BACKGROUND

Peter Augustine Dignan, known as Gus, was born the 4^th March 1896 in Maryborough, Qld., son of Michael Dignan & Mary Barbara Josephine (Finn) Dignan.According to Trove.com was one of 6 children, with two brothers & three sisters.

The Dignan family is well known in Burringbar having a street named after them. The Finn family arrived in Australian from their homeland Ireland in 1892 and had lived in the Burringbar since 1902

ATTESTATION

Gus travelled to Brisbane on the 16^th September 1915 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was a single man and gave his occupation as labourer. His next of kin was his father, Mr M Dignan, of Burringbar

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Peter Augustine Dignan, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

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MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Gus was 28 years 4 months old. He was 5ft 4 / ½ inches tall (1.63m) and weighed 136lbs (61kgs). He had a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair, His eye sight was good. He had a scar on he inside of his left upper arm. Gus was Roman Catholic

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him a private with 14^th reinforcements, 2^nd Light Horse Regiment with service number 2023

TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE 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

LIGHT HORSE TRAINING

The Light Horse Depot was a lively place — rows of tents and stables stretched across the paddocks, with constant movement as new recruits learned the routines of mounted service. For the Light Horsemen, horsemanship was essential. Many recruits already came from rural backgrounds and were experienced riders, but the army still needed to train them to work together as mounted troops.

They would have spent their first weeks learning the fundamentals of soldiering: drill, physical fitness, and discipline, before moving on to the skills that defined the mounted man. They were taught to ride with a military saddle, to control their horse at all paces, and to manoeuvre in close formation. Daily sessions included mounting and dismounting at speed, guiding the horse with knee and rein, and practising extended trots and canters across open ground.

They practised:

·      mounted drill and manoeuvres

·      riding in formation

·      caring for horses in military conditions

·      rapid mounting and dismounting

·      scouting and reconnaissance work

·      fighting on foot after leaving the horses behind with designated horse-holders

The Australian Light Horse was technically mounted infantry rather than cavalry. The men rode horses for mobility but usually fought dismounted with rifles. The instructors — many veterans of earlier campaigns — were firm but fair, ensuring each man could care for his mount as well as himself.

So, horsemanship was only one part of the training. They learned the use of the Lee-Enfield rifle both on foot and in the saddle, as well as the sword or bayonet for close work. They were trained to move quickly from mounted to dismounted action — the Light Horse fought on foot, using their horses mainly for mobility. Camp life also included route marches, stable duties, grooming and feeding routines, cleaning tack and gear, and long days of drill under the Australian sun.

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a week.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM BRISBANE TO ENGLAND

His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 31 January 1916. Alongside his comrades, Gus marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

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 the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SAILING WITH HORSES

When Gus stepped aboard the Wandilla he was not only beginning his own long journey to war but also taking responsibility for a living companion — his horse. Unlike the infantrymen who embarked with little more than their rifles and kit, the Light Horsemen spent much of the voyage tending to the animals that would carry them through future battles.

Below decks, the Wandilla had been fitted with rows of stalls. Each morning at first light, Gus and his comrades made their way down into the cramped, airless hold to feed, water, and clean up after their horses. The heat, smell, and flies could be overpowering, but the routine was strict and unrelenting: feed measured out carefully, water rationed, and the heavy work of mucking out stalls done daily to keep the animals healthy. When weather allowed, the horses were brought on deck to stretch their legs, led slowly around the ship, or lifted in slings to keep their muscles supple.

The rest of the day was divided between horse duty, parades, and training. On deck, the men drilled with their rifles, practised bayonet work, and kept up their physical fitness. The ship was crowded, hammocks and bunks jammed together, and meals were plain—bully beef, hard biscuits, and tea—but the men kept themselves occupied with cards, writing letters, or impromptu concerts. Seasickness was common, especially in the early days, and many struggled with the reek of horseflesh combined with the rolling sea.

There were lighter moments, too. The men organised boxing matches and games, and the bond between soldier and horse grew stronger each day. Gus, like many of his regiment, came from country life and was used to handling horses; brushing down his mount or leading it carefully around the deck gave him a small sense of normality amid the voyage’s monotony.

The journey was not without loss. Some horses sickened and died despite the best efforts of their handlers and veterinary officers. Their bodies were solemnly hoisted up from the holds and buried at sea, a sight that reminded the men of the fragility of both beast and soldier in the campaign ahead.

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes.

APPROACHING EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the sandy training grounds of Egypt, preparing for what lay ahead.

EGYPT MARCH 1916

During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:

ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic

ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton

ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp

ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines

TAKEN ON STRENGTH MARCH 1916

Gus was taken on strength with the 1^st Ligh Horse Regiment pm 13^th March 1916. This means a soldier was officially assigned to and accounted for in a specific military unit's nominal roll. It meant they were integrated into the unit for daily operations, including food, discipline, equipment, and frontline duties

TRANSFER TO AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY TRAINING DEPOT MAY 1916

Gus had only a brief period with the mounted troops before his military career took a very different direction. The Australian Imperial Force was expanding rapidly and the enormous demand for artillerymen on the Western Front meant that many men were transferred from other branches of the service. On 15 May 1916 Gus was transferred to artillery details at Tel el Kebir and on the same day joined the A.A.T.D., the Australian Artillery Training Depot.

Tel el Kebir was one of the major Australian camps in Egypt and by mid-1916 it had become a centre for training men destined for artillery units. Here Gus exchanged the role of mounted trooper for that of a gunner. The change required extensive instruction. He would have spent long days learning the operation of field guns and howitzers, the handling of ammunition, range-finding, map reading, signalling, military discipline and the teamwork required to serve a gun efficiently. Artillery work demanded technical knowledge as well as physical strength. The men drilled constantly, practised bringing guns into action, and learned the procedures that would later be vital under enemy fire. During the months between May and August 1916 Gus was almost certainly immersed in this intensive training programme while the Australian artillery prepared reinforcements for service in Europe.

MORE TRAINING IN ENGLAND AUGUST- SEPTEMBER 1916

On 1 August 1916 he embarked from Alexandria for England to join the British Expeditionary Force. The voyage carried him across the Mediterranean and through waters threatened by enemy submarines before reaching Britain. After arriving in England, he entered the Australian Artillery Training Depot at Park House Camp on Salisbury Plain. This vast military area was one of the principal training centres for Australian artillerymen. Between August and September Gus continued his specialist instruction, learning the latest gunnery methods being developed from hard experience on the Western Front. Reports from France constantly influenced training, and men were prepared for the realities of trench warfare, gas attacks and large-scale artillery bombardments.

HOSPITALISED NO DETAILS SEPTEMBER 1916

On 10 September 1916 Gus was medically ordered to Winchester. Although the records do not specify the reason, Winchester contained major military medical facilities and many soldiers were sent there for observation, treatment or recovery from minor illnesses. His stay was relatively brief and on 2 October he was medically returned from Winchester. During these weeks he was most likely recovering sufficiently to resume duty before being returned to the artillery training system.

TRANSFER TO 15^TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE OCTOBER 1916

Only a few weeks later, on 24 October 1916, Gus was transferred to the 15th Field Artillery Brigade and specifically to the 120th Howitzer Battery. This posting indicated that his training had progressed to the point where he was assigned to an operational artillery formation. Two days later he moved to the Australian Artillery Training Depot at Perham Down, Boynton Camp, one of the principal artillery schools on Salisbury Plain.

PREPARING FOR FRANCE OCTOBER 1916 TO MARCH 1917

The period from October 1916 until March 1917 was spent preparing for active service in France. This was no idle posting. At Perham Down Gus would have undergone advanced gunnery training, firing practice, tactical exercises and battery drills designed to replicate conditions at the front. The Australian artillery was continually refining its methods, particularly in indirect fire, barrage techniques and cooperation with infantry attacks. Men learned to work as part of a battery rather than simply as individual gunners. By the time he completed this training, Gus would have been far better prepared for the demands awaiting him in France than when he had first arrived from Egypt.

PROCEEDED TO FRANCE MARCH 1916

On 26 March 1917 he finally left England for France. Like many reinforcements, he would have crossed the English Channel and then travelled by train through the rear areas of the British Expeditionary Force. The journey often involved processing through reinforcement depots, receiving equipment and being allocated to a battery already serving at the front.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 13^TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE APRIL 1917

On 5 April 1917 Gus was taken on strength of the 13th Field Artillery Brigade and posted to the 113th Battery. He joined the unit at a significant moment in the war.

APRIL 1917 TO FEBRUARY 1918

The Australian divisions were preparing for major operations that year, including the fighting around Bullecourt, the battles in Belgium and later the advance towards Passchendaele. From April 1917 until February 1918 Gus served continuously with his battery. Although his record may contain few entries during this period, it was undoubtedly the most dangerous and demanding stage of his war.

THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULLECOURT 11^TH APRIL 1917

The First Battle of Bullecourt occurred on 11 April 1917, involving Australian and British forces attacking German positions in the Hindenburg Line, resulting in heavy Allied casualties and limited tactical success.

OVERVIEW

The First Battle of Bullecourt was part of the Battle of Arras on the Western Front during World War I. It took place on 11 April 1917, with the 4th Australian Division and the 62nd British Division ordered to attack the German-held village of Bullecourt, a key position in the Hindenburg Line. The operation aimed to support the British Third Army to the north and the French Army to the south 

PLANNING AND EXECUTION

The attack was initially scheduled for 10 April, but was postponed because the twelve tanks intended to crush the German barbed wire failed to arrive on time. Despite this, the British 62nd Division advanced, unaware of the delay, and suffered early casualties in what became known as the "Buckshee Battle"  The main assault began at 4:30 am on 11 April, with Australian brigades advancing under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire 
The Australians managed to infiltrate the German front line and seize part of the second line, achieving a feat considered nearly impossible without artillery support  However, communication breakdowns and the failure of most tanks left them exposed on both flanks, cut off from reinforcements, and vulnerable to German counter-attacks 

CASUALTIES AND OUTCOME

The battle ended in failure for the Allies within hours. Australian forces suffered approximately 3,000–3,700 casualties, including 1,100 prisoners, while German casualties were significantly lower. The tanks largely failed to provide the intended support, with only one reaching the front line and the rest breaking down or being destroyed. Survivors expressed bitterness and distrust toward both the tanks and the British command 

SIGNIFICANCE

Although the Australians demonstrated remarkable courage and persistence, the First Battle of Bullecourt highlighted poor planning, inadequate artillery support, and coordination failures within the British command. Strategically, the battle did not achieve significant gains, but it set the stage for the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917, which involved further attempts to capture the village. The engagement also contributed to a growing distrust between Australian troops and British commanders during the war

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES (JUNE 1917)

In June the Australian divisions participated in the Battle of Messines in Belgium. This carefully planned operation became famous for the enormous mines exploded beneath German positions on 7 June 1917.

Australian artillery units spent weeks preparing for the battle, registering targets, conducting counter-battery fire and supporting the infantry advance. If the 13th Field Artillery Brigade was attached to the divisions involved—as was common during this period—Gus would have witnessed one of the most successful Allied attacks of the war.

THIRD YPRES / PASSCHENDAELE CAMPAIGN (JULY–NOVEMBER 1917)

The next major campaign was the Third Battle of Ypres, often referred to simply as Passchendaele. This was a prolonged series of operations fought in dreadful conditions.

During this campaign Australian troops fought at:

·      Menin Road (20–25 September 1917)

·      Polygon Wood (26 September–3 October 1917)

·      Broodseinde (4 October 1917)

·      Poelcappelle (9 October 1917)

·      First Passchendaele (12 October 1917)

The artillery was indispensable. Batteries maintained creeping barrages, neutralised enemy strongpoints and supported infantry consolidating captured ground. Gun crews worked under constant shellfire while struggling through deep mud that frequently swallowed guns, horses and wagons.

For many artillerymen, the Passchendaele campaign was among the hardest experiences of the war.

WINTER IN FLANDERS (LATE 1917–EARLY 1918)

After the major offensives ended, the fighting did not stop. From November 1917 through February 1918, Gus and his battery would have remained engaged in trench warfare along the Flanders front.

This period involved:

·      Harassing fire against German positions.

·      Counter-battery work against enemy guns.

·      Defensive barrages.

·      Frequent relocation of gun positions.

·      Enduring severe winter weather, mud and cold.

Although fewer famous battles occurred during these months, casualties from shellfire, sniping and illness continued steadily.

GUNNER’S ROLE

As a gunner in a howitzer battery, Gus would have lived in a cycle of movement, preparation and combat. Batteries occupied gun positions behind the front line, often under enemy shellfire. The men hauled ammunition, maintained guns, prepared firing data and worked long hours supporting infantry operations. During major offensives they fired thousands of shells in support of attacks. At quieter times they carried out harassing fire, counter-battery work against German guns and defensive bombardments. Conditions were frequently wet, muddy and exhausting, with little shelter from enemy artillery. The absence of entries in his record during these months is usually a sign that he remained on duty with his battery and escaped serious illness or wounds.

For a gunner like Gus, the war was often less about dramatic charges and more about exhausting days and nights around the guns—loading shells, maintaining equipment, enduring enemy bombardments and supporting infantry attacks that might be occurring miles away but depended heavily on the accuracy and reliability of batteries such as the 113th.

FURLOUGH FEBRUARY 1918

On 15 February 1918 Gus was granted furlough. Leave was a treasured opportunity for soldiers who had spent many months at the front. Although the destination is not recorded, Australian artillerymen commonly travelled to leave centres in Britain or to designated rest areas in France. For a brief period, he was able to escape the guns, mud and danger of the front and enjoy a degree of normality.

REJOINED UNIT MARCH- SPRING OFFENSIVE

He rejoined his unit from leave on 5 March 1918 and returned to the routine of artillery service. The weeks that followed were particularly tense. The Germans were preparing their great Spring Offensive, which would begin later that month and place enormous pressure on Allied forces. During March and early April Gus and his battery were likely engaged in intense defensive operations, moving guns as required and supporting infantry formations resisting German attacks.

SPRING OFFENSIVE SOMME VALLEY 1918

In early 1918 they were moved south to the Somme Valley. Following the collapse of Tsarist Russia in late 1917, the Germans were able to transfer large amounts of equipment and manpower from the Eastern Front to the Western Front and subsequently launched their Spring Offensive in March. Falling on the southern flanks of the sector held by the British Third and Fifth Armies, the offensive initially succeeded in driving the Allies back and in late March, as the Germans closed in on the vital railhead around Amiens, the five Australian divisions, which had been grouped together as part of the Australian Corps, were transferred to the Somme to help blunt the attack.

DISCIPLINED APRIL 1918

Amid these serious military events came a minor disciplinary lapse. On 2 April 1918 Gus was charged with being absent from his billet between 9.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. For this offence he forfeited two days' pay. Such breaches were common throughout the AIF and usually reflected a soldier overstaying his permitted time rather than any serious misconduct. Compared with the dangers he faced daily on the Western Front, it was a relatively minor incident and did little to interrupt his service with the battery.

WOUNDED IN ACTION MAY 1918

On 9 May 1918 Gus was serving with the 8th Field Artillery Brigade when he was wounded in action, suffering gunshot wounds to his groin and right arm. The date places his wounding during the fierce fighting that followed the German Spring Offensive, when artillery units were working under immense pressure and often came under heavy shellfire themselves. Whether the wound came from shell fragments or a bullet, the injury was serious enough to require immediate evacuation from the battery.

MEDICAL CHAIN

After receiving first aid near the front line, Gus was sent to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station. Casualty Clearing Stations were situated several miles behind the front and represented the first major medical facilities reached by wounded men. Here surgeons and medical staff would have cleaned his wounds, removed dirt, cloth fragments and debris, and attempted to prevent infection. By 1918 doctors had learned that rapid treatment greatly improved survival rates. His wounds would have been dressed, splints applied if necessary, and he would have been carefully monitored for shock and blood loss.

The following day, 10 May 1918, Gus was transferred to the 55th General Hospital. The 55th General Hospital was one of the large hospitals operating in France. Here he would have received more extensive treatment. The reference later to a fractured ulna—the larger of the two bones in the forearm—suggests that his right arm injury involved a broken bone. Surgeons may have performed operations to remove bone fragments or damaged tissue and to properly align the fracture. By 1918 X-ray equipment was widely used in military hospitals, allowing doctors to locate fragments and assess broken bones more accurately than had been possible earlier in the war.

Gus remained in France for more than three months, indicating that his wounds were serious but not immediately life-threatening. During this period, he would have undergone repeated dressing changes, treatment to prevent infection and gradual rehabilitation. Recovery from groin wounds could be particularly uncomfortable because movement often reopened healing tissue. His fractured arm would likely have been immobilised in splints or plaster while the bone knitted together.

EVACUATED TO ENGLAND AUGUST 1918

On 17 August 1918 he was evacuated to England and admitted to Horton War Hospital at Epsom. This transfer usually occurred when a soldier was stable enough for transport but still required lengthy treatment or convalescence. Horton was one of the largest military hospitals in Britain and specialised in the care of wounded servicemen. The record specifically notes a healed wound to the right arm together with the fractured ulna and the groin wound, suggesting that while the soft tissue injuries were improving, the arm fracture still required considerable attention.

At Horton, Gus would have benefited from more advanced rehabilitation. His treatment likely included:

·      Continued observation of the healing fracture.

·      Physiotherapy and massage to restore movement.

·      Exercises to strengthen weakened muscles.

·      Electrical therapy, which was becoming common for damaged limbs.

·      Occupational therapy designed to restore dexterity and function.

Many wounded soldiers spent months relearning how to use injured arms effectively after fractures and nerve damage.

On 20 September 1918 he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital. Auxiliary hospitals were generally quieter convalescent facilities where recovering soldiers completed the final stages of their rehabilitation. Life there was considerably less regimented than in a military hospital. Patients often spent time outdoors, undertook light duties and gradually rebuilt their strength while awaiting a decision on their fitness for further service.

By 7 October 1918 Gus had improved sufficiently to be discharged to No. 2 Command Depot. Command Depots acted as holding and assessment centres for soldiers recovering from wounds or illness. Here medical boards reviewed their progress and determined whether they could return to active service, undertake light duties or be returned to Australia.

WAR ENDED NOVEMBER 1918

The war ended only a month later, on 11 November 1918, and it soon became clear that Gus's injuries would prevent a return to full military duty.

GOING HOME

On 4 January 1919 he embarked for Australia aboard the Morvada. For many wounded soldiers, the homeward voyage was both a relief and an uncertain time. They were leaving the war behind but often faced permanent reminders of their injuries.

DISCHARGE APRIL 1919

Arriving in Australia on 20 February 1919, Gus underwent further medical assessment before finally being discharged on 27 April 1919 as medically unfit. The fact that he was discharged on medical grounds strongly suggests that the effects of the wounds—particularly the fractured right arm and associated loss of strength or movement—were considered significant enough to prevent further military service.

For Gus, the gunshot wounds received in May 1918 effectively ended his war. Yet thanks to the remarkably efficient chain of evacuation—from the battlefield, to the Casualty Clearing Station, to the General Hospital in France, and finally to the great military hospitals of England—he survived injuries that only a few decades earlier might easily have proved fatal.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service Gus was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Burringbar War Memorial

AFTER THE WAR

There are several letters over the years, all showing his address as Burringbar

ON LICENCED PREMISES

Gus was found guilty of being found on licences premises during prohibited hours on the 4^th November 1925. A fine of 1 pound plus court costs of 8 shillings was paid in lieu of 7 days’ hard labour

DEATH AND BURIAL

Gus died on the 28^th October 1952 in Murwillumbah and is buried in Murwillumbah Catholic Cemetery Row 26, plot 4

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.