PREPARING FOR FRANCE.
Early in 1916 the Australian Government decided to raise and maintain
three new Divisions of the Australian Imperial Force. One of these--the
3rd--was to be recruited in Australia and the other two--4th and
5th--found from _personnel_ available in Egypt. By this decision
Australia was committed to providing, straight off, a new formation of
20,000 men and, in addition, to increasing her monthly flow of
reinforcements by 150 per cent., in order to adequately maintain the
five divisions in the field.
When the 1st and 2nd Divisions moved down to the east bank of the Suez
Canal, the 4th and 8th Brigades were taken back to Tel-el-Kebir camp to
form the nuclei of the 4th and 5th Divisions, respectively. As a means
of preserving the admirable spirit of the A.I.F., and also to ensure a
backing of trained and experienced _personnel_, 50 per cent. of the new
infantry brigades, technical and departmental units, was secured by
splitting up the four original infantry brigades and their attendant
auxiliaries. The balance was furnished from the accumulating
reinforcements at the training camps, near Zeitun. By this means, the
two original Western Australian Battalions--11th and 16th--became the
parent units of the 51st and 48th Battalions, respectively.
Following on this very important addition to the forces, the A.I.F. was
now divided into two Corps. General Birdwood remained in supreme
command, but personally directed the operations of the 1st Anzac Corps,
whilst to General Godley fell the 4th and 5th Divisions which, added to
his own New Zealanders, formed the 2nd Anzac Corps. The main body of the
Light Horse became a separate Division under the command of
Major-General H. G. Chauvel.
In consequence of the necessity for filling up the ranks of the new
formations, a goodly portion of the body of reinforcements--officers and
others--intended for the 28th Battalion was diverted to the 51st
Battalion.
Following on the action taken in regard to the creation of the new
Divisions, steps were taken to form several new units. These included a
Cyclist Battalion for the Corps, a Pioneer Battalion for each Division,
and a Machine Gun Company for each Brigade. Heavy calls were made on the
infantry to man these, and the transfers which ensued made serious gaps
in the ranks of the 28th. Lieut. J. J. S. Scouler, the Signalling
Officer, was selected to command a company of the Cyclists and secured
his third star. Lieut. G. D. Shaw and 2nd Lieut. A. M. Hope went to the
2nd Pioneers and were accompanied by many well tried N.C.Os. and men.
To the Machine Gun Company Lieuts. T. O. Nicholls and C. R. Field went
together with the whole of the Machine Gun Section, which had done such
sterling work on Gallipoli. For the future, in order to ensure a
tactical use more in keeping with their fire power, machine guns were to
be grouped under the Brigade Commander. Their place with the Battalion
was taken by two Lewis Guns--an automatic rifle and a new weapon. These
were given into the care of 2nd Lieut. F. Sears who, with a newly formed
Section, was sent to attend a School of Instruction in that arm.
In connection with the new formations, Major C. R. Davies was selected
for promotion, and on the 28th February left Ferry Post to take over the
command of the 58th Battalion.
Towards the end of February some modifications were made in the
establishments of the infantry battalions. For reasons unknown,
provision for Signalling and Transport Officers was omitted and the
duties had henceforth--until some time after arrival in France--to be
carried on by subaltern officers taken away from their platoons.
Further changes in the Battalion were necessitated by the attachment to
Brigade Headquarters of Lieut. N. W. Sundercombe, as Brigade Bombing
Officer, and Lieut. G. A. Read, as a Staff Trainee. The necessary
adjustments were made. Major A. W. Leane became second in command, and
was succeeded in "C" Company by Captain A. S. Isaac. Lieut. C. M. Foss
took up the duties of Adjutant. 2nd Lieut. R. G. Sexty remained in
charge of the Transport, whilst the Signallers were supervised by Lieut.
A. E. C. Gepp--a Duntroon graduate, who was posted to the Western
Australians at this stage. The remaining vacancies for officers were
filled by the promotion of Sergt. A. Brown, whose good work on Gallipoli
had brought him especially under notice, Company Sergeants-Major B. A.
Bell, J. McIntyre, and Sergt. H. C. King.
About the middle of February, the General Staff seemed to have formed
the opinion that the situation in regard to the Canal no longer gave
cause for anxiety. The strength of the forces available for its defence,
the backward condition of the enemy preparations, the route of the
Senussi's army, and the approach of summer, all pointed to the
improbability of active operations for at least some months to come. At
this time also Sir Archibald Murray, in an official document, referred
to the A.I.F. as the "Imperial Strategical Reserve." Those persons who
grasped the meaning of this phrase expected early developments, and the
various foreign theatres again came under discussion. Nor were
indications as to the new field of service long in coming. The
institution of a certain type of tactical exercise; the overhauling of
gas helmets and the constant practice in wearing them; lecturettes on
the tactics and weight of metal of the German artillery; and leaflets
describing the rank, badges, and saluting habits of one of our Allies,
all pointed to an early departure for the Western Front. Following on
these things came a complete change of rifles--the new ones firing mark
VII. ammunition, which gave a flat trajectory for a longer distance than
the earlier mark--and instructions to study the regulations regarding
the transport of troops by sea.
[Illustration: PRIVATE H. A. FRANCO, M.M.
A well-known member of the Battalion, who died of illness in
France on 16th February, 1918.
_Photo. lent by Mr. S. Jones._]
[Illustration: THE PIONEER-SERGEANT AT WORK.
Sergeant J. W. Anderson.]
Before any move took place the A.I.F. indulged in a little
introspection. Considering the size to which the Force had grown it was
inevitable that some proportion of undesirables must exist in its ranks.
Nor is this to be wondered at when it is remembered that in certain
cities in Australia magistrates released well known criminals from
custody on their undertaking to enlist. The majority of these men had no
intention of fighting, and when they eventually joined their units were
the cause of endless trouble. In their nefarious operations they were
not easily detected, but evidence of their handiwork was forthcoming
from the police, who received complaints of serious assaults and
robberies from the villages around Tel-el-Kebir and on the route to
Cairo. In cases where arrests were made it was sometimes not difficult
for the prisoner to escape from his captors and then the search for him
began anew. Later, when the main body of the A.I.F. had officially
departed from Egypt, a party had to be left behind to clear up the
situation caused by the presence of these individuals in the native
community.
The 28th was not altogether free from characters of this sort. On the
eve of embarkation for Gallipoli a man was missed from his company. His
absence was duly reported in the proper quarter, but nothing more was
seen of him by his officers until January, 1916, when he marched into
the camp at Lemnos with other details. He remained with the Battalion
until the rumours of the Turkish advance began the preparations for the
move to the Canal. Once more he vanished, and just prior to the
embarkation for France information was received that he had been seen
near the Pyramids, dressed as a Light Horseman, armed with a revolver,
conducting a "two-up" school. The next indications of his whereabouts
came from Etaples, about the middle of 1917. From there he was sent to
England suffering from _debility_! He did not return to Australia.
Another original member of the Battalion, whose appearance and demeanour
gave a fair indication of his capabilities, could never be
satisfactorily brought to book. After the first action at Pozieres he
joined the stream of men returning to Sausage Valley, but the contrast
between him and those who had taken part in that heroic fight was so
marked as to make it fairly safe to say where he _had not_ been during
those trying hours. Some months later he was found walking down
Piccadilly arrayed in a frock coat and top hat. He retired to Lewes for
a term, was placed on board a transport after the Armistice, but got
ashore at Cape Town and, it is hoped, has not troubled Australia since.
One or two other similar types joined the Battalion later in the war and
their records varied but slightly.
It was the type of men indicated in the foregoing that neither General
Birdwood nor the A.I.F. desired should accompany the troops to France.
In order to be rid of them, instructions were issued that all
"undesirables" were to be returned to Australia. Unfortunately, in the
2nd Division, it was soon found that the C.Os. were not considered to be
good judges as to who were the vicious characters. A call was made for
the records of the men, and from those who had the greatest number of
entries in their "conduct sheets" the selection was made. This was
greatly deplored, for the reason that many men who were frequent
offenders in a minor way were excellent soldiers in the line. On the
other hand, the real undesirable was sufficiently astute to keep free
from ordinary military "crime." Nevertheless, his presence in the ranks
was a continual menace to the preservation of order and to the peace and
property of individuals. Experience later proved that to the failure to
thoroughly clear up the situation whilst in Egypt, and to the inability
of certain officials in Australia to recognise that the good name of
Australia's volunteer army required to be jealously guarded, may be
attributed many of the troubles and prejudices which hampered the Force
during the remainder of the war and were so costly to the taxpayer.
There were other men whose services it seemed unwise to retain. A few
existed in every unit. They were constitutionally unfit for active
service and, whilst not requiring medical treatment, were unlikely ever
to become fit. It was useless evacuating them to hospital because they
always turned up again in a few days or weeks marked "Fit." To deal with
them a Medical Board, composed of experienced officers, was assembled.
After an examination of the individual, the Board recorded its opinion
and, if it was adverse, he was sent down the Line of Communication
either for return to Australia or for employment as a "B. Class" man.
During the first week in March the camp at Ferry Post began to get
uncomfortable. The heat was increasing and the desert winds brought the
"khamsin" or duststorms. For hours on end the air would be laden with
the flying sand which got over and into every object in its path. Early
one morning 500 men of the Battalion were called out and, armed with
shovels, proceeded to uncover the railway track which had been
completely submerged during the night.
The "move" commenced on the 5th March. On this date Brigade Headquarters
and three battalions marched back to Moascar where a divisional camp
existed. From that date for several days there was a continuous stream
of troops crossing the pontoon bridge. After a lapse of several months
the New Zealanders were encountered again as they came over to the east
bank to relieve the 2nd Australian Division.
On the 8th March the 28th joined the rest of the Brigade after a rather
trying march in great heat--the last portion being through heavy sand.
It was directed that before embarkation all troops were to be
reinoculated against paratyphoid. This unpopular action was duly taken.
By the addition of reinforcements, which had dribbled in, together with
officers and other ranks returning from hospital, the strength of the
Battalion had been brought up to near the authorised establishment. The
last draft marched in on the day before departure for Alexandria.
Transport vehicles and bicycles were not to be taken overseas and were
transferred to the charge of the New Zealanders.
These preparations took up several days, during which very little
training could be carried on. On the evening of the 13th March the
Brigade assembled and was addressed by General Birdwood. His principal
theme was Australia's good name and Lord Kitchener's message to the
British Expeditionary Force on embarkation in August, 1914. Later
General Godley rode into camp to say good-bye and wish good luck to
those who had served under him on Gallipoli.
The Transport Officer, together with 25 other ranks and the 56 horses of
the Battalion, boarded a train near midnight on the 13th, journeyed to
Alexandria, and next day embarked on H.M.T. "Minneapolis," which left
the harbour early in the morning of the 15th. This last date witnessed
the main body of the 28th, climbing on to open trucks at Moascar siding.
From 10 p.m. until next morning the train rumbled and jolted through the
night. The air was cold but the single blanket, now the sole covering
for the soldier, was reinforced by the heat generated by the crowded
condition of the trucks. At Tel-el-Kebir there was a brief halt. Here
three reinforcement officers, Lieut. R. S. Browne, and 2nd Lieuts. J.
Roydhouse and R. H. Gill, reported and were carried on.
Arriving at a wharf at 6.30 a.m., some little delay ensued before the
men could file on to the Transport. Besides the 28th Battalion there
were to be accommodated 1-1/2 Companies of the 27th Battalion (Major F. R.
Jeffrey), and the 2nd Divisional Signal Company (Major R. H. Goold,
M.C.). Later in the day Major-General Legge and the Divisional
Headquarters were added to the number, making a total complement of 53
officers and 1,533 other ranks. Travelling as a passenger was
Major-General W. G. B. Western, who had recently commanded the troops on
Lemnos Island.
The Battalion now found itself on the most comfortable ship that, so
far, it had been its lot to travel by. Bearing the number "A32," the
Transport was the Aberdeen liner "Themistocles," of some 11,000 tons.
The voyage commenced that evening. The usual precautions against fire
and submarines were observed. Life belts were always in evidence, and
boat stations practised daily. All lights were covered at night. The
weather proved to be ideal and the look of content on every soldier's
face gave indication of how the change of life, scene, and air was
appreciated.
A modified form of training was carried on--prominence being given to
anti-gas measures and trench routine and discipline.
During the morning of Sunday, the 19th March, the rather violent
"zig-zagging" of the ship gave an indication of the presence of hostile
submarines. There were, however, no visible signs of their presence, and
it was not until later in the day that the information as to another
ship having been torpedoed, not many miles away, was passed down by the
ship's staff.
[Illustration: THE 2ND DIVISION CROSSING THE CANAL _EN ROUTE_ TO
EUROPE, MARCH, 1916.
_Photo. lent by Mr. Yeldon._]
[Illustration: THE "THEMISTOCLES" AT ALEXANDRIA.
The 28th waiting to embark, 16th March, 1916.
_Photo. lent by Mr. Yeldon._]
Having passed around the north side of Crete the ship, during the
afternoon of this same day, arrived off Malta. Her engines were
stopped for a while and those on the decks had a brief glimpse of the
narrow entrance to the Grand Harbour, the heavy fortifications whose
walls seemed to run down into the sea, and, beyond, the steep slopes,
upon which the picturesque city of Valetta is built. A few naval vessels
were within sight of the Transport. A wicked looking submarine and a
French torpedo boat passed close by.
Receiving fresh instructions as to the route to be followed, the
"Themistocles" resumed her course and, passing through the Malta
Channel, entered the Sicilian Sea. The Italian possession of Pantellaria
Island was sighted and also the elevated headland of Cape Bon on the
Tunisian coast. Skirting the western shores of Sardinia and Corsica, the
French coast east of Toulon came into view on the morning of the 21st
March. Little could be seen of the great naval base, but as the
Transport headed north-west, a short lapse of time revealed Marseilles,
France's most ancient city, lying within its circle of verdured hills.
Proceeding under slow steam towards a precipitous islet, which with its
castle was recognised by some as the Isle d'If, made famous by Dumas'
"Count of Monte Cristo," a hail was received from a picket boat, which
came racing out from the direction of the shore. In response, the
Transport changed her course abruptly, as it seemed she had been on the
verge of entering a mine field.
As the harbour was entered all eyes were agaze at this first contact
with the civilisation of the Old World. Comments were made on the
obvious fertility of the soil, on the apparent prosperity of the
community, and on the magnitude of the engineering undertakings, as
disclosed by the many docks and their machinery.
A closer approach to the shore revealed sentries posted here and there.
These were old gentlemen in battered kepis, long coats and baggy
trousers, armed with rifles, which were capped by bayonets of an
inordinate length. The 28th Band, which had been revived at Ferry Post,
came into action and did its best with the "Marseillaise." This was
responded to from the wharves, where a number of women and a few men had
assembled to see the new arrivals. "Vivas" for France and Australia were
exchanged and some of the members of the Battalion let go what they
recollected of their schooldays' French.
_At 3.30 p.m. the voyage came to an end._
[Illustration]
Appendix A.
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
LIST OF UNITS RAISED AND RECRUITED BY WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
(_Compiled from information supplied by the Defence Department._)
Australian Flying Corps.*
10th Light Horse Regiment.
36th (Australian) Heavy Artillery Group.*
8th Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.
1st Divisional Ammunition Column.*
3rd Field Company, Engineers.*
6th Field Company, Engineers.*
1st Divisional Signal Company.*
3rd Divisional Signal Company.*
Australian and New Zealand Wireless Signal Squadron.*
3rd Light Railway Operating Company.
4th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company.*
3rd Mining Battalion.*
6th Tunnelling Company.
11th Infantry Battalion.
12th Infantry Battalion (one company).
16th Infantry Battalion (part from South Australia).
28th Infantry Battalion.
32nd Infantry Battalion (two companies).
44th Infantry Battalion.
51st Infantry Battalion (organised in Egypt).
3rd Pioneer Battalion.*
4th Company Army Service Corps.*
16th Company Army Service Corps.
2nd Depot Unit of Supply.
7th Depot Unit of Supply.
4th Squadron Australian Remount Unit.
4th Field Ambulance.*
2nd Australian Stationary Hospital.
*Part only.
Appendix B.
=Roll of Honour.=
(_Those who died between the 16th April, 1915,
and the 21st March, 1916._)
_AVE ATQUE VALE._
Hail and farewell! the laurels with the dust
Are levelled, but thou hast thy sure crown,
Peace and immortal calm, the victory won.
Somewhere serene thy watchful power inspires,
Thou art a living purpose, being dead,
Fruitful of nobleness in lesser lives,
A guardian and a guide; Hail and farewell!
_Taken from an "In Memoriam" to the late General
Sir F. Stanley Maude, the Conqueror of Mesopotamia._
206 Private Alexander, D. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 26-9-15
558 " Archibald, G. A. Died of wounds, Malta 3-10-15
562 Sergeant Ball, F. W. Killed in action, Gallipoli 14-9-15
1016 Private Barnsley, W. Killed in action, Gallipoli 3-10-15
1117 " Barrie, A. Died of wounds, Malta 10-10-15
565 L/Corpl. Bateman, W. H. Killed in action, Gallipoli 8-12-15
397 Private Burge, W. Killed in action, Gallipoli 19-9-15
950 " Burvill, H. H. Killed in action, Gallipoli 14-9-15
599 " Butt, E. Killed in action, Gallipoli 7-10-15
238 " Colgate, O. Killed in action, Gallipoli 16-9-15
35 " Coll, J. Died of illness, at sea 25-9-15
403 " Connor, E. Died of illness, Malta 7-11-15
264 " Copley, N. Died of illness, at sea 1-11-15
826 " Cunningham, D. W. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 24-11-15
254 " Curwen, F. E. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 21-9-15
1100 " Dale, G. F. Killed in action, Gallipoli 19-9-15
272 " Delaporte, R. Killed in action, Gallipoli 16-9-15
1193 " Duff, R. Killed in action, Gallipoli 26-9-15
989 " Earl, A. Killed in action, Gallipoli 22-9-15
1532 " Edwards, E. M. Died of illness, Egypt 12-2-16
1711 " Gleeson, S. J. Killed in action, Gallipoli 15-10-15
985 " Gresham, J. D. Died of illness, Egypt 22-11-15
1545 " Hallam, E. J. Died of illness, at sea 24-10-15
1153 Corporal Hawley, C. K. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 23-9-15
954 Private Height, H. L. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 14-9-15
861 " Hodder, G. Killed in action, Gallipoli 2-12-15
308 Sergeant Hodgson, J. Killed in action, Gallipoli 22-9-15
444 Private Hopkins, F. W. Accidentally drowned, 16-5-15
Blackboy Hill
298 " Horrocks, E. J. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 18-9-15
299 Corporal Hyde, W. Died of wounds, at sea 18-9-15
306 Private Hynes, N. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 6-11-15
Lieut. Jensen, F. E. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 13-9-15
887 Corporal Kennon, A. Killed in action, Gallipoli 5-10-15
107 Private Knapp, J. L. Died of illness, Egypt 12-11-15
1208 " Lee, G. C. Died of illness, England 31-10-15
1122 " McGill, W. P. Killed in action, Gallipoli 22-9-15
660 " Mackay, D. McK. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 26-9-15
744 " McKenzie, A. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 30-11-15
994 " McNamara, J. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 3-10-15
Captain Menz, H. B. Died of illness, Egypt 27-11-15
124 Private Merrick, J. Killed in action, Gallipoli 30-9-15
1557 Corporal Morrow, E. Killed in action, Gallipoli 16-12-15
1111 Private Munro, N. A. Killed in action, Gallipoli 16-12-15
496 Sergeant Pead, S. W. Died of wounds, at sea 22-9-15
371 Corporal Quick, J. K. Died of illness, Egypt 14-8-15
1578 Private Rainsden, A. Drowned at sea 6-10-15
584 " Reen, C. F. Killed in action, Gallipoli 11-10-15
1576 L/Corpl. Roy, J. H. Died of wounds, Egypt 28-11-15
Lieut. Ruddock, H. E. C. Died of illness, Egypt 22-11-15
1775 Private Saunders, J. Died of illness, Egypt 18-2-16
517 " Shenfield, E. A. Killed in action, Gallipoli 22-9-15
524 " Snudden, A. Killed in action, Gallipoli 14-9-15
722 " Wilson, A. Died of wounds, Gallipoli 12-10-15
783 Coy.Sgt.- Wolstenholme, R. Died of illness, Egypt 24-2-16
Major
727 Private Wright, F. Died of wounds, Malta 28-11-15
This be their epitaph: "Traveller, south or west,
Go, say at home we heard the trumpet call,
And answered. Now beside the sea we rest.
Our end was happy if our country thrives:
Much was demanded. Lo! our store was small--
That which we had we gave--it was our lives."
_"L.L." in the "Anzac Book."_
Appendix C.
CASUALTIES OF THE 28TH BATTALION, A.I.F., WHILST WITH THE
MEDITERRANEAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
(_Note.--On arrival at Marseilles the Battalion passed to the
British Expeditionary Force._)
-----------------------+------------+---------+-------------------
| | |
| | Other | Total.
| Officers. | Ranks. |-----------+-------
| | | | Other
| | | Officers. | Ranks.
-----------------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------
Killed in action | | 22 | |
Died of wounds | 1 | 17 | |
Died of disease | 2 | 11 | |
Died from other causes | | 2 | |
|------------+---------| |
Total deaths | | | 3 | 52
| | | |
Wounded in action | 2 | 82 | |
Prisoners of War | | | |
|------------+---------| |
Total wounded and | | | |
prisoners of war | | | 2 | 82
Evacuated sick (from | | | |
Peninsula only) | | | 9 | 346
| | |-----------+-------
Total Casualties | | | 14 | 480
-----------------------+------------+---------+-----------+-------
Appendix D.
ROLL OF ORIGINAL OFFICERS OF THE 28TH BATTALION,
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
-----------------+-----------+-------------+-------------------------------
Appointment. | Rank. | Name. | Memoranda.
-----------------+-----------+-------------+-------------------------------
Commanding |Lt.-Colonel|Collett, |Commanded Battn. 23/4/1915 to
Officer | | H. B. |29/7/1916 (severely wounded),
| | |and from 13/10/1917 to
| | |22/3/1918. Transferred to
| | |General List. Mentioned in
| | |Despatches. Promoted Colonel.
| | |_C.M.G._, _D.S.O._ Mentioned by
| | |the Secretary of State for War.
| | |Promoted Brevet Colonel,
| | |Australian Military Forces, for
| | |"special meritorious service."
Second-in-Command|Major |Davies, C. R.|Transferred to 58th Battn.,
| | |1916. Promoted Lt.-Colonel.
| | |_O.B.E._ Previously served
| | |in the South African War,
| | |1901-1902.
Adjutant |Captain |Lamb, C. H. |Invalided 1915. Returned with
| | |44th Battn., 1916. Wounded.
| | |Promoted Major _M.C._
Quartermaster |Hon. Lieut.|Dunn, R. |Resigned Commission, 1915.
Signalling |2nd Lieut. |Scouler, |Transferred to Australian
Officer | | J. J. S. |Cyclist Battalion, March 1916.
| | |Promoted Captain. French _Croix
| | |de Guerre_.
Transport | |Graham, T. D.|Seconded with Imperial Camel
Officer | | |Corps, Jan., 1916. Transferred
| | |to 4th Pioneer Battn., 1916.
| | |Promoted Captain and Adjutant.
| | |Killed in action. Belgium
| | |2/10/1917.
Machine Gun |2nd Lieut. |Shaw, G. D. |Transferred to 2nd Pioneer
Officer | | |Battn., 1916. Wounded on two
| | |occasions. Mentioned in
| | |Despatches. Promoted Captain.
| | |_M.C._
| | |
"A" COMPANY. | | |
| | |
Officer |Major |Wilson, |Invalided 12/11/1915.
Commanding | | J. A. C. |
2nd-in-Command |Captain |Montgomery, |Invalided 1915. Returned from
| | A. M. P. |Australia with Reinforcements
| | |1916, and rejoined, 1917.
| | |Severely wounded, 1917, and
| | |again invalided.
O.C. No. 1 |Lieutenant |Davey, A. H. |Promoted Captain. Invalided
Platoon | | |1916.
O.C. No. 2 |2nd Lieut. |Pugh, C. H. |Wounded. Promoted Captain.
Platoon | | |
O.C. No. 3 |2nd Lieut. |Denson, H. R.|Seconded with Imperial Camel
Platoon | | |Corps, Jan., 1916. Thence
| | |transferred to 14th Light
| | |Horse. Served in Sinai and
| | |Palestine with that Regiment.
| | |Promoted Major. _D.S.O._
O.C. No. 4 |2nd Lieut. |Read, G. A. |Promoted Lieut.-Colonel.
Platoon | | |Commanded Battalion from 5/1/17
| | |to 28/9/17. Severely wounded.
| | |Invalided. Thrice mentioned in
| | |Despatches. _D.S.O._
| | |Montenegrin _Order of Danilo_,
| | |5th Class.
| | |
"B" COMPANY. | | |
| | |
Officer |Major |Jeffrey, |Attached to 27th Battn.,
Commanding | | F. R. |8/6/15. Afterwards transferred
| | |to that unit. Previously served
| | |in the South African War with
| | |City Imperial Volunteers.
2nd in Command |Captain |Stroud, W. G.|Commanded "B" Company until
| | |October, 1915. Invalided.
2nd in Command |Lieut. |Jackson, |Attached from 27th Battn.,
| | P. E. |_vice_ Major Jeffrey.
| | |Promoted Captain. Died of
| | |wounds, France, 31/5/16.
O.C. No. 5 |2nd Lieut. |Ruddock, |Acting Adjutant, Oct.-Nov.,
Platoon | | H. E. C. |1915. Died of pneumonia, Egypt,
| | |22/11/15.
O.C. No. 6 |Lieut. |Gibbings, |Commanded "B" Company in 1916.
Platoon | | C. T. |Promoted Captain. Killed in
| | |action, France, 29/7/16.
O.C. No. 7 |2nd Lieut. |Hargraves, |Invalided Oct., 1915. Rejoined
Platoon | | G. A. |Sept., 1917. Wounded. Invalided
| | |Nov., 1917. Promoted Captain.
O.C. No. 8 |2nd Lieut. |Sundercombe, |Seconded to command 7th Light
Platoon | | N. W. |Trench Mortar Battery, 1916-17.
| | |Rejoined Battn., 1918.
| | |Mentioned in Despatches.
| | |Promoted Captain. _M.C._
| | |
"C" COMPANY. | | |
| | |
Officer |Major |Leane, A. W. |Commanded Battn. from 30/7/16
Commanding | | |to 4/1/17. Promoted Lieut.
| | |Colonel. Died of wounds,
| | |France, 4/1/17.
2nd-in-Command |Lieut. |Isaac, A. S. |Commanded "C" Company,
| | |March-July, 1916. Promoted
| | |Captain. Severely wounded
| | |29/7/16. Invalided.
O.C. No. 9 |2nd Lieut. |Jensen, F. E.|Died of wounds, Gallipoli,
Platoon | | |13/9/15. Previously served
| | |in the South African War.
O.C. No. 10 |2nd Lieut. |Phillips, |Promoted Captain. Twice
Platoon | | R. C. |wounded. Transferred to
| | |Australian Flying Corps, April
| | |1917. Promoted Major. _M.C.
| | |and Bar. D.F.C._
O.C. No. 11 |2nd Lieut. |Carter, L. J.|Invalided 1915.
Platoon | | |
O.C. No. 12 |2nd Lieut. |Smith, |Transferred to 47th Battn.,
Platoon | | G. A. F. |1916, and afterwards to 15th
| | |Battn. Promoted Captain.
| | |
"D" COMPANY. | | |
| | |
Officer |Major |Welch, L. B. |Killed in action, France,
Commanding | | |28/7/16.
2nd-in-Command |Captain |Menz, H. B. |Died of enteric fever, Egypt,
| | |27/11/15.
O.C. No. 13 |2nd Lieut. |Glyde, E. G. |Wounded on four occasions.
Platoon | | |Promoted Major. Belgian
| | |_Croix de Guerre_.
O.C. No. 14 |Lieut. |Macrae, N. F.|Commanded "A" Company, 1915-16.
Platoon | | |Promoted Captain. Killed in
| | |action, France, 29/7/16.
O.C. No. 15 |2nd Lieut. |Foss, C. M. |Acting Adjutant, 1916. Promoted
Platoon | | |Captain. _M.C._ Died of
| | |wounds, France, 11/8/16.
O.C. No. 16 |2nd Lieut. |Nicholls, |Transferred to 7th Machine Gun
Platoon | | T. O. |Company, 1916, and subsequently
| | |commanded that unit. Mentioned
| | |in Despatches. Promoted
| | |Captain. _M.C._ Severely
| | |wounded 4/10/17 and invalided.
| | |
ATTACHED. | | |
| | |
Medical Officer |Captain |Kenny, J. |A.A.M.C. Transferred from
| | |France to Egypt, 1917. Promoted
| | |Major.
Chaplain |4th Class |Brennan, Very|Promoted to Chaplain, 2nd
| | Rev. D. A. |Class.
-----------------+-----------+-------------+----------------------------
Appendix E.
ROLL OF OFFICERS PROMOTED FROM THE RANKS, 28TH BATTALION, A.I.F.,
BETWEEN 9TH JUNE, 1915, AND 21ST MARCH, 1916.
----+--------------+-------------+-------------+--------+------------------
Reg.| | | Promoted | |
No. | Rank. | Name. | to: | Date. | Remarks.
----+--------------+-------------+-------------+--------+------------------
1005|Regtl. |Gettingby, J.|Hon. Lieut. |26-8-15 |Invalided April,
|Sergt.-Major | |& | |1916. Promoted
| | |Quartermaster| |Honorary Captain
| | | | |on Permanent
| | | | |Supernumerary
| | | | |List, 1917.
796|Sergeant |Field, C. R. |2nd Lieut. |13-9-15 |Transferred to 7th
| | | | |Machine Gun
| | | | |Company, 1916.
| | | | |Adjutant 7th M.G.
| | | | |Bn., 1918.
| | | | |Promoted Captain.
| | | | |Twice mentioned in
| | | | |Despatches.
787|Coy. |Bell, | do. |3-11-15 |Killed in action
|Sergeant-Major| P. T. C. | | |29th July, 1916.
1000|Sergeant |Sears, F. | do. |14-11-15|Wounded. Promoted
| | | | |Lieutenant.
221| Do. |Brown, A. | do. | 8-2-16 |Wounded on two
| | | | |occasions.
| | | | |Mentioned in
| | | | |Despatches.
| | | | |Promoted Major.
| | | | |Second-in-Command
| | | | |1918. _D.S.O._,
| | | | |_M.C._
776|Regtl. |Sexty, R. G. | do. | 1-3-16 |Transport Officer,
|Quartermaster-| | | |1916-17. Mentioned
|Sgt. | | | |in Despatches.
| | | | |Promoted Captain.
| | | | |Invalided.
784|Coy. |Bell, B. A. | do. | 1-3-16 |Killed in action,
|Sergeant-Major| | | |29th July, 1916.
337|Coy. |McIntyre, J. | do. |14-3-16 |Promoted Captain
|Sergeant-Major| | | |1917. _M.C._
| | | | |Killed in action
| | | | |28th February,
| | | | |1917.
461|Sergeant |King, H. C. | do. |14-3-16 |Adjutant 1917-18.
| | | | |Mentioned in
| | | | |Despatches.
| | | | |Promoted Captain.
| | | | |Wounded. _M.C._
| | | | |Died of wounds 7th
| | | | |April, 1918.
----+--------------+-------------+-------------+--------+------------------
Appendix F.
ROLL OF REINFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO JOINED THE 28TH BATTALION,
A.I.F., BETWEEN THE DATES 9TH JUNE, 1915, AND 21ST MARCH, 1916.
----------+--------------+--------+----------------------------------------
| | Date |
Rank. | Name. | joined.| Remarks.
----------+--------------+--------+----------------------------------------
Lieutenant|Quilty, J. F. |17-8-15 |Left in Egypt 4th September, 1915.
| | |Rejoined 24th October, 1915. Seconded
| | |with Imperial Camel Corps, Jan., 1916,
| | |and subsequently invalided.
Captain |Coleman, E. A.|11-10-15|Commanded "B" Company October, 1915,
| | |till June, 1916. Invalided.
2nd Lieut.|Hope, A. M. |1l-10-15|Transferred to 2nd Pioneer Battn., 1916.
| | |Promoted Lieutenant. Severely wounded.
Do. |Bowra, H. J. |11-11-15|Invalided 4th December, 1915.
Lieutenant|Gepp, A. E. C.|20-2-16 |Graduate of Duntroon College. T. from
| | |32nd Bn. Killed in action 5th August,
| | |1916.
Do. |Browne, R. S. |15-3-16 |Intelligence Officer, 1916. Severely
| | |wounded 23rd June, 1916. Invalided.
2nd Lieut.|Gill, R. H. |15-3-16 |Promoted Captain. _M.C._ Died of
| | |wounds 28th September, 1917.
Do. |Roydhouse, J. |15-3-16 |Adjutant 1916-17. A brigade-major
| | |1918-19. Wounded on two occasions. Twice
| | |mentioned in Despatches. Promoted
| | |Captain. _M.C._
----------+--------------+--------+----------------------------------------
Appendix G.
_Civil Occupations of Original Members of the 28th Battalion, A.I.F., who
embarked as Officers or were subsequently promoted to Commissioned Rank._
-------------------------------------------------+----------+--------------
| | Those
| Original | promoted from
Profession, Trade or Calling. | Officers.| the Ranks.
-------------------------------------------------+----------+--------------
Accountants | 4 | -
Assayers | - | 1
Bank Clerks | - | 2
Barristers | 1 | 1
Blacksmiths | - | 1
Bushmen | - | 1
Carpenters | - | 1
Civil Engineers | - | 1
Civil Servants | 4 | -
Clergymen | 1 | -
Clerks | 4 | 9
Coachmen | - | 1
Commercial Travellers | 1 | -
Dentists | 1 | -
Doctors | 1 | -
Draughtsmen | 1 | 2
Electrical Engineers | 2 | -
Engine-drivers | - | 1
Engineers | 2 | 2
Farm hands | - | 2
Farmers | 1 | 6
Fitters | - | 1
Graziers | 1 | -
Grocers | - | 1
Horse-drivers | - | 1
Indent Agents | 1 | -
Inspector, S.P.C.A. | - | 1
Insurance Inspector | 1 | -
Labourers | - | 2
Master Plumbers | 1 | -
Mechanics | - | 1
Miners | 1 | 3
Navvies | - | 1
Orchardists | 1 | 1
Painters | - | 1
Pearlers | - | 3
Policemen | - | 1
Postal Assistants | - | 1
Railway Assistants | - | 2
Sailors | 1 | 1
Salesmen | 1 | 1
School Teachers | - | 2
Sheep Overseers | - | 1
Sleeper Hewers | - | 1
Station Hands | - | 1
Station Masters | - | 1
Surveyors | 1 | 1
Tailors | - | 1
Telephone Operators | - | 1
Wool Experts | 1 | -
No occupation | 1 | 1
|----------+--------------
Total | 34 | 63
-------------------------------------------------+----------+--------------
Appendix H.
28th BATTALION, AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
NOMINAL ROLL OF ORIGINAL MEMBERS WHO EMBARKED AT FREMANTLE
ON H.M.A.T. "A.11" ("ASCANIUS"), 9TH JUNE, 1915,
AND ON THE "BOONAH," 12TH JULY, 1915.
ABBREVIATIONS USED.
A/- Acting.
A.A.M.C. Australian Army Medical Corps.
A.A.S.C. Australian Army Service Corps.
A.A.V.C. Australian Army Veterinary Corps.
A.G.H. Australian General Hospital.
Apptd. Appointed.
Bgr. Bugler or Drummer.
Bn. Battalion.
Bty Battery.
Bty. S.M. Battery Sergeant-Major.
C.Q.M.S. Company Quarter-Master-Sergeant.
C.S.M. Company Sergeant-Major.
Cpl. Corporal.
D.A.C. Divisional Ammunition Column.
D. of Ill. Died of Illness.
D. of Wds. Died of wounds.
Div. Hqrs. Divisional Headquarters.
Div. Sig. Coy. Divisional Signal Company.
Dr. Driver.
E.R. Extra Regimental.
F.A. Field Artillery.
F.A. Bde. Field Artillery Brigade.
F. Coy. Eng. Field Company, Engineers.
Fld. Amb. Field Ambulance.
H.T.M. Bty. Heavy Trench Mortar Battery.
I.C. Corps Imperial Camel Corps.
K. in A. Killed in Action.
L.T.M. Bty. Light Trench Mortar Battery.
M. Gr. Machine Gunner.
M.G. Bn. Machine Gun Battalion.
M.G. Coy. Machine Gun Company.
M.T.M. Bty. Medium Trench Mortar Battery.
Occ. Occasion or occasions.
Pnr. Bn. Pioneer Battalion.
Prov. Provisional.
Ptd. Promoted.
Pte. Private.
R.Q.M.S. Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant.
R.S.M. Regimental Sergeant-Major.
Reg. Sig. Regimental Signaller.
Rft. Reinforcement.
Sgt. Sergeant.
St. Bearer Stretcher Bearer.
T. Transferred.
T/- Temporary.
Wdd. Wounded.
NOTES.
1. Unless otherwise stated the rank on embarkation was that of Private.
2. Where it has been possible to obtain the information, the letters
"Wdd." have been set opposite to the names of those who were wounded.
3. It has not been practicable to show who were evacuated sick. In 1915
severe illnesses accounted for the complete severance from the Battalion
of a considerable number of members.
4. Original members of detachments, are so recorded in the column headed
"Memoranda." This applies to Machine Gunners, Pioneers, Regimental
Signallers, Stretcher Bearers, and A.A.M.C. Details. Transport Drivers
and Buglers or Drummers are shown as "Dr." and "Bgr." respectively,
under the heading "Rank on Embarkation."
5. There may be errors in the various records. In the absence of direct
access to the official documents this has been almost inevitable, but
the best has been done with what data the compiler could collect from
various sources.