2016 Newsletter
ISSN 1035-7343
LEETON FAMILY & LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY INC
NEWSLETTER
May – June 2016
Mal Henman, Geoff Dartnell, Don Reilly & Danny Nolan on ANZAC Day
It is with a lot of sadness that we advise the death of our Treasurer Karleen Reilly’s husband Don. A Vietnam Veteran who served his country well. We publicly offer our condolences to Karleen, Gary, Lisa and their families.
MEETINGS HELD: Third Thursday of each month – 10.30am (No Meetings January)
WHERE: Leeton Shire Library – Local History Room
MEMBERSHIP: Joining Fee: $5.00 Single – $15.00 Family – $20.00
OFFICE BEARERS:
President: Wendy Senti
Vice President: Margaret Knight
Secretary: Helen Anderson
Treasurer: Karleen Reilly
Librarian: Lyn Middleton
Public Officer: Lyn Middleton
Research Officers: Wendy and Karleen
Publicity/Newsletter: Wendy, and Others.
Committee: Executive plus others.
BDM’s Mary Williams
RESEARCH ENQUIRIES:
Only enquiries enclosing S.S.A.E. will be answered. A minimum charge of $15 for each enquiry.
Non Members may submit Research Inquiries to the Newsletter – cost $2.
The Newsletter is produced –May/June – cost $3.
Email: leetonfamilyandlocalhistory@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook: Leeton Family & Local History Society Inc.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES:
To Promote Family & Local History Research
To purchase materials to assist our members to trace their family trees.
To collect early records, photographs and information of Leeton Shire (and the surrounding irrigation area).
To assist in educating the public of the importance of preservation of early history.
ATTENTION:
Articles appearing in this Newsletter MUST NOT BE REPRODUCED without the written permission from the Leeton Family & Local History Society Inc.
DISCLAIMER:
LEETON FAMILY & LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY INC ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED OR THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSLETTER.
FOR SALE:
Leeton Farm Registers Microfiche – P O A
Irrigation Recorder Film – P O A
Index to BDM’s -(extracted from Murrumbidgee Irrigator)
1915-1950 $32-50 includes post & handling
1951-1975 $37.50 includes post & handling
1976-1999 $34.50 includes post & handling
All three Indexes posted together $90.
Applications for Employment W C & I C 1911-1922 $10 + P & H
Leeton–Whitton Cemetery Transcriptions & Burial Records 1913-2000 $30 + P & H
Leeton 100 Years – Thanks for the Memories (343 page pictorial book pub 2013) $35 + $15 P&H
Yearly Calendars (Current year $15 all others half price)
ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO POST OFFICE BOX 475 LEETON NSW 2705
We acknowledge our Logo has been adapted from a © design by Don Graham
Henry Lawson Cottage Open Day 12 June 2016
The Limping Poet – Neil Smith (The Irrigator)
Leeton Shire Council conducted an open day on 12 June to Celebrate 100 Years since Henry Lawson lived and worked at Leeton, and to unveil an Interpretative Sign telling of Henry’s stay in Leeton.
‘The Limping Poet’ Neil Smith, from Junee, entertained the visitors with his poetry and stories of Henry’s life.
Leeton CWA provided a very sumptuous afternoon tea at the conclusion of official proceedings.
Our group staged the cottage and showcased what life would have been like one hundred years ago. We displayed some of the information of Henry’s stay in Leeton and the poetry and prose he wrote while living in Leeton, as well as the Council’s plans when the cottage was restored.
Our Rooms:
Our rooms at the library are still being established with a few working bees required to digitise our collection. It will be great to finally have a permanent home for all our records and memorabilia.
2016 Reunions:
During the year there will be several reunions from 1963-66 School Years at Leeton High School in October 2016, to Leeton Rugby League Club in July 2016, and Yanco Wamoon Rugby League Football Club.
Leeton’s World War One Heroes
We are continuing our theme of 1st World War heroes whose names appear on our local Memorial.
With just a surname and an initial of christian name it is often difficult to find a link. In many cases the names are duplicated in the Australian War Memorial files so many hours of research has gone into finding those that are linked to Leeton or the reason their names appear on our Monument.
Several are proving evasive but our search continues.
Excerpt from The Murrumbidgee Irrigator 27th April 1926 re ANZAC Day services on 25th April
ALEXANDER Alexander F Service No 2196
He was born in Shepparton c1896 and enlisted for active service on 16 March 1916 aged 19 years 7 months. He was in the 3rd Reinforcement 36th Battalion.
He stated on his enlistment paper that his father James Alexander of P O Leeton NSW was his next of kin and his mother had predeceased him. His occupation was stated as labourer.
He embarked on HMAT Anchises on 24 August 1916 from Sydney, arriving Devonport UK on 4th October and several days later was admitted to Military Hospital, where he was for ten days. Research indicates that many young soldiers spent time in hospital after undergoing long sea trips to the UK.
Alexander attended Durrington Camp for training and whilst there was AWOL and spent time in Bulford Infectious Disease Hospital. For the next six months he was with the 9th Training Battalion in and around Durrington Camp. He was in detention on numerous occasions for various misdemeanours.
He marched out for France on 17 June 1917 and was again disciplined for ‘Being away from forwarding area when battalion warned to be ready’. During July his battalion was in Belgium and was taken on strength. He again committed an offence using obscene language towards his Superior Officer and threatened to knock him out. He was apprehended on 18 November 1917 by Regimental Police and was awarded two years jail/imprisonment. He pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ but was found guilty at a Court Martial on 5/12/17 and imprisoned at No 5 Military Prison in Belgium to serve two years hard labour. He was released on 17 April after having been retrained for the front. A reminder that his sentence was suspended was instilled into him.
He rejoined the 36th Btn in France on 27 April 1918 and was then transferred to the 34th Btn where on 6 May he received wounds whilst in action. He died the same day as a result of a gunshot wound to the high chest area.
He is buried at Villiers Communal Cemetery Extension North of Corbie in France.
BAKER Charles William Service No 106
Gallipoli Veteran – Born 1895 London England. Labourer and son of Mrs C Baker. He was living at Farm 425 Leeton prior to enlistment. He enlisted on 3rd September 1914 at Randwick was of dark complexion with dark hair. He embarked on Europides on 20 October 1914 bound for Gallipoli.
In July 1915, whilst at Gallipoli, he suffered scalded feet and was sent to Casualty Clearing Station and then to hospital at Anzac. Early August he was transferred to Mudros to a Convalescent camp and by 10th he was discharged back to Anzac base. 5th February 1916 he was transferred to Tel-el-Kebir Egypt. He served at Serapeum and in March 1916 he was again in Egypt at Alexandria. He was then transferred to Marseilles, France at the end of March where he was AWOL on several occasions, forfeiting his pay as punishment.
He was Killed in Action on 3 July 1917 whilst serving at Flembaiz in France. During this action he, along with four comrades, were killed by bullets, with five other soldiers seriously injured.
He is buried in Rue-David Military Cemetery, Armentiers, France.
BARON Harley James Cpl Service No 2566
Cpl Harley James BARON (AWM)
Gallipoli Veteran – Born 1893 Drummoyne NSW the son of H. A. J. Baron.
His stepmother was Florence M Baron and his sister, Emily D Baron. His occupation was stated as farmer and he was living on Farm 22 at Leeton.
He enlisted on 12th June 1915 at Liverpool and embarked for service in the 8th Regiment 36th Battalion on the Runic on 9thAugust 1915. Prior to enlisting he spent two years in cadets, so knew the discipline of the Army.
He served in Gallipoli before proceeding to France on 22 March 1916. He was appointed Lance Corporal at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, early in 1916 with another promotion in August 1916 to Sergeant.
By September his Battalion was transferred to Belgium where he suffered fatally in the field. He was officially Killed in Action on 2 September 1916 and is buried at the Railway cutting Larch Wood Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium.
BELLAM James Cuthbert Service No 6467
Born c1898 at Wyuna Vic, son of Robert C Bellam of Farm 429 Leeton.
At just over 18 years of age he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion 21st Reinforcements at Cootamundra on 2 June 1916, embarking overseas on the Ceramic on 7th October 1916, and proceeding to England for training before heading to the battlefields in France in February of 1917.
By April he was suffering with trench feet and was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to Clapton Military Hospital in London where he spent six months. He returned to France and rejoined his Battalion. He suffered with scabies and trench feet again and spent time in Camiers Hospital, in France before rejoining his unit. On June 26 he received a gunshot wound to his back penetrating to his abdomen and admitted to the Australian Casualty Clearing Station, where he Died of Wounds, on 28 June.
He is buried at St Omar Souvenir Cemetery Longuenese France.
St Omar Souvenir Cemetery Longueness France (CWGC)
BEST George W Lt. Service No 1010
Born in Claremont TAS, the son of William E & L J Best of the firm Best & Co Drapers of Elizabeth Street Hobart Tas. His occupation was stated as Draper.
He enlisted on 12 October 1916 and embarked on RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917, proceeding to France, as Signalman in the 4th Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC). On 2 April he transferred to the 71st Squadron and by July was on command at Cadet Battalion at Oxford. In August 1917 he transferred to the Training Squadron for Instruction where he graduated as Flying Officer (Pilot) on 4 November 1917 and was appointed Acting Corporal.
Whilst serving in France he was appointed Lieutenant on 4th April 1918 still serving with the 71st Squadron AFC. Several days later, while taking off for a mission, the plane had engine trouble on take-off, crashed, caught on fire, badly burning George who later died as a result of the burns.
He is buried in Vignacourt Military Cemetery France. His belongings were lost at sea as the ship SS Barunga was torpedoed en-route to Australia. Five thousand packages of other soldier’s belongings on their way home to families were also lost when this ship went down.
Article in The Argus Melbourne 19 July 1918
S.S BARUNGA SUNK ON WAY TO AUSTRALIA
Passengers and Crew Saved – LONDON, July 1917
The steamer Berunga has been sunk while on a voyage to Australia. Only one casualty has been reported.
Former German Steamer
The Navy Officer announced yesterday that the Barunga was torpedoed in English waters on July 16. The passengers and crew, it was added, have been landed, so far as we could ascertain, without casualties.
The Barunga was formally the Sumartra, a well-known unit of the German Australian Line. She was launched in June 1913 at Flensburg Germany, and was one of a group of steamers which, at that time were regarded as being unsurpassed in the world of cargo carriers, each of them having a capacity for 12,000 tons of general freight, and possessing engine capacity capable of developing a speed of over 13 knots. When the war broke out and the Sumatra was discharging at Sydney, and was seized by the Commonwealth authorities, she was renamed Barunga and since has been employed continuously as a transport and a cargo carrier.
BIAS John Victor Cpl Service No 1750
Gallipoli Veteran – Born in 1887 at Birsay, Orkney, Scotland the son of T Bias of Orkney, Scotland. He stated that he worked for A Oag, the bootmaker in Leeton. He also appears on the WC&IC Honour Roll.
He enlisted 8 September 1914 in the 8th Army Service Corps (ASC) as a Gunner. In April 1915 he fought with a heavy battery on the Gallipoli Peninsula before embarking to Alexandria on 14 May 1915. He was absorbed into the 9th Army Corps and promoted to Corporal, then reverted to Gunner before being reposted to the Dardenelles on 6th September 1915.
In February 1916 he transferred to 1st Field Artillery Battery in France. He was wounded on 16 August 1916 with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transferred to Kitchener Hospital at Brighton, England. He was granted furlough to further recover from injuries. On return from furlough he reported to Perham Downs, England then proceeded overseas to France on 7th December 1916, rejoining his unit.
He proceeded to the war front in Belgium in 1917 where on 21 July 1917 he was Killed in Action. He is buried at Reninghelst New Military Cemetery south of Ypres, Belgium.
Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Ypres (CWGC)
BLACK William Service No 2591
He was born1889 in Seymour Vic, the son of Mary Ann Black who was living at Farm 53 Leeton when William enlisted at Cootamundra on 3 August 1915. He proceeded overseas on 1st November in the 6th Reinforcements of the 17th Battalion.
After suffering from diphtheria in February of 1916 he proceeded to France where he was wounded on 26th July 1916, with a shotgun wound to his face, back and hand. After treatment he rejoined his unit in France on 29th August 1916 before moving to Belgium in the September where his company was Taken on Strength. Here he remained with the 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Coy. On 25 November 1916 he suffered shell shock and was sent on furlough to England to recover.
He rejoined his battalion in France in February 1917 and fought for his country for three months before being reported Missing in Action. On 22 November, after a report stated ‘Missing now reported as Killed in Action’ on 3rd May 1917 and buried in the vicinity of Bullecourt on the Hindenburg Line.
Hindenburg Line 1916 – 1917
BRENNAN Anthony Patrick Service No 6704
He was born at Mooroopna Vic, brother of John James Brennan. He stated his occupation as ‘Teamster’.
He enlisted at Dubbo NSW on 31st July 1916 then embarked on the SS Port Nicholson on 8th November for England for further training in the 13th Battalion.
On 14 January 1917 he proceeded to France, where on 12th March, his unit was Taken on Strength before being reported Missing in Action on 11th April 1917. A Court of Enquiry held in October 1917, found that he was Killed in Action on 11 April and buried at Villers Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery MR 26.
He was survived by a sister Margaret and brother John J. There were enquiries on his welfare by the Postal Department and the PMG from Leeton, so assume he may have been employed by them at Leeton, hence his name on our monument.
BUTLER Henry George Service No 6718
Born at Whitton in c1891, son of Henry George & Catherine Ruth Butler. He worked as a Postal Assistant for two years before enlisting at Cootamundra on 26th May 1916.
After Training with the 22nd Reinforcements 8th Battalion he embarked on the SS Port Napier on 17th November 1916 bound for Devonport, England. After further training camps and time in Devonport Military Hospital, he proceeded overseas to France on 24th April 1917 and rejoined his Battalion in the field.
On 20th September whilst serving in Belgium, he was wounded by gunshot to the arm and hand. After treatment at Casualty Clearing Station, he was transferred to Camiers Hospital in France, then to England a week later. Whilst recovering, he came down with scabies, so was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Weymouth, England, for an eight week period.
In January 1918 marched into Havre, France. He was wounded on a second occasion on 9th August, with gunshot wound to the stomach for which he succumbed and died two days later on 11th August 1918. He is buried in the Vignacourt British Cemetery Amiens Plot 6 Row A Grave 10.
CABLE James Troy Service No 1764
He was born in Woollahra to James & Mary Rebecca Cable of Randwick NSW. He stated he was a civil servant with WC&IC in Leeton prior to enlisting on 22 May 1916. After training at Cootamundra with the 5th Reinforcement, he was promoted to Bomber on 22 November in the 4th Trench Mortar Brigade at Menangle. He embarked on the HMAT Orsova on 2nd December 1916 with the 7th Light Trench Mortar Battery.
He proceeded to the front in France on 22nd September 1917. In February 1918 he attended 2nd Divisional Signal School for training, before returning to France on 4th March 1918 and rejoining the 7th Light Trench Mortar Battalion.
On 6th July 1918 the family were advised that he had been Killed in Action on the 4th and buried in an isolated grave, where his body was later exhumed and re-buried at the Crucifix Corner British Cemetery, South of Villers Bretonneux, France. In September of 1918 the WC&IC were notified of his death.
CAMERON Donald Service No 110
Gallipoli Veteran – Born in Benalla Vic c1892, the son of Charles Cameron, Blacksmith, whose address was shown as Post Office Leeton. His mother had been deceased for sixteen years prior to his enlistment on 3rd September 1914.
After enlisting in Sydney, he embarked on 5th April 1915 on SMS Derfflinger bound for ANZAC Cove. He was punished for AWOL several times when supposedly being sick. In October of 1916 was transferred to Kitchener hospital in London with an injured neck. From Jan-March 1917 he was in and out of hospitals suffering from influenza, nasal problems, VD and other problems.
In August 1917 he proceeded overseas to his unit, the 61st Battalion in Belgium, where they were Taken on Strength on 29 September. On 4th October 1917, he was Killed in Action whilst serving in Belgium and appears on the Memorial at Menin Gate Ypres, Belgium.
He was a brother to Mr T Cameron of Leeton.
CARR John William L/Cpl Service No 2756
Born in Sydney 1890. His mother Mary Carr had passed away prior to his enlistment at Cootamundra on 18th July 1916. On his enlistment forms he stated his occupation as Farmer and his address as Farm 737 Leeton and that he had served in the Volunteer Rifle Regiment for 2½ years in Sydney.
He embarked on the HMAT Ceramic on 7th October 1916, bound for Plymouth England. On 22nd November he proceeded to France and marched into the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot (ADBD) 45th Battalion.
He returned to England to Brighton Military Hospital suffering Asthma and Bronchitis in March 1917 and again in April to Harefield Hospital with nasal problems. He was AWOL later in April but returned to 62nd Battalion at Windmill Hill Camp, England in May 1917. His battalion returned to the battlefields and on 2nd July 1917, John was promoted to Lance Corporal.
In July, he attended Musketry School as he had a fair working knowledge of the Lewis Gun. On completion of training he transferred to the 45th Battalion and marched out to France.
In April 1918 he was reported Missing in Action in the field and was thought to have been wounded and taken prisoner at Villers Bretonneux in France. It was reported later that he had been Killed in Action on 29th April 1918. There is no known grave as he is believed buried in the fields of war at Villers Bretonneux. He was survived by a brother Richard Carr of Strathfield NSW and formerly of Farm 737 Leeton.
In 1922 the St Peters Anglican Church Leeton requested a death certificate to prove his death during WW1 as he was listed as a Trustee to a Bank Account for the Church.
CONWAY Harold William L/ Sgt MM Service No 5060
He was born in 1896 at Adelong NSW the son of William F Conway, his grandmother, who was his next of kin, was Catherine Conway, who later married Mr. Dowdell in 1922.
He stated his occupation as grocer working for Sykes & Watson at Leeton when enlisting on 5th January 1916 at Liverpool NSW. He embarked on 30th March 1916, HMAT Star of Victoria A16, in the 16th Reinforcements 13th Battalion.
In February he was promoted to Lance Corporal and later attended a Course of Instruction at Gas School where he qualified as an instructor. By March 1916, he was promoted to a Temporary Corporal then Lance Corporal before being injured in April with gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and being transferred to Rouen, France for treatment.
Once he rejoined his battalion, he returned to the battlefield and was again promoted to Corporal. In October he spent duty with the Permanent Commander of the 4th Training Battalion in France and was appointed Acting Sergeant in December 1917.
He was again promoted on 20th July 1918 to Lance Sergeant and was reported to have been awarded the Military Medal on 21st July 1918, when in charge of authority of the 1st Infantry Brigade.
On 6th August 1918 he was Wounded in Action for the 2nd occasion, but died of multiple shell wounds the next day at the 5th Casualty Clearing Station in France. He is buried in Crony British Cemetery, North West of Amiens, France.
Article in The Murrumbidgee Irrigator 23 August 1918
DAVIES Edwyn (Eowyn) Hugh Captain
He was born 1891 and stated he was a surveyor on enlistment papers. In our Applications for Employment with WC&IC there is an E H Davies seeking employment. Father was James, and mother Margaret Anne Davies of Maryborough Qld. His brother Bill worked in Leeton so assume his brother Ed may have been living and working in Leeton when he enlisted.
Reference of the E Davies on our monument can be found in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator telling us that he was Killed in Action in 1917and that he was referred to as Sapper Davies.
DE GARIS Harold Service No 2362
Born c1896 St Peter-in-the-Wood Guernsey, Channel Islands to John & Louise De Garis and, from records held, had two sisters Bertha & Marie. On his application form for enlistment, he stated his occupation as farmer and was of fair complexion and had blue eyes. In his file there is a telegram for permission to enlist from De Garis of Guernsey.
He enlisted on 6th June 1915 and embarked on HMAT Shropshire on 20 August 1915 bound for the ANZAC Peninsula arriving in mid-October. He served with the 7th Reinforcements 13th Battalion. He served in France from early January 1916 and was wounded by gunshot to the back and spine, and sadly died at the 1st Australian Field Ambulance (In the field depot) on 15th August 1916. He is buried in the Beaucourt Military Cemetery, France, Plot 1 Row V Grave 23.
We have found reference to a Mr Marshall of Leeton enquiring of his death date, etc. Mr Marshall was an Officer with the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission (WC&IC) so we are assuming Harold may have been employed in some capacity by them. We are still researching this information for confirmation.
Harold appeared in the The Murrumbidgee Irrigator’s Roll of Honour in June 1915 which states of Farm 227 Leeton.
DIGBY Francis Dudley Maxted Service No 15557
He was born in Sydney c1897 to Frank S & Frances Julia Digby of Leeton via Yanco, enlisting on 8 November 1915, at just over eighteen years of age. He stated his occupation as Ledger Keeper/Farmer but was known to have worked at the WC&IC as his name appears on their Roll of Honour. He had experience with guns, as he was a member of the Yanco Rifle Club.
He embarked for the front on 14th April 1916 after training at Holsworthy with the 19th Battalion ‘B’ Company. On 1st January 1916 he joined the 5th Reinforcements of the 5th Field Artillery Brigade as Gunner, then joined the 16th Reinforcements.
In May 1916 he was admitted to hospital at Ras-el-tin then transferred to Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt for convalescence. He attended Officers School at Bulford, England, before proceeding back to France in April of 1917. On 29 July he received a gun shot wound to the neck and was sent to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital Colchester for treatment.
He returned to the war front and on 30 August 1918, was promoted to Bombardier after serving four months as temporary Bombardier.
On 28 September he was reported Missing in Action whilst serving with 10th Field Artillery Brigade. The day after, he was officially listed as Killed in Action. His body was exhumed and buried at Templeux Le-Guerard British Cemetery in the Somme area of France.
DIXON Ralph T SGT Service No 886
Gallipoli Veteran – Ralph, a carpenter by trade, was born in MacKay Qld c1897 the son of G H Dixon, builder of Narrandera NSW. He enlisted in Sydney on 12 September 1914 in the 3rd Battalion. On enlistment papers he quoted that he was of fair complexion with blue eyes, and that he completed two years training with the Citizens Forces.
He embarked for the Dardenelles on the HMAT Euripides from Sydney on 20 October 1914. He was promoted to Corporal one month prior to sailing. On entering the war he was slightly wounded on 1st March 1915, and was promoted again on 1st April as Lance Sergeant.
Then on 27th April he was fatally wounded while fighting at Lone Pine and was buried by Senior Chaplain Green in the Lone Pine Cemetery. His brother, William E Dixon was Killed in Action at Bullecourt, France in May of 1917. The family losing two sons to war.
His name may be on Narrandera’s Memorial as he worked for G H Dixon & Co builders of Narrandera.
DUTTON Frederick Service No 1652
He was born at Charters Towers Qld in 1895 the son of Frederick R (a carpenter) & Elizabeth Dutton of Farm 762 Leeton. Ted, as he was known, enlisted on 8 February 1916 into the 2nd Reinforcements 56th Battalion and on arriving at Alexandria on 29 July from South Hampton where they had trained, he joined his Battalion in the field.They marched to the battlefields in France on 9 September 1916, fighting in the trenches day and night.
He was admitted to hospital suffering tonsillitis in December 1916, and in the January of 1917 was transferred to England to recuperate and have some much needed furlough. He marched out again to France on 8th May 1918 but due to contracting scabies, spent most of his next months in and out of field hospitals in Camiers, France.
On 26th September he was Killed in Action in the field and his body was buried on 2nd October 1917 in the Menin Gate Memorial Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium .
A memorial service was held in the Methodist Church, Leeton on 2nd Dec 1917 in his honour.
EARL Arthur Service No 1160
He was born at Pambula the son of Arthur and Ellen Jane Earle. He was an Assistant Surveyor with the WC&IC at Leeton prior to his enlistment for WW1.
He embarked on 28th July 1915 in the 8th Reinforcement of the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Unfortunately, he died as a result of a sickness he contracted at Suez, Egypt on 2nd September 1915 and is buried in the Suez Christian Military Cemetery.
EDWARDS William Oliver Service No 3527A / 2277
William was born c1896 at Lake Cargelligo, NSW to Henry D & Annie T Edwards of Leeton. He owned Farm 366 with his brother Charles H Edwards prior to them both enlisting. He enlisted for service on 1st August 1915 in the 11th reinforcements. He deserted on 15 October and there was a warrant out for his arrest on 13 November1915. He rejoined his unit 11th Reinforcements 4th Battalion, and by 16th February 1916 he was serving in Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, where he was Taken on Strength.
On 29 February he was Absent from Parade and refused duty so forfeited a day’s pay. He was allotted to and proceeded to join the 53rd battalion at Zeitoun where he was taken on strength.
In March he spent time in hospital at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt with tonsillitis. On 28 April he attended Garrison Camp and was posted to 1st Training Battalion before rejoining his unit and embarking to join the Brittish Expeditionary Forces at Alexandria in May bound for Marseilles, France.
On 19 July 1916 he was reported Missing in Action and after a Court of Enquiry it was found that he was Killed in Action on 19 July at Fleurs Bay, France. His memorial is at VC Corner Australian Cemetery & Memorial Fromelles. He has no known grave but Grave Reference 8 is mentioned in his war service papers.
VC Corner Australian Cemetery & Memorial Fromelles (CWGC)
ELRINGTON Albert L Service No 5811
Albert Elrington (AWM)
The son of Gerard Sandy & Henrietta Jane Elrington of Farms 93 & 94 Leeton. Father & sons were contracted on building the Main Canal around Whitton and also worked building Berembed Weir. Albert stated his occupation as farmer. Family descendants lived on one of the farms up until early 2010’s.
At 23 years of age he enlisted for service on 21st March 1916. After attending AIF Training Camp in the D Coy 2nd Battalion at Cootamundra he embarked for Plymouth England in October 1916 on the HMAT Ceramic. Whilst training he was promoted to Lance Corporal (14 July) but reverted to rank of Private on arrival in England.
He embarked for overseas on 7th October 1916 where he served in France with the 17th Battalion. On 15 April 1917 he received a gun shot wound to the throat area. He was treated at the 49th Clearing Station but died of those wounds the next day. He is buried at Achiet Le Grande Communal Cemetery, France, Extension Plot 1 Row C Grave 6.
His brother William was also KIA during WW1 whilst his youngest brother Albert Francis, who was born whilst Albert L was overseas, served in New Guinea during the 2nd World War.
FARRAR Frank Service No 3635
He was born in 1896 at Kemps Creek to Robert & Ethel Annie Farrar who lived at North Gogelderie when Frank enlisted at Narrandera NSW on 7th July 1917 with the 10th Reinforcements of the 54th Battalion. He was a Dairyman by trade and was a single man.
He embarked on 31st October 1917 on HMAT Euripides, and trained in England with 14th battalion at a Training School. In January he contracted mumps and convalesced at Codford Clearing Station, England, until fully recovered. In early April he joined his unit the 54th Battalion at Beaumaraise, Calais in France.
Sadly on 7th September 1918 it was reported that Frank had been Killed in Action on 1st September and was buried in an isolated grave at St Radegonde West of Peronne, France. His body was later exhumed and interred at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension Plot 2 Row C.
FREWIN Edward Arthur Service No 678
He was born 1894 in Newcastle the son of Edwin Ernest Frewin, stating his occupation as Office Clerk. He enlisted at Newcastle NSW on 20th November 1916 in the 12th Reinforcements 1st Machine Gun Battery and embarked from Sydney on 9th May to the Darrington Base Training Camp in England.
He proceed to France on 1 January 1918 and marched out to 1st Machine Gun Company then on 1st April 1918, under orders from AIF 1151 designation, the Company changed its name to 1st Machine Gun Battalion. On 19th September 1918 Edward was Killed in Action while fighting in France. He is buried Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery, Picardie, France.
In 1928 his father was Chief Clerk of Railways at Newcastle.
GAVEL Sidney John L/ Cpl Service No 3502A
Sid was born in 1895 at Mathoura NSW to William Stillman Gavel & Margaret Gavel of Farm 177 Leeton. On his 28th July, 1915 enlistment papers, he quoted his occupation as Commission Agent. He joined the 11th Reinforcements of the 3rd Battalion but he failed to embark on 11 April 1915, so was sent back to training camp then sailed for Cairo on 16th August where upon arrival was admitted to hospital with mumps.
On 28th March 1916 he was transferred to France and was allotted to the 53rd Battalion. After serving in Cairo, Zeitoun, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt and Marseilles, France, he was appointed Lance Corporal in mid 1916, before action in July when he was reported Missing in Action on 28th July. After a Court of Enquiry was held on 2 September 1916, it was assumed he was KIA 19 July 1916 in the field of action at Fromelles, France. His memorial is at V C Corner Fromelles, France.
Two of Sid’s brothers, Cpl William P Gavel & Pte Ralph Gavel also served during the 1st World War. They returned to Australia after the war taking up land in the Leeton area. There are relatives still living on the original Farm 177.
GIBBONS Thomas Walter Service No 2758
Thomas was born in Chelsea, England c1895, the son of Thomas Gibbons of Farm 58 Leeton. He enlisted at Cootamundra on 18 July 1916, and after training camp embarked from Sydney on HMAT Ceramic, bound for Plymouth, England and active service abroad. He joined the 45th Battalion and in November marched into Codfod, England before proceeding overseas to France the following January.
In April 1917 he was admitted to AFA hospital then transferred to 22nd General Hospital Camiere, France with chronic otorrhoea (ear infection), but three months later rejoined his unit in the field. He was granted leave on several occasions returning to England then rejoining his unit.
He returned to Australia in August of 1919 on the HMAT Miltiades disembarking in Sydney and discharged on 22 September 1919. We are not sure of his movements since then and whether he died of sickness/injuries from war time.
A T Gibbons appears on our monument and of all that have been researched, this one is the only one that has a link to Leeton. In newspaper articles in The Murrumbidgee Irrigator in ‘Names that went to war’ is a J Gibbons of Brobenah. We will continue our search.
GIBSON Bayliss Service No 2408
He was born in Sydney c1880 the son of Frederick & Mary Catherine Gibson of Yanco NSW and brother to Percival George also KIA in France. Two other brothers served and returned to Australia at the end of the war.
He enlisted on 24 July 1915 at Liverpool at 38 years of age and embarked on the HMAT Themistocles on 5th October 1915 en-route to England for training before embarking and travelling to France where he saw active service in the Canal Zone. He went AWOL in England in March of 1916, after spending a weeks furlough.
He returned to France where, on 26 July 1916, he was fatally injured at Bullecourt and is remembered at Villers-Brettoneux Memorial Cemetery, France, Part 111, the same memorial as his brother Percival.
GIBSON Percival George Lance CPL Service No 3103
He was born 1890 at Nambucca NSW, the son of Frederick & Mary Catherine Gibson of Yanco NSW. He enlisted at 24 yrs of age on 11 August 1915, and embarked for service overseas in the 4th Regiment 19th Battalion. His Battalion was Taken on Strength at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, on 19 February 1916, then proceeded onto Alexandria in late March to embark for France.
In May 1916 he was charged for ‘breaking away from fatigue party’ and forfeited seven days pay. He was Wounded in Action on 24 July 1916, and transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station before being transported to 2nd Field Ambulance suffering from shell shock. He was admitted to hospital in Rouen, France before being transferred back to Derby in England on the 30th July. He was transferred to several other hospitals and rehabilitation centres in England during his recovery. He was docked eight days pay after being AWOL for three days whilst in England. After a stay of six months he marched into D Camp at Woolwich before proceeding back to France mid January 1917. He was transferred to and promoted Lance Corporal of 4th Battalion on 26 January 1917.
Whilst serving in France he was killed during the Battle of Poziers on 5 May 1917. His body was buried in the vicinity of Norcuit, France but is remembered at Villers Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery France, Part 111, the same memorial as his brother Bayliss.
GILLESPIE John Service No 4193
He was born in 1877 at Nagambie Vic, a twin of Maggie before the family moved to Matong NSW, just north of the Leeton area. Other family members were living and working in the Leeton area.
He was a carpenter by trade and most probably had been working in the Leeton area prior to enlisting on 14 August 1915.
The story is told that his parents didn’t want him to enlist so he did so without their knowledge. He listed his sister Mrs A J Dooley of Matong as his next of kin.
After enlisting at 38 yrs of age, he trained at Holsworthy before embarking 23 August 1915 overseas in the 13th Reinforcements of the 4th Battalion. On 14 February 1916 he joined the 2nd Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt.
His unit then proceeded to Marseilles, France, where he was wounded on 4th July with a gun shot wound to the thigh. He was treated at No 44 Clearing Station before being transferred to the General Hospital at Etaples, France. He was then sent to England for recuperation and in November 1916, he Returned to the Field in France where, on 19 November, he was Taken on Strength.
On 4th May 1917 he was Killed in Action in France and is remembered at Villers Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery, France.
GRANT Alexander Service No 1693
He was born at Inverness in Scotland, and there is reference to his mother Mary McDonald and brothers James, John and Hector Grant in his paperwork. He was a plasterer by trade. Enlisting on 31st May 1915 at 28 yrs of age, he proceeded to Gallipoli on 18 August 1915, serving with the 2nd Reinforcements 18th Battalion.
He was reported to be severely wounded between 21-25 August and with no further report of his whereabouts it was reported that he was Killed in Action on 22nd August 1915. This became official at a Court of Enquiry in April of 1917.
His memorial is at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. His eldest brother James enlisted on 8th December 1915. (Still looking for the connection with Leeton)
HELSON Albert Percy Service No 1673
Percy was born in 1890 at Port Augusta SA, the brother of Thomas who resided in New Zealand. He stated that he was a farmer and owner of Farm 836 Leeton.
He enlisted at 25 years of age, on 7th January 1916 in the 2nd Reinforcements of 56th Battalion and trained at Cootamundra Training Camp and embarked for Port Said 14 April 1916, then to Alexandria, Egypt, before proceeding to the battlefields of France in June of 1916 where he was Taken on Strength.
On 22nd October he was posted as Missing by his unit and was later declared Killed in Action on 22 October 1916. He is remembered on the Memorial at Villers-Bretoneux in France.
His step father John Smith of Broken Hill had correspondence from the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WC&IC) about the Farm which he had leased. His brother Charles F G Helson worked Farm 79 Leeton and the farm was still in family hands.
HUDSON Edwin Service No 6744
He was born in c1897 Oxford England the son of Edwin Hudson a Postman of Oxford Eng. On his enlistment papers he states his address as Leeton but to date no other connection is made.
He enlisted on 18 July 1916 and embarked on 17 November SS Port Napier to England for further training. He proceeded overseas to France on 13 March 1917 and was transferred to the 29th Battalion from the 22 Reinforcements of the14th Battalion.
On 23 November 1917 he was Killed in Action in the field under heavy fire, with ‘no trace on research’ as to his final resting place, noted on his war records but he is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial, Messines Ridge, near Gapaard, Ypres, Belgium.
Menin Gate Memorial near Messines Ridge (Pensford Parish)
JONES Caradog Lloyd (Caradog Lloyd-Jones) Service No 3071
He was born 1891 in South America, a Welsh Patagonian the son of John Lloyd-Jones. He arrived in Australia, (Leeton) in 1911 with his brother David Lloyd-Jones and took up Farms 506 & 507 at Stoney Point.
At 24 years of age, he enlisted for service at Cootamundra on 5th August 1915 and embarked for England in the November with the 10th Reinforcements of the 13th Battalion. On arrival, he entered hospital suffering a severe case of mumps and it wasn’t until February 1916 that he rejoined his unit at Moascar, Egypt.
On 29th August 1916, he was listed as Wounded but this was revised to Killed in Action in the field on 29 August 1916 at a Court of Enquiry. His memorial is at Villers-Bretoneux Memorial Cemetery in France.
On his files there is correspondence from W R Cater Solicitor of Leeton in 1923 enquiring of a death certificate confirming his death as well as from WC&IC re his will.
KELLIHER John ‘Jack’ Service No 1489
He was born in 1885 in New Zealand the son of J Kelliher of Tarnaki NZ. He was living in Leeton when he enlisted at Warwick Farm on 16 August 1915. He stated his occupation as Farmer at Farm 306 Leeton when enlisting at 29 yrs.
He proceeded overseas to serve with the 11th Reinforcement of the 6th Light Horse Brigade at Maadi, south of Cairo, in December of 1915. In February 1916 he marched out to Serapeum, Egypt, still with the 6th Light Horse Brigade.
On 6th August he was fatally wounded and was buried where he fell in the field at Romani, Egypt, by Rev A H Teece. He is remembered at the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
In correspondence with Leeton Solicitor W R Cater, a fellow Trooper Brian Farley of the same unit as Jack, mentioned that he was killed on his horse.
Also other correspondence that links him with Leeton was from Mr H Webster acting Attorney of Farm 289 Leeton and a donation in the soldier’s memory from IOOF Lodge Leeton.
KNYVETT Reginald Hugh Captain Service No 4528
He was born in Brisbane c1889. His occupation was a Minister of Religion and he was Rector of Leeton Presbyterian Church. Prior to enlisting, at 29yrs of age for active service at Melbourne on 5 November 1915, he had been a Sergeant of the Senior Cadets for three years.
Posted to the 14th Reinforcements 7th Battalion, he embarked on 28 January 1916 arriving at Suez, Egypt 28 February. On 1st March, he transferred to the 57 Battalion and was promoted to Corporal several days later.
In June 1916, he proceeded to Alexandria, Egypt, to join the British Expeditionary Force heading for Marseilles, France. Early in August he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the 59th Battalion.
He was Wounded in Action 22 November 1916, and invalided to England several days later. In January 1917 he embarked for Return to Australia disembarking Melbourne 8 March 1917. His appointment with the Australian Imperial Forces was terminated on 19th June 1917.
Army Headquarters were advised by Knyvettes mother, Sarah Jane, that he passed away in New York USA in April 1918 from wounds received during the war. He married his wife Lillian, an American, just after the war.
He wrote several books of his service during the war years as well as other books after he returned from the war.
MADDEN Francis W L/Cpl Service No 3821
He was born 1895 at Bulli NSW, the son of Mr W W & Rose Madden, and brother of Murt Edward Madden of Balgownie NSW. He was employed at the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission (WC&IC) as a clerk prior to enlisting.
He enlisted on 7 August 1915 at 19 yrs of age, and trained at Cootamundra Infantry Depot before further training at Holsworthy Barracks in the 12th Reserves. He embarked on 17 January 1916 in the 12th Reinforcements, 4th Battalion bound for Alexandria, Egypt, where, on 27 March, he proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Forces. On 3 April he marched into Marseilles, France.
In June of 1916, he joined the 4th Battalion in France as a Private. Then on 4th August he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
Sadly this was a short stint as on 19th August he was ‘Killed in Action in the Field’ and was buried between Pozieres and Morquat Farm, France, in the field where he lay.
McKENZIE Norman Cpl Service No 1598
Norman was born in 1895 at Smeaton near Ballarat Vic the son of Murdock & Elizabeth (Robinson) McKenzie of Farm 203 Leeton.
At 21 years of age, he enlisted in Liverpool on 18 July 1915, into the 1st Reinforcements 30th Battalion. They embarked on HMAT Beltana on 9 November bound for the Suez. In February of 1916 he was Taken on Strength at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, before embarking on the HMAT Hororata, bound for France.
On 11 August he was wounded with gunshot shrapnel in his right thigh and was sent to the Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to the Military Hospital to stabilize, then transferred to 3rd AA Hospital in Dartford, England.
After recuperating at Weymouth in England, he went AWOL whilst on Christmas furlough 1916. In February 1917 he returned to Etaples, France and rejoined his unit. On 12 April 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and by end of September that year was again promoted to Corporal.
Whilst on leave in February of 1918 in England and Scotland he suffered influenza and was hospitalised for over a month. He rejoined his unit from England on 8 March and whilst seeing action in France was Killed in Action in the field on 17th March 1918.
He is interred at La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery at Ypres, Belgium.
His brother Edmund enlisted August 1918 and served with the NSW 25th Reinforcements.
McMAHON John Thomas Lieutenant
He was born 1892 at Darlinghurst the son of Patrick & M J McMahon. He was an Engineering Draughtsman with the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission (WC&IC) at Leeton when he enlisted on 31 December 1915. He was the acting Sgt Instructor with the Tunnelling Corps at Roseberry Park NSW when he enlisted.
He served with the18th Reinforcements of the 2nd Field Co, and prior to embarking was promoted on 16 May 1916 to 2nd Lieutenant. He embarked on the ‘Aragon’ for Alexandria on 11 June 1916.
After further training he proceeded to France and on 9th March 1917 was Taken on Strength with the 3rd Field Coy which was the ex 18th 2nd Reinforcements from Etaples, France. During many of the major battles whole CO’s were wiped out, and with many soldiers lost, many units were combined or disbanded.
At the Battle at Hermies in France on 9th April 1917, he was severely wounded with shellfire to his legs and shrapnel to his body but died en-route when being transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station.
He was buried at Morchies Australian Cemetery Bapaume, France.
McMAHON Randolph G Lt. MC Service No 1029
Born Newtown Sydney in 1886 the son of Jessie S McMahon, he enlisted at Randwick on 9th September 1914 at 28 years, unmarried and occupation stated as Farmer of Leeton Via Yanco.
He attended training camp with Transport Section of 4th Battalion and embarked 20 October 1914 on Euripides for Dardenelles, Gallipoli. Whilst serving at Gallipoli during August 1915 he was appointed Sergeant just prior to receiving a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to the Clearing Station at Mudros, Greece, before being transferred to Wandsworth Hospital in England.
He returned to the battlefield and in January 1916 joined No 14 Draft to rejoin the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces (MEF) at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt. Later that month he suffered from heart troubles and was re-admitted to hospital at Helouan, Egypt.
It was during Randolph’s service in the field in Dardenelles that he was Mentioned in Despatches of 11 December 1915 by Sir Gen Sam Hamilton for ‘Services rendered in connection with operations at the Dardenelles’. In April 1916 he was employed as Line Sergeant and in May was transferred to the 45th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir.
In August he transferred back to the 4th Battalion who were serving in France. He received a gunshot wound to the thigh on 19th August 1916 and transferred to England because of the severity of the wound. It took two months to recover and he was sent to Perham Downs, England for R & R before again proceeding to the front in France in the November and rejoining his unit.
He attended School of Instruction in January 1917, to be promoted to Lieutenant in March 1917.
In May 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for ‘Conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty. He organised and skilfully led a counter attack which drove the enemy back with heavy losses. He set a fine example of courage and initiative’.
Over the next few months he attended training camps, went on furlough and attended more training camps where he qualified to be a First Class Bomber. In October 1918 whilst serving in Havre, France, he relinquished his position as Bomber and reverted to 2nd Lt. During January 1919, he had leave in Brussels and on his return to the field, contracted pneumonia and died on 23rd February 1919 at the 1st Australian Clearing Station.
He was interred by Chaplain T D Reynolds at Hal Communal Cemetery South West of Brussels, Belgium.
MURPHY J A Still researching as we are unable to find which one is connected with this area.
NICOL Frank J Sgt Service No 2707
He was born 1888 at Campbelltown NSW the son of Elizabeth May Nicol. His wife Beatrice remarried a Mr Ross after Frank’s death. He stated his occupation as Carpenter. At 27 yrs, he enlisted at Liverpool on 13th June 1915 and embarked for the front on 9 August 1915. He landed at Gallipoli early in November in the 3rd Battalion and was taken on strength.
At the end of that month his battalion was transferred to Alexandria, Egypt en-route for Marseilles, France, where on 27 July 1916, he received gunshot wounds to his shoulder and face. After recuperating in England he rejoined his unit at the end of November 1916.
On 9th December he was transferred into the 1st Machine Gun Corps and was Taken on Strength the next day. In February of 1917, he attended Machine Gun School of Instruction. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 17 September 1917 in the field in France.
On 4th October, he received shrapnel wounds to his arm and neck and was transferred to England for treatment. He rejoined his unit on 6 December 1917. In February 1918 he attended another Machine Gun Training School and on returning to his unit was promoted to Corporal.
After being wounded for the third occasion he was evacuated from the fields in France for treatment. On 10 March 1918 he was appointed Sergeant after being Temporary Sergeant when his unit’s sergeant was wounded.
On 18 September 1918 he was Killed in Action.
He is buried in the Templeux Le Guerard Brittish Cemetery in North East France.
There is an enquiry from WC&IC re his service so he must have been employed by them at some stage before enlisting.
He was living on Farm 760 in Leeton at some stage as in his Will he mentions that the property was offered for sale to a Mr Miller. His wife received the proceeds from sale of his property as per his Will.
QUINTON Hugh Augustus Service No 2706
He was born at Cobram Vic in 1895 the son of Hugh A & Bridget T Quinton of Farm 589 Yanco, and stated he was a labourer. At 21 years, he enlisted with his younger brother on 4 August 1916 at Cootamundra, where they trained with the 1st Depot Battalion.
He was promoted to Private on the eve of embarkation on the HMAT Benalla on 9 November, 1916. He trained with the 10th Training Battalion at Durrington, England before proceeding overseas to France on 3 May 1917.
On 22 May he was Taken on Strength whilst serving in the 39th Battalion. He received a gunshot wound to his back and was in hospital for several weeks before rejoining his unit and moving to Belgium. On 15 July 1917, during a battle, he was Killed in Action and was buried in Kandahar Farm British Cemetery Belgium.
There is correspondence in his file from the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission (WC&IC) of Leeton, seeking copies of his death certificate and his length of army service, so we assume he was employed with them prior to enlisting.
His brother William J Quinton was also killed during WW1 at Corbie, France.
QUINTON William J Service No 2705
Born 1898 at Cobram Vic, the son of Hugh A & Bridget T Quinton of Farm 589 Yanco. At 18 years of age, he enlisted at Cootamundra on 4 August 1916, together with his older brother, Hugh A Quinton, who embarked on the same ship and served in the same regiment. On arrival in England he ended up in Fargo hospital before attending training in Durrington Training Camp in England. In September 1917 he proceeded overseas for active service.
On 6th April 1918, he received a severe gunshot wound to his back and was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station then transferred to England to various hospitals for rehabilitation. On 12th May 1918 he was transferred to 1st Australian Headquarters at Hurdcott, England, then in July he rejoined his unit at Rouelles in France.
On 31st August 1918 he was wounded on the second occasion with a gunshot wound to the chest through to the spine and sadly died the following day.
He is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension near Corbie, France.
His parents received the sad news of another son lost in the war, his older brother having died 15 July 1917.
Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France (CWGC)
RENNIE David Service No 1619
He was born c1884 Antrim Ireland. His brother John D Rennie, Station Hand of Darlington Point, was stated as his next of kin on his enlistment papers when he enlisted at 30 years of age, on 30 November 1914, at Liverpool, stating he was also a Station Hand. He embarked for overseas service and in July 1915, was part of the Beach Party at the Dardenelles.
In December of 1915, after an absence from his unit he rejoined them at Lemnos, Greece. By February of 1916 he was a Baggage Escort attached to the 2nd Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, en-route to Marseilles in France. He was AWOL and charged with drinking and damage to his rifle.
In July 1916 he proceeded to England for R & R before joining 1st ADB Depot at Etaples, France. By mid September he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion in Belgium.
He was listed as Killed in Action on 9 April 1917 and is buried at Hermies British Cemetery- Bapaum, East of Peronne, France.
RICHARDS Clifford Sydney Cpl. Service No 18530
He was born in Narrandera in 1895 the son of Solomon (dec’d) & Julia Richards of S Richards & Co of Leeton & Narrandera who enlisted at 20 years of age on 20 October 1915, at Holsworthy Army Base and embarked with the 25th Battery, 7th Field Artillery Brigade.
He was promoted to Gunner on 1st January 1916, then Provisional Sergeant on 1st April proceeding overseas to France on 29 December 1916. He became a permanent Corporal on 2 January 1917, even though only 22 years of age.
He was detached from his Battalion to attend 2nd Army Artillery Instruction School and on his return proceeded to Belgium. It was here on 16 September 1917, that he was Killed in Action ending his brilliant career in the Army. He is buried in the Perth China Wall Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium Plot 1 Row E 6.
Perth China Wall Cemetery, Belgium (CWGC)
Excerpt Murrumbidgee Irrigator 5 Oct 1917
SIVES John Pauling 2nd/L MM Service No 2228
Gallipoli Veteran – Born 1894 in Manchester, England. His mother was Elsie and his Aunt Elizabeth Annabel Kellie. His mother passed away less than three months after JP was KIA.
On his enlistment 24 April 1915 at 21 years of age, he stated his occupation as a clerk. He embarked for Mudros, Lemnos Island in Greece, on 16 June 1915 in the 6th Reinforcements 4th Battalion.
He joined the Gallipoli campaign 4th August 1915 and between the 6th and 9th during heavy bombing was affected by shellshock. He was treated in the Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to Wandsworth Military Hospital in London.
In January 1916 he rejoined his unit in Egypt at Tel-el-Kebir, and on 6th February attended School of Instruction at Zeitoun also in Egypt.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 8th May and at the end of July temporarily promoted to Sergeant due to the Battalion Sergeant being wounded. He was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 30th September 1916.
On 4th October 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field, the citation reading ‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty while serving with the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force. On 25th July 1916 Lt/Cpl Sives in an attack on a German trench did splendid service. He was extremely cool and courageous under fire and by his judicious and dashing handling of the Lewis Gun helped the bombers to gain and retain their positions.’
He was again Mentioned in Despatches in France with the 4th Battalion on 19 April 1917, when he was recommended to be mentioned for ‘His devotion to duty during enemy attack on Demicourt and Boursies on the 15 April 1917.’
Whilst serving in Bullecourt, France he was Killed in Action on 7th May 1917. His memorial is on the Villers Bretennoux Memorial Wall North of Ypres, Belgium.
SMITH Ernest Pte Service No 3439
He was born 1896 at Keighley, Yorkshire England the son of John W & Mary A Smith of Farm 173, Leeton, formally of California USA. Ernie came to Australia in 1914 with his parents after his father applied for work with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Trust (MIT). He enlisted at 19 yrs of age in Cootamundra on 19th September 1915 in the 11th Reinforcements of 4th Battalion, embarking on 29 July en-route to the front.
In February 1916 he transferred to the 53rd Battalion and were he was Taken on Strength at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt with his battalion moving to Marseilles in France in June. When Ernie received gunshot wounds to the leg and shoulder on 19 July 1916, he was transferred to No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital where he died on the 23rd. He was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France by Rev T S Goudge in Row A Plot 8.
There is reference of him and his family in the Book, Stoney Point Baptist Church via Leeton 1913-1939 by Barbara Coe, held in our Local History library.
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Outreau (CWGC)
SMITH Frederick B Service No 1724
Born was in 1888 in Essex England, the son of Annie Smith of Farm 516, Leeton, enlisting at 28 years, on 26th January 1916 at Cootamundra, where he attended camp in the 2nd Regiment of the 56th Battalion.
He was listed as Private when embarking on 14th April on HMAT Ceramic to join the British Expeditionary Forces at Alexandria in Egypt. His unit was Taken on Strength on 26 July 1916 whilst serving at Marseilles in France, with reinforcements called to form the 56th Infantry Battalion.
He was Killed in Action sometime on or about 13 August and reported on 30 August 1916. He is buried at Farm Military Cemetery, Armenieres in France.
His Probate Application was lodged 10 November 1916 through Leeton Solicitor, Mr W Rupert Cater with his Estate being granted to Edward H Smith.
SPEARS Walter Lieutenant
He was born 1882 at Manchester Lancashire, England, the son of Elizabeth Spears, husband of Phyllis and brother to Stanley, Harry, Edith and cousin to Frank and Florence. His occupation was Engineer at Yanco.
At 33 years of age, on 11 September 1915, he Enlisted at Cootamundra into the 59th Battalion and trained at Cootamundra and Holsworthy Depots before attending Officers School at Moorebank and Liverpool NSW. He embarked for Port Lincoln, Suez on 4th May 1916. On entering the war, his unit was Taken on Strength fighting at Tel-el-Kebir in Egypt.
After receiving concussion and sever ear damage from a shell explosion, he was taken to hospital in England on 31st December 1916, later re-joining his unit after spending time at Pernam Downs in England. When he was permanently invalided, he embarked on 5th November 1917, for his return to Australia onboard the ship HMAT Thermistocles.
Whilst the ship was en-route from Fremantle UK to Eastern Ports, Spears suffered fatal wounds shooting himself dead with his own gun. He sent a suicide note to his cousin Frank Spears, there is also a notation about his burial on 29 December 1917 in Adelaide SA.
He may have worked with the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission, as there is correspondence on his file from them asking for death certificates etc.
WATSON Humphrey J F 2nd Lieutenant
Born on 9th May 1881 in Leeds Yorkshire England, the brother of Thomas F Watson, Mosman and foster son of George Tolley of Wentworth NSW. When enlisting on 23 June 1915, he quoted as being a Civil Assistant Engineer-Surveyor with the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Commission.
He joined the 12th Reinforcements 3rd Battalion and embarked from Sydney to the Suez on 30th December 1915. He disembarked at Marseilles, France in April after attending training camps. On 22nd July he was wounded and evacuated to the Red Cross Hospital at Le Touguet in France.
In August he applied for a Commission in the A.I.F. stating his education qualifications and experience as attending St Andrew’s College, Rossall College, Manchester University, as a Lt in Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and as Acting Sergeant in the 4th Reinforcements 17th Battalion in 1899-1900 War.
On 8th September 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant whilst serving in Belgium and was absorbed into the Reinforcements of 3rd Battalion.
On 10th October he was wounded with a gunshot to left arm, thigh and head and was transferred to 3rd London General Hospital for treatment and recovery. He moved to Pernham Downs in England at end of January 1917 before proceeding to France to rejoin his unit. He attended 1st Australian Division Gas School in March and again in April, before returning to France and transferring into the 3rd Battalion from the reinforcements.
On 4th October 1917 he was Killed in Action in Belgium. He is remembered in the Memorial Cross Aeroplane British Cemetery at Ypes, Belgium.
His brother was Retired British Army Officer Captain Thomas F Watson.
WARD G
At this stage we have been unable to identify the G Ward who has connections to Leeton.
WHEELER Francis H C Cpl Service No 1038
He was born at Daylesford Vic, the son of H S Wheeler of Warragul Vic. At 31 years of age, he enlisted at Liverpool NSW on 19 February 1915 into the 5th Brigade of the 17th Battalion. He proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces at Gallipoli on 16th August, after training camp at Liverpool.
On 6 October he was hospitalised with dysentery and sent to the Hospital Ship at Gallipoli before transferring to Hospital at Gibraltar on HS Caledonian, then to England for further treatment and rehabilitation. He rejoined his battalion at Moascar, Egypt in March 1916 after R & R in February in Egypt. In January 1917, he was promoted Temporary Corporal, then in March promoted to Corporal. Suffering from trench feet in April, he was admitted to hospital and a month later marched from convalescent to camp Adjutant for Police Duty.In August he rejoined his unit in France and became Lt Sergeant on 25th September 1917.
By October 9th he was reported Missing in Action, last being seen in the support lines at Zonnebeke Ridge in Belgium, on his way to ration camp.
It was recognised that he was Killed in Action on 9th October 1917.
His name appears on the WC&IC (Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission) Honour Roll.
WILLIAMS ELLIS E Service No 2998A
He was born 1879 in Wales, a sister to Phoebe Hughes, brother of Joseph and nephew Arvon Williams of New York USA. He stated his address as Farm 509 of Leeton, occupation as farmer and he left a Will at the Bank of NSW Leeton, prior to enlisting on 25 July 1916 at Goulburn NSW.
He embarked on the HMAT Ascanius on 25th October with the 7th Reinforcements of the 56th Battalion en-route to Devonport where they arrived into the 14th Training Camp on 28th December 1916.
He proceeded overseas to France in February and transferred firstly to the 19th Battalion then to the 20th Battalion in the field.
On 6 August he attended the Field Ambulance Hospital then admitted to 58th General Hospital St Omer where he stayed for ten weeks before rejoining his battalion late in October.
After furlough in England in February of 1918 he returned to the battlefields in Belgium before he was Killed in Action in the fields in France on 7th April 1918.
He is buried at Hangard Wood British Cemetery South of Corbie in France.
In 2006, a film crew from S4C, the national Welsh-language broadcaster, traced his footsteps for a dramatised documentary of his life, visiting Leeton and the site of his Farm 509 for their story.
His life is also documented in the book Remembrance – 100 years 100 Memorials 100 Stories by Atkins, Hocking and Millowick published in 2014 .
WILSON Ronald Stewart Service No 1137
Ronald was born in Wagga NSW 1896, the son of Susan Wilson. He states his occupation as Station Hand. He enlisted on 9 April 1915 and after a month in Training Camp with the 21st Battalion, he embarked on HMAT Ulysses from Melbourne for the Gallipoli Peninsula.
On 29 August he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces (MEF) at Gallipoli and by December had moved to Mudros in Greece. On 2nd January 1916, suffering bronchitis, he was hospitalised and transferred to Cairo General Hospital. He rejoined his unit for duty on 15th and was taken on strength at Ghizerah, Egypt.
After several stints in hospital with bronchitis, on 12 August 1916 he rejoined his 21st Battalion in France where he was wounded with gunshot to the wrist on 26th August. He was transferred to England for treatment. By mid December 1917 he marched back into the field in France after having been AWOL for four days after leaving hospital in England. But on 3rd May 1917 he was Killed in Action at Bullecourt in France, and is remembered at Villers Bretonneux Memorial Cemetery in France.
His brother Stanley Maurice Wilson was also KIA during WW1.
Battle of the Western Front
July this year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and The Battle of Poziers. These battles resulted in over five thousand casualties in the first month including a twenty four hour period regarded as Australia’s worst one day loss in history, more casualties than the Korean & Vietnam wars combined.
By the time the Australians were relieved from Poziers and Mouquet Farm in September of 1916 the army had suffered over twenty five thousand casualties in just over seven weeks of fighting. This included several of our local soldiers whose names appear on Leeton’s War Memorial.
By the end of the war, almost three hundred thousand Australians had served on the Western Front in France & Belgium.
Many were Missing in Action and never found during and after the war ended. In 2008 the Unrecovered War Casualty section of the Australian Army began work on identifying remains found in mass graves discovered where the Germans had buried the remains of British & Australian soldiers found on the battlefields.
The Fromelles Project encouraged families of Missing in Action soldiers to submit samples of their DNA to be stored in the Fromelles Relatives Database. Using this modern technology, over one hundred and forty remains have been identified and given official burials at Pheasant Wood Memorial Cemetery, Fromelles in France.
Members of 56th Battalion from Leeton NSW relaxing whilst at a training camp.
Freedom March in Pine Ave Leeton 1918
