Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 1

INTRODUCTION

Dad (William Peach) was the seventh child and elder son

of William Peach and his wife, Jane Adelaide, nee

McGeehan. The Peach family had come to Australia in 1849

as assisted migrants from Huntingdonshire, England, and

taken up land at Donnybrook. Several of the sons were

attracted to the goldfields but they were generally unsuccessful.

William's grandfather, Ephraim, and father,

William, became involved in timber-cutting and sawmilling

to provide timber for the mines. His other grandfather,

Edward McGeehan, came from New York. After travelling by

ship around Cape Horn to San Francisco, like many other

American gold-miners, he heard of the gold discoveries in

Australia and so set sail for Sydney where he landed in

1852. He worked for two years in NSW before seeking gold

in the Beechworth area - also without much success.

William and Jane married in Beechworth in 1882 and

proceeded to produce 10 children, four of whom died when

they were very young. William, their only surviving son,

went to the Beechworth elementary school, where he

completed the merit certificate. When William was a

small boy his father lost a leg because of a falling

tree. After some months in hospital, he resumed work,

walking many miles each week on his peg leg, but he

suffered great pain from a phantom limb and his earning

capacity was seriously reduced. Because of this young

William went to work in the Postal Department as soon as

he was old enough.

He was eventually transferred to Alexandra, where he

became friendly with Percy Mansfield, the son of a local

farmer. Although the boys never knew it, their

grandfathers had come to Australia on the same boat the

James T. Foord. It had been a terrible voyage, the

captain had given the passengers bad food, he had cut

their supplies, even their water, and twenty-three

passengers had died of cholera. Despite this, both

families had forgotten the story and so the connection

was never recognized.

When the Great War started in August 1914, there were

many street marches and recruitment meetings held to

encourage young men to enlist. This was particularly the

case in country areas. William and Percy, together with

many of their friends, sought to enlist, but as they were

under age they had to await parental permission.

William's first letter shows him awaiting permission

which arrived in time for both boys to enlist on

William's nineteenth birthday. They, and many other boys

from Alexandra, were placed in the Seventh Battalion and

served together in France.

 

ii.

An account of the activities of the Seventh Battalion in

the Great War can be found in The Seventh Battalion

A.I.F. by Arthur Dean and Eric W. Gutteridge. Suffice it

is to say the Seventh Battalion took part in the landing

at Gallipoli on Anzac Day 1915, served on the Suez Canal

and in Egypt 1915-16, the Somme 1916 and 1918, at

Pozieres and Ypres 1917, at Passchendale and Amiens 1918

and the Hindenburgh line, France and Flanders 1916-18.

William and Percy missed the Gallipoli landing but were

soon in the thick of some bloody fighting. This is

probably best illustrated by the following statistics.

If it is remembered that the full strength of a 

battalion, including non-combatants such as clerks,

cooks, etc. was 1,000, the carnage becomes apparent.

TOTAL CASUALTIES OF THE SEVENTH BATTALION - 1914-18

                       OFFICERS                MEN                   TOTAL
                     Killed  Wounded    Killed   Wounded

 

Gallipoli           14            52        400            957            1422

(8 months)   

France             33            77        532           1653           2286
(2-½ yrs)         _____________________________________

                        47           129       923           2610           3708

 

Percy was killed in action on 19/8/1916 at Poziers, his

first big battle. William lost many of his friends

either killed or wounded. He himself was gassed and

badly wounded three times and so he spent many months in

hospital. After a battle, the wounded were divided into

three groups, the 'walking' wounded, who could be helped

back to the casualty station, those who were expected to

live and so were transported back by stretcher bearers

for early treatment, and the rest who were not expected

to live. At one memorial service at the Melbourne

Shrine, a returned soldier walking down the steps turned

white and nearly fainted as he saw my father walking

towards him. "I put you aside to be buried" he said.

William survived but spent many months in hospital after

the war before he was discharged medically unfit at the

end of March 1921. He had been promoted to Sergeant and

had gained a Military Medal for bravery in the field.

 

iii.

William was left badly scarred. He walked with a stiff

leg for the rest of his life and was very upset that it

prevented him remaining in the Volunteer Defence Force in

the Second World War. He became an Air-raid warden

instead, ran the hospitality section of the Postal

Institute for soldiers, sailors and airmen in the second

World War, and helped to dig air-raid trenches at the

local high school.

After the war, he returned to the post office, married

Lily Mansfield, the sister of his friend, Percy, and

produced four daughters. He continued in the

Commonwealth Public Service, mainly in various branches

of the post office but also in the Commonwealth

Employment Service. He took an active part in the

Commonwealth Public Service Association, in which he was

a Branch Councillor from 1931-38, Branch Vice-President

1938-39, and Branch President 1939-40. He was also

involved in many community affairs. For many years, he

was on the advisory council of Essendon High School, the

school attended by his daughters, and was instrumental in

the establishment of its Memorial Library. He was a 

steward at his local Methodist church and active in many

working bees, tree planting activities, his own garden,

which supplied all our flowers and vegetables and many

for the neighbours and local charities. His main hobby

was making radio sets and I can never remember a time

when the house wasn't full of them.

He rarely talked of his wartime activities, but we knew

he suffered from very bad headaches and his leg, which

caused some nasty falls. He was very fond of the bush

and, in spite of his leg, walked many miles in the hills

around Beechworth. Eventually he had to retire from

work earlier than he intended. At this stage he was made

a TPI. It is difficult for us to know how his later life

was affected by his war service. He left Australia an

inexperienced young country lad. He came back a mature

man, who had seen many of his friends killed while they

fought for years over about ten miles of blasted soil.

V. Kelly

his eldest daughter

1988

 

 

WM. E. PEACH,                 WM. E. PEACH,

W. Company,                      D Company,

Military Camp,                    11th Battalion,

Show Grounds,                   Show Grounds,

ASCOT VALE. VIC.             ASCOT VALE. VIC.

 

Home Address:

WM. E. PEACH,

"Bentleigh",

High Street,

BEECHWORTH, VIC.

AUSTRALIA.
 

VOLUNTEERED                        ..   July 19, 1915

SWORN IN                                 ..   August 5, 1915
ENTERED CAMP AT   

FLEMINGTON                            ..   August 12, 1915
SHOW GROUNDS                     ..   August 22, 1915
FIRST COUNTRY LEAVE          ..  September 21 - 24,
                                                       1915

APPOINTED AS

LANCE COPORAL                     ..    September, 1915
CORPORAL                                ..   July 19, 1917

SERGEANT                                ..   Octobr 5, 1917
AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL   ..   November 29, 1917

GAZETTED                                ..   January 25, 1918

 

 

-1915-

Tuesday, December 28th

Left Broadmeadow Camp to embark on S.S.S. Demosthene A64,

as advance guard with 15 Reinf. 7 Battn. O.C. Coy. Lieut

(Sig.) Kitchen, Second Lieut (Sig.) Latta. Tonnage of

vessel 13000 tons. 1st night's sleep on board. At first

found hammocks strung up to roof rather strange, but when

used to them real comfortable. Day rather hot.

Wednesday 29th

Remainder of troop came on board, making total 1599.

Visitors allowed on pier about noon. Big crowd. Boat

left Port at 1.15 p.m. All on board in good spirits.

Anchored for night in Bay when about 2 miles out, to fix

up slight defect in engine. Nice day.

Thursday 30th

Drew anchor and steamed off at 5.25 a.m. Bay very calm.

Passed through heads at 12.30 noon, sea began to get a

bit rough. About 1 p.m. crew began to get seasick. I got

bad about 3 p.m. Terrible feeling. Passed Cape Otway at

4 p.m. Lost sight of all land at 6 p.m. Saw lot of

porpoises follow boat up for long way. Too sick to eat

tea. Had rather good night's sleep in hammock down

below. Good weather. Sea rather calm.

Friday 31st

Still sick. Could eat very little. Lying about on deck

all day. Entered Aust. Bight 8 a.m. Met Uncle Frank on

deck. He was seasick also. Sea a bit rougher. Cups and

plates rolling about at meal times. Did not wait up to

see old year out. Concert on deck. Woke up at midnight.

Fire bell ringing and bagpipes playing welcoming in New

Year.

 

2

-1916-

Saturday, January 1st

Woke up feeling much better. Had three good square

meals. All on board felt much better. First parade on

deck. Still no land in sight. Sea keeping nice and

calm. First visit to canteen. About 150 ahead waiting

to be served. Had to wait ½ hr. Great supper.

Pineapples, bread and cheese, onions, biscuits and

cheese. Slight rain through night.

Sunday 2nd

Weather dull, looking like rain. First shave on board.

First church parade. Couldn't hear parson so sat down

and ate swede turnips. Paid cook 6d. for 5 little

onions. Great take in.

Monday 3rd

Weather very windy. Sea getting rougher. First life

belt parade. Sighted coast of West Australia (S.W.) at

10.45 a.m. First land sighted since we lost sight of

Cape Otway. Commenced sports meeting on boat deck but

had to postpone on account of rain. Sea getting very

rough now and boat beginning to rock. Very nice for a

time but when it got very bad about 5 p.m. men began to

get sick. Dave, Perce and I put in 2 or 3 hours on fore

part of saloon deck watching spray coming over the

forward deck. At times the waves came right over the side of

boat and flooded forward deck. Water coming below so had

to cover up hatchways and close port holes. Very close

sleeping below and men very sick. Weather very windy and

cold. Our first experience of a rough sea. Don't want

another.

Tuesday 4th

Sea still very rough and boat rocking all over place.

Felt off color so got out of bed and went up on deck.

Did not come down again until night. Could not eat

meals. Only had a few biscuits for the day. George,

Dave, Fred, Reuben, Clarrie all very sick. Caddy and I

not sick but would like to have been. Terrible pains in

head. Perce hanging out well again. Dishes rolling

about table and food spilling all over place. Land in

sight till 3 p.m. when lost sight of the last of

Australia. Sea varying towards evening. Rough and calm

at intervals.

 

 

3

1916

Wednesday 5th January

Sea much calmer. All feeling better. Saw first lot of

flying fish. Sports held in afternoon. Perce and I in

for Cock fight and wheel-barrow race. Defeated in both.

Sea now extra calm. Calmest we have had since left Port

Melbourne. Our company gave first of series of concerts

at night. Biscuits and cheese for supper. Medical

inspection in afternoon.

Thursday 6th

Weather dull. Sea working up a little. Perce and I mess

orderlies therefore not on parade. Kit inspection at

afternoon parade. Light shower of rain.

Friday 7th

Weather fine, sea calm, getting very hot. Nearing

tropics. Sports in morning. Vaccinated in afternoon.

Saturday 8th

Very hot, sea very calm. Put in afternoon playing

draughts and writing. Boys had a look down stoke hole.

Good supper - biscuits, cheese and cocoa at night. Made

great noise after lights out.

Sunday 9th

Very hot nearing Equator. Sea calm. Had shave, gave

thumb good cut with razor when drying to put away.

Church parade conducted by one of the privates. Wrote

letters all afternoon. Got cautioned about making row

previous night. Slept up on top for first time. Up on

forward deck. Hammock swung from fire bell to awning.

Found it a good idea. Men lying about in all directions.

Monday 10th

Looking much like rain. Saw new species of bird, very

tame, settled on rail around deck, big shoal of porpoises

(or dolphins) could be seen quite plainly 100 yards off

jumping up out of water. Sports in afternoon. Heavy

rain came on. Ran in 3 heats obstacle race and defeated

on post. Ran naked, got elbows, knees, back and thighs

skinned, looked like drowned rat when finished. Had

snapshot taken by ships officers.

 

4

1916

Tuesday 11th January

Weather fine, sea calm. Passed steamer about 15 miles

out. Crossed Equator at night.

Wednesday 12th

Ship passed us well out at sea. First mail home closed.

First pay on board. Perce and I driven down from up on

deck at 5 a.m. on account of rain.

Thursday 13th

Weather showery. Perce and I orderlies. Saw big shoal

of porpoises. Had to come down below again on account of

rain.

Friday 14th

Raining. Sea getting a bit rough. First foreign land

sighted (South coast of Ceylon) at 11.30 a.m. Very

welcome sight. Country extremely rough and hilly. Some

peaks very steep. Saw about 20 sailing vessels in

towards coast. Sighted about 8 steamers, one passed very

near. Colombo in sight at 5 p.m. Harbour well lit up.

Lighthouse very clear, 3 search lights directed on us.

Two large boats like cruisers passed us in bay. Passed

through breakwater and dropped anchor at 8 p.m. Men all

pleased at welcome sight of city and all crowded decks

and rigging. Soon swarmed by natives in rowng boats.

They amused as greatly, diving for money and so on.

Saturday 15th

All up early and dressed ready to go ashore. Left boat

at 8.30 and went across in barges. Paraded up to

Military Barracks then round harbour and main streets and

back to wharf. Saw many places of interest. Some of the

natives well dressed and intelligent looking, but mostly

dirty and rough appearance. All on for making money.

Probably ask 10/- for article and end up by selling for

1/-. Means of travelling and carrying strange.

Rickshaws, motors, bicycles, and few carriages and horses

for people. Big lumbering wagons drawn by bullocks (some

very small) used for carrying goods, also for army

service. Streets very well made. Had big feed of

bananas and coconuts. Many of buildings large and well

built. Ship taking on coal, water and provisions. Perce

got bad headache.

 

 

5

1916

Sunday 16th January

Finished coaling about 12.30. Our company on guard.

Perce and I kept well out of way, up on aft deck watching

natives. See them dive off boat davits about 40 ft.

high. Left Colombo about 1 p.m. and very soon lost sight

of all land. Sea getting a bit rough again and throwing

spray over deck. No church parade.

Monday 17th

Sea a bit calmer. Saw about a dozen eels. Raw fish for

breakfast, and sour bread without jam for tea. Lodged

complaint to C.O., got no satisfaction. Ship only doing

about 7 knots a day.

Tuesday 18th

Two boat station alarms, all turn out with lifebelts.

Ship sighted in distance. Saw big shoal of small fish

being chased by birds. Saw Southern Cross in early

morning.

Wednesday 19th

Morning parade with equipment on. Passed fair size boat

not far off. Saw extra large shoal of big porpoises and

hundreds of jelly fish. Perce and I stretched out in

hammock for hour or so in evening and had a good quiet

talk. Biscuit and cheese supper.

Thursday 20th

Perce and I mess orderlies. Colonel and Captain ship

complemented 13 of 7 having best laid out deck on ship.

Friday 21st

Orderly Corporal. Kit inspection. Saw first shark.

Saturday 22nd

Passed passenger steamer "The Rotterdam". Sighted

sailing vessel direction Persia. Mum's birthday.

 

6

1916

Sunday 23rd January

Sighted Socotra Island at 6 a.m. About 8 a.m. sighted

Somaliland. Hills very bare and rugged. Mostly rock.

Long stretch of sandy desert country between peak. Saw 2

native villages along coast. Attended church parade

10.30 a.m. Song service 7.30 p.m.

Monday 24th

Sighted 2 lighthouses and searchlights on right (Aden).

Perce and I did shift 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. down stokehole.

Did not find it too bad. Worst part of job was washing

after finished.

Tuesday 25th

Entered Red Sea in early morning. Sand hills and islands

visible. Passed 2 islands with lighthouses on top. Ship

signalled to one for war news. Passed island 12

Apostles. Passed about 8 steamers, 1 troop ship returned

soldiers. On one of islands saw growth of shrubs and

trees. Troop ship was A73.

Wednesday 26th

Weather very windy. Foundation day. Perce and I lay in

bed at night relating experiences of 12 months ago

Thursday 27th

Perce and I mess orderlies. Kits taken up out of hold.

Preparing for disembarkation. Passed steamer at night.

Ours signalled to same for news of war. Wind still very

strong. Night very cold. Had to sleep down below.

Friday 28th

Very windy, sea getting rough. Land in sight on our

left. Saw big submerged rock in mid-ocean with

lighthouse on same. Egyptian flag flying on same. Very

pretty sight. Sea very rough in afternoon and night.

Wind blowing a hurricane.