Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/244/1 - 1916 - 1933 - Part 21

ion Machine Gun Co.
Lance cpl. Pte ARTHUR JAMES ADAMS, 13th

Australian Field Ambulance, 2nd son of Mr.
and Mrs. Geo. Adams, Windsor-st., Wolverton,
aged 28. News was received on Sunday
morning that he was killed in France. This

young soldier belonged to the Bucks. Volunteers,
and served his apprenticeship in

the Railway Works at Wolverton, from 

where he migrated to Australia some years
ago. On the outbreak of war he joined the
Anzacs, taking part in the campaign at 
Gallipoli, after which he moved to France.

The following letter has been received by

his parents: -

My dear Sir, - I have just returned from

the front and hasten to send you my

condolences on the death of your son. I was his
officer, commanding his section, and was 

the first to see him when he was hit. He 
had been with me in the Peninsula, and
again when we first took part in the great
battle now in progress. His work was
always magnificent, his courage superb, and 
his end affected us more than that of any
other man. In your son was no ordinary
man, a gifted man in many ways, an out-

standing figure always. He was terribly

[[?low]] when I saw him shortly after he was

hit, suffering from profound shock from 

which he never rallied. He was sent to

our own ambulance, where he died, in spite

of every care from a surgical staff which is

as good as any in France. I shall never

forget the grip of the hand he gave me, and
his last request touched me to the quick.

He brought out of his pocket a note book 

into which he had copied some verses he

once wrote, and asked me to sign it. You

will find a shaky signature, for it broke me
up and my colleague, Captain Lovegrove,

dressed his wound. The poor boy had a 

broken thigh with a big artery severed, but 

the real cause of death was shock, as his
comrades had skilfully stopped the bleeding,

and he himself had impressed the artery.
His effects will reach you in time. If not,

please let me know. In his sketch book you

will find a water colour which he valued 

highly; given him by a Count (I forget the 

name), a noted French painter, who owned

the chateau where we were billeted awhile,

and who was greatly taken with Adams,

and thought much of his artistic work.

You, Sir, have lost a brave son, and I a 

friend and comrade more than any other

for his bright and cheery nature, his strik-

ing personal gift, and for his good works.

Such men never really die. Let me say

once again that he will always be remembered

here as one of the best we ever had

with us, and may your sense often be

tempered by the knowledge that he died on

duty, doing his work to his utmost. There 

is no better epitaph. Yours very sincerely,

James J. Trent, Captain.

[*It should read Cpt. Sprent instead of Trent.

Killed in action.

D of wounds Aug 9 1916 Pozieres*]

On 3/18/16 at Pozieres a young
Baptist minister - William Claude
Surford - serving as a C.Q.M.S. in 
the 4th Pioneer Battalion was killed in
action. He had enlisted in the
ranks at the outbreak of war and left
Australia with the 12th Bn.  He took part
in the Landing.
His ^only brother, a private in the 32nd Bn
was had been killed at Fromelles af a fortnight
previously -

HN.
Sergt Hart  5 Bn.
From Lt Monteath, 9 Bn.
Mouquet Fm. Aft Aug 22 1916
Rafferty & Vowles were in c / of [[?fb[[ of 12 Br. 9 Bn held
from quarry to / road on rt. 12 Bn farther rt.
Monteath, after Chambers was k., was sent up
to take charge of the line - & confer with Vowles &
Rafferty as to as to taking the difficult trench
along the road by the trees. They all agreed that
the trench could not safely be taken without another
battalion to dig a trench to the right & left rear
on either ^side - All three decided to recommend this to their
O.C.s, but Rafferty didn't & the ^O.C. of the 9th ws hauled over
the coals for his recommendation & asked M. why he
didnt attack.

Tel. xxxx F.4151
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
HISTORIAN.

No. 2666.
TUGGERANONG, FEDERAL TERRITORY

Via QUEANBEYAN, N.S.W.
VICTORIA BARRACKS, SYONEY.
21 November 1927.
[*Arthur 

T. Motley 

& Coy

Arthur

[[?]] Committee
Littler*]
Dear Duncan,
I have just finished dealing with Mouquet Farm, but
there are a few points on which I have no information, and I
should be grateful if you would help me with them.
(1) when Littler was hit a sergeant asked him for his
stick, and waved it, leading the men on. Was this
Sergeant Black? If not, do you know his name?
(2)  The name of the sergeant who crept out and shot with
his revolver the German machine-gunners between your
flank and the 49th. You told me that he was presently
killed.

[*Rifle.

Swift k.
next day*]
(3) The name of the men who were with you at the
barricade on September 4 about 5 p.m. when it was
smashed by a shell. You said that three out of the
five were killed or wounded. One boy, mortally
wounded, asked you to attend to the others first. Was
Sergeant Mcquade there?

[*43 [[shorthand]]*]

[*Heard & again seen

on left.*]
(4) Were you cut off from Lovett when you had to with-
draw, or were he and his Canadians with you?

[*held by bombers on

left.*]
Yours sincerely,
C.E.W. Bean.
Dr. D.S. Maxwell, M.C.,
Cootamundra.
Lovett got across after
c/a.

AMS came over in a wave.
250 got in - all but 4 or 5.

Lovett & Tas. mixed up.
4th line of [[shorthand]] in mg. attd but didn't get far.
[[?Bridgeman]]
Lovett wd 4 xxx too abt 3pm. Also Black.

Lovett had to go wd - told sub to take [[shorthand]] from M.
[*3pm Sgt Mackenzie & D 

ran to [[shorthand]] to 2nd

Barricade - abt

3 unwd men &
a Can. Subaltern

Every other man

under barr wd

TMs & shells.

Sub & D worked

to right - told men

wd in legs & 

arms to crawl.

Came back to end of barr.

Built a good barricade*]

Sigd to G. Plane w shirt.

[[Shorthand]] Plane also.

Gs ½ hour later began to shell barricade.

Shifted men back.

Several vols for barricade -

4 guns every 3 mins - xx

Every round threw dirt in.

Men at Barrcde - Segt Renon d of w (W.A.)

Sgt Mackenzie (Can) from Manitoba w [[?]]
(3 Aust

2 Can)
Fell back on [[?men]] & ½ hour later

2 occd barricade.

That night 7 am.
No barricade tt night

D & a man lay in y lying 20 ^x short
of big barride.
Trudged w relief along to abt ^farthest barrade.
16 Can 25 Aust Tallied H.

HN / From Capt. Newland.
Operations of 12th. Battalion, MOUQUET FARM 18-22 August 1916
19/8/16. At 9 a.m. today the Battalion vacated Quarters occupied by
them at the outskirts of ALBERT, on North side, and proceeded
to SAUSAGE GULLY moving in formation now known to the Troops
as "Colunm of Lumps", to avoid observation by the enemy, and
incidentally, to avoid making a target of themselves. The
commencement of the march was made to the accompanyment of
considerable shelling of the Billets which were being vacated,
a number of the Battalion being wounded.
SAUSAGE GULLY by this time was a password with the Troops, as
it served previously as our route to and from the famous town of MX
POZIERS, which place will long live in the memory of all who took
part in the operations connected with its capture, and defence.
The old German earthworks KELKEKKEK in the Gully served to
accommodate the Battalion for tonight, and having arrived there
early in the day opportunity was taken by many to view the famous
La-Baselle Mine Creater. The comfort enjoyed by the enemy with the
provision of underground shelters, with their Lighting and Heating
apparatus, at this place, was the subject of much comment.
It was rather refreshing to note here the quantity of Artillery
of all natures which we were to have for our support in the
impending operations, today being the first occasion on which we
had the opportunity of witnessing the firing of the various guns
employed to cause dsicomfort to thr enemy. (Our experience at POZIER
taught us only too well how uncomfortable one can be made by the
incessant Artillery Fire.
The guns were found to be so numerious in this sector that if
stood axle arm to axle arm it is declared they would reach to the
full width of the sector in which operating.
20/8/16. Today finds the Battalion disposed as follows: - Headquarters
at CEMETERY midway Between POZIERS and MOUQUET FARM, "A" and "D"
Coys in Wire Trench at Head of SAUSAGE GULLY, "B" and "C" Coys.
Front Line Trench in front of MOUQUET FARM, and with their Right resting

2

resting on O.G. No. 1 Trench at that point where O.G. No.2 is
discontinued. Nothing unusual occurred in the change of positions
from SAUSAGE GULLY.
21/8/16. Operation Orders issued today at 0900 for "A" and "D" Coys. to
report at 1A 34 (which was the code designation for 12th. Battalion
Headquarters) each man (in addition to the usual "Mule Load" of kit)
to carry 4 Mills Grenades. This looked rather interesting as at
that time to be a Bomber one was looked upon as being a member of a
"Suicide Club".
The above instructions were complied with by 1200 and verbal
instructions were received for "A" and "D" Coys. to occupy trench
immediately in rear of "B" and "C" Coys. at a distance from them of
about 250 yards.
At 1730 "A" & "D" Coys proceeded to occupy "B" & "C."Coys. position
these Coys. in turn occupying shell holes on rear of this trench.
The Battalions Objective now laid down in the Operation order
was the Enemy Trench direct to the front about 400 yds. distance
and connecting MOQUET FARM with O.G.No.1 Trench. Zero Hour was 1800
and the advance was to be preceded by a two minute Barrage by Field
Guns of the area directly in front of enemy ppsition. (This was for
the purpose of disposing of any Machine Guns that the enemy may
have in advance of the trench.) After the Barrage had liften on to
the trench the advence was to be made. The Barrage was so timed that
at the time the Troops had covered the intervening space it would be
lifted to the various enemy positions in rear.
The advance took the form of waves. The first wave consisted of
two n Platoons of "A" Coy. and one of "D" Coy. under Captain
NEWLAND. Lieut. L. NEWTON was with "A" Coy. and Captain LOVE with
"D" Coy. details. respectively.
The second wave followed at a distance of 150 yards and 

consisted of the remainder of the two Coys in advance, and contained
the whole of Lewis Gunners of those Coys.
"B" and "C" Coys followed later also in the form of waves, and
carried forward extra ammunition and a large quantity of tools.

3

Members of other units witnessing this operation declared it a very
fine spectacle, it being practically the first daylight attack which
was made undertaken by the Battalion. The Artillery in this instance
were up to their usual good form, thanks to them for supplying so
effective a Barrage. As one participating in the attack quoted:- "You
could almost discern a screen of shrapnel pellets in front of one
when advancing."
When the first wave had almost reached its objective the garrison
of the trench was observed endeavouring to take refuge in O.G. No.I XX
Trench and MOUQUET FARM both places contained a number of excellent
undergroung shelters, and which the attackers immediately proceeded to
attack with hand grenades. Our Flank Troops being engaged in this
bombing operation, the centre of the line having captured their objective, 

moved forward into a slightly sunken road and commenced to dig in.
As a Matter-of-fact it was with difficulty that the attackers
were stayed in their advance even beyond their objective, so keen were
they on following up the advantage gained. AS MOQUET FARM was at this
time under fire of both our own and enemy Artillery the Troops were
withdrawn from the FARM 9 which was not actually part of our objective)
and assisted with the construction of a trench in our new position.
The right of this trench when completed rested on O.G. No.1 Trench
The Troops on the following day had the satisfaction of witnessing 

the enemy bombardment demolish the German Trench which was our
objective, they being in comparative safety in their newly constructed
trench in front, and into which not a single shell fell during our term
of occupation.
Reverting to O.G. No.I. Trench - - As the Unit which was to have
supported our right was not in position, the Battalion had to occupy
that trench for their own protection, and in doing so had a very lively
encounter with the enemy, using hand grenades, and were succesful in
clearing the trench forward to a position opposite our new position,
where a bomb stop was now constructed just forward of a captured
enemy strong post in O.G. No. I. Trench.
Lieut. Hurtley-Reed was placed in charge of the position in

4
O.G. No.I. Trench, and al though once bomber from the position, his
Party were successful in their efforts in regaining the position,
but were somewhat dismayed at finding their supply of bombs had
diminished to the extent that only 8 remained in the possession of
the party, who fully resolved to rely on the bayonet.
Good fortune combined with the Battalions strong feature here
asserted itself, for at a little after michight a Carrying Party
ably led by Sergeant Trevor YOUNG of "A" Coy. arrived at the position 

with a supply of 150 bombs and everyone was again happy.
The "Strong Feature" of the Battalion, that of having at all times
efficient carrying parties has asserted itself on other occasions
of the like under review.
During the night two attempts were made by the enemy to form
for an attack from the left front, but were prevented from doing so
by the vigilence of our Machine Gunners who immediately observing
the attempys broke up the formations.
22/8/16 During the early hours of the morning 11th. Battalion took over
0.G= No.I Trench and when daylight broke, to the great astonishment 

of all a number of the enemy were found to be in occupation
of some of the deep dug-outs in the trench, and were actually in
possession of a Machine Gun. With the extent of line held by the
Battalion no Troops were available to carry out the necessary
search of dug-outs till this time
The Machine Gun now captured made the second that was taken
in the position. Pte. MANSOR and party being responsible for the
other and for which action MANSOR was awarded the Military Medal.
Although little comment has been made in Official Circles in
connection with this operation those who had a knowledge of the
position will remember it as being one of the most successful
operations the Battalion was engaged in. It will be borne in mind
that the Battalion in this case had to protect both flanks, which
to use the usual tern were very much "In the Air".
Strenuous efforts were made by the enemy to dispute the
ownership of this territory from both flanks.

5

The casualties suffered by the Battalion on this occasion cannot
be considered excessive, considering that the Units on flanks were
unable to reack their objective during the initial portiion of the
attack.
The Battalion lost 2 Officers Killed, and 2 wounded in this
attack, and subsequent bombardment by the enemy.
Lieut. Leo BUTLER was fatally wounded. It was here that Sergeant
YANNA distinguished himself is rescuing this Officer, when wounded,
and for such action was awarded the D.C.M.
Lieut. L.M.NEWTON was severely wounded in the hand, but remained
on duty in front line until the consolidation of the position was
well advanced, when he reported progress to Battalion Headquarters,
and afterwards received treatment for his wound.
Major W. JOHNSTON R.M.O. distinguished himself on this occasion
by moving through shelled zone and attending wounded, and was awarded
Military Cross.
The relief of the Battalion was carried out on night 22-23/8/16
by a Battalion of 2nd. Division, and the Battalion reached the
BRICKFIELDS, ALBERT about daylight and indulged in the first rest
they had since leaving SAUSAGE GULLY four days previously.
J.E. NEWLAND Capt.
O.C. "A" Company 12th. Bn.