FAMILY LIFE

Robert (Bob) Pollock was born in 1888 in Murwillumbah; he was the son of William & Grilda Pollock and brother to Robert Pollock who also enlisted and was a prisoner of war. He was also brother to 6 other siblings. William & Grilda move to Eungella in 1887 where he engaged in dairying & timber getting.

APPLICATION

Bob enlisted on the 8th October 1914 at Murwillumbah. He was 25 years 11 months old, single and a labourer. His next of kin was his father, William Pollock, of Eungella. Bob had been a member of the Uki Rifle Club for 3 years. He was 5ft 7 ¾ inches tall (1.7m) and weighed 138lbs (62kgs) with grey eyes and dark brown hair. He was Presbyterian. On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Robert Pollock, 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 enlisted as a private in the 15th Infantry Battalion (Qld / Tas

ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, 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

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.

MOTHER’S DEATH

Sadly, his mother died of pneumonia on 20^th December 1914, which she contacted whilst visiting her son in Enoggera in the training camp

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 22^ND December 1914, the recruits left Melbourne, sailing upon the HMAT Berrima. 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.

NO FURTHER RECORDS

His file shows no records of his life overseas, or when he returned to Australia as his records are only 7 pages long

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

HOME LIFE

Bob married Amy Byrne in Murwillumbah in 1923. He died 30^th January 1960, aged 71 and is buried in Tyalgum Cemetery. 

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