BACKGROUND

Sylvester Albert Rice, Henry Phillip Rice, Edward Charles Rice, David Joseph Rice, and Robert William Rice, were all sons of James and Elizabeth Rice of Burringbar. From old land records we have been able to establish that in 1900 two of the brothers, Henry, and Robert, were the first selectors of two adjoining properties totalling 362 acres. The location of their farms extended over the ridgeline of what is now Dunloe Park and Taggarts Quarry, on the Mooball/Pottsville Road. In 1898, a WP Rice is listed as the first selector for 411 acres, and that farm’s location was between Hulls Road and today’s Cowell Park. It is likely that this was their elder brother Walter’s property.

Henry had 4 other brothers who enlisted. Tragically his younger brother Sylvester Albert Rice died on 9^th August 1915 and Edward Charles was killed on 9^th August 1916. David lived to return home in 1917 & Robert in 1919. Sadly, their mother had died in 1918 and would never have known the fate of all her sons. The Rice family lived in and around Murwillumbah and many are buried in the Murwillumbah Old Cemetery or Murwillumbah Cemetery. The parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

FAMILY LIFE

Henry Phillip Rice, known as Harry, was born c1881 in Mittagong, one of 12 children of James and Elizabeth (Cornock) Rice. He married Nell (Ellen) Margaret Healey in 1906 in Murwillumbah. He had 2 daughters,  Mary & Annie

ATTESTATION

Harry was married bushman, eager to do his bit. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914, and both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher pledged full support for Britain. Britain was Australia’s closet ally, best trading partner and the source of most of Australia’s immigrants. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm.

There were many reasons why Australian men volunteered to join the forces- the pay was good (5shillings per day), they shared Britain’s values & culture, they thought it would be an adventure and family or friends had joined and they thought they should go as well. He travelled to Liverpool on 16^th November 1914 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his wife, Ellen Margaret, of Mullumbimby.

His medical showed he was 33 years 2 months old, 5ft 9 inches tall (1.75m), weighed 11stone 3lbs (71kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & light hair. His eyesight was good

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Henry “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, Henry Philip Rice, 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.” 

Harry was Church of England and had a scar on his right ear and another on his head. He was unvaccinated. He was enlisted as a private into the 13th Infantry Battalion with service No 1243

TRAINING LIVERPOOL CAMP

When Harry Rice enlisted on 16 November 1914, the early rush of recruitment had begun to settle, but the war was still young and full of uncertainty. He joined up in Liverpool, NSW, and was quickly sent to Liverpool Camp, one of the key training sites on Sydney’s outskirts.

At the time, Australia was rapidly raising new battalions to meet the growing demands of war. Harry was assigned to the 13th Battalion, part of the newly formed 4th Brigade, under the command of the highly regarded Colonel John Monash. The battalion was being drawn primarily from New South Wales and Tasmania.

In late November and December 1914, Harry underwent basic training at Liverpool Camp, which included:

·      Marching and infantry drill

·      Rifle training and musketry

·      Bayonet practice

·      Field manoeuvres

·      Camp routine and discipline

By December, the 13th Battalion was preparing to embark. The camp was alive with activity—men collecting equipment, writing last letters home, and receiving final orders.

The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On 22 December 1914, Harry and the 13th Battalion sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ulysses (many NSW recruits like Harry likely joined the ship en route, probably embarking at Sydney).

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.

EGYPT EARLY 1915

After a few weeks at sea, the ship reached Egypt in early 1915, and the battalion disembarked to begin further intensive training at Mena Camp, not far from the pyramids of Giza.

MENA TRAINING CAMP, EGYPT

They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Egyptian training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind.

Conditions were harsh and often criticized by the Australian troops training there. Temperatures during the day could be extremely hot. The area was dusty and sandy, with frequent sandstorms. These made daily life and drills difficult and unpleasant

Soldiers lived in canvas tents with minimal protection from the elements. There was little shade or comfort. Latrines and hygiene facilities were basic and sometimes inadequate. Flies and other insects were a constant problem. Rations were repetitive and not always sufficient in quantity or quality. Complaints about the food were common. Despite the conditions, training was rigorous—drills, route marches, musketry, and entrenching were conducted daily. 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. 

Training would be for eight hours a day six days a week. All day long, in every valley of the Sahara for miles around the Pyramids of Giza were groups or lines of men advancing, retiring, drilling or squatted near their piled arms listening to their officer. For many of the battalions many miles of desert had to be covered in the morning and evening to and from their allotted training areas. At first, to harden the troops, they wore full kit with heavy packs. Their backs became drenched with perspiration, and the bitter desert wind blew on them as they camped for their midday meal and many deaths from pneumonia were attributed to this cause. Mena Camp was a place of tough acclimatization, designed to prepare the men for combat in Gallipoli. It was physically uncomfortable, with limited resources, but it played a critical role in transitioning a civilian army into one ready for war

It was under the burning Egyptian sun that Harry and the men of the 13th were hardened into soldiers. They would not have to wait long to be tested—Gallipoli was only weeks away.

GALLIPOLI APRIL 1915

After months of intense training at Mena Camp in Egypt, Harry and the men of the 13th Battalion left for the unknown on 12 April 1915, sailing to Lemnos before making the final push toward the Gallipoli Peninsula. On 25 April, as the ANZACs landed at what would come to be known as Anzac Cove, the 13th Battalion remained in reserve offshore. It was not until 2 May 1915 that they were thrown into the chaos.

Harry landed at Gallipoli as part of the second wave of reinforcements. The terrain was steep and treacherous, the heat already oppressive, and the Turkish defenders determined to drive the invaders back into the sea. The 13th Battalion was quickly sent into the line, fighting along the ridges and gullies above the cove.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

It was during this early period—just days after landing—that Harry was wounded in action, suffering gunshot wounds to the upper extremities. He was evacuated from the peninsula and admitted on 1 May 1915 to the Egyptian Government Hospital in Alexandria. His wounds were serious enough to require two full weeks of recovery before he was moved to a Convalescent Camp on 15 May.

CONVALESCENCE & REJOINED UNIT

By 30 May, Harry was attached to base duties in Egypt—likely helping with logistics or light work while he recovered strength. But he was not one to stay behind. Despite the heat, the wounds, and the dangers that lay ahead, he rejoined his unit on 11 July 1915, returning to the front lines on Gallipoli.

By this time, the Gallipoli campaign had bogged down into a brutal stalemate. Trenches were shallow and overcrowded, disease was rampant, and water was scarce. Turkish snipers and shellfire were constant threats.

AUGUST OFFENSIVE

Then came the August Offensive. In early August, the Australians launched a massive attack on Turkish positions at Sari Bair, Lone Pine, and The Nek. The 13th Battalion was involved in heavy fighting around the Ryrie's Post and Quinn’s Post areas, and likely participated in operations toward Hill 971. On 15 August 1915, amid the confused and desperate fighting that followed the failed attacks, Harry was killed in action.

BURIAL & CEMETERY DETAILS

Harry was buried by Rev. F. W. Wray, a senior chaplain of the AIF, who served at Gallipoli. The burial took place at Kailak Dere, a narrow valley in the northern part of the ANZAC area. This name comes up in several burial records and chaplain reports from the August battles.

There is some uncertainty in early records between Kailak Dere and Norfolk Cemetery. However, today, Private Henry Philip Rice (1243) is officially commemorated at Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
His name appears on Panel 39, alongside others who have no known grave. This suggests that although Harry was initially buried in the field, his grave was either lost or never formally marked after the war, and he is now among the missing.

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