Commemoration for the Lives of the Braidwood and District ANZACS “We Will Remember Them Well”

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Commemoration for the Lives of the Braidwood and District ANZACS “We will remember them well”

ROLLROLL OF OF HONOUR HONOUR : SMITH (GREENWOOD), Meade, Arthur Stuart George ServiceService Number:Number: 26671501 Rank:Rank: SergeantPrivate

From 1914 - 1918, 465 volunteers from Braidwood and the District joined the Australian Imperial Force in World War I. 88 lost their lives, never to return home. This is their story.

Introduction WORLD WAR I

This year, 2015, marks the centenary of the start of the Gallipoli campaign and Australia’s World War I lasted four years, from 4 August 1914 until 11 November 1918. It began after the involvement as a nation in the greatest and most assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne. terrible conflict ever seen to that time. Australians The axis powers were Germany and Austria. ROLL OF HONOUR joined their Armed Forces in large numbers. Their Russia and France were the initial allies. When motives were as varied as their upbringings, from Germany invaded Belgium, Britain entered the a need to save the Empire, of which Australia was war on the side of Russia and France. an integral part, to the desire to have a great adventure. The war was in Europe, the Western Front was in France and Belgium. The Eastern Front was Braidwood and district were no exception. Over Russia and Austria-Hungary. Africa was another the four years from 1914 to 1918, from a front because of colonial possessions on that GEORGE SMITH (alias) population of about 5000, 465 men and women continent, and after Turkey entered the war on 1 – November 1914, the Middle East became from what is now the 2622 postcode area another theatre of war. including Braidwood, Majors Creek, Araluen, Also known as: George Greenwood (true name) Mongarlowe, Nerriga, Ballalaba and Australians generally thought of themselves as Jembaicumbene joined the Navy or Army. Of an integral part of the British Empire and the Service Number: 2667 these 377 returned to Australia. Sadly, 88 lost Australian Army and Navy were part of the their lives. Imperial Forces. In 1914, Australia’s Prime Rank: Private Minister, Andrew Fisher, immediately promised A varying amount of their history is recorded in Australian support for Britain ‘to the last man and Unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion the Australian War Memorial. Some of their the last shilling.’ The Australian population was names, but not all, are recorded on local less than five million. 324,000 Australians served Service: Australian Army overseas. 61,720 lost their lives. 155,000 were memorials. More is recorded in limited local Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918 histories and newspapers, not readily available to wounded. 4,044 became prisoners of war (397 died while captive). the general public; and the people who lived with Date of death: 19 July 1916 and knew these distant relatives are also passing The first Australian troops were sent to Egypt in Place of death: France on. 1915. The ANZACS – Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – were engaged in battle on the Cause of death: Killed in action The Braidwood RSL Sub Branch has collected all Gallipoli Peninsula against the Turks to control the the information available from the Australian War Dardanelles’ and open the way to Eastern Europe Age at death: 46 Memorial and local sources, including the with their fateful landing on 25 April 1915. Braidwood Museum. Families, still resident in Place of association: Araluen, Australia The ANZACS were evacuated on 19-20 December the district, have added their family knowledge Cemetery or memorial details: VC Corner Australian Cemetery and and their precious memorabilia. 1915. The Gallipoli campaign resulted in the deaths of 7,600 Australians and the wounding of Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France 19,000. Despite the defeat, the legend attached to This booklet is the available story of the heroism, comradeship and valour of the Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army George Smith, one of the 88 Braidwood soldiers remain a source of Australian pride and volunteers who did not return from World War national identity. I. It contains his details as recorded in the World War I Roll of Honour, his Enlistment Papers, Location on the Roll of Honour: George Greenwood's name is Field Service records, any Casualty notification, located at panel 157 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian correspondence relating to his death, details of War Memorial decorations won, any available photos, and, in some instances, family correspondence or recollections.

George Smith died for his country, for you and for me. Please pause a moment to remember him.

Lest We Forget.

ROLL OF HONOUR

GEORGE SMITH (alias)

Also known as: George Greenwood (true name) Service Number: 2667 Rank: Private Unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion Service: Australian Army Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918 Date of death: 19 July 1916 Place of death: France Cause of death: Killed in action Age at death: 46 Place of association: Araluen, Australia Cemetery or memorial details: VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Location on the Roll of Honour: George Greenwood's name is located at panel 157 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial

was merely a feint. It therefore had no impact 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion whatsoever upon the progress of the Somme The 53rd Battalion was raised in Egypt on 14 offensive. February 1916 as part of the "doubling" of the The 53rd spent the freezing winter of 1916-17 AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans rotating in and out of trenches in the Somme from the 1st Battalion, and the other half, fresh Valley. During this period the battalion earned reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the the nickname "the Whale Oil Guards" after the composition of the 1st, the 53rd was CO, Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Croshaw, predominantly composed of men from the ordered the troops to polish their helmets with suburbs of Sydney. The battalion became part whale oil (issued to rub into feet as a trench of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian foot preventative) for a smart turn out on Division. parade. In March 1917, the 53rd participated in The battalion arrived in France on 27 June the advance that followed the German retreat 1916, entered the front line for the first time on to the Hindenburg Line. It was spared the 10 July, and became embroiled in its first major assault but did, however, defend gains made battle on the Western Front, at Fromelles, on during the second battle of Bullecourt. Later in 19 July. The battle of Fromelles was a disaster. the year, the AIF's focus of operations The 53rd was part of the initial assault and switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The suffered grievously, incurring 625 casualties, 53rd's major battle here was at Polygon Wood including its commanding officer, amounting to on 26 September. over three-quarters of its attacking strength. With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a Casualty rates among the rest of the 5th major German offensive on the Western Front Division were similarly high, but despite these was expected in early 1918. This came in late losses it continued to man the front in the March and the 5th Division moved to defend Fromelles sector for a further two months. the sector around Corbie. The 14th Brigade Fromelles was the first major battle fought by took up positions to the north of Villers- Australian troops on the Western Front. Bretonneux and held these even when the Directed against a strong German position village fell, threatening their flanks. Once the known as the Sugar Loaf salient, the attack German offensive had been defeated, the was intended primarily as a feint to draw Allies launched their own offensive in August German troops away from the Somme 1918. The 14th Brigade did not play a major offensive then being pursued further to the role in these operations until late in the month, south. A seven-hour preparatory bombardment but its actions, including those of the 53rd deprived the attack of any hope of surprise, Battalion at Anvil Wood, were critical to the and ultimately proved ineffective in subduing capture of Peronne, which fell on 2 September. the well-entrenched defenders. When the For a succession of courageous actions during troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British the Peronne fighting, Private William Currey Divisions attacked at 6 pm on 19 July 1916, was awarded the Victoria Cross. they suffered heavily at the hands of German The 53rd Battalion entered its last major battle machine-gunners. Small parts of the German of the war on 29 September 1918. This trenches were captured by the 8th and 14th operation was mounted by the 5th and 3rd Australian Brigades, but, devoid of flanking Australian Divisions, in co-operation with support and subjected to fierce counter- American forces, to break through the attacks, they were forced to withdraw. By 8am formidable German defences along the St on 20 July 1916, the battle was over. The 5th Quentin Canal. The battalion withdrew to rest Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, on 2 October and was still doing so when the rendering it incapable of offensive action for war ended. The progressive return of troops to many months; the 61st British Division suffered 19 July 1916: France: Western Front (France), Nord Region, Fromelles Area, Fromelles: Men of the 53rd Australia for discharge resulted in the 53rd 1,547. The German casualties were little more Battalion waiting to don their equipment for the attack at Fromelles. Only three of the men shown here came merging with the 55th Battalion on 10 March than 1,000. The attack was a complete failure out of the action alive, and those three were wounded. See also H16396.(Photographer: Charles Henry 1919. The combined 53/55th Battalion, in turn, as the Germans realised within a few hours it Lorking). disbanded on 11 April. was merely a feint. It therefore had no impact 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion whatsoever upon the progress of the Somme The 53rd Battalion was raised in Egypt on 14 offensive. February 1916 as part of the "doubling" of the The 53rd spent the freezing winter of 1916-17 AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans rotating in and out of trenches in the Somme from the 1st Battalion, and the other half, fresh Valley. During this period the battalion earned reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the the nickname "the Whale Oil Guards" after the composition of the 1st, the 53rd was CO, Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Croshaw, predominantly composed of men from the ordered the troops to polish their helmets with suburbs of Sydney. The battalion became part whale oil (issued to rub into feet as a trench of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian foot preventative) for a smart turn out on Division. parade. In March 1917, the 53rd participated in The battalion arrived in France on 27 June the advance that followed the German retreat 1916, entered the front line for the first time on to the Hindenburg Line. It was spared the 10 July, and became embroiled in its first major assault but did, however, defend gains made battle on the Western Front, at Fromelles, on during the second battle of Bullecourt. Later in 19 July. The battle of Fromelles was a disaster. the year, the AIF's focus of operations The 53rd was part of the initial assault and switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The suffered grievously, incurring 625 casualties, 53rd's major battle here was at Polygon Wood including its commanding officer, amounting to on 26 September. over three-quarters of its attacking strength. With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a Casualty rates among the rest of the 5th major German offensive on the Western Front Division were similarly high, but despite these was expected in early 1918. This came in late losses it continued to man the front in the March and the 5th Division moved to defend Fromelles sector for a further two months. the sector around Corbie. The 14th Brigade Fromelles was the first major battle fought by took up positions to the north of Villers- Australian troops on the Western Front. Bretonneux and held these even when the Directed against a strong German position village fell, threatening their flanks. Once the known as the Sugar Loaf salient, the attack German offensive had been defeated, the was intended primarily as a feint to draw Allies launched their own offensive in August German troops away from the Somme 1918. The 14th Brigade did not play a major offensive then being pursued further to the role in these operations until late in the month, south. A seven-hour preparatory bombardment but its actions, including those of the 53rd deprived the attack of any hope of surprise, Battalion at Anvil Wood, were critical to the and ultimately proved ineffective in subduing capture of Peronne, which fell on 2 September. the well-entrenched defenders. When the For a succession of courageous actions during troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British the Peronne fighting, Private William Currey Divisions attacked at 6 pm on 19 July 1916, was awarded the Victoria Cross. they suffered heavily at the hands of German The 53rd Battalion entered its last major battle machine-gunners. Small parts of the German of the war on 29 September 1918. This trenches were captured by the 8th and 14th operation was mounted by the 5th and 3rd Australian Brigades, but, devoid of flanking Australian Divisions, in co-operation with support and subjected to fierce counter- American forces, to break through the attacks, they were forced to withdraw. By 8am formidable German defences along the St on 20 July 1916, the battle was over. The 5th Quentin Canal. The battalion withdrew to rest Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, on 2 October and was still doing so when the rendering it incapable of offensive action for war ended. The progressive return of troops to many months; the 61st British Division suffered 19 July 1916: France: Western Front (France), Nord Region, Fromelles Area, Fromelles: Men of the 53rd Australia for discharge resulted in the 53rd 1,547. The German casualties were little more Battalion waiting to don their equipment for the attack at Fromelles. Only three of the men shown here came merging with the 55th Battalion on 10 March than 1,000. The attack was a complete failure out of the action alive, and those three were wounded. See also H16396.(Photographer: Charles Henry 1919. The combined 53/55th Battalion, in turn, as the Germans realised within a few hours it Lorking). disbanded on 11 April.

19 July 1916: France: Western Front (France), Nord Region, Fromelles Area, Fromelles: Unidentified men of the 53rd Battalion in a trench in their front line a few minutes before the launching of the attack in the battle of Fromelles. (Photographer: Charles Henry Lorking).

Acknowledgements Everybody responded enthusiastically to the idea of capturing the information about Braidwood’s 88 World War I veterans who lost their lives. The Braidwood RSL Sub Branch is most grateful for the support they received in carrying out this task and would like to acknowledge those of whom we are aware: Karen, Chris and Renee Nelson, Roslyn Maddrell, Karen Shea, Jill Clarke, Rod McClure, Ben and Meaghan Frohling, Diane McGrath, Us On Mondays Quilting Group, Len Mutton & Co and local shopkeepers for their World War I window displays.

Thank you to the students and teachers of Braidwood Central School and St. Bedes School who have embraced these soldiers and have honoured their memories on Anzac Day 2015.

The Braidwood RSL Sub Branch raised a good proportion of the funds for the cost of producing these booklets. The efforts of the members of the sub branch involved are very much appreciated. This money was augmented by welcome funding from the Federal Government through the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program and the Braidwood Community Bank.

To all those who helped in any way, many thanks. Your efforts have ensured we remember these Braidwood and District Veterans well.

Thank you to the students and teachers of Braidwood Central School and St. Bedes School who have embraced these soldiers and have honoured their memories on Anzac Day 2015.

To all those who helped in any way, many thanks. Your efforts have ensured we remember these Braidwood and District Veterans well.

Back Cover: Peace Day, 11th November 1918, Wallace Street, Braidwood. “Wild day in Braidwood: When Braidwood woke up on Tuesday morning to find the ‘glad tidings of great joy’ awaiting it that Germany had signed the armistice and the frightful carnage of the past four years or so had come to an end it simply went mad with delight. No other words could adequately describe the excitement that followed.” “Braidwood Letters from the Front” by Roslyn Maddrell. ROLL OF HONOUR Alley, Clair Underwood Knight, Charles Oliver Archer, Fred Lee, Thomas James Backhouse, Victor John Lennon, James Barnett, Frederick George Lupton, Spencer Barry, Charles Louis Lynch, James Joseph Beatty, Walter Cusack Matthews, Francis Bell, John Henry Edward McCool, Francis Leslie Neil Black, George Scott McDonald, Alexander Joseph Bruce, Thomas Fraser McLean, Donald Byrne, Cecil John McRae, Finley Arnold Callan, William Henry Meade, Arthur Stuart Catlin, Robert Henry Merton, Thomas David Clarke, Lester Thomas Montgomery, Stanley Cook, Thomas John Moore, William Crandell, Christopher George Newberry, Alwyn (Alwin) Horace James Cregan, Clarence Theodore Augustus O’Brien, Thomas Daniel Cullen, Henry Thomas O’Reilly, John Davis, John Henry Pooley, Edward Davis, Oscar Raymond Stanley Rex, Horace Joseph Dawson, Edric Athol Riley, Frank Dayball, Arthur Joseph Roberts, Frederick Bede Dempsey, Charles Frederick Robinson, William James Dempsey, Charles Rodgers, Albert Dowell, Frederick Robert Seidel, Alfred George Feeney, William Seidel, Henry Edward Fisher, Osborne Sharpe, George Lyle Flack, John Foster Sharpe, Reginald Garnett, Henry James Sherman, Edgar Robert Geelan, Robert Michael Sherman, Percy Frederick Gosling, Fred Simmons, George Gough, James Smith (Greenwood), George Green, Francis Henry Spicer, William Henry Healy, Myrtle James Steele, Alexander Norman Howard, John Alexander Stein, Daniel Godfrey Huggett, William Stewart, David Walter Hunt, Frederick William Styles, Reginald Lucian Hunt, John Torpy, Patrick Edward Hush, Percy Alfred Torpy, Thomas Patrick Hush, Thomas Walker, William Albert Hush, Austin Septimus Watt, James Innes, Henry George Watt, Oscar Harold McClure Kelly, Herbert Albert White, Alister Kemp, Leslie Smith Whitelaw, Thomas Philip Keyte, Robert Wilson, Samuel Charles

Lest We Forget