FAMILY LIFE

Victor Linklater was born in Lismore to Thomas and Violet in 1896, one of four children and their only son. He attended Lismore Public School. In 1911, his father, Thomas, who was an employee of the Railway Department, moved the family to Murwillumbah.

APPLICATION

After being previously rejected on ‘account of swallowing a scarf pin,’ Victor was finally enlisted in Brisbane on 4 Feb 1916 into A Squadron 14th Light Horse Regiment, service number 76. His occupation was listed as labourer, he stood 5ft 9 inches (175cm) tall and weighed 155lbs (70kg), with a fresh complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His eyesight was good and he had a scar on his left shoulder, & scars on both of his feet & a birth mark on is chest. Victor was Methodist and his next of kin was his father, Thomas, of South Murwillumbah

14^th LIGHT HORSE

The 14th Light Horse was raised in March 1916 at Enoggera Qld, attached to the 3rd Division. It was intended to be brought up to full strength as the 3rd Division’s Light Horse Regiment, but the establishment was later reduced to only one squadron, A Squadron. VOYAGE OVERSEAS

They embarked in Sydney on the steamship HMAT A72 Beltana on 13 May 1916, bound for England. 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. 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. Like so many young soldiers, Victor, 19 years, and seven months old, was leaving his homeland, never to return.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

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. 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

TRANSFERRED TO 41^ST BATTALION 23 SEPTEMBER 1916

Victor was transferred to the 41st Battalion in France on 23 Sep 1916.

41^ST INFANTRY BATTALION

The 41st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was raised in Bells’ Paddock Camp, Brisbane in February 1916, drawing recruits from Queensland and northern New South Wales. It was part of the 11th Brigade in the 3rd Australian Division. The 41st Infantry Battalion is remembered for its resilience and dedication

TRENCH WARFARE

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.

NOVEMBER 1916 TO JANUARY 1917

The 41^st entered the front line for the first time on Christmas Eve and spent the bleak winter of 1916-17 alternating between service in the front line, and training and labouring in the rear areas. It focussed on training its new recruits. Continuous trench fighting was ongoing along much of the Western Front. Both the Allies and Germans conducted small-scale raids to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy positions, and test defences.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

He was wounded for the first time on 31 Jan 1917 during the trench fighting and was invalided back to England on the Princess Elizabeth on 6 February 1917.

TRANSFERRED TO 69^TH BATTALION & REGIMENTAL NO. NOW 93

Whilst in England he was transferred to the 69th Battalion and assigned the regimental number 93.

TRANSFERRED BACK TO 41^ST BTN 1^ST SEPTEMBER 1917

After Victor’s recovery, he returned to France on 23 March 1917, re-joining his original battalion, the 41^st

THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE OCTOBER 1917 TO MARCH 1918

The 41^st captured its objectives at Broodseinde on 4 October near Ypres with little difficulty. Belgium remained the focus of the 41st Battalion's activities for the five months after its action in October 1917 as it was rotated between service in the rear areas and the front line. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders, and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive.

APPOINTED LANCE CORPORAL 8^TH OCTOBER 1917

Victor distinguished himself in service and was promoted to Lance Corporal.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 10^TH OCTOBER SECOND OCCASION

However, he was wounded a second time on 10 October but, after a short recuperation, on 17 November he re-joined his battalion.

SAILLY LE SAC MARCH 1918

Sailly-le-Sec is a village in the Somme department of northern France.  It was situated close to the front lines during parts of WWI, particularly during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 and the subsequent Allied counter-offensives. The 41st Battalion was deployed in defensive operations in the Somme sector, including around Sailly-le-Sec, to halt German advances. The battalion likely took part in patrolling, trench warfare, and counter-attacks near this village during that time.

WOUNDED IN ACTION/ WOUNDED AND MISSING

Victor fought his last battle near Sailly le Sec on 28 March 1918, when he was fatally wounded in the stomach, and died the next day. However, in the confusion of the battle he was first reported ‘wounded in action’ and the next day ‘wounded and missing’.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

As soon as possible after a battle/action a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happened to all ranks within the battalion. All soldiers were then listed and what happen was ascertained to the best of the knowledge of the men involved. This was not always possible to confirm those missing unless they were seen by a survivor to be killed or wounded. In many cases those listed as missing and were not on the hospital or PoW reports from the Redcross or from the Enemy either German or Turkish were declared dead. The actual date of death was not determined until they made all enquiries and this process could take a few days to many months

Many men from the battalion were asked to give witness statements regarding his death and Pte A V Bakers’ report mentions Victor’s link to Murwillumbah, with his occupation prior to the war.

DIED ON WOUNDS

He was officially declared as dying of his wounds on 29^th March, 1918. Sadly, his parents were not to receive confirmation of his death until more than a year later

FOR HIS SERVICE

Victor was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial & the Brisbane 41^st Battalion Roll of Honour

His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. He is buried in plot 6, Row G, Grave no.11 of Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension in France.  His personal effects, consisting of YMCA wallet, 1 letter, 1 whistle, badges, 1 fountain pen, 1 pocket knife, 1 note book, 1 pen holders, photos & cards were received by his father 31^st December 1919. His father received his memorial scroll on 8^th May, 1922, his memorial plaque on 15^th December 1922, and his victory medal on 23^rd March 1923. 

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