FAMILY LIFE

Clarence Sydney Baxter was born in 1893 at Milton, the son of William Robert Baxter & Mary Jean (Thomas) Baxter. Clarence was one of 6 children. His father, William Baxter, had been born in Murwillumbah in 1866, married Mary Jean Thomas and returned to Murwillumbah to raise their family in the district. Clarence was brother to Cecil William Baxter. Unfortunately, Cecil was killed in action in Belgium on 13^th August 1917

 

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 (5 shillings 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.

 APPLICATION

He was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 22^nd December 1914 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, William Robert Baxter, of Dunbible. Clarence had spent 1 year in the 29^th Infantry. His medical showed he was 25 years old, 5ft 8 ½ inches tall (1.73m), weighed 142 lbs (64kgs), with a dark complexion, hazel eyes & very dark brown hair. His eyesight was good. Clarence was Church of England and had a small mole on the top of his right thigh and 2 more on his spine near his shoulder.  He had a small tear on his forehead between his eyebrows. He was enlisted as a private into the 15 Infantry Battalion – 3^rd Reinforcements, 4^th infantry with service No 1468

 15^TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 15th Infantry Battalion was raised from late September 1914, six weeks after the outbreak of the First World War. With the 13th, 14th, and 16th Battalions it formed the 4th Brigade, commanded by Colonel John Monash. The 15th Battalion is remembered for its bravery and resilience during World War I

 AUSTRALIAN 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

 VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 13^TH February 1915, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Seeang Choon. 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. 

 EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP

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. 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

 LATE 1915 TO JUNE 1916

He joined his unit in Gallipoli on 17^th November 1915. After the evacuation from Gallipoli in December 1915, the 15th Battalion returned to Egypt, where the Australian Imperial Force was reorganized and expanded. During November and December 1915, the battalion was involved in training, reinforcement, and restructuring as part of the formation of the 4th Australian Division. The battalion was part of the 4th Australian Division, which was preparing for deployment to the Western Front. Training focused on trench warfare tactics, adapting to the conditions they would soon face in France

 HOSPITALISATION – VENEREAL DISEASE MARCH 1916

On 11^th March 1916 Clarence was admitted to the 4^th Field Ambulance with Gonorrhoea. The sense of adventure, the loneliness, and the loss of family life that overwhelmed many of the overseas volunteers during the First World War often found them on leave in large cities or small towns where alcohol and women were plentiful, and a lack of available prophylaxis allowed the spread of diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis to reach epidemic levels. Historians claim that the average incidence rate for this disease in the AIF was around 12 per cent

 Treatment for VD was a punishment in its own right. Special hospitals for VD patients were set up and often regarded as deterrent. Patients would be treated with Salvarsan and mercury which offered uncomfortable and sometimes serious side effects such as jaundice and convulsions. Other treatments included irrigation, which was painful and undignified resulting in many men to opt for chemical treatment instead. These long and uncomfortable stays in VD hospitals often averaged between 50 and 60 days, with most patients recovering and returning to the front. Clarence only had a mild case and returned to his unit 11 days later.

 TRENCH WARFARE- JUNE 1916

By June 1916, the battalion had completed its preparations and was sent to France, where it would take part in major battles on the Western Front. 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.

 THE BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1916

The first major battle on the Western Front for the 15^th was the Battle of Pozieres. They played a significant role in this battle, which took place between 23 July and 3 September 1916 as part of the Somme Offensive. The battalion was involved in intense fighting to capture and hold the village of Pozières, which was a key German defensive position on the Albert–Bapaume Road. The Australian 1st Division initially seized the village on 23 July, but the Germans launched relentless counterattacks and artillery bombardments. The 15th Battalion, as part of the 4th Brigade, was engaged in the later stages of the battle, particularly in the fighting around Mouquet Farm, where Australian forces attempted to push further north.

 The battle was one of the costliest for Australian forces, with over 23,000 casualties suffered by the I ANZAC Corps. The Pozières ridge became infamous for its intense artillery fire, and Australian official historian Charles Bean described it as the place “more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth”

 

WOUNDED IN ACTION 8^TH AUGUST 1916

One of the casualties was Clarence who was wounded on 8^th August 1916- no details. He rejoined his unit on 23 September 1916.

 SEPTEMBER 1916- MAY 1917

After Pozières, the battalion continued operations in the Somme Valley, holding trenches and conducting raids against German positions. The battalion endured the harsh winter on the Western Front, facing cold, mud, and disease while maintaining defensive positions. Between major battles, soldiers had a mix of rest, training, and support duties to maintain readiness and morale. Some key activities included:

·      Rest & Recovery – Soldiers spent time away from the front lines in billets or camps, recovering from combat, treating injuries, and regaining strength.

·      Training & Drills – They practiced trench warfare tactics, weapons handling, and new strategies to prepare for upcoming battles.

·      Construction & Maintenance – Soldiers repaired trenches, dugouts, roads, and fortifications to keep defensive positions strong.

·      Patrols & Raids – Small groups conducted reconnaissance missions and trench raids to gather intelligence or disrupt enemy positions.

·      Daily Life – Soldiers wrote letters home, played games, attended religious services, and tried to maintain morale.

·      Fatigue Duties – They carried supplies, transported wounded soldiers, and assisted with logistics.

·      Medical Treatment – Those wounded or sick received care in field hospitals or were evacuated to rear areas for recovery.

 Life between battles was often physically demanding, but it provided brief moments of normalcy and camaraderie before returning to combat. Clarence was sick in hospital, no details on 19^h April but discharged on 20th

 

THE BATTLE OF BULLECOURT APRIL AND MAY 1917

The 15th’s next major battle was the Battle of Bullecourt. The 15th Battalion played a significant role in this battle, which took place in April and May 1917 as part of the Allied efforts to breach the German Hindenburg Line. The battle was fought in two phases:

·      First Battle of Bullecourt (11 April 1917) – The attack relied on British tanks to clear barbed wire defences, but the tanks failed, leaving Australian infantry, including the 15th Battalion, exposed to heavy machine-gun fire. The battalion suffered severe casualties, and many soldiers were captured or killed.

·      Second Battle of Bullecourt (3–17 May 1917) – The 15th Battalion participated in the renewed assault, which was better coordinated but still resulted in heavy losses. The Australians managed to capture parts of the Hindenburg Line, but at a great cost, with over 10,000 casualties across both battles.

 The 15th Battalion endured brutal trench warfare, facing artillery bombardments, counterattacks, and fierce hand-to-hand combat. Despite the hardships, their efforts contributed to the eventual success of the battle, though it remained a costly and controversial engagement for Australian force

 THE BATTLE OF MESSINES 7 JUNE 1917

Their next engagement was only one month later. The 15th Battalion played a role in the Battle of Messines, which took place on 7 June 1917 as part of the British offensive in Flanders. The battle aimed to capture Messines Ridge; a strategically important high ground held by the Germans.

 The Australian 3rd Division led the attack alongside New Zealand and British forces, while the 15th Battalion, part of the 4th Brigade, supported the assault. The battle began with the detonation of massive underground mines, which devastated German defences. The infantry then advanced, securing key objectives with relatively low casualties compared to previous battles.

 The 15th Battalion helped consolidate captured positions, repelling German counterattacks and reinforcing the new front line. The success at Messines demonstrated the effectiveness of careful planning, artillery coordination, and surprise tactics, marking a turning point in trench warfare.

 THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 1917

The 15th Battalion was next involved in the Battle of Passchendaele, which took place between 12 October and 10 November 1917 as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. The battle was infamous for its muddy terrain, relentless artillery fire, and high casualties.

 The 15th Battalion fought alongside other Australian units in the harsh conditions of Passchendaele, where soldiers struggled through deep mud, water-filled shell craters, and constant enemy bombardment. Their role included attacking German positions, reinforcing captured trenches, and enduring counterattacks. The battle was one of the costliest for Australian forces, with heavy losses suffered due to the difficult terrain and strong German defences.

 Despite the bravery and determination of the battalion, the battle resulted in limited territorial gains and is remembered as one of the most gruelling experiences for Australian troops on the Western Front

 JULY 1917 TO NOVEMBER 1918

Between July 1917 and November 1918, the 15th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) played a significant role in several key engagements on the Western Front during World War I

 MID-1917: YPRES SECTOR AND POLYGON WOOD

In mid-1917, the 15th Battalion was deployed to the Ypres sector in Belgium. They participated in the Third Battle of Ypres, notably the fighting around Polygon Wood in late September. This period was marked by challenging conditions, including heavy rains and mud, which made operations difficult. The battalion's efforts contributed to the broader Allied campaign in the region.

 BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD SEPTEMBER 1917

The 15th Battalion was part of the 5th Brigade, within the 5th Australian Division, and they played a central role in the capture of Polygon Wood and surrounding areas. On 26 September 1917, the 15th Battalion was one of the key Australian units tasked with attacking German positions around Polygon Wood. The attack began at 5:50 AM after an intense artillery bombardment designed to soften up the German defences. The fighting around Polygon Wood was intense, with the 15th Battalion encountering strong resistance from German forces. The German machine-gun positions and artillery fire were heavy, causing significant casualties.

 The 15th Battalion suffered heavy casualties during the operation, with many soldiers killed or wounded in the close-quarters fighting that characterized this engagement. However, their determination was crucial to the success of the attack. After securing the southern edge of Polygon Wood, the 15th Battalion worked to consolidate their position and fend off counterattacks from the German forces. They set up defensive positions and dealt with ongoing artillery bombardments and German attempts to retake the area.

 HINDENBURG LINE MAY- DECEMBER 1917

The 15th spent much of the remainder of 1917 in Belgium, advancing to the Hindenburg Line. The Hindenburg Line was a German defensive position built during the winter of 1916–1917 on the Western Front in France during the First World War. The line ran from Arras to Laffaux, near Soissons on the Aisne. The Hindenburg Line was to replace the old front line as a precaution against a resumption of the Battle of the Somme in 1917. By devastating the intervening ground, the Germans could delay a spring offensive in 1917. A shortened front could be held with fewer troops and with tactical dispersal, reverse-slope positions, defence in depth and camouflage, German infantry could be conserved.

 The 15th Battalion's actions during the breaking of the Hindenburg Line were part of a final, highly successful phase in the war. The Hindenburg Line was regarded as one of the strongest defensive positions ever constructed, and its fall signalled that the war was nearing its end. The battalion’s participation in these operations is a testament to the fighting spirit and resilience of the Australian soldiers during the latter stages of the conflict

 WINTER 1917–1918: REST AND REORGANISATION

Following their involvement in the Ypres sector, the 15th Battalion was withdrawn from the front lines for rest and reorganisation. They spent the winter months in areas such as Templeux-la-Fosse and Hollebeke, recuperating and preparing for future operations

 TAKEN ON STRENGTH AUSTRALIAN SIGNAL COMPANY 15^TH MARCH 1918

On 15^th March 1918, in France, Clarence was taken on strength with the Australian Signal Company. There is no more recorded about Clarence except his return home

GOING HOME

On 19^th April 1919 Clarence returned home on the Sardinia. He was discharged 12^th August 1919. He married Dorothy Darah Allan in 1925. Clarence died 18^th September 1957, aged 63, at Murwillumbah and is buried in Murwillumbah General Cemetery, Church of England section, Plot O2

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Clarence was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Dungay Public School WWI Honour Roll & Rous Public School Old Time Pupils’ Roll of Honour 

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