FAMILY LIFE

James Gilbert Ritchie was on born on 1st January 1896 in Brisbane, son of James Lehmann & Catherine Christine Ritchie.  His father was one of the early Tweed pioneers, arriving with his parents, in 1847. He conducted one of the first general supply stores in the Tweed. His name is inscribed on the Newell Park monument in Murwillumbah. James’ brother Gavin also enlisted and was an original Anzac.

ATTESTATION

He was single painter, living in Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 6^th October 1915. His next of kin was his mother, Catherine, of Stafford St, Murwillumbah. He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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, James Gilbert Ritchie, 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 20 years 9 months old, 5ft 3 inches tall (1.6m), weighed 9 stone 2 lbs (58kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good. He was Presbyterian and had a mole on his left shoulder.

 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. James was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 23^rd December 1915. 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 – 7^th Reinforcements with service No 3197

TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA

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 ENGLAND DECEMBER 1915

On the 30 December 1915, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Itonus. 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.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP FEBRUARY 1916

They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Training Camp at Codford, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. When the recruits arrived in England, they entered a period of intensive preparation that was both physically demanding and strategically vital. 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: This included British-issued gear better suited to the Western Front.

·      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.

Then formal training began. 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.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH JUNE 1916

James was taken on strength in the 25^th on 2^nd June 1916. In mid-1916, the 25th Battalion was returned to the 2nd Division, with which it subsequently served on the Western Front.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY- SEPTEMBER 1916

The battalion’s first significant battle came at Pozières on 28 July 1916 where the battalion suffered heavily during a night-time attack on the heights, losing 12 officers and 350 other ranks killed or wounded, many of whom were caught in thick wire obstacles that had been left intact by the pre-attack artillery bombardment. The Battalion also suffered very heavy casualties, 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 (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 25th Battalion's actions contributed to the eventual capture of the Pozières Heights, an important tactical advantage.

WOUNDED IN ACTION JULY 1916

On 29 July, during this battle James received a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was transported to England from Boulogne where he spent several months.

CONVALESCENCE

After hospitalisation the wounded are sent to train one of the training camps in England and James went to Wareham. 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.

DISCIPLINED JANUARY 1917

On 4 January 1917 James was beyond the camp’s limit without a pass & being in possession of a document purporting to be a camp pass well knowing it not to be genuine

FIELD PUNISHMENT NUMBER 1

James received 30 days Field Punishment 1 which is where a soldier is kept in irons with both hands and their feet and secured to a wall or post so they could not escape. The period of time in which they were fixed to the wall could not exceed two hours in one day and must not run for three to four consecutive days as the conditions that they were placed under were already considered to be harsh on the body.  The soldiers were constrained to the poles by ropes, straps or irons. During the officer’s sentence to field punishment no.1, he would be also given hard labour, employment and restraint, carried out just like if he was given a prison sentence of hard labour. 

DISCIPLIINED JUNE 1917

On 7 June 1917 in Wareham James was found out of bounds & forfeited 1 day’s pay

TRANSFERRED TO HURDCOT CONVALESCENT CAMP SEPTEMBER 1917

On 9 September he was transferred to Hurdcott convalescent camp. Here he continued to convalesce but the drilling & training increased as he became nearer to rejoining his unit

DISIPLINED SEPTEMBER 1917

On the 14 September 1917 he was charged with drunkenness & conduct to the prejudice of good order & military discipline in that “Pte Ritchie did, on 14th September 1917, make use of obscene language in the canteen on No 10 camp”. He was awarded 168 hours detention. For an Australian Imperial Force soldier in 1917, a sentence of 168 hours detention was effectively seven days' detention (168 hours = 7 × 24 hours).

Detention was a military punishment that fell between a minor punishment and imprisonment. It was usually served in a detention room, guardhouse, or detention barracks attached to the camp. In James Ritchie's case, the offence occurred at No. 10 Camp in England, where large numbers of Australian reinforcements were undergoing training before proceeding to France.

During detention he would generally have:

·      Been confined to the detention facility and deprived of normal camp freedoms.

·      Performed extra fatigues and labouring duties, such as cleaning barracks, sweeping roads, carrying stores, maintaining camp facilities, and other routine tasks.

·      Been subject to stricter discipline and supervision than ordinary soldiers.

·      Lost access to canteens, leave, and recreational activities.

·      Continued military training where ordered, but under detention conditions.

·      Received only military rations and accommodation.

The charge itself suggests that after drinking he became disorderly in the camp canteen and used offensive language, behaviour viewed by the army as damaging to discipline and order. While such offences were common among troops in the training camps of England, the authorities took them seriously because large camps containing thousands of soldiers could quickly become difficult to control if drunkenness and disorder were tolerated.

A seven-day detention sentence was therefore a relatively moderate punishment—serious enough to mark the offence on his record and inconvenience him considerably, but not severe enough to involve a court martial, imprisonment, or forfeiture of significant pay.

REJOINED UNIT OCTOBER 1917

On 20^th October he rejoined his unit. By this time his unit spent a brief period around Ypres, where they undertook a series of raids, before returning to the Somme in the last part of 1917 where they undertook further attacks throughout November to extend their observation of the Albert–Bapaume Road. During the closing stages of the Passchendaele campaign, James remained with the 25th Battalion in the Ypres sector of Belgium. Although the battalion was not engaged in a major assault at the time, the front remained extremely dangerous. German artillery regularly shelled Australian positions with high explosive and poison gas, causing a steady stream of casualties.

WOUNDED IN ACTION -GASSED- NOVEMBER 1917

On 9 November 1917 James was wounded in action after being exposed to gas and was evacuated from the front for treatment. His injury occurred amid the grim conditions that characterised the final days of the Third Battle of Ypres, where mud, shellfire and gas attacks continued to take a heavy toll on both sides. An eye witness describes what happens in a gas attack- “[T]he next thing we heard was this sizzling—you know, I mean you could hear this damn stuff coming on—and then saw this awful cloud coming over. A great yellow, greenish-yellow, cloud. It wasn’t very high; about I would say it wasn’t more than 20 feet up. Nobody knew what to think. But immediately it got there we knew what to think, I mean we knew what it was. Well then of course you immediately began to choke, then word came: whatever you do don’t go down. You see if you got to the bottom of the trench you got the full blast of it because it was heavy stuff, it went down.”

TRANSFER TO ENGLAND

James was transferred to Barnett War Hospital in England on 17^th November 1917. During World War I, the treatment of soldiers exposed to poison gas was a challenging and evolving process. Medical personnel had to adapt quickly to the devastating effects of chemical warfare, which included respiratory damage, blindness, and severe burns. Gassed soldiers were treated in various ways

·      Immediate Care: Soldiers were often moved to fresh air as quickly as possible to minimize further exposure. Masks soaked in neutralizing agents, such as bicarbonate of soda, were sometimes used to help alleviate symptoms.

·      Decontamination: Clothing contaminated with gas was removed, and the skin was washed to prevent further chemical burns.

·      Respiratory Support: For those suffering from respiratory distress, oxygen therapy was provided when available. In severe cases, soldiers were given morphine to ease pain.

·      Eye Treatment: Soldiers with eye injuries from gas exposure were treated with saline or other solutions to flush out irritants.

·      Hospitalization: Many gassed soldiers required extended care in field hospitals or specialized facilities. Recovery could be slow, and some soldiers suffered long-term health effects.

DISCIPLINED JANUARY 1918

He was to be there for many months but James went AWL from 11am on 22 January 1918 to 13.15 on 23^rd January and was awarded 4 day’s pay.

MEDICALLY UNFIT JULY 1918

He continued to convalesce in England and on the 18 June 1918, he advised his cough was troubling him. Gassing has long term effects on its victims and on 5 July 1918 it was decided that James should return home.

GOING HOME

He returned to Australia on the Ruahine & on 25 August 1918 he was discharged from AIF due to chronic bronchitis.

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, James was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

HOME LIFE

After he returned James settled in Murwillumbah and by 1927, he was District Superintendent for the AMP Society.

DEATH AND BURIAL

He died on 2^nd July 1959 in Sutherland, and is buried in Woronora Memorial Park, General Plaque Lawn 1, Grave 0179

---

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.

We do not have any additional documents or pictures related to this individual.