Private John Tomlinson was the 2nd of five children of parents Thomas Tomlinson (1857-1933), an upholster, and Jane Bentham Tomlinson (1846-1919). He was born in Settle, Yorkshire, England on 6th December, 1883. John was baptised on 27th January 1884. The 1891 census has the family living with Thomas’ brother in law on Constitutional Hill, Settle, and then later in New Road, in 1901, with John noted to be a 17 year old draper’s apprentice. It is unclear when John arrived in Western Australia however there is a record of a John Tomlinson arriving in Fremantle on the Otranto on 21st February 1911.

John was listed as a draper’s cashier upon enlistment on 26th February, 1916. He was working at Boans Department Store and is listed on their honour board. He joined the 15th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, and embarked on the 22nd September 1916, on HMAT A52 Suranda. John began training with the 7th Training Battalion and then travelled to France on the SS Princess Clementine joining the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot. This was a reinforcement camp for men arriving from England before being sent to their battalions. The men were often placed in segregation if their transport ship from England had cases of measles, mumps, influenza etc. John joined his unit on 5th February 1917. March saw the battalion in the front line near Warlencourt and it was involved in patrols and raids. From late April to May, the battalion moved towards the line at Bullecourt and on 3rd May 1917, the battalion went into the line for the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt. John sustained a severe gun shot wound to the right leg and was evacuated to England for management at the 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol. There are several letters on his NAA file from Mrs Edith Grace Bennett Wilkinson of South Perth. She was a respected community figure in Perth and was known as a ‘soldiers friend’ during the world wars. During WW1, she organised concerts in camps, base hospitals, repatriation wards and convalescent homes. She did not stop after the war, continuing to support returned soldiers by arranging entertainment. Following the outbreak of WW2, she widened her efforts to include the sick and wounded of new services despite being elderly.

John rejoined his unit in November 1917. He was granted leave to England in early 1918. By February the battalion was holding the front line near Ploegsteert, rotating in and out of the line, and in March moved south to France as part of the rush to stop the German Spring Offensive. They became heavily engaged in fighting near Villers-Bretonneux. July saw the battalion preparing for the Allied counter offensive and in August took part in the Battle of Amiens, one of the most decisive Allied offensives of the war. The battalion continued fighting in the Somme offensive and later in action around Beaurevoir and Montbrehain, the final Australian actions on the Western Front. After surviving these actions, John took leave in late November 1918. He was granted further leave from March to June, 1919 for non military employment at the John Hunter Stockdale farm in Settle, Yorkshire. No doubt John spent time with his extended family while there.

John returned to Australia on HMAT Barambah in September 1919. He died in Perth on 26th September, 1961, and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image of 28th Battalion at 2nd Bullecourt courtesy of the AWM.

Temporary Battery Quartermaster Sergeant William (Bill) Henry Darlington Beadle, DCM, MSM, was the middle child of father Henry William Beadle (1863-1928) and mother Jane (Jean) Miller (1867-1942). He was born in Footscray, Victoria, on 2nd July 1890. Mother Jean was one of the first Justices of the Peace in Western Australia and founder of the Labor Women’s Organisations in Fremantle and the Eastern Goldfields. Father Henry was an iron moulder and moved his family to Kalgoorlie in 1910, then to Fremantle in 1913 and to Perth in 1915.

Bill was working as an iron moulder when he enlisted on 18th February 1916, in the 3rd Divisional Artillery Column, and embarked on HMAT Barambah from Melbourne in June 1916. He proceeded to France from England in November 1916, and raised rapidly through the ranks. After 18 months of service on the Western Front, and having experienced several major battles with 3rd Division, Bill was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in June 1918 with the citation reading, “This NCO has invariably been employed on Ammunition Dumps during several heavy operations of last year, and shows conspicuous devotion to duty at all times. His work has been of a meritorious nature, and his initiative, ability, keenness and example have been of immense assistance in keeping up the ammunition supply under very trying circumstances.”

In the following months, 3rd Division fought in the Battles of Hamel, Amiens, Mont St Quentin and Hindenburg Line towards the final days of the war. It was in a village called Glisy, near Amiens, where Bill was involved in a particularly courageous act for which he was awarded another medal, the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal). This medal citation reads:

“He has at all times set a very high standard of initiative and energy in carrying out his duties. On two separate occasions he has saved ammunition in the dumps from being destroyed by fire caused by enemy shelling. At Glisy, a shell fell in a bay full of high explosives, exploding a number of rounds, and scattering the remainder over the road. Sergeant Beadle ran to the bay and after extinguishing the fire and satisfying himself that there was no further danger of any further rounds exploding he cleared the road and enabled a convoy of motor transport to pass. The enemy was shelling the vicinity of the dump during the whole of the period. On a second occasion at the A.R.P on the Bray-Corbie road the enemy open a very heavy shell fire on the dump. One shell fell amongst the ammunition setting fire to the charges and wooden boxes. Sargent Beadle was within four yards of this shell when it exploded but at once started to put the fire out by throwing the burning boxes over the bank into some water. Whilst doing this a second shell landed even closer to him than the first. Some other men came to his assistance and under Sergt Beadle’s direction the fire was quickly extinguished. By his prompt action and courage he undoubtably on this occasion saved a large quantity of ammunition from being destroyed…his courage and initiative have always set a fine example to the men under his command.” He later joked he was awarded his DCM for “putting out a fire in a jam tin”! It was not until March 1919, that Bill left the battle-scarred landscape of France for Codford, England. He was amongst the many servicemen who contracted the Spanish Flu whilst awaiting demobilisation in England. Bill returned to Australia in June 1919 aboard the SS Karagola.

After the Armistice, he became active with other gunners in forming the Artillery Comrades’ Association and was, for five years, president and later became vice-patron of that organisation. The association formed the Gunners’ Welfare Fund, which was instrumental in sending large sums of money and various comforts to artillery units overseas in World War II, and also in providing an amelioration fund for returned gunners of both wars. During his term of presidency the Scholarship Trust was created, an undertaking unique amongst unit organisations and believed to be the only one in Australia, providing scholarships for children of its members.

Bill and his sister Elsie McLeod bought a news agency business on the corner of Newcastle and Charles Streets in 1920. Bill married Victoria Alice Bowden (1900-1988) in Perth in 1922, and the couple subsequently bought Elsie’s share of the business. The W Beadle Newsagency and Tobacconist at 450 Newcastle Street was also a post office, library, bank, telegraph office and political hub with both Bill and his mother Jean staunch Labor Party supporters. Bill and Victoria had two daughters, Dorothy and Jean, and the family lived next door to the business. Bill and Victoria were hard working with a tremendous work ethic. Bill was also a Perth City councillor. Bill and Victoria sold the business in 1947. He died on 8th November 1954 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Image and the wonderful family input courtesy of the VWMA.

Lance Corporal Oliver Morris was the 10th born of 12 children of parents John Patrick Morris (1852-1907) and Emily Harriet Wilson (1853-1943). He was born in Petersham, NSW, in June 1891. Oliver attended the Inverell Fern Hill Public School. He was working as a mechanic, salesman and merchant while living with the family of Joseph Archibald and Laurina Reid at 128 Joel Terrace in 1914/15. Oliver married their teacher daughter Winifred May Reid (1891-1932) in Perth on 14th October 1915. He had tried to enlist in June 1915 but he was rejected due to a varicocele.

Oliver successfully enlisted on 12th April 1916, in the number 6 Tunnelling Company. He embarked on HMAT Warilda on 1st June 1916. He proceeded to France and was taken on strength by number 3 Tunnelling Company in September 1916. From November 1916 through to early 1918, the company moved into the Loos/Hill 70-Copse-Double Crassier (Hulluch) sector in northern France and conducted extensive mining, countermining and dugout/tunnel work there. Several incidents and sustained underground fighting are recorded for this period. In February 1918, records place the company doing trench-shelter and tunnel construction near Loos. From April to June 1918, and during the German Spring Offensive, the company was forced to move from camps at Boeschepe and was employed in defensive works on a line near Saint Omar. During this time, Oliver was promoted to Temporary2Corporal – a rank used by engineers equivalent to Lance Corporal in an infantry unit. Oliver spent time in hospital in June 1918 with a PUO and was back with his unit in July 1918.

On 11th August 1918, Oliver was admitted to 22nd Casualty Clearing Station, very seriously wounded in the abdomen-a bomb wound received in his billet. A Wyllie, the sister-in-charge, noted his condition was hopeless and it was impossible to do anything for him but make his end as easy as possible. He was conscious when he was admitted but left no messages. He died at 6am. Reverend Griffen conducted the burial service at Pernes British Cemetery, Arras, France.

Oliver and Winifred had a daughter, Bettine Laurina Morris (1916-2005). Winifred received Oliver’s effects, including his flute, in June 1919. She received his memorial scroll in April, 1922 and plaque in December, 1922. Winifred married again to Staff Sergeant Roy Clive Johns (1893-1977), SN 923, 17th Battalion WW1 and W242839 WW2. Oliver’s older brother, Captain Robin Patrick Morris (1889-1959), W131, served in WW2.

Oliver is honoured at the Australian War Memorial, Inverell Fern Hill Public School and Kings Park War Memorial. Image of 3rd Tunnelling Company at Loos taken on 31st January 1918, courtesy of VWMA.

Corporal Edwin Collard Liddelow was the 4th born of 12 children, six boys and six girls, to father Edwin Joyce Liddelow (1864-1930) and mother Hannah Marie Collard (1869-1955). Edwin was born in Perth on 29th October 1895. He was working as a labourer at the time of enlistment in the 12th Reinforcements, 10th Light Horse Regiment on 11th August, 1915. Edwin embarked from Fremantle on 22nd November 1915, on the RMS Mongolia. 10th LH assembled at Heliopolis near Cairo following the Gallipoli campaign in January, 1916. They moved to the Serapeum on the Suez Canal to defend against the Turkish forces approaching through the Sinai Desert.

Edwin was wounded, receiving shrapnel wounds to his right arm and left leg on 20th April 1916. He was treated at the 14th Australian General Hospital in Cairo and moved to a convalescent depot in Montazah in late May. From there he was detached to a Light Horse Training Regiment, rejoining his unit in July. Edwin was detached to railway construction in September 1917. Edwin ran into some trouble in November, being charged with AWL and insubordination. He spent 28 days in compound detention rejoining his unit in March 1918. At the time, the regiment was holding and patrolling positions after the capture of Jericho. They later failed in the First Transjordan Raid. A period of reorganisation, defensive duties and patrols followed. The regiment suffered from malaria and the harsh valley conditions. The Second Transjordan Raid commenced in late April and on 4th May 1918, the regiment was located near Ghoraniyeh bridgehead. Edwin sustained a gun shot wound to the left thigh and was again treated at the 14th Australian General Hospital. He recovered and returned to Australian in August 1918 on the SS Karkoola.

Edwin married Margaret Monica Smidt (Smith) (1903-1984) on 21st April 1924, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral. He was working as a conductor with the Western Australian Government Railways at the time. Edwin and Monica had five children. Three of Edwin’s younger brothers served in WW2; Private William David Liddelow (1901-1979) W63127, Sergeant Horace Walter Liddelow (1908-1989) WX4432 and Private Arthur Roy Liddelow (1911-1989) WX21605. Edwin enlisted in WW2, aged 44 years and 9 months, W235166, serving with 124 Australian General Transport Company. His son, Private Edwin John Liddelow (1925-1984), WX40664, served in WW2. Edwin died on 19th March, 1982 and is buried at Karrakatta cemetery.

Image courtesy of ancestors.family search.org.

Private Harold William Bodycoat was the 5th born of seven children of parents Walter Bodycoat (1858-1935) and Mary E O’Donnell (1857-1933). He was born in Woodstock, Victoria, in 1895. The family moved to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia in 1897, where Walter was working in mining. Walter and Mary lost a son and daughter in 1897. Harold attended the Kalgoorlie Central School. He was working as a clerk and living in Bennett Street, East Perth, at the time of his enlistment 18th January 1916. Father Walter was living in Waroona at the time and later moved to Joel Terrace.

Harold joined 44th Battalion and embarked on HMAT A29 Suevic from Fremantle on 6th June 1916. On the 25th June, he failed to reboard the ship in Capetown. He arrived in Plymouth on 21st July, 1916 and was fined a forfeiture of 62 days pay for his offence. Harold boarded the SS Princess Victoria on 5th December 1916, for France, and was taken on strength by 31st Battalion on 13th January 1917. The battalion was located east of Flers, enduring a very harsh winter with snow, mud and sickness. From April to June, they moved to Bapaume, supporting First Bullecourt fighting, preparing trenches and carrying out fatigues. Late July saw them moving north to Belgium for the upcoming Third Battle of Ypres. In late September, the battalion took part in the Battle of Polygon Wood. The advance was successful but with severe casualties. On 22nd October they were in holding trenches during the continued Passchendaele operations. Enemy shelling was intense and several men were killed and wounded in shellfire. Harold was one of those killed. Private J Baker, SN 608, C Company, 31st Battalion, noted, “I was in a dug-out in supports not far from Bodycoat who was then a Lewis Gunner. A shell burst and I saw him and others blown nearly to pieces. They were buried there and then I helped to bury them. I knew Bodycoat, he was a great mate of mine, a nuggety little chap, very dark, we called him Froggy. He came from Western Australia. He was a clerk.”

There were newspaper reports of his death and thank you notices from his family for the support they received. His mother Mary received his medals, memorial plaque and scroll. She also received a pension of 40 shillings per fortnight, equivalent today to $295, from 9th January 1918. Harold is remembered at the Australian War Memorial, Kalgoorlie Central School, Kings Park and at the Menin Gate.

Image of Midnight at Menin Gate (William Longstaff) courtesy of the VWMA and AWM.

Harold’s older brother Sapper Walter ‘Wally’ Bodycoat (1886-1957), SN14984, served with the field engineers in WW1 and he enlisted again in WW2, W71724.

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Sergeant John Every Maclean was the eldest of two sons of parents Benjamin John Maclean (1842-1937) and Jessie Jones Whyte (1864-1942). He was born in Parnell, Auckland, NZ on 8th May 1893. His younger brother, Corporal Christopher Whyte Maclean, NX17094, WW2, served in the Middle East and was Mentioned in Despatches, was born in 1896. The family of four migrated to Perth around 1900. John attended The Perth Boys School and received certificates for performing well in the University of Adelaide’s Primary Exams. He also received two Education Department medals. He joined the State Public Service in 1911 and in 1912 he was gazetted as a junior clerk in the Land Resumption Branch of the Public Works Department. The Maclean brothers sailed ’18 footers’ and raced in Sydney.

John enlisted on 27th July 1915 in the 11th Reinforcements, 12th Battalion. He embarked on HMAT Benalla on 1st November, 1915, joined 52nd Battalion, Tel el Kebir, 3 March 1916, and embarked from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 3 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 12 June 1916.
He was admitted to the Corps Rest Station, 12 August 1916 (gun shot wound, face and leg [fractured fibula]: severe, and nervous debility), transferred to England on 29th August 1916, and admitted same day to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. He was transferred to Auxiliary Military Hospital, Marylebone Schools, Southall, 22nd September 1916 and discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth ,22nd September 1916.
John returned to France, 8 February 1917; rejoining his unit, 12 February 1917.
John was wounded in action, 9 June 1917 (shrapnel wound, leg), and admitted to No 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance; discharged to unit, 13 June 1917.
Appointed Lance Corporal, 30 October 1917.
Promoted Corporal, 26 November 1917.
He took leave to United Kingdom, 5 February 1918; rejoining his unit 23 February 1918.
John was detached to 2nd Army Sniping School, 23 March 1918; rejoining his unit from detachment, 5 April 1918.
He was admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance, 10 May 1918 (not yet diagnosed, pyrexia?), then to 12th USA Hospital, Rouen, 15 May 1918 (trench fever) and following treatment rejoined his unit, 3 June 1918.
John was transferred to 51st Bn, 8 June 1918, and allotted letter ‘A’ to regimental number.
He was taken on strength of permanent cadre of 12th training Battalion, England, 5 July 1918.
On Command at Musketry School, Tidworth: attended 22nd Rifle Course, Australian School of Musketry, 18 July-17 August 1918; qualified as First Class (Distinguished) with a fair knowledge of Lewis Gun.
He marched into Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 1 February 1919.
He commenced return to Australia on board HT ‘Anchises’, 28 February 1919; disembarked Albany, 7 April 1919; discharged in Perth 3rd June 1919. (History courtesy of Auckland Museum and NAA.)

Following the war, John worked as civil servant in Kununoppin. He married Winifred May Burton (1896-1966) on 5th April 1933. They had two children; Jessie and John. The family lived in Bruce Rock and later moved to Narrogin where John worked as a bank clerk in the Agricultural Bank (later R&I). He undertook various accountancy courses and was an associate of the Australian Society of Accountants. While at Bruce Rock, John enlisted for WW2, W75615, in the 15th Battalion, VDC. John and Winifred moved to Scarborough and following his retirement at 65, John spent time surf fishing and playing lawn bowls. John died on 1st January, 1960. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image of John and baby daughter Jessie courtesy of macleanfamilyhistory.com.

Private Alexander McDonald was born in Longmanhill, Banff, Scotland, in 1883, to mother Helen McDonald nee Hadden. There is a record of Alex McDonald arriving in Fremantle, 5th September 1911, on board the RMS Oronte. Alexander was working as a packer and living in Joel Terrace at the time on his enlistment in the 25th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion, on 11th October 1916. He had been earlier rejected as he had no teeth and required a medical clearance to reapply. Alexander was assigned to the 88 depot and then embarked on HMAT Borda on 29th June 1917, arriving in Plymouth on 25th August 1917. He was transferred to the 4th Division Signal School. Following training, he left for France and was taken on strength by his unit on 12th March 1918.

Alexander with the 16th Battalion moved to the Somme Valley in March and in April fought in the defence of Villers-Bretonneux. Following this, they were withdrawn for rest and reorganisation. The battalion remained in reserve, preparing for future offensives. On the 4th July, the battalion participated in the Battle of Hamel, a meticulously planned assault by General John Monash. The attack was short and successful, demonstrating new combined-arms tactics. The battalion played a key role in securing objectives alongside tanks and American troops. On the 8th August the battalion took part in the opening of the Allied counter offensive of Battle of Amiens. They continued fighting and advancing toward the Hindenburg Line, engaged in trench attacks and patrol actions leading up to the breaching of the Hindenburg Line. In October, the battalion moved towards Bohain and Wassigy as the German forces retreated. By November they were withdrawn for rest.

Alexander was granted leave in March 1919. There is no record Alexander was sick, injured or wounded during his time with the 16th Battalion. He returned to Australia in July 1919 on the HT City of Exeter. Alexander was living in Aberdeen Street in the early 30s and 40s and was still working as a packer. He died on 8th March 1949, and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image courtesy of the Sir John Monash Centre of soldiers ‘on the front foot’ at Le Hamel.

Sapper Archibald Esmond Tooker was the last born on nine children of parents Captain Edmund James (John) Tooker (1839-1910) and Elizabeth Couper (1843-1924). He was born in Newcastle, NSW, on 13th November 1883. Archibald was a telegraphist prior to the war. He spent 18 months with 11 Australian Infantry Battalion, a unit which had descended from the old Perth Rifles Volunteers. Archibald married Clarinda (Clair,Clare) Hatch (1869-1950) in Donnybrook on 10th February 1907. The couple were living in Joel Terrace at the time of his enlistment 14th January 1917.

Archibald was sent east to the wireless school in 2MD and later to Signals School, Broadmeadows, Victoria. He was promoted to acting corporal. The training covered visual signals, morse and buzzer telegraphy, field telephones and switchboards, cable laying and line maintenance. He was medically cleared following extensive dental treatment and management of a tongue lesion. Archibald embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 28th February 1918. Clair was now living with her parents in West Leederville.

Archibald arrived in Liverpool and spent time at the Engineers Training Depot, Signal Section. He embarked for France in May 1918 and joined his unit as a November Reinforcement in the 4th Division Signal Company. In May 1918 the Signal Company would have been located with the divisional headquarters in Northern France. During the Hundred Days Campaign, the signal company moved with divisional command, being in forward and rear headquarters as the battles advanced-Amiens, Albert, Bellenglise etc. Following Armistice, the Signal company was stationed in rear areas and with merger of the divisions, was located in transit/demobilisation areas. Archibald was granted leave to England in March 1919 during this time. Archibald suffered no illness, injury or wounds during his service. He returned to Australia on the SS City of Exeter and was discharged in 5MD on 9th September,1919.

In 1925, Archibald and Clair were living at 123 Chelmsford Road and he was working as an auctioneer. Archibald died suddenly at home on 8th November 1927. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Wife ‘Clare’ was buried with him at her passing in 1950.

Image is courtesy of Tooker family history, Ancestry.

Sapper John (Jack) Cattlin Lenehan was the only son and the youngest of three children of father John Cattlin Leneham (1859-1939) and mother Ann O’Farrell (1861-1906). He was born in Harden, NSW, in 1888. Jack’s father married Sylvia Chisholm after Ann died and they had four daughters. Jack’s maternal grandfather was Captain Edward Cattlin, and the Catlin District in New Zealand is named after him. Jack moved to Perth where his sister, Millie Joyce, was living, and spent five years as an apprentice to Phil W Goatcher & Son, Art Decorators and General House Painters. Jack enlisted in the 1st Tunnelling Company of the Australian Army’s Mining Corps in July 1915.

He arrived in France in May 1916 and was in action soon after. In November he was admitted to hospital with neurasthenia (shell-shock) but quickly recovered and rejoined his unit after a couple of days. In April 1917 he caught mumps and took nearly one month to get over this illness and rejoin his mates who were tunnelling under Hill 60 near Messines. They were laying massive amounts of explosive under the enemy frontlines for the opening stage of the next Allied attack. These extensive mining operations were successful and the resulting explosion was heard as far away as London. It was said to be the largest non-nuclear explosion in history. The Battle of Messines was one of the few Allied victories during the first years of the war and was largely due to the surprise provided by the Allied tunnellers.

Jack was back in hospital in July with a knee injury, common enough among tunnellers who spent hours kneeling or lying awkwardly, while digging in confined and dangerous spaces underground.

He survived the big German offensive in early 1918 but was seriously wounded in early October when caught in an artillery bombardment. He was evacuated to an Army Hospital in England but little could be done with the severe shrapnel wounds to his right buttock and he died on 6th of November.

Jack was buried in consecrated ground in the Lodge Hill Cemetery, Edgebaston, Birmingham, England on the 11th November 1918, the day the armistice began. His family were told “he received a full military funeral with firing party, bugler, and pall bearers. His coffin was draped in the Union Jack flag and the ‘Last Post’ was played”

His few personal possessions were returned to his sister in 1919 and when the wooden cross over his grave was replaced with a headstone in 1921 it was inscribed “A father’s son who gave his life in the Grear War”. He is honoured at the Australian War Memorial and the Harden WW1 Memorial. Image courtesy of Ancestry and history courtesy of Wahi Kahuika – Owaka Museum.

Footnote; Jack’s two great nieces, Suzy and Christine, planned a pilgrimage to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death, visiting the Western Front and Birmingham. To their distress, the only marking left of Jack’s grave is a stone marker.

Sapper George Leonard Strassburg Stirling was the 5th born of six children of parents Rudolph Herman Strassburg (1853-1925) and Christiane Marie (Christina) Ordner (1869-1931). He was born in Karridale in 1896. George was working as a locomotive fireman and living in Joel Terrace when he enlisted on 18th January 1917 as a 21 year old, in the 5th Australian Broad Guage Railway Operating Company. George embarked from Fremantle on HMAT Miltiades 29th January 1917. He disembarked in Devonport on 27th March 1917 and proceeded to France in May, 1917, landing with the unit at Le Havre. They were attached to the Royal Engineers’ Railway Operating Division (ROD). From June, they operated military supply trains in Northern France, moving ammunition, troops and materials towards the Ypres sector. From August to December, the unit was based at Peselhoek, Belgium, near Ypres, supporting the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Duties included running broad-gauge trains to forward supply depots and evacuating wounded and equipment. Conditions were extremely difficult due to shellfire, mud, and congestion on the rail lines. George spent a short time hospitalised with a PUO (fever) in August 1917.

George was detached to the 113th Company, Royal Engineers, in early 1918. This company was a combat engineer unit attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division and served on the Western Front throughout the war. George was granted leave to England in March however forfeited six days pay for being AWL and failing to report to Victoria Station. He forfeited seven days pay in May for being AWL from his billet with the Royal Engineers. From May to October, the engineers took part in the Allied Hundred Days offensive fighting around Pozieres/ Amiens then advancing to the Selle area, providing engineering support (bridges, road and trench work, consolidation of captured positions).

George returned to his unit – sometimes referred to as the 59th Broad Guage Railway Operating Company – and was granted leave to Paris in November and leave to England in February 1919. He returned to Australia on the Konigin Luise 10th August 1919. George and older brother Sergeant Rudolph (Roy) Ernest Strassburg , SN 4730, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, changed their names by Deed Poll to Stirling 11th August 1919.

George was listed in the South Australian Directory 1922, working as a fireman. He married Flora Elizabeth Joy Russell (1908-1989) on 7th November 1934, in St Matthew’s Church, Marryatville. SA. They honeymooned in Perth and returned to live in Quorn. George worked as an engine driver. The couple were living in Glenelg in 1968. One son, Kenneth Stirling ( 1935-1973), worked as a accountant and director of Samin Ltd, a major shareholder in Poseidon Ltd, a company that was involved in a stock market bubble/crash in 1970. Kenneth did well from his investment and according to his wife, ‘he believed he hadn’t earned the money the mining boom brought him’ and ‘his main concern was to use it for the good of the community’. Kenneth became an important benefactor in the South Australian community, sharing his wealth with the University, Conservation Groups, Library-Archives. In 1990, the South Australian Government acquired land in the Adelaide Hills for the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park. Kenneth died of a heart attack on 8th November, 1973 only 20 days later his father George died. They were both cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, SA. Image courtesy of AWM.

Corporal Vernon Alexander Scott was the 6th born of 13 children of parents John Robert Scott (1851-1929) and Phoebe Ann Hymus (1866-1946). He also had eight step siblings. Vernon was born in North Fremantle on 6th February 1894. The family lived in Victoria Road, North Fremantle and Vernon was educated at the local primary school. The family later moved to Rockingham where his younger brother, Corporal Sidney Clive Carlson Scott, SN3636, 51st Battalion, was born, and then to Bunbury. While here he served with the local cadets but this ceased when the family moved to Pinjarra. Vernon was working with the WAGR as a porter.

Vernon enlisted on 29th September 1915 in the 8th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion. Younger brother Sidney enlisted, also in the 28th Battalion, and they both embarked on HMAT Borda on 17th January 1916. They disembarked in Alexandria and joined the 7th Training Battalion at Zeitoun. The brothers were transferred to the newly formed 51st Battalion, Vernon being in A Company, and left for France arriving in Marseilles on 12th June 1916. They boarded trains which took them to the north of France. After billeting in the Armentieres sector, the 51st Battalion had their first experience of trench warfare in late June in Fleurbair. They suffered large casualties from German artillery. They were relieved of front line duties and in July were sent to the Somme battlefield. The 51st Battalion would fight two large actions around Mouquet Farm in mid August and September, suffering heavy casualties due to German heavy fortifications.

Vernon survived the Somme campaign. The battalion moved to Belgium and he was promoted to temporary corporal in the Ypres sector. By November they moved tothe battlefield near Flers and remained there over the one of the coldest winters experienced for decades. Vernon was promoted to corporal. On 2nd April 1917 the battalion was involved in the capture of Noreuil. The German defence was fierce and 47 soldiers of the battalion were killed. Vernon was wounded in this action and he suffered a compound fracture of the right femur. He was treated in the 13th Field ambulance, however his wound haemorrhaged and he died. Brother Sidney survived the war and returned to Australian in 1919. Vernon is buried in the Bapaume Cemetery. Vernon is honoured at the Australian War Memorial,Kings Park, Fremantle and Pinjarra Memorials. Mother Phoebe received a pension of 40/- fortnightly from 19th May 1917. Image courtesy of VWMA and history courtesy of the Fremantle History Centre.

Honorary Corporal Stanley Maitland Thyer was the 6th of nine children of farmer and policeman father James Thyer (1862-1905) and mother Isabella “Isabala” Hervey (1860-1903). As Isabella died (influenza) when the eldest child was 13, the family moved to Perth and to 143 Joel Terrace, the home of Isabella’s teacher sister, Euphemia Hervey. Stanley attended Perth Boy’s School where he performed well in the University of Adelaide 1912 primary exams, and later attended Perth Modern School. He had spent four years as a senior cadet.

Stanley was working as a clerk when he enlisted on 14th November 1917. He required dental work and another enlistment date occurred on 3rd December, 1917. His unit was the 22nd Reinforcements, 28th Battalion. Aunt Euphemia granted permission for him to enlist as by 1917, both parents were deceased.

Stanley embarked on the SS Port Darwin from Albany on 8th May 1918. He disembarked in Southampton on 16th Jul, 1917 and joined the 5th Training Battalion. Stanley left for France on 17th October 1918, to join his unit. After heavy fighting at Mont St. Quentin and Peronne in Septembe, 1918, the 28th Battalion was withdrawn for rest and reorganisation near the Somme Valley. By the time Stanley joined his unit, it was largely in reserve, not taking part in any major battles before Armistice. Following Armistice, the battalion moved into Belgium for demobilisation duties, carrying out training, ceremonial duties and educational programmes. It did not advance into Germany unlike some British units, but instead remained part of the occupation support forces in Belgium. Stanley was detached to England and AIF headquarters in March 1919 to work in war records. He returned to Australia on the SS Aeneas 1st January 1920.

Following the war, Stanley lived with his siblings in Joel Terrace and worked as a civil servant. He married Daisy Winifred Hope (1903-1956), the youngest daughter of Mr Joseph Hope of Farnley street, in St Andrews Presbyterian church on 19th October 1928. They lived in Second Avenue and Stanley worked as an accountant. The family moved to Victoria in the 1940s, where Stanley worked as an accountant. Daisy died in 1956 and Stanley married Caroline Ruth Dommett (1906-1993) in 1958, and was working as a manager. Stanley died on 13th August, 1975 and is buried at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Stanley and Daisy had four children including WR4293 Denise Annie Thyer (1933-2000) who spent four years in the Women’s Royal Australian Navy. Stanley had two older brothers who also served-histories on this site. Second Lieutenant Walter Hervey Thyer (1890-1915), SN 1525, was killed at Gallipoli. Brigadier James Hervey Thyer CBE, DSO (1897-1975) served in WW1 and WW2. Stanley has a memorial on the Perth Modern School Honour Board. Image of 28th Battalion marching in October 1918, courtesy of AWM.

Second Lieutenant Walter Hervey Thyer was the eldest of nine children of farmer and policeman father James Thyer (1862-1905) and mother Isabella “Isabala” Hervey (1860-1903). He was born in Noradjuha, Victoria. As Isabella died (influenza) when Walter was 13, the family moved to Perth and to 143 Joel Terrace, the home of Isabella’s teacher sister, Euphemia Hervey. Walter left school and obtained a junior position in the Perth branch of McLean Brothers and Rigg, hardware merchants. Conscientious and responsible – and religious – he had worked his way up in the firm to the position of accountant, which is what he gave as his occupation on enlistment on 19 November 1914, four months from his 25th birthday. He joined the 16th Battalion, and was promoted to corporal while in training at Blackboy Hill. He sailed for Egypt in February 1915 on HMAT Itonus.

Walter was in camp near Cairo for a month from his arrival on 20 March 1915, during which time he served as Order Corporal. He was promoted to lance-sergeant on 9 April and put in charge of Battalion Baggage. On 23 April1915, his Battalion moved to Mustapha Pasha Barracks near Alexandria. Later, he saw hospital ships bringing the wounded from Gallipoli, and sometimes Turkish prisoners of war arriving. On Sundays, when there was no church parade, and sometimes when there was, both in Cairo and Alexandria, Walter went to one of the Anglican or Presbyterian churches or the American Mission and occasionally to meetings of Christian Endeavour. He found the churches well-attended, on one occasion ‘absolutely full of soldiers’.

Walter was at the Mustapha Barracks for three months. They sailed for Gallipoli on 14 July 1915 and landed after midnight on 19 July with bullets flying overhead. He got into a dugout in Shrapnel Valley at 4 am. He was put in charge of Quartermaster Fatigue, drawing the battalion rations. There was frequent ‘standing to’ without much engagement. After a couple of days they were issued with gas masks and were inoculated for cholera. Walter enjoyed bathing in the sea after dark, even though the Turks were lobbing shells into the sea around them. One night, the sea was ‘highly charged with phosphorous’. On 2 August, Walter was promoted to full sergeant and the next day put in charge of a platoon, in place of a sergeant taken off to hospital.

Walter was in ‘Shrapnel Gully’, as he headed each entry in his diary, for 19 days, but from 7 August he headed each entry ‘on the war path’, as his Battalion took part in the August Offensive. They were part of Monash’s 4th Brigade, which attempted unsuccessfully to take Hill 971. For the first few days he struck an optimistic note in his diary, but he began to suffer from lack of sleep. Water was scarce and the stench of the dead was ‘rather awful’ and the flies ‘very bad’. Many men were going off sick. But on 14 August Walter was promoted to second lieutenant, so he fared ‘better under the care of a batman’.

On 22 August, when the bombardment started early he watched the slaughter from his outpost and wrote ‘God grant this business will soon be finished it is terrible’. On 27 August 1915, he received a periscope shot in his face which affected his left eye. He was on duty all the next night. He was sleep walking and fell a few times. Both eyes were bloodshot and he got festers from the least scratch. The following diary entry was made by Sergeant Major Ozanne, 29th August, 1915, “Owing to the shelling of this position by the Turks it was almost impossible to move in daylight. Walter went down to get some fresh food from the stores … when suddenly a shell burst & poor Walter fell & died almost instantly not a word from him.

That same evening I laid him to rest in his blanket … Walter sleeps on the slope of a ridge I have called the “Ridge of Death” through so many of our lads losing their lives there.”

Walter is buried the Hill 60 Cemetery. He memorialised at the Australian War Memorial, Kings Park, Maylands Presbyterian Church, Maylands War Memorial and the Mt Lawley-Inglewood War Memorial.

History courtesy of Walter Phillips, Walter’s nephew and Emeritus scholar and former Reader in History at La Trobe University. The State Library of South Australia holds Walter’s letters written to his Aunts and family while onboard his troopship. Walter’s younger brothers’ histories on this site. Image courtesy of Ancestry.

Private Bruce ‘Barney’ Gordon Wallace Allan was the only child of civil servant father David George Allan (1868-1844) and mother Charlotte Harriett Herdsman Read (1862-1952). He was born in Perth on 11th August, 1898. Charlotte had been married previously, had four children born between 1883 and 1890, and was widowed in 1891. Bruce’s parents married in 1898 and the family, including step siblings, lived in Joel Terrace. Bruce had served five years with the senior cadets, Area 89a, Guildford, prior to enlistment. Bruce worked as a clerk in the Supreme Court of WA. Older step brother Private Arthur Florance Read SN 1856 enlisted in January, 1915. His history follows.

Bruce enlisted with his parents permission on 14th February 1916. He was assigned to A Company, 44th Battalion. Bruce embarked on HMAT Suevic on 6th June 1916. He contracted influenza in September and required hospitalisation in Larkhill. following discharge, Bruce proceeded to France and joined his reassigned unit, 11th Battalion, C Company, in the field, on 29th September. 11th Battalion had remained on the Somme battlefield after its first major action at the Battle of Pozieres. The battalion spent the remainder of 1916 in the Ypres sector, in Flanders, but was moved back to the Somme at the end of the year as the worst winter in 40 years descended on the front. Between November 1916 and March 1917, Bruce was hospitalised with rheumatism and was evacuated to the First Southern General Hospital England, with mumps, severe. He then spent time convalescing and serving with the AIF depots until 1st June 1918, when he ws pronounced fit to rejoin his unit. 11th battalion was conducting local operations on the Western Front in northern France including an attack on Mont de Marris. In July, they moved to the Hamel area holding defensive positions and undertaking local attacks/preparations. In August 1918 they took part in the Hundred Days Offensive, engaged around Amiens. Late August and September, the battalion took part in active operations throughout the Somme/Peronne area. By late September, the battalion was withdrawn. Occupation and demobilisation processes took place following Armistice and in February 1919 the 11th and 12th battalions were amalgamated. Bruce was granted leave to England in March, returning to his unit in April and then moving back to England, 1919.

Bruce returned to work as a civil servant and lived with his parents who had moved to Cottesloe in 1922. He married Dorothy Jones on 25th November, 1922. The couple had two children; Seaman Robert ‘Bob” Bruce David Allan F3723, WW2, (1923-2005) and Able Seaman Donald ‘Don’ Grey Allan 30348 WW2, (1926-). The family lived for some time at 66 Napier Street, Cottesloe. Bruce spent some time in Bruce Rock in 1937. The marriage was troubled with infidelity and they divorced in 1944. Bruce married Marguerite ‘Peggy’ Eileen Esther Page (1918-1994). They had one son who died in 1950. The couple had lived in Katanning then moved to South Perth. Bruce died on 28th March 1951, following a long illness, and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery. He was mourned by family and friends. Image courtesy of The Soldiers of Barrack street.

Private Arthur Florance Read was the 2nd of four children of Joseph James Florance Read (1858-1891) and Charlotte Harriet Herdsman (1862-1952), with only two of their children making it to adulthood. He was born in Perth in 1886. Following his father’s death, Charlotte married David George Allan and they had one son, Bruce. The family lived at Joel Terrace. Step brother Bruce’s history is noted above. Arthur was educated at Christian Brothers College Perth and performed well in the University of Adelaide Junior Public Examinations in 1900. He joined the Western Australian Government Railways at 14, working as a cadet clerk in the engineering department.

Arthur enlisted on 27th January 1915 in the 4th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion. He embarked on 19th April 1915 on HMAT Argyllshire. Arriving in Egypt, the reinforcements were sent to training depots where they underwent further training while awaiting deployment to Gallipoli. The 16th Battalion had been fighting continuously at Gallipoli since the ANZAC landing in April. Reinforcements were sent forward in small drafts to replace casualties. Arthur would have arrived at ANZAC Cove around late May/early June 1915, serving primarily at Quinn’s Post, Pope’s Hill and Courtney’s Post, some of the most dangerous and exposed positions on the ANZAC line. By August 1915 the 16th Battalion had suffered extremely heavy losses during the August battles especially at Hill 971 and the Nek area. Arthur took ill in August, rejoining his unit only to become ill again in October with jaundice, requiring hospitalisation. Arthur rejoined his unit on Christmas Eve, the unit being back in Egypt at Tel-el-Kebir, and part of the newly formed 4th Australian Division. They were moved to canal defences at Serapeum, guarding against potential Turkish attacks from the Sinai. In June 1916 the battalion moved to France and the Fleurbaix area, known as the ‘nursery sector’ where new divisions learned Western Front conditions. By August 1916 they were on the Somme and on 6-10 August were heavily engaged in fighting east of Pozieres village, attempting to capture and hold the German trenches under intense shellfire. Casualties were extreme with nearly half the battalion becoming a casualty. This included Arthur who received a severe gun shot wound to the chest, resulting in a haemothorax. He was evacuated back to England on the HS Newhaven and was admitted to the 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge. After recovering from this trauma, Arthur sustained a gun shot wound to the hand in December and was treated in the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Boulogne. A bout of bronchitis followed and Arthur was sent back to Australia on HS Ulysses, and was discharged in Perth on 4th July 1917.

Arthur returned to work for the WAGR. He married Ida Maud Budds (1896-1988) in 1926. The couple had one son, Jack Florance Read (1927-1933), who drowned at North Cottesloe Beach, caught in ‘rip’, while swimming with his step grandfather. Arthur continued his work with WAGR and this took him to Mullewa, Wilray, Pithara, Ghooli and finally Merredin, where he was the inspector’s clerk. Arthur died on 28th November, 1946 and is buried in the Merredin Pioneer Cemetery.

Private Alfred Ernest Rawson (‘Harry’) MM was the second of three children of parents Alfred Charles Rawson (1861-1931) and Clara Welsh (1872-1925). Alfred’s paternal grandfather was a former convict from Derbyshire and paternal grandmother a Noongar woman. He was born in Wagin on 15th April, 1893. Harry was working as a horse breaker at the time of his enlistment on 30th September 1916 in the 8th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He trained at Blackboy Hill until embarkation on HMAT Borda on 29th June 1917. Prior to embarkation he married widow Laura Leah Colley Briggs, sister of the Colley ANZACS of Joel Terrace.

Harry arrived in Plymouth on 25th August 1917 and joined the 16th Training Battalion at Larkhill, leaving for France in September and joining his unit in January, 1918. From early 1918 the battalion was rushed south from Belgium to France to help blunt the German Spring Offensive. In March they were located around Lottingham in Northern France. On 25th May, they were located in the Amiens-Somme sector and experienced enemy shelling including gas. Harry was gassed and hospitalised, returning to his unit on 11th June. As part of the 3rd Division, the battalion participated in the preparatory attack at the Battle of Hamel on 4th July. Then they were involved in the Allied offensive starting 8th August through to September. Their last major action started on 29th September 1918 when they helped breach the Hindenburg Line along the St Quentin Canal. On 29th September 1918, “the battalion came under heavy machine gun fire from close range. Upon reaching cover it was found that a man was lying wounded out in the open. Private Rawson rushed out under heavy enemy fire, rendered first aid, and brought the wounded man into safety. Throughout the whole operation, Private Rawson worked continuously through heavy fire, both from enemy machine guns and artillery, carrying and attending to the wounded.” Harry was awarded a Military Medal for this action. By early October, the battalion was so depleted that it only had about 80 men to be relieved on 3rd October 1918. After this action, the battalion was withdrawn from front-line combat. On 10th October, Harry accidentally fractured the 5th finger of his left hand and was hospitalised. He returned to his unit on the 23rd October 1918. Harry joined the 25th Company of the 3rd Australian Divisional Train in February 1919 as a driver. This was a logistics/transport unit and part of the Army Service Corps. He served with this unit until he returned to Australia on HT Main in July 1919.

Following the war, Harry and Laura had three children; Roma, Leon and Leslie. The couple separated around 1930 and divorced in 1932. Harry married again to Florence Colbung. Son, Corporal Leon Edward Alfred Rawson, 82348, served with the RAAF in WW2. Harry died at Mt Lawley, on 31st July 1961 and is buried at Karratha Cemetery.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Leo McComish was the 8th of ten children of parents Edward Joseph McComish (1860-1909) and Alice Maria Barker (1864-1935). He was born in Geraldton on 14th February 1998. After Edward died in 1909 of pneumonia and heart failure, Alice settled at 223 Stirling street, Perth. Leo developed an interest in military matters as a teenager and joined the cadets, serving from 1912 in the 88th Battalion. He obtained an apprenticeship in the Western Australian Government Railways in June 1914. Sport was a very important part of this life.

Leo’s occupation is listed as a car trimmer when he enlisted on 3rd March 1916 in the 18th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion. He embarked on HMAT Ajana on 15th July 1916 and was assigned to the 3rd Training Battalion in England. On 23rd September 1916 he was taken on strength by 44th Battalion. During this time he was docked two days pay for being AWOL so he could get an arm tattoo. The battalion departed for France in November 1916 and entered the front line on 29th December. During the winter of 1916-17 the battalion alternated between front-line duties and the rear for training and labour on the Western Front region. In June 1917 the battalion fought the Battle of Messines in Belgium and after was engaged in the Ypres sector and took part in operations around the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge in October 1917. By this time, Leo had been promoted to Lance Corporal. On 11th October Leo was wounded which resulted in the amputation of his right 5th finger. The 44th Battalion at this stage had only 160 out of 1000 men unhurt and was relieved to be reinforced and retrained during the following winter. Leo was treated at the Westminster Road Auxiliary Hospital in Liverpool. He was docked four days pay for celebrating New Years Eve with mates. He rejoined the battalion in February, 1918, with the battalion moving south to France to help blunt the German Spring Offensive. They were engaged in defending vital rail and supply hubs at Amiens. They took part in the Battle of Hamel and joined the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, advancing into German lines in August. Their last major action was the breaching of the Battle of St Quentin Canal in the Hindenburg Line region. Leo was wounded again in this action. He rejoined the unit and was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant. After the Armistice, Leo spent time in England prior to returing home on the SS Konigin Louise and being discharged in Perth on 19th September 1919.

Leo returned to work with the WAGR. He married Alice Teresa Whiteford (1898-1976) on 26th September 1923. The couple lived at 163 Joel Terrace. Leo was heavily involved in sport – both cricket and Australian Rules Football. He played for Perth from late 1919 until 1932, notching up 162 games. He was the club’s leading goal kicker in the 1925 season. He captained the club in 1929. Leo also represented WA four times in interstate competitions. He played for East Perth in later years and retired from playing in 1938. He then became an umpire and the WANFL’s umpires coach, writing an excellent article in 1954 that is still relevant today. Leo also coached Swan Districts in 1946.

Leo and Alice had twin sons, born in 1932. Leo enlisted in WW2, W48158, serving with the Swan Battalion VDC and was promoted to CSM. His brother, Sapper Arnold George McComish, SN 2582,2682, 3rd Field Company Engineers, was killed in action on 23rd July, 1916. Leo died at Mt Lawley on 2nd September, 1977 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image courtesy of The Daily News.

Private Roland Louis Benari was the third of four children of parents Louis Benari (1860-1937) and Emma Thistlethwaite (1858-1949). He was born in Perth in 1897. The family lived at 167 Joel Terrace in 1916. Roland passed the University of Adelaide primary exams in 1914. He spent time with the 88th Battalion School cadets. He was working as a chemist apprentice at the time of his enlistment in the 18th Reinforcemenets, 16th Battalion, on 29th February 1916. Roland embarked on HMAT Seang Bee on 18th June 1916 and joined the 4th Training Battalion in England. In October he was admitted to Codford Hospital and spent time in isolation with scabies. Roland was discharged from hospital and he proceeded to France, ending up in the 51st General Hospital, a specialist venereal disease hospital, for 33 days with VDS. He joined his unit in February, 1917.

In March, 16th battalion advanced east following the German retirement towards Bapaume. In May, they participated in the Second Battle of Bullecourt as part of 4th Brigade with the Brigade suffering heavy losses of around 2,250. In June they participated in the Battle of Messines, capturing enemy trenches and holding against counter attacks. July and August were spent resting and training along the northern France-Belgium border. On 20th September 1917, the battalion took part in the assault east of Ypres-marking the beginning of its role in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Roland became ill with a leg abscess requiring hospitalisation. He rejoined his unit in October and was granted leave in November. In January 1918 he was detached to the 10th Corps Signals School, spending two months training, rejoining his unit in March.

The 16th battalion was engaged in defensive fighting during the German Spring Offensive in March, moving to Morlancourt and trench warfare in May – June, before taking a supporting role in the Battle of Hamel in July. They were involved in the major offensive Battle of Amiens in August, fighting toward and around the Hindenburg Line in September. Roland was detached to the Divisional Signal School in September 1918. He became ill with influenza in November, complicated by severe bronchitis, requiring treatment in England. After recovering, he was granted leave. Roland returned to Australia on the Lancashire and was discharged in April 1919.

Following the war, Roland resumed work as a chemist assistant and he was living with his family in Subiaco. In 1922, he applied for an oil prospecting licence. He married Catherine Helen Edna Littlejohn (1898-1992) at the Trinity Church Manse in August 1922. Roland passed his final pharmacy exams in 1923 and set up a pharmacy business in Hampden Road, Hollywood. His business was subjected to a well- publicised robbery in 1929. Roland and Catherine had three children; John Roland, Gwendoline Janice and Delys Jean. It is noted in Delys’ marriage announcement in 1952 that her father, Mr Ronald Benari was deceased. In December, 1953, Catherine sought a divorce from Roland on the grounds of insanity. Catherine married again in 1954. Roland died at Shenton Park on 21st July, 1971, and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image of 16th Battalion at Messines courtesy of the AWM.

Lance Corporal Harry Frederick Arthur Dixon was the eldest of ten children of Arthur Dixon (1869-1934) and Eliza Frances Vierk (1869-1948). He was born in Hackney, South Australia, on 22nd July 1893. Harry had four older half siblings from his father’s first marriage which ended with the death of his first wife Mary Babstock in 1890. Harry spent 2 ½ years in the West Australian Infantry Regiment (WAIR) and spent five years working as a cabinet maker with Perth firm Foy and Gibson.

Harry enlisted in the 3rd Reinforcements, 16th Battalion on 11th January 1915, and embarked on HMAT Itonis on 22nd February 1915. He disembarked at Suez with the 16th Battalion and was transferred to Alexandria, joined the MEF and proceeded to the Gallipoli Peninsula. He was promoted to Lance Corporal. Harry fought with his Battalion at Quinn’s Post. On May 9th, the Turkish made an unsuccessful attack and the 16th Battalion were sent in to support the 15th. Harry sustained a gun shot wound to the right forearm on the 9th May and he was admitted to the Hospital Ship ‘Gloucester Castle’ and transferred to the No 1 General Hospital at Heliopolis. He was transferred to the Helouan Convalescent Camp and was declared fit for duty on 24th May 1915. However he developed an acute appendicitis on the 26th June. Harry rejoined his Battalion in Gallipoli on 7th November, only to be admitted sick to the HS ‘Lan Franc’ with frostbite on 15th December. Harry joined the British Expeditionary Force disembarking at Marseilles in June, 1916. The 16th Battalion fought at Mouquet Farm, where Harry sustained a sprained ankle. He rejoined his unit and fought through the winter in appalling conditions in the trenches. In September 1917, Harry was hospitalised after accidentally spraining his ankle at Polygon Wood and was treated at the Canadian General Hospital in Etaples. He was invalided to England, admitted to the Reading Hospital, convalesced and returned to France rejoining his unit in December. Harry fought in the trenches through winter of 1917-1918.
On 4 July 1918 the Australian 4th Brigade was involved in the attack on Hamel Wood. On 6 July, 16th Battalion moved up to the front line trenches that had been captured earlier. On 8 July the Germans made a counter attack and it was during this fighting that Harry was killed. The entry states:

‘Enemy very busy during day; sniping at the least movement. During the late afternoon a post which was pushed out last night was raided by the enemy. It was first of all dealt with with rifle grenades and pineapple bombs, and an attempt was made to rush it. Several of our fellows were killed and wounded, and two cannot be accounted for. Night was quieter than the previous one. Weather fine and hot. Casualties – 7.  Wounded 6.’

Harry’s body was recovered 8th August 1918 and buried at the outpost; the site being marked with a cross; in front of Vaire and Hamel Woods. His remains were exhumed and re interred at the Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux and Hangard Communal Cemetery Extn., Picardie, France. An account of his death was published in 1939, written by a 16th Battalion best mate.

Harry’s father received his effects, medals, memorial scroll and plaque. His sister Alice applied for his Gallipoli medallion in 1967. Harry’s medals were lost for a time but were found in a rusty tin that was dug up in a Perth back yard by a plumber doing some repair to sewerage pipes. His medal entitlement was the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Unfortunately, the original British War Medal has been lost. The medals were restored and given back to Harry’s extended family. Harry has memorials at Kings Park, the AWM and at Leederville. Two half brothers also served in WW1; Lance Corporal Alfred Dixon, SN 367, 22nd Machine Gun Company, died of wounds on 6th October, 1917, and Sergeant Arthur Bryant Cyril Dixon, SN 8259, 2nd Filed Bakery and Butcher. Two younger brothers served in WW2; Private John Clare Dixon, WX8727, POW with the fall of Singapore and worked on the Burma Railway, and Signalman William Hugh Dixon, NX39279. Image courtesy of VMWA, some history courtesy of Guildford Anzacs and Lost Medals.

Brigadier James Hervey Thyer, CBE, DSO, (1897-1977), army officer, was born on 30 September 1897 at Natimuk, Victoria, fifth of nine children of South Australian-born parents James Thyer, police constable, and his wife Isabella, née Hervey. Educated at Perth Modern School, James entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in February 1915. He graduated in 1917 and was commissioned lieutenant, Australian Imperial Force, on 1 January 1918. In April to November he trained in Britain; following the Armistice, he served with signals units in France. Returning to Australia in December 1919, he transferred to the Staff Corps in October 1920. He held a series of staff and regimental appointments, and rose to captain (1926) and major (1936). At St George’s Church of England, Queenscliff, Victoria, on 7 November 1928 he married Marjorie Chalk Firth.

James was seconded to the A.I.F. on 4 April 1940. Within three months he was promoted lieutenant colonel and given command of the 8th Divisional Signals. He reached Singapore in February 1941. In July Major General H. G. Bennett chose him to be the division’s general staff officer, 1st grade, and promoted him colonel. Bennett’s headquarters was riven by personal and professional feuds. His relationship with James steadily deteriorated.

In mid-January 1942 the soldiers of the 8th Division came into contact with the Japanese who were advancing through southern Malaya. Following the retreat to Singapore on 31 January 1942, the division was sent to defend a vulnerable sector in the island’s north-west. When James urged Bennett to consider preparing a reserve line across a narrow neck of land, Bennett accused him of having a ‘withdrawal complex’. The Australian force was swamped by the Japanese assault on the night of 8/9 February. Singapore fell on the 15th. James was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his planning and supervision throughout the campaign.

Initially held in captivity at Changi, James refused to tell the Japanese about Australia’s defence capabilities, despite their threats to shoot him. He was taken to Formosa (Taiwan) in August 1942, and then to Mukden, Manchuria, where he acted as a spokesman for the prisoners of war. With Lieutenant Colonel C. H. Kappe, he compiled a report on operations in Malaya and Singapore. It concluded that, although units fought ‘reasonably well’, the A.I.F. ‘did not measure up to the task required of it’.

In September 1945 James was released and repatriated. For his leadership and courage as a prisoner of war, he was appointed C.B.E. (1947).

James strongly disapproved of Bennett’s escape from Singapore on the night of the surrender. Late in 1945 he told a military court of inquiry and a royal commission that the general’s conduct was ‘unethical’. He transferred to the Retired List on 3 November 1947. Promoted Honorary Brigadier in 1955, he was Colonel Commandant, Royal Australian Corps of Signals, in 1957-67. Settling in Adelaide, he completed in 1974 the first volume of a history of that corps. The Centenary of the Australian Corps of Signals was celebrated in 2025 with a parade and service and James was mentioned in the Governor’s speech. He died on 9 January 1977 in the Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, and was cremated. His wife survived him; they had no children. James is honoured at the Ballarat ex prisoners of war memorial and the Perth Modern School WW1 honour board. History courtesy of Alan Warren and image courtesy of AWM. James had two brothers serve in WW1-their histories are noted on this site.

Private Alfred Charles Redgrave was the third of four children of William James Redgrave (1860-1926) and Helena May Toner (1859-1892). He was born in Footscray on 13th March, 1886. He had three half siblings from William’s marriage to Christine Lindsay. Alfred worked as a pastry cook and married Clara Annie Margaret Robinson (1891-1981) on 21st October, 1908, in North Melbourne. They had three children between 1909 and 1914. The family had moved to Western Australia sometime before 1911. By 1916, they were living in Joel Terrace.

Alfred’s first application to enlist in April, 1916, was rejected due to the presence of haemorrhoids. He successfully enlisted on 10th May, 1916. Alfred embarked on HMAT Port Melbourne on 30th October, 1916, arriving in Devonport on 28th December, 1916. He joined the 11th Training Battalion. Alfred joined his unit, 4th Reinforcements, 43rd Battalion, in France, on 16th March, 1917. He was detached to school for one week in April, rejoining the battalion on 8th April. From April to early May, the battalion was in the Armentieres sector, northern France, conducting trench improvement, wiring parties and patrols. In late May, they moved to Messines-Ploegsteert sector in Belgium preparing for the Battle of Messines. On 7th June, the 43rd Battalion took part in the major assault launched by the ANZAC Corps. They captured its objectives, sustaining heavy casualties. After the battle, the unit was relieved and rested. June and July saw the battalion reorganised and in support of areas near Hill 63. They returned to the line near Messines in mid July, preparing for operations further north near Ypres. On 31st July, 1917, the Third Battle of Ypres commenced, with the 43rd positioned in support and reserve trenches south of Warneton, Belgium. The area was heavily shelled and several men were killed including Alfred, even though the battalion was not in an assault wave.

Clara was left widowed. Family and friends mourned his loss. Fortnightly pensions were granted on 16th October, 1917; Clara receiving 40/-, daughter Estella 20/-, son George 15/- and son Lindsay 10/-. Clara received Alfred’s effects in April, 1918, memorial plaque and scroll in 1922 and his medals in 1923. Clara married Albert Ernest Fisher in West Perth on 19th August, 1919. Alfred and Clara’s son, Captain Lindsay Gordon Redgrave (1914-1972) WX 33063, served in WW2, and was a surgeon at Fremantle Hospital. Alfred is honoured at the Australian War Memorial, Mt Lawley-Inglewood War Memorial, Kings Park and Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Image courtesy of VWMA.

Captain John William Millar, MID, was the eldest of two children of parents John Millar and Annie Billing. He was born in Footscray on 27th May 1895. Sister Lorna was born in Guildford in 1903. He was educated at Guildford State School and achieved certificates in geography and English history in the University of Adelaide 1908 primary examinations. John spent five years with the 88th senior cadets and was promoted to Lieutenant. John joined the Western Australian Government Railways in 1910, working as a cadet initially in the accounts department, then a clerk in 1915. By 1915, the family were living at Joel Terrace. He applied for a commission into the AIF on 21st February 1915. John married Ethel Dean Firth (1893-1971) on 25th September 1915, by special licence in Ethel’s parents home at 101 Brisbane street, Perth. The couple lived with John’s parents.

John embarked on 5th October 1915 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 9th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion, on HMAT Hororata. He arrived in Egypt and left with the British Expeditionary Force from Alexandria to Marseilles in March 1916, was transferred to the 47th Battalion, appointed Lieutenant on 11th June. In late July the 47th battalion took over positions near Pozieres and the Windmill and in late July endured extremely heavy shellfire. Throughout August, the 47th fought around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm – both scenes of some of the worst fighting Australians faced in WW1. John was mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig, published in April 1917 for his good work. The battalion had suffered severe casualties but had maintained its position. John was promoted to temporary Captain in August and then Captain in September.

After the devastating losses of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm, the 47th was withdrawn to Belgium and later Armentieres. From January to March 1917, the battalion stayed in the Ploegsteert Wood area and in April, trained intensively in the Hill 63 sector rehearsing for the Messines Ridge assault. Engineers tunneled beneath German positions, placing massive explosive mines. At 0310 hours, 7th June, 1917, 19 huge mines detonated beneath the German front line-one of the most powerful explosions in history. The 47th Battalion advanced behind a creeping barrage toward the Green Line objectives. They captured and consolidated the first German positions with minimal initial resistance but later came under heavy artillery fire. John was killed during this assault. Private James Buckley, SN 4018, noted, “I saw Captain Millar killed outright by a shell. It was in daytime at Messines Ridge. He was buried on the ground by the Padre.” He was mourned by family and friends. John has no known grave and is honoured at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial as well at Kings Park and the Mt Lawley-Inglewood War Memorial.

John left behind a widow and a young son, John Dean Millar, (16/6/1916-22/1/2003). Widow Ethel received a pension of 70/6 fortnightly and John junior 20/-. Ethel received John’s effects in April 1919, medals in 1922 and plaque in 1923. Ethel married Private Robert Thomas Smith Fergie (1885-1964) W69504 WW2, in 1921. Son John became a radiographer and served in WW2, Staff Sergeant WX28811, with the 118th Australian General Hospital. Image courtesy of VWMA.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Leon Edward Woolf Colley was the eldest of nine children of parents Edward Henry Coules Colley (1850-1919) and Elizabeth Woolf (1855-1945). He was born on 24th May 1876 in Walworth, Newington, Surrey. In 1887 Edward and Elizabeth emigrated from England to Australia. Edward built the house at 151 Joel Terrace around 1912. He worked as an auctioneer. Leon spent 10 years in the 19th Yorkshire Regiment and was stationed in India, participating in the Tirah Campaign, the Khybar Pass expeditionary Force and then the South Africa War. He also spent four years in the Cornwall Militia. Leon married Emily Stoker (1883-1960) in 1902.

Leon enlisted in South Australia on 31st October 1914 in the 3rd Battalion Naval and Military expeditionary Force. He was working as an estate agent at the time of enlistment. This unit was a small volunteer force formed shortly after the outbreak of WW1. Its Mission was to capture German Territories in the Pacific, particularly German New Guinea, and destroy their wireless stations used by the German East Asia Squadron. The force landed at Karakul near Rabaul on 11th September, 1914. Leon was promoted to Corporal. The force was engaged in the Battle of Bita Paka, where Australian forces captured the Wireless station after some fighting. This was Australia’s first military action of WW1. Casualties were light but it included Australia’s first combat deaths of the war. After the German’s surrender, the unit occupied German New Guinea unit the end of the war. Leon rose through the ranks and by September, 1915 was a Regimental Sergeant major. Leon contracted malaria and was returned to Australia in December, 1915 and discharged medically unfit in February 1916.

Following discharge in Adelaide, Leon was appointed area officer for Boothby and Glenelg. He was afterwards the recruiting officer for Adelaide and later entered the Repatriation Department as an organiser. He left in 1921 and became a salesman for Matters and Co. He was one of the first Vice Presidents of the British Imperial Services Club and was also a member of the S.A. Corps of veterans. In 1930 he was farewelled by colleagues prior to his departure to New Zealand where he was to take up a position in a slate company. Leon is next noted to be living and working as an estate agent in Waverley, New South Wales in the 30s.

Leon enlisted in WW2 (N65587) on 5th April, 1940, stating his date of birth was 24th May, 1890! He served until 24th October, 1947, in the 113th Australian General Hospital. Leon and Emily spent time living the War Veteran’s Home in Narrabeen and then by 1958 they were living in Ballina. He died on 23rd December 1958 and is buried in the Ballina Cemetery. Leon and Emily had four children including engineer son, Major Edward Henry Colley SX9639 (1905-1985), who served in WW2 in the 1st Australian Floating Watercraft Workshop. Image courtesy of the Mount Lawley Society – the Colley family – Leon seated to the right of his parents. Brother’s Reuben and Arthur’s history follows.

Private Reuben Harold Woolf Colley ‘Harold’ was the 4th of nine children of parents Edward Henry Coules Colley (1850-1919) and Elizabeth Woolf (1855-1945). He was born on 4th April, 1882, in Kennington, London. In 1887, Edward and Elizabeth emigrated from England to Australia. Edward built the house at 151 Joel Terrace around 1912. He worked as an auctioneer.

Harold entered service with the Western Australian government railways in 1899, working as a messenger in the Perth operating room. He became an operator recorder, junior porter, and later a 3rd class porter at the Maylands Station in 1902. He worked at various stations around Perth and was promoted to signalman at Guildford station in 1911. Harold married Martha Elizabeth ‘Dotty’ Bandy (1882-1972) in 1916.

Harold was granted leave to join the AIF and he enlisted in the 19th Reinforcements, 11th Battalion on 27th March 1916. He embarked on HMAT Miltiades in August 1916, disembarking in Plymouth and joining the 3rd Training Battalion at Pernham Downs prior to heading to France on 17th December 1916. Harold was admitted for dental work in January, 1917, rejoining his unit on 11th February 1917. In February, the battalion was advancing behind the Germans as they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. By April they occupied a front around Louverval in France, holding tenches. On 16th April 1917 Harold was wounded in action, receiving shrapnel wounds to his back and right arm. He related a German soldier gave him a drink of rum and a blanket before leaving him. Harold crawled back to the Australian front line. He was transferred to England and his arm wasamputated on 5th June 1917. Following recovery, Harold was deemed unfit for active service and he was listed for early return to Australia. He returned on HMAT Beltara and was discharged on 21st December 1917. Harold received a fortnightly pension of 60/- and Martha 30/- from 22nd December, 1917.

Harold returned to work with the WAGR from January, 1918, and worked as a timekeeper at Perth until his retirement in 1946. Harold and Martha bought a house at 348 Bulwar Street. A family member recalls,” Aunty Dotty’s house was just immaculate – you were frightened to tread on the front doorstep it was so highly polished. Uncle Harold liked to hop over to the Hyde Park Hotel very often.” They had one son, Flight Sergeant Albert ‘Bert’ Ernest Harold Colley (1919-2004) 7060, who served in WW2.

Harold died on 26th August, 1961, and is buried at Karrakatta cemetery. Colley family photo and some history courtesy of the Mount Lawley Society with Harold standing at the right of the back row. Some history courtesy of the Guildford Anzacs.

Private Arthur Wellesley Colley was the 6th of nine children of parents Edward Henry Coules Colley (1850-1919) and Elizabeth Woolf (1855-1945). In 1887, Edward and Elizabeth emigrated from England to Australia. He was born in Sydney in 1888. Edward built the house at 151 Joel Terrace around 1912. He worked as an auctioneer. Arthur worked as an iron worker for James Goss. He enlisted on 19th January 1916 in C company, 44th Battalion, and embarked on HMAT Suevic on 6th June 1916.

Arthur departed England for France in November 1916. The battalion was initially located in the Armentieres sector for front line introduction and trench familiarisation. From March to May 1917 the unit rotated through front line , support and reserve trenches preparing for the Battle of Messines which occurred in June, the battalion capturing its objectives however suffering heavy casualties. From July to September 19117 the battalion located to Ploegsteert for trench holding, rest, minor operations and working parties. The 44th Battalion was in action from late September through October on the Passchendaele front, in atrocious conditions-deep mud, heavy shelling and frequent gas attacks. During this period many 44th men were gassed. Arthur was gassed and i suffered from its effects for the rest of his life.

Arthur was detached for duty at the 11th Infantry Brigade Headquarters to work as a batman in January 1918. The Headquarters was located in Amiens in early 1918 and moved to Hamel in July, then back to Amiens for support of the Hundred Days Offensive. In October, it was situated in Beaurevoir-Le Catelet. Armistice followed in November1918 and Brigade Headquarters supported demobilisation, overseeing administration, pay and transport for return of troops to England. The unit relocated to England in early 1919. Arthur was granted leave in April for non military employment in a fitting and turning firm, T Hyde and Sons, in Hatton Gardens. During this time he was admitted to hospital suffering with haemorrhoids. Arthur returned to Australia on the Barambah in September 1919.

Arthur was engaged to Miss Bessie Aarons in 1920. However, he subsequently married Miss Fanny Glance at the Perth Hebrew Congregation Perth on 23rd Dec 1924. Rabbi Freedman officiated having also officiated at Fanny’s parents’ marriage. Arthur and Fanny built a home at 161 Joel Terrace. They had three daughters; Hannah, Laura and Thelma. Arthur was working as a yardman in a city hotel when, on 28th November 1958′ he took ill and collapsed. He was dead on arrival at Royal Perth Hospital. Arthur was mourned by family and friends. He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. Image (Arthur standing at the left of the back row) of the Colley family and some history courtesy of The Mount Lawley Society.