FAMILY LIFE

Martin Mary Reynolds was born in Murwillumbah on 11 Oct 1896, the son of Patrick and Mary Aloysius Reynolds of Hospital Hill, Murwillumbah. Martin was the eldest of 5 children. His parents are on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLICATION

Martin Reynolds enlisted in Enoggera on 28^th February 1916. He was single farm hand, eager to do his bit. His application showed his next of kin as his father, Patrick, of Murwillumbah. His medical showed he was 19 years 4 months old, 5ft 6 ½ inches tall (1.69m), weighed 140 lbs (63kgs), with a fair complexion, blue eyes & fair hair. His eyesight was good. The Examining Medical Officer stated that Martin “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Martin Reynolds, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

Martin was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his left arm, visible above his elbow and 2 scars on his right foot.  He was enlisted as a private into the 47^th Infantry Battalion – 5^th Reinforcements with service No 2372

47TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 47th Infantry Battalion was an Australian Army unit with a distinguished history during both World Wars. It was initially raised in February 1916 in Egypt as part of the expansion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) following the Gallipoli campaign. It became part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division. The 47th Infantry Battalion is remembered for its bravery and resilience.

RIFLE RANGE TRAINING CAMP ENOGGERA

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, Martin received his on 1^st March, 8^th March & 27^th March. Then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 19^TH September 1916, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT A49 Seang Choon. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked in Plymouth England on 9 Dec 1916 after which he marched into the 12th Training Battalion at No 13 Camp, Codford. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but, over many more tough months, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more

PROMOTED TO SUBSTANTIVE CORPORAL AND SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY

Here he was made a substantive corporal on 24^th January 1917 and thereafter attended a rifle course at the School of Musketry at Tidworth where he acquired a working knowledge of the Lewis Gun. (Substantive rank is that which is yours and for which you are paid. It basically means a confirmed rank and not an acting rank (paid or unpaid). An acting rank can be taken away by your CO for any reason if he deems that you are not suitable to hold it if he feels so inclined). The Lewis Gun was operated by a team of seven. The First Lewis Gunner carried the gun and a revolver, while the Second Gunner carried a bag containing spare parts, and the remaining five members of the team carried loaded pans of ammunition. On 22^nd March 1917 it was reported that Martin qualified First Class and has a fair working knowledge of the Lewis gun.

LEAVE IN LONDON MARCH 1917

On a personal note, Martin wrote to his parents on 7 Mar 1917 describing his first visit to London

“I have just arrived back from a very interesting holiday in London. My trip lasted only four days, but I had a really good time. Went to the Australian Headquarters on reaching the city, and were then dismissed. We visited Parliament House, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Drury Lane Theatre. On Sunday morning we went to Mass at Westminster Cathedral.”

He continued: “On Monday we spent the day “doing” the Tower of London. We only just had time to run over other places, but having heard so much about the Tower, I decided to do it properly. It would take too long to go into all the details regarding the Tower, it must suffice for me to say that the visit was most interesting, and I shall describe it fully on my return home which judging by opinion in England, will not be very long now.”

He also explained that the biggest shock he had in London was seeing women in public bars, standing up and calling for a beer, and in restaurants women were sitting back smoking and blowing great clouds into the air.

Around the same time Martin sent his sister, Mary, a piece of stone in a Warlock brand tobacco tin, writing that it was just a piece of an old Roman fort on Salisbury Plain. He explained that he thought she might like it for a curio, and signed the letter Mart.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 15^TH BATTALION

Corporal Reynolds embarked for Le Havre, France in May 1917 and was taken on strength with the 15th Bn in the 4th Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division of the AIF. The 15th Bn was relieved from its position on the Douve River near Messines in Belgium and moved to a camp near Ploegsteert. On 17 Jun the soldiers were marched out to La Trompe Cabaret camp. The soldiers now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

WARNETON, BELGIUM JUNE 1917

The 4th Division occupied the front line near Warneton which was a significant location during World War I. It was near the site of the Battle of Messines, which took place from June 7 to June 14, 1917. This battle was a major British offensive on the Western Front, aiming to capture the Messines Ridge, a strategic high ground held by German forces. The operation involved extensive planning, including the detonation of massive mines beneath German positions, which caused devastating explosions and marked the start of the attack.

Warneton itself was a focus for operations by the 3rd Australian Division later in June 1917. The village was part of a strong German defensive line, featuring concrete pillboxes and barbed wire. Australian forces worked to advance the British front line closer to the Warneton Line, enduring harsh conditions and heavy German fire. Their efforts included raids and small attacks to weaken German outpost

LA BASSE VILLE, BELGIUM JULY

La Basse Ville, a small hamlet in Belgium, was a focal point of military action during July 1917, as part of World War I. The Allies played a significant role in this area, engaging in operations to disrupt German defences’ and create diversions for larger offensives like the Battle of Pilckem Ridge.

Multiple attacks were launched on La Basse Ville throughout June and July 1917. These were met with fierce resistance, as the Germans considered the area strategically vital. Initial attempts to capture the hamlet were repulsed, but the allies persisted, eventually taking La Basse Ville briefly before being forced to withdraw due to counterattacks.

HOSPITALISATION TRENCH FEET

Martin was treated at the 4th Field Ambulance with trench feet. (A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps.) This was a common and serious issue. It was prominent in trenches that were dug in land that was at, or near, sea level, where the water table was just beneath the surface.  The soldiers would hit water after a couple of feet and the trenches would flood. After long periods standing in soaking wet socks and boots, trench foot would start to set in. The men’s feet would swell and go numb and then the skin would start to turn red or blue. Untreated feet often became gangrenous and the condition could lead to nerve damage, tissue loss and ultimately the need for amputation. 

To minimize the chances of contacting trench foot, men were ordered to change into dry socks as often as possible. And around 1916, John Logie Baird started to sell socks prepared with borax to help alleviate the problems of wet feet.

HOSPITALISATION & CONVALESCENCE-FRANCE

He was transferred to the 11th General Hospital at Dannes (on the coast of the English Channel) on 3^rd August, then to the 6th Convalescent Depot at Etaples, France on 13^th August.  Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained.

REJOINED UNIT AUGUST 1917

He did not return to the 15th Bn until 27 Aug, by which time his unit was in the trenches in the rain near Messines. Martin rejoined the Battalion in the field on 1 September 1917.

THE BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD

The Battle of Polygon Wood was the I ANZAC Corp component of a larger British and dominion operation staged as part of the third battle of Ypres. This operation was the second of the ‘Plumer battles,’ a series of well planned, limited advances supported by large volumes of artillery, masterminded by the British General Herbert Plumer. The name ‘Polygon Wood’ derived from a young plantation forest that lay along I ANZAC’s axis of advance. The attack was scheduled to begin on 26 Sep 1917 but was almost derailed by an enemy attack on the British Corps to the south. In addition, Australian troops of the 15th Brigade, preparing for their attack a day earlier, took part in fending off the enemy; their advance the next day began.

Consequently, although the British and dominion advance began on schedule on 26 Sep, with the 4th and 5th Division on the left and right respectively, taking the lead in the I ANZAC sector, it began with some uncertainty as to their security. The infantry advanced behind a heavy artillery barrage – the noise of this was compared to a roaring bushfire – and the enemy launched several counter-attacks. The battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties, including Martin Reynolds.

 

KILLED IN ACTION 27^TH SEPTEMBER 1917

The records indicate that he was killed in action on 27 Sep 1917, with no known grave, at age 20. Along with 136 other Australians with unknown graves from the Battle of Polygon Wood, his Commemoration details are marked on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel 17 in Belgium. In 1936 the City of Ypres presented the Australian War Memorial in Canberra with two medieval stone lions which now stand at the entrance of the AWM in memory of those who fought in the Ypres campaign.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Martin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial Number 77, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

Martin’s effects were returned to his father on 28^th May 1918 and consisted of his two wallets, photos & religious medals. His father died in 1919 so his mother received his Memorial Scroll on 18^th August 1921, his Memorial Place on 10^th November 1922 & his Victory medal on 7^th December 1922

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