Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/253/1 - 1918 - 1939 - Part 18

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG1066690
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

15. and Biristenal Artillary (Fiate p. 173l. 10, 1s. 16. 65. 66. 73. 9Tn. 123. 190. 265, 252, 303. 325. 653. 60in. B56n. goins reerganisation of, in Ecypt, 37-87 detachments attached to British batteries for experience os French comtitions, Iny., 921 supports 7 Me's raid, 6 June, 2477 4 Dv. Arty. relieves, JuneTulx, 299, 3007 at Rosiereas bombards Oot. Lines, 26-20 BAlx, 619-20, pressume of opening bonbarinent, 29 July, 624-5, Mans, prier to 45 me attack, 650-3, premraine, 45 ix., 671-2, total cxqueities, 27 MFLIu, 72. 2rd Pirielenc artiner, 38. Am Mristeml Artihem, 29in. 296, 29m. 303. 334. 335. 336. 332. 343, 354, 449, 876s relieres 2 Div. 1er 296. A Junel, 277. 300. Stn Mrinlem E 335. 336, 33Tn. 343s 35t. 831. goims convosition of, 23 Eax. B. Tatlinde, 561. S2n. 62SA, 77t. EMAER Eedes 51n. 517 382, 623. 2M LELL Bicade, 625n. BALeade Ben. 75t. EthLLEd. Exiends. 69. 623n B1s. Pes. Eth A.LL Erinad, 197. 6272. 713. BM. 7B. 1242LEEL Exlende, 7131 ferration of, 29506. APN 2102 23 22006273 e sde Cst near Irthliem crownl. 6. 18m. 116, 180, 455. 4612. iplare) 4967 conposition, 49lm tomards Posieres, EPatters, 192n. 5th Eatters, 139. 141. 19.22 Mx. 4910 httery, advanced gun of, fires point-blank into Posicres Mn. 497. 2EEtter caouities from acroplane boabs, 21 Lue. Bin Bth Etters. 5M. 10th Etter, 143. 20p. atterd onr Sand Eatters, Jin. 24th Btter, 9in. AEterk, 9in. 107th Eattery, 197. 114th Entterx, 363. wonobrrtrbot 4 forof Memttr Sath Elaca Patters, 115s. 491n. 622n. 652n. Giins becones in Eith Siene Patterx, 8d 49ip. 558n. auot. Liece Bty. 69in. Sm. 62n. 6522, Glim cmaities, Mr., W6n in Eattie of Andens, 465m becomes 2 hnst. Siege Bty, 49in. Seaalse
HNL. File with of note given by Capt. Berrell, 2/10R London, to C.A.M.S. COPY. Mayes, 1t Bn, on cmpletion of patrols work by which (to a cread Estent) Chipilly was captured, 9 Aug. 198. THIS IS TO CERTIFY AND RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING N.C.O's AND MEN OF THE IST AUST. INF. BATT. FOR THEIR CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY TODAY AND THEIR MAGNIFICENT WORK WITH ME TODAY. (sgd) J.H. BERRELL 918128 CAPT. O/C D COY. 2/10 LONDON 9.15 p.m.
SFE N ATT TSOA L 7 AATSE MILEO Be CE yo LSCoy Of SheS ECe DreG OL MONDGS 53)70174- HOFE& Le T CYBEICK BETAsge LCEA (NO 8823? 72f Broseeh psersjjos) TESSOS KrITeg T Segte CUEH EEYAsge LOHN CHYBTEE (No 5769? S SSSOTO TTSO FCGTUSTPOTTL LTET September 1, 1933 REVEILLE waiting to advance. Hayes spoke to iss O.C., saying that he would pairol the village for him. Chipilly Stunt: Brave Diggers he parcy had gone some distance when it was joined by two placoon D’ Coy., 2nd London Regi, under Cape. Birrell. Immediately this occurred, heavy machinegun fire from a concealed post was brought tc bear upon them, the Londoners suffering some casualties. The Auscralian PHIS is the story of how a handful of brave men, led patrol now split up, Prc. Kane going back to bring up a Lewis gun cean by two sergeants, in the usual spirit of Digger to a nearby chalkpit, whilse Ser. Andrews and Pre. Fuller concinued up adventure, were responsible for bringing off a suc the road, and then struck across country to a position on rising ground where they could not see any of the enemy from a distance of 100 yards. cessful stunt, and of playing an important part in the At the same cime Pres. Scephens and Turpin wene through Chipilly capture of Chipilly Spur. There have been several con- recurned to searting point, wihout observing any hostile movement. troversies as to whether the position whole pairol then rejoined the Tommies, who as the moment were was taken by 2/10th Londoners or by bombarded with smoke shells from our own guns, causing the whole for Australians, but it is not my desire to to recire. wake up that argument, for, in m; Hayes, Andrews and Fuller then proceeded along the road for some opinion, all troops did their share dur- distance and, on striking out in a northerly direction between two roads, ing the war, in spite of some reverses observed a small enemy poss. Andrews thereupon brought fire to bear on the post. whilse Hayes worked up the left side of the road towards it The story that I am concerned with is When he thought he was opposice is, Hayes scood up to demand the sur based on facts given to me by one of render of the occupants, when he suddenly discovered that he was right the patrol engaged in the adventure, on top of another small post containing 3 men, one of whom fired point and also on my own personal know blank ar him. Formnacely the shor missed, and Hayes immediately re ledge. curned the fire and killed the German. Andrews, secing his friend in diffi- On August 8th, 1918, our lst Inf. Bde. culcies, curned his fire on to the second post and the remaining Germans was a reserve brigade to the 4th Aus surrendered. On taking the prisoners back to the Lewis gun poss in the tralian Division, Dawn found our bat chalk pit, they were joined by Pre. Kane. talion lying out in fields awaiting the The four Australians then recurned to the post from which the prisoners zero’ hour, and one remembers how, C.A.M.s. lack Hayes, were taken. Furcher on, about 30 yards away from the road, they observed D.C.M. when a given number of big shells a strong enemy machinegun post, and after a pow-wow they gamely decides passed overhead towards the enemy lines, our field bat to anack is. While Hayes and Fuller covered ix. Andrews and Kine from the left Hank, rushed scraight into the poss, where they found a deep dug- teries blazed out, and the big attack commenced. After our around which were placed 7 machine-guns. A bomb through the ca- what seemed a considerable time we received orders to wance resulced in cries of Kamerad, and the Anscralians, scanding a advance in artillery formation, and went a few miles the ready disarmed the garrison (1 officer and 30 other ranks) as they before coming up with the field-guns. This circumstance filed out, and handed them over to a company of the 2nd Londons which combined with the large number of prisoners passing to had gow come up. the rear, gave us great heart, for it showed that the Jerry Fuller and Kine, scill thirscing for fighe, pushed shead and, off advance must have been surprisingly rapid, and that all their own bar capcured another 9 prisoners and 2 machine-guns. Ser Andrews mounted one of the captured weapons and, opening fire, caused was well ahead. some casualties among s parry of Germans reciring on a post further back. Before dawn on August 9 we found ourselves on the right bank of the Somme at Cenisy Gailly, C’ Company By this time American troops, who now came into the piccure, had ad- vanced from Bois Gressarde and, nor knowing that the parrol was forward occupying a sunken road. At this time the position of them, commenced to fire at is. The Ausiralians scood up and signalled of the front was—the Canadian Corps on the right, Aus them to advance, but were not apparendy underscood, and so had to seek tralian Corps (with the 4th Division fank resting on the cover., The London Regt. advanced again, and Andrews brought the cap- south bank of the Somme) in the centre, the III. British cured gun into action against the enemy poss. The whole of the places on the left. was now capcired.; The Americans, who had no idea thar anyone except The Dominion troops had pushed well ahead into the the enemy were shead of them, were very surprised to find C.C.M.S enemy territory, but the British, owing to hot opposition Hayes and his party. Whilst assisting in the moppinging a further 28 prisoners were taken by the day before, were not so far forward the Australian party, bringing iss rocal capeires close to 100, with 9 On the morning of the 9th the isc Bn. took over from part of the 15ch The larese verbal information to hand was thar Bricish troops were in occu- machine-guns. C.C.M.S. Hayes and Ser. Andrews each received the D.C.M., and Pres. pation of Chipilly, but this was doubted when one of our fine and value officers, Ls. R. O. Samuels was killed by machine-gun fire whilse recon- Fuller and Kane the M.M., all most worthily carned. Strange to relate whilse the Ba. was engaged near Chuignolles on August 23, Hayes, Fuller noitring. A patrol consisting of C.C.M.S. Hayes, Ser. Andrews, an and Kane all collecced Blighcies. Hayes is now hon. sec. of the Anzac Pres. Fuller, Kane, Turpin, and Stephens thereupon ser out across ih Club, Marrickville: Fuller is hon. sec. of the Arncliffe sub-branch bridge and marshes to the main road which ran through the village. On R.S.S.L.L.A.—Sammy. arrival at the road the pairol found a company of the 2nd London Regr. KTTY CBSTEE SATASSe HTHAEEN THO FSSE EO BSEPSTTO F STT T TOte ad7T0 MESED A GGEtO Dreg of AonEge CUTRODE DITASE ATITTO (HO- SATO SES PeEFeTTe -ATTTT GL Go E LNOFSCE, HLS V VS Co KTTTG T SSTO 758I ATEORE HETAGFe KICHTET ARCRT (HO S! F BsTo)
20 CARMODY, Private MICHAEL THOMAS (No. 2479; 4th Battalion) Killed in action, 1218118. Mother Mrs. Anne Agnes Carmody. Address : - William Street, Raymond Terrace. CARMODY, Driver WILLLAM (No. 3719; 3rd Battalion) Died of wounds, 26/4118. Widow Mrs. Ethel May Carmody Address: - 91 Mctropolitan Road, Enmore. CARNEY, Private MATTHEN. (No. 4994; 26th Battalion) Killed in action, 3/10118. Ne Recerd. CARNEY, Cunner PELER (No. 1846; 11th A.F.A. Brigade) Killed in action, 24/7/17. No Recond. CARvEY, Private WILLLAN (No. 1638; 50th Battalion) Killed in action, 28/9/17. We Recerd. CAREEMTER, EIrate E 2588, Brd Battalion) Hiled in action, 22-27/7/26. Ne record. -CARR, Private FRAnCIS STNEY (No. 1602; 18th Battanion) Died of wounds, 8/8115. Mother’ Mrs Bridget Agnes Carr Address98 Kudson Street, Burstrille. CARk, Brirate HROED NO. S2S2, Sin Machins Cun Pattation) Killed in action, 20/7116. Widowed nother’ Mrs. Sarch Jane Carr. Deceased 12.8. 1928. No other record of any dependants. CARR, Private HEREERT (No.2122; 1st Battalion) Killed in ation, 31/22/26. No record. CARR, Lieutenant HENRY GEORGE, Aust! Flying Corps. Accidentally killed, 1115118. No record CARR, Private JOHN CHARLES (No. 4163; 9th Battalion) Killed in action, 7/5/17. No record CARRICK, Private JOHN (No. 2832; lst Pioneer Battalion) Died of wounds, 23/10/17.) Mother & father deed. Sister’ Miss Christina Bell Carrick. No record of address since July 1920, when address was thenn9 Harrow Rd., Stanmore, N.S.W
cosieres Aug 9 or10. ete Daysdale ae e So 500 1985 19th apss Sir You do not state the particulars of information you esquire, but I am wruting you an incident which I think is unique in Millitary affairs + War fare that is. a Ballot in trench. to see, who should have the distinction of wearing a M.M. which was granted our Platoon (Mi) or rather what was left of it for a stient: done without Orders by our Platoon Officer (who was killed in stint) to give support to another "Ball who were Leap Frogging us & going forward, We had entrained at compes to goin in the Big Push Back. V.lliers. Bret seebr & were being pushed on to catch up Jerry who by this time was getting Back. and made contact with him on the left of Harbonmers I thenk, on the afternoon of the 2nd day under particurbarly heary Machine gun fire with heavy loss our C.O. Pow Monris, being killedt (his brother(Cpt Maris Bombers being sendt same Eevening to take his place: but sohnchow or other got into enery times I was laken prisoner.. We look our objective. dug in but after dack we advancd a littel takeng a few prisoners who walked in to us. At dawn we knew that another Balln (22 Ithenk) was goiden nane forgotton vrn ns & forward, but were a litte snprosed when our Glaton Officer (os awes inated a decen to Hop over woun fellow, sangoat Hollow. Tne Lods, of courie over we went in short rushes, I fargot to state that we were on the 3setreme left flank of our Bat? in ar! without any support or connections on left. An Biz English Tank which had been put out of action (I have, a road Ostthete say about this dank Oder ? was also on our left also high ridges with a sunken on tent & laft which must have been strongly fortified by Mackins. Osuns. which were giving us hell pur Officer fell in the second guish. but we still went forward. till we came to a sunken roae and fourld the Balln on our right held up by Machine gun fire and we calling forward Grenadiers to bomb out- Machinegun post. I look around & saw our sargent (Piper) 14 about seven more of us. I had a talk with the Pargent-regarding our posltion in the event of the other Bast going forward. as we had no officer & were not altached to the other Batt?
for rations. He replied that he had better try to rejoun our company & find out particulars We were ordered to get back one a time to our Company which we did with one causally & were teld we had no right to have gone forward. That evening four of us with a Gretcher were debail ad to find our Officers body & Report with it at Balt. H. 9. At lay profecally in No Man Land and as we went to find it we look it into our heads to have a look over the Tank and we emps found that it had been occupied by gerrg and a bry heap of cartridges showed where some of the Hbot stiff had come from. I happened to look into a French close by and saw the late occupants of the Tank laid out side by side. Officer & 3 men & was trying to think out what had happened them, when Schraptell started to Suret over head which showed us w whoeunder obervation so we departed at the fat. puking up oar stretter we made back with tha th had to duy it tine t tike conon, but wartaly go got in unda con of dakmen & Bese Livy or three days late ou Lorgnt came in from H.E. with a statment the a M. M. had be awarded our Flatoon and as there was no Officer on any on to acommend any particular pason. the only thing which we could do was to ballot among owrelves (7) who whould be the pocesson: which we did in shop of torn paper resulting in favour of Lerg Gfeper who was unfortunately pilled in the nst Hop. ball at St. Maring Nook. ofp Propart Mississipp Old No 11 Platton Str B8 paei te a e D. r from Decoration ballotted for was 0 D p8 cearly Dem & not MM.
s hcke COPY. Ceb for France - 17th August. Ae 9/8/8 Dear Mr. Stuckey, I write these few lines to try and express my sincere sympathy, but I feel right at the outset that words are useless, but I think you will understand that having lived and fought with your son for so long we feel his death very much indeed and also in a small measure can undegrstand and feel for you. About then operation itself and the results I can say nothing, but very early in the fight a sniper’s bullet grazed your son's shoulder and killed the man behind him. was his platoon officer and told him to go back and report to the waggon lines but like the good soldier and fighter he was he asked me to allow kinnt him to remain with the boys. I am sorry to say that I allowed him to do so, as every man was required about half an hour after reaching the fina. objective 1 saw him again fighting like all true The next time I saw him he had been shot Australians do. right through the heart. He was not in the least disfigured and had not Those who saw him fall saw that he suffered at all. never uttered a sound so death must have been instantancous. We lifted him under cover and the following day had him carried down to a military cemetery where he was buried by one of our padres. Before I close let me once more assure you of the feeling of deep sympathy which we extend to you. 1 am Yours in sympathy Jas McKee Lieut. (signed) 7th Bn.A.I.F. 00 000
Ce G. H Larnes 11er 0/8/1918 Bret killed was a brother of Cpt (Aparnes of the same bu who was kelled at the Landing Another brother Lrnt J.Ohares 51Bn was envalided at the beginning of March 1918 (as
Proyart B auy 191. Gellibrand (9.1.35) Troyart. Monash rang up fellebraus & said he do an wanted the Drd Dion toattack. Which brigade would be available as once. Tellebrand said the 10h. Monash replies Oh, good! (He traster MacNichole cheefly of his ot bdrs) I want gou to cme along discuss the matter - and with do you mend bringing along MacNicol? felly did ment bringing McN. power to out because it practically ruled his own influence the final plan. But of course he could not say so & took MeN. Monash said to hem: The ferman is in a condition of great confuxion & we have only to hit him without warning & gotl him up a ina condition to offer nstent He expected no dificulty. He gave instructions as to plans. McN. went to his H.Q. + drew up his order. Jellebrand asked him h come awry & show hei the order etc confer with how, but McN. said that he was detained by conference a his officers, & actually his order dut not reach felly until the fighting was practically over. The first news G. had of the battle was an appealing message for rfte when the attack had faihd He then could only tell McN to hot fast as much of course, was only what as he could wh roen & MCN. she have be doing without any advice from BAle.
Brgade thinb 102h Aug 191 Meas Brogart 10 Je Gonal o We reached a position in the neighborihood I, Lion, hena & Susan Woods on the afternoon I Aug 8th. We bworraced in a sunken road near by leading from Morcourt to (presume, Harbounieris. Here we remained all the 9th & part of the 10th. About 7 pm on the evening of the 10th Col I Knox Knight called a conference of the officers which took place in the open in fill view of the battalion & in the hearig of many. As a result all were wained to be ready to move at a moments notice with 448hos rations extra ammunition. It was also leaint that a pack train would accompany us. We started away shortly after 8pm in colum of Ronte making a bee line for the Warpusie - Vermand Road. We were in full view of the 3 enemy obervation balloons with a jorgeons senret in the west behind us. The ground like all the Santerie country

15.
2nd Divisional Artillery (Plate p. 173), 10, 14, 16, 65, 66,
78, 97n, 123, 190, 265, 252, 303, 325, 653, 803n. 856n. 901n:
reorganisation of, in Egypt, 37-8; detachments attached to
British batteries for experience of French conditions, Mar.,
92; supports 7 Bde's raid, 6 June, 247; 4 Div. Arty. relieves,
June- July, 299, 300; at Pozieres: bombards O.G. Lines, 26-28
July, 619-20, programme of opening bombardment, 29 July, 624-5,
plans, prior to 4-5 Aug attack, 650-3, programme, 4-5 Aug.,
671-2, total casualties, 27 July - 7 Aug., 724n. 3rd Divisional
Artillery, 38. 4th Divisional Artillery. 295n. 296, 297n.
303, 334, 335, 336, 337n, 343, 354, 449, 876s relieves 2 Div.
Arty., June-July, 299, 300. 5th Divisional Artillery. 296,
335, 336, 337n, 343, 354, 881, 901n; composition of, 28 May,
295n., A.I.F. 1st/Brigade, 581, 582n., 625n. 754. 2nd A.F.A.
Brigade, 518n, 519,582,625n, 3rd A.F.A. Brigade, 625n,
734n. 4th A.F.A. Brigade, 734n, 754, 5th A.F.A. Brigade,
69. 625n, 734n, 794n, 6th A.F.A Brigade, 713; formation of, 295-6.
21st A.F.A Brigade, 625n, 22nd A.F.A Brigade, 78n, 734n,
754. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Aust. siege
Brigade (36th Heavy Artillery Group). 6, 18n, 116, 180, 455,
461n, (plate) 496; composition, 491n, bombards Posieres, 
19-22 July, 941. 1st Battery, 492n. 5th Battery,139, 141.
6th Battery, advanced gun of, fires point-blank into Posieres
23 July, 497. 7th Battery, casualties from aeroplane bombs, 
21 Aug., 731n, 8th Battery, 547n. 10th Battery, 143, 220n.
21st Battery, 91n, 22nd Battery, 91n, 24th Battery, 91n.
25th Battery, 91n. 105th Battery. 197. 114th Battery, 363.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
54th Siege Battery. 116n, 491n, 622n, 652n, 811n, becomes XX
1 Aust. Siege Bty, 116n, 491n. 55th Siege Battery, xxx 491n, 558n,
681n, 622n, 652n, 811n; casualties, Mar., 116n, in Battle of
Amiens, 465n; becomes Aust. Siege Bty, 491n. See also

 

File with HN
COPY.   of note given by Capt. Berrell, 2/10th London, to C.Q.M.S.
group, 1st Bn., on completion of patrol's work by which (to a great
Extent) Chipilly was captured, 9 Aug. 1918.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY AND RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING
N.C.O's AND MEN OF THE IST AUST. INF. BATT. FOR
THEIR CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY TODAY AND THEIR
MAGNIFICENT WORK WITH ME TODAY.
(sgd) J.H. BERRELL
CAPT. O/C D COY.
2/10 LONDON
9/8/18
9.15 p.m.
 

 


'Article: 
September 1, 1933
REVEILLE        23
Chipilly Stunt: Brave Diggers
See original article
 

 

2.
CARMODY, Private MICHAEL THOMAS (No. 2479; 4th Battalion)
Killed in action, 12/8/18.
"Mother" Mrs. Anne Agnes Carmody.
Address : - William Street, Raymond Terrace.
CARMODY, Driver WILLLAM (No. 3719; 3rd Battalion)
Died of wounds, 26/4/18.
"Widow" Mrs. Ethel May Carmody
Address: - 91 Metropolitan Road, Enmore.
CARNEY, Private MATTHEN. (No. 4994; 26th Battalion)
Killed in action, 3/10/18.
No Record.
CARNEY, Cunner PETER (No. 1846; 11th A.F.A. Brigade)
Killed in action, 24/7/17.
No Record.
CARNEY, Private WILLLAM (No. 1638; 50th Battalion)
Killed in action, 28/9/17.
No Record.
CARPENTER, FREDERICK JOHN ----- (2586; 3rd Battalion)
Killed in action, 22-27/7/16.
No Record.
CARR, Private FRANCIS SYDNEY (No. 1602; 18th Battalion)
Died of wounds, 8/8/15.
"Mother" Mrs Bridget Agnes Carr
Address:- 98 Hudson Street, Hurstville.
CARR, Private HAROLD  (No. 3252; 5th  Machine Gun Position)
Killed in action, 20/7/16.
"Widowed mother" Mrs. Sarah Jane Carr.
Deceased 12.8.1928.
No other record of any dependants.
CARR, Private HERBERT (No.2122; 1st Battalion)
Killed in action, 31/12/16.
No record.
CARR, Lieutenant HENRY GEORGE, Aust. Flying Corps.
Accidentally killed, 11/5/18.
No record
CARR, Private JOHN CHARLES (No. 4163; 9th Battalion)
Killed in action, 7/5/17.
No record
CARRICK, Private JOHN (No. 2832; lst Pioneer Battalion)
Died of wounds, 23/10/17.) Mother & father decd.
"Sister" Miss Christina Bell Carrick. No record of address since
July 1920, when address was then49 Harrow Rd., Stanmore, N.S.W
 

 

1   Rosieres
Aug 9 or 10
Daysdale
19th Apl 1935
Sir
You do not state the particulars of information you require, but I am
writing you an incident which I think, is unique in Millitary affairs + War-fare
that is. a Ballot in trench. to see, who should have the distinction of wearing a
M.M. which was granted our Platoon (No 11) or rather what was left of it for a
stint: done without Orders by our Platoon Officer (who was killed in stunt) to give support to another
"Battln who were "Leap Frogging us" & going forward,
We had entrained at Lompres to join in the Big Push Back. Villiers. Bret sector & were being
pushed on to catch up "Jerry" who by this time was getting Back. and made contact with him on
the left of Harbonniers (I think), on the afternoon of the 2.nd. day under particularly heavy
Machine gun fire.  with heavy loss our C.O. Leuit Morris [* Probably Lt. H.F. Morrison MC 5Bn. Died of wounds 10/8/18 ], being killed (his brother (Cpt Morris [*Probably Lt H.C. Morrison 5BN*]
"Bombers" being sent same evening to take his place: but somehow or other got into emeny times
I was taken prisoner. We look our objective. dug in, but after dark we advanced a little taking
a few prisoners who walked in to us. At dawn we knew that another Battn (22 I think) was going
over us & forward, but were a little surprised when our Platoon Officer (name forgotten as he was attacked fo Glop over!)  a decent
young fellow snag out. Follow one Lads. of course, "over we went in short rushed. I forgot
to state that we were on the extreme left flank of our Battn  " in air",  without any
support or connections on left. An Big English Tank which had been put out of action (I have, a
to say about the tank later was also on our left also high ridges with a sunken on
tent & laft which must have been strongly fortified by Machine. Guns. which were giving us hell
Our Officer fell in the second rush. but we still went forward. till we came to a sunken road
and found the Battn on our right held up by Machine gun fire and we calling forward
Grenadiers to bomb out- Machine gun post. I look around & saw our Sargent (Piper) & about
seven more of us. I had a talk with the Sargent-regarding our position in the event
of the other Battn going forward. as we had no officer & were not attached to the other Battn
 

 

for rations. He replied that he had better try to rejoin our company & find out particulars
We were ordered to get back one a time to our Company which we did with one causally & were
told we had no right to have gone forward. That evening four of us with a Stretcher were detailed
to find our Officers body & Report with it at Battn. H.Q. It lay potentially in No Man Land
and as we went to find it we took it into our heads to have a look over the Tank and we
found that it had been occupied by "Jerry and a big heap of ^empty cartridges showed where some of
the Hot stuff had come from. I happened to look into a French close by and saw the
late occupants of the Tank laid out side by side. Officer & 3 men & was trying to think out
what had happened them, when Schraptell started to burst over-head which showed us we
where under observation so we departed at the "Tut". picking up our stretcher we made back with it but
had to drop it twice & take cover, but eventually  got got in under cover  of darkness & Reported
Two  or three days later our Sargent came in from H.E. with a statment that
a M. M. had be awarded our Platoon and as there was no Officer or any on to
recommend any particular person. the only thing which we could do was to
ballot among ourselves (7) who should be the posessor. which we did ion strip.
of torn paper resulting in favour of Serg! Piper [*386 Sgt. G.T.Piper DCM 5Bn. Killed in action 23/8/18*] who was unfortunately killed in
the next Hop. over at St. Matins Wood. opp  Groyart
Old No 11 Platon
[*From Pte T.W. BRATT
5Bn
Daysdale
via Cowra Corowa 
NSW*]

Decoration ballotted for was
clearly DCM  & not MM.
 

 

COPY.
[*Cpl B Stuckey
7 Bn
Killed in action
9/8/8*]
France - 17th August.
Dear Mr. Stuckey,
I write these few lines to try and express
my sincere sympathy, but I feel right at the outset that words
are useless, but I think you will understand that having lived
and fought with your son for so long we feel his death very
much indeed and also in a small measure can underrstand and
feel for you.
About then operation itself and the results I can
say nothing, but very early in the fight a sniper’s bullet
grazed your son's shoulder and killed the man behind him.
I was his platoon officer and told him to go back and report
to the waggon lines but like the good soldier and fighter he
was he asked me to allow kinnt him to remain with the boys.
I am sorry to say that I allowed him to do so, as
every man was required about half an hour after reaching the
final objective 1 saw him again fighting like all true
Australians do. The next time I saw him he had been shot
right through the heart.
He was not in the least disfigured and had not
suffered at all. Those who saw him fall saw that he
never uttered a sound so death must have been instantaneous.
We lifted him under cover and the following day
had him carried down to a military cemetery where he was
buried by one of our padres.
Before I close let me once more assure you of the
feeling of deep sympathy which we extend to you.
1 am
Yours in sympathy
(signed) Jas McKee Lieut.
7th Bn.A.I.F.
 
 

 

Cpl G H Barnes  11 Bn
Killed V/Bret 10/8/1918
was a brother of
Cpt CABarnes  of the same
bn who was killed
at the Landing
Another brother Lieut J.V. Barnes 51Bn
was invalided at the beginning
of March 1918 (Jas)
 

 

Proyart 11? 15  aug  1918.
Gellibrand (9.1.35) Proyart:
Monash rang up Gellibrand & said he
wanted the 3rd Divn to do an attack. Which brigade
would be available at once. Gellibrand said the 10th.
Monash replied "Oh, good! (He trusted MacNichole
chiefly of his old bdrs) I want you to come along &
discuss the matter - and with do you mind bringing 
along MacNicol?" Gelly did mind bringing McN.
because it practically ruled ^out his own ^power to influence the
final plan. But of course he could not say so
& took McN.
Monash said to them: The German is in a
condition of great confusion & we have only to
hit him without warning & roll him up" xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
He expected no difficulty. He gave instructions
as to /  plans. McN. went to his H.Q. &
drew up his order. Gellibrand asked him to xxxx come along
& confer with him & show him the order etc, but McN. said that he was
detained by conference w his officers, &
actually his order did not reach Gelly until
the fighting was practically over.
The first news G. had of the battle was an
appealing message for rfts when the attack had failed.
He then could only tell McN to hot fast as much
ground as he could wh, of course, was only what
McN. shd have bn doing without any advice from Div H.Q.
 

 

10th Brigade Stunt  10th Aug 1918 Near  Proyart
Sgt. Gornall 37Bn
We reached a position in the neighborhood of
Lion, Lena & Susan Woods on the afternoon of
Aug 8th. We bivouacked in a sunken road
near by leading from Morcourt to ( I presume,
Harbonniers. Here we remained all the
9th & part of the 10th. About 7 pm on the
evening of the 10th Col G Knox Knight called
a conference of the officers which took place
in the open in full view of the battalion & in the
hearing of many.
As a result all were warned to
be ready to move at a moments notice with
extra ammunition ^& 48 hours rations. It was also learnt that
a pack train would accompany us.
We started away shortly after 8pm
in column of Route making a bee line for
the Warpusie - Vermand Road. We were in
full view of the 3 enemy observation balloons
with a gorgeous sunset in the west behind
us. The ground like all the Santerie country
 

 
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