FAMILY LIFE

Born in the Tweed Valley in circa Dec 1883, John Edward Sweetnam was one of 12 children born to John Edward Snr and Hannah “Annie” Sweetnam (nee Gould). John Snr had been an early pioneer to the Tweed Valley, arriving on horseback with his cousin John Burke in 1878. The two young men rode down the old bridle track that crossed the border fence at Tomewin. John started working for Thomas Clark on the Border Road, and helped build the first road into Murwillumbah from Kynnumboon. In 1882 he married Annie; the ceremony was conducted by Father [later Bishop] Doyle of Lismore. The family settled in Terranora, then Dulguigan, before finally settling on a dairy farm at Dungay in about 1903. He was one of the first directors of the Australian Cooperative Butter Factory which opened at Murwillumbah on 25 Nov 1897. John Edward Sweetnam Jnr attended Dungay School before taking up farming. In 1908 he leased one and purchased another property at Byrrill Creek totalling 771 acres [312ha], and bought out the lease in 1911. John Snr is listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district. John Jnr’s brother, Richard, also enlisted on 2 September 1914

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. John enlisted just 23 days later, on the 27^th August.

He was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane to enlist, stating his next of kin as his mother, Annie, of Murwillumbah and he was Roman Catholic. John was 31 years 9 months old. He was 5ft 7 inches tall (1.7M), weighed 11 stone 11 lbs (75kgs), with a fresh complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good. The Examining Medical Officer stated that John “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, John Edward Sweetnam 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 was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 8 Reinforcements with service No 3636

25TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 25th Infantry Battalion, part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Division of the Australian Imperial Force, was raised in March 1915 at Enoggera, Queensland. Their service is remembered for their resilience and contributions to key victories.

ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together.

Now their training began. Firstly, 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 3 January 1916, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAR Kyarra. Over 1000 men from several units embarked on this vessel. 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.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

They arrived in Egypt in March 1916 and on 14^th March 1916 John was transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion at Moascar, Egypt He left Alexander and arrived in Marseilles in 26 March. The recruits 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.

BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY 1916

The 25th Battalion played a significant role in the Battle of Pozières, one of the key engagements during the Somme Offensive. The battle took place from 23 July to early September 1916. Pozieres was in the Somme Valley, France. It was a heavily fortified village held by the German Army. The 25^th entered the battle in late July 1916, after the initial assault by the 1st Division. The unit participated in renewed attacks in early August, facing relentless German artillery bombardments and counter-attacks.

The Battalion suffered very heavy casualties, particularly during the fighting around the Windmill and German second line. The battlefield was described by survivors as a "slaughterhouse", with many men killed or wounded due to constant shellfire but the battalion’s persistence helped to consolidate key positions in and around the ruins of Pozières. The 25th Battalion's actions contributed to the eventual capture of the Pozières Heights, an important tactical advantage.

THE BATTLE OF MOQUET FARM AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 1916

The 25th Battalion also played a significant and costly role in the Battle of Mouquet Farm during the Somme Campaign in August–September 1916. The battalion launched multiple attacks on German positions leading toward and around Mouquet Farm. Their assaults took place under intense machine gun fire, shelling, and in muddy, cratered terrain. Despite initial gains, they were heavily counterattacked and suffered significant casualties.

Like many units, they were forced to withdraw without securing the objective, due to the strength of German fortifications and the lack of sufficient artillery support. The 25th Battalion suffered heavy losses during this period. Casualty figures for the battalion during the Mouquet Farm actions were in the hundreds, with many killed, wounded, or missing.

REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION 5^TH AUGUST 191

One of those casualties was John, who was reported missing in action 5th August 1916.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

As soon as possible after a battle/action a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happen 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 Red Cross or from the Enemy either German or Turkish were declared dead.

DECLARED KILLED IN ACTION 5^TH AUGUST 1915

The actual date of death was not always to be discovered as a battle may be over several days, or even weeks.  Reports were taken from soldiers who were there on the day

By 30^th December 1916 there was no news about John & a Court of Enquiry was held on 7^th February 1917 which declared he had been killed in action on 5^th August 1916

FOR HIS SERVICE

He is buried north east of Pozieres, at the Courcelette British Cemetery, Plot 4, Row G, Grave 1. For his service, John 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, The Tyalgum Great Wall of Honour & The Murwillumbah War Memorial. His name is located at panel 173 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial. John’s effects were returned to his mother and consisted of his kit bag, hair brush, comb & shaving brush.

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