FAMILYLIFE

Griffith George Thomas was born in Helensburgh on 12^th December 1888, eldest son of Griffith & Annie Maria (Thorne) Thomas, and brother to 4 siblings. His father died in 1897. His mother died on 24th February 1922, aged 62, and her name is listed on the Banner St, Murwillumbah, memorial.

ATTESTATION

He was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He enlisted in Murwillumbah on 27^th February 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Annie Maria Thomas, of Tyalgum but this was amended on his marriage to his wife, Violet Thomas, of Grosvenor Square, London.   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, Griffith George Thomas, 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 26 years 2 months old, 5ft 4 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 142 lbs (64kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good.  He had scars on his shin, arms & biceps & a vaccination scar on his left arm.  He was Church of England.

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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

This is completed during the recruits training. 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 245

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 five shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS BRISBANE TO EGYPT JUNE 1915

On the 29^th June 1915, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAR Aeneas. 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.

Four members of the battalion died from illness during the voyage, a reminder that even the journey overseas could be dangerous

EGYPT TRAINING CAMP AUGUST 1915

The battalion reached Egypt at the end of July, finally going ashore in early August. Once in Egypt, Griffith and his comrades established camp near Cairo. 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.

The 25th Battalion was still a very new unit and spent August completing its training. The men practised musketry, trench attacks, bayonet fighting, route marching and field manoeuvres in the Egyptian desert. They also became accustomed to the intense heat, dust and flies that would be a feature of service in the Middle East. During this period the battalion adopted the distinctive black-over-blue colour patch that would become its emblem throughout the war.

GALLIPOLI SEPTEMBER 1915

By early September the battalion was ordered to Gallipoli to reinforce the depleted Anzac forces. The 25th Battalion sailed from Egypt and landed on the peninsula on 11 September 1915. Fortunately for Griffith, the disastrous August offensives had already ended, so he did not experience the mass slaughter of Lone Pine, The Nek or Hill 60. Instead, the battalion entered the line during a comparatively quieter but still dangerous phase of the campaign, manning trenches, carrying supplies, repairing defences and enduring constant sniper and artillery fire.

The battalion's involvement was limited to mainly defensive operations, and it remained on the peninsula for only a couple of months before the Allied evacuation in December. The 25th Battalion was mostly engaged in trench warfare, fortifying positions, conducting patrols, and enduring the harsh living conditions of the Gallipoli Peninsula (cold, disease, and lack of supplies). Although not involved in major offensives during October, the battalion still suffered from sniper fire, shelling, and disease

WOUNDED IN ACTION OCTOBER 1915

It was during this period, on the 7^th October 1915, that Griffith received his wound. A notation stating that he was "wounded on his scalp by a piece of stone coming from a dropped bomb" strongly suggests he was not struck directly by enemy fire. Rather, an exploding Turkish bomb or trench mortar round shattered rock and earth around the trench, with a flying fragment of stone striking his head. Such injuries were remarkably common at Gallipoli, where men lived among steep rocky gullies and cliff faces. Even a relatively small explosion could shower a trench with lethal fragments of stone. A scalp wound could bleed profusely and appear serious, although many men returned to duty quickly.

HOSPITALISATION OCTOBER 1915

Griffith was admitted to the 7^th Field Ambulance. A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Field ambulances were crucial mobile medical units in World War I, responsible for the immediate care and evacuation of wounded soldiers from the front lines. When it was at full strength a Field Ambulance was composed of 10 officers and 224 men. The theoretical capacity of the Field Ambulance was 150 casualties, but in battle many would need to deal with very much greater numbers. 

REJOINED UNIT OCTOBER 1915

Following his scalp wound on 7 October 1915, Griffith was evacuated from the Gallipoli front and received treatment before being discharged from hospital on 24 October. Although his wound had healed sufficiently for him to return to duty, he did not immediately rejoin the fighting. Instead, he remained with the forces supporting the Gallipoli campaign during its final months. As winter approached, conditions on the peninsula deteriorated dramatically. Heavy rain, flooding, bitter cold, and shortages of shelter made life miserable for the troops holding the trenches.

DECEMBER 1915 EVACUATE GALLIPOLI

By December 1915, the decision had been made to evacuate Gallipoli. The withdrawal was carried out with remarkable success, and Griffith was among the thousands of Australians removed from the peninsula without alerting the Turks. After passing through the great Allied staging base at Mudros, he embarked for Egypt, disembarking at Alexandria on 9 January 1916.

The Australian force then entered a period of major reorganisation. The veterans returning from Gallipoli formed the nucleus of an expanded AIF, and training camps sprang up across Egypt. Griffith spent the next two months undertaking further training and preparing for a completely different type of warfare. The fighting in France demanded new skills, including trench construction, grenade fighting, gas precautions, and surviving the heavy artillery bombardments that characterised the Western Front.

FRANCE MARCH 1916

On 14 March 1916, the 25th Battalion left Egypt for the British Expeditionary Force in France. Travelling by troopship across the Mediterranean, Griffith landed at Marseille on 19 March 1916. Like many Australians arriving in France for the first time, he was struck by the contrast with Egypt. Instead of desert camps and scorching heat, he found green countryside, villages, railways, and a war that stretched across hundreds of kilometres.

The battalion then travelled north by train and route march through France before entering the Western Front sector. During the spring of 1916 the Australians occupied relatively quiet trenches in the Armentières area, often described as a "nursery sector" where inexperienced troops could learn trench warfare under less intense conditions. Even so, the danger was ever-present. Snipers, artillery fire, trench raids, mud, and disease were constant companions. The men spent their time rotating between the front line, support trenches, reserve positions, and working parties, while continuing to improve their fighting skills.

HOSPITALISION CONJUNCTIVITIS JUNE 1916

By June 1916 the 25th Battalion was preparing for the major operations that would soon engulf the Australian divisions on the Somme. Before Griffith could take part in those battles, however, he became ill. On 30 June 1916 he was admitted to the 13th General Hospital at Boulogne-Sur-Mer suffering from conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eyes that was common among soldiers. Dust, smoke, poor sanitation, crowded living conditions, and prolonged exposure to the elements frequently caused eye infections. While not usually a serious illness, conjunctivitis could be extremely painful and temporarily impair a soldier's vision, making hospital treatment necessary.

For Griffith, this admission came at a significant moment. While he was recovering in hospital, the Australian divisions were moving toward what would become the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916 and later the brutal fighting of the Somme. His illness temporarily removed him from the front line just as one of the bloodiest periods in the battalion's history was about to begin. He rejoined his unit on 13^th July.

BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY 1916

The 25th Battalion (Australia) 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.

MOUQUET FARM (AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 1916)

Following Pozières, the battalion took part in attacks on Mouquet Farm, a strongly fortified German position nearby.

These assaults were part of the continued push by the Allies during the Somme offensive. These two battles formed the bulk of the 25th Battalion’s combat in 1916. The rest of the year involved periods of rest, rebuilding, and rotating in and out of the front lines in Flanders and northern France

ALBERT- BAPAUME ROAD LATE 1916

After this, the 25th Battalion spent a brief period around Ypres, where they undertook a series of raids, before returning to the Somme in the last part of 1916 where they undertook further attacks throughout November to extend their observation of the Albert–Bapaume Road. The Albert–Bapaume Road was a key location during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, which lasted from July to November 1916. This road connected the towns of Albert and Bapaume in northern France and was a critical supply route for the British forces.

By November 1916, the battle had become a gruelling war of attrition, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The area around the road saw intense fighting as British and Allied forces attempted to push back the German defences. Despite some territorial gains, the offensive ended in stalemate, with the front lines only moving a few miles. The battle is remembered for its high human cost and the introduction of new military technologies, such as tanks

TRENCH FOOT DECEMBER 1916

During this time Griffith got trench foot. This problem was prominent in trenches that were dug in land that was at, or near, sea level, where the water table was just beneath the surface.  The soldiers would hit water after a couple of feet and the trenches would flood. After long periods standing in soaking wet socks and boots, trench foot would start to set in. The men’s feet would swell and go numb and then the skin would start to turn red or blue. Untreated feet often became gangrenous and the condition could lead to nerve damage, tissue loss and ultimately the need for amputation. 

HOSPITALISATION DECEMBER 1916

He was admitted to a French hospital on 24th December but on 27th December he embarked on the St Andrew, heading for England. He was admitted Graylingwell War Hospital. Here Medical officers treated trench foot through a careful process of rewarming damaged tissue. When soldiers arrived at casualty clearing stations, doctors did not allow rapid warming. Placing frozen or cold feet near fires or hot water bottles caused additional tissue damage as blood vessels could not adjust quickly enough to temperature changes.

Instead, medics gradually raised foot temperature to normal body heat over several hours, where they placed affected feet at room temperature first, then slowly increased warmth through careful application of blankets. Elevation helped reduce the severe swelling that accompanied the condition.

 Patients remained on bed rest with their feet raised above heart level for days or weeks. Medical staff changed dressings frequently and monitored for signs of infection.

Blisters required careful management, which doctors provided when they drained them using sterile techniques but left the overlying skin intact to protect raw tissue beneath. Any sign of gangrene demanded immediate attention, as bacterial infection could spread rapidly through damaged tissue. 

FURLOUGH & WAREHAM COMMAND DEPOT JANUARY TO MARCH 1917

He was given furlough on 30^th January and then sent on 13^th March to No 4 Command Depot in Wareham, which received men who will be fit for duty in periods ranging from 3 weeks to 3 months. On 3^rd April he was transferred to No 3-command depot at Hurdcott which dealt with the soldiers deemed able to return to duty. Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained

HOSPITALISATION SEPTIC FEET JUNE 1917

He was admitted to the Admin Brigade Hospital on 10^th June with septic feet but was back in No 1 command post on 17^th June

REJOINED UNIT JULY 1917

However, on 18th July 1917 he rejoined his unit in France. For the next two years, from 1917-1918 the 25th Infantry rotated through the line and took part in many more battles in France and Belgium. 

THE BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD RIDGE (20-25 SEPTEMBER 1917)

They were engaged in the Battle of Menin Road, which was an offensive operation, part of the Third Battle of Ypres on the Western Front, undertaken by the British Second Army to take sections of the curving ridge, east of Ypres, which the Menin Road crossed. This action saw the first involvement of Australian units (1st and 2nd Divisions AIF) in the Third Battle of Ypres. The attack was successful along its entire front, though the advancing troops had to overcome formidable entrenched German defensive positions which included mutually supporting concrete pill-box strongpoints and resist fierce German counter-attacks. A feature of this battle was the intensity of the opening British artillery support. The two AIF Divisions sustained 5,013 casualties in the action

THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE RIDGE 4 OCTOBER 1917.

The Battle of Broodseinde was a significant engagement during the Third Battle of Ypres. The 25th Infantry Battalion, as part of the 2nd Division, played a crucial role in this battle. Their objective was to advance and secure positions on Broodseinde Ridge, a strategically important area in Belgium.

The battle was marked by intense artillery bombardments and fierce resistance from German forces. The 25th Battalion was part of the first wave of the attack, and their efforts contributed to the overall success of the operation. The Allied forces achieved a decisive victory, inflicting heavy casualties on the German defenders and capturing key positions. This battle demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated infantry and artillery tactics, as well as the resilience of the soldiers involved. The 25th Battalion sustained significant casualties but played a vital role in achieving the Allied objectives

BATTLE OF POELCAPPELLE OCTOBER 1917

On the 9 October 1917 they were involved in the Battle of Poelcappelle, Ypres, Belgium with support and holding roles rather than leading assault. The 25th was involved in assaulting German positions under extremely difficult terrain and weather conditions. Heavy casualties were suffered due to poor visibility, mud, and concentrated enemy fire. Their advance was limited, though some ground was gained temporarily. Tactical success was minimal, but the cumulative pressure of such attacks contributed to the eventual capture of Passchendaele weeks later. The 25th Battalion endured significant losses during the battle. Poelcappelle is remembered for the sheer hardship faced by soldiers—mud, relentless shelling, and the tenacity of the German defence.

FIRST BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE 12^TH OCTOBER 1917

Several days later they were in Part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The objective was to capture the village of Passchendaele and the surrounding ridge from German forces. Conditions were appalling: continuous rain had turned the battlefield into a deep sea of mud and waterlogged shell craters. German defences were well-prepared, with strongpoints, concrete pillboxes, and machine guns.

The battalion moved through boggy, cratered terrain under intense German machine-gun and artillery fire. The attack began in the early hours of 12 October 1917. Progress was extremely limited—troops struggled to even reach the starting line due to the mud. The 25th was unable to reach their objective and suffered heavy casualties.  Some units were cut off or stranded in shell holes under fire, with no way to advance or retreat easily

The 25th Battalion, like many other Australian units, suffered horrific losses for little strategic gain. This battle is remembered as one of the most devastating for the Australian forces in WWI. The overall Third Ypres campaign eventually captured Passchendaele, but at a massive cost in human life.

BETWEEN BATTLES

Due to the huge loss of personnel, the 25^th were rested after these battles. Between battles, battalions engaged in a variety of critical activities to recover, prepare, and maintain their effectiveness. Some of the key activities included rest & recovery, continuing their training, maintaining their weapons & uniforms, building & reinforcing the trenches & dugouts & barbed wire defences

They also conducted patrols and reconnaissance to gather intelligence on enemy movements and maintain control over no-man's-land & engaged in activities like writing letters, playing games, and sharing stories to bond as a unit and maintain their spirits. This downtime between battles was essential for ensuring that battalions could perform effectively when called back into action. For the 25^th, they were in the Marseille isolation camp, where they would also be screened for any diseases and continue their drilling & training before returning to the front.

HOSPITALISATION ECZEMA FEET JANUARY 1918

On 6^th January 1918 he was attached to one of the Base Depots in Le Havre.  These depots were where men being discharged from hospitals would go to for convalescence and retraining before returning to active service. On 15^th January he was transferred to the 39^th General Hospital with eczema feet, which was another name for trench feet, for which he had been treated in December 1918. His feet would have been treated in the manner as they were previously

REJOINED UNIT MARCH 1918

On 29^th March 1918 he rejoined his unit. After wintering in Belgium, in early 1918 the 25th Battalion moved south to Somme as the Australian divisions were transferred there to help blunt the German spring offensive in March and April, undertaking a defensive action around Villers-Bretonneux as the Allies fought to defend the vital railhead of Amiens. 

THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE 21ST MARCH TO 18^TH JULY 1918

BATTLE OF VILLERS BRETONEUX 24-25 APRIL 1918

After wintering in Belgium, in early 1918 the 25th Battalion moved south to Somme, France as the Australian divisions were transferred there to help blunt the German spring offensive in March and April, undertaking a defensive action around Villers-Bretonneux as the Allies fought to defend the vital railhead of Amiens. The 25th Battalion was rushed to the front to help plug gaps created by German breakthroughs. They played a supporting role in the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, a pivotal engagement during World War I. This battle took place as part of the German Spring Offensive on the Western Front. German forces had captured the town of Villers-Bretonneux, which was strategically significant due to its proximity to the vital transport hub of Amiens.

The Australian forces, including the 25th Battalion as part of the 2nd Division, were instrumental in the counterattack to recapture the town. The operation was a well-coordinated night assault, and the Australians successfully reclaimed Villers-Bretonneux, halting the German advance. This victory was a turning point in the campaign and is remembered as a testament to the bravery and determination of the Australian troops

In the lull that followed, minor actions were fought around Morlancourt 

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.

THE BATTLE OF HAMEL 4^TH JULY 1918

The Battle of Hamel was a successful attack by Australian Army and US Army infantry, supported by British tanks, against German positions in and around the town of Le Hamel, in northern France. The attack was planned and commanded by Lieutenant General John Monash, commander of the Australian Corps, and took place on 4 July 1918.

Many of the tactics employed, such as the use of combined arms, illustrated the evolution of military tactics, from the massed attacks mounted earlier in the war. All the Allies' objectives were achieved within 93 minutes, just three minutes longer than Monash's calculated battle time.

The 25th Battalion, as part of the 7th Brigade, supported the main assault by securing positions and providing reinforcements. The operation was a resounding success, with all objectives achieved in just 93 minutes, slightly longer than Monash's calculated time. This victory demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated tactics and marked a turning point in the Allied efforts on the Western Front. This battle took place before the Allies launched their Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens in August

HOSPITALISATION ABCESSED KNEE JULY 1918

By July 1918 Griffith had already spent more than two years on the Western Front and had endured some of the hardest fighting of the war. When he was admitted to hospital from the field on 27 July 1918 suffering from an abscessed knee, the condition was probably far more serious than it sounds today.

An abscess was a collection of pus caused by infection. In the trenches, even a minor cut, scratch, blister, insect bite or abrasion could become infected. Soldiers lived in mud, dirty water and unsanitary conditions, often for days at a time. Kneeling in wet trenches, crawling through shell holes and undertaking labouring duties could easily lead to infections around the knee joint. If left untreated, an abscess could spread, causing severe pain, fever and even blood poisoning.

Griffith would initially have been treated at a field ambulance or casualty clearing station behind the lines. Medical officers would likely have lanced and drained the abscess, cleaned the wound with antiseptics and dressed it regularly.

EVACUATION TO ENGLAND AUGUST 1918

However, his condition was evidently serious enough to require evacuation from France. On 11 August 1918 he crossed the English Channel and was admitted to the famous Kitchener Military Hospital.

The Kitchener Military Hospital had an interesting history. Before the war it had been one of the great buildings of Brighton's seaside complex. During the conflict it was converted into a military hospital and named in honour of Herbert Kitchener, whose recruiting campaigns had become famous throughout the British Empire. Thousands of wounded soldiers from France and Belgium passed through its wards.

Unlike the crowded casualty stations near the front, Brighton offered a far more peaceful environment for recovery. The hospital stood near the English coast, where sea air, rest and good nutrition were believed to aid recuperation. Patients occupied large wards staffed by doctors, nurses and members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments. For many soldiers, arriving in England felt like stepping briefly out of the war.

Treatment for Griffith's knee would probably have involved regular cleaning and dressing of the wound, drainage of any remaining infection, antiseptic irrigation and enforced rest to reduce swelling and inflammation. By 1918 doctors understood the importance of preventing infection, but this was still years before antibiotics. Recovery depended largely upon surgery, antiseptics, dressings, good nursing care and the patient's own immune system. If the infection involved deeper tissues around the joint, he may have spent weeks with the leg elevated and movement restricted until the inflammation subsided.

FURLOUGH & MARRIAGE OCTOBER 1918

On 3^rd October he was discharged to furlough till 17^th October, on which day he married Violet Goldhawk at St George, Hanover Square.

WAR ENDED

He then reported to No 4-command depot and within a few weeks the war was over.  on 11^th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait many months before they were headed back to Australia.

GOING HOME

Griffith & Violet left England on the HT Berrima on 7^th January 1919, disembarking 19^th February.

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

He served 3 years 239 days and was discharged 16^th April 1919. For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

DEATH

Griffith died in Burwood, New South Wales, in 1972 aged 81 years

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