FAMILY LIFE

Born in the Tweed Valley circa 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

AUSTRLIA AT WAR
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.

ATTESTATION

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

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also 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, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

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. John was Roman Catholic.

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him 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.

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS BRISBANE TO FRANCE JANUARY 1916

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 Redcross 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

Private H Page declared on 19^th October 1916 at No 2 Australian Hospital, Boulogne, that John, who was clean shaven, medium colouring between 26 to 30, 5ft 8 or 9 inches, home New South Wales, trade- cattle grazer. On the night of August 5^th at Pozieres the 2^nd Pioneers were following the infantry who were making a charge, Next morning informants’ brother, Pts C Page, also of wnd Pioneers told informant that he was near Sweetnam and saw a shell hit him and blow his head off from the shoulders. Informant never heard if his body was recovered for burial

Pte A Parrish declared at Etaples on 4^th November 1916 that he (Swetnam) came from the Tweed River district in NSW. I came from there also and knew him personally. Several of my mates saw him killed at Pozieres on August 5^th. I was not in this action, but the information was given to me as a result of my enquiries at the Base. Pye J Peacock No1 Section was one of the men who saw the casualty and gave us the information

A letter by Charles Page, brother of the informant H Page above, dated 5^th November 1916 and stated he met his death on the night of August 4^th, the night of the advance. It is a difficult task to describe where is remains lie, there were a lot of casualties at the same place, and it would be hard to distinguish unless there was a sign bearing his name and number. I have ben nowhere near that particular place since I was wounded two days later, and to describe where the unfortunate fellow rests is beyond me

By 30^th December 1916 there was no news about John and 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.