pte Percy Nicholson 52nd Battalion

* = tour group relative

*Soldiers are listed in the below order in the booklet

Total

108

Cover photo - Australian 1st Division Memorial - Pozieres

SINGAPORE Kranji War Cemetery & Singapore Memorial

GALLIPOLI Lone Pine Memorial Ari Burnu Cemetery Beach Cemetery

Helles British Memorial Lancashire Landing Cemetery

Lone Pine Cemetery Quinn’s Post Cemetery

FRANCE Australian National Memorial

Anzac Cemetery Arras Memorial

Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Bulls Road Cemetery

Bancourt British Cemetery Bapaume Australian Cemetery Becourt Military Cemetery

Courcelette British Cemetery Crouy British Cemetery

Dartmoor British Cemetery Dernacourt Communal Cemetery Extension

Estaires Communal Cemetery Grevillers British Cemetery

Heath Cemetery Noyelles Godult Communal Cemetery

Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension

Puchervillers British Cemetery Pozieres British Cemetery Queant Road Cemetery

Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension Red Cross Corner Cemetery Rue Petillion Military Cemetery

Savy British Cemetery Thiepval Memorial

Trois Abres Cemetery Vaulx Hill Cemetery

Vignacourt British Cemetery Warlencourt British Cemetery

BELGIUM Menin Gate Memorial

Buttes New British Cemetery & NZ Memorial Hooge Crater Cemetery

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Messines Ridge British Cemetery

Mud Corner Cemetery Oxford Road Cemetery

Poperinghe New & Old Military Cemeteries Reninghelst New Military Cemetery

Strand Military Cemetery Tyne Cot Memorial

Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

THAILAND Hellfire Pass Memorial

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS TO VISIT

World War 1

Private Ernest Archibald No. 271 - 8th Battalion - aged 23 Ernest was the son of Alexander & Jessie Archibald from Smeaton, Victoria. He was working as a farmer when he enlisted in Ballarat on 22 August, 1914. He embarked Melbourne as a member of the 8th Battalion with the first contigent of the AIF on 19 October, 1914 & landed with the 8th at Gallipoli on the 25 April. He survived the first day’s fighting, however he received a gunshot wound to his head the next day as the 8th Battalion held the newly dug trenches at the southern end of the Anzac line at Bolton’s Ridge. He was evacuated & admitted to No. 15 General Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt where he died of his wounds on 10 May. Ernest is buried in Chatby War Cemetery in Egypt and whilst the group won’t be able to visit his grave, he will be commemorated at our Lone Pine Memorial service - not too far from where he was mortally wounded.

Commemorated by Angela

Private James Archibald No. 677 - 14th Battalion - aged 30 James was Ernest’s older brother & he was also a farmer from Smeaton in Victoria. He enlisted 2 weeks after Ernest, on 11 Sept., 1914 & was allotted to the transport section of the 14th Battalion as a driver. He served with the battalion at Gallipoli and returned to Egypt with the transport section in Nov., 1915. James then spent time in hospital in Egypt in early 1916 with a sprained back. After leaving hospital, he was transported with his unit to France, arriving on 8 June, 1916. Within 2 months, the 14th Battalion was heavily involved in the Battle of Pozieres. During the push to capture Mouquet Farm, on 12 August, James received a gun shot wound to his back which fractured his vertebrae. He was transported to the 3rd CCS at Puchervillers, where he died the following day. He now lies in Puchervillers British Cemetery, north of Amiens. Both Ernest & James are being commemorated on behalf of Dr Helen Archibald of Mackay.


Private James Avery (relative) No. 3115 - 51st Battalion - aged 31 James is the grandfather of Megan’s uncle, Fred Avery. He was born in 1886 in North Melbourne to parents Samuel & Agnes Avery. He was living in Western Australia with his wife, Eriminnie & five children & working as a carpenter when he enlisted into the AIF in Sept., 1916 after having been previously rejected due to bad teeth. He left Fremantle on 23 Dec., 1916 with the 8th Reinforcement to the 51st Battalion &, after spending some time in training camps & hospital in England, he was taken on strength into the 51st in France on 3 August, 1917. In his first major action, James was involved in the famous attack north of Polygon Wood by the 4th & 13th Brigades on 26 Sept. After having successfully reached their objective on the southern outskirts of the village of Zonnebeke, James’ C Company was digging in. Whilst working on his outpost, James was shot through the throat by a sniper. His death is well recorded in Red Cross Files, with L/Corp McAuliffe stating, “We ….. were digging in and making a bombing post when I saw Avery hit by a sniper in the neck. I went to him; he was two yards away; and he died in my arms. We put him in a shell hole and buried him right away.” This account is supported by a good friend of James’, Pte Reid, who stated, “We reached our objective and dug in and while doing this Avery was sniped. I saw him fall and all he said was “Oh God, I am done for”, and then he died.” Pte Campbell added, “He was buried just near where hit … He was very popular amongst the boys.” James’ battlefield grave was lost & he is now honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial. In a first for the project, Megan has determined the approximate position of his battlefield burial & the group will visit the spot in Zonnebeke. We will visit on 26 September, 91 years to the day after James was killed.

Commemorated by Megan

Lance Corporal Arthur Barbat (relative) No. 3017 - 12th Australian Machine Gun Company - aged 27 Arthur is Casey’s great, great uncle and, at the time of his enlistment, was a sawmill manager from Ipswich. He enlisted in August, 1915 with his two brothers, Leslie & Felix (Leslie is Casey’s great grandfather) & embarked Brisbane as part of the 7th Reinforcement to the 26th Battalion on 30 Dec., 1915. In Egypt, he was transferred to the 48th Battalion & two weeks later he was transferred again, this time to the 12th Machine Gun Company. He arrived in France with his new unit on 11 June, 1916 and was severely wounded at Pozieres on 6 August with a gunshot wound to the forearm. He was sent to England for treatment & rejoined his unit in March, 1917. On 10 April, at Bullecourt, Arthur was wounded again, with shrapnel hitting him in the arm, the back & penetrating his abdomen. He died from these severe wounds on 16 April at the 3rd Australian CCS and was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, where he lies today. Casey is commemorating Arthur on behalf of her family &, in particular, her grandfather, Jim Barbat, who is Arthur’s nephew.

Commemorated by Casey

Rifleman George Barson No. 26/384 - 4th Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade - aged 30 George was a New Zealander from Featherston in the North Island. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted on 11 Oct., 1915. After training in Egypt, he arrived with his unit in France where he was wounded in action near Flers on 19 Sept., 1916, during the NZ Division’s first action in France. Whilst recovering in England, George was attached to a base depot. It was during this time that he married Mary Decks in London on 1 July, 1917. His time with Mary was short lived and he rejoined his battalion in Dec., 1917, only to be killed in action in Belgium on 4 Jan., 1918 as his unit manned the front lines around Passchendaele. His body was not recovered & he is commemorated on the NZ Memorial at Buttes New British Cemetery in Polygon Wood. Tragically, George’s older brother, Henry died of pneumonia in England in Sept., 1918, only a month before the war’s end. George is one of 3 relatives being commemorated on behalf of Frana McKinstry from Townsville.

Commemorated by Breanna

Private Ernest Baulch No. 5339 - 60th Battalion - aged 33

Ernest was born in Bairnsdale, Victoria. At the time of his enlistment he was married to Florence Baulch & the couple lived in Maryborough, Victoria, where Ernest worked as a builder’s labourer. He enlisted on 31 March, 1916 & spent some time at the 5th Division Base Depot, where he was EDP Sergeant. Ernest was then transferred to the 60th Battalion & joined that unit in France as a private on 6 April, 1917. He was granted 2 weeks leave in late July and rejoined the 60th in time to be involved in the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 Sept. The 60th had a pivotal role in this battle & fought its way through very stiff German opposition along the southern edge of the wood, suffering 286 casualties. Ernest was one of those killed in this action.

Ernest appears on a Graves Registration Unit exhumation list, which indicates that he was given a battlefield burial & that his body was subsequently discovered & identified. He lies today in a marked grave in Oxford Rd Cemetery. The accompanying photograph was taken only a week before Ernest was killed. Ernest is one of three members of the Baulch family being commemorated on behalf of Robert Baulch of Mackay.

Commemorated by Sharnee

Private Leith Baulch No. 6473 - 8th Battalion - aged 24 Leith was the son of Silas and Emily Baulch of Macarthur, Victoria. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted into the 2nd Reinforcement to the 8th Battalion in August, 1916 at the age of 23. He embarked Australia on 2 October, 1916 & arrived in England on 16 November. After spending time in hospital due to illness, he joined the 8th Battalion in France on 17 March, 1917. Leith was one of 63 battalion members wounded on 8 May as the 8th Battalion manned the Hindenburg Line trenches during the second Battle of Bullecourt. He received a gunshot wound to the right thigh & was evacuated to hospital in England. He didn’t rejoin his unit until December. Leith was killed in action on 14 April, 1918 during the 1st Division’s desperate defence of Hazebrouk during the great German Spring Offensive. His records indicate he was buried in the field 700 yards west of the village of Vieux Berquin but his body was never recovered & he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial.


Private William Baulch No. 2566 - 58th Battalion - aged 37 William was the son of Charles & Elizabeth Baulch of Lexton, near Ballarat in Victoria. He was a farmer and worked his own property at Mt Widderin. He enlisted on 3 August, 1915 at the relatively advanced age of 36. William embarked Australia on 27 October as a reinforcement to the 23rd Battalion. On arrival in Egypt he was transferred to the 58th Battalion & arrived in France with his unit in late June. After surviving the hell of the Battle of Fromelles, in which nearly 2000 Australians died, William was killed during a quiet period manning the front line trenches in late 1916. William’s records indicate that he was shot in the head on 30 November as the battalion manned the cold & muddy trenches around Flers. He was transferred to the 1st Anzac Dressing Station, where he died the next day. He was buried in Dartmoor Cemetery & he lies in this cemetery today.


Private Walter Baxter No. 6225 - 9th Battalion - aged 23 Walter, known as Wally, was the son of William & Mary Ann Baxter who lived on Nebo Rd, Mackay. He was working as a labourer at Homebush when he enlisted on 8 April, 1916 & embarked Australia on 7 September as part of the 20th Reinforcement to the 9th Battalion. He joined the battalion in France in January, 1917 & fought through the many actions of that year, including the battles of Lagnicourt, Bullecourt & the Menin Rd. Wally died of wounds received on 5 November, 1917 as he & a party of 9th Battalion men worked at a dump behind the front line at Westhoek Ridge. A report on his death states, “On 5/11/17 a shell landed in front of the dugout & exploded, a piece of it striking Private Baxter in the neck. His wound was dressed & he died shortly after. He was buried about 30 yards from the dump & a small cross was erected over the grave.” This grave was subsequently lost & Wally’s name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing. His body either still lies where it was buried or he was re-interred as an unknown soldier into a nearby cemetery. Wally’s brother, John, who served in the Light Horse, died of wounds in May, 1918 & is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial in Israel. Wally is being commemorated on behalf of Lester & Rosemary Matsen of Yakapari. Rosmary is the son of Charles Percival, who was Wally’s great friend. Charles returned from the war & it will mean a great deal to Rosemary for Rebecca to honour her father’s best mate.

Commemorated by Rebecca

2nd Lieutenant Charles Beanland (relative) 25th Battalion - aged 22 Charles, a timber loader from Woodford, Qld, is Jillian’s great, great uncle. He was the 10th & youngest child of Thomas & Lydia Beanland & he enlisted one month short of his 20th birthday, on 8 Sept., 1915. He embarked Australia on 28 March the following year &, after spending time in Egypt, he arrived in France and was taken on strength into the 25th Battalion on 4 August, 1916. At this time, the 25th was holding the front line trenches in the OG lines east of Pozieres. The fighting at this time was very intense and Charles received a gunshot wound to his shoulder on 5 August, the day after he joined the battalion. This harsh initiation to war resulted in Charles spending four months in hospital in England. After his recovery, he rejoined his unit in December &, apart from some short hospital stays due to illness, fought through the 25th’s actions of 1917. Charles was wounded a second time at Broodseinde Ridge on 4 Oct., however he was able to rejoin his battalion the next day. His ability as a soldier was apparent as he was promoted to Sergeant in October and subsequently sent to officer school in England. He rejoined the battalion in mid June, 1918 as a 2nd Lieutenant & led his platoon in the 25th’s supportive attack during the Battle of Hamel on 4 July. Charles was wounded for a third time early in the attack, receiving a shell wound to the abdomen. According to an eyewitness, Sgt C. Raison, he was, “conscious & quite cheerful”, as he was evacuated. His wound was obviously more serious than he thought and he died at the 5th CCS at 10pm that evening. He was buried near the CCS at Crouy British Cemetery, where he lies today. In his report, Sgt Raison paid the ultimate compliment to Charles, writing in the typical Australian digger’s understated way that Charles was, “a real good soldier”.

Commemorated by Jillian Private James Becker

No. 4446 - 47th Battalion - aged 24 James was born in Taroom, Qld in 1893 to parents Thomas & Mary Ann Becker. At the time of his enlistment on 6 Sept., 1915 he was working as a stockman. He embarked Brisbane on 31 Jan., 1916 & spent time training in Egypt where his younger brother, Charles, had died of illness the previous December. James arrived in France in June, 1916 with the 47th Battalion & was killed in action on 8 August, 1916 as the 47th held the front line trenches along the OG lines at Pozieres. He was most likely killed by shellfire & his records indicate that he was buried in the field “500 yds north of Pozieres”. This battlefield grave was lost & he has no known grave. As such, he is honoured on the Australian National Memorial, France. James is the great uncle of Janelle Becker from Bloomsbury.

Commemorated by Caitlin

Private Willaim Beitz (relative) No. 379 - 41st Battalion - aged 20

William was born in Roma in Jan., 1897 to parents Carl and Rachel Beitz. He was a station hand & enlisted in Brisbane in Jan., 1916, aged 19. He embarked Australia in May, 1916 and joined the 41st Battalion in France in November. After spending time in hospital with the mumps, he rejoined his unit on 19 Jan., 1917, only to be wounded in the left shoul-der by gunfire on 27 Feb. He was evacuated to the 2nd Australian CCS, where he died from this wound on 4 March. William is buried in Trois Abres Military Cemetery, northern France. He is the uncle of Rachel’s grandmother, Mona Charles.

Commemorated by Rachel

Private James Booth No. 6962 - 15th Battalion - aged 22 James was a farmer from Wellington Point in Brisbane. He enlisted 30 Sept., 1916 & em-barked Australia on 25 Nov. as part of the 23rd Reinforcement to the 15th Battalion. After spending some time in training camps in England, he joined his battalion in Belgium on 12 June, 1917. James was destined to serve for less than one month. On the night of 3/4 July, the 15th Bn was manning the support lines near Ploegsteert Wood, Messines. James & another soldier, Pte James Rossi were killed instantly when a shell landed directly in their dugout as the battalion was preparing to move up to the front line. Both men now lie side by side in the small Mud Corner Cemetery, situated on the outskirts of Ploegsteert Wood. James’ brother-in-law, Tom Lillingston, also died in the war & is being commemorated by Jack. James is being honoured on behalf of Jill Brown from Brisbane.

Commemorated by Jack

Private William Body No. 6705- 29th Battalion - aged 17 William was from Wangarratta, Victoria & was the 16th & last living child of William & Margaret Body. He was working as a farmhand on Coppabella Station at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains when he enlisted in July, 1916. At the time of enlistment he was only 16. His father signed the enlistment papers but he enlisted against his mother’s wishes. He embarked Australia on 17 Nov., 1916 &, on arriving in France, was transferred from the 14th Battalion to the 29th Battalion, which he joined in the field in April, 1917. William was killed in action on 26/27 Sept., 1917 during the Battle of Polygon Wood. Interestingly, his records indicate that he was, “buried in Polygon Wood Race Course by Rev. E. G. Wells.” However, his grave was lost & he is now honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial. There can be no doubt William was killed somewhere in the wood itself, as this was the 29th’s area of operation. It is certainly possible that his body was recovered and that he lies today as an unknown soldier in Buttes New British Cemetery. Whether he lies as an unknown soldier in Buttes New British or in his original grave, there is no doubt that William lies somewhere in Polygon Wood today. A sad postscript to this story is that William’s mother, who was so upset by his enlistment, died 3 weeks before the Battle of Polygon Wood. William went to his death never knowing his mother had passed away. He is being commemorated on behalf of his great nephew, Don Body, of Bomaderry, NSW.


Private Sydney Braithwaite No. 2085A - 4th Pioneer Battalion - aged 20 Sydney was born in Springvale, Yeppoon & was the son of Thomas & Mary Ann Braithwaite. He was working as a farmhand when he enlisted at the age of 19 on 5 Jan., 1916. He left Aust. on 1 May & was allotted to the 4th Pioneer Battalion in England in August of that year. He proceeded overseas to France in Nov., joining the 4th Pioneers in the field on the 19th. He was admitted to hospital with mumps in December & rejoined his unit in late Jan., 1917. Sydney spent the rest of the year serving during the major battles of Bullecourt & Messines before enjoying 2 weeks leave in late July. He returned to the battalion in time for the 4th Division’s heavy involvement in the hellish battles near Passchendaele & he was killed in ac-tion on 22 Oct. His records indicate he died of gas poisoning, which was one of the most feared forms of death. Sydney was reported to have been buried in Birr Cross Rd Cemetery No. 2. along the Menin Road, however when the cemetery was concentrated into Birr Cross Rd Cemetery No. 1, his original grave could not be located. Fourteen unidentified soldiers were recovered from the cemetery and the War Graves Unit considered that Sydney was most likely one of these soldiers. He now has a special memorial in the cemetery which reads - “Believed to be buried in this cemetery, actual grave unknown.” Sydney is being honoured on behalf of Ray Braithwaite of Mackay.


Private Lowry Brisbin (relative) No. 785 - 9th Battalion - aged 21 Lowry was the son of John & Annie Brisbin & was from Mt Morgan. He was working as a clerk when he enlisted on 2 Sept., 1914 & left Australia with the first contingent of the AIF. Lowry was a member of C Company of the 9th Battalion which landed at the southern end of Anzac Cove on 25 April. Lowry fought through the first desperate days at Anzac only to be killed in action on 2 May. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown, & his body was lost. He is now commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. In his Roll of Honour circular his sister, Margaret, wrote, “He was young & greatly respected by the residents of Mt Morgan with whom he came in contact. His future was very promising.” Clearly, he was a deep loss to the family. Lowry is being honoured on behalf of Sharnee’s aunty, Joan Cole.


Private Frederick Burnell (relative) No. 765 - 6th Battalion - aged 37 Frederick was born in Surrey, England & served in the Boer War. After the war, he married his best friend’s sister, Sarah Hall & they had two children, Lucy’s great uncle, Francis & his younger brother, Frederick. Fred senior emigrated to Australia on his own whilst his family stayed on in England. He enlisted on 17 August, 1914 into the original draft of the 6th Battalion & embarked with the first AIF contingent on 19 Oct., 1914. Fred landed at Anzac on the morning of 25 April & he went missing in action during the confused & ferocious fighting on the day. Lucy’s research has led her believe that he was most likely killed on Pine Ridge & that his body was never recovered due to the fact that the Turks re-took this area on the first

day. Fred is today honoured on the Lone Pine Memorial. Commemorated by Lucy Private Michael Byrne

No. 474 - 29th Battalion- aged 24 Michael was born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland (Canada) in 1893, to parents John & Elizabeth Bryne. He was a seaman and was on a ship off Melbourne in June 1915. He left the ship to volunteer into the AIF and was allotted to the 29th Battalion. He embarked Aust. in Nov., 1915 &, after training in Egypt, the 29th Battalion arrived in France in late June, 1916. The battalion was then involved in the infamous Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July. Michael survived this disastrous battle but was wounded in the face on 27 Sept. He spent more time in hospital with skin complaints & the mumps & eventually rejoined his unit on 14 Feb. 1917. He was killed in action on 2 March, during an attack on Sunray Trench, near Guedecourt & he is buried at Bancourt British Cemetery. Michael is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Sean Byrne, who lives in Newfoundland. Sean contacted the school after viewing the project’s website.

Commemorated by Emilia Private Thomas Carlson

No. 1049 - 23rd Battalion - aged 27 Thomas was the son of Charles and Maryann Carlson of Drysdale, Victoria. He was born in Geelong and at the time of his enlistment he was working as a labourer. He left Melbourne with the initial draft of the 23rd Battalion in May, 1915 and landed at Gallipoli with his unit on 30 August. After serving at Gallipoli and further training in Egypt, the 23rd Battalion arrived in France in late March, 1916. In June, Charles was admitted to hospital after being wounded in the neck and eye by a bomb whilst the battalion held the line at Rue de Bois. He rejoined his unit in early Sept and served continuously until August, 1917, when he was awarded 2 weeks leave. He rejoined the 23rd Battalion on 7 Sept, 1917, in time for great attacks planned east of Ypres. Thomas was killed on 21 Sept., at Chateau Wood, most probably by shellfire. He was originally buried at Chateau Wood Cemetery but his body was later re-interred into Hooge Crater Cemetery. Thomas is being honoured on behalf of June Carlson of Corio, Victoria.


Private James Cole (relative) No. 5998 - 9th Battalion - aged 23 James, a labourer from Mackay, was married to Margaret Cole & enlisted in January, 1916. He embarked Brisbane on 8 August, 1916 & arrived in England in mid Oct. After some weeks in hospital with an illness, James joined the 9th Battalion in France in January, 1917. On 21 April, as the battalion was in the reserve lines near Morchies, James received gunshot wounds to the groin & shoulder. He was evacuated to the 3rd Aust. Field Ambulance where he died of his wounds the next day. He was buried by Chaplain Douglas in Red Cross Corner Cemetery. James is being honoured on behalf of Sharnee’s aunty, Joan Cole.


Private Charles Coley No. 6421 - 25th Battalion - aged 19 Charles was born in Roma, Qld & at the time of his enlistment he was working in his first year as a school teacher. He enlisted on 19 August, 1916 & was allotted to the 25th Battalion. He arrived in England in March, 1917 &, after spending most of the year serving at a training depot, he joined his battalion in the field in Jan., 1918. He fought with his unit through to the famous attack by the 2nd Division at Mont St Quentin on 2 Sept. Charles was killed in this action, with Red Cross eye witness accounts all confirming the cause of death. Pte Ramsay wrote, “He was hit in the pit of the stomach by machine gun bullet, he was conscious for a few minutes but died where he fell.” Charles was only 19 when he died & he was buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery. He is being honoured on behalf of Chris Stone of Brisbane.

Commemorated by Rachel Sergeant David Coyne AM

No. 3347 - 31st Battalion - aged 22 David was the son of David & Annie Coyne & was born and raised in Marian. He enlisted as a 20 year old in Jan., 1916 and joined the 31st Battalion in France in Dec., 1916. He fought with distinction with the battalion, rising to the rank of sergeant. David’s death was particularly tragic and he has the distinction of being the only Australian to have been awarded the Albert Medal Gold. On the night of 15 May, David was testing grenades in the front lines trenches. A live grenade fell back into his trench which was occupied by 6 other soldiers. David immediately threw himself on top of the grenade to protect his mates around him. The blast caused multiple wounds all over

David’s body & he died the next day in hospital. He was buried at Vignacourt British Cemetery, where he lies today. He is being honoured on behalf of Viv Dodt of Finch Hatton.

Commemorated by Casey

Gunner Leonard Dobbs (relative) No. 2017 - 1st Brigade Australian Field Artillery - aged 20 Leonard was born in Grafton, NSW and was the son of Joseph & Francis Dobbs. Before the war, Leonard was a farmer. He enlisted in Wagga Wagga on 5 Nov. 1915 & was initially allotted to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. In early 1917, he was transferred to the 1st Brigade AFA. On 17 August, 1917, Leonard & Lance Sgt Herbert Affleck were carrying a wounded Pte John McCarthy on a stretcher near Zillebeke. A shell landed on top of them and all three men were killed. They all now lie together in Reninghelst British Cemetery. In a letter found on his body, Leonard had written to his family: “In my own mind I am fighting for all of you whom I love at home & if I die, I die for you, what better does a man want.” Leonard is Ellen’s relative & she will be the first family member to visit his grave.

Commemorated by Ellen

Private Albert Duminski (relative) No. 2027 - 41st Battalion - aged 22 Albert is Kate’s great, great grandfather. He was a labourer from Brisbane & was the son of Julius & Caroline Duminski. He enlisted on 15 May, 1916, however, concerned by his German sounding name, he enlisted as Thomas Allen. He left Australia on 7 Sept. & joined the 41st Battalion in France on 23 March, 1917. A month later he was detached to the 11th Trench Mortar Battery, the unit he served with until his death on 3 July, 1917. On this day, Albert & his mates were resting in a trench when they were killed by a shell explosion. An eyewitness, Pte Carr, stated, “At about noon on July 3rd, Allen and I and Pte Pollett and Cpl Taggett were asleep in the trench when a shell came and wounded me and killed the other three. The three were buried there where they were killed.” Albert’s body was subsequently found and re-interred into Messines Ridge British Cemetery - in grave III. D. 14. Of note, Cpl Taggert was also re-interred and lies near Albert in grave III. D. 12. Pte Pollett has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. Could he lie in an unknown grave between Albert and Cpl Taggert?

Commemorated by Kate 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Edwards (relative)

7th Battalion - aged 21 Ben, the son of James & Harriet Edwards, was a civil engineer from Bendigo, Victoria. He enlisted on 18 August, 1914 at the age of 20 & sailed with the 7th Battalion in the first AIF contingent to leave Aust. in October. Ben landed at Anzac Cove with his unit as a corporal on 25 April. He survived the first hectic days & was promoted to Sergeant on 30 April. This promotion was immediately extended to 2nd Lt. He fought continuously with the 7th until his death during the Battle of Lone Pine. The 7th Bn was heavily involved in the consolidation of the trenches taken by the 1st Brigade on 6/7 August, so much so that an unprecedented 4 VCs were won by 7th Bn members. Ben, as a platoon leader, would have been in the thick of the battle until his death on 8 August. Unlike most of those killed at Lone Pine, Ben’s body was recovered & he was buried at Brown’s Dip North Cemetery, near Lone Pine. After the war, the men lying in this cemetery were re-interred into Lone Pine Cemetery, where Ben lies today. He is being honoured on behalf of the Galletly family, in particular Lucy’s grandmother, Augusta Galletly.

Commemorated by Lucy Private Albert ‘Jack’ Fleetwood (relative)

No. 2899 - 46th Battalion - aged 22 Albert, a milkman, was from Tamworth, NSW & was the husband of Lillian and father of Jack. His nickname was ‘Jack’ and he was known around Tamworth as the ‘whistling milko’. He enlisted in Sept. 1916, only weeks after marrying Lillian, & sailed to France as part of the 7th Reinforcement to the 46th Battalion. He joined the unit in France in mid April, 1917 and was trained as a Lewis machine gunner. On the day before the Battle of Messines, Albert was attached to the 47th Battalion, which was to be involved in the battle. This was Albert’s first action of the war and, on 7 June, as he fought with his adopted battalion, he was hit by machine gun fire, suffering multiple bullet wounds to his right arm & shoulder. He was transferred to the 2nd Australian CCS at Bailleul, where he died five days later on 12 June, quite possibly from gangrene. He was 22 years old when he died & is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Albert’s son, Jack, had been born 6 months earlier. Sadly, Albert never got the chance to see him & Jack grew up never having known his father. Mr Goodwin has visited Albert’s grave with previous tour groups and he is very keen to introduce the inspiration for the Anzac Project to the Remembrance 2008 group.

Commemorated by Mr Goodwin

Private James Forbes (relative) No. 741 – 38th Battalion - aged 24 James was a farm manager from Werribee in Victoria & he enlisted into the AIF in Feb., 1916. He was allotted to the 38th Battalion & sailed with his unit on 20 June. He arrived in England in August &, after time in hospital with illness, rejoined his unit in Jan., 1917. James was killed in action on 28 May that year during a raid undertaken by his company on the German trenches near Messines. James was acting as a scout, directing the raiders through the barbed wire. At the end of the raid, as he waited for all the men to retire, he was shot through the head & died instantly. His body was brought back to the Aust. lines by his comrades & he was buried in Strand Cemetery, near Ploegsteert Wood, next to Pte George Freeman, who was killed in the same raid. James is the uncle of Lauren’s step grandmother.

Commemorated by Lauren

Private George Ford No. 1947 – 9th Battalion - aged 25 George was a labourer who lived in Evan St, Mackay. He enlisted in Jan., 1915 & joined the 9th Battalion at Gallipoli on 10 July, 1915. He was evacuated due to illness in Sept. & didn’t rejoin the 9th until Dec., 1916. He was serving as a machine gunner when he was killed instantly by a shell fragment whilst in the line near Warlencourt on 23 Feb., 1917. He was buried near where he fell & was later re-interred into Warlencourt British Cemetery, where he lies today. George is being commemorated on behalf of Rebecca Stook of Mackay.


Private William Fry (relative) No. 2428 – 52nd Battalion - aged 23 William is Angela’s great, great uncle. He was born in Mareeba & was working as a labourer in Proserpine when he enlisted in Townsville in Dec., 1915 at the age of 21. He sailed with the 5th Reinforcement to the 52nd Battalion on 19 Sept. 1916 & arrived in England in Dec. He joined the 52nd in France on 2 April, 1917 but was admitted to hospital with lumbago. He rejoined his unit at the end of April & served until he was killed in action on 10 June, 1917 during the Battle of Messines. There is no record of how William died, however his only Red Cross entry states that a British soldier had given a 52nd Bn member 4 identity discs of Aust. soldiers his unit had buried in the field. William’s disc was one of these. His body (& those of the other three) was lost & he is today remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.


Private John Gallagher No. 3082 - 47th Battalion - aged 44 John was born in Strentlough, Ireland & came to Australia in 1892 at the age of 20. He worked as a draper in his parent’s business in Brisbane. John was married to Mary & had 4 children under the age of 8 when the war broke out. He enlisted at the age of 43 on 20 August, 1915 & left Australia on 30 Dec. Whilst in Egypt, John was transferred to the 47th Bn in March, 1916. He arrived in France with the 47th in June & spent time in hospital with a septic toe. John was killed during his first action on 10 August, 1916 as the 47th Bn held the front line trenches along the OG lines at Pozieres. The cause of death was most likely shellfire. His records indicate that he was, “buried sunken road 1/2 mile (800m) SE Pozieres.” It would seem that John was initially wounded in the front line & taken back to the rear area, where he died & was buried. His grave was lost but after the war his body was found, identified & re-interred in Pozieres British Cemetery. John is being commemorated on behalf of his grand daughter, Bernice Marchant of North Mackay. Bernice’s family has always thought John was missing. When Demi told Bernice that he actually had a grave, this was the first time any of

the family had been informed of this fact. Commemorated by Demi

Lance Sergeant John Goodyear No. 12156 - 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment - aged 22

John was from the village of Great Malvern in England & he enlisted into the British Army after war was declared in 1914. He spent the winter of 1914 in the bitterly cold front line trenches in France & was sent to hospital suffering frostbite & exposure. In March, 1915, John returned to his unit which was then sent to Gallipoli. John’s unit was involved in the 2nd Battle of Krithia on 6 May & it was during this failed attempt to capture the village of Krithia that John was wounded. He died of these wounds the next day. John was also Mentioned in Despatches for brave conduct during the battle. John has no known grave & he is

commemorated on the Helles British Memorial. His brother, James was also killed during the war. John is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Jean Parker of Mackay.

Commemorated by Bronte

Corporal Albert Graffunder No. 464 - 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment - aged 26 Albert was born at Te Kowai, near Mackay in 1890. He acquired a selection at Kolijo (near Calen) in 1912 and spent the next few years clearing his land for farming. Albert enlisted in late 1914 and joined the 2nd LH Regiment. He arrived with his unit at Gallipoli early in the campaign and fought at the infamous Quinn’s Post, where he was killed in action on 14 May during a night assault on Turkish trenches. Another Mackay man, Jack Wentford, was mortally wounded in the same action. Albert was buried at Pope’s Hill Cemetery by Chaplain G. Green and his body was subsequently moved after the war to Quinn’s Post Cemetery, where he lies today. Albert is being commemorated on behalf of Rebecca Stook of Mackay.


Lieutenant John Hanly (relative) 5th Australian Light Horse Regiment - aged 40 John was born in Dalby in May, 1875 & attended school in Clifton. He enlisted into the Qld Mounted Infantry in 1899 & served with the Qld Mounted Troopers in the Boer War, where he was wounded in the ankle. John married Bridget Hanly in 1908 & then built up a successful grazing property at Kannkillinbine near Dalby. By the start of WW1 he & Bridget had 3 children. He enlisted on 30 Sept., 1914 & successfully applied for a commission as an officer. He was given the rank of Lieutenant & was allotted to C Squadron of the 5th Light Horse Regiment. He embarked Australia in Dec., 1914 & arrived at Gallipoli with his unit on 16 May, 1915. John was killed in action on 6 June as he led a patrol to the Turkish position known as the Twin Trenches in the southern sector of the Anzac lines. John’s body was never recovered & an army enquiry into his death was held in August. Sgt Young provided the most comprehensive evidence, stating in part, “Mr Hanly gave the order to charge, this was done, when we reached the top of the parapet shots were exchanged…. while Mr Hanly was on the parapet I saw him fall, he was apparently dead ….. The party then withdrew, two men carrying Mr Hanly’s body ….. After we had gone another 200 yards the fire became heavier and we were obliged to leave Mr Hanly’s body.” A patrol went out the following night to recover John’s body, however it could not be found. The army enquiry officially deemed that John was killed on that night. John, who is Michelle’s paternal great, great uncle, is now commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.

Commemorated by Michelle

Corporal Alfred Hill (relative) No. 6900 – 6th Battalion - aged 23 Alfred was a dental student from Melbourne & was the son of Dr Charles & Leila Hill. He enlisted in August, 1914 and was allotted to the 5th Battalion. He left Aust. on 21 Oct., 1914 & landed at Gallipoli on 25 April. The next day he received a shrapnel wound to his heel, which required him to be evacuated to hospital in Egypt. He was then sent back to Australia in August, 1915, where, whilst convalescing, he married Emma Hill. After his recovery, he re-embarked Australia on 25 Oct. 1916 & arrived in England on 23 Dec. He was allotted to the newly formed 16th Brigade, which was disbanded before it saw action. He then spent some time detached to the 51st Dental Corps unit before being ordered to join the 6th Bn in Belgium on 21 Oct. Alfred was killed in action on 16 April, 1918, as the Australian 1st Division fought to defend the French Flanders area around the city of Hazebrouk. There are no specific details on his death, however the battalion was in camp behind the lines on this day & records indicate that a number of men were killed when German shells landed in & around the camp area. It is most likely that Alfred was one of those killed. He has no known grave, though, which would indicate that his original grave was lost or destroyed. He is now commemorated on the Australian National Memorial. Alfred is Kate’s great, great uncle.

Commemorated by Kate

Private Edward Hinton No. 5123A - 49th Battalion - aged 32 Edward is one of two Dungaree marchers being honoured by Ms Johns (the other is Sydney Marsh). He was born in 1885 & was one of 12 children of English migrants, Henry & Ann Hinton. When the ‘Brave Dungarees’ marched through Ipswich on 26 Nov., 1915, Edward joined their ranks & enlisted in Brisbane soon after. He embarked Aust. on 4 May, 1916 as a reinforcement to the 26th Battalion & joined the 26th in France in early Oct. He was then transferred to the 49th Bn but spent most of the winter in hospital with illness & the mumps. Edward recovered to fight in the heavy action around Norieul in April, 1917 & was then involved in the Battle of Messines, where he was killed in action on 7 June. As the men of the 49th started their attack a shell landed near Edward &, according to numerous witnesses, he was very badly wounded in the legs & lower body. A stretcher bearer dressed his wounds, but most witnesses stated that they either thought he could not survive or had heard that he had died. However, there are no definitive statements as to his final fate. He was listed as “wounded & missing” & his body has never found or identified. As such he is now honoured

on the Menin Gate Memorial. Commemorated by Ms Johns

Lieutenant Kenneth Holmes Australian Flying Corp - 22 Squadron RFC - aged 27 Kenneth was born in Prahran, Victoria & was a civil engineer. By the time of his enlistment at the age of 25, both his parents were deceased & he listed his elder sister, Bessie as his next of kin. He enlisted in June, 1915 &, with his professional background, was allotted to the 5th Field Engineers. He was transferred to the 14th Battalion in Egypt on 9 March, 1916 & then to the 4th Pioneers a week later. He served with this unit in France, being promoted to Lieutenant in June. He left the Pioneers on 18 April, 1917 after being accepted into the Aust. Flying Corps. After training in England, he joined the AFC as a qualified observer & was attached for duty to 22 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. On 11 August, 1917, Kenneth’s two seater Bristol Fighter, piloted by Lt E.A.H. Ward, was shot down by German air ace Adolf Ritter Von Tutschek. Records state that Kenneth died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war on the date he was shot down, so it seems that he survived the crash for a short time. Both Kenneth & Lt Ward are buried side by side in the Noyelles Godault Communal Cemetery. Kenneth is the first Australian airman from WW1 to be commemorated in this project & he is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Margaret Cameron from Mackay.

Commemorated by Stephanie

Private Horace Hull No. 135 - 42nd Battalion - aged 20 Horace, from Avondale, near Maryborough, was the son of David and Mary Ann Hull and was working as a labourer when he enlisted into the AIF in Nov. 1915, at the age of 19. He left Australia in June 1916 and, after arrival in England in July, was taken on strength into the 42nd Battalion. He proved to be somewhat of a larrikin and a headache for army authorities, with 4 breaches of discipline recorded against him in England and in France. Horace was slightly wounded in the buttock during the Battle of Messines on 10 June 1917, however the wound did not require hospitalisation. Three months later, his luck ran out during the operations around Broodseinde Ridge when he was wounded by a penetrating gun shot wound to the thorax on Sept 29. He was evacuated to the 2nd Anzac CCS and died of his wound the next day. He was buried in Poperinghe New British Cemetery, where he lies today.

Commemorated by Jack Private William Hull

No. 2479 - 46th Battalion - aged 29 Horace’s brother, William was a stockman and he initially enlisted in April 1915 and was allotted to the 26th Battalion. However, he was subsequently moved to Broadmeadows army camp in Victoria and was re-allotted into the 29th Battalion for embarkation. After arriving in Egypt in early 1916, he was again transferred, this time to the 46th Battalion, the unit he served with until his death. William’s service with the battalion was not without incident. On 21 August 1916, he fractured his skull in an accident and spent 3 months in hospital in England. On his return to the unit he developed trench feet during the 46th’s front line duty in the muddy trenches around Flers. This injury kept him in hospital for a further 4 months and he rejoined the 46th in France in mid March. Unfortunately, he arrived before the 46th’s involvement in the infamous Battle of Bullecourt on 11 April. William was killed at some stage during the furious fighting in the German Hindeburg Line and his body was never recovered. He was listed as missing in action and was declared as being killed in action after an army court of enquiry conducted in November, 1917. Today, William is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial in France. The Hull brothers are being commemorated on behalf of Lorelle Peaty of Brisbane.

Commemorated by Jack

Private John Hunter (relative) No. 3504 - 49th Battalion - aged 28 John was born in Jimboomba, Qld & was working as a timber getter at Nanango when he enlisted on 25 Oct., 1916. He was allotted to the 9th Reinforcement to the 49th Battalion &, after time training in England, joined the 49th in Belgium on 25 August, 1917. His first action with his unit was the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 Sept. John was killed in this action &, according to family records, was buried in the field on Westhoek Ridge by his brother, James, also a member of the 49th. This battlefield grave was subsequently lost & for 90 years John was commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. John Hunter became a household name in Australia in 2006 when his body was found, along with four comrades, by gas contactors during the construction of a road. The bodies were found wrapped in blankets tied up with signal wire and their uniforms were preserved in the moist clay soil. John was identified through DNA linked to his niece, Molly Millis. The five soldiers were re-interred into Buttes New British Cemetery in a solemn ceremony on 4 Oct., 2007. John is Emilia’s distant relative & she will be the first from her side of the family to commemorate him at his new gravesite.

Commemorated by Emilia

Private Robert Johns (relative) No. 3188 – 15th Battalion - aged 19 Robert was born in Ipswich, Qld & was the son of George & Margaret Johns. He was working as a farm labourer at Rosewood when he enlisted in Oct., 1915, aged 18. He was originally allotted to the 25th Battalion but was transferred to the 15th Battalion in Egypt in March, 1916. He arrived with the 15th Bn in France in June and, after manning trenches in the ‘Nursery’ sector near the Belgian border, was involved in the 15th’s first battle in France - the infamous Battle of Pozieres. Robert became one of the many battalion casualties in the ill-fated attempts to capture Mouquet Farm, to the north of Pozieres. He was killed on 8 August, 1916 as the 4th Brigade fought desperately to capture trenches & strongpoints in front of the heavily defended farm. Robert was initially reported to be wounded in action & it wasn’t until 30 Sept. that this report was changed to killed in action. The circumstances surrounding his death are uncertain, however it seems clear that he was wounded during the battle (which was reported by a comrade) & that he subsequently died on the battlefield. His body was not recovered & he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial, France. Robert is Ms Johns’ great uncle.

Commemorated by Ms Johns

Private Arthur Johnson No. 5695 - 9th Battalion - aged 22 Arthur was born in Caboolture & was working as a cook in Herberton when he travelled to Cairns to enlist on 5 Jan., 1916. He was allotted to the 18th Reinforcement to the famous 9th Battalion & embarked Australia with this detachment on 4 May. He arrived in France in Oct., & spent the next 2 months in hospital with the mumps. He joined the 9th in the field in Dec. but was in & out of hospital with a series of complaints during the first half of 1917. Arthur was killed in action at Broodseinde Ridge on 10 Oct., 1917 in what were very unfortunate circumstances. The 9th Bn had been manning the front line under constant shellfire for two days. At 1am on the morning of the 10th, the battalion was relieved & was moving back to the rear when Arthur was killed by a British (or Australian) shell. His records indicate he was buried at D.29.A.6.8, which places his battlefield grave just south of Broodseinde village on the road to Molenaarelst. This grave was later destroyed & Arthur is now honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial. If his body was recovered after the war, he most probably lies in Tyne Cot Cemetery as an unknown soldier. Demi has taken an interest in Arthur due to her connection with Herberton.

Commemorated by Demi Sergeant Harry Jones

No. 608 - 37th Battalion - aged 32 Harry was from Bright, Victoria. He was the son of Thomas & Margaret Jones & husband of Ivy &, at the time of his enlistment in Feb., 1916, he was working as a winchman & engine driver. He left Australia with the 37th Battalion on 3 June, 1916 & arrived in France in Dec. He quickly showed his skill as a soldier & had attained the rank of Sergeant by April, 1917. Harry was killed in action during the 37th’s first battle, the Battle of Messines on 7 June. His official date of death is 8 June, and whilst the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, all eye witness accounts place his date of death as the 7th. The most consistent reports indicate that Harry was wounded in the attack & that he was killed as he made his way back to a dressing station for treatment. A number of witnesses also claim to have seen his body on the battlefield. Whatever the circumstances of his death, the fact is that Harry’s body was lost & he has no known grave. His records do, however, indicate that he was buried in the cemetery at Bethleem Farm. Today, there are two small cemeteries at Bethleem Farm, so it is possible that Harry’s headstone was destroyed & that he lies in one of the cemeteries as an unknown soldier. Harry is being commemorated on behalf of Sue & Greg Carroll from Mackay.

Commemorated by Duane

Private Herbert Kitchen No. 15096 – 15th Australian Machine Gun Company - aged 19 Herbert was born in St Arnaud, Victoria & was the son Herbert & Maria Kitchen of Albert Park. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted on 4 Jan., 1916 & he arrived in England as a member of the 24th Howitzer Artillery Brigade. Herbert was transferred to the 15th Machine Gun Company in Jan., 1917 but, sadly, he only survived for 3 weeks with his new unit, being killed in action near Guedecourt on 25 Jan. The cause of death is unknown, however it is most likely he was killed by shellfire. Herbert’s body was not recovered & his name appears on the Australian National Memorial in France. He is being commemorated

on behalf of his relative, John Palmer from Perth. Commemorated by Phillip

Lance Corporal James Launchbury (relative) No. 382 - 25th Company Australian Machine Gun Corps - aged 20

James was born in Bundaberg, one of 10 children to William & Editha Launchbury. He was working as a railway porter when he enlisted in May, 1916, just a month before his 19th birthday. He joined the 25th MGC in France in Feb., 1917 & was promoted to Lance Corporal in March. After spending 3 months in hospital with mumps, James rejoined his unit in Sept. He was killed on the night of 5 Oct. as he & his machine gun team manned trenches on Westhoek Ridge. Red Cross files give clear reports on how he

was killed, with Pte Thompson writing, “He was killed at night in Oct. near Polygon Wood instantly by a 5.2 shell which hit the parados & burst down the trench.” Three other men of his team were killed & many reports indicate that the men were buried together in a shell hole near the trench where they died. Two of these men were exhumed & have marked graves, whilst James & the other man are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.


Private Tom Lillingstone No. 2837 - 41st Battalion - aged 34 Tom was a carpenter by trade & came from Milton in Brisbane. He was married to Stella (nee Booth - James Booth’s sister). He enlisted at the age of 33 on 10 Oct., 1916 and left Australia as part of the 6th Reinforcements to the 41st Battalion on 23 Dec., 1916. He spent some months in hospital in England with illness before joining the 41st Battalion in Belgium on 17 July, 1917. Tom was killed in action during the 11th Brigade’s attack at Broodseinde Ridge on 4 Oct. (although his date of death is recorded as the 5th). A number of witnesses indicate he was killed by a shell as the battalion moved up the slope. His battlefield burial position was recorded, however this grave was subsequently lost & he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. One can only feel for Stella, who lost her brother & husband in the space of 3 months. Like James Booth, Tom is being honoured on behalf of Jill Brown from Brisbane.

Commemorated by Jack Private Walter Lynam

No. 3570 - 51st Battalion - aged 27 Walter was born in Oct., 1890 in Bridgetown, WA & was the son of Laurence & Anna Lynam. He was working as a sleeper cutter when he enlisted in Oct., 1915 & he left Australia in Jan., 1916. He was allotted to the 51st Battalion in Egypt & arrived in France with this unit on 12 June, 1916. He saw action at Pozieres before spending time in hospital in late 1916, early 1917 with eye problems. He rejoined the 51st in March & fought at Messines in June. His luck ran out on 26 Sept., when he was killed in action during the 51st’s attack north of Poly-gon Wood. His body was lost & he has no known grave. As such, his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial. Walter is being commemorated on behalf of John Palmer from Perth.

Commemorated by Phillip

Private Lawrence Madigan No. 5042 - 25th Battalion - aged 20 Lawrence was born in Ballina N.S.W. to parents James and Frances Madigan. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted in Jan., 1916 aged 18. He was allotted to the 25th Battalion & embarked Australia on 7 March, 1916. Lawrence spent some time in hospital in France before joining the 25th in December. He was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the arm in May, 1917 & spent nearly 2 months in hospital. On rejoining his unit, he was detached to the 7th Machine Gun Co., the unit he was fighting with when he was killed in action at Broodseinde Ridge on 10 Oct., 1917. He has no known grave & his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Commemorated by Grace

Sergeant Thomas Madigan No. 621 - 12th Aust. Machine Gun Company Battalion - aged 22 Thomas is Lawrence’s older brother. He enlisted on 22 Sept., 1914 & landed with the 15th Battalion at Gallipoli on 25 April. Apart from 2 weeks on Lemnos with illness, he fought through the whole Gallipoli Campaign, rising to the rank of Lance Corporal. After Gallipoli, he was transferred to the 12th Aust. Machine Gun Company & arrived with his unit in France in mid June, 1916. Thomas was killed in unusual circumstances at Pozieres on 10 August. Red Cross reports state that Thomas had just come out of the Pozieres front line & was visiting some old mates at the Chalk Pit, south of Pozieres. The area was shelled & Thomas took shelter in a dugout which received a direct hit, killing him instantly. His body was later found & he was buried in a shell hole at the Chalk Pit with a cross erected over his grave. After the war he was re-interred into Pozieres British Cemetery, where he lies today. Thomas and Lawrence are relatives of North High teacher, John Doolan.

Commemorated by Grace

Captain Ivor Margetts 12th Battalion - aged 24 Ivor was born in Launceston on 4 Sept., 1891 & is a very well known Anzac. He graduated from the University of Tasmania & was a teacher by profession, being the Junior Master at Hutchins School in Hobart. He was also an officer in the Citizen Military Force before the war & was commissioned when he enlisted into the AIF in Sept., 1914. He left as a Lieutenant with the 12th Battalion in the first AIF contingent on 20 Oct. & landed at Gallipoli on 25 April. Ivor has the distinction of being the only officer in the AIF or British Army to serve unwounded throughout the entire Gallipoli campaign. He was promoted to Captain on 29 July & he was Mentioned in Despatches for, “General good & gallant work both as adjutant & company commander.” After Gallipoli, Ivor arrived in France with his unit in April, 1916. The first major battle involving the 12th Battalion came at Pozieres on 23 June, when the 1st Division was given the task of capturing the village. Ivor was killed by a shell explosion as he organized his company to occupy trenches in the village. An eyewitness to his death, Pte G. McKenzie, wrote, “A piece of shrapnel had entered his left breast and, apparently, penetrated to his heart. I examined his body & helped to bury him on Monday morning in a shell hole near where he fell. He was the best man going. The men loved him. I cried like a kid when I found he was dead. I think he went because he was too good for the beastliness of war.” Ivor’s battlefield grave was later destroyed & he is honoured on the Australian National Memorial. Ivor was the subject of Jillian’s Modern History assignment & through her research she has reason to believe that he lies as an unknown soldier in Plot 4 of Pozieres British Cemetery. He is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Craig Margetts of Mackay.

Commemorated by Jillian

Private Sidney Marsh No. 4503 - 25th Battalion - aged 21 Sydney was born in 1896 to parents William & Eliza Marsh of Ipswich. He was working as a labourer when, in Nov., 1915 a band of 28 recruits, who became known as the Dungarees, marched from Warwick, snowballing in number as they marched through towns en route to Brisbane. During a civic reception in Ipswich, these “Brave Dungarees” were joined by Sydney, who was no doubt caught up in the fervour of nationalism. After a march of 270km, 125 men, including Sydney, arrived at Enoggera in Brisbane to enlist. Sydney was allotted to the 25th Battalion & left Australia on 31 March, 1916. He arrived in France in mid May & joined the 25th in the field on 2 August. In his first action, on 4 August, Sydney received a gunshot wound to the knee in the 7th Brigade’s second & successful attempt to capture the OG lines east of Pozieres. He was hospitalised & rejoined his unit in late Sept. Sydney was killed in action between 3 - 4 May, 1917 during the Second Battle of Bullecourt. The 25th, as part of the 7th Brigade’s attack, held the Hinderburg Line trenches against German counter-attacks. Sydney died at some undetermined time during these desperate struggles & is today commemorated by a special memorial headstone in Queant Rd Cemetery, where it is believed he is buried. Ms Johns is from Ipswich & is keen to honour the memory of Sydney and the other “Brave Dungarees” who marched off to defend their country 93 years ago.

Commemorated by Ms Johns

Lance Corporal Edward Marshall No. 2406 - 50th Battalion - aged 22 Edward was born in Frances, SA & was the son of Edward & Emily Marshall. At the time of his enlistment in March, 1915, he was working as a stockman & was aged only 20. He left Aust. with the 7th Reinforcement to the 10th Battalion on 23 June, 1915 & arrived at Gallipoli on 17 Sept. On 15 Nov., he was wounded in the arm by a bomb blast & spent a month in hospital in Egypt. He rejoined his battalion on New Year’s Eve & was transferred to the newly formed 50th Battalion in Feb., 1916. Edward sailed to France with his new unit & was wounded for a second time on 16 August at Pozieres, this time with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. After recovering in hospital in England he rejoined the 50th in Jan., 1917 & fought through the battles of Norieul, Messines & Polygon Wood before being killed in action on 19 Oct., 1917 as the 50th held the front line trenches along Broodseinde Ridge. The cause of death was most likely by shellfire. His battlefield grave was subsequently lost & he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. Edward is one of four soldiers being honoured

on behalf of Wally Pearce from Western Australia. Commemorated by Joscelyn

Trooper Oscar Matthies No. 903 - 8th Light Horse Regiment - aged 24 Oscar was a labourer from Leongatha in Victoria & he enlisted on 3 Dec., 1914 aged 24. He was allotted to the 5th Reinforcement to the 8th Light Horse Regiment & left Australia on 7 May, 1915. Little did he know he had only 2 months to live. He arrived at Gallipoli on 5 August & was attached to B Squadron of the 8th Light Horse stationed on Walker’s Ridge. Preparations were being made for a major attack at the Nek on 7 August & there could have been no more tragic initiation to war than that of Oscar’s. After one day settling into his unit he was placed in the first wave of the ill fated attack at dawn on the 7th. Oscar & most of his comrades were killed, as were many of those in the next 3 waves. No-one will know how far Oscar got or how he died &, like all those who fell on this tragic day, Oscar’s body lay on the battlefield in no man’s land until 1919, when the bodies were buried in the Nek Cemetery, where they fell. Oscar’s body was not identified & he is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Jennifer Wray of Sydney.

Commemorated by Sacha

Private Edward McDonnell No. 2166 – 4th Pioneers - aged 25 Edward was born in Birr, Kings County, Ireland in 1891 & was the son of Patrick and Mary McDonnell. His family of parents & 12 children emigrated to Australia, arriving in Brisbane on 13th February, 1911. Edward secured work in Ipswich as a railway labourer before moving north to Rockhampton where he enlisted on 28 Feb,. 1916. He embarked Australia in May 1916 &, after time spent in Egypt, he arrived in England & was allotted to the newly formed Pioneer Training Battalion stationed at Larkhill. He got himself into trouble when he went absent without leave on Boxing Day, 1916, forfeiting 51 day’s pay & earning 28 day’s detention as a consequence. Edward joined the 4th Pioneer Battalion in France on 14 April, 1917 & was killed in action only a week later on the 21st by a high explosive shell as his unit supported the infantry in the line near Bullecourt. He was originally buried in an isolated grave near the village of Vaulx Vraucourt but his body was subsequently re-buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, where he lies today. Edward is being commemorated on behalf of his neice, Doreen Cahill of Brisbane. Doreen met the tour group on a visit to the school last year.


Private Francis McGuire No. 4226 - 2nd Battalion - aged 24 Francis was born in Glebe, Sydney & was the only child of James & Isabella McGuire. He attended Marist Brothers School & was a talented musician (violinist), a craft he made into his profession. He enlisted on 20 Sept., 1915 & was drafted into the 13th Reinforcement to the 4th Battalion. He was transferred to the 2nd Bn in Egypt & arrived in France with his new unit in late March, 1916. Fred appears to have been somewhat of a larrikin as his records are littered with minor indiscretions & numerous punishments for discipline breaches, with the most interesting “crime” being, “making offensive noises with his mouth” . Nonetheless, he served with distinction, being wounded in the face by shrapnel on 21 July, 1916, two days before the start of the Battle of Pozieres. This wound kept him away from his battalion until 18 Jan., 1917. Whilst with his unit in the field, Francis was again in trouble after going absent without leave for a day. He was awarded 60 days Field Punishment No. 2, which would have included confinement & unpleasant camp duties. Whilst serving this sentence, Fred was involved in the 2nd Bn’s attack on the village of Hermies, on the Hindenburg Outpost Line, on 9 April, 1917. He received a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the action & was admitted to the 3rd Aust. CCS, where he died of his wounds on 12 April. Francis is being honoured on behalf of Allan Hodge from Newcastle.


Private Roderick McLennan (relative) No. 2219 - 47th Battalion - aged 34 Roderick was from Mirani & was one of 17 children of Alexander & Beatrice McLennan. He was working as a farmer when he enlisted on 15 March, 1916. He embarked Brisbane on 12 August of that year and arrived in France in December as a part of the 4th reinforcements to the 47th Battalion. Roderick survived the 47th’s major battles of 1917 - Bullecourt, Messines & Passchendaele but his luck ran out when he was killed in action at Dernacourt on 30 March, 1918. The circumstances surrounding Roderick’s death are uncertain. He was the only member of the battalion to die on this day & it seems that he was most likely killed by a sniper. His burial is also a mystery. Numerous records indicate that he was buried in the military cemetery at Dernacourt, however his grave was most likely destroyed during the Battle of Dernacourt on 5 April. The grave registration unit was unable to later locate his grave so Roderick is today commemorated on the Australian National Memorial, France. Roderick is Sacha’s great, great uncle on her mother’s side.


Corporal Stanley Middleton No. 421 - 8th Light Horse Regiment - aged 22

Stanley was from Geelong and was working as a farmer when he enlisted into the 8th Light Horse Regiment on 16 Sept., 1914 at the age of 21. He was one of four brothers to enlist & the only one not to survive the war. He was allotted to C Squadron of the 8th Light Horse Regiment & was promoted to Corporal in November. He embarked with his unit from Melbourne in Feb., 1915 & arrived at Gallipoli in May. The 8th LH manned the front line trenches on Walker’s Ridge during June & numerous men were killed or wounded by shellfire & snipers. In the early hours of 30 June, the Turks launched a large scale attack against the 8th’s trenches & a bloody battle ensued. The Turks were defeated, although not before many had advanced into the 8th’s trenches.

Stanley was one of 6 Australians to be killed in this attack, dying from a gunshot wound. His body was taken down to Anzac Cove & he was buried in Ari Burnu Cemetery by Reverend Merrington. Stanley is being commemorated on behalf of Greg & Sue Carroll of Mackay.

Commemorated by Duane

Lance Corporal Victor Negus (relative) No. 2223 - 47th Battalion - aged 22 Victor was school teacher from Maryborough and was the youngest of 9 children of Edwin & Alice Negus. He enlisted at the age of 20 in Dec., 1915 & embarked Australia with the 4th Reinforcement to the 47th Battalion in August, 1916. He joined his battalion in France in Feb., 1917 & was promoted to Lance Corporal in May. Victor’s first action with the 47th came with Battle of Messines on 7 June. Victor was a section leader & was seriously wounded when a bullet pierced his temple & shot out both his eyes. A degree of mystery surrounds his subsequent fate, with a later army court of enquiry stating that he died of wounds on 9 June. There is much evidence, though, to suggest that Victor died on the day of his wounding (the 7th) & that he was buried on the battlefield. Whatever his fate, his body was never recovered. He has no known grave & is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper. Victor is Aaron’s great, great uncle.

Commemorated by Aaron Private Brendon O’Brien

No. 1158 - 3rd Battalion - aged 26 Brendon was born in July, 1889 & grew up farming in the Cordeaux River area around Mt Kembla, NSW. He enlisted at the age of 25 on 28 August, 1914 & was allotted to ‘A’ Company of the newly formed 3rd Battalion. He sailed with his unit on 20 Oct. & landed at Gallipoli as part of the second wave on the morning 25 April. Brendon fought through until the Battle of Lone Pine, with his battalion leading the charge towards the centre of the Turkish trenches on the afternoon of 6 August. Brendon was killed in this battle & his official records indicate he died between 7 - 12 August. However, the fact that his records also indicate that his body was recovered & buried at Brown’s Dip Cemetery on 10 August means the dates of death must have been much narrower. According to family research, Brendon was fighting with Lt Woods, who established a post in the Turkish trenches called Woods’ Post. The Turks made a determined counter attack on Woods’ Post but were repulsed. Brendon, though, was killed in this action. This would place Brendon’s date of death as either 6 or 7 August. After the war, those buried in Brown’s Dip Cemetery were re-interred into Lone Pine Cemetery, where Brendon lies today. He is being commemorated on behalf of his relative, Ray Condon, from Woonona, NSW.


Private William Page No. 7794 - 16th Battalion - aged 27 William was a dairy farmer from Beaconsfield in Tasmania. He initially attempted to enlist in Tasmania in mid 1915, however he was rejected due to defective vision. He tried again in Western Australia in June, 1917 & was successful. William embarked Aust. with the 26th Reinforcement to the 16th Battalion in August, 1917 & arrived in England in Oct. After some time in hospital he joined his unit in France on 27 April, 1918. He then spent more time in hospital with tonsilitis, rejoining his battalion in early July. William was killed in action on 8 August, 1918 during the great allied attack of this day in which all Australian divisions were involved. The 16th Bn, as part of the 4th Division, was on the extreme left of the attack & was held in reserve to help consolidate the newly won German trenches as the battle progressed. William was one of only 3 battalion members killed in this action, with his body being interred in the nearby Heath Cemetery. He is being commemorated on behalf of Ray Bassett from Launceston in Tasmania.

Commemorated by Sam Green Private James Paterson

No. 3889 - 49th Battalion - aged 28 James was born in Fifteen Mile Creek, Qld, in Oct., 1887. At the time of his enlistment in August, 1915, he was a farmer at Wallumbilla & had a wife, Elizabeth & daughter. He left Australia on 31 Jan., 1916 as a reinforcement to the 25th Battalion & was transferred to the 49th Battalion in Egypt. His first action in France was at Pozieres & he was wounded in the elbow during the 49th’s attempt to capture Mouquet Farm on 14 August. The wound kept him out of action for 4 months & he returned to his unit in Jan., 1917. James was killed during the 49th’s next action at Norieul when his C Company was allotted to the 50th Bn to help capture the village. On the morning of 5 April, C Company was given the task to capture a railway cutting near Norieul. James was killed during this assault. Even though the attack was successful, James’ body was lost, possibly destroyed by the heavy shelling. Elizabeth was kept in limbo about her husband’s fate for months before simply being told he had been killed in action. Elizabeth constantly sought to find out more. In 1921, she wrote, “Would you please be good enough to let me know whether there is anything belonging to the late James Paterson, as I haven’t received anything, I don’t even know his burial place.” Today, James is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial & he is being honoured on behalf of his grandson, Peter Roberts from the Gold Coast & his 92 year old mother, Elizabeth, who is the daughter of James & Elizabeth.

Commemorated by Bronte

Lance Corporal James Pearce 2281 - 48th Battalion - aged 22 James was born in Port Pirie, South Australia to parents Richard & Mary Pearce & was a 21 year old farmer when he enlisted on 26 April, 1916. He embarked Aust. on 12 August & joined the 48th Battalion in the field in Jan., 1917. He survived the hell of the First Battle of Bullecourt in April & fought through the Battle of Messines in June, being promoted to Lance Corporal. His luck ran out, though, during the 48th’s attack towards Passchendaele on 12 Oct. James’ death was described by Pte B. Onion, who stated, “..we were held up by M.G. fire from the left flank. Pearce was lying on the railway track with his gun over one of the rails when a bullet got him straight through the forehead and killed him instantly.” Of his body, another soldier stated, “We left his body and afterwards had to retire and the Germans occupied the ground where we had left him.” His body was lost & he is now honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial. An interesting note in one of his Red Cross files indicates that James must have had a close call in a previous battle. One of his comrades noted, “He used to carry a Bible in his pocket which had had a bullet into it.” James, like Walter Pearce below, is being commemorated on behalf of his relative, Wally Pearce from Perth.

Commemorated by Joscelyn

Private Walter Pearce No. 267 - 8th Australian Machine Gun Corps - aged 24 Walter was from Kooringa in South Australia. He was born in 1892 to parents Walter & Ann Pearce & at the time of his enlistment he was a store manager in a drapery business. He enlisted in July, 1915 & left Australia in Nov. as a member of the newly formed 32nd Battalion. After training in Egypt, Walter was transferred to the 8th Brigade Machine Gun Company in May, 1916, the unit he would serve with until his death. He arrived in France in June & travelled to Northern France where the 5th Division was involved in the AIF’s first major battle in France - the infamous Battle of Fromelles. In 24 hours over the night of 19/20 July, nearly 2000 Australian soldiers died in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the German trenches near the village of Fromelles. Walter was one of those killed in this battle. Unlike most of his fallen comrades, though, his body was recovered & buried in Eaton Hall Cemetery, situated behind the front line. This cemetery was later consolidated into Rue Petillion Military Cemetery, where Walter lies today. Walter is being honoured on behalf of his relative, Wally Pearce from Perth.


Gunner Edward Platt (relative) No. 3414 - 11th Brigade Australian Field Artillery - aged 20 Edward was a fireman from Beaudesert & was the son of John & Jane Platt. It seems he put his age up to 21 & one month to enlist on 13 August, 1915 (his mother later indicated that he was only 20 when he died the following year). He embarked Australia in Oct., 1915 & was allotted to the newly formed 47th Battalion in Egypt. He was then transferred to the 11th Field Artillery Brigade & arrived in France with his new unit in June, 1916. In December, Edward’s 41st Battery was supporting the Australian infantry units which occupied the front line around Flers. On Christmas Eve, his unit came under counter battery fire from German artillery, with one shell wounding Edward in the head & right leg & dislocating his shoulder. He was evacuated to the 1st Anzac Main Dressing Station, 15th Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds two days later, on Boxing Day, 1916. Edward was buried in Dartmoor Cemetery, just south of the town of Albert on the Somme Battlefields. Sadly, Edward’s mother received a telegram from the army on 15 Jan., 1917 stating that Edward had been wounded & that she would be advised if there was any further news. Little did she know that her son had already been dead for over two weeks. Edward was the brother of Georgina’s great, great grandmother & it will be the first time a member of the family has visited his grave.

Commemorated by Georgina

Private Andrew Porter No. 5398 - 26th Battalion - aged 32 Andrew was born in 1886 in Pittsworth, Qld & was the son of Alexander & Jane Porter. Prior to his enlistment in Dec., 1915 he was working as a farmer. His brother, Archibald also enlisted (& survived the war). Andrew embarked Australia on 8 August, 1916 as a reinforcement to the 26th Battalion. After arriving in England he spent time in hospital with the mumps before joining the 26th in France in Feb., 1917. He survived the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May but was killed in action at Broodseinde Ridge on 9 Oct., 1917. The circumstances surrounding his death are particularly disturbing, with an eye witness account by Sgt H. Marshall stating, “I saw Porter & a group of men in a shell hole. I saw a shell burst right into them & Porter & 8 or 9 others were literally blown to pieces. I went up to try & identify Porter amongst others, but failed to identify him or any of them as their remains were so terribly mangled.” Andrew’s body was never recovered & he is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial. One of the other soldiers killed by this shell explosion was Albert Hucker, who was the only son of Mackay’s serving Mayor at the time, Arthur Hucker. Andrew is being commemorated on behalf of Malcolm & Ray Turvey of Mackay.


Private Arthur Reedman (relative) No. 12754 - 11th Australian Army Medical Corps - aged 26 Arthur is the cousin of Victor & Wilfred Reedman (below). He was from Walkerville in South Australia & was a blacksmith. He enlisted in Sept., 1915 but was discharged the following month on the grounds of being medically unfit for service. He tried to enlist again in Jan., 1916 & was, this time, accepted, being allotted to the Australian Army Medical Corps. He left Australia in May, 1916 & marched into his unit in France in Nov., of that year. He served through 1917 & was killed in action on 17 Oct. as the 11th AAMC supported units that were fighting around Broodseinde Ridge. Arthur’s roll of honour circular, completed by his father, states, “Killed while carrying wounded. Shell burst under stretcher & killed four others.” This account is supported by the Red Cross files of the soldier buried next to Arthur, Pte Norman McWaters, also of the 11th AAMC. Numerous witnesses state that four stretcher bearers in the unit were killed outright or died of wounds from the same shellburst, with Pte Milton naming Arthur & Norman as the soldiers who died instantly. The graves of both men are in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, which is situated in the heart of the town of Ieper.


Private Victor Reedman (relative) No. 2725 - 52nd Battalion - aged 19 Victor was from Fairfield in Brisbane & was the son of Arthur & Alice Reedman. He was a draper’s assistant & spent 4 years in senior cadets prior to enlisting in the AIF. Being just 18 years old, Victor secured his parents permission to enlist & did so 12 May, 1916. He left Australia with the 6th Reinforcement to the 52nd Battalion in Oct., & joined his unit in France on 2 Jan., 1917. Sadly, Victor only survived for 12 days. He was killed on 14 Jan. whilst the 52nd Battalion manned the frontline trenches at Flers during the bitter winter of 1916 / 17. His death is well documented in Red Cross files, with Pte D. Cooper reporting: “While we were attending to a wounded man about Jan. 14th at Flers we saw Vic Reedman killed instantaneously by a piece of shell. He was behind the lines digging a communication trench, called A. Avenue, when the shell burst right right on him.” Even though he had only been with his battalion for a short time, he obviously made a very positive impression, with one Red Cross file witness stating, “He was a very fine fellow,” whilst another described him as, “Such a good boy. I never knew him to drink, swear, smoke. I never saw anybody like him in camp before.” Victor was buried in Bulls Road Cemetery at Flers, where he lies today.


Private Wilfred Reedman (relative) No. 5456 - 9th Battalion - aged 22 Wilfred was Victor’s older brother &, like Victor, he died of wounds in 1917. He was a cabinet maker & enlisted in Brisbane on 18 Sept., 1915, being allotted to the 17th Reinforcement to the 9th Battalion. He joined his unit in France in August, 1916 but was admitted to hospital with trench fever in Oct. After recovering & rejoining his battalion, Wilfred was again admitted to hospital with Myalgia, which was serious enough for him to be sent to England. After time in a convalescence depot & training battalion, he rejoined his unit in late Oct. The 9th moved into the front lines at Broodseinde Ridge on 1 Nov. & it was during this time in the line that Wilfred was killed, dying in similar circumstance to his brother. On 4 Nov., Wilfred’s outpost position came under heavy enemy shellfire. Pte J. Atkinson described what happened to him in his Red Cross report: “He was caught by a fragment of shell that landed in the trench which hit him about the head. He was taken away to the dressing station in an unconscious condition where I believe he died.” He was indeed evacuated to the 3rd Canadian CCS where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. Wilfred is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, the second largest war cemetery on the Western Front. The Reedman brothers & their cousin, Arthur are distant relatives to Megan & are being commemorated on behalf of Judy Parry of Mackay.


Private Thomas Rodger (relative) No. 2147 - 5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers - aged 32 Thomas is Tiani’s great, great uncle & he was from Dumfries in Scotland. He was a builder & the father of 7 children when he enlisted into the 5th Battalion, KOSB early in the war in 1914. His unit was sent to Gallipoli & arrived at Cape Helles on 6 June, 1915. Thomas was killed in action on 12 July during a major attack undertaken by the KOSB against the Turkish trenches at Cape Helles. The savage nature of the fighting was such that Thomas’ body was lost & he is now commemorated on the British Helles Memorial, situated at the southern end of the Gallipoli peninsula.

Commemorated by Tiani

Private Frederick Rogers No. 4163 - 12th Battalion - aged 35 Frederick was born in Burra, South Australia & was working as a farm labourer in Broken Hill when he enlisted on 31 August, 1915 at the age of 34. He left Australia in Jan., 1916 & joined the 12th Battalion in France in late May. Frederick was wounded at Pozieres on 25 July with a gunshot wound to the face & was in hospital for 5 weeks. He was killed in action on 9 Dec., whilst the 12th held the front line trenches around Flers. His death is well documented in Red Cross files, with his platoon commander, Lt Dadson, writing, “I was close to him in our front line trench near Flers at 11.30 pm when he was hit by a piece of shell & had his leg broken. He was attended to at once by S/Bs but died before reaching the Dressing Station. He was buried in a military cemetery close to Flers by Padre W. Douglas. A cross was erected with name and number which I have seen. He was a splendid soldier.” Other accounts make it clear that Frederick was buried at Bull’s Rd Cemetery. However, his grave was subsequently destroyed & he is now commemorated on the Australian National Memorial. Frederick is the fourth soldier on the tour to be commemorated on behalf of Wally Pearce, from WA.


Private George Rose No. SR/6503 - 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment George was a member of the London based Middlesex Regiment, known as the “die hards”, when WW1 broke out. His battalion has the distinction of firing the first British shots of the war, at Mons in Belgium, & they have a memorial raised in their honour by their German foes in the cemetery near where they initially halted the German advance in 1914. On 14 Dec., 1914, the 4th Battalion relieved the Gordon Highlanders in the front line trenches around Kemmel, south of Ieper in Belgium. George was one of six battalion members killed in action the next day, the 15th, when the trenches were heavily shelled. He was no doubt buried near the trenches, however this grave was lost & his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial. George is one of the earliest casualties commemorated by the group & he is being honoured on behalf of Melva Wood of Mackay.

Commemorated by Tiana

Private James Scanlon No. 2250 - 47th Battalion - aged 25 James was born in Mackay & was working as a labourer when he enlisted in Rockhampton on 6 March. He left Australia with the 4th Reinforcement to the 47th Battalion & joined his unit in France in early Feb., 1917. James was killed in his first action, the infamous First Battle of Bullecourt on 11 April, 1917. His records indicate he was wounded & treated at the 12th Aust. Field Ambulance, where he died the same day. Strangely, he has no known grave, even though his records state a clear position of burial. He is now honoured on the Australian National Memorial. James is being commemorated on behalf of local historian & journalist,

Terry Hayes. Commemorated by Georgina

Lance Corporal George Searle No. 6348 - 25th Battalion - aged 22 George was the son of Frederick & Jane Searle and was a Grocer’s assistant from Mount Morgan. Prior to the war, George spent 3 years in the Senior Cadets & was then a Lance Corporal in the Australian Citizen Forces. He enlisted in Rockhampton on 11 April, 1916 & was allotted to the 15th Battalion. He embarked Aust. on 7 Sept. of that year &, after arriving in France in Dec., he was transferred to the 25th Battalion, which he joined in in Feb., 1917. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in Sept. & was severely wounded by a shell explosion during the 25th’s action at Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. He received shrapnel wounds to his hand & shoulder & his right leg was fractured. After recovering in hospital in England, he rejoined his unit on 6 May, 1918, only to be killed in action 3 weeks later on 30 May in the front line trenches near Ville sur Ancre. George was originally buried in Heilly Cemetery but was later re-interred into Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension. He is being honoured on behalf of grand niece, Veronica Knowles from Townsville.

Commemorated by Sam Goodall Private David Lindsay Sharp (relative)

No. 166 - 25th Battalion - aged 26 David, known by his second name, Lindsay, was born in Annadale, Qld to parents David & Janet Sharp & he was working as a farm labourer near Millmerran when he enlisted on 1 Oct. 1914. He sailed with the 5th Light Horse on 21 Dec., 1914 & landed at Gallipoli with his unit in May, 1915, serving there until Sept., when he was evacuated with influenza. He then contracted enteric fever & was taken to England where he remained in hospital until Sept., 1916. He was then transferred to the 25th Battalion & joined his new unit in April, 1917. He fought at Bullecourt in May, the Menin Road in Sept. & at Broodseinde Ridge in early Oct. Lindsay was granted 18 days leave in Feb., 1918 & returned to his unit in mid March. After nearly 4 years of serving in the AIF, Lindsay’s luck finally ran out on 27 April when, in the line near Albert, he was struck in the head, knee & leg by shrapnel after a shell exploded in the section of trench he was occupying. His mate, Pte A. Gray, was injured by the same shell & he wrote in his Red Cross report: “Sharp & I were wounded by the same Whizz-Bang. It was at night & we were in trenches on the right of the road between Albert & Buire. He & I were taken in the same ambulance to the 61st CCS at Vignicourt, he never regained consciousness.” Lindsay died shortly after being admitted to the CCS & he was buried in the nearby Vignacourt Military Cemetery, where he lies today. Lindsay is Clare’s maternal great, great uncle & she is specifically honouring him on behalf of her grandfather, Bertrum Sharp.

Commemorated by Clare

Private William Shaw

No. 665 - 26th Battalion, ex 9th Battalion - aged 28 William was born in Mackay in 1889, the son of Charles and Hannah Shaw. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted in August, 1914 at the age of 24. He sailed with the 9th Battalion and landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915. On this day, William received a gunshot wound to his right leg and was transferred to a hospital in Malta. He rejoined his unit on 17 June and fought through until 15 Nov., when he was evacuated sick. Whilst in Egypt, William was admitted to hospital with a hernia which was so serious he had to be sent back to Australia. After recovering he was re-allotted to the 26th Battalion &, with his brother, Bert, was sent to France, where he was killed in action on 5 Oct., 1917 at Broodseinde Ridge. His body was lost & his name appears on the Menin Gate Memorial. William is being commemorated on behalf of his youngest nephew, William Firth.


Private John Sinclair No. 267295 - Seaforth Highlanders - aged 34 John was the son of John & Mary Sinclair & was from Halkirk in Scotland. He enlisted into the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders & was killed in action on 16 May, 1917 as the 6th Battalion fought to defend Roeux village from German counterattacks. John’s division took the brunt of these attacks but the village and surrounding area remained in British hands. His body was not recovered & he has no known grave. He is honoured on the Arras Memorial.

Commemorated by Breanna Private Walter Sinclair

No. 1569 - 31st Battalion - aged 20 Walter is John’s brother (above) & was also born in Halkirk, Scotland. He emigrated to Australia in 1914 & worked as a farmer at Urangalla on the Tweed River in Nth NSW. He enlisted in Brisbane on 31 August, 1915 and was allotted to the 31st Battalion, which was being formed as part of the newly raised 8th Brigade. He embarked Australia on 5 Nov., 1915. After spending time with his unit training in Egypt, Walter arrived in France in June, 1916. The 31st Battalion was involved in the infamous Battle of Fromelles on the night of 19/20 July & Walter was killed in this battle (along with nearly 2000 Australian soldiers). His body, unlike most of his comrades, was recovered & he was buried in the nearby Anzac Cemetery at Sailly-sur-la-Lys by Rev. W. Meridith Holliday. Walter and John are being commemorated on behalf of Frana McKinstry from Townsville.


Private Samuel Teeney No. 3158 - 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Samuel was from Shankhill, County Antrim in Northern Ireland & is one of the few Irish soldiers commemorated over the course of the project. He enlisted in Belfast & joined the famous Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Samuel was killed in action on 1 April, 1917 during as the “Skinn’s” advance on the right flank of an attack to capture the village of Savy & to hinder the German retreat to St Quentin. The battalion made the attack in driving rain, sleet and snow. Before the attack, a German shell exploded amongst a 2nd Battalion platoon, causing numerous casualties. It could be that Samuel was killed here or as his unit battled machine guns & artillery in its advance over open ground to the south of Savy. Today, Samuel is buried in Savy British Cemetery, on the outskirts of the village he died attempting to capture. Samuel is being commemorated on behalf of his nephew, Alec Teeney, of Mt Morgan.


Private Charles Tipper No. 4307 - 11th Battalion - aged 19 Charles was born in Victoria but lived in Freemantle, Western Australia, where he worked as a warehouseman. He enlisted in Perth on 15 Sept., 1915, one month short of his 19th birthday. After five months of training he embarked Australia with the 13th Reinforcement to the 11th Battalion on 17 Jan., 1916. He joined his battalion in France on 25 May, 1916 & was destined to die only two months later. The 11th Battalion was heavily involved in the opening phases of the infamous Battle of Pozieres. Official records indicate Charles was killed between 22-25 July, although would be unlikely that he died on the 22nd, as the battle commenced on the 23rd. The lack of a definitive date of death gives a clear indication of the ferocious & confused nature of the fighting. Charles was given a battlefield burial and his body was subsequently found, identified & buried in Courcelette British Cemetery, north of Pozieres village. He is being commemorated on behalf of his relative, John Palmer of Perth.

Commemorated by Phillip

Private William Turton No. 213 - 9th Battalion - aged 24 William was born in Bundaberg in 1892 and was a whip maker by trade. He enlisted in Brisbane in August, 1914 and sailed to Egypt with the first contingent of the AIF. William landed with the 9th Battalion at Gallipoli on 25 April and fought through the first hectic month as the Anzacs established their positions. He was wounded during the massive Turkish attack on the night of 19/20 May & he died in the hospital situated at Anzac Cove. He is buried in Beach Cemetery. Of interest, William died at the same time as another famous Anzac, John Kirkpatrick Simpson, the man with the donkey - and both are buried in the same cemetery. In a cruel twist, William’s mother, Ellen received a telegram from the army which read:“Regret son Pte W Turton wounded not reported seriously no other particulars available will immediately advise anything further received.” The telegram arrived on 19 June, one month after William had died. To add to this family tragedy, William’s brother, Alfred died in England of disease in August, 1918. William is the great uncle of Colin Turton of Yeppoon.


Lance Corporal George Wollaston No.11056 - 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment - aged 34 George was born in St Pancras, Middlesex. At the time of his enlistment was married to Fanny Wollaston & the couple were living at Manor Park, Essex. George was wounded in action during the Berkshire Regiment’s actions near Peronne in support of the Australian 3rd Division as the allies pushed the German Army back to the Hindenburg Line late in the war. He died of his wounds on 14 Sept., 1918 & was buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery. George is one of two relatives being commemorated on behalf of Michelle Wollaston, a teacher at North High.


Private William Wollaston No. 14491 - 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment - aged William is the second of Michelle Wollaston’s relatives, although little is known about his pre service life or his army service. As a member of the 10th Royal Warwickshire Battalion, William was involved in the attack on Grancourt, just north of Thiepval on 18 Nov., 1916. After initially losing direction in the snow, the men of the Royal Warwickshires fought their way through the uncut wire guarding the German trenches. However, their loses were severe & they were forced to withdraw from the line they had established the following day. William was killed in this action & his body was lost. He is now commemorated on the Theipval Memorial.


Private Herbert Ward (relative) No. 532 - 5th Division Trench Mortar - aged 26 Herbert is Kate’s great, great uncle & was the younger brother of Robert (next page). He was born in Ipswich & was the son of Richard & Edith Ward. He enlisted on 8 July, 1915, one month before Robert was killed at Gallipoli, & embarked Australia with the 31st Battalion, which arrived in Egypt in Dec., 1915. He spent some time in hospital with the mumps before embarking for France. After arriving in France with his unit in June, 1916, Herbert was transferred to the 5th Division’s newly formed Trench Mortar Battery. On 20 August, 1916, Herbert was shot in the abdomen & was treated at the 1st Aust. CCS, where he died 7 days later on the 27th. He was buried at Estaires Communal Cemetery, where he lies today.


Private Robert Ward (relative) No. 1640 - 13th Battalion - aged 29 Robert, from Roma, Qld, was born in Dec., 1885 & was the brother of Her-bert Ward (previous page). He worked as a printer & enlisted in Sydney in Oct., 1914. He embarked Aust. with the 3rd Reinforcement to the 13th Bat-talion & joined his unit at Gallipoli on 30 April. Events surrounding Robert’s death are particularly tragic. He is assumed to have been wounded during the 13th’s attack against Hill 60 at Gallipoli on 22 August. Wounded, he is believed to have taken shelter in nearby bushes which were set alight by shellfire. It is presumed that Robert was killed by this fire, a fact that an army court of enquiry confirmed in April, 1916. Robert has no known grave & he is honoured on the Lone Pine Memorial. Like Herbert, he is Kate’s great, great uncle.


Corporal William Ward (relative) No. 2490 - 49th Battalion - aged 19

William was the cousin of Robert & Herbert. He was a farmer from Crow’s Nest, Qld & was the only child of Louis & Ottelie Ward. He enlisted on 5 May, 1915 at the age of 18 & was allotted to the 7th Reinforcement to the 9th Battalion. He joined the 9th at Mudros Island near Gallipoli & was then transferred to the 49th Bn when the battalion arrived in Egypt. He was promoted to Corporal in France on 24 August, 1916 only 2 weeks before he was killed in action on 4 Sept. during the 49th’s heroic but unsuccessful attempt to capture Mouquet Farm during the Battle of Pozieres. Like so many of his fallen comrades, William’s body was lost in the battle & he has

no known grave. He is honoured on the Australian National Memorial in France.


Private George Waters No. 4379 - 15th Battalion - aged 33 George born in Scotland & was a coal miner until he emigrated to Australia in 1910. He settled in Netherdale, near Finch Hatton with his wife, Devina & he worked as a farm labourer. He enlisted on 7 Oct., 1916 &, after being initially allotted to the 31st Battalion, he was transferred to the 15th Battalion on his arrival in France. He joined the 15th in the field on 30 May, 1917 & was destined to serve for only one month. On 1 July, 1917, George was killed instantly by a shell explosion as the 15th held support trenches near Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium. He was buried nearby & his body was subsequently reinterred into Messines Ridge British Cemetery after the war. George is being honoured on behalf of Viv Dodt from

Finch Hatton. Commemorated by Casey

Driver William Wood No. 2363 - 4th Ammunition Column Australian Field Artillery - aged 19 William was from Bundaberg & was the son of John & May Wood. He was working as a farm labourer when he enlisted on 13 Nov., 1915 at the age of 18 & he was initially allotted to the 5th Light Horse Regiment. He was transferred to the newly formed Aust. Artillery Details in Egypt &, after arriving in France, was allotted to the 4th Div. Ammunition Column, where, as a good horseman, he drove the teams transferring ammunition for the artillery. ‘Woodsie’, as he was known in his unit, was severely wounded by a shell explosion on 28 Nov., 1916. The explosion fractured his thigh, femur & tibia & fibula & he died of these wounds at the No. 1 Main Dressing Station the same day. He is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery. William is being honoured on behalf of Malcolm & Melva Wood of Mackay.

Commemorated by Tiana

Mary Browne’s relatives Mary Browne has done extensive research on her family, one branch of which came from the small village of Whatfield in Suffolk, England. After studying her family tree, she found that many of her relatives died in WW1. Seven of those whose graves or memorial names are within the itinerary of our tour will be commemorated by three different students:

Private Frederick Gilmore No. 264798 - 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry - aged 20 Frederick was Canadian & married Louise Mowles in England in 1917. He was killed in action in Belgium on 6 Nov., 1917 as the Canadian forces finally captured the village of Passchen-daele, the objective that had cost so many Australian lives over the previous 2 months. He is has no known grave & is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. Mary’s mother was

named after Louise Mowles. Commemorated by Ellen

Rifleman Benjamin Mowles No. S/11295 - 9th Battalion Rifle Brigade - aged 25 Benjamin was born in Whatfield to parents William & Emily Mowles & was killed in action east of Arras, France (where we will be staying on our tour) near the small village of Monchy le Preux on 27 April, 1917. He has no known grave & is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Commemorated by Sam Green

Private Frederick G Mowles No. 26036 - 11th Company Machine Gun Corps - aged 20 Frederick was born in Whatfield to parents John & Elizabeth Mowles. As a member of the 11th Machine Gun Corps, he was killed in action during the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge in Belgium on 6 Oct., 1917. Australian forces were heavily involved in this action as well. He has no known grave & his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Commemorated by Ellen

Private Frederick W Mowles No. 2109 - Suffolk Yeomanry - aged 23 Frederick was born in Hadleigh, Suffolk & was the son of George & Ellen Mowles. He was killed in action at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on 30 Oct., 1915 as his unit, the 2/19th Suffolk Yeomanry, held the front line trenches. He also has no known grave & is commemorated on the Helles British Memorial, on the southern coast of the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Commemorated by Karah

Gunner Henry Mowles No. 70390 - 51st Battery Royal Field Artillery - aged 20 Henry was born in Whatfield & was the son of Isaac & Maud Mowles. He was the first of Mary’s relatives to be killed when his artillery battery was overrun by German Prussian Guards at Sanctuary Wood near Ieper in Belgium on 11 Nov., 1914. Henry was wounded in this action & he died of these wounds on 21 Nov. He is buried in Poperinghe Old Cemetery.


Private Thomas Mowles No. 29651 - Royal Fusiliers - aged 33 Thomas was born in Elmsett, Suffolk to parents William & Harriet Mowles. He was killed in action on 13 Nov., 1916 as his 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers attacked the village of Beaucourt in an action which cost the battalion 344 casualties. Thomas has no known grave & is

commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Commemorated by Karah

Rifleman Walter Mowles No. R/31874 - King’s Royal Rifle Corps - aged 38 Walter was born in London & was married with 4 children when he enlisted. He was killed in action during the Arras Offensive on 9 April, 1917 as his unit attacked around the village of Neuville Vitasse. He has no know grave & is honoured on the Arras Memorial.


World War Two

Private Norman Brown QX13789 - 2/26th Battalion - aged 31 Norm was born in Roma in October, 1910 & he enlisted at New Farm in Brisbane in June, 1940. He was a member of the original Signals Platoon of the 2/26th Battalion, which was Dick Roger’s platoon. After fighting the Japanese down the Malayan Peninsula with the 2/26th, Norm died on 15 February, 1942, the day that Singapore fell, in particularly tragic circumstances. He was in the Tenth Australian General Hospital in the Cathay Building in Singapore City recovering from an illness & was killed when a Japanese artillery shell exploded in the hospital. He was a good friend of Mr Rogers, who has a special regard for Norm & John Gray (below). Norm is today buried in Kranji Cemetery, in collective grave 24 A 1-14, the same collective grave as John. Norm & John are being commemorated on behalf of Mr Rogers, who has never seen a photograph of his friends’ graves.


Sergeant James Cowan SX7833 - 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion - aged 44 James was born in Hawker, South Australia in July, 1901. He was living in Tailem Bend when he enlisted on 5 July, 1940 & was allotted to the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, which had been formed in June under the command of WW1 Victoria Cross winner, Arthur Blackburn (who, incidentally, is related to Alice Wighton in Yr 12). The 2/3 Machine Gun Battalion became known as the “Lost Battalion”. After serving in Syria against the Vichy French, the 2/3rd was put on transports to be taken back to Australia. Instead, the majority of the unit was diverted to Java to support the defence of the island against the Japanese. After a brief battle where the battalion fought as infantry, the vastly outnumbered Australian forces were captured & eventually sent to Changi Prison in Singapore. From there, James was one of thousands of POWs sent to work on the Thai Burma Railway. He was unable to survive the harsh conditions & died of illness on 21 July, 1943. Today he lies in Kanchanaburi war cemetery. James is the grandfather of Chris Cowan, a friend of the Connecting Spirits Project which is undertaken by students at Birdwood High & Meningie Area School in South Australia.


Sergeant John ‘Dinny’ Gray QX7888 - 2/26th Battalion - aged 29 ‘Dinny’ was born in England in April, 1912 & was living in Innisfail when he enlisted in Cairns on 25 June, 1940. He was allotted to the 2/26th Battalion, which was formed in Brisbane in Nov., 1940. The battalion gained the nickname of “The Gallopers”, which stuck throughout its wartime history. Dinny became a sergeant in the Signals Platoon, with Norm Brown (above) & Mr Rogers both being in the same platoon. The 2/26th was sent to Malaya to help defend Singapore against possible Japanese aggression. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the battalion fought a series of delaying actions down the Malayan Peninsula. The Signals Platoon was instrumental in this campaign. Dinny was killed on 15 Feb., in the same circumstances as Norm Brown. He was in the same hospital as Norm when it was shelled by the Japanese. Both Dinny & Norm are buried in the same collective grave at Kranji Cemetery on the north of the island.

Commemorated by Aaron

Private James Henderson QX59426 - Australian Army Ordinance Corps - aged 20 James was born in Mackay in Sept., 1922 & was the son of Robert & Florence Henderson. He enlisted in Brisbane on 2 Oct., 1941 & began service in the 2/3rd Aust. Ordinance Stores Company. He was sent to Singapore with his support unit & was taken into captivity at the fall of Singapore on 15 Feb., 1942. James died of dysentery in the base hospital at Meiloe Camp in Burma on 13 May, 1943. He was buried there & his body was re-interred into the war cemetery at Thanbyuzayat in Burma after the war. James will be honoured at our Hellfire Pass Memorial service on behalf of Lucy’s grandfather, Moray Galletly, who is a WW2 veteran & who was a friend of James.

Commemorated by Lucy

Gunner D’Arcy Hore QX8403 - 2/10th Field Regiment - aged 28 D’Arcy was born in Barcaldine in May, 1915 & was living in Sarina when he enlisted on 16 June, 1940. He joined the 2/10th Field Regiment as a gunner & embarked Australia with his unit as a part of the 8th Division to defend Singapore. The 2/10th saw action in Malaya against the Japanese but it’s members fell into captivity when Singapore capitulated on 15 Feb., 1942. D’Arcy left Changi Prison as a member of D Force on 16 March, 1943 & travelled to Thailand to work on the Thai Burma Railway. D Force members worked in the Hintok area & on the infamous Hellfire Pass. Both these areas will be visited by our tour group. D’Arcy died of malaria on 22 July, 1943 . He was buried in the Tarsao camp cemetery & his body was re-buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery on 16 Feb., 1946. He is being commemorated on behalf of his relatives, Ray & Sue Currie, from Kilkivan.

Commemorated by Stephanie

Squadron Leader Eric Jarman DFC (relative) 404507 - 460 Squadron - aged 28 Eric is Emilia’s relative & he was born in Mount Morgan on 13 May 1915. He was living in Rockhampton when WW2 broke out & he enlisted into the R.A.A.F in Brisbane on 13 Sept., 1940. He underwent training in Australia, Canada and Great Britain before being posted as a Lancaster bomber pilot to 460 Squadron, an Australian unit. By 1944 Eric had been promoted to Squadron Leader & had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding service & specific bravery on one mission where he landed his badly damaged Lancaster without an undercarriage. His citation reads in part, “In the face of extremely harassing circumstances, Jarman displayed great courage, coolness and determination. He has completed many sorties against heavily defended targets.” Eric has become a well known Australian airman due to his portrayal in a famous wartime painting. His seven man Lancaster crew spent the morning of 27 April, 1944 posing for official war artist, Stella Bowen. She wished to capture the, “typical crew of the giant bombers”. That night Eric’s Lancaster crew set off on a mission to bomb the Friedrichshafen

industrial area in Germany. The Lancaster was shot down by a night fighter & crashed near Lahr, close to the Swiss border. The only survivor was the rear gunner, T J Lynch. Stella Bowen completed her painting, “Bomber Crew 1944”, in a London studio & was quoted as saying that finishing the portrait was, “like painting ghosts”. Eric & his crew are buried in Durnbach Military Cemetery, near Munich in Germany. Emilia will commemorate Eric on behalf of her family at our group service at the Australian National Memorial.


“Bomber Crew 1944”

By Stella Bowen

Gunner Roy Kelly (relative) QX10532 - 2/10th Field Regiment - aged 35 Roy was born on 11 July, 1908, the fourth child to William & Eva Leah Kelly. In all, Roy had 2 brothers and 5 sisters. One of his early occupations was working as a sugar cane farmhand around Childer’s. He enlisted in Maryborough on 18 June, 1940 and was marched out to East Command in Singapore as a member of the 2/10th Field Regiment in Feb. 1941. After the fall of Singapore in Feb. 1942, Roy was reported missing but was subsequently located as a POW in Changi Prison. On 27 April, 1942, Roy was injured in a truck accident whilst a member of a work party. His lorry ran into a shell hole and crashed over a bank. On 16 March, 1943, Roy became a member of ‘D’ Force working on the construction of the Thai Burma Railway. Eight months later, on 15 Nov., he died of avitaminosis (malnutrition) at Tarsao. His body was exhumed from the Tarsao Cemetery and reburied at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery on 12 April, 1946. Roy is a relative of Mrs Cameron, who learned of her family connection to Roy after undertaking research for earlier tours.

Commemorated by Mrs Cameron

Private Daniel O’Connor QX12340 - 2/26th Battalion - aged 28 Daniel was born in Jundah, Qld in June, 1915 and grew up in Stonehenge. He worked as a Jackeroo on properties west of Longreach & enlisted with his brother, Roy (below) in Rockhampton in July, 1940. He joined the 2/26th Battalion & sailed to Singapore with his unit in July, 1941. After the fall of Singapore on 15 February, 1942, Daniel became a POW. He spent the rest of 1942 in Changi Prison & was then sent north to Thailand in 1943 to work on the Thai Burma Railway. Daniel of dysentery died on 15 September, 1943 in Tarsao camp, which was situated between the Wampo Viaduct & Hellfire Pass. He was originally buried in the Tarsao camp cemetery & his body was subsequently re-interred into Kanchanaburi War Cemetery after the war. In a cruel twist, family members were unaware of his death & they were still receiving letters after he had died. Daniel is the uncle of Kate Cooper from Longreach. He looked after Kate when her mother died. He is being commemorated on behalf of Kate & also Joyce Cooper of Mackay. Joyce is the aunty of Claire Maloney, who was a member of the Spirit of Anzac Tour. The group was unable to visit Thailand in 2006 so Dan’s grave could not be visited. Jack will honour Dan & Roy on behalf of Claire as well as Kate & Joyce. Sadly, Kate Cooper passed away in July this year & the family is keen for the O’Connor brothers to be honoured in memory of Kate.

Private Roy O’Connor QX12341 - 2/26th Battalion - aged 26 Daniel’s brother, Roy was born in Longreach in February, 1917 and grew up in Stonehenge with Daniel. He worked as a Jackeroo on properties west of Longreach & enlisted with Daniel in Rockhampton in July, 1940. His war record mirrors that of Daniel’s, although he was separated from his brother after being sent to Thailand. Daniel was a member of the ill-fated ‘F’ Force & worked on the railway well north of where Daniel died. He was in one of the most infamous camps, Shimo Sonkuri, near the Burmese border. Cholera was a major killer in this area & Roy succumbed to this cruel disease in May, 1943, four months before Daniel died. He was buried in the camp cemetery & his remains were re-interred into Thanbyuzayat Cemetery after the war. He will be commemorated at the group’s special Hellfire Pass Service.

Both O’Connor brothers commemorated by Jack The O’Connor brothers,

Roy (left) & Dan

Private John Palazzi NX59426 - 22nd Company Australian Army Service Corps - aged 25 John was born in July, 1918 in Grenfell, NSW & was the son of Hector & Elise Palazzi. He was working as a lorry driver when he enlisted in Sydney in July, 1940. He spent some time training in Australia & received his army truck driving licence. He was allotted to the AASC as a driver / mechanic & arrived in Singapore on 20 Nov. 1941, only 10 weeks before it fell to the Japanese. John was listed as missing in action after the fall of Singapore on 15 Feb., 1942. He had, though, been taken into captivity along with 15 000 fellow Australians. After time in Changi Prison, John was sent to Thailand as a part of ‘D’ Force in March, 1943. He worked in the area around Hellfire Pass & may have even worked on the infamous pass itself. John survived the worst of the conditions through 1943 only to die of malaria on 29 January, 1944. Today, he lies in Kanchanaburi Military Cemetery. John is being commemorated on behalf of his relative, Beth Sawers of Mackay.

Commemorated by Karah

Private Walter Stowe NX58620 - 2/19th Battalion - aged 44 Walter was born in Denman, NSW in 1899, one of 12 children to William & Elizabeth Stowe.

Walter is our only soldier to have served in both WW1 & WW2. He enlisted into the AIF aged 18 in July, 1917 & was allotted to the 14th Light Horse Regiment. He was discharged in 1919 &, on his return to Australia, married Daphne Stowe in Singleton. The two separated before WW2. Walter was working as a fireman when he enlisted again in Sydney in June, 1940 & he left Australia for Singapore with the 2/19th Battalion. Walter was taken into captivity at the fall of Singapore on 15 Feb., 1942. After spending time in Changi Prison he was sent to Thailand where he died of dysentery whilst labouring on the Thai Burma Railway on 5 Jan., 1944. Walter is buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and he is the relative of Judy Watson of Mackay, who is a former teacher at North High.

Commemorated by Sam Goodall

Private Aubrey Theodore QX13537 - 2/26th Battalion - aged 27 Aubrey was born in May, 1916 in Brisbane and enlisted in Goomeri on 28 June, 1940. He enlisted with Aaron’s grandfather, Joseph (Ed) Porter & was allotted to the 2/26th Battalion - the same unit as Mr Rogers. After training in Brisbane & Bathurst, the 2/26th, as part of the 8th Division, was sent to Singapore, arriving in August, 1941. The battalion then fought the Japanese in the 8th Division’s fighting withdrawal down the Malayan Peninsula in December

and January, 1942. Aubrey was taken into captivity at the fall of Singapore on 15 Feb. and, with his fellow 8th Division comrades, was interred in the vast Changi Prison. Aubrey was sent to Thailand to work on the railway as part of H Force in May 1943. He died of malaria at Tarsao camp on 13 Sept. of that year & was originally buried in the camp’s No. 2 cemetery. His body was exhumed by the grave registration unit after the war and he was re-interred into Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, where he lies today. Aubrey is being honoured on behalf of Aaron’s family and, in particular, Aaron’s late grandfather, Ed Porter (also a POW), who was Aubrey’s friend.

Commemorated by Aaron

Walter as an 18 year

old on his enlistment

into the AIF

Private Ross Wright SX10925 - Australian Army Service Corps 8 Divisional Ammunition Sub Park - aged 21 Ross was born in Jan., 1920 in Port Adelaide, South Australia & was working in Narrung when he enlisted on 14 Jan., 1941. He was taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore on 15 Feb., 1942 & he died of illness whilst working on Thai Burma Railway on 4 December, 1943. He is buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Ross is being commemorated on behalf of the Meningie, SA, community. His name appears on the Honour Roll in the town. Meningie Area School & Birdwood High undertake similar tours to North High, however they do not visit Thailand. Our group will honour Ross & James Cowan on their behalf.

Commemorated by Clare

World War One

Private Percy Nicholson

No. 3455 - 52nd Battalion - aged 34 Percy was a commercial traveler from Brisbane & he enlisted at the age of 32 on 3rd Nov., 1916. He was allotted to the 9th Reinforcement to the 52nd Battalion & sailed with this allotment on 24 Jan., 1917. After arriving in England in April, he spent time in hospital with influenza before joining the 52nd in France in late August. He was evacuated a month later with a severe case of trench fever & spent a further 2 months in hospital. Percy rejoined his unit on 29 Jan., 1918 & was killed in action on 5 April during the Battle of Dernacourt. In the largest German attack against Australian positions of the war, Percy’s battalion, holding the right flank of the Australian lines, was overwhelmed & forced to retire to its support lines. Percy was no doubt killed in this action. His records have a hand written note simply stating, “buried”, however no other information is given. This would indicate that Percy did at least receive a battlefield burial. However, this battlefield grave was lost & Percy has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial & is being commemorated on behalf of Mrs Mavis Naumann of Brisbane.


Sergeant Harry Slingsby

No. 20590 - 16th Battalion, 2nd Birkenhead, Cheshire Regiment - aged 25/26 Harry was killed in action on 19 July, 1916 during the 4 month British campaign known as the Battle of the Somme. His unit moved into trenches near Waterlot Farm, near Trones Wood on 17 July & held off a determined German attack the next day. The battalion war diary states that its positions received a heavy German artillery bombardment on the 19th before it was withdrawn to Bernafay Wood. It is likely that Harry was killed either in the trenches or as the unit moved to the back area. His body was lost to the fog of war and, as such, his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, which dominates the Somme landscape. Harry is the relative of our English bus driver, Simon, who has been our driver on the past two Anzac tours. Simon has become a part of our project and this will be the first time he has honoured his relative in the presence of one of our tour groups.

Documents

Soldiers to be commemorated on the - e qresources.macknortshs.eq.edu.au/ANZAC/combookalphabetical.pdf · Soldiers to be commemorated on the Remembrance 2008 Commemorative Tour World