Private Roy Phipps
Service #: 204
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Roy Phipps was born 5 July 1893 in Murwillumbah, the only child of Thomas Wellington & Lillian May Phipps. (His second Christian name, which he was using on his attestation was not registered with NSWBDM) He was a telephonist in the Murwillumbah Post officer when he decided to enlist on 5th January 1915
ATTESTATION
He was single, 18 years old and eager to do his bit. He enlisted in Murwillumbah and his application had his next of kin as his mother, who used her second Christian name, May, of Lismore Rd, Murwillumbah. He had served 6 years in the cadets. 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
PAGE 2
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, Roy Clarence Phipps, 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
His medical showed he was 5ft 4 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 161 lbs (73kgs), with a fair complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair. He was Church of England.
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 with service No 204
25TH INFANTRY BATTALION
Formed as part of the Australian Imperial Force for overseas service during the First World War, the 25th Battalion was formed at Enoggera in March 1915 from volunteers from Northern New South Wales & Queensland, and was assigned to the 7th Brigade. It had an authorised strength of 1,023 men.
ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP
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.
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 five shillings a day
VOYAGE OVERSEAS BRISBANE TO EGYPT JUNE 1915
EGYPT TRAINING CAMP AUGUST 1915
After embarking from Brisbane aboard HMAT Aeneas on 29 June 1915, Roy travelled to Egypt with the newly raised 25th Battalion. There the men underwent further training in the desert camps around Cairo, learning the skills they would soon need on active service. During an interim period, soldiers typically:
· Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.
· Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.
· Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:
ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic
ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton
ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp
ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear
· Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.
· Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open.
Over many tough months, in the Egyptian training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began an intensive period of training in preparation for deployment to the front. These camps were shared by other Australian and New Zealand forces, creating a large and active training environment.
Daily life followed a strict military routine. Reveille was sounded around 5:30 am, followed by physical training, which included route marches and endurance work in the desert conditions. After breakfast, the men began structured morning sessions focusing on drill, bayonet practice, and rifle handling. Training resumed after lunch, often with practical field exercises such as digging trenches, constructing defences, and simulating attacks on mock enemy positions. The day ended with roll call, personal time, and lights out around 9:00 pm.
The training itself covered a wide range of military skills. Soldiers learned close-order drill, musketry (rifle shooting), bayonet fighting, and basic tactics. Musketry was particularly important: the men practised with their Lee-Enfield rifles on firing ranges, learning how to load, aim, fire rapidly, and judge distances accurately. Bayonet training was also emphasized, with troops practising thrusts, parries, and charges on straw-filled dummies to build aggression and confidence.
Physical fitness was a high priority. Route marches of 10 to 15 kilometres in full kit were a regular part of the schedule to build stamina and discipline. Troops also received instruction in field engineering—learning how to dig trenches, build parapets and revetments, and position barbed wire obstacles effectively.
Other important areas of training included basic first aid, battlefield communication (such as flag and lamp signalling), and map reading.
Sanitation and hygiene were stressed throughout the training period. Soldiers were taught how to prevent disease by maintaining clean clothing and equipment, constructing latrines, and purifying drinking water. This was crucial in the Egyptian climate, where illness could spread rapidly.
Although the training was demanding, there were occasional opportunities for leave. Many soldiers visited the bazaars, cafés, and sights of Cairo, or made trips to the pyramids near Mena. Morale was generally high, though the men understood active service was approaching.
GALLIPOLI SEPTEMBER 1915
In early September the battalion sailed for Gallipoli and landed in the Anzac sector on 10 September 1915. Roy arrived during the latter stages of the campaign, when the fighting had settled into a grim contest of trenches, snipers, artillery and constant vigilance. Although the great assaults of April and August had already been fought, the danger remained ever present. Soldiers endured enemy shellfire, disease, flies, shortages of water and cramped conditions in trenches dug into the steep hillsides overlooking the sea.
LETTER TO HOME
On Saturday 8th January 1916 the Tweed Daily published a letter from Roy Phipps, late of the Murwillumbah Post Office staff, writing from Anzac to Mr. Claude Phipps, of the Tweed Daily staff. This letter provides a rare personal insight into Roy's experiences.
“Nearly
two months on the Peninsula and still going strong. I’ve had several very
narrow shaves, but we are quite used to the shrapnel now, and take very little
notice of it. The Turks have a large
bomb here that is about the size of a man’s head and it has a long stick
attached to it. This bomb is fire out of a mortar and if you are warned in
time, you can the blighter coming, but you haven’t much chance of dodging it. I
had a near shave with this bomb- it burst a few yards away from me and
smothered me in dust. We are all quite well & anxious to get to work with
the bayonets. This waiting game gets on your nerves. It’s the worst part of
campaigning- the same thing day after giving Jacko hell, then twenty fours on
fatigue. The winter is setting and the weather is getting very cold, especially
when we get a blizzard from the north. I don’t think I’ve felt it so cold in my
life.
Yesterday was Cup Day and the boys were anxious to know the result of it- there’s been a bit of side betting on it even in Gallipoli. We’ve had a few luxuries here lately in the way of tucker: we get issued with flour now and make pancakes and bully beef rissole etc
GALLIPOLI
During Roy's time on Gallipoli, the 25th Battalion occupied defensive positions in the Anzac area, undertaking trench duty, patrols, working parties and the maintenance of the front-line defences. Much of the battalion's work occurred at night, when men repaired trenches, carried supplies, strengthened barbed-wire entanglements and moved reinforcements into position under cover of darkness. Even when not directly engaged in combat, soldiers remained exposed to enemy snipers and intermittent artillery fire.
By December 1915 it had become clear that the Gallipoli campaign had failed to achieve its objectives. In one of the most successful operations of the war, the Allied forces secretly evacuated the Peninsula. Roy left Gallipoli during the final stages of the withdrawal and was among the troops who arrived at Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos before returning to Egypt. His service record notes that he disembarked from Mudros on 9 January 1916, marking the end of his Gallipoli service.
JANUARY TO MARCH 1917
Roy and his unit were almost certainly involved in the great reorganisation and expansion of the AIF in Egypt. The men were sent back to the large Australian camps around Cairo, particularly Tel-el-Kebir and the surrounding training areas. For many soldiers this was the first opportunity in months to recover from the hardships of Gallipoli.
During January and February 1916, Roy and the 25th Battalion would have been engaged in several activities:
Rest and recuperation
The battalion had suffered from months of trench warfare, poor diet, disease,
lack of water and constant shellfire. Men were issued new clothing and
equipment, received medical examinations, and enjoyed more regular meals than
had been possible on Gallipoli.
Reorganisation of the AIF
The Australian Government decided to double the size of the AIF after
Gallipoli. Experienced battalions such as the 25th provided cadres of trained
men to help form new units. This involved transferring officers and NCOs,
training recruits and reorganising companies.
Intensive training
The army knew that the next destination would be the Western Front. Training
became more extensive than before Gallipoli and included:
· Musketry and range practice.
· Bomb throwing (grenades).
· Bayonet fighting.
· Route marches.
· Trench construction.
· Platoon and company manoeuvres.
· Field exercises in the Egyptian desert.
Guard and camp duties
Like all battalions, the 25th had to provide guards, fatigue parties, camp
maintenance details and administrative duties.
Preparation for France
By February 1916 the battalion was being equipped and trained for service in
Europe. The men were issued with additional clothing and equipment suitable for
the colder conditions they would encounter on the Western Front.
HOSPITALISED CAIRO MARCH 1916 VARICOSE VEINS AND FLAT FEET
His parents were advised that on 14th March 1916 was admitted to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital Cairo with varicose veins, & flat feet mild and further advised that on 1st April 1916 Roy was still in hospital. For Roy personally, there is a strong possibility that his varicose veins and flat feet had already begun causing discomfort during this period. Long route marches across the desert and intensive training exercises would have placed considerable strain on his legs and feet. It is not uncommon to find a soldier apparently performing normal duties for several weeks before eventually reporting to a medical officer and being admitted to hospital.
He did not rejoin his unit as he was found to be medically unfit due to this complaint and was given light duties.
DISCIPLINED MAY 1917
On the 17th May he was absent from the 9.30am parade and remained absent until apprehended in Cairo by the Anzac Provost Corps at 4.15pm. He was award 7 days Field Punishment No 2 where the prisoner was placed in fetters and handcuffs but was not attached to a fixed object and was still able to march with his unit. He forfeited 1 day’s pay
HOSPITALISED VENEREAL DISEASE JULY 1916
On 31st July he sailed to England & was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford with VD and remained there for 13 days.
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 venereal disease in the Australian Imperial Force during WWI primarily involved hospitalisation, strict rest, and medical therapies available at the time. Soldiers were often treated with salvarsan (an arsenic-based compound) or mercury-based preparations, which were administered by injection or topical application. These treatments aimed to cure the infection but could be uncomfortable and required careful monitoring due to side effects. In addition to drug therapy, patients were given regular medical inspections, hygiene instruction, and restrictions on activity until fully recovered. Lengthy stays in hospital—often several weeks or months—were common, as doctors ensured soldiers were no longer infectious and fit to return to duty. It was stated on his medical chart he caught it in London from a prostitute
PERHAM DOWNS
He was sent to Perham Downs, one of the training camps for men who had been out of the line for some time, to bring him up to date with new technology and tactics, as both were changing as the war continued. It was one of four Australian command depots in the UK dealing with soldiers who had been discharged from Hospital and needed training before being sent back to France.
DISCIPLINED SEPTEMBER 1916
Roy remained on light duties in England and was absent again from 3pm on 17th September till 4pm on 21St September. He was confined to camp for 7 days & lost 5 days’ pay.
WAREHAM TRAINING CAMP
Roy then went to Wareham training camp, which had been set up to receive the overflow from other AIF depots, caused by the influx from the fighting on the Somme.
Life in camp was austere and relentless. The recruits lived in wooden huts that offered little protection from the English weather, and the damp cold of the Plain came as a shock to men who had trained in Australia and/or Egypt. Days began early, often before dawn, with physical training designed to build endurance and toughness. Long route marches across the open downs were a regular feature, men carrying full packs, rifles, ammunition, and equipment as they were conditioned for the demands of trench warfare.
Training was systematic and increasingly realistic. The men would have spent many hours on the parade ground mastering drill, weapon handling, and unit manoeuvres, but the focus soon shifted to battlefield skills. The battalion practised trench warfare techniques, including entering and clearing enemy trenches, bombing drills with Mills grenades, bayonet fighting, and the rapid consolidation of captured positions.
Musketry training was constant. The men would have fired thousands of rounds on the rifle ranges, honing accuracy, and speed, learning to fire from awkward positions and under time pressure. Lewis gun teams trained separately, while all infantrymen were taught how to operate the weapon if needed. Gas warfare instruction was also compulsory; men practised donning respirators under simulated gas attacks, a grim but necessary preparation for conditions at the front.
Between training cycles, the battalion undertook further instruction at nearby camps on Salisbury Plain, including periods at Perham Down, another major training area used to relieve overcrowding and provide additional field space. Here the emphasis was on large-scale exercises involving entire brigades, practising attacks behind creeping artillery barrages, night operations, and movement under cover. These exercises often lasted days, with men sleeping in the open, reinforcing the endurance and discipline required for front-line service.
Despite the hard routine, there were moments of respite. When training schedules allowed, the men may have been granted short leave to nearby towns such as Salisbury or even London, where Australian soldiers briefly escaped the rigours of camp life. These interludes, however, were short-lived, and the training intensified as the battalion’s departure for France drew closer.
After many months of continuous preparation in England, the men were judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally crossed to France, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.
DISCIPLINED NOVEMBER 1916
He went AWL again from the Tattoo time on 4th November to 2pm on 6th November. He was confined to camp and lost 3 days’ pay this time.
TRENCH WARFARE APRIL 1917
He spent many months in the training camp and rejoined his unit in France on 14th April 1917. Roy now found himself 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 SECOND BATTLE OF BULLECOURT MAY 1917
His unit took part in the Second Battle of Bullecourt. As part of the final throes of the British Army's Arras offensive, a renewed attempt was made to secure the fortified village of Bullecourt in the period 3-17 May. The village was attacked at 3.45 am on 3 May 1917. The Australians penetrated the German line but met determined opposition which frustrated the envelopment plan. Drawing more and more forces in, renewed efforts on 7 May succeeded in linking British and Australian forces, but inspired a series of ferocious and costly German counter-attacks over the next week and a half. Following the repulse of the counter-attack of 15 May, the Germans withdrew from the remnants of the village. Although the locality was of little or no strategic importance, the actions were nevertheless extremely costly: AIF casualties totalled 7,482 from three Australian Divisions.
WOUNDED IN ACTION 5TH MAY 1917- HOSPITAL & REST CAMP
Roy was among those casualties and received gunshot wounds to the arm & buttocks on the 5th May. His parents were advised that on 29th May 1917 Roy was admitted to the 1st London General Hospital. On 9th June he was granted furlough from 9th June to 23rd June and to report to Camberwell Training Depot. He then went to Perham Downs again and was classified A3 which meant he was a returned Expeditionary Force man, ready except for physical condition.
HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE JULY 1917
In July he was admitted to Bulford Hospital again with VD
HOSPITALISATON TIDWELL MILITARY HOSPITAL BRONCHITIS JULY 1917
When Roy was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital on 15 July 1917 suffering from bronchitis, he was experiencing one of the most common illnesses affecting soldiers during the First World War. Although often regarded as a minor complaint today, bronchitis could be a serious condition in an era before antibiotics, particularly for men whose health had already been weakened by military service.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the air passages that carry air from the windpipe into the lungs. The inflammation causes swelling of the airways and increased production of mucus, making breathing difficult and triggering persistent coughing. Symptoms typically included a harsh cough, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, fever, fatigue and the production of phlegm.
For soldiers on the Western Front, bronchitis was especially common. Men spent long periods exposed to cold, wet weather, mud, rain and damp dugouts. They often endured inadequate shelter, poor ventilation and physical exhaustion. Gas attacks, smoke from artillery bombardments and the dust of the battlefield could also irritate the lungs and make respiratory illnesses more likely. Many soldiers developed bronchitis after prolonged exposure to these harsh conditions.
Doctors would have been particularly concerned about preventing the illness from developing into pneumonia, which was far more dangerous and could be fatal. Treatment in 1917 was largely supportive, as antibiotics did not yet exist. Roy's treatment would likely have included:
· Complete bed rest, often for several weeks.
· Warm, well-ventilated hospital wards.
· Nutritious meals to rebuild strength.
· Plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus.
· Expectorant medicines designed to ease coughing and clear the lungs.
· Steam inhalations or medicated vapours to relieve congestion.
· Monitoring of temperature, breathing and chest symptoms.
· Gradual return to activity once the cough and fever subsided.
Military hospitals also placed considerable emphasis on fresh air. It was common practice to keep windows open or place patients on verandas whenever weather permitted, as doctors believed that fresh air aided recovery from respiratory diseases.
REJOINED UNIT NOVEMBER 1917
He returned to Perham Downs for up-to-date training and on 25 November he rejoined his unit.
GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE- BELGIUM
When Roy returned, the 25th Battalion was in Belgium following the terrible fighting of the Third Battle of Ypres. The battalion had recently participated in the battles around Broodseinde and Passchendaele, where the battlefield had become a sea of mud. Throughout November and December 1917, Roy would have found himself in a cycle of front-line service, reserve positions, working parties and training.
The winter of 1917-1918 was one of the harshest experienced by Australian troops. The battalion occupied sectors in Flanders where men endured:
· Bitter cold and freezing winds.
· Waterlogged trenches.
· Snow and ice.
· Constant maintenance of trenches and duckboard tracks.
· Carrying supplies to forward positions.
· Repairing barbed wire defences.
· Patrol work in No Man's Land.
· Intermittent shelling and sniper fire.
Much of a soldier's time was spent simply trying to stay dry and healthy. Conditions were often worse than enemy action. Men stood for hours in mud and water, and boots were frequently soaked for days at a time.
January and February 1918
In January and February 1918, the battalion was withdrawn from the Ypres Salient and moved south into quieter sectors in France. Here the Australians undertook extensive training and reorganisation. Commanders knew a major German offensive was likely once Russia's withdrawal from the war freed German troops from the Eastern Front.
Roy would have participated in:
· Battalion drills and exercises.
· Musketry practice.
· Route marches.
· Tactical training.
· Construction and repair of defensive positions.
· Trench garrison duties.
· Working parties behind the lines.
Months spent marching, standing in wet trenches and wearing heavy boots created ideal conditions for infection. The winter of 1917-1918 had been especially hard on soldiers' feet. Constant dampness softened the skin, while minor abrasions could quickly become infected. Without modern antibiotics, what began as a seemingly insignificant blister could develop into a painful and potentially serious condition requiring hospital treatment.
HOSPITALISATION SEPTIC FOOT MARCH 1918
On 21st March he was admitted to the Australian Field Ambulance with a septic foot. This is known as trench foot which was a medical condition that affected soldiers who spent prolonged periods of time in the wet, muddy, and unsanitary conditions of the trenches. The disease was caused by a combination of cold, wet conditions, poor circulation, and bacterial infection. The symptoms of trench foot were extremely painful and debilitating. Soldiers would initially experience numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation in their feet, along with swelling, blisters, and redness.
He rejoined his unit on 23rd April
HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE MAY 1918
On 4th May he was admitted to hospital with VD again. He again rejoined his unit on 28th May and they were involved in minor actions
THIRD BATTLE OF MORLANCOURT 10TH JUNE 1918
In April 1918, the unit took part in the fighting during the German Spring Offensive, in which it fought a series of long-running skirmishes against German troops in and around the village of Morlancourt. The 7th Brigade, which included the 25th Infantry Battalion, was actively involved in the attacks on Morlancourt during 1918, as part of the Allied efforts to push back German forces on the Western Front. These attacks were part of a series of operations aimed at regaining control of key positions near the Somme River.
The Third Battle of Morlancourt saw the 7th Brigade, including the 25th Battalion, carry out a successful dusk assault on the Morlancourt Spur. This position provided critical observation over the village of Sailly-Laurette. The attack was well-coordinated, with diversionary demonstrations on the flanks to confuse the enemy. The Australians secured all their objectives, capturing a significant number of German prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties. This victory was part of the broader Allied strategy to regain momentum after the German Spring Offensive and demonstrated the effectiveness of Australian troops in offensive operations.
WOUNDED IN ACTION JUNE 1918 SECOND OCCASION
HOSPITAL, REST CAMP & DISCIPLINED
Roy was wounded in action with gunshot wounds to his left forearm involving his flexion muscle. This was the second occasion Roy had been wounded. His parents were advised that on 17th June 1918 he was admitted to Frensham Hill Military Hospital. He was again discharged to Wareham Training Camp where he was AWL from 29th to 31st July. He was awarded 2 days confined to camp.
GOING HOME
By this time, he had been reclassified as B2- he was able to walk 5 miles, see and hear sufficiently for ordinary purposes but his flexion muscle injury meant he was not able to rejoin his unit and he returned to Australia on the Runic 23rd September 1918. He was discharged 17th March 1919 as medically unit.
CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION
Badges Hat Badges Collar (2) Bags kit universal
Bags kit sea Braces (pair) Brush, shaving
Brush, tooth Breeches M.S (Military service)
Cap comforter (warm cap) Comb, hair
Disc identity with cord Drawers (2 pairs)
Great Coat Hat, Khaki fur Hat, white
Holdall Housewife (compact sewing kit)
Jackets Cardigan Jackets S.D (service dress)
Leggings 1 pair Laces, leather 1 pair
Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions
Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection for the lower leg)
Razor Shirts, flannel (2) Socks, 3 pairs
Singlets (2)
Strap chin Soap piece Suit, working
Towels, hand (2)
Titles “Australia” (4)-
Australian soldiers and
non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their
shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also
wore unit titles above this which
indicated the units to which they belonged
FOR HIS SERVICE
For his service, Roy was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Wardell and District First World War Honour Roll
HOME LIFE
Roy married Constance Gascoigne in Sydney in 1925. They had a daughter in 1925, a son in 1933 and another daughter in 1935
DEATH AND BURIAL
He died on 12th May 1971 in Croydon and is buried in St Peter's Anglican Cemetery, Richmond
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
We do not know the burial location of this individual
