Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/273/1 - 1918 - 1937 - Part 26

June 1, 1934 REVEILLE 17
War Veterans’ Graves at Albury
How the death of a Digger tramp on the roadside gave
inspiration to the Albury Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. in
its decision to trace and maintain the graves of war
veterans buried in the local cemetery has been told in
Reveille; but the ramifications of work which the decision
entailed may be judged only from the following facts:—
The first move of a sub-committee, consisting
of a member each from the C. of E., R.C., and
Presbyterian denominations, was to secure the
names of all Great War veterans buried in
the Albury Cemetery. Search of hospital, cemetery
trust, and undertakers' records were without
result, so, with the permission of the
proprietors, search was made of the files of
“The Border Morning Mail" from 1915 to
1933, and from 6120 papers, the funerals of 44
Diggers were noted. In addition the names of
eight Diggers were discovered who had been
buried in Albury Cemetery from outlying districts,
their funerals not having been advertised
in the local paper.
This made the total of known burials 52,
and with the assistance of the sexton, each
grave was located and a note made as to
condition: 27 were neglected and 25 in good
order. The next work was to obtain the actual
date of death, and this was done with the assistance (gratis) of
the local registrar.
In order to obtain accurate regimental particulars of each man,
application was made to the Repatriation Department for a headstone
on each of the unattended graves. The outcome was that the Repatriation
Dept. agreed to supply headstones over two graves, where
death was due to war injuries, and it furnished regimental details
in regard to the other deceased soldiers. The roll was then drawn
up in an alphabetical book, and the first stage of the work was
completed in eight months.
As each grave was the absolute property of the purchaser, no improvements
could be carried out until sanction had been obtained.
From Repatriation and undertakers' records the next-of-kin were
located, and to each a letter was sent explaining that the Albury
Sub-Branch had decided to place headstones on each of the unattended
graves, and seeking their permission (as owner of grave) to carry
out the work. It was intimated to them that on receipt of favourable
reply a photo of grave as it would appear when finished, also a copy
of the inscription proposed to be placed on headstone, would be forwarded;
any extra lettering on headstone they desired to be paid
for by them at 8/6 per dozen letters. Two of the 27 letters were
sent to England, and the heartfelt replies received from relatives amply
repaid Albury for its efforts. Three of the people communicated with
decided to equip the graves at their own expense.
From a local monumental mason headstones were secured free, the
cost for inscription and erection being £2/17/6 per stone. The Defence
Department, as the result of personal representations, granted permission
to have “Rising Sun” inscribed on the headstones, provided the
top of the stone was rounded instead of squared, in order to distinguish
it from the official stone.
To finance the scheme £150 was required, and so well was the
appeal organised that it was closed in three weeks, with £200 in
hand. It was agreed that a headstone alone would not be sufficient to
protect the graves, and tenders were invited from three local monumental
masons for 8ft. x 4ft. x 12in. x 7in. kerbing round each
grave, covering each grave with three inches concrete, and on top
with marble chips.
The tender of the monumental mason who donated the headstones
was accepted at £4/15/- per grave, maning a total cost of each
grave £7/12/6, and total price of contract, approximately £170/15/-,
leaving a handy balance for further use on unattended graves.
As planned, all graves were completed by Anzac Day, when a
service was held in the Albury Cemetery, presided over by the Mayor,
assisted by the President of the Albury Sub-Branch. The Albury
Town Band, combined choir, and a firing party from the 40th Battery
were present. Each war veteran’s grave was covered with an Australian
flag or Union Jack, according to place of enlistment, and was
removed by a Boy Scout on the last note of “The Last Post,” and
replaced, together with a wreath of rosemary, on the first note of
“Reveille."
These expenses incurred in placing the appeal for funds before the
public, and in organising the dedication service, were met by donations
from two Diggers.
LIEUT.-COLONEL NEELY.
Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Neely, D.S.O. and Bar, M.C. and Bar, French
C. de G., who died at the Naval and Military Club, London, on March
31, aged 48, had the distinction of having served almost continuously
in the front line from early 1915 until the Armistice. He fought
with the 6th Bn. London Regt. at Loos, and being promoted major
at the end of 1916, commanded his battalion in the worst of all
battles on Passchendaele Ridge. He also commanded the London Irish,
and after the war received a regular commission in the Highland Light
Infantry, retiring in 1933.
In Memoriam : Our Pals
"We Will Remember Them"
BLACKLER, Pte. John Cecil (2110, 17th Bn.), killed in action
at Bois Grenier, June 13, 1916.
KENDALL, Pte. George William (5169, 49th Bn.), killed in
action at Messines, June 7, 1917.
MITCHELL, Gnr. John (20845, 12th A.F.A. Bde.), drowned
at sea, June 4, 1919.
WEINGOTT, Pte. Samuel (127, Ist Bn.), died of wounds
received at Anzac, June 5, 1915.
3rd Battalion.—Killed in action: Lieut. Colin Smith, M.C.; Cpl.
of a member each from the C. of E., R.C., and
Norman Lee, M.M.; Pte. W. Adams.—(Inserted by Lieut. P.
Kinchington, Dunning Ave., Rosebery.)
Notice of death anniversary in respect of any soldier who
died in July of any year, during or since the war, should
reach the Editor of “Reveille” by June 23, together with remittance
of 1/- for insertion. Address to R.S.L. Headquarters,
Wingello House, Sydney.
G. W. WHITECHURCH
The passing of George Willis Whitechurch, at the Repatriation
Hospital, Caulfield, cast a gloom over the ward in which he had
faced nobly with fortitude and forbearance the sufferings of a long
and painful illness. Possessing a keen sense of humor and quick at
repartee, George was responsible for many
bright moments and friendly arguments in
his ward; and this cheerfulness and good
humor he evinced right up to a week or two
of his death.
At the outbreak of war, then a sturdy lad
of 18 years, he was working for his father
on a farm at Avenel (Vic.), and was among
the first to enlist, embarking in October,
1914, with original “B” Squadron of the 4th
A.L.H., in transport No. 18 (s.s. “Wiltshire").
He served on Gallipoli until the evacuation,
and later joined the cyclists' unit. He had
over two years' service with the Anzac Cyclist
Bn., for Corporal Whitechurch was not away
from his unit on account of sickness or wounds
until April, 1918, when he was gassed at
Corbie.
Returning to Australia after the Armistice,
he successfully conducted a dairying business
in Melbourne, but this he was forced to relinquish
owing to iII-health — an aftermath of his strenuous war
service and the effect of gas.
George left a widow and three children, to whom he was devoted.
That he was so highly esteemed by all with whom he came in
contact, and that war service was the cause of his untimely death,
must be some consolation to those he has left behind.
The writer of this paragraph is indebted to Lieut. Arno Symons and
Lieut. H. J. Thornton, of the 4th A.L.H.R., for supplying particulars
relative to Cpl. Whitechurch's war service.
—E. G. Blair, Ward 7, Repatriation Hospital, Caulfield.
Mr. JOHN CORBETT.
One of our most esteemed and constant readers, Mr. John Corbett,
who lived in the Basses Pyrenees, France, and who always had glowing
praise for “Reveille,” died on March 22. Notice of his death was
sent to us by Major C. H. Howell, of the Imperial Army, who lived
in the same district. Mr. Corbett, who was 83, was formerly a bank
manager at Ballarat (Vic.).
ANZAC EVE FESTIVAL.
The second Anzac Eve Festival Performance was given at the Sydney
Conservatorium on April 24 in the presence of Lady Game. The programme
included the winning choirs singing the Festival Song, “Anzac
Day," and the verse-speaking choirs speaking the Twenty-third Psalm.
The winning one-act play, “Scrubby Reforms," by Mr. C. Hansby Read, was
played by the Junior Theatre League and gave a dramatic story of three
returned soldiers in a miners' camp. Last year's winning play, "The
Toast is Anzac, Gentlemen," by Miss Kitty Winter, was again produced
by the Independent Theatre. Mr. Raymond Beatty sang delightfully, and
the Lightfoot-Burlakov School brought the programme to a close with a
beautiful tableau, “The Spirit of Peace." Lady Game distributed the
prizes.
LEGACY AWAITS CLAIMANT.
Arthur Gordon Shand (N.Z.E.F.), who came to Australia in 1920,
communicate with “Reveille.” A legacy awaits him in N.Z.
Roy Sharwood, who wa sa sergeant-major at Broadmeadows (Vic.)
in 1915, training A.I.F. men, communicate with “Reveille."

18 REVEILLE June 1, 1934
Monument Wood and an Unofficial Armistice
(By Capt. G. D. Mitchell, M.C., D.C.M., late 10th and 48th Bns., A.I.F.)
JUST after midnight on May 3, 1918, we filed out of
the reserve trench and over the railway. We were
to attack Monument Wood at 02.20.
Was in a stinking bad temper. My platoon was 28
strong; and fourteen of them were new reinforcements—
kids, dumped on to me twelve hours before.
Three months previously they were in Australia. Of
poor physique, they were not intended for infantry units;
nor were they trained. In the few hours of daylight I
had tried to ram some musketry into them. It took a
bottle of wine to stave off an epileptic fit, when I saw two
of them try to ram the clips as well as the cartridges
into the magazine. Why, thought I, should I be afflicted
with an untrained rabble in my fourth year of war; and
Anzac leave months overdue—and all for a rotten little
attack on a narrow sector that would draw a concentration
of all enemy artillery within miles.
Could visualise the big hefty artillery Germans swinging
the trails of their 77’s and 5.9’s, saying, "Komm, we
will blow these verdomt Englishers to Hell."
As we trudged over the sleepers to the rattle of equipment
and the sound of bumping rifle butts, I pondered over
Kipling's “Islanders” :-
"Sons of the sheltered city—unmade, unhandled, unmeet—
Ye pushed them raw to the battle as ye picked them raw from the
street,
And what did ye look they should compass? Warcraft learned in
a breath?
Knowledge unto occasion at the first far view of death?"
Reached the railway bridge near our hop-over point. A mob of elephants
would have climbed the bank more quietly. The recruits had not
developed their eyes to night work. They stumbled and fell over obstacles
that we old hands could see clearly. Poor blighters—it must have been
a black night of terror for them.
A guide met me. Led us over the front line trench. He immediately
mixed my men with McDowell's in the dark. Then mixed us up in a
lot of barbed wire. My language should have melted the wire.
Placed each man flat with his head pointing to Fritz. "When we charge,
go that way."
Didn’t take long, but the left platoon was moving about looking like
haystacks in the light of the flares. They collected. Several machine-guns
opened, and they went down like wheat before the reaper.
Flares were going up from the enemy like fury. He might just as well
have issued us an invitation and made it quite formal. We found later
that he had packed the line with Jaegers and had one machine-gun to
every two of our men.
0200, we were settled down and the playful Jaeger was parting our
hair with M.G. ricochets, just to show what he could do if he tried.
A flare dropped against my ribs and still burned. The hard white light
must have shown me up to the wide
world. The heat was penetrating,
but I was scared to bat an eyelid.
Started counting the tenth parts of
seconds till a shower of bullets would
arrive. But the flare went out and
I was still whole.
0210. Comparative peace. 0213,
0214, 0215. The whizz of our shrapnel.
Six eighteen-pounders fired for
three minutes, then stopped.
The only harm they did was to
blow up several of McDowell's men.
Nine platoon had had no casualties
—yet. Found time to be sorry for
the recruits. This would be hell for
them. But was still sorrier for myself.
We were astounded at the poorness
of the barrage. Just enough
to wake Fritz up properly.
Zero hour was 0200. The illuminated
dial of my watch showed 2.17.
The attack at Monument Wood, as pictured by Rupert Barrie, D.C.M.,
of the 48th Bn., A.I.F.
We had failed already. Half hoped that someone with brains and
sufficient authority would call the show off.
02.18. 0218½. Ten seconds to go. Blast these little hop-overs!
Five-four-three-two-one. Zero.
Raised my head. Not a move anywhere. If we are wise we will lay
low and say nowt. Ten seconds and no move. Imlay must be gone or
he would have set things moving. Fifteen seconds. McDowell's voice
"Advance C Company." Blast it! That's torn it. "Advance nine
Platoon.”
All the typewriters in the world going together. A dozen flares over
our heads. A line of bursting bombs at the Fritz wire. Bullets sizzling,
squealing and buzzing.
An enormous Fritz officer plain to the light, galloping along his
parados, yelling fire orders in a voice that outdid the bombs.
“Ruddy little hero, aren’t you," says I to myself, “cantering across shell
holes to do battle for your King and Country when you would sooner be
home in bed.”
Arrived in front of the Fritz wire. It was picked out in showers of
sparks from end to end by the German M.G. bullets. It was untouched
and a perfect barrier.
Looked around for my platoon, to give Fritz some of his own medicine,
but lo and behold!—there was not a man above ground.
"Well I ain’t no thin red hero," thinks I, and slips into a juicy deep
shell hole.
A sudden tattoo of bombs and rifle fire 40 yards to the right . It was
Captain Cumming and three men who rushed vainly at the enemy trench.
By the light of bursting bombs I saw them fall.
Took stock of the enemy line and what I saw made me rage again.
He had had the cheek to hoist his machine-guns into the open in front
of the trench. The crews sat and knelt around them—big black blobs.
The riflemen stood between, firing from the hip. Every seventh or eighth
man was throwing bombs like clockwork. They were bursting behind me.
Had brought a rifle and bandolier.
Bull Voice the officer was still dashing up and down giving orders.
Took a snap shot at him before settling down to serious work.
The nearest gun was thirty feet away. No need for sights at that
range. Gave them a magazine and another. They went out of business.
Started on the next until the 50 bandolier was spent. Just at this stage
Tom Davis, my batman, arrived with a bag of rations, a corporal, and
a reinforcement. Sent the corporal back to dig up any rifle grenadiers he
could find, keep them well back, and drop Mills into the line. He did
so with excellent results. A Fritz screamed at the first burst.
Took the reinforcement's spare bandolier.
The reinforcement let out a yip and sat back in the shell hole. "What's
up?" I asked, far too busy to knock off my 20 to the minute shooting to
have a look. "I'm hit." "Where?" "In the arm." " You must have
tin pants on. Five minutes in action and you get a Blighty. Hop it.”
He hopped.
With a rush and clatter, my Lewis gunner arrived. “Now," I said, “we
will really do something. Gimme the gun.”
Flattened the bipod to keep it low,
took a deep breath, then let go.
Shades of persecuted Loots ! The
stupid cow had put on a drum of
anti-aircraft ammunition — tracer
one in four.
A line of light from the gun
muzzle showed our position to the
world at large.
As the last bullet was leaving the
barrel, I was sliding back on to my
sit-down out of harm’s way.
Dante knew nothing. Every gun
converged on to our shell hole. One
or two M.G.'s can make things unpleasant,
but when 20 converge, it
behoves the wise to emulate the
rabbit.
Bombs landed all round the lip
of the shell hole, but none came in.
(Continued on next page)

June 1, 1934 REVEILLE 19
Capt. G.D. Mitchell,
M.C., D.C.M., who
tells this thrilling
story of the attack on
Monument Wood, was
a member of the original
10th Bn. He enlisted
on September 5,
1914, and was transferred
to the 48th Bn.
on October 31, 1916,
being commissioned on
April 22, 1917. A
native of Thebarton
(S. Aust.), he now
lives in Queensland.
Began to think that perhaps we had outstayed our welcome. Also to
worry about what daylight—now not far off—would mean to our scattered
remnant.
So scribbled a message to B.H.Q.: "Attack hopelessly held up on uncut
wire. No chance of success. Can I have permission to retire the
company?"
When the M.G. fire eased I sent Tom off with it.
Left alone again I began to worry hard. Not much time left, and only
one thing to do. I know. I will find another officer and share the responsibility
with him.
So hopped out and down the line.
The things I saw would make an angel weep. One reinforcement was
using a small mound for cover, but he was on the Fritz side of it. Rectified
that. Another was lying side on to Fritz. Another was as flat as a snake
alongside a deep shell hole. Suggested he get in the hole. He did.
Next time I passed he was as flat as a snake in the bottom of the shell
hole.
But not a sign of any officer.
Stopped in amazement in an open space at the sight of a man who had
been torn to rags by M.G. bullets. What I might have done then was
problematical, but Fritz intervened.
A sledgehammer hit my left foot and knocked it off. “What Ho!—a
Blighty,“ said I, and hopped on my good foot to the old front line.
“Any officer,“ I asked. "Here's Mr. Clarke," said a voice.
There was “Ginger“ Clarke all right, flat out on the floor of the
trench, shot through both arms. He looked very pale and done. "You
hit, Mitch?" he asked. "Yes." I said. “l've got one in the foot. Can
you walk?“ No, he could not. Spied long Sam Siekamp. “Carry him
out, Sam."
Enquired again for officers, but they were all gone. Even the 45th
officer in charge of the front line garrison had been shot through the
head watching us go over.
No wonder there had been no impetus in the attack. All of our officers
and most of our men chopped down before they had gone ten yards. I
had lost Sergeant Rundle—a splendid soldier and man.
All right, I must be the boss here now. I will bring the men in and
face the music after.
A runner: “Any officer?” "Yes; here." "Message." Got down into
the trench and read it. "Advance at all costs. D. A. Twining, Adjutant."
I turned the air blue, pink and saffron, and threw the message away.
Was heaving myself out of the trench to withdraw the company when
there was another voice.
"Any officer?"
"Yes. Here.“ It was young Arnold, M.C., D.C.M., M.M., our intelligence
officer, nicknamed Ickey. "That you, Mitch?" "Yes."
"Where is Captain Imlay?" "Hit." "The others?" "All gone." "You
hit?" "Yes."
“l've brought orders for you to withdraw the company."
"Just what l'm —— well going to do."
"All right," says Ickey, "I'Il help you."
"You —— well won't, " I said. "You don’t know where to go
and will be killed."
The east was very light now.
So out again. Stirred each man with my toe. "Hit?" If he answered
and it was "no,"—"back to the line."
Half light and a shower of bullets ended the business, so I dropped
into the front line.
Then it dawned on me that I had a Blighty. Carefully, like a mother
with her first babe, I took my left boot off.
Another blanky sell. The bullet had struck the iron heel plate and
I did not have a scratch.
Consoled myself with a slab of chocolate and wine out of my bottle.
* * *
After setting day posts I was dozing peacefully, when a tattoo of shots
and a call caused me to look over the top A man had hopped out of
a shell hole and into the front line.
Some more shots. A dazed looking, bespectacled reinforcement ambled
obliquely across our line. He was about eight feet from my section of
the trench but seemed to have no inclination to get in. Called out and
beckoned him furiously to come in. Half a dozen Jaegers were potting
at him.
He stopped with his mouth open and looked at me. Then he collected,
spun round and dropped. A sergeant with an expression of vast disgust
reached out and hauled him in by the foot. One through the shoulder.
Nice Blighty. Little wounded hero. They could only hit the heel
of my flaming boot.
Thoroughly peeved, I yelled to the shell-holes : “If anyone else tries
to move before dark, I will shoot him myself and save Fritz the trouble.”
No one else moved. Must have taken me seriously.
* * *
The sound of voices awoke me once again. A party of our stretcher-bearers
appeared over the railway bank. The leader carried a white flag.
Held my breath for fear they would be shot down. The Fritz was a
gentleman. They went unscathed.
Then an astonishing thing.
Full length out of the German line rose an officer — our old friend
Bull Voice. He called, “Do you want to surrender?"
A chorus : “Surrender be buggered!"
Again our friend : “I do not speak French. Speak in English.“
And he marched toward our line, large as life and twice as natural.
My brain fairly buzzed.
“Can't let him come here and see our weakness. Can't shoot him because
our stretcher parties would be shot in turn.
He must be met in the middle. Who by? You, of course, you silly
cow ; you are the only officer left!"
With a sigh of resignation I heaved myself out of the trench and met
him in the middle.
We saluted. He—flat handed in the German style. Both very formal.
“What is it that you want?“ he asked with the air of a god dispensing an
(Continued on page 32)

20 REVEILLE June 1, 1934
"Mena and Moonlight"
(By Major H. C. H. Robertson, D.S.O., p.s.c. Australian
Staff Corps)
(For obvious reasons, the names of the principals in this story are not
the true names. Both the persons concerned were popular and respected
members of the A.l.F. The story was well known in Cairo at the time,
and it throws some light on how law-abiding and respectable citizens
can, when enlisted in an army during a war, get into a nasty predicament
through a single act of thoughtlessness).
The scene opens in the Nurses' Quarters, No. 3 Australian
General Hospital, Abbassia,
Egypt. The time is after midnight,
and the Sister on duty (Jones) is
dozing over a book.
A car stops outside the gate, and
an excited nurse (Brown) stumbles
into the room where Sister Jones is
sitting. The conversation opens:-
"Jones, I’m shot!"
Sister Jones' eyes open with astonishment, but
the nurse in her rises to the occasion.
“Well, what would you like — some soda
water?"
Sister Brown's tone rises and gets rather
hysterical.
"No! No! I’m really shot!"
"Now sit down for a minute while I get you some soda water, then
you can take some aspirins and go to bed.
Sister Brown crumbles into a chair, and, bursting into tears, mumbles :-
“I've been shot by a bullet."
We will now leave the two nurses while we relate the
circumstances which led up to the scene just described.
***
If the Australian troops in Egypt and Sinai missed
something of artillery barrages, they found equivalents
in the long years of sand, heat, and natives. The troops
in France could have leave in England—a delight in
spite of the privations of war—and, even in France,
there was plenty of smiling countryside, peopled by
pleasant people.
In Egypt there was scant comfort, even when away
from the line. The only changes were to Cairo, Port Said
and Ismailia, with, for those who were lucky, a trip during
the winter to Luxor and Assouan. But, wherever
one went, one met the same native population, with a
sprinkling of cosmopolitan Levantines, and only a few
English people.
The English residents of Cairo and Port Said were
kindness itself, and their homes gave relief to many tired
Australians. There were, however, so few English homes
that they could not cope with more than fragment of the
multitude composing the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
Shepheards, the Continental, and Heliopolis House Hotel
therefore became the resorts of most officers of the E.E.F.,
while Australian soldiers monopolised the National Hotel.
Even in hotels, however, there were few Europeans, so
it was not surprising that many soldiers turned to
places like the Ex-Continental for sight of a European
female face.
Probably the most refreshing tonic for the soldiers
came from the hospitals. Here officers and men (many
of whom had been patients), meeting a member of the
opposite sex, had to discard their camp manners for ones
with some semblance of home standards. The British
hospitals had V.A.D.’s as well as Nurses, but the Australians
were quite content with their grey-frocked
Nurses. Many an officer or soldier had his short leave
made pleasant by a dinner party and motor drive with
some cheerful Australian Nurse, and many a happy home
in Australia owes its genesis to a romance born in those
days.
In April, 1919, the Egyptian rebellion broke out, and
the tired Australian troops, waiting for ships to carry
them back to their homes, had to re-arm and equip themselves,
obtain horses and vehicles, and move through the
Nile Delta restoring order. Cairo became a very dull
city, as there were restrictions on all amusements. Visits
to the Pyramids or the Nile Barrage, or trips to the
desert could only be made by day and in parties — all
troops had to be back at their stations before dark. Officers
were ordered to carry revolvers when out of doors,
and guards and sentries were posted at all strategic
points. The native part of the city was placed “Out of
Bounds.” Within a few days of the outbreak, order was
restored, bridges rebuilt, lines repaired and rail traffic
resumed. For some weeks afterwards, however, special
precautions remained in force.
A few weeks after the rebellion a well-known
Australian Officer (whom we will call Captain Green) came
to Cairo for a couple of days' leave. The day after his
arrival he invited an attractive and popular Nurse (whom
we will call Sister Brown) from No. 3 A.G.H. to dine
with him at Shepheards. I believe it was not the first
dinner party these two had had together. After dinner
the two sat talking, until an Officer belonging to the A.I.F.
Headquarters arrived to see someone on duty. Seeing
the Sunbeam car in which the Officer had arrived, Captain
Green, who knew the Officer well, asked if he might
borrow the car to take Sister Brown back to the Hospital.
(Cairo taxi drivers could not be trusted at this
period.) Although the car was an official one, and not
available for private use, the Officer, knowing the dangers
with Cairo taxi drivers, consented, and told the
driver to take his orders from Captain Green.
The driver was a native, as, when man-power strains
became great in 1917 and 1918, all fit motor drivers in
Cairo were transferred to fighting units, and their places
taken by natives. These natives learned to handle a car
reasonably well, but they had a mania for speed, and,
given a good stretch of road, they forgot everything else.
Captain Green and Sister Brown got
into the car and started off. Then as
it was a moonlight night, Captain
Green suddenly suggested that they
might take a run to the Pyramids
before going to the Hospital. Sister
Brown agreed, and the driver took
the Mena road.
Now Captain Green, being on short
leave to Cairo, did not know of all
the guards and sentries, and he probably
had neglected to look up all the
orders about restrictions after dark.
The rising was already several
weeks past, and everything appeared
quiet. Sister Brown, being a woman, was probably
thinking
of the moonlight. There was, however, a definite
order forbidding visits to Mena after dark, and a guard
was posted on the road at the outskirts of the city to
stop cars and examine the occupants. At this time, the
guard happened to be found by an Indian Battalion.
When the driver reached the straight stretch of the
Mena road he “stepped on it,"” and sat back to enjoy
himself—those Sunbeams could cover the ground. Without
any of the occupants noticing it, the car whizzed past an
Indian sentry who challenged and called on it to stop.
Receiving no response, the sentry drew his revolver and
fired a shot after the car. The shot did the trick. Captain
Green heard it, but he was more concerned at a
scream from Sister Brown, who said she had been hit.
The bullet had come through the back of the car, and,
losing most of its momentum on the metal panel and seat

June 1, 1934 REVEILLE 31
P.M.G.'s Department
Over 200 members of this sub-branch paraded at the Cenotaph on
Anzac Day, when Sister Drewett (ex-A.I.F.) placed a wreath. The
sub-branch patron (Mr. J. W. Kitto, Deputy-Director of Posts and Telegraphs),
and Mr. Peter Kennedy (supervising engineer), attended.
An excellent lecture on the customs (not to be confused with the
Commonwealth Customs) of the Papuan natives was delivered recently
by Mr. A. E. Austin, Resident Magistrate of Loueua, Papua. A touch
of the real Digger spirit was in evidence. The lecturer gave his lantern
sldes and learned discourse gratis, and Colonel Milne supplied (bachsheesh)
his lantern and screen, and assisted Mr. Austin.
Our “smoko," featuring artists from the public service, was an unqualifled
success. Messrs. Hutton and Hollier (Railways Sub-Branch)
delighted the audience with duets from Gilbert and Sullivan. Jack
Brophy (Defence Dept.) manipulated his cards and box of tricks; and
Telegraphist Bob Crosby caused a riot of laughter with his humorous
German, Dutch, and Jewish characterisations. Wally Gardiner, from
the Lines Branch, performed admirably with his platoon of concertinas
of various shapes and sizes, and conducted community singing.
Assistance from our funds has been given to Furlough House (£2/2/-),
League* Distress Fund (£4/4/-), League Hospital Comforts Fund
(E3/10/-), two members absent on sick leave without pay (each
£3/3/-), Anzac Day march (10/6), inter-sub branch concert party
£2/2/-). On the Anzac Memorial appeal letter, the contention was
raised that anti-soldier organisations would not hesitate to point out
that in the building of a memorial to the soldiers who sleep overseas,
the remnants of the A.I.F. had to subscribe owing to the disinterestedness
of affluent citizens. Thus the motion to subscribe was lost.
The next social hop-ovér will take place early in July. Equipment
to be carried will be a large thirst, with appetites at the alert, dry
whistle on the shoulder, chin-strap, fixed firmly under the chin to
prevent spills. Stretcher-bearers will be detailed for duty by Jock Fernley,
social secretary.
President Bob Swan has issued an appeal to all members to attend
meetings held on the first Monday night in each month, in the Postal
Inst.tute Cafeteria at 8 p.m. ; lift from basement. The idea that committeemen
only are admitted to meetings is incorrect. All members are
welcome, so come along and air your views.—W. Ireland, Publicity
Officer.
“Dad Owen”—(From previous page)
man. told me of Sergeant Bourne, formerly of the “Buffs"
(cook-sergeant, you remember, he was, with us—a fine
man, with a pair of the nicest blue eyes I ever saw),
and how he was lying in great agony, dying I think, shot
through the pelvis and with general peritonitis—I crawled
round and saw poor Bourne myself next day or so. He
was nearly “through with it,” then. Well, the moment
he saw Jenkyns he gasped out, “Have you seen the Old
Man? Is he all right?” "Yes!” said Jenkyns, “right as
rain when I last saw him, 'going strong.'" "Thank God!"
said Bourne, and sank back with a look almost of peace
on his face.
Wolsey told me one last little incident with which I
must finish these reminiscences of “Dad”: My little
sanitary sergeant told me how the Colonel had given
orders to keep the trenches swept scrupulously after meals
to keep the flies away. Like myself, he loathed and hated
flies with all his soul, and I expect for the same reason,
that we both realised how they ruined the men’s “fighting
chances,” both by giving them fly-borne disease and by
settling in swarms on their wounds and making them go
septic. Anyhow, Wolsey told me that for love of the
Colonel and because they knew that the flies absolutely
“got on his nerves,” the men kept those trenches scrupulously
clean—ideally perfect—in a way I couldn’t get
them to approach, once he had gone, though even then
they were really very good.
So much for our first C.O., “Spiritual Father” of the
battalion and of its traditions. Well on in his fifties, he
was not constitutionally strong enough, nor tough enough
—hard enough, perhaps I should say—for the unrelaxing
strain of modern war; but he was a great lover and a
great maker of men, a great creator of “spirit”, and
“noblesse-oblige.” Any weakness that he had concerned
not himself at all; but to lose “my poor boys,” as he called
us, that harrowed, unnerved, and finally undermined him
as if we had been indeed his own “flesh and blood” sons.
Take him for all in all, I think many of us have him enshrined
in our hearts as the finest gentleman we ever met.
(To be continued)
Diggers Abroad—No. 41
CAPT. V .C. GRIFFIN: Born in Granville (N.S.W.) in April, 1898,
he enlisted in the A.I.F. in June, 1915, leaving Australia as a
private (No. 2600) with the 8th Reinforcements for the 3rd Bn., which
he joined at Anzac at the beginning of October. In September, 1918,
after service in France, Griffin transferred to the Indian Army; in
April of the following year, having completed six months' training at
the Quetta Military College, he received his commission in the 10th
Gurkha Rifles, and almost immediately took part in the Afghan War.
Transferring in 1923 to the 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, he was some
years later (1929) appointed adjutant of its 2nd Bn., which served
in the Burma Rebellion from July, 1931, to March, 1932. Since 1933
he has been a company commander in the 10th (Training) Bn. of the
regiment. Griffin married, in 1925, the daughter of Sir Louis
Rieu, K.C.S.I., member of the Executive Council of the Governor of
Bombay. Last year they both visited Sydney. At the present
time Capt. Griffin is stationed at Belgaum, in the Bombay Presidency.
CAPTAIN W. KRUGE (11th Bn.) : Born at Noradjuha (Vic.),
in 1887, he left Western Australia with reinforcements for 11th Bn.,
serving with that unit until invalided in 1918.
On arrival back in Australia he was made
staff-officer for returned soldiers at Perth, and
retained this appointment for; several years,
after which he resumed his profession as
surveyor. As a result of war disabilities he
had to relinquish his calling, and is now a
draftsman in the State service. Prior to the war
Kruger was an outstanding tennis player, he
and his brother being State doubles champions
for several years, War injuries necessitated
his abandoning this sport, and he has now
taken to bowls with conspicuous success. It
was mainly through his efforts that the 11th Bn.
Assn. was resuscitated in 1925, and since 1930
he has occupied the presidential chair. Captain
Kruger left : Australia on April 21 to
visit England and the Continent, and will be
absent , for several months. His address is
c/o Agent-General for West Australia, Savoy
House. The Strand, London.
COLONEL T. A. J. PLAYFAIR, O.B.E., D.S.O., V.D. (Arty.)
Member of a well-known providoring and meat exporting firm of Sydney, he
was born in that city in October, 1890, and educated at the Sydney
Church of England Grammar School. Joined the militia in 1910, and on
enlisting in the A.I.F. in August, 1914, was appointed a section commander
in the 1st Battery of the 1st Div. Artillery. Embarked in the
troopship “Argyllshire” in Oct., 1914, for Egypt. Landed at Anzac
on the night of April 25, 1915, with four telephonists, to act as
right flank observing officer for H.M.S. “Bacchante,“ a job that he
continued to do until, on May 19, he was wounded, in the head and
chest. Early in July, Playfair rejoined his battery, at Cape Helles, but
on August 6 received a wound in the head, which resulted in his
being invalided home the following month. In April, 1916, he was
promoted captain and given command of the 26th Bty. (3rd Div.),
with which he sailed for England in May, going to France in November.
Promoted major in January, 1917, Playfair on several occasions
left his battery to act as brigade major of the 3rd Div. Arty., until
in March, 1918, he was transferred to the 4th Div. Arty. as brigade
major. Since 1927 he has been a member of the N.S.W. Legislative
council. In Feb. of this year he left on a business trip to Java,
Singapore, Federated Malay States, Shanghai, Japan, and expects to
return to Sydney at the end of June.
MAJOR E. E. LONGFIELD LLOYD, M.C. (1st Bn.) : Born in Sydney
in Sept., 1890, and educated in Sydney and Dublin, he was a clerk
at the Union Bank in Sydney at the outbreak of war. Having served
in King Edward’s Horse and the 29th A.I.R., he received a commission
in the A.I.F. in August. 1914, and embarked in October with the 1st
Bn. Promoted lieutenant at Mena Camp in Feb., 1915, and captain
at Anzac in July. Took part in the Landing, and early in June led
a raid against a Turkish machine-gun in German Officers' Trench, for
which he received the Military Cross. Evacuated, ill, from Anzac
In Oct., 1915, he was invalided home from Egypt in the hospital ship
“Kanowna” three months later. From the end of 1916 until Oct., 1920,
Lloyd was attached to the Intelligence Section at Victoria Barracks,
Sydney, after which he received a temporary appointment in the
External Affairs Branch of the Prime Minister's Department. Since
May, 1921, he has been Inspector-in-Charge, Commonwealth Investigation
Branch, Sydney. At the present time he is on his way back to
Australia with Mr. Latham, the Commonwealth Attorney-General, who
has just completed a “goodwill" visit to China and Japan.
LIEUT.-COLONEL A .J. G. SIMPSON (4th and 56th Bns.) : Born
in Devonshire in 1888, a B.A. of Cambridge University, he was an
articled law clerk in Sydney at the outbreak of the war. Joining
up immediately, he was given a commission in the 4th Bn., and left
Australia as a captain. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France, being
transferred to the 56th Bn. in Feb., 1916, during the expansion and
reorganisation of the A.I.F., and promoted major in May, before the
unit left for France. For six weeks or sq after the Battle of Fromelles
Simpson temporarily commanded the 54th Bn., and from Oct., 1917,
to March, 1918, he had charge of the 56th. Returned to Australia
in 1919. At the end of February of this year he left Sydney in the
“Otranto” on a six months' visit to England.

32 REVEILLE June 1, 1934
MONUMENT WOOD —(From page 19)
inconsiderable favour. “These," I said, pointing to our wounded all
about us.
"Very well," he said. "I will give you twenty minutes. If we fire
three shots in the air we will continue war."
"Three shots," thinks I, "time to dive into a shell hole."
"Very well," I said, "I will not go further toward your line than
here, and you do not come closer to us."
"Yes," he said.
My troubles were not over. The new hands seemed to think this
was a regular occurrence, and that the hatchet was buried. So they
started to swarm out of the trenches.
Made some pointed comments and they got back in again. Keeping
Bull Voice away from our line, and wrecked “C” Company and a platoon
of the 45th in hand was trying.
But to do him justice, Bull Voice was the soul of honour, integrity and
generosity throughout the whole proceeding. He was tall and handsome.
Well over six feet. Did not look more than 22. He sought no small
advantage—as I would have. I would probably in his position, have
stipulated that I take the lightly wounded and he the severe cases.
However, “One man," he said, “I will keep. He is on our parapet,
shot through the foot."
He then changed his mind and gave him to us. He gave us Captain
Cummins' body—wrist watch and papers intact.
Shades of Ned Kelly! Can you imagine an enemy officer in our lines
being unrifled?
Fritz started stretcher-bearing too. Counted with satisfaction eleven being
carried away from the scene of my operations.
Stretchers had all gone and not yet returned. So set a party to work
to rip the doors off the cottages behind us, use them for stretchers, dump
the casualties at the railway bridge, and return.
In this way the work went on swiftly. Bull Voice and I strolled up
and down together. We talked of Cabbages and Kings. He led me to
one of our men near his parapet.
Looked down into the trench full of square-built, stocky looking Jaegers.
A queer sensation. They looked at me in apparent curiosity and
friendliness.
Then, thinks I, "All this generosity going to waste, and nothing in
return. Must do something."
Oh,“ I said, “There is a dead H—German near our lines that you
can have." (Nearly said “Hun" to him ; just caught myself in time.)
His eyebrows went up in surprise. “One of my men?
“I don’t think so.“ He was a fortnight dead and humming to high
heaven. I was getting rid of him for our sakes.
"If you will give me four of your men, I will get him for you,” I said.
A volley of German words, and four Fritzs climbed out and came to
me with friendly grins.
So I marched off in charge of a party of enemy.
My boys vastly enjoyed the joke. Out of earshot of the officer, they
turned to me eagerly, and said, “Cigarette?
Give them a packet of Red Hussars.
“Damn lousy trick even to play on Fritz," commented the boys.
With crinkled noses they rolled the corpse on to the ground sheet and
marched off. I could get on with those Jaegers.
On patrol with Bull Voice again. One of our men came up. “There
is a wounded man just over the road."
Over the road might have been the next country for all we knew of
what had gone on there.
As a matter of fact, Charlie Stoerkel, M.C., our battalion fire-eater, had
broken through and captured a battalion headquarters there.
B.V. and I stood by the road. I had many qualms, but stuck close
to him. A new vista of firing line opened up, both Australian and German.
And they did not open on us. We stood sentinel while our
bearers raked in some more wounded from over the road.
The twenty minutes of grace had stretched to two hours. All the
wounded had been removed long since. Unwounded men in shell holes
had been solemnly rolled on to doors and carted in.
Now even the dead were removed and placed behind the buildings.
I turned to B.V.: “I thank you for your generosity. We have all our
wounded. We had better continue the war."
"We need not stop yet," he said.
Visions of 18-pounder shrap. crossed my mind. Everyone but ourselves
on both sides was now under cover and standing to arms.
And also visions of some inexperienced youth on either side wishing
to pick off an enemy at forty yards.
Anzac Day at Darwin
Photo - see Original Document
Like in other outposts of the Commonwealth, Anzac

Day was impressively 

celebrated at Darwin.

—This photo by courtesy of Mr. Justice Wells, who served with the A.I.F.
“No thank you," I said, "I think it better that we continue the war.
We stood to attention—face to face. He saluted flat handed—I with
the palm outward.
We turned right about and marched slowly back. Took my time. No
flaming Fritz was going to make me look windy. Reached the parapet.
Out of the tail ot my eye I could see B.V. gazing around. I gazed
round again. Fritz was still standing there. "Blast you!" I said, "you
win."
So I stepped down.
Then, and not till then, did this German Imperial officer step down.
I hope, B.V., that you have seventeen kids and a cellar full of beer.
* * *
I led the remnants out that night. Anticipated court-martial for fraternising
with the enemy. But was quite satisfied in view of the wounded that
were saved.
But nobody knew anything—officially. Heard later that our artillery
observers were worried to bits. They could see German tin-hats in No
Man’s Land, then British. So they held their fire. Or B.V. and I would
be pushing up the daisies.
Now, Pottsey, Norm, Clarkey, Allen, and you other blighters, what
about hearing from you in Reveille? There was a 48th Battalion in France.
WALLSEND.
"Abandon rank all ye who enter here" was a conspicuous sign at the
official opening of the new club room of the Wallsend Sub-branch of the
R.S.L. by the manager (Mr. H. D. Hill). The occasion was notable for
the very impressive tribute to comrades who did not return, and the spectacular
way in which the aims, objects and ideals of the League were emphasised.
All lights were dimmed and an illuminated scroll was evolved
in which twelve points of the League policy were prominently inscribed.
This scroll, at the end of which was a most impressive sketch of a soldier’s
grave in the war areas, was the work of Artist Don Bicelow.
Guests included Messrs. G. Shaw (State Councillor), W. Newburn (Newcastle
Sub-branch), Captain Kelly and Lt. Curtis (35th. Bn.); T. H. Copwell,
H. Scott-Daisly, H. T. James, H. Peters, and A. Evans. Mr. H.
Raine, the Wallsend secretary, emphasised the value of the League. "No
returned soldier, " he said, "who realised his obligations to those comrades
who made the supreme sacrifice, and to those who returned to make
great sacrifices in post-war, would decently stand outside the League.”
Alderman S. M. Neat (Mayor of Wallsend) assured the sub-branch that
it would have the full support of the local Council.
35th BATTALION REUNION.
The first Sydney reunion of the 35th Bn., A.I.F., will be held on
the night of June 15 at the Dungowan Cafe, Martin Place. Tickets
3/6. As catering is being arranged on the basis of those who propose
to attend, early application should be made to Capt. Gordon Coghill,
the secretary, at 75 Whistler Street, Manly ; tel. : YU 1511.

COPY.
Derrima
Collarenebri.
8th Nov. 1937.
Dear Morris,
I have been out here for the past two weeks working in a sheep
yard marking lambs and swabbing all other sheep.
Yesterday being Sunday, for recreation I wrote a brief account
of the German attack on our part of the line near Villers Bretonneaux.
I was prompted to do this as our official records appear to be
somewhat twisted here judging by the History of 5th Div. (Ellis) and the
Official History (Bean). And you once asked me to contribute something to
the Battalion History and I judged from a remark of yours recently that you
are still trying to get a Bn. history going.
I consider that I should know just what happened on our sector
on 24th Apl. but I may not write it down well so I send it to you to hand on
to your Historian if you think fit. The story may be touched up a bit to
advantage. I have largely stated facts. You can be sure of my facts being
right.
I will be returning to Sydney in a few days time.
I trust Mrs. Morris and family are well.
Very best wishes to you all and also my thanks for hospitality
shown to me in the past.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd). J. H. Barton.

P.S. I know something went wrong with reports of the day viz. 24th
April as some weeks after that day I was accompanying our Brigadier Gen.
Stewart along the front line during a fog when he asked me a question in
connection with events of the day: When I told him the Tommies remained
there until after the counter attack, he said - "I wish I had known that
before Barton."
(Init.) J.H.B.

VILLERS-BRETONNEAUX 24th April, 1918.
Facts are C Coy. of 54th Bn. in supports came under very heavy
minnie werfer and artillery fire after the break had been made through by
the enemy on our right flank towards Villers Bretonneux. Our front line
received very little of this shell fire.
An outstanding officer that day was Capt. McNab M.C. he had
returned from visiting the half of A Coy. which occupied the front line
before the heaviest of the shelling had commenced.
The retirement of the half of A Coy. and of C. Coy. to a trench
in our rear was automatic every man was badly shaken by the heavy fire from
medium minnie werfers. That Capt. McNabb ordered the retirement should be
fostered, as no doubt he would have ordered it but at the time all the men,
excepting a few near to him, thought he had been killed. A minnie blew the
traverse in on us. I being on the flank of the party of about eight who
were partially buried by the explosion was easily able to extricate myself
and also could Finlayson who had been lifted on to the parapet. Together
we commenced to pull the remainder out amongst them was Capt. McNabb. By
the time McNabb was free from the earth practically all able men had retired
to the rear trench. McNabb and I followed and in order to steady the morale
of the men we walked quietly back and then it was that McNabb inspired
everyone by remaining on top of the trench quite ignoring all shell fire and
long range rifle fire. On regaining my platoon I suggested a return to our
true position. My suggestion was promptly backed up by Sgt. Lakings whose
words were "Too bloody right". This support from Larkings stimulated my
action and we immediately clambered out followed by all that were left of C.
Coy. (about 20 men) and our action was followed by A. Coy. who were led by
Capt. McNabb and ably supported by Lieut. Dickenson. Dickenson kept his head
throughout, and acted admirably.
We did not regain our trench at quite the same place as we had
left it, but aimed for that portion to the right of the part we had vacated
as here the shell fire was lighter.
Our action in going forward had awakened the morale of all men
and by this time they were at the highest pitch of fighting humour and we
immediately opened up boxes of S.A.A., reserving that which the men carried,
and opened a steady fire on the distant enemy who were advancing in large
numbers of sections in artillery formation towards
Villers Bretonneux, while
those of his sections nearest to our flank would wheel to their right and
advance down the slope towards us in single file until our rifle fire made
them take ground cover.
Factors which played a part in shifting the enemy attack that
day were
(1) Capt. Cromby O.C. of C. Coy. from his headquarters on Hill 104,
having been an artillery officer before serving with the infantry, used his
very alert brain to good advantage and had obtained telephonic connection with
an artillery battery and became, for the time being, the observer, and directed
the artillery fire from his headquarters. Well directed artillery fire did
much to hamper the enemy supports as they moved towards the break in the line.
(2) The advance of our infantry A. and C. Coy's out of the extremely
heavy shell fire and which advance carried us to the enemy side of this shell
fire. Naturally enough, instead of having shell shocked troops to oppose them
they were met by an advance of infantry in high morale looming out of the dust
clouds of shell fire, and this I feel sure did much to call Fritz's bluff.
Up to this point I have only mentioned Capt. Cromby of C. Coy.
Lt. McArthur M.C. was the only other officer in C. Coy, he was with No. 12
platoon and this platoon was almost exterminated by minnie werfer fire &
McArthur was for a time badly shaken. McArthur was always an outstanding
officer and at a later hour in the day he had recovered from his shaking and
his clear vision again came to our help.
Now I come to the main object in my narrative, namely, one
company of Rifle Brigade who have been ignored in all our records remained
firm. Certain reports must have been lost or ignored and assumption based on

2.
reports not wide enough in their detail. This particular company of Rifle
Brigade deserves much credit and it was they who were largely the pivot on which
our defensive flank swung.
From the part of the action in this narrative where I left off
we had regained our true support position which gave excellent observation and
good field of fire from the forward slope of the hill, and after the enemy
shell fire had lessened somewhat in its intensity an order came to me in
writing from Captain Cromby and which originated from Acting Lt. Colonel Holland
O.C. of Bn., which read "Take 9, 10 and 11 platoons to a point on the road
which runs from our side of Bois de Verre towards Villers Bretonneux, get touch
with A. Coy's right hand post (Lt. Harvey) on your left, and touch with the
Tommies on your right." I immediately called the remainder of C. Coy. together
numbering then only 18 men all ranks and prepared them for an advance by
sections from shell hole to shell hole, but before putting such an advance into
execution we would make what headway we could along a broken and shallow trench
which lead to our right front and in the direction we required to go. This
trench led us to within about 40 yards of the Rifle Brigade Head Quarters and
forward of them between their headquarters and their right hand (No. 1) post.
Since the enemy advance had automatically converted the R.B. Head Quarters into
a front line post we were now in a very effective position and had a good field
of fire to right and front and also across A. Coy's front on our left.
I sent Corporal Carr with a message to the captain of Rifle Bn.
Coy. to advise him of our position. Carr, ever an elert and conscientious
soldier immediately set off to cover the short intervening space with short
runs from shell hole to shell hole. The sending of a runner to Lt. Harvey about
150 yds. to our left was a more difficult matter and I questioned if the risk of
a man's life was worth while when Harvey's post would no doubt already be aware
of our advance. Also it seemed to me much less risky to get a runner to Lt.
Harvey from the rear. Accordingly, I sent Pte. Clunes with a message back to
Capt. Cromby advising him of our position and suggesting to him that if he
thought it worth while to send a message to Harvey he could send one from the
rear, a much safer run I thought than direct across the open stretch of front
with very few shell holes for cover.
During the remainder of the day we were molested more by our own
artillery than by the enemy and the posts of the Rifle Bde. on our left front
came right under the fire of our own guns and the shells were much heavier
there. The position of our front was now as shown in the accompanying sketch.
Towards evening Capt. Cromby and Lt. McArthur visited me and
brought with them the news that our counter attack was going to happen at 8 p.m.
and there was nothing for me to do but hold on and wait. This counter attack
as we well know did not take place owing to various delays until 11 p.m. or
nearly midnight. Before daybreak on the 25th a connecting party under an
officer of the 60 Bn. entered my post. The counter attack had been a great
success, but the attackers had closed a little towards Villers Bretonneux and
had left some enemy posts between their left flank and our right. I asked if
we could assist in any way but the officer in charge of the party said no, hold
on where you are and we will push a post over towards you and bridge the gap.
No doubt he thought all opposition had been cleared away. Daylight was
approaching and they must go and I pointed out that there was an enemy machine
gun post not two hundred yards from us and directly between us and the left
flank of the counter attackers (60 Bn.). They became aware of the presence of
the enemy gun on their return as daylight was fast advancing and we had a view
of the connecting party lying flat while the German gun raised the dust over
them. Visability was poor enough however to enable them to make their escape.
During the night of the counter attack I had visited and been
visited by the captain of R.B. Coy. and now on the night of the 25th this
captain received orders to withdraw his Coy. as the Australians, so the order
said, had linked across in front of him, but he said you have not done so with
which of course I agreed and he reported to his Bn. Commander this fact and
asked that the order for his retirement be postponed. Three times did that
same order come to him to withdraw his men and twice he sent back and asked that

3.
the movement be postponed. Upon receiving the order the third time he said
there was nothing else for it but to obey, but he regretted leaving the
situation as it was, and during that night and the night before he had been
active constructing a defensive flank. We regretted losing his support although
we felt that the position was 100% safer than it had been before the counter
attack occurred.
As the R.B. Coy. withdrew Capt. Cromby sent word to me to occupy
their positions, three big posts each of which had held a full platoon of
Tommies (about 30 to 40 men) we occupied with 6 men in each.
One incident of the relief I may mention. The Tommies had, as I
thought, all marched out and we had taken possession of their posts. I had
visited both the left and the right posts and had loitered and talked in each
one thus passing away a full hour of the night then back to my own post in the
middle where again I had been casually talking killing another half of an hour
of the night when someone said, there is a Tommy waiting to speak to you sir.
This Tommy only wanted the list of trench stores signed as being handed over and
he had not ventured to interrupt me and had waited a full hour and a half after
his company had gone out. I said - What, you still here - what is it. Trench
stores sir, will you please sign for them. I said I'll sign anything you like
old man - go for your life or you'll be lost. I thought you had gone long ago
and I scrawled my name right across the page in the night. Trench stores gave
us little concern.
One contrast between the Tommies and the Australians was the
Australians always attended to their dead and carried them out of the line
wherever possible but the Tommies as in this case left their dead in the trench
and had not even removed their paybooks. Australians would always send the pay
book back to the next of kin.
From my two nights and a day's association with the coy. of R.B. I
could say something of some individual acts of coolness on the part of their
runners and the coolness of their captain but all I wish to say here is that the
company of Rifle Brigade were a large portion of the pivot on which our defensive
flank swung at Villers Bretonneux and for such they deserve credit.
The great counter attack which regained
Villers Bretonneux saved
Amiens and much more besides but if the enemy had widened the break on our flank
as he had penned and endeavoured to do, then, a successful counter attack would
have been a much more difficult undertaking.
I might truthfully say for the supporting companies that it was
their day out. The supports always dominated the situation and gave adequate
protection against the attacks on the front line. The front line posts escaped
the shell fire and the only casualties were amongst the Tommies and these caused
by our own artillery fire.
I hesitate to mention the names of men who shewed such courage and
devotion to duty that day as my memory might prove false to some and leave them
out, but all men of C. Company who advanced to the extreme flank knew that we
had burned our boats behind us.
7th Nov. 1937.
(Sgd). J. H. Barton.