FAMILY LIFE

Aaron William Ferrell was born c1870 in New Haven, Sussex, UK, son of William & Jane Ferrell. He was living in Boyd Bay at the time of his enlistment with his wife, Annie Lavinia.

APPLICATION

He was married, and a seaman, living in Boyd’s Bay, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 17^th August 1915 for his medical which showed he was 44 years 8 months old, 5ft 4 ¾ inches tall (1.6m), weighed 12 stone 10 lbs (81 kgs), with a fresh complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good. He was Church of England and had a tattoo on his left arm & vaccination marks on both arms.  His next of kin was his wife, of Boyd’s Bay. He had been in the Royal Naval Reserves for 20 years.

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Aaron “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Aaron Ferrell, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 4^th Reinforcements with service No 2146

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.

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

The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 18^TH September 1918, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Armadale.  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.

EGYPT 1916

He was taken on strength on 4 February 1916 in Ismailia, Egypt. After the 25^th Battalion arrived in Egypt it was assigned to the newly formed Australian 2nd Division, but it was later detached to the New Zealand and Australian Division with whom the 25th Battalion briefly served as reinforcements at Gallipoli in the latter part of the campaign. The soldiers underwent intensive training, focusing on trench warfare tactics and adapting to the conditions they would face in France. Additionally, the battalion was involved in guarding the Suez Canal.

Conditions for soldiers stationed in Egypt during February to April 1916 were challenging. The climate was harsh, with extreme heat during the day and cold nights. Soldiers had to adapt to the arid environment, which included dealing with sandstorms and limited access to fresh water. Living conditions were basic, with soldiers often housed in tents or makeshift shelters. The monotony of training and guarding duties could be mentally taxing, and many soldiers struggled with homesickness and the uncertainty of war.

HOSPITALISATION ANAEMIA MARCH 1916

Aaron was admitted to 1^st Auxiliary Hospital in Ismailia on 15 March 1916 with mild dental trouble. He was then transferred to the 1^st Auxiliary Hospital in Abasia on 25 March 1916 with anaemia.  A medical report dated 24 March 1916 stated his disability originated before enlisting although Aaron had stated he was not ill in Australia but, in Egypt, he was in Heliopolis and he became weak, breathless & giddy. He was put on light duties at the beginning of March but later sent to the Base Hospital to be brought before a board. It was stated the cause of the disability was the strain of a life of hard work & the condition listed as arterial degeneration. Aaron was 45 by this time.

DISCHARGED & RETURNED HOME MAY 1916

The medical report dated 22 May 1916 recommended he be discharged as permanently unfit due to circulatory defects, but not at a stage that needed hospital treatment and this was confirmed. He was discharged 31 May 1916. He returned to Australia on the Runic 14 May 1916 with the medical condition notes as aneurism of the aorta. 

PENSIONS

He was awarded a pension of 3 pound per fortnight from 1 June 1916 but this was amended to 2 pound 5 shillings from 15 March 1917. His wife was awarded a pension of 1 pound 2 shillings & six pence on 1 June 1916 and this was amended from 1 pound 10 shillings from 15 March 1917.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Aaron was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

DEATH

Aaron died of his illness on 8 March 1919 in Queensland. He is buried in Tewantin Cemetery and commemorated at Queensland Garden of Remembrance, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane City, wall 65, row D. His name is located at panel 104 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial. 

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