Private Herbert John Mcilrath
Service #: 539
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Herbert John McIlrath was born c1892 in Nhill, Victoria, son of Isaac McIlrath & Sarah Charlotte McIlrath. His father had been a resident of the Tweed district for many years. He had played a large part in the development of the town and district, particularly as an alderman of the Murwillumbah Municipal Council for many years, and as founder of the first butter factory on the Tweed. Herbert’s brother, Charles Arthur enlisted on 8th June 1916
APPLICATION
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. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm. Herbert enlisted just 21 days later, on the 25th August.
He was single, and a butter maker, eager to do his bit. He enlisted in Lismore, stating his next of kin as his father, Isaac, of Murwillumbah and he was Protestant. Herbert was 22 years 5 months old and was presently serving in the 4th Light Horse for the past 3 years. He was 5ft 7 inches tall (1.7M), weighed 10 stone 2 oz (64kgs), with a dark complexion, greyish eyes & dark brown hair. He had a scar on his left leg near his thigh. He was enlisted as a private into the 2nd Light Horse regiments, with service No 539
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was a mounted infantry unit of the Australian Army during World War I. Raised in August 1914; it was part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade. The regiment fought exclusively against the Ottoman Empire. The regiment was composed of mounted infantry, known for their mobility and versatility, and played a significant role in campaigns across Gallipoli, Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine.
They had the reputation of being the most glamorous arm of the Australian Imperial Force. The Light Horse was organised along cavalry lines in regiments of about 600 men. It functioned more like a mounted infantry, with the horses used as transport or, if required, to carry the men swiftly away from the battlefield. The men mostly fought dismounted. The favoured horse was a mixed breed known as the Australian Waler and when fully loaded, they often carried between 130kg and 150kg.
LIVERPOOL TRAINING CAMP
They only had a short period of training at Liverpool, where 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. 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.
VOYAGE OVERSEAS
On the 24TH September 1914, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the transport ship Star of England. 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.
EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP
They arrived in Egypt on 9 December 1914 where they undertook further training. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Training Camp in Egypt, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. 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
DECEMBER 1914 TO MAY 1915
Between December 1914 and May 1915, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment—though deployed in Egypt—did not participate in any major battles during this period. They were stationed in Mena Camp near Cairo, Egypt. Their primary role was training, acclimatization, and defensive duties in case of Ottoman attacks, especially around the Suez Canal. They conducted patrols, drills, and mounted training, preparing for potential deployment to combat zones.
HOSPITALISATION STOMATITIS MAY 1915
On 25th May 1915 Herbert developed Stomatitis, which is the inflammation of the oral mucosa, the lining of the mouth, causing redness, swelling, and pain. It can manifest as mouth ulcers, blisters, or red patches, and is often painful, making it difficult to eat, talk, or sleep. Treatment for stomatitis was limited by the medical knowledge and resources of the time and included saltwater rinses or bicarbonate (baking soda) rinses which were common for cleansing and soothing the mouth & Dilute antiseptic mouthwashes. Soldiers with stomatitis were likely placed on soft or liquid diets to minimize pain.
He was discharged to the Heliopolis camp on 28th September for duty. His training carried on intensively as he was out of the line. Not only was this necessary because there was a high turnover of men in any given unit, but the tactics and technologies of the war developed very rapidly. This tool many months.
TAKEN ON STRENGTH 2nd INFANTRY BATTALION JANUARY 1916
On 21st January he was taken on strength with the 2nd Infantry Btn
SERVICE NUMBER FEBRUARY 1916
On 4th February 1916 his service No. was changed to 539A and was taken on strength with the 2nd battalion at Heliopolis.
HOSPITALISATION MARCH 1916
By 15th March he was again admitted to hospital, no details
TAKEN ON STRENGTH 31ST BATTALION- MARCH 1916
Herbert proceeded to join the 13th Battalion ON 29TH March 1916 at Serapeum where his training continued
WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE
On 1st June 1916 his unit embarked at Alexandria and headed for Marseilles where they landed on 8th June to join other units of II Anzac Corps, and for the next two years it served in the trenches along the Western Front
TRANSFERRED BACK TO 2ND INFANTRY BATTALION JUNE 1916
Herbert was transferred back to the 2nd BTN
FURLOUGH & HOSPITALISATION RHEUMATISM OCTOBER 1916
On 25th October 1916 Herbert was given leave in England., he reported to AIF HQ in London and was sent to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Southall for medical treatment for rheumatism.
COMMAND DEPOT NOVEMBER 1916
On 3 November he was sent to No 2-command depot which received and trained men who were likely to be fit to return to the front. He was sent to Sand Hill where his training would continue and he would have duties to perform.
BOMB SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 1917
On 22nd September he attended a bombing school at Lyndhurst from 10th October 1917 to 22nd October 1917 & qualified as an instructor
DISCIPLINED SEPTEMBER 1918
On 5th September he overstayed his leave by 4 days and was awarded admonishment by his captain and 5 day’s pay forfeited. He must have presented a case for discharge on medical grounds as the records shows the case was dismissed 19th March 1918 on medical grounds
TRAINING SCHOOL OCTOBER 1918
In October he was sent to France in the Overseas training Brigade. Its role was to train soldiers who had been wounded or ill, to bring their fitness and skills back to that required to enable them to rejoin units at the front or depots in the UK
GOING HOME
On 3rd December 1918 he was awarded leave but the record stops there and the next thing recorded was that Herbert returned to Australia per HMAT Port Hacking on 28th November 1919. He was discharged on 1st May 1919.
FOR HIS SERVICE
For his service, Herbert was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
HOME LIFE
He died in April 1962 and is commemorated at Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Holland Park, Brisbane City, Columbarium 12, Section 9
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
We do not know the memorial location of this individual
Buried Location
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Holland Park, Brisbane City, Columbarium 12, Section 9
