Private Bernard Young
Service #: 3679
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Bernard Young was born c1890 in Nerang.
APPLICATION
He was single labourer, living in Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Enoggera on 6TH December 1915 for his medical which showed he was 25 years old, 5ft 11 ½ inches tall (1.81m), weighed 161 lbs (73kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & brown hair. Bernard was Church of England and had a scar on his right foot. His next of kin was his mother, Elizabeth, of South Murwillumbah. He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 8th Reinforcements with service No 3679
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.
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.
On the 3 January 1916, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAR Kyarra. Over 1000 men from several units embarked on this vessel. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time 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.
TRANSFER TO 2ND PIONEER BATTALION- EGYPT MARCH 1916
They arrived in Egypt in March 1916 and on the 15th March, Bernard was transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion at Moascar, Egypt.
THE 2ND PIONEER BATTALION
The 2nd Pioneer Battalion was an Australian infantry and light engineer unit raised for service during World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). It was formed in March 1916 in Egypt and served on the Western Front in France and Belgium until the end of the war in November 1918. The battalion was assigned to the 2nd Division and played a crucial role in combat engineering and infantry support
TRENCH WARFARE
Bernard left Alexander and arrived in Marseilles in 26 March. 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
· 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
BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 1916
After arriving on the Wester Front the 2nd battalion was assigned to support the 2nd Division in upcoming battles. It began construction of defensive positions and logistical infrastructure for the Western Front. The battalion was positioned near the Somme, preparing for its first major engagement. It assisted in digging trenches, laying barbed wire defences, and reinforcing strongpoints.
THE BATTLE OF MOQUET FARM JULY & AUGUST 1916
His unit took part in the Battle of Moquet Farm in July & August 1916. The 2nd Pioneer Battalion played a significant role in the Battle of Mouquet Farm (August–September 1916), which was part of the larger Battle of the Somme. This battle was marked by intense trench warfare and repeated assaults on heavily fortified German positions.
Bernard & the 2nd would have dug trenches and fortifications under heavy artillery fire. They assisted in repairing roads and supply routes for advancing troops and fought alongside 2nd Division infantry units in direct assaults. They suffered heavy casualties due to German machine gun fire and counterattacks, facing constant artillery bombardment and gas attacks. They operated in muddy, cratered terrain, making movement difficult. The battle was costly for Australian forces, with thousands of casualties as they attempted to capture and hold the farm. Despite repeated attacks, the Germans retained control until September 1916, when they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line
WOUNDED IN ACTION 5th AUGUST 1916
On 5th August Bernard was wounded in action receiving a shrapnel wound to his left ankle.
HOSPITALISED ENGLAND
On 14th August he was sent to England and was admitted to the General Hospital in Colchester.
DISCHARGED MEDICALLY UNFIT
Bernard was unable to return to duty so he returned top Australia on the hospital Karoola 16th October 1916 and was discharged 7th December 1916.
FOR HIS SERVICE
For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial. He was granted pension of 3 pounds per fortnight on 8th March 1917
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
Murwillumbah War Memorial
Buried Location
We do not know the burial location of this individual
