FAMILY LIFE

John Arthur Gossip (known as Arthur) was born in 1883 in Stroud, son of John Robert Hearn & Emily (McIntyre) Gossip. He was brother to 5 siblings, one of whom, his brother Harold also enlisted and returned to Australia in 1920. Another brother, Lieutenant James Gossip, 1st Australian Pioneers, had died of wounds only six weeks before on 25 August 1918, aged 32. His father had died in 1907, and his mother in 1910

ATTESTATION

He was single farmer, living in Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Enoggera, with his brother Harold, on 31 August 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his sister, Mary Frances Burrows, of Tyalgum as both his parents were deceased. He had been apprenticed to EH Johnson, surveyors of 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

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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, Arthur John Gossip, 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, conducted at the Clearing Hospital, Enoggera on 27 August, showed he was 32 years 5 months old, 5ft 5 inches tall (1.65m), weighed 152 lbs (69kgs), with a good complexion, hazel eyes & light brown hair. His eyesight was good. He had 4 vaccination marks on his arm. He was Presbyterian.

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 – 8^th Reinforcements with service No 3708

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.

ENOGERA 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. During this time Arthur had another vaccination on 29^th November.

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 six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS BRISBANE TO FRANCE JANUARY 1916

On the 3 January 1916, together with his brother, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Kyara. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant.  It was a foretaste of what was to come.

ETAPLES TRAINING CAMP, FRANCE

The brothers arrived in Marseilles on 27th March 1916. Harold & Arthur would have been marched north by train towards the northern training and staging areas used by the AIF. Like many Australians arriving on the Western Front at that time, Harold was sent to the large training and staging area near Étaples, known as the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD). Situated on the windswept northern coast of France, Étaples was a sprawling and heavily regimented camp where newly arrived troops underwent final preparations before heading to the front. Days were filled with route marches, bayonet drills, weapons training, and exposure to gas warfare precautions—essential for the new kind of conflict they were about to face.

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.

·      When the recruits arrived in France, they entered a period of intensive preparation that was both physically demanding and strategically vital.  The camp, nicknamed "the Bull Ring" by the soldiers for its relentless pace and strict discipline, was a tough initiation into the reality of trench warfare.

·      Life in camp was austere and relentless. The recruits lived in wooden huts that offered little protection from the French weather, and the damp cold 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 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.

·      After many months of continuous preparation, 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 25^TH BATTALION JULY 1916

On 13^th July 1916 Arthur joined he 25^th Battalion in France.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

In mid-1916, after returning to Egypt the AIF was reorganised and expanded, and the 25th Battalion was returned to the 2nd Division, with which it subsequently served on the Western Front after being transferred to Europe. 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 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. 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.

WOUNDED IN ACTION GUNSHOT WOUND & MISSING IN ACTION

On 29 July Arthur was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the thigh. He was also reported missing but consequently found he had been admitted to 11^th Stationary Hospital in Rouen.

On 15^th November 1916 his sister, his next of kin, wrote to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, stating she had been told by them he was missing from 29^th July but she had received a post card from him dated 15^th August stating he was well. She also states she received postcards from him on 17^th & 24^th September.  She received a reply dated 16^th November advising they will investigate.

COMMAND DEPOT HURDCOTT NOVEMBER 1916

The records now show he was discharged from the hospital, bullet wound left arm, severe, and sailed to England on 29 November to join No 3 Command Depot in Hurdcott which dealt with the soldiers deemed able to return to duty. Here he would convalesce but continue with 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. On 19^th February 1917 he was marched into No.4 Command Depot in Wareham which receives men who will be fit for duty in periods ranging from 3 weeks to 3 months.

DISCIPLINED MARCH 1917

On 2^nd March 1917 he was charged with being AWL from 3.30pm 2^nd March to 4.30pm 3^rd March. He was awarded Field Punishment Number Two, 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 also forfeited 4 day’s pay.

COMMAND POST THEN HOSPITALISATION MUMPS APRIL 1917

On 17^th March he was returned to No 3-command depot in Wareham and on 17^th April he was admitted to Parkhouse Hospital with mumps.

TRANSFER TO 69^TH BATTALION

On 1^st May 1917 he was transferred to the 69^th Battalion

TRANSFERRED BACK TO 25^TH BATTALION SEPTEMBER 1917

He was transferred back on 18^th September.  On 14^th October he rejoined his unit in France.

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.

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

WOUNDED IN ACTION- GASSED MAY 1918

On 23^rd May 1918 Arthur was wounded in action- gassed. 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.”

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND MAY 1918

He was then sent to England on the 29^th May 1918 and admitted to Colchester Military Hospital.

HURDCOTT COMMAND POST

He then spent many months convalescing and retraining at Hurdcott and pm 12^th September he rejoined his unit.

THE BEAUREVOIR LINE OCTOBER 1918

In October they engaged in what was to be their final action- The Beaurevoir Line which was the last of a series of German defensive lines known collectively by the Allies as the Hindenburg Line. It was approximately eight kilometres to the rear of the main Hindenburg Line and consisted of thick barbed wire entanglements and well-sited machine and anti-tank gun bunkers. The Australians were to seize the village of Beaurevoir.

WOUNDED IN ACTION AND DIED OF WOUNDS OCTOBER 1918

Arthur was one of the casualties of this action- on 3^rd October he received a shell wound to his chest, penetrating and died of his wound, on 5th October 1918 at the 53rd Clearing Hospital

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

BURIAL

Arthur is buried Tincourt New British Cemetery, Tincourt, Picardie, France, plot 6, row F. grave 42. He was buried on 6^th October by Reverend McClymont, the Presbyterian chaplain. His name is located at panel 104 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.

EFFECTS

His effects, consisting of kit store, book 13, safety razor and blades in a case & one pencil were forwarded to his sister Mary per Barunga on 21st June 1918. Further effects of wallet, disc, gold ring, letters, cards & metal cigarette case were forwarded to Mary on the Somerset and received by her on 13th June 1919. 

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