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THE 28TH
A RECORD OF WAR SERVICE WITH THE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE,
1915-1919
VOLUME I.
EGYPT, GALLIPOLI, LEMNOS ISLAND,
SINAI PENINSULA
by
COLONEL H. B. COLLETT, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.
First C.O. of the Battalion
With Foreword by the Archbishop of Perth,
Chaplain-General to the Forces
[Illustration: ON THE SQUARE WITHIN THE WALLS OF SALADIN'S CITADEL.
30th August, 1915.
The Moqattam Hills and Napoleon's Fort in the distant background.]
Published by the Trustees of
the Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery of
Western Australia
Perth
1922
[Copyright]
by Authority:
Fred. Wm. Simpson, Government Printer, Perth.
Blocks Supplied by
Read & Mckinley, Art Engravers, Perth.
CONTENTS.
FOREWORD: By The Most Rev. C. O. L. Riley, O.B.E., D.D., LL.D.,
V.D., Archbishop of Perth, Chaplain-General to the Forces. IX.
PREFACE XI.
CHRONOLOGY XIII.
CHAPTER I.
THE GENESIS.
W.A. in the South African War--The outbreak in 1914--Karrakatta and
Blackboy Hill--The first units to embark--Scheme for raising new
brigades--The 28th Battalion authorised--Enrolment of personnel--
Selection and appointment of Officers and N.C.Os.--Specialists
wanted--Equipping--Hard training--An accident--Hours off duty--Visit
from H.E. the Governor--Medical precautions--The March through Perth
--Final preparations for departure for the Front. =Page 1.=
CHAPTER II.
EN ROUTE.
Embarkation 9th June, 1915--The crowds along the route and at
Fremantle--Farewell to Australia--The "Ascanius"--Quarters and
messing--Other troops on board--Statistics--Training at Sea--
Lectures--Stowaways--Competitions in tidiness--Entering the
Tropics--Amusements--The Canteen--The Master--The East African
Coast--The Red Sea--Strange rumours--Arrival at Suez--First
contact with the Egyptians. =Page 15.=
CHAPTER III.
FIRST STAY IN EGYPT.
Disembarkation and train journey to Abbasia--The Land of Goshen
--Description of the Camp--Early difficulties--Institutes--The
newsvendors--Tidings from Gallipoli--Unrest in Egypt--The local
command and garrison--Inspection by Sir John Maxwell--Mobilisation
of the 7th Brigade--Training in the Desert--Night marches--The Zeitun
School--Formation of the 2nd Australian Division--Difficulties in
feeding the troops--Clothing for the Tropics--In quarantine--Sickness
--Pay and currency--Mails and the Censor--Amusements--Riots--The
military Police--Chaplains. =Page 28.=
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST STAY IN EGYPT (_continued_).
Distractions--A march through Cairo--Leave--In the bazaars--Gharri and
donkey rides--Esbekieh Gardens--The Kursaal and the Casino--Shepheard's
Hotel--Guides--Sightseeing--The Pyramids and Sphinx--Memphis--Sakkara--
The Tombs of the Sacred Bulls--The Cairo Museum--The Citadel and other
Saracenic remains--Some beautiful mosques--Old Cairo--The Nile--The
Egyptian aristocracy--Garrisoning Saladin's Citadel--A nephew of the
Senussi--The trials of a soldier--Souvenir hunting--Visitors from Home
--News of the August advance--Warned to proceed overseas--Entraining.
=Page 45.=
CHAPTER V.
GALLIPOLI.
Some account of the Gallipoli Peninsula--The naval and military
operations--Anzac Day--Arrival at Alexandria--Embarking on the
"Ivernia"--Prejudices--Through the Grecian Archipelago--The
"Southland"--In Mudros Bay--Closing the mail--In touch with the
"Aragon"--Transhipping to the "Sarnia"--The last stage--The first
glimpse of battle--Impressions--Landing in the "beetles"--Waterfall
Gully--The first casualty--Contact with the 4th Brigade--Move to the
Apex--Description of the position--Holding the salient--Condition of
the trenches--Artillery support--Telephones--Dugouts--The New Zealanders
--Attitude of the enemy--Sniping with field guns--Bombs, mortars, and
catapults--Broomstick bombs. =Page 58.=
CHAPTER VI.
GALLIPOLI (_continued_).
First night in the trenches--Cleaning up--Shell fire--Generals Birdwood
and Godley--No Man's Land--View from the Apex--Casualties--Pick and
shovel--Sleep--Turkish demonstration--Divine service--Visit of Sir Ian
Hamilton--Private Owen's escape--Company reliefs--Mining and tunnelling
--Salvage--Patrols--Our guns--Propaganda--Espionage. =Page 77.=
CHAPTER VII.
GALLIPOLI (_continued_).
Poison gas--Targets for the guns--A general--A false alarm--"The one
shall be taken--"--Relieved by the 25th Battalion--The fly pest--
Sickness--Bully beef and biscuits--Rum--Scarcity of water--Cooking--
Gathering fuel--Supply and transport--"Dunks." =Page 90.=
CHAPTER VIII.
GALLIPOLI (_continued_).
Lower Cheshire Ridge--Description of new position--A break in the
weather--Trenches--Tunnels--Timber and iron--Sniping--Ruses--The
Mohammedan festival--Arrival of reinforcements--Promotion from the
ranks--Formation of bombing section--Change in command of Brigade
--Canteen stores--Pay--A miss--Aeroplanes--Relieved by the 4th
Brigade--Taylor's Hollow--Beach fatigues--Soldiers as sailors--News
--Mails from Australia--Diversions--The naturalist--The beauties of
land, sea, and sky. =Page 102.=
CHAPTER IX.
GALLIPOLI (_continued_).
Move to Happy Valley--Visit of Lord Kitchener--Unsettled weather
--Humanity--A proposed stunt--The "close season for Turkey"--The
blizzard and its dire consequences--Increased enemy gun fire--The
arrival of the German heavies--Russell's Top--Three tiers of tunnels
--Death of the three majors--News of the evacuation--The main body
leaves the Peninsula--The Die-hards--Work of the Machine Gun Section
--The last man. =Page 120.=
CHAPTER X.
LEMNOS ISLAND.
Landing in the Bay--A sick battalion--Sarpi camp--The arrival of the
beer--Resting, recuperating, and refitting--Z Valley camp--Members
selected for distinction--Touring Lemnos--General description of the
island--The inhabitants--Kastro--Primitive agriculture--Mt. Therma--
Crowded shipping--The arrival of the billies--Christmas Day--A
conspiracy--The concert--The New Year--Leaving for Egypt. =Page 137.=
CHAPTER XI.
BACK TO EGYPT.
Alexandria--Arrival at Tel-el-Kebir--The transport rejoins--A deal
in tents--Kitchen trouble--A camp for two divisions--The battle of
1882--Short rations--Inspection by Sir Archibald Murray--Leave to
Cairo--The postal service--Training for savage warfare--Reinforcements
--General Paton--Transfers to the Camel Corps--Rumours of a Turkish
advance--Move to the Sinai Peninsula--The desert--Road and pipe line
--Camels--Ferry Post--The defences of the Suez Canal--Passing shipping
--Lumping and navvying--Secret service agents--Dangers to shipping in
the Canal--Ismailia--Gambling--Cerebro-spinal meningitis--A visit from
the High Commissioner in Egypt. =Page 148.=
CHAPTER XII.
PREPARING FOR FRANCE.
Three new divisions--Another 60,000 Australians--Transfers to new
units--Changes in establishments--Promotions--Talk of the Western
Front--Undesirables--Unfits--The khamsin--Assembling at Moascar--
Final preparations--Train to Alexandria--The "Themistocles"--The
menace of submarines--Through the Mediterranean--Malta--Approaching
Marseilles--Entering the harbour--The end of the first phase. =Page 162.=
APPENDICES.
Page.
A. List of Units raised and recruited by Western Australia 171
B. Roll of Honour 172
C. Casualties whilst with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 174
D. Roll of Original Officers of the Battalion 175
E. Roll of Officers promoted from the Ranks between the 9th
June, 1915, and 21st March, 1916 177
F. Roll of Reinforcement Officers who joined the Battalion
between 9th June, 1915, and 21st March, 1916 178
G. Civil Occupations of Original Members of the Battalion who
embarked as Officers or were subsequently promoted to
Commissioned Rank 178
H. Nominal Roll of Original Members of the Battalion who
embarked at Fremantle on H.M.A.T. "A11" ("Ascanius"), 9th
June, 1915, and on "Boonah," 12th July, 1915 180
I. Nominal Roll of Members of Reinforcements who joined the
Battalion in the Field prior to the 21st March, 1916 201
J. Honours conferred on Original Members of the Battalion 218
LIST OF MAPS AND PLANS.
Cairo and Environs Facing page 52
The Great Pyramid Page 48
Portion of Gallipoli Peninsula, showing Allied Lines " 59
The Trenches at "The Apex" " 69
The Front Line on Cheshire Ridge " 103
Lemnos, Imbros, Tenedos, and Samothrace " 117
The Trenches on Russell's Top " 127
The Country adjacent to Tel-el-Kebir Facing page 148
The Australian Position in Defence of the Suez Canal, 1916 Page 155
The Australian Lines on Gallipoli Facing page 170
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
On the Square within the Walls of Saladin's Citadel _frontispiece._
Blackboy Hill Camp Page 3
Some of the Original Officers " 5
The Regimental Signallers " 9
The Machine Gun Section " 9
The March through Perth " 11
The March through Perth: the Crowd in St. George's Terrace " 12
The Farewell at Fremantle " 17
H.M's. Australian Transport "A11" " 21
Two very young Soldiers " 25
Abbasia Camp " 31
The Adjutant and "Tim" " 31
Brigadier-General J. Burston, V.D. " 35
Lieut.-Colonel C. R. Davies, O.B.E. " 35
Major J. Kenny, A.A.M.C. " 39
Captain J. J. S. Scouler " 39
The Wall of the Citadel " 47
View of Cairo from the Citadel Walls " 51
The Moqattam Hills " 51
The Citadel " 55
Chunuk Bair " 63
Williams' Pier, where the 28th landed " 66
The Apex " 71
At the Apex: using the periscope rifle " 74
"The Farm" " 74
In the Front Line at the Apex " 78
Excavating a "Bivvy" in the support trenches " 79
View from Baby 700 " 83
Major J. A. Campbell Wilson " 91
Captain J. Gettingby: The Quartermaster " 92
Sergeant C. R. Field " 96
Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant R. G. Sexty " 97
The Chailak Dere " 106
View of the Aghyl Dere " 107
"A" Company getting ready to move from the Reserve Position at
Cheshire Ridge " 111
The Q.M.'s Store of "A" Company at Cheshire Ridge " 112
The Sari Bair Ridge " 121
Headquarters of "C" Company, Happy Valley " 125
The Great Traffic Trench " 125
A Conference on Walker's Ridge, December, 1915 " 129
The view from Russell's Top looking into Malone Gully " 131
Captain G. D. Shaw, M.C. " 135
Captain T. O. Nicholls, M.C. " 135
The Camp at Sarpi, Lemnos Island " 141
The Shipping in Mudros Bay, 1915 " 141
On the Battlefield of Tel-el-Kebir, January, 1916 " 151
Ferry Post, showing the Suez Canal " 158
Ferry Post: the landing place on the East bank " 158
The Camp of the 28th at Ferry Post " 160
The Suez Canal: a liner in the fairway " 160
Private H. A. Franco, M.M. " 164
The Pioneer-Sergeant at work " 165
The 2nd Division crossing the Canal _en route_ to Europe " 169
The "Themistocles" at Alexandria " 169
FOREWORD.
_By The Most Rev. C. O. L. Riley, O.B.E., D.D., LL.D., V.D.,
Archbishop of Perth, Chaplain-General to the Forces._
I have been asked to write a short Foreword to the History of the 28th
Battalion. I do so with very great pleasure, for two reasons--Firstly,
because I have known Colonel Collett for many years, and, secondly,
because I approve of the History.
The present volume is the first of several that will attempt to record
the doings of those bodies of magnificent volunteers who went from
Western Australia and of whose achievements the country is so justly
proud. The Trustees of the Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery of
Western Australia, as the custodians of the archives of the State, have
thought that those archives would be greatly lacking were a history of
our part in the World War not included. With that object in view, the
Commonwealth and State Governments have been approached and, largely
through the assistance of the Premier, the Hon. Sir James Mitchell,
K.C.M.G., and of the Minister for Education, the Hon. H. P. Colebatch,
M.L.C., a practical commencement is now made with the narrative which
concerns the 28th Battalion.
In the following pages we are not treated to long dissertations on
military tactics, nor to clear proofs of how the writer could have
concluded the war in half the time it really did take, if only the High
Command had carried out suggestions made by one who knew all about it.
You will find nothing like that in this book. Colonel Collett evidently
asked himself: "What do the friends of the men of the Battalion want to
know?" They want to know what the men did and what the Battalion did.
What was the daily life of the man in the training camp; on the
transports; in the war areas, and in the trenches. Of those who fell,
they want to know, if possible, how and when they fell and where they
were buried. Of those who were wounded, they want to know what they were
doing when they "stopped a bullet," and how they were afterwards
treated in hospital or in "Blighty." The public want a brief outline of
the great doings of the Battalion, and all these things are plainly and
proudly told by the writer.
I have often been in camp with Colonel Collett and know how thoroughly
he did his work there. I am sure that all the men of the Battalion,
their friends, and the public generally, will thank him for the loving
care and labour he has devoted to a task which must have been to him a
glorious record, and yet, at times, one full of sadness as he recalled
to mind the "passing out" of friend after friend.
C. O. L., PERTH,
Chaplain-General A.I.F.,
C. of E.
PREFACE.
In the pages which follow an attempt has been made to give some account
of how a Western Australian battalion was raised, organised, trained,
and lived. How and where it travelled, some of the things it did and
saw, and the nature of its environment. That is a large area to cover,
and I am only too conscious that the result achieved is far from
perfect.
This volume is confined to the period which terminated with the arrival
of the 28th Battalion at Marseilles. That first phase of the unit's
history was not so unimportant as might be thought. Although the
following years were marked by a series of great events, in which the
Battalion took a glorious part, yet there was a sameness in the
surroundings and a monotony of routine which was conspicuously absent
amongst the changing scenes and varied incidents of the earlier months
of service. In those beginnings was moulded the high character for which
the unit was ever afterwards esteemed. The trial by battle, hardship,
and disease had not found its members lacking, and a fine spirit of
comradeship had rapidly developed. With a high _morale_ it arrived on
the historic battlefields of Europe.
The few opinions offered in the course of the narrative are my own. They
have not been formed lightly. Any individual charged with the care and
direction of a body of his fellows must, of necessity--if he be worth
his salt--study causes and effects.
Certain names have been mentioned in the text. Doubtless there are
others equally worthy, but with the material I have had at my disposal
it has been impossible to do due justice to all. There does exist a
wealth of incident and anecdote which should be exploited but which, for
obvious reasons, has not been available to me, and although I have made
a general appeal to all ex-members to contribute to this record, a
perfectly natural diffidence has held the hands of the great majority.
For sins of omission and commission I beg the forgiveness of those with
whom I had the great honour of serving and for whom, as comrades, men,
and soldiers, I have the greatest respect and admiration.
The sources of information upon which I have had to mainly depend have
been:--A very imperfect Official War Diary; my own letters; my memory;
and a few contributions from former comrades. These last have been
received from Major E. G. Glyde, Captains A. M. P. Montgomery, A. S.
Isaac, N. W. Sundercombe, G. D. Shaw, T. O. Nicholls, and C. C. Flower.
But more particularly am I indebted to Lieut. J. T. Blair, who placed at
my disposal a considerable quantity of material which he had been at
great pains to collect whilst in London.
As regards photographs and maps: Valuable prints and drafts have been
supplied by the Trustees of the Australian War Museum. Mr. C. E. W.
Bean, the Australian War Correspondent and Official Historian, has very
kindly lent me photographs from his private collection. Mr. E. L.
Mitchell and Mr. W. Owen, both of Perth, have generously given
unrestricted permission to reproduce from their negatives, and certain
members, and relatives of members, have also contributed interesting
specimens. For the map of the Australian Corps' Front on Gallipoli, and
the plans and diagrams referring to Cairo, Tel-el-Kebir, and the
Pyramid, I have especially to thank Captain E. A. E. Andrewartha of the
Australian Staff Corps.
The publication of the Nominal Rolls of Members of the Battalion has
been made possible largely through the assistance of Major J. M. Lean,
M.B.E., the Officer in Charge of Base Records, Melbourne.
For historical data, descriptive matter, and a few other essentials, I
have also consulted the following works:--Barrett and Deane ("The
A.A.M.C. in Egypt"); Callwell ("The Dardanelles Campaign and its
Lessons"); Ellis ("Story of the 5th Division"); Hamilton ("Gallipoli
Diary"); Masefield ("Gallipoli"); "Military History of the Campaign of
1882 in Egypt" (official); Nevinson ("The Dardanelles Campaign");
Schuler ("Australia in Arms"); Sladen ("Oriental Cairo"); Woods ("Washed
by Four Seas"), and several others the names of which I cannot now
recall. I am also under a great obligation to J. S. Battye, Litt.D.,
B.A., LL.B., the General Secretary of the Public Library, whose
invaluable advice has guided me through a pleasing but arduous task.
HERBT. B. COLLETT.
Public Library,
Perth, W.A.,
June, 1922.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE 28th BATTALION, A.I.F.
1914.
August 4.--Declaration of War.
1915.
April 1.--Formation of the 7th Infantry Brigade approved and
Establishments issued.
16.--Orders issued in Western Australia for formation of 28th
Battalion of Infantry at Blackboy Hill. Necessary action
taken the same day.
23.--Lieut.-Colonel H. B. Collett appointed to command.
May 12.} "A" and "B" Companies proceeded to Rockingham for advanced
13.} training. Returned 22nd May.
27.--Visit and inspection by His Excellency the Governor of
Western Australia, Major-General Sir Harry Barron,
K.C.M.G., C.V.O.
June 3.--The King's Birthday. March through Perth, fully horsed and
equipped, with 1st Reinforcements.
6.--First Reinforcements embarked on H.M.A.T. "Geelong" at
Fremantle. Sailed next day.
7.--Visit and inspection by O.G. 7th Infantry Brigade--Colonel
J. Burston, V.D.
9.--The Battalion, less Transport details, embarked at
Fremantle on H.M.A.T. "Ascanius" (A11). Ship steamed out
the same evening.
24.--East coast of Africa sighted--south of Ras Jard-Hafun.
26.--Entered Red Sea.
29.--Suez sighted.
30.--Advance party landed and proceeded to Cairo.
July 2.--Battalion disembarked and proceeded by train to camp at
Abbasia.
5.--Inspection by Lieut. General Sir John Maxwell, General
Officer Commanding in Egypt.
12.--Sergeant Faulkner and Transport details embark at
Fremantle on H.M.A.T. "Boonah." Ordered that horses remain
in Australia.
August 4.--Formation of 2nd Australian Division in Egypt.
8.--Transport details rejoin the Battalion.
17.--March to and occupation of Citadel of Cairo. First draft
of reinforcements arrived and was taken on strength.
30.--Evacuation of Citadel and march to Aerodrome Camp,
Heliopolis.
September 1.--Embarkation orders received. Transport to remain in Egypt.
3.--Entrained at Qubba Station.
4.--Arrived at Alexandria. Embarked on H.M.T. "Ivernia." Left
harbour.
8.--Arrived off Lemnos Island.
9.--Entered Mudros Bay.
10.--Transhipped to S.S. "Sarnia" and proceeded in direction
of Gallipoli Peninsula. That night landed at Williams'
Pier and bivouaced in Waterfall Gully. Attached to New
Zealand and Australian Division.
11.--First casualty. Private F. T. Mitchell wounded. Moved up
Chailak Dere and bivouaced between Bauchop's Hill and
Little Table Top--Rose Hill.
12.--"Apex" salient taken over from New Zealanders. First
casualty in action. Lieut. F. E. Jensen dangerously
wounded. He died a few hours later.
13.--First visit by Corps and Divisional Commanders.
October 4.} Relieved by 25th Battalion. Moved to Lower Cheshire
5.} Ridge.
30.--"B" Company relieved by "A" Company 26th Battalion.
November 1.--"C" Company moved to Taylor's Hollow.
2.--"D" Company moved to Taylor's Hollow.
3.--13th Battalion took over sector. 28th Battalion
concentrated in Taylor's Hollow as Divisional Reserve.
For next five weeks main body engaged on works and Beach
fatigues.
12.--Moved to Happy Valley as support to 26th Battalion. Thus
rejoined 2nd Division.
13.--Visit of Lord Kitchener.
24.} Period of silence. Australians withhold their fire.
27.}
27.} Peninsula visited by a blizzard. Heavy snow and extreme
29.} cold.
December 4.--"A" Company went into line on Russell's Top.
6.--"D" Company went into line on Russell's Top.
7.--Headquarters and "B" Company proceeded to Russell's Top.
8.--"C" Company joins Battalion.
11.--Received orders to embark on day following.
12.--Relieved by 20th Battalion. Embarked, less M.G. Section,
on "Osmanich" after dark.
13.--Landed on Lemnos Island and marched to camp at Sarpi.
15.--Marched to Z Valley, South Camp.
20.--Lieut. G. D. Shaw and Machine Gun Section left Gallipoli
Peninsula with last of troops, 3.30 a.m. Rejoined
Battalion same day.
31.--Advance Party left for Egypt.
1916.
January 6.--Embarked on H.M.T. "Ansonia."
7.--Left Mudros Bay at 7.30 a.m.
9.--Entered Alexandria Harbour.
10.--Disembarked and proceeded by train to camp at Tel-el-Kebir.
Transport rejoined Battalion.
15.--Inspected by General Sir Archibald Murray, Commanding in
Chief in Egypt.
February 3.--Moved by train to Moascar. Thence marched to Staging
Camp--east bank of Suez Canal and opposite Ismailia. 7th
Brigade in Divisional Reserve.
6.--Moved back to Ferry Post to garrison Inner Defences of
Canal. Relieved 30th Battalion.
28.--Major C. R. Davies proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir to command
58th Battalion. Major A. W. Leane became 2nd-in-Command
of 28th Battalion.
March 8.--Relieved by the New Zealanders. Crossed Suez Canal to
Moascar Camp.
13.--Transport details and horses entrained for Alexandria.
Embarked on H.M.T. "Minneapolis" next day.
15.--Battalion entrained for Alexandria.
16.--Arrived at Alexandria at 6.30 a.m. Embarked on H.M.T.
"Themistocles." Left harbour same evening.
19.--Arrived off Valetta, Malta. Received orders as to route.
21.--Arrived in Marseilles Harbour.
The 28th:
A Record of War Service,
1915-1919.
CHAPTER I.
THE GENESIS.
The outbreak of the South African War in 1899 brought to the surface, in
the people of Australia, that innate love of the Old Country which so
marks the British race in whatever part of the world its members may
happen to reside. Each Colony made an offer of men who were anxious to
serve side by side with their kinsmen of the Regular Army. These offers
were accepted--not because the men were needed at that time, but for the
reason that statesmen recognised the existence of an era in the
development of the dominions overseas that demanded the admission of
their inhabitants to a share in the responsibilities attached to the
maintenance and promotion of the welfare of the Empire. The reverses to
the British arms which occurred during the opening months of the
campaign roused in Australia a spirit of intense loyalty and patriotism,
which was exemplified by renewed offers of assistance to the Government
in London. These offers received an early response, with the result that
across the Indian Ocean was maintained a steady stream of troops during
the whole two and a half years of operations.
Western Australia readily took up a share of the burden and played her
small, though not unimportant, part. Her contribution in troops
consisted of 64 officers and 1,167 other ranks, together with 1,179
horses. On a population basis this effort was greater than that of any
of the other Australian States. In casualties the various units (one
infantry and nine mounted infantry) suffered a loss of 40 by death and
86 by wounds. That the services rendered were valuable, worthy of the
State, and highly creditable to the individuals, may be gathered from
the fact that the following honours were awarded: 1 V.C., 2 C.B.'s, 7
D.S.O.'s, 8 D.C.M.'s, and 3 additional Mentions in Despatches.
When Europe burst into the flame and smoke of war in August, 1914,
Australia was unified in Government and a nation in sentiment--but
still a British nation. Her offers of assistance had been expected and
were graciously and gratefully accepted. The Western Australians once
more responded and, this time, in their thousands. Again the quota was
exceeded--reinforcements being supplied even for Eastern States'
units--and in all some 32,028 soldiers and nurses enlisted for service
overseas during the period of 1914-1918.[A] Over 6,000 of these laid
down their lives for Australia and the Empire, and many thousands more
were wounded and maimed.
The 28th Battalion was one of three battalions wholly recruited and
organised in Western Australia. It did not take the field in time to
participate in the earlier days on Gallipoli, but showed its mettle in
many a subsequent hard fight. Its deeds, and those of the other units
which left these western shores, gained the unstinted admiration of the
remainder of the Australian Imperial Force and constitute no mean
record.
The contingents for South Africa were trained on the military reserve at
Karrakatta. There there was a rifle range and sufficient space for the
exercise of small bodies of troops. When, in 1914, it became obvious
that larger numbers would be involved, a search was made for a greater
and better camp site and training area. Eventually this was found at
Blackboy Hill, which is situated about a mile east of Bellevue and quite
close to the Eastern Railway. This area had been used by the Citizen
Forces during the annual training of that year and found very suitable
for dismounted work. The camp site is a rounded knoll of some few acres
in extent, possessing the advantages of good natural drainage, a liberal
number of shady trees, and firm soil underfoot. The surrounding country
is broken by the foothills of the Darling Range and intersected by
roads, fences, and--here and there--small watercourses. However,
sufficient level ground is available to suit ordinary purposes and,
altogether, the locality lends itself admirably to the training of
infantry in platoons.
Here, then, when the first attested men were called up, were pitched the
tents and marquees to shelter the troops. At the outset conditions of
life were rough. The limited trained staff available, and the absence of
many of the services recognised as essential in order to make military
administration efficient, harassed the newcomers and caused a waste of
time, together with considerable dislocation in the training. Later on,
under successive camp commandants, conditions much improved. Efficient
services were installed and competent men were trained to work them.
Eventually Blackboy Camp came to be known throughout Australia as one of
the most complete and comfortable.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: BLACKBOY HILL CAMP.
_Photos. lent by Mr. E. L. Mitchell, Perth._]
The camp was rapidly filled and, as units moved out, filled again.
Before the end of February, 1915, there had proceeded overseas the 10th
Regiment of Light Horse, the 8th Battery of Field Artillery, the 11th
Battalion, the major portion of the 16th Battalion, and one company of
the 12th Battalion; together with various technical and administrative
units and detachments.
Recruits continued to pour in, and the men forthcoming were more than
sufficient to supply the reinforcing drafts which were sent forward
monthly. During February the Australian Government decided to raise
further Light Horse Regiments and the 5th and 6th Brigades of Infantry.
The 5th Brigade was to be furnished by New South Wales with one
battalion (20th) from Queensland. Victoria was to supply the 6th
Brigade, with two companies each from South and Western Australia to
form the 24th Battalion.
The two companies ("C" and "D") of the 24th Battalion were immediately
formed from the depot units in camp and commenced to equip and train.
Hardly had this been done when Headquarters announced the raising of
even another brigade of infantry--the 7th. On the 1st April the
establishments for this were issued. One and a half battalions (25th and
26th) were to be supplied by Queensland; half a battalion (26th) by
Tasmania; and one battalion each by South Australia (27th) and Western
Australia (28th). Added to this was a brigade staff of five officers and
21 other ranks to be raised from all districts. This new proposal
necessitated some re-arrangement in respect to the 5th and 6th Brigades.
The responsibility for the 20th Battalion reverted to New South Wales.
Victoria likewise undertook to provide sufficient men for the 24th
Battalion.
The Commandant of Western Australia, therefore, found himself called
upon to raise and equip a complete new unit consisting of 32 officers,
994 other ranks, and 63 horses, together with two machine guns, nine
bicycles, and 13 transport vehicles.[B]
On the 16th April definite instructions were issued to the Officer
Commanding at Blackboy Camp to organise the new battalion from the
troops then under canvas. Action was immediately taken, and what were
formerly "C" and "D" Companies of the 24th Battalion became "A" and "B"
Companies of the 28th. Two new companies were formed from the depot
units, and the whole four were then moved to separate lines and placed
under the temporary command of Captain L. B. Welch, who had 2nd Lieut.
C. H. Lamb to assist him as Adjutant. Other officers from the depot
helped in the organisation and administration.
[Illustration: SOME OF THE ORIGINAL OFFICERS.
_Photo. lent by Mr. E. L. Mitchell, Perth._]
On the 23rd April Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Collett was appointed to the
command. This officer had formerly commanded the 11th Australian
Infantry Regiment and the 88th Infantry Battalion (both of the Citizen
Forces) in Perth, and had had considerable experience in military
training, administration, and organisation. His first consideration was
the selection and appointment of officers and non-commissioned officers,
and the formation of the specialist detachments which were to be an
integral and important part of the Battalion.
In the selection of officers little discretionary power was allowed the
Commanding Officer. A Selection Board, appointed by the Minister for
Defence, and sitting at Perth, recommended appointments. Very often this
was done without a full knowledge of the candidate or of his
qualifications. Under such circumstances some friction was bound to
occur between the Board and the Commanding Officer. Eventually, however,
it was possible, by means of compromise and adjustment, to gather
together a reasonably sound team of officers. Major C. R. Davies, an
officer of the 84th (Goldfields) Infantry, and a barrister of Boulder,
became Second-in-Command. Captains A. W. Leane, L. B. Welch, and J. A.
C. Wilson were promoted to the rank of Major and appointed to companies.
A fifth major--F. R. Jeffrey--was transferred from Victoria and took "B"
Company. This last-named officer, like the Second-in-Command, had seen
service in South Africa, and had recently returned from England, whither
he had conducted a draft of Imperial Reservists. A number of junior
officers were found from the N.C.Os. attending a school of instruction
for candidates for commissions. In the following years most of these men
did exceedingly well. One of them commanded the Battalion during the
major portion of 1917.
The selection and appointment of non-commissioned officers was a process
of a different kind. With a large body of men unused to military
formations and methods, the urgent need was to find other men who had
had some slight experience and could teach the raw material routine and
system and show it its place in the ranks. It did not, however, follow,
that the same men, with their slight experience, were so equipped
mentally and physically as to render them efficient leaders and
commanders in the field. Another factor to be borne in mind was that
from the ranks of the N.C.Os. would, in the future, be drawn the men to
fill the gaps caused by casualties in the commissioned ranks. The
qualities expected of an officer were personality, moral as well as
physical courage, education, health, and a sporting disposition. The
education sought was not necessarily academic, but such as indicated a
capacity for rapid thought and for expression in speech and writing,
together with a knowledge of men and their ways.[C] A high standard was
thus set, and this being considered, all wearers of stripes were deemed
to hold their rank temporarily--confirmation being dependent on their
acquiring efficiency and displaying the desired qualifications. This
method of appointment held good until after the Battalion's arrival in
Egypt, and resulted in the collection of a most admirable body of
subordinate leaders. Many of these same N.C.Os.--as officers--afterwards
earned great distinction for themselves and for the unit. They were
indeed the "backbone of the army."
The formation of the specialist detachments was rendered comparatively
easy by the presence in the ranks of much excellent material. The
Signallers were taken in hand by 2nd Lieut. J. J. S. Scouler, formerly
attached to the Australian Intelligence Corps, who had passed through a
signalling course in Victoria. He quickly gathered round him a body of
enthusiastic young men whose efficiency subsequently became the envy of
the other battalions and the admiration of the Division. The team for
the two Maxim guns was organised and partly trained by Captain H. B.
Menz. About the middle of May, however, 2nd Lieut. G. D. Shaw was
appointed to the Section, and later commanded it most efficiently until
the date it was absorbed into the 7th Machine Gun Company at Ferry Post,
about the beginning of March, 1916. From the _personnel_ of the original
unit quite a large number of officers for the Machine Gun Corps was
afterwards drawn. 2nd Lieut. T. D. Graham was appointed Transport
Officer, and had little trouble in getting suitable men to look after
and drive his horses and vehicles. He was fortunate in having to assist
him Sergeant F. L. Faulkner, who had served with transport in India.
Captain John Kenny was attached as Regimental Medical Officer. On him
devolved the responsibility for selecting and organising the Army
Medical Corps details and the Stretcher Bearers. Both detachments were
extremely useful. The Pioneers were chosen, and an excellent body of
tradesmen secured. Numbering ten, they were placed under the immediate
control of Sergeant J. W. Anderson--a Scotsman who afterwards became one
of the best known members of the Battalion.
The warrant ranks were filled by the appointment of Sergeant J.
Gettingby as Regimental Sergeant-Major; Sergeant R. G. Sexty as
Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant; Sergeants B. A. Bell, P. T. C. Bell,
W. S. Appleyard, and H. M. Cousins, as Company Sergeants-Major; and
Sergeants S. Jones, N. Graham, J. R. Gunn, and C. J. Piper as Company
Quartermaster-Sergeants. With two exceptions, all these warrant officers
subsequently attained commissioned rank.
2nd Lieut. C. H. Lamb was confirmed in the appointment of Adjutant and
eventually received promotion to the rank of Captain. Upon him devolved
a mass of detail work. This he handled with energy, skill, and success,
and had very willing help from the Orderly Room Clerks--Sergeants E. C.
Francisco[D] and S. S. Thompson.
A few other special appointments were made: Armourer-Sergeant L. C.
Lewis to do minor repairs to the arms; Sergeant-Drummer W. T. Hocking to
train the buglers and drummers; and Sergeant-Cook T. R. Graham to
supervise and instruct in the kitchens. Shortly after embarkation
Sergeant-Shoemaker F. Cox was allotted the work of looking after the
footwear.
No chaplains were appointed to the Battalion, but four were gazetted to
the Brigade. One of these, the Very Rev. Dean D. A. Brennan, of the
Roman Catholic Denomination, and lately stationed at Narrogin, reported
at Blackboy Camp. For many months he was attached to the 28th and shared
its life in Egypt, Gallipoli, France, and Belgium.
The process of selection for the various appointments and duties took
time. In the meanwhile the work of organising the platoons and companies
continued, and much care was devoted to the training and equipping. For
the first fortnight or so equipment came along very slowly. The Ordnance
Stores were practically empty. Fresh supplies had to be obtained from
the Eastern States, or collected from the Citizen Force units. It was
not until within a few days of embarkation that all demands were met.
This condition of affairs was bound to have an adverse effect on
training, but, on the whole, much progress was made, and the unit soon
began to take form and become easier to administer and handle. The
number of officers available gradually increased, and two warrant or
non-commissioned officers of the Instructional Staff were attached to
each company in order to assist. The latter did exceedingly valuable
work. A special class was formed for the purpose of instructing in their
duties those men who aspired to wear stripes. In the training of
sections and platoons, emphasis was laid on the necessity for obtaining
a condition of physical fitness, and acquiring a thorough knowledge of
the use of the rifle, the bayonet, and the spade. Physical exercises
were followed by short marches of one or two hours' duration. After
passing the elementary tests, companies, in turn, proceeded to Osborne
Rifle Range and fired the recruits' course of musketry. A satisfactory
figure of merit was obtained. For the more advanced training it was
intended to move the Battalion to a camp at Rockingham. During the
second week in May two companies proceeded there and the camp was
established under the command of Major Davies. However, on account of
the rumoured early embarkation, these companies had to be recalled, and
the whole unit was once more concentrated at Blackboy Hill. Training
proceeded energetically, with the result that officers, and other ranks
within the companies, quickly settled down--daily becoming more and more
accustomed to their tasks.
[Illustration: THE REGIMENTAL SIGNALLERS.]
[Illustration: MACHINE GUN SECTION.
_Photos. lent by Captain G. D. Shaw._]
The health of the members was good. Very few cases of infectious
disease, and fewer cases of serious illness, were reported. The
situation of the camp, together with the insistence on the cleanliness
of the lines and person, had a beneficial effect in this direction.
Unfortunately one death occurred. Private F. W. Hopkins fell into an
unprotected clayhole and was drowned. A few of these excavations existed
on the western edge of the training area, and were a menace to those
taking a short cut from the railway station at night time. All ranks
submitted to vaccination and inoculation. This was unpleasant, but the
medical history of the war has since demonstrated the value of the
measures.
Discipline was fairly satisfactory from the outset and rapidly improved.
At the commencement every member was given to understand that a high
sense of duty and a strong _esprit-de-corps_ were essentials for
success. Both these traits were later very fully developed, and the
regard that 28th men always had for their battalion was a subject of
frequent comment in the A.I.F.
In all the preliminary work of organisation and training, the Commanding
Officer had the great advantage of the sympathy, practical support, and
advice of the District Commandant--Colonel J. H. Bruche. This help was
invaluable, and resulted in the establishment of sound methods and the
promotion of happy relations with mutual confidence between all ranks.
Although training and other duties absorbed long hours, leave was given
daily after the tea hour and until near midnight. Half-holidays were
also observed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Leave from Saturday afternoon
to Sunday evening was granted, too, on a liberal scale. Before
embarkation every man was entitled to four days' leave in order to give
him a final opportunity of attending to his private affairs. This was
taken by many. In the camp itself efforts were made to amuse those who
stayed in during the evening. In this respect the Y.M.C.A. did most by
providing a large marquee wherein concerts and other forms of
entertainment were given almost nightly. A post office and writing
room--with free stationery--were also established by these voluntary
helpers. Surrounding the camp were numbers of booths and shops where
necessaries could be purchased and harmless refreshments obtained.
Friends and relations frequently visited the camp during the idle hours.
[Illustration: THE MARCH THROUGH PERTH.
3rd June, 1915.
_Photo. lent by Mr. E. L. Mitchell, Perth._]
[Illustration: THE MARCH THROUGH PERTH.
3rd June, 1915.
The crowd in St. George's Terrace.
_Photo. lent by Mr. W. Owen, Perth._]
His Excellency the Governor, Major-General Sir Harry Barron, K.C.M.G.,
C.V.O., showed great interest in the unit, and on the 27th May attended
at the camp and addressed the members in an informal manner after the
evening meal. He told them of his own experiences in the army, and, in a
way that was greatly appreciated, tendered much wholesome advice.
Towards the end of May it was known that the day of embarkation was
closely approaching. Efforts were made to complete the final issues of
kit and clothing, and furnish the seemingly endless number of
documentary records required by the Defence Department. A final and
close inspection of the _personnel_ was carried out. All men in the
Battalion had been pronounced "fit." Vaccinations and inoculations had
been duly performed. Yet there still remained in the ranks a number of
men who, for various reasons, were unfit to go abroad as soldiers.
Others there were whose family affairs were causing them anxiety and
necessitated delay in their departure. Again, others--a few only--felt
their ardour waning as the days of their stay at Blackboy grew fewer. In
all these instances the men concerned were either discharged or
transferred back to the depot units. The Battalion was the better for
the changes.
June 3rd was the anniversary of the Birthday of His Majesty the King.
The 28th, together with certain other troops from the training camps,
was to march through Perth and, in doing so, be inspected by the
Governor and the District Commandant. In preparation, the riding horses
and wheeled transport went to Perth the previous night and parked at the
Drill Hall. The Battalion itself proceeded to the city by train, and by
10.30 on the morning of the 3rd had formed up in James Street. It then
marched by Beaufort, Barrack, Hay, and Bennett Streets; thence along St.
George's Terrace, returning to the Railway Station by Milligan, Hay, and
Barrack Streets, and re-entraining for Blackboy Hill. The Governor took
the salute from a point opposite Government House. The Battalion
presented a fine spectacle, and received a magnificent reception from
the enormous crowds that thronged the thoroughfares. The newspapers, in
subsequently describing the proceedings, referred to an unprecedented
muster of the public and an extraordinary display of enthusiasm. The
people were evidently proud of their new unit, and the men had pride in
themselves.
During the first week in June, definite information was received as to
the transports allotted and the dates of embarkation. By the 6th June
everything was ready. On that day the 1st Reinforcements, consisting of
99 rank and file under the command of Lieut. J. F. Quilty, went on board
the transport "Geelong," which had arrived in Fremantle the day before
and carrying the 27th Battalion. Dean Brennan also embarked, having been
ordered for duty with the South Australians during the remainder of
their voyage. Sergt. F. L. Faulkner, together with the 11 drivers and 53
horses of the Regimental Transport, was to follow by a boat the date of
sailing of which had not then been fixed.
At this time orders were received to detach Major F. R. Jeffrey
temporarily to act as Second-in-Command of the South Australian unit. He
duly reported and another officer, Lieut. P. E. Jackson, was sent on
shore in exchange. In consequence of this alteration, Captain W. G.
Stroud was given the temporary command of "B" Company.
On the afternoon of the 7th June, the Brigadier of the 7th Brigade,
Colonel J. Burston, V.D., accompanied by his Staff Captain, Captain M.
J. G. Colyer, visited the camp and made the acquaintance of this portion
of his command. The Brigadier, who had been personally known to the C.O.
for some years, expressed his pleasure at what he saw of the unit and of
its promise for usefulness and efficiency.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] _See_ Appendix A.
[B] This establishment was maintained until early in 1916, when
modifications were made during the Battalion's stay at Ferry Post.
Further material changes took place from time to time in the two years
and eight months of the unit's campaign in France and Belgium.
[C] _See_ Appendix G.
[D] Afterwards Captain (temporary Major) E. C. Francisco, 50th Battn.