FAMILY LIFE

William Angus Connolly was born in 1894 in Ballina, son of William August Connolly Snr & Sarah (Jarrett) Connolly. He was one of 8 children. The Connolly family lived at Doon Doon

ATTESTATION

William was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 27^th September 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Sarah, of Doon Doon.

His medical showed he was 21 years 11 months old, 5ft 9½ inches tall (1.76m), weighed 135 lbs (61kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good but he required dental treatment

The Examining Medical Officer stated that William “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, William Angus Connolly, 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.” 

He was Church of England and was enlisted as a private into the 11th Depot Battalion with service No 32801. However, on 6th October he was made a gunner with the Field Artillery Brigade reinforcements

MARIBYRNONG TRAINING CAMP, VICTORIA

Maribyrnong training camp was the main artillery training depot in Australia during WWI. It was located in Melbourne’s north-west, along the Maribyrnong River

GUNNERS IN THE INFANTRY

Gunners manned a large field gun in a gun crew of 6–10 men, supporting infantry operations with indirect fire from behind the lines. Recruits underwent:

·      Gun drill with 18-pounders and 4.5" howitzers

·      Horse handling and harness work (for horse-drawn guns)

·      Loading, aiming, and firing the gun

·      Range finding and signalling

·      Ammunition transport and gun maintenance

·      Discipline, fitness, and marching

DAILY LIFE AT THE CAMP

Recruits were housed in wooden huts, canvas tents, or basic barracks. Conditions varied depending on the time of year — cold and wet in winter, dusty and hot in summer. Latrines were shared, and hygiene was basic but regimented. Reveille (wake-up) was at 5:30–6:00am, followed by roll call and breakfast.

TRAINING ROUTINE

Training days were long and physically demanding:

Time	Activity
Morning	Drill, gunnery theory, fitness
Midday	Gun drill with 18-pounders, horse work
Afternoon	Firing exercises, harnessing, and limbering
Evening	Maintenance of weapons, lectures on discipline

Horse work was constant: gunners had to care for and control teams of horses used to haul field guns.

Live-fire exercises were sometimes done at nearby Flemington rifle range or in the open paddocks near the camp.

RECRUITS' EXPERIENCE

Soldiers often described it as gruelling but effective training. Mud and rain in winter led to bogged wagons and miserable marches. Complaints included blistered hands, sore backs from hauling gear, and monotony of drill. However, many also remembered strong camaraderie, especially among the gun crews and horse teams.

SANITATION AND HEALTH

The camp had a permanent medical facility (including quarantine for illness). Outbreaks of measles, influenza, or skin infections were common due to close living conditions. Physical training instructors monitored hygiene, including kit inspections and foot care.

FOOD AND RATIONS

Food was basic but adequate: bread, tinned meat ("bully beef"), porridge, and tea. Canteens provided extra treats at soldiers’ own cost (e.g. jam, condensed milk, cocoa). Fresh food was sometimes brought in from Melbourne markets.

Life at Maribyrnong was tough, disciplined, and demanding, especially for artillerymen learning to operate heavy guns and manage horses. But it was also a place of teamwork and preparation for the even harsher conditions of the Western Front.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

The recruits embarked at Melbourne, Victoria aboard HMAT Shropshire on 11 May 1917 as part of the 12th reinforcement. 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.

LARKHILL TRAINING CAMP

On their arrival in England in July 1917, the recruits were marched into Larkhill training camp, which was situated on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England. It was a specialised artillery training camp for British and Commonwealth troops. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the English training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. When the recruits arrived in mid-1917, they would have undergone:

Advanced Gunnery Training

Operation and maintenance of 18-pounders, 4.5-inch howitzers

Firing at live artillery ranges

Training with direct and indirect fire techniques

Instruction in use of range finders, angle of sight tables, and fuze setting

Team Coordination

Gun crews trained to work in precise roles (No. 1 to No. 6 positions)

Practice in limbering up, moving, and deploying guns

Command structure and orders in live fire drills

Field Craft and Tactical Skills

Camouflage, positioning of guns, and concealment

Counter-battery defence techniques

Integration with infantry support tactics

Living Conditions at Larkhill

Accommodations were in wooden huts or Nissen huts (corrugated metal huts) Cold, damp winters and wind-swept plain made for tough living

Recruits endured:

·      Muddy, exposed parade grounds

·      Early mornings and long days

·      Daily inspections and strict discipline

Hygiene and Routines

Facilities included mess halls, washing areas, parade grounds, and canteens. Medical checks and physical fitness were routine. Foot drill and discipline were just as important as technical training

Morale and Comradeship

Many Australian soldiers found the routine challenging, but camaraderie strong. The nearby town of Amesbury and even Stonehenge (a short walk away!) were often visited in off-duty hours

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE OCTOBER 1917

William left Southampton on 17^th October 1917 for France. The recruits now found themselves fighting the Germans 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.

When William joined the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (2nd FAB) in October 1917, the unit was heavily involved in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele — one of the most gruelling artillery-heavy campaigns of the war. They were supporting 2nd Australian Division infantry operations during the Third Battle of Ypres (31 July – 10 November 1917). By October, they were operating east of Ypres, around Zonnebeke, Westhoek Ridge, and Broodseinde Ridge

As part of the 1st Division Artillery, the 2nd FAB’s role included:

·      Creeping barrages to support infantry advances

·      Counter-battery fire targeting German guns

·      Harassing fire at night on roads, assembly areas, and trenches

·      Defensive barrages during German counterattacks

They primarily used:

·      18-pounder field guns (for high explosive and shrapnel shells)

·      4.5-inch howitzers (for high angle fire into enemy dugouts)

This period was infamous for:

·      Relentless shellfire

·      Deep mud and waterlogged trenches

·      Difficult gun mobility — field guns often sank into the mud

Heavy casualties due to German counter-barrages and aircraft

Artillerymen like William:

·      Slept in dugouts or under tarpaulin

·      Constantly moved ammunition by hand or horse-drawn limbers

·      Endured deafening blasts and ground that shook under fire

MAJOR ENGAGEMENTS IN OCTOBER 1917

·      Battle of Broodseinde – 4 October: major Australian victory, with heavy artillery support

·      Battle of Poelcappelle – 9 October: bogged-down infantry and artillery under appalling conditions

·      First Battle of Passchendaele – 12 October: catastrophic losses for the Australians in thick mud; artillery had difficulty supporting due to terrain

In October 1917, William joined the 2nd FAB amid one of the bloodiest artillery battles of WWI. He would have worked under extreme pressure, in mud-choked gun pits, helping deliver devastating fire in support of infantry struggling through the quagmire of Passchendaele.

NOVEMBER 1917

The unit continued fire support in the Ypres sector, but active operations tapered off after the disastrous final push at Passchendaele (6 Nov). The 2nd FAB took part in relief and rotation of batteries, maintenance of gun positions, transporting ammunition through deep mud and shell holes & defensive barrages and intermittent shelling of German positions

Many artillery units, including 2nd FAB, suffered from mud-bogged gun platforms, collapsing dugouts, sickness from exposure (e.g., trench foot, respiratory illness) & loss of horses due to cold and shellfire

DECEMBER 1917

Artillery activity reduced significantly as winter deepened.

The 2nd FAB remained in the line, but their operations became more static with routine harassing fire & occasional counter-battery duels. They rested and rebuilt their shattered units & relocated and repaired damaged guns and gun pits

December 1917 was a time of consolidation, cold, and exhaustion. Guns froze, crews shivered in wet dugouts, and spirits were low — but the brigade maintained pressure on German lines with a steady rhythm of shelling.

HOSPITALISATION DECEMBER 1917 NO RECORD

William was admitted to hospital sick, no record, and rejoined his unit on 1^st January 1918

JANUARY 1918 – HOLDING THE LINE IN WINTER

Artillery work slowed due to frozen ground, fog, and snow.

The brigade engaged in:

·      Routine bombardments of enemy lines

·      Defensive barrages in response to German raids

·      Improving gun pits, dugouts, and ammo stores

Troops contended with:

·      Freezing temperatures

·      Frostbitten hands and feet

·      Wet and collapsing trenches

The guns still fired daily, but at a reduced tempo — mostly harassing fire and registration shots (test firing to confirm targets)

FEBRUARY 1918 – REORGANISATION AND PREPARATION

The Australian artillery was undergoing structural changes: Batteries were being reorganised into larger brigades. Some men were sent on leave, others on training courses. The unit maintained rear-area gun lines, practised counter-battery drills & rotated through quiet sectors to rest and refit Conditions remained tough, with wet weather, shell-damaged roads, and strain on horse teams hauling supplies.

MARCH 1918 – WARNING SIGNS AND CRISIS

By mid-March intelligence suggested the Germans were planning a major offensive (which would begin on 21 March 1918 — the Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht). The 2nd FAB was placed on alert and possibly moved into position to reinforce vulnerable sectors along the Somme River, near Péronne, Bray, or Albert. The artillery units prepared defensive fire plans, conducted day/night registration shoot & laid out predicted fire zones in case of a breakthrough

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND INFLUENZA APRIL 1918

William was evacuated to the 1^st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham with influenza on 1^ST April 1918. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward.

DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL April 1918

On 23^rd April William rejoined his unit on 23^rd April 1918

APRIL 1918

The 2nd Field Artillery Brigade was heavily involved in operations on the Somme Front in France, supporting Australian troops as they moved from defence to offence following the German Spring Offensive. In late April, the brigade played a vital role in the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux, providing continuous artillery support during the Australian counterattack on 24–25 April, which successfully halted the German advance toward Amiens.

MAY- JUNE 1918

Throughout May and June, the brigade remained in the Villers-Bretonneux and Corbie sectors, conducting daily artillery work such as harassing fire, defensive barrages, and counter-battery fire against German gun positions. Although the front lines were relatively stable, the 2nd FAB remained active, adjusting gun positions, building new dugouts, and training in preparation for future offensive actions.

DISCIPLINED MAY 1918

William was absent for 1 day without permission from the equipping parade and forfeited 1 day’s pay

JULY 1918

On 4 July 1918, the 2nd FAB took part in the highly successful Battle of Hamel, which was the first major operation commanded by General John Monash. The brigade supported the attack by delivering a precise creeping barrage that protected advancing infantry. This operation marked a turning point in Australian operations and demonstrated a new level of coordination between infantry, artillery, tanks, and aircraft.

Following the victory at Hamel, the brigade continued to support frontline units while preparing for a much larger offensive. In the lead-up to August, artillery crews moved their guns into forward and camouflaged positions, stocked ammunition, and carefully planned firing programs without giving away their intentions.

AUGUST 1918

These efforts culminated in their participation in the Battle of Amiens, which began on 8 August 1918 — just days before the period you asked about ended. While the battle was still underway on 14 August, the 2nd FAB had already played a critical role in the opening days of what became one of the most decisive Allied victories of the war.

HOSPITALISATION VT AUGUST 1918

On 14 August 1918, William was admitted to hospital in France and remained there for just over a month before being discharged to the Base Depot on 14 September. The reason for his admission was not uncommon among soldiers serving long periods on the Western Front, where the strain of service, lack of regular medical resources, and harsh conditions often led to temporary illness or the need for specialised treatment. After recovering, he returned to the base to await reassignment.

REJOINED UNIT SEPTEMBER 1918

William rejoined his unit on 12^th September 1918.

SEPTEMBER 1918 – NOVEMBER 1918: FINAL CAMPAIGNS

After rejoining the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade in September 1918, William would have been part of the final offensives of the war, known as the Hundred Days Offensive. He likely took part in:

Advance through the Somme Valley – supporting attacks around Peronne, Mont St. Quentin, and the Hindenburg Line

Heavy shelling of German positions to help clear the way for infantry

Rapid relocation of guns as Allied forces pushed forward in the final weeks

By 11 November 1918, when the Armistice was signed, Australian artillery units were near the Sambre Canal and Le Cateau, supporting the British advance.

NOVEMBER 1918 – EARLY 1919: WAITING FOR REPATRIATION

Once the war ended, soldiers did not immediately return home. There was a large backlog of men to demobilise and limited transport ships available. During this time, William would likely have stayed with his unit in France or Belgium, performing guard duties, helping to dismantle gun positions, or assisting with transport and salvage

He possibly spent time at depots in England, such as Codford or Weymouth, awaiting a berth on a homebound ship and may have had access to leave, sometimes travelling around England or Scotland while waiting to return

GOING HOME

William returned home on the Konig, disembarking on 10^th August 1919. He was discharged on 10^th September 1919

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

RETURN AND POST-WAR LIFE

After the war, Connolly returned to Australia and settled in Doon Doon, near Murwillumbah, New South Wales. In September 1919, the local community held a large welcome-home celebration in his honour at “Oakvale Farm,” attended by over 125 people. William married Elizabeth Doris Daley in 1922 and they had a son, Alan, & a daughter, Rita. He lived in the Murwillumbah area until his death on 28 July 1973 at the age of 78. He is buried in Murwillumbah Lawn Cemetery

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