Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/252/1 - 1918 - 1935 - Part 13

20/2/35

Dear Dr Bean,
I was promoted as under,-
Feb 1916.
LICPI.
6-6-1916.
21602
8-7-16.
CPI.
6-8-16.
313et.
19-10-16.
Set,
CELETSSG
--9-17.
T/C.S.M.
24
40:22
12-10-17.
C.S.M.
245
26-8-18.
212senl
05ot 0210
15-7-16.
Awarded the M.M.
I teok part in the first daylight reid, at Strazeele in May 1918, 39t
Bruggy at Jom, raided a pest about 550 yards distant, and killed 3 or 4
of the enem, at Sem, as Brugey had no deterls, I was instructed to go
and get seme, Brugey ancompanied me, fellowing the repart 1 mode to the
C.O.which appeared unbelievable, an Acreplane wes sent to photegraph
my treek, By 12 neen, the C.O. had the phete, which preved my report
correct, Bruggy was made a Lieut, and sworded the M.M. I was presented
with o. cony, of the photeghaph.
I was mentioned in Divisional Carders.
in company with my brether, Pte V. Kinchingten, 3rd Bn, in May and June,
1918, fer good werk, I was alse parsded before that gollent gentlemen,
Col Howell-Price, twice, to be thanked for my werk.
Yours foithfully,
P. Kinchingten.
P.S. I and four other brothers with me, at the warall in the Incontry.
 

TELEPHONE. FL. 4151
VOLUME IV
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
HISTORIAN.
Page (MS.)
WICTORIA BARRACKS.
PADDINGTON, N.S.W.
19 February 1935.
Dear Sir,
In the history of the A.T.F., now being written, it is
intended to show the dates and places of birth of all those
mentioned, and also to connect them with the town or district
to which they properly belong. It is also desired to indicate
the profession or calling followed by each person prior to the
outbreak of The War.
From the information in my possession the details in
connexion with yourself,
317
FeI.(
5
would be as Follow:
24-4. 1894.
Home, 9
and.
2
on (date)
Born in (place)
Belong to (town or district)
Waverley, N.S.W.
teave
Elee, Dri
Profession or calling
It would be appreciated if you would give me, at the earliest
possible date, any details which would assist in compiling this
information.
Yours faithfully,
BSevBean
P. Kinchington, Esq., McMe,
Chuignes
CTE.W. Bean
Dakhing Avenue,
forian.
Rosebery, N. S.We
10k
 

P.T.O.
 

OED
 

13
 

Brogey's Rait. 22/5/18
512
333
& Kinchiayton 8 A/c. 8/2/37
5
35
o Bruggy ws a big country man, 612" or s0 & square.
fairly well informed, & a favourite of Capt Marnih
This worning Bruggy had had his run
meel
K. thenks he hader nve as well. What made
him go out K. docsal know; but he came
480
into the kitchen or back room of MncesH
at the Paradise Mr Estawmet & krew
down five dises on the table. His revolves
0
I was cahe up with mad. He said practicit
nothing
McD., where B. had gove, asket
&19
TK. if he thought the dics were gennine or
I had been taken from dead fermans in pe
l
the p - there were plunty. The noticed
is
what looked like dus or rain stais on them
also they
1
so doubted them. were of difft regts.
3 Minchington sd to R. It if he ws gave sne to
65
& go out again to wd go with him. They went
$3 L D34 out prom road & strack Bs tracks - parthing
13 acrop carefully to their hands. They got behind 12
from Cahiet
(wh ws W. of the thouses) & looked into it & Hero
were the dead & wd fo and (saysk) another ono
X
who had coare in suice & was shaminng dead.
She far ead of post was covern with Golv. vion
 

SeFT D. SS
one day in June 1918, as I was wendering through Meserops
in frent of our line, near Word Heif Wood, Iaeing Meteren, I isested on enemy
past, I related my find to Erent Stuart, o. C. c.Coy, Col Moore, was at eoy
Wars at the time, and ordered the past to be taken, Lieut Col Smith, N.C. w
deputed for the Jeb, at his insertation I assisted, we task the past, and as &
hedge ren right songside of 1t, I edrised smith to die a past at the other
side of the neace, in order to protect himself, this was done and while we
were Cleering a Rleld of Tize, the Cermans returned, and with bonbs etc, kinled
severel, Col had not taken the preeention to place & coupie of pen out in
Front, wiile the dieging went on.
After a Iirely iime re neld our cround, laves
& Iistening past of 2 men we placed some 25 yards out, twe or three nights as
leter, as I was at the past, I observed & cermen ceming dow the nedge, the
men in the listening past had else seen him, they had an egreement, when I
Lire, you threw & bembr they put this into effect, that, with the result, Under-
officer, V.F. Heinzer, Iren Cress, of the send regiment, tell wounded in 43 pirccs
he infermed me that he knew the men were there, and that he had endeavoured to
cepture them, I teok his popers before he died, one of which, advised him to
be cerecut of the anstretiencies they pere deneerous fellons, and often went
about in the deytime, we buried him as & prave men should be buried.
orders then cme tnst this past which was troublesome to us, should be taken,
cCey went to close reserve, & BrCay releived us, Lient Smith wes eegin with
his plateen given the Job, when I informed him, he said this is the finish for
me, send my things to England sure enough, he Cpl Smith and Pte Smith, 31l of
Ne 9, pisteen were emenest others killed, Lient Leveday, who had just taken ever
Smiths old pesition in the line, was then given the task, heredey, was bealy
wounded, & all his piateen toiled, the affair wes timed for 12 mid-night, I
went up to the sid past, which was eimest in the line, the men did not know
whats going on, I went back, al though it was none of my business, and told
Col Weere that things were not geing toe good, Col Meore knew that even if 1
was making ermistake, it was to the best of my sbility carrect, & he could toke
notice of me, he sndI will ring the Brigodier, Kinchington, he did so, & the
Brieadier, I think we still had Lealle, went off, for beins wekened at 2om,
t more pleteons, maning 4 in 8ll, were then detesied to ottack the post, and
by 30m it wes ours.
Temply convey anyiuine to you Dr, for incormation ony.
Yours respectfully.
P5
PKinehingtor
we took the just of these fit about gine 2/ st the Gunan
Hea was killed 2320
F St. Smitt, a fiw days date
P2
 

i wo at orareore tnnd the siras apment rord book a0e
886 S. 3r.
vent out voloro aryiion, ofor 500 pords, envered a boraan poot, kined parer
man and returned, ho had two or three saends a2000, ao thes were of arcropent
recmments, Capt yeDeratd, O ocronboy boked ne met and thent of ahon
it was now & on mhore perepronty or Cerman dend Erene avont
Ho Dorned
acgerod no Indenbicsenton, I and to Prubes, I you or
87
non
m pra w co in you, ale asd rine it o so ear
Wo made our
42
rourdo
poy onr ontoring the poos from ponind, and cound two doed, b
otnore nnd epprenty cot away pounded, no I trarred thoer treeksof
Brood tnnonon tho nodceo, the cornan aath 2no wo only about 500 yards
aobent, and thone nen nore rounded, on
14
not the napriost & corrected an the
poyvooke eto tuat
P
acorded tn it would ve oater to leare, arbor our return of avout
& a report, so apbounding ma it, that it wo accrded to aond on 4o
x
16na taon, prsnted, and in tne Colonars nande pofore 12. 00200
 

REVEILLE
June 1, 1884
Memories
0
Meicren
(By Lieut. P. Kinchington, M.M.,
3rd Bn., A.L.F.)
MTETEREN is a pretty village in Flanders, of which our the last of the Australians to occupy this area. Owing
to the German advance on the Somme, we followed our
battalion—the 3rd—had many memories—some sad.
sister divisions thither, to reinforce the sorely tried Fifth
The village had a population of 3000, and is built on
British Army. We were not to join them, however, for
a hill on the Cassel-Bailleul-Armentieres Road, about five
several months, as within an hour or so of arriving on
miles from the Belgian border. It had a fine church, and
the Somme, we retraced our steps, for the Germans had
on different roads running from the town were pretty
by then broken through in Flanders at the very place
little shrines, which suggested the one time peace and
So that, on April
we had left several days previously.
happiness of the locality.
12—two years after our acquaintance with Meteren—we
The usual small farms abound, between some of which
again dug in in this area.
on the western side of the village runs the Bocque du
The crops were now about 3ft. high, so daylignt raids
Paradie, an important place to Meteren.
became the order. Sgt. Bruggy, one morning, went out
We were among the first Australians to make Meteren's
over 500 yards and killed several of the enemy in a post
acquaintance. We arrived there on April 10, 1916. and
and returned with some identity discs. Capt. McDermid
after a few days we knew every stone and tree about the
asked the C.S.M. what he thought of it. It was now 8 a.m.
place, as we marched for miles and miles every day.
The C.S.M. said to Bruggy. If you are game enough
On one occasion, wearied by incessant marching, Pte.
to go and show me the post, I am game enough to g0
Dovey came on parade in full marching order, minus his
with you. Little did he think it was so far. They made
trousers—his underpants adorned with puttees. Upon
their way out, entering the post from behind, and feund
being called to fall out, before the assembled crprr.
two dead and two wounded in the post, while two others
had got away, as their trail of blood was seen through the
a favourite punishment of Capt. Harris—and after being
questioned as to where his trousers were, Dovey replied,
hedge.
Wet, sir.
After collecting the soldiers’ papers, etc., it was decided to leave for
How did they get wet, Dovey7 asked Capt. Harris.
health reasons. After their return about 9 a.m., the C.S.M. made a re-
T0o much marching, sir, said Dovey. Captain Harris
port, and so ascounding was is that a plane went out to take a photo
and the whole parade, laughed. Go off parade and dry
of the tracks, which were as plain as this print. The phow was developed
and princed and in the Colonel's hands before 12 o'clock. For their
Your trousers, Dovey,! said the O.C.—a command which,
exploits, Sgr. Bruggy received a commission and the M.M.; the C.S.M.
of course, suited Dovey.
received a copy of the acroplane phoco.
Another memory of Meteren was that outside our billet
in the fields. Here were graves of British seldier
This was the commencement of the daylight raids, and one telt proue
the first graves we saw in France. A number were in
to be an Australian as the things that the Diggers did here. Ie was noch-
ing for them to take a stroll our and locate a post with a few Frimes.
the fields, adorned with Howering poppies, waving in the
There were nice crosses upon the graves, in-
The president of the Gration Sub-branch, in company with the C.S.M.
breeze
located a post, and Col. Moore ordered is to be taken, which was done
scribed -Unknown British Soldier." I took a photo of the
A second German post proving troublesome to this one, Lieut. C. L. Smich
graves, and this 1 always treasure. To the very day
M.C., was ordered to take the former. He was killed as were man)
two years later, our battalion assisted at the very billets
of his placoon. Lieut. Loveday, M.C., was then derailed for the job, and
we had occupied in stemming the German break through
nearly all his men became casualties, he himself being badly wounded. Two
on the Lys, and we threw our posts across the fields
more placoons were then derailed, and after three hours, the post was
within 50 yards of the unknown soldiers’' graves, which
ours.
We concinued in this ares for nearly four months—a division on our
were soon despoiled by gunfire.
In 1916 we were commanded by Col. Howell-Price,
own-every few days doing fring line, support, and reserve, and were
not out of shell range one day. I was a trying time. It was at Nord
who had guided our destinies since Lone Pine. The bat
Helf Wood that Capt. Higinbotham and Cpl. N. Lee were killed.
talion was now very strong, having been reorganised at
Several minor raids were undertaken. Lieut. Jackson, Cols
Telel Kebir. Placoons were all over 70 strong, and were
Conmce and Green made one on Guirer Farm. All the bray
crained to the minure; the large majoriny being new men, who
cry was not on our side, as. early on June 26, & German under-
had not experienced gunfire, but were equal to all reses when
f officer crept through the crop to take a listening post, anached
they came
Generous leave—a feature of our baualion—was allowed,
to one which Licut. Smith had taken. A few yards away he
and all adjoining villages were visited. After ten days at
was seen, one man in the listening post saying to the other,
Meceren the unit moved towards the line, in the Sailly Sur-
When 1 fire, Bill, you throw a bomb. A Mills bomb is seg-
La-Lys secior, and did not recurn to Meceren for 21 monchs
mented to break up inco 46 pieces. When we brought the Ger-
when we again had four weeks’ spell; many of the troop
man in, he had 46 wounds; so that, councing in the riffe
having the same billees as previously. Col. D. Moore now
bullet, only one piece had missed him. He was only a young
commanded the barralion, and carried on the traditions of
fellow, already decoraced with the Iron Cross; I have his phoce,
Col. Howell- Price, who had been killed over a year before.
As he was a brave man, I buried him near by. In his pocker
An enjoyable time was again spenc; the Germans were
he had papers from his Commander warning him that the Aus-
over 25 miles away. Lirte did we chink that in eight weeks
walians were dangerous fellows, and that they even went aboue
time: the village would be in German hands, together with
in the day time
half of our present billets
On August 5, 1918, we lett this ares for all time, in order
After our spell, on February 26, 1918, we went toward
the line in the Vpres secior; our division—the 1st-being Llest. Kinchington, to join our sister Divisions for the barde of Amiens on the sih.
 

SMICLTTTONS, TM-FITT Ar, SoMS
Ja Mird Arry.
early enough, 245n
 

bridges destroyed,
, failure to destroy dumps
 

REVEILLE
October 1, 1932
A Sergeant's Reminiscences
On Active Service:
Sammy’) Laneford, Dr'Coy., 1st Bn.)
(By Sst. Norman H.
own men mistook each other for Fritz.
in this article I have trasted to memory only, so
I may not be always right in my references to local-
It happened this way: Lieut. McConnel
ilies or to possions in the line beld by the 1st
and Sgt. Dave Tarrant were the cover-
Batialion. My reason for veniuring these reminis-
ing party out in front, and took up a
cences is to spar on other former members to do
position on the left of a road passing
likewise, for the 1st Banalion did very good work
and possessed many fine officers and men who deserve
Enrough both ours and German trenches,
a nicke in the gtory of the A.l.F. 1 appeal to all
Lieut. Graham, of C
Coy., went out
1s1 Banalion Diggers to join their association and
later with instructions to join McCon-
mainiain the spirit and waditions of the old Banalion.
I be fame of other anits and of their personnet
nel’s party on his right, the road divid-
has been chroncled in Reveille! by various writers.
ing the two patrols. I was working 30
Let it not be said that the 1st Battalion lags behind.
yards in front of our trench when the
man helping me to fix the wire around
FTER our tiring train journey
the stake poked me in the ribs, and said,
LookPr Look I did. I stared, and in
1 A from Marseilles, on the move
front, slightly to the right, were some
from Egypt to France, the lst Bn. occu-
crouching figures, moving towards us.
pied billets at Wallon Cappel, just out-
One of the men who had been placed
side Hazebrouck. After a period of
as an additional cover challenged, and
training in this area, my O.C. (the late
receiving no reply from the strangers,
Major P. Howell-Price) included me in
who had now ducked down in the grass,
a batch of officers and N.C.O.'s which
Sst. Langford.
fired. The fire was returned. We threw
was sent to the front line for experience,
our bombs, and made a dash for our
and to get a lay-out of the place.
trench. Luckily, most of the bombs failed to explode,
We were taken up by a bus as far as it was safe to
as in the excitement some of the men forgot to draw the
go, and then walked the rest of the journey. Eventually
pins. Pte. Mountcastle was wounded by a bomb and
I was posted to the 8th Manchester Regt., and was well
brought in, only to be killed in 1917 at Hill 60, by a
received. This particular regt., known as the "Bantams,
shell.
(I think the tallest man in it was not more than 5ft, 4in.)
Dirange to say, at this time Fritz had a patrol out
was holding the line at Rue du Bois, which
also, and when our fun started he bolted back to his
was fairly quiet, unless one started stunting, when Fritz
trench, only to be bombed in mistake by his side also
would retaliate. While Sergeant Smith, of the Ban-
Poor Lieut, McConnel—I did not envy him and his party
tams,? was showing me around and explaining the use
crouching out there between the two lines, whilst fares
of gas gongs, a minenwerfer’ landed fair on the duck
lit up No Man’s Land; but McConnels good leader-
boards in the trench. Two Tommies were killed outright
ship and care got all back safely without a casualty.
and some wounded. I did not hear the shell coming
Here also my O.C. (Philip Howell-Price) distinguished
but I saw that all were looking upwards. I got a stiff
himself in a raid, which was a great success. We lost
neck watching for others.
only one man killed—Sgt. Downer, who, I believe, was
Eventually the 1st. Bn. relieved the Bantams, and
shot from a dugout as he passed the opening. Howell-
my company was in supports, doing fatigue work and
Price was awarded the D.S.O. I will leave details of
ration carrying. On one occasion I was detailed with
this raid to some member who took part in it, in the
my platoon to drain a communication trench called
hope that he will tell in Reveille’ how it was carried
Pinney Avenue, just to the left of V.C. Avenue.
This gallant officer, who knew no fear, fell in
out.
On one side of the trench there was a row of tall
action, together with Lieut. Chas. Parry, at Broodseinde,
trees which sort of concealed the trench from the air.
on October 4, 1917.
We had hardly started upon our work when Fritz spottec
us from his observation balloon. Quickly the shells came
My next turn was at Pozieres for the second stunt-
over. My old pal, Snowyr Bryant, and myself were
I was in hospital during the first one. Capt. Bert Withy
on top directing the work, and we had to dive for a
was told to take some N.C.O's up to the front line to
tree trunk. I hugged the tree and Bryant hugged me, as
get bearings, etc. I was one of them, others being Sgt.
shrapnel burst in the branches, sending limbs down.
Brvant and L.)Cpl. McLeod. The 3rd and 4th Battalions
Fritz seemed to have the range to a tee, and I ordered
were in the line, and were being heavily shelled.
the men back to some shelter trenches just in rear
left the reserve trenches and commenced to make our
way up, passing many unburied Kilties and Germans.
One man, Pte. Shorty Frazer, got a shrapnel through
his foot—he was later killed at the Chalk Pit, Pozicres.
All this made one feel that he would like to hand in his
av-book and call for an Aussie ticket.
Snow and 1 turned to go, when we again heard the
We got into the communication trench—Centreway Avenue—and made
boom of a shell. Just to my right there was a bit of bank, and
our way to 3rd Bn Hyrs., where hung a huse bell. The trench up
saw a hole. and dived in. followed by Bryant, who had only go:
to this stage was fairly deep, but thence onward to the front line
half in when a 5.9 landed four feet short. The sandbags crumbled
It was bad. Just in front of us. going around a traverse, was a party
with the explosion, and when we had time to look around we saw
of hombers, carrying water-cans. One shell landed among the eight
to our horror that the hole was stacked with 120-1b. trench mortar
men, wiping them out—all except one, who was badly wounded. We
shells.
rushed forward and pulled the wounded man into a sitting position-
There is an old saying, Look before you leap but there is an
where the trench was a bit deeper. We ran on then, falling down as
exception when shells are landing close. (Snowy had one look and
near ones landed. showerine earth over us.
Was off—myself close upon his heels—and we goy back to the res
On reaching the front line, we halted in a dug-out to get on
of the men in the safety trenches. Had that shell landed a foot
record wind. Then off on the return journey, running a gauntlet of
higher—well, we could have said, Na pool And 1 think by the
shells. We passed the wounded man again. Strange to say. he sot
size of the mortar shells. that the cemetery opposite would not hav
over 1t. and later he, and my pal. Sst. Bryant, mes in hospital.
needed our company. Just a little later on there was a cstand to
also under treatment for wounds.
while the latter
pas alarm, 1 think. Somebody Ared a fare, which was faulty, and
Next night D
1v. was ordered to dig a new san in the forward
A landed upon headquarters, setting the place on fre.
ares. Cant. Howell Price led us out and through the communication
trench. The nighe was Ditch dark. and Fritz put down a heavt
After a rest. I was again sent to the forward area to renort to
n of the trench, earth falling
barrage. We lay fat in the be
Wilean and Whithy with af
the 2lst Lancaster Fusillers—same N.C.O.'s as before. The Tommies
on ns. and at last be Wiiled S
were holding the line at Fleurbaix, between Convent Avenue, Boutlllerie
I4 was a perfect hell. Howell Price decided thet the best cource
through 1t. He shouted D Cov.. prepare in
Avenue, and Tin Rarn Dump communicstion trenches, which became
to adopt was to run
move at the double.
well-known later to Diggers of the 54th Bn. in the Fromelles deaster
and we ad. and reached the appointed pace
We relieved the Lanc. and were in the line for some days. I was
(Continued on page 31)
in a bit of a Mix-up while puiting out wire, when some of our
 

N.P
 

175.
regard to the supply of materials, the accumulation of stocks, and
the supply of labour, which must be greatly curtailed by the
recruiting movement. Even primary production was involved.
Australia was in ignorance as to how it should get its produce to
any pessible market abread, or where that market was to be, or
what price and in what manner it proposed to pay for the goods.
Comfort was indeed found in the fact that Australia was a great
producer of precisely those foodstuffs and raw materials of
industry which war not only could not dispense with, but which, by
preventing production in Burope, it would make still more valuable
to exporters from abroad. But even in the case of wool, wheat,
beef, and mutton, whether refrigerated or canned, butter and cheese,
rabbits, leather and hides, tallew, minerals and ores, timber,
wines, jams, and sugar, producers remained, during the first
months of the war, very uncertain as to what might happen to their
business. The pastoralists, for example, were told by their city
agents that there would be no sale for their wool, which they would
therefore de better to store on their stations until a market was
forthcoming. Such uncertainty reacted powerfully upon employment,
in any case
and although it is usual (for the Australian winter to be the slack
season for labour, the number of men in all the Commonwealth centres
who were out of work in August 1914 was abnormal.
There were also a number of minor, but in the aggresate still
important, groups of production which were immediately upset. Such
was the case with the mining centres yielding molybdenum and other
rare ores, the pearl fisheries and the gem fields, all of which were
in a large degree controlled by foreign agencies, who shiefly or
alone bought the product. Furthermore, as it became evident that
to a very great extent Australia would now be cut off from its
ordinary recourse to the London money market for public, semi-public,
and private financial eperations, there set in a process of
restricting such expenditure as could be controlled, and the last
Live months of the year 1914 were among the most difficult that
business men had ever experienced. It is probable that the amount
of existing unemployment and the not unreasonable expectation of
W4
TORIA
 

48
476
aa

2 237
oren Aid

of work, without losing any more men on the way. The
men dug frantically, some being hit,, but we completed
a deep trench, through to the front line. We did more
work the next night. While we were moving: up under
Capt.. Withy in, the sunken road at Chalk, Pit, we were
again-subjected to very heavy shell-fire. Pte., Frazer
was killed instantly, and Bryant was wounded on the way
back. At Chalk Pit, where we had our field kitchens,
one man lost his leg through being hit with a nose-cap.
The Chalk Pit was often the scene of casualties.

When we went north we took up a position at a
place called Lovers’ Lane. The trenches here were very
close—25 yards apart. Fritz had a mine under our line,
and one could,: by placing his ear to the ground, dis-
tinctly hear him picking the rock. We used to annoy
him by using riffe grenades and a bomb-thrower. I re-
member Capt. Howell Price placing’ a Mills upon the caterpult, and
release
we slood around to watch events: He kicked the pecal
the throwing arm when the bomb fell off.. Beat 14,
Telled,
and we aid. behind the bags. I went off—no harm done., We gave up
practice
xt day i was decided to bombard the enemy front line both
with crench mortay and shell. 1 think the idea was to annoy him
and make him spring his mine.- All PDr Loy, was ordered out
the line except seven men on a Lewis gun. The Gun started, and
shrapnel burst almost over the heads of the men lying fat
communication trench. Unfortunately some of the puddings
ort. and one in particular in our own front line, right opposite
is-oug in which L.,Cpl. (later R.G.M.S.). Kean was streltering, blow-
-ing a huge V in our line, and ripping the bags of his shelter.
the concussion, apart from the metal, had not killed Kean, 1 know
not. He crawled out, as he was now exposed to the German line
but was none the worse other than for a severe shaking up. Anywa
the mine did not go up. and we had a ticklish job repairing the
damage caused by the mortar. I heard since that the night after ou
relief, the enemy did spring the mine, but won nothing out of
1; in fact, lost his own portion of the line in the counter-attack
cannot remember the exact place, but it was to the right of St.
Elol or thereabouts.
SACK TO THE SOMME.
Back to the Somme again, and our stunt at Flers, November 5. D
Coy. had to captare Bayonet and Hill Trenches. All was ready in
the Jumping-off place. Lieut. Steele, my platoon commander, bor
rowed my watch. Lero was 12 (midnight), If 1 remember r
Exactly two hours before the jump-off it rained very heavtl
men were soaked through, and the ground a quagmire. 1 fancy Fritz
d some idea of a stunt, and he waited for us. At this spot the
y before, our O.C.'s brother (Col. O. G. Howell Price) was killed
" a snipe
he moment the barrage came down we leapt forward. The enem
d us all along the top of the trenches,-many men falling dead
or wounded. to be trodden upon in the mud by the following wave
When the shrapnel lifted for us to charge we were some considerable
distance from the objective. This was due to the thick mud that
clung to the infantry, preventing its keeping up with the covering
barrage. We fell back, were reinforced, and again went over without
arrage, but with the same result. We lost many pals. including
Llent. Steele. Sst. Butcher, L. (Cpl. Graham, and Cpl. Farley wounded
and taken prisoner. Of my platoon of 36, myself, Sgt. J. Coppin.
and six others. came out.
Aifter Flers we went to Bernafay Wood, and here I was exacuated, III
R.S.M. (Slogger) Brainwood. M.M.,M.S.M., C. de G. (then C.S.M.).
1 must thank for the unselfish manner in which he cared for me
11 the doctor could see me. From England I returned to learn
the death of our company commander (Philin Howell- Price).
Back to Relglum, and in the line around Warnerton, Lonneheke
area. While I was attached to Div. Hgrs. as a burial sergeant.
called at the dressing station at Voormezeele to bring in some dead
The first man I saw awaiting burial was an old school-mate, Pte. Harry
Rernolds (A.M.C.), who was killed while bringing out wounded.
DAVLIGHT RAID.
After a tme we moved to the Strazelle sector—I having rejoined
the battalion—where my company took part in a daylight raid in
front of Merris. I had been out the night before on patrol and
reported all quiet—could see no sign of life. The wheat between
the lines was very hish, and at daybreak Lieut. Morley led a party
Pot back Without a Siutte Casualy MurtE Many Priancrs, And
an and camely su M
successful, we pushed out our lines further, and occupted the cap-
tured German trenches.
Some four hours after we were in possession I decided to collect
some strands of barbed wire scattered about to use in wiring in
front Tf my outpost. I was screwing an iron stake in the ground
and Pre. Francis was playing out the wire to me just ncay the
edge of a shell-hole. II was a quiet afternoon—not even a shell
came over. Un to that time the German supports apparentry were
not aware of our change-over. Suddenly 1 heard a rustlins of
leaves in the shell-hole at my feet. and prestol two Germans stood
in front of me. The four stared at each other. eves bulgine. Sud-
denly it downed upon me that I had a captured mauser, and this 1
drew quickly. Fritz was just as quick in throwing his hand
crving Kamerad and starting to blubber. Get hack there.
l. notnrins over my shoulder towards the rear. and with a smil
& departed. bur not before a counle of the lads had a ook
at their timepleces, and also searched them to see If they had any
00


ORIA
 

CSSCbombs in thet pockets, How Iey sol ines, that hole and
concealed tnemselves all that time; it was hard to say,, because it was
an open ground, 1 fancy they were playing ogo and were, walling
inl wark to set, away, but on Anding that I, had wired off the
position they came to light.
That night 1 pested two men just out from the oupost in a shell-
hole, as a listening post. At night two Germans almost blundered
into the outpost. We would have captured them, too, only the men
in the listening poss threw a bomb and missed. The Germans had ven-
tured in, not knowing we had now occupted their posste. Of course
thely escape gave the show away. Next morning we could see a
row of heads bobbing up and down over a hedge 150 yards off, on
our right front. We were rather exposed also, but no shots were
Ared.
At this juncture our Padre, Capt. Redmond (1st Bn.), now of
South Aust., came on the scene, walking calmly from our
Good Morning M
enches oer Te p fround t ou P
geant, he said. Do you know, sergeant,
those Germans over there are hungry, and need food. 1 think
could talk them over, and they would surrender to set a mealr He
asked me to allow a volunteer to accompany him over to the
enemy. Fte. Francis volunteered, and the pair started off; the rest
of us keeping behind the sandbags to watch developments of the
Redmond walked on, holding out his hand—come-
comedy. Pade
dicky-bird-come style—biscults in his hand. Twenty yards they ad
vanced, when crack, crack, crackbullets Hew towards us; and
had a vision of the venturesome pair Heeing back towards our lines-
ves; straight for our trench, and into it with a remark that the
Germans were not hungry—and 1 agreed, too.
Another time we were in outposts up north—I cannot recall the
place exactly—but in front of our position was a big plll-box occu-
pled by Friiz. He had a machine-gun, which at times was trouble-
some. It was decided to send a patrol out next night to recon-
nolire. The party consisted of Lieut. Bull, Set. Frank Beynon, Set
Dave Scott, D.C.M.,M.S.M., and men. Sgi. E. Wilesmith, M.M..
held a post on the right, Lieut. Stobo the centre, and myself, with
Sst. J. Row—who was later killed at Lihons—the left post.
LOST PATROL.
The party set out in special patrol sults, as the ground was wer
and some of the shell-holes were frozen. I observed the pairol passing
in my front, and moving to my right to come in further down.
there was some
What happened after that 1 don't know
Aring away to my right..The patrol returned, but not intact. Set.
Scott came in before daybreak and reported no sign of the others.
They had been mistaken for the enemy, and fired upon, and in the
excitement they lost their bearings. Two days later Lleut 1
turned up. He had been behind the German lines, and by hidlus
day and crawling by night succeeded in getting back. As Spt. Beynon
Pre. Vassarottl, and a couple of others were still missing. Set.
Seot volunteered to jake a patrol out and search for the missing
irty, but returned without news.
Some years later 1 met Set. Beynon, and he told me that while he
and his mates were trying to And their way in they were Ared upon.
and Fle. Vassarottl received a bullet in the stomach. Bevnon and
companion carried the patient between them in the Cark. tryine to
And their way, but stumbled into a German outpost end were taken
prisoners. It was a good thing, however, for poor Vassarottl, as he
was about all in. and was able to be attended to by the German
doctor. For the part that Sxt. D. Scott played in going out and
searching over dangerous ground for his lost comrades he was
awarded the D.C.M.
The Ist Battalion was engaged in various stunts up till September
21. 1918. when 4 came out with the brisade for a rest. At this
time I was sent to the American Army during its attack on the
Hindenbers line. I reported with other officers and N.C.O.s to the
C.O.. 117th Reg., U.S.A.. near Rotsel, and stayed there three days
instructing the new troons as to keeping communication with troops
in rear and as to use of the Mills' grenade, etc. Rejolning my bat-
tallon later. I was sent with others to the 2nd Army School at Rue.
come few Kllos from Etaples. We staved there for a fortnight, and
met several old nals, which made things brighter. On the morning
November 11. 1918, 1 think, we reported at the base ar Etaples
from the school. Beer and wine fowed in celebration of the Armistice
Rejoining the battalion. I later obtained my annual leave— 14 dave to
England. I returned to the battallon, which was then at the village
of Gournles—eght miles from Charlerol.... Then came the partine
from the old Pattallon, when I was sent on draft for Eneland, and
thence home to Anstralla—arriving in Sydney Jnr- 19. 1919.