Esmond Bourke Hough 1445

SAPPER ESMOND BOURKE HOUGH 1445 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Esmond Burke Hough was born in 1891 at Tea Gardens, Port Stephens, New South Wales the son of Jacob Joseph and Bridget Elizabeth (nee Burke) Hough with his birth registered at Raymond Terrace, NSW.

At the recruiting depot in Newcastle, NSW on January 14, 1916 the twenty-four year old grazier applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination Attestation form details taken describe him as 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighing 65.4kgs (144lbs) with a chest expansion of 87-92cms (34-36ins). Complexion was ruddy with brown hair and brown eyes. Roman Catholic was his religion and a medical notation was ‘teeth need to be attended to’. Next-of-kin nominated was his mother Mrs Bridget Hough of Tea Gardens, Port Stephens, NSW. He was sworn in the same day under the name spelt Esmond Bourke Hough.

Basic training began with ‘E Coy’ Depot Battalion until February 7, 1916 when transferred to Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW. He was allotted to the 1st Reinforcement to the Mining Corps on February 14 in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 1445 as they were in the final stages of preparation for their embarkation.

At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.

The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.

Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.

Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.

On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.

The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.

The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.

Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the ship was reluctant to take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.

A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.

Sapper Hough was admitted sick on May 13, 1916 to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station and conveyed on A.T.17 the next day entering the No. 12 Aust General Hospital at Hazebrouck for two days, then moved to the 1st Convalescent Depot in Boulogne. Suffering a relapse he was sent for treatment of a social disease in Havre at the 9th Stationary Hospital. After 26 days curative care he was discharged to duty on June 7, 1916 and sent to the 1st Divisional Base Depot in Etaples. On June 10 he was admitted to the 26th General Hospital then returned to the 9th Stationary Hospital for further treatment. Relocated on June 28 to the No. 10 Convalescent Camp in Havre where two days later moved to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers on June 30. He reported to the 1st Aust Divisional Base Depot in Etaples the next day and rejoined his unit on July 18, 1916.

On August 1, 1916 he was sent sick to the 139th Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) uncertain origin) and rejoined his unit on August 7, 1916.

He was taken on strength on September 29, 1916 with the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field.

Unwell again was sent with Dental Caries on February 2, 1917 to the 4th London Field Ambulance then convalesce at the 47th Divisional Rest Station and returned to his unit on February 7. On February 15 he returned for dental treatment and returned on February 19, 1916. Returning to the 47th D.R.S. on March 17, 1917 was admitted with anaemia and rejoined his unit on March 26. He returned to the 47th D.R.S. on April 3, 1917 with Mumps and relocated to the 7th General Hospital at St Omer the next day. On April 23 he was discharged to Base Details.

Back home the district’s volunteers names were placed in acknowledgement on a Roll of Honour which was published in the: Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser Friday June 1, 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR The following are the names, as far as is known, of those who have enlisted from this and the surrounding districts. TEA GARDENS Alexander Sylvester Hough Esmond Bourke Hough Article abridged While on leave to England he was admitted from A.I.F. Headquarters to the 1st Aust Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on September 1, 1917. After treatment of 90 days was discharged to the Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse on December 7, 1917.

He marched out on December 18 to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny arriving the following day.

While at Sutton Veny Depot he was Absent without Leave on December 23, 1917 and declared an illegal absentee on January 15, 1918. He surrendered on February 22, 1918 and the following proceedings took place three days later.

District Court Martial – Sutton Veny 25/2/18 Charge: AWL Sutton Veny 23/12/17 till surrendering at Swansea 11/2/18 Pleaded: Guilty Finding: Guilty Sentence: To undergo detention for 135 days 25/2/18 Confirmation: Confirmed finding & sentence of the court but remitted to 80 days by Major General the Hon. Sir J.W. McCoy, K.C.M.G. Period under charge: 13 days Total forfeiture: 119 day’s pay

A notation from A.I.F. Headquarters dated April 11, 1918 reads “D.C.M. held at Sutton Veny 25/2/18 Sentenced to undergo detention for 55 days. The expired portion of above sentence (11days) be remitted from 8/4/18.”

Sapper marched into the Overseas Training Brigade at Deverill on April 1, 1918 after serving his sentence at the Dovijes Detention camp and proceeded to France via Southampton on April 9. The next day he arrived at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles and rejoined his unit four days later.

Further disciplinary action was undertaken for the following: Crime: W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] being outside his billeting area with a pass contrary to G. Routine Order No. 2684 26/4/18 Award: 4 days’ forfeiture of pay £1 by O.C. 1st Tun. Coy 30/4/18

Crime: W.O.A.S. Conduct prejudicial to good order & military discipline – not complying with G.R.O. 3718 9/5/18 Award: forfeiture 7 days’ pay by C.O. 1st Tun. Coy

On September 10, 1918 Sapper marched out to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles and five days later marched into the Aust Infantry Base Depot remaining until September 19 when he was sent with debility to the 1st Aust Convalescent Depot. He was there when Peace was declared.

Two days later was discharged back to the A.I.B.D. and noted as still on strength of the Depot on February 2, 1919.

Orders to return to England took place and he crossed the English Channel from France on April 2, 1919 marching into the No. 3 Group camp to await his return to Australia.

After demobilisation Sapper Hough embarked for home on the H.T. Borda on May 11, 1919. Base Records advised his mother on June 7 that he was on his way home. The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd Military District) on June 28, 1919. News of their arrival was published in the:

Sydney Morning Herald Friday June 27, 1919: TROOPS EX BORDA Troops from the Borda will arrive by special trains tomorrow afternoon. Relations and friends who have tickets marked Borda from the Staff Officer for Invalids will be admitted to the Anzac Buffet at 2 p.m. Cars numbered on the Red Cross register from 544 to 627 and also 1 to 53, are requested to be at Chalmers- street entrance to the railway station at 2 p.m. and will make four or more trips.

Sapper Hough appeared before the Disembarkation Medical Board at the Anzac Buffet in the Domain, Sydney on June 30, 1919. He had an A Class Disability noted on his form but the medical officer stated ‘no disability’ and Sapper Hough declared that he had no illness while away. His sensory, circulatory, auditory and special tests including dental were passed as normal and discharge was recommended.

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August 14, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment. Proceedings of his District Court Martial were filed in the Attorney-General’s Department under no. 14472 on August 3, 1920.

Sapper 1445 Esmond Bourke Hough, 1st Tunnelling Company was issued for his service the British War Medal (34141) and the Victory Medal (33697).

He married in 1922 to Ellen Mary Flood with their marriage registered in Maitland, NSW.

Esmond B. Hough died on December 22, 1922 aged 31 years from injuries received at Hamilton Railway Goods Yard by being accidentally crushed between two railway wagons shunted together. Family notices were published in the:

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate Friday December 22, 1922: FUNERALS HOUGH—The Relatives and Friends of Mrs ESMOND HOUGH are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of her late beloved husband, ESMOND HOUGH: To move from 93 Dawson-street, Cook’s Hill, THIS (Friday) AFTERNOON, at 2.15 o’clock, for Catholic Cemetery, Sandgate. JAMES MEIGHAN, Funeral Director. ‘Phone 961, Newcastle.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate Wednesday January 10, 1923: BEREAVEMENT NOTICES I, THE undersigned, wish to tender my sincere Thanks to all kind friends and relatives for their kindness to me in my sad bereavement. Also to those who sent wreaths, cards, telegrams and letters of sympathy. (Signed) Mrs E.B. HOUGH.

The Coroner’s Report into his accidental death was published in the:

Newcastle Sun Saturday January 6, 1923: KILLED BY TRUCK HAMILTON RAILWAY FATALITY CORONER’S COMMENT INQUIRY INTO HOUGH’S DEATH Esmond Burke Hough, a labourer in the employ of the Railway Commission, died in the Newcastle Hospital on December 21 from injuries received during shunting operations at Hamilton on the previous day. The circumstances were inquired into to-day by the coroner (Mr C. Hibble). Mr Payntor, secretary of the Permanent Way Association, appeared for the widow, Inspector Rowe for the Railway Department, and Sergeant Robert Hall for the police. Mary Ellen Hough, widow of deceased, said her husband was 31 years of age, and was born at Tea Gardens. She saw her husband at the hospital. He was conscious, but was not allowed to speak. Dr May Harris, Government medical officer, said she saw the body of deceased at the morgue. There were bruises and abrasions on the body and arms. There was also internal bruising and bleeding, injuries to lungs, and factures to two ribs. The right kidney was also badly bruised and the liver lacerated. The case must have been quite hopeless from the first. William Clibborn, a fellow employee of deceased, said he was working in the same gang on December 20. They were shoving a truck, and deceased and witness were side by side between the buffers. Some other trucks came up behind. Witness did not hear them coming till they struck. He was injured, and fell. The trucks passed over him without injuring him. PINNED BETWEEN HOOKS After witness got up he found that the deceased had been pinned between the draw-hooks and carried along. Deceased fell to the ground when the trucks separated. Witness did not know how the trucks came to be shunted down. He received no warning. It looked to him like an ordinary shunt. They had been instructed by the ganger to move this truck. In answer to Inspector Rowe witness said they had moved the truck about seven yards when the accident occurred. In reply to Mr Payntor witness said he had done similar work before under instructions from the ganger. Cont. Newcastle Sun Saturday January 6, 1923: Cont. Leslie Henry Bullen said he and other men were pushing the truck. Deceased was shoving over the coupling. It was heavy work on account of a curve, and they had their heads down. Trucks came from behind without any warning, and deceased was knocked down between the rails. The truck which came on to them had an automatic coupling, which comes further toward than an ordinary coupling. Witness saw deceased carried about five yards before he fell. They had personal instructions from Ganger Riches to push this truck along. John James Riches, a railway ganger, said that about 7.? a.m. [blurred] he was informed that a man had been run over. He assisted to put Hough on a stretcher, and get him into the ambulance. He had given instructions to the men to move the truck. This was the usual method. He pointed out some sleepers which were to be loaded, and asked them to bring the empty truck along. He told them to be careful, as the shunter was down the yard. He had nothing to do with the shunting. In answer to Mr Payntor, witness said this kind of work was a daily occupation of the men. To the coroner, witness explained that the line on which the men were working could be protected by a red flag, but this would hold up traffic. Albert House, a railway guard, said he was in charge of a train which had two trucks for the permanent way Images courtesy of the Sandgate Cemetery Trust, Newcastle, NSW siding. Five or six minutes before, he told the ganger that he was going to shunt these trucks in. When he shunted the trucks he did not see the men, and thought they were where he last saw them, about 200 yards away. He knew that the trucks would bump other trucks. There were four trucks standing, and he kicked two others in. At the time of the accident he had hold of the hand brake to stop the trucks as soon as they bumped. SHUNTING REGULATIONS In answer to Mr Payntor, witness said he had been shunting trucks in the Hamilton yard for eight years. He knew the men pushed trucks by hand, but did not see them doing it. He obeyed all the instructions of the service. He had to cut the trucks off, and then had to follow them down to prevent them bumping too violently, which he did. His assistant was holding down the points at the time. George William Swanborough said he was an assistant guard on the pick-up train. He was holding down the points when House shunted the trucks. He saw them strike the other trucks, but did not see any man there at the time. Robert Young, engine driver of the goods train, said he knew nothing of the accident till after it happened. Harry Roy Went, fireman, said the same. Mr Payntor said the evidence showed that the guard did not obey the departmental regulations. He asked the coroner to take note of his remarks and also of the printed regulations which he put in as an exhibit. ONUS OF PROTECTION The Coroner, in giving a verdict of accidental death, said there was no doubt in his mind that the guard had done the shunting in the ordinary way, and had obeyed all the regulations. At the same time he thought there was an onus on someone to see that men were protected. It should be somebody’s business to see that no trucks were shunted on to a road where men were working. Mr Rowe promised to communicate the Coroner’s remarks to the Railway Commissioners. His grave can be located in Catholic 1 portion of Sandgate Cemetery, NSW within General Special section in Lot 1. His wife Ellen Hough died in 1997 aged 97 years and is memorialised on his grave.

His brother also served.

TROOPER / SERGEANT ALEXANDER SYLVESTER HOUGH 147 – 1st Australian Light Horse / 1st Battalion Port Stephens, NSW was the birthplace of Alexander Sylvester Hough in 1894 the son of Jacob and Bridget (nee Burke) Hough.

At the recruiting depot in Liverpool, NSW on January 13, 1915 the twenty-one year old stockman applied to enlist for active service aboard. The medical examination was passed and Attestation Forms completed showing he was 176cms (5ft 9¼ins) tall, weighed 72.7kgs (160lbs) with a chest expansion of 89-99cms (35-37¾ins). Complexion was dark with grey eyes and his hair, dark. Religious faith was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Bridget Hough of Tea Gardens, Port Stephens, NSW and he allotted two-fifths of his pay in support of her. He was sworn in the same day.

After basic training he was allotted to the 12th Light Horse Reinforcements in the rank of Trooper on March 1, 1915. The June Reinforcement embarked on June 13, 1915 on board HMAT A28 Suevic. The reinforcement departed Alexandria for Gallipoli on H.S. Marquette on August 25, 1915 and was absorbed into the 1st Light Horse Regiment four days later.

Illness took hold and the Trooper suffered a bout of Influenza, Bronchitis and Rheumatic Fever and was evacuated to England from Malta on the transport Braemer Castle on October 25, 1915. He was admitted to Beaufort War Hospital, Fishponds, Bristol.

Later a transfer from Monte Video camp, Weymouth to Perham Downs’ camp took place on June 28, 1916. After 15 days in the 1st Aust Dermatological Hospital he was transferred on September 6, 1916 to the 1st Battalion and proceeded overseas to France on board S.S. Onward from Folkstone on November 19, 1916.

He was taken on strength with the 1st Infantry Battalion on December 4, 1916. Struck by P.U.O. (pyrexia (fever) uncertain origin) about January 3, 1917 he was in and out of hospital and convalescent depots until transferred to England on February 17 on the hospital transport Lanfranc and admitted to the 1st Birmingham War Hospital with Trench Fever.

Discharged to the 3rd Aust Auxiliary Hospital until granted furlough, he was to report to Perham Downs’ camp on April 7.

Windmill Hill camp, Perham Downs was entered on April 25 where he was transferred to the 62nd Battalion. He attended the School of Musketry at Tidworth from May 29.

He was to be Temporary Corporal from June 16, 1917 progressing to Temporary Sergeant on July 11, 1917 at Fovant camp. On October 9, 1917 he proceeded to France from Southampton arriving at Havre to the A.G.B.D. and taken on strength with the 1st Battalion on October 16 and promoted to Sergeant.

On December 19, 1917 he attended the 1st Infantry Brigade Musketry School. On January 4, 1918 he was absorbed as Sergeant on his return to his unit.

Leave to Paris was granted and he returned to duty on March 6, 1918. From March onwards was spent in hospital in treatment for a social disease and he rejoined his Battalion on June 13, 1918.

He was attached to the 119th Brigade and wounded in action by a gas shell and spent August and September recovering.

News of his injuries was published in the: Durham and Gloucester Advertiser Tuesday September 3, 1918: TEA GARDENS Mr J Hough, of Tea Gardens, has just received information from Base Records, Melbourne, informing him that his son Tpr Sergeant S. Hough, has been severely gassed on the west front (France). Trooper Hough has been in the firing line nearly four years and has been fighting lately within a few miles of his brother, Sapper Esmond Hough. This is the second time Sergeant Hough has been injured, he being knocked down once by a shell explosion, from which he lost his speech for two weeks. On recovery he returned to the firing line.

He was discharged to the Base Depot on October 19, 1918 with ‘A’ Class debility. He was there when Peace was declared.

On November 18, 1918 he marched out for England with debility B2 namely dilated heart, leaving Havre for Southampton on November 20 and reported to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

Sergeant Hough embarked for Australia on December 10, 1918 on board H.T. Somali due to dilated heart condition. Base Records advised his mother on January 19, 1919 that he was returning home. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW on February 15, 1919.

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney on May 3, 1919 as medically unfit.

He married in 1920 to Margreta Emelda Casey with their union registered in Hamilton, NSW.

From 1930 to 1933 they are residing at 185B Bridge Road, Toxteth, West Sydney. In 1943 he was at the Munition Works, Rutherford, Maitland with the occupation of Peace Officer and registered from 1954 to 1958 they were 177 Denison Street, Hamilton where he was a watchman. In 1963 they were at 157 Pacific Highway, Charlestown and retired.

Alexander Sylvester Hough died in 1970 aged 76 years with his death registered at Newcastle, NSW.