FAMILY LIFE

Charles Simonson (his birth was registered as Charley Simonsen) was born in Sydney on the 11^th December 1894, son of Peter Simonson and Phoebe (Berry) Simonson. According to NSWBDM he had 5 siblings and two of his brothers enlisted, Alfred William George Simonson and Peter John Simonson. The Simonson family have lived in the Tweed since 1920, Peter holding the position of master of the tug boat till 1930 when he retired.

ATTESTATION

Charley was single carter, living in Tweed Heads, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 2^nd July 1917 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, Peter, of Tweed Heads. He stated he had spent 12 days in the Casino camp and released. 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, Charles Reginald Simonson, 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 which showed he was 22 years 5 months old, 5ft 4 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 126 lbs (57kgs), with a fresh complexion, blue eyes & auburn hair. His eyesight was good. Charles 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

This is completed during the recruits training. Charley was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 28^th July 1917. 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 10 reinforcements, 49^th Battalion with service No 3729.

TRAINING

Reinforcements were drastically needed on the Western Front so the recruits had no training in Australia. They did receive the following though

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 SYDNEY TO ENGLAND AUGUST 1917

One day after he enlisted Charley was on the troop train bound for Sydney and on  the 1^st August 1917, the regiment left Sydney. 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

They disembarked at Liverpool 3^rd October 1917. Over many 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.

 

 

HOSPITALISATION TONSILITIS DECEMBER 1917

On 1^st December 1917 Charley was hospitalised with tonsilitis then sent to a convalescent camp on 4^th December

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE JANUARY 1918

Between January & March 1918 the 49^th spent these months in the Messines–Ploegsteert sector in Belgium, near the southern end of the Ypres salient. The soldiers 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.

Duties included:

·      Manning front-line trenches

·      Rotating in and out of the line with rest and training behind the front

·      Working parties, trench maintenance, and small patrols

This was a cold and miserable time, with waterlogged trenches and high sickness rates, though combat was relatively light.

HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE JANUARY 1918

On 12^th January he was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford with venereal disease. The sense of adventure, the loneliness, and the loss of family life that overwhelmed many of the overseas volunteers during the First World War often found them on leave in large cities or small towns where alcohol and women were plentiful, and a lack of available prophylaxis allowed the spread of diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis to reach epidemic levels. Historians claim that the average incidence rate for this disease in the AIF was around 12 per cent

Treatment for venereal disease in the Australian Imperial Force during WWI primarily involved hospitalisation, strict rest, and medical therapies available at the time. Soldiers were often treated with salvarsan (an arsenic-based compound) or mercury-based preparations, which were administered by injection or topical application. These treatments aimed to cure the infection but could be uncomfortable and required careful monitoring due to side effects. In addition to drug therapy, patients were given regular medical inspections, hygiene instruction, and restrictions on activity until fully recovered. Lengthy stays in hospital—often several weeks or months—were common, as doctors ensured soldiers were no longer infectious and fit to return to duty

HOSPITALISATION PLEURITIS FEBRUARY 1918

However, he stayed in hospital with pleuritis which is also known as pleurisy, is an inflammation of the pleura — the thin, two-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity.

The symptoms include sharp, stabbing chest pain (worse when breathing deeply) & shortness of breath. There is sometimes dry cough & it may be accompanied by fever, especially if caused by infection

Treatment included

·      Bed rest, warmth, and isolation if infectious

·      Pain relief (e.g. morphine or aspirin)

·      In some cases, mustard plasters or cupping were used

·      Thoracentesis (removal of fluid) if there was pleural effusion

Recovery varied — mild pleuritis could resolve in a week or two; severe or infected cases (with fluid buildup) might last much longer or lead to chronic lung issues.

HURFORD COMMAND POST APRIL 1918

On 20^th April 1918 he was marched into Hurdford Command Post. A Command Depot was a military rehabilitation and re-training centre for soldiers who were no longer sick or wounded enough to stay in hospital, but not yet fit enough to return to active duty

TRANSFER TO 25^TH BATTALION APRIL 1918

On 29^th April 1918 he proceeded to France where he was transferred to the 25^th Battalion.

SECOND BATTLE OF VILLERS- BRETONNEUX APRIL 1918

After wintering in Belgium, in early 1918 the 25th Battalion had 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. 

On 24 April, the Germans launched a surprise attack with tanks and infantry, capturing Villers-Bretonneux. That night, two Australian brigades (13th and 15th Brigades) carried out a famous night counterattack without artillery preparation, successfully recapturing the town by 25 April morning.

The 25th Battalion was not part of the lead assault, but it was engaged in:

·      Support roles, holding sectors nearby

·      Reserve positions, ready to reinforce or exploit gains

·      Possible clearing or consolidation after the main assault

MAY – JUNE 1918: HOLDING THE LINE NEAR AMIENS

After the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux in April, the 25th remained in the Somme region, near Amiens. They manned front-line trenches, conducted patrols, and dealt with artillery bombardments, sniper fire, and gas attacks. The battalion also underwent training in open warfare tactics, preparing for the coming offensive.

The front remained largely static, but the conditions were still dangerous and demanding.

JULY 1918: REST, REFIT, AND TRAINING

The battalion rotated into rest areas where they:

·      Reinforced their numbers with new drafts

·      Engaged in training for mobile operations

·      Integrated new weapons and tactics, such as Lewis guns, rifle grenades, and platoon-level manoeuvres

AUGUST 1918: BATTLE OF AMIENS

START OF THE HUNDRED DAYS OFFENSIVE

The 25th took part in the Battle of Amiens, which began the Allied counter-offensive. The 25th attacked as part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Division, alongside tanks, aircraft, and heavy artillery.

On the night of 7 August 1918, Gunner J.R. Armitage lay in readiness for the attack the next day. In his diary, he wrote:

“It was utterly still. Vehicles made no sound on the marshy ground ... The silence played on our nerves a bit. As we got our guns into position you could hear drivers whispering to their horses and men muttering curses under their breath, and still the silence persisted, broken only by the whine of a stray rifle bullet or a long range shell passing high overhead ... we could feel that hundreds of groups of men were doing the same thing - preparing for the heaviest barrage ever launched.

The Attack”

At 4.20 am the next day:

“All hell broke loose and we heard nothing more. The world was enveloped in sound and flame, and our ears just couldn't cope. The ground shook.”

A mass of assembled Allied forces, including Australians, launched an offensive to push through the German front lines to victory. It was to involve the 1st French and 4th British armies, but was led by combined Australian and Canadian forces.

There was a mist, which helped the element of surprise, and through it moved the joint forces of a line of tanks and infantry. The crucial work of the heavy artillery held off fire from German guns, so that troops could get across the land.

Setting out from the positions of Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel, the Australian troops in two hours had accomplished all their objectives, and the Canadian troops that had begun the attack alongside them had advanced several kilometres. In just over 3 hours, the enemy's front line had been overrun.

In total, the Allied forces captured 29,144 prisoners, 338 guns, and liberated 116 towns and villages. Ludendorff called 8 August "the black day of the German army".

When Sapper Harold Grant heard of the advance he wrote:

Great news ... Australians caught Fritz napping.

Many German weapons were captured in the advance. However, the advance was achieved at a high cost, with 21,243 Allied casualties, one-quarter of who were killed.

This was one of the most successful days of the war, breaking through German lines and inflicting heavy casualties. The battalion advanced several kilometres, capturing prisoners and equipment

THE HINDENBURG LINE SEPTEMBER 1918

The Hindenburg Line- the last and strongest of the German army's defence - consisted of three well-defended trench systems, established in 1917. Throughout September 1918, Australian forces had helped the British army to secure positions from which an attack on the Hindenburg Line could be launched. Planning began for a major attack at the end of the month. It was hoped that this attack would finally break the power of the German army.

FIRST ATTACK 18^TH SEPTEMBER 1918

On 18 September 1918, a preliminary attack was launched when Lieutenant General Sir John Monash's troops reached the first part of the Hindenburg Line. At 5.20 am, Monash's troops, supported by huge artillery barrages, attacked the heavily fortified German defences and machine-gun posts. Using only eight tanks (as well as dummy tanks to distract the Germans), they broke through German positions and took 4,300 prisoners. Although there were 1,000 dead or wounded, this cost was fairly slim compared to the losses of the German forces.

THE SECOND ATTACK 29^TH SEPTEMBER 1918

On 29 September, the line was finally broken. Australian and US troops spearheaded this battle, given the task of breaking defences in the centre. They attacked a strongly defended sector at Bellicourt with tanks, artillery, and aircraft working in concert. Advances were made, but it was a struggle between the two forces. The fighting lasted four days and resulted in heavy losses.

Gunner J.R. Armitage wrote:

“As we went over the ridge, we found ourselves in the midst of the most wonderful and impressive battle field scene imaginable. It was a scene never to be forgotten with infantry, tanks, guns, everything in action in a sort of inferno of smoke and shell bursts.”

THIRD ATTACK OCTOBER 1918

Eventually, the Allies broke through the third and final stage of the Hindenburg Line, and the Germans were forced to fall back.

In this attack, troops captured the entrance to the St Quentin canal tunnel. 

The Australians had been fighting non-stop since early August, and were exhausted.

OCTOBER – THE BEAUREVOIR LINE

The Beaurevoir Line was the last major German defensive position behind the Hindenburg Line. Located near the village of Beaurevoir, it featured trenches, wire, and strongpoints. Breaking through it was essential to reach the open country beyond. Charley joined them in this offensive and was part of the attack on the Beaurevoir Line, near Perrone. On the 3^rd October an enemy strong post was encountered, which considerably hampered the advance. Charley, at once, acting on his own iniative, advanced to an exposed position and shot three of the gun crew. He then led the rush to the post killing two more of the enemy. It was mainly to his daring that the post was captured. He later volunteered to carry a message and get in touch with another company on the flank.  This he accomplished under heavy machine gun fire, bringing back valuable information. Throughout he displayed a coolness and courage and set a fine example to all ranks.

MILITARY MEDAL

He was awarded the military medal which was posted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10^th October 1919 on page 1494 position 109 & in the London Gazette on 17 June 1919 on page 7699 position 7.

HOSPITALISATION INFLUENZA OCTOBER 1918

On 6th October Charley was admitted with influenza to the 52nd Clearing Station, which was a key part of the military medical evacuation chain used by soldiers. It was set up a few miles behind the front lines, often near railways or roads and positioned far enough to be relatively safe from artillery, but close enough for rapid access. On 19^th October he was evacuated to the War Hospital in Bath on 12^th October 1918. He was then transferred to the Military Hospital in Taunton on 30^th October.

Influenza was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward.

CONVALESCENT SUTTON VENEY NOVEMBER 1918

On 21^st November Charley was marched into Sutton Veney for rest & recuperation

WAR ENDED- NOVEMBER 11, 1918:

Armistice signed – the war ended 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.

HOSPITALISED TONSILITIS DECEMBER 1918

During this time Charley was admitted on 1^st December 1918 to the Group Hospital in Codford with tonsilitis. He was then transferred to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford where he spent days being treated for VD.

GOING HOME

Charley returned to Australia on 19^th December 1919 per HMAT Bakara as he was discharged 26^th March 1919 in consequence of medical unfitness. 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, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

DEATH AND BURIAL

Charley died in October 1937 and was buried on 18th October 1937 at Tweed Heads Lawn Cemetery, Row L, Grave 18.

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