FAMILY LIFE

John Reginald Boyd was born in 1893 in Murwillumbah, son of Thomas Murray & Susannah (Knight) Boyd. John had 9 siblings. His father was born in 1856, being the second white child to be born in the Tweed. Thomas took an active part in the development of the district. In 1882 he selected land at Dungay and engaged in the cedar industry.  Both his parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district. Their children all lived in and around Murwillumbah and all are buried in Murwillumbah. John married Sarah Ellen Jarrett in 1915 and while, he was in training camp in January 1916, became a father to Faith.

 APPLICATION

He was a married man, a farmer, living in Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 9^th September 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, Thomas, of Condong. His medical which showed he was 21 years 11 months old, 5ft 7 inches tall (1.7m), weighed 10 stone 12 lbs (69kgs), with a fair complexion, grey eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good. He was dentally fit or required dental treatment. He was Church of England and had 4 scars on his right shin. He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 10^th Reinforcements with service No 4708

 25^th 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

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 29 March 1916, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Commonwealth. 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.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP

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. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more. Training would normally last 3 months then they were marched into their unit on 2nd August 1916

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 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.

THE BATTLE OF POZIERES 28TH JULY 1916

Before John had joined them their 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 Battle of Pozières took place during the Battle of the Somme. Australian forces played a crucial role, capturing the village of Pozières and enduring relentless German artillery bombardments, losing as many men in a few weeks as they did over eight months on Gallipoli. Less than one third of the Australian reinforcements had fought at Gallipoli; they were largely inexperienced and ill-prepared to deal with the deadly onslaught of the battle-hardened machine that was the German Imperial Army.

The battle was marked by intense fighting, with Australian divisions suffering heavy casualties—over 23,000 men, including 6,800 killed or dying of wounds. Despite the losses, the Australians secured the high ground, which was vital for further Allied operations. On 29 July 1916 official Australian war correspondent Charles Bean recorded in his diary: “Pozieres Ridge is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth”

WOUNDED IN ACTION 5TH AUGUST 1916

A follow-up attack on 4 August 1916 added more casualties, and John was amongst them, being wounded in action on 5^th August with a gunshot wound to his left heel.

HOSPITALISATION AND COMMAND POST CONVALESENCE

On the 21^st August he was sent to Waverley Abbey for further care then, on 25^th October, marched into No.1 Command Depot at Perham Downs which received men who are likely to be fit for duty within three weeks. There 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. However, he seemed to have slipped through the holes as he was still in the command posts till the end of the war even though he had been classified B1A2. This referred to soldiers who were deemed fit for an overseas training camp within three to four weeks. B1A2 soldiers were recovering or undergoing rehabilitation but were expected to be ready for further training and eventual deployment abroad within the specified timeframe

WAR ENDED

After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated 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 several months before they were headed back to Australia.

 HOSPITALISATION- NEURITIS

John had to wait as he was admitted to the 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford on 1^st February 1919 with neuritis which is the inflammation of one or more nerves, often leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or even muscle atrophy. This condition can affect sensory nerves (causing changes in sensation), motor nerves (leading to muscle weakness or paralysis), or both.

HOSPITALISATION & COMMAND POST- INFLEUNZA 17TH FEBRUARY 1919

On 17^th February 1919 he was granted leave but was again admitted to the Dartford hospital with influenza on the 21^st. This 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. He was discharged to Weymouth command post

GOING HOME

John embarked the Rio Negro and arrived in Australia on 25^th July 1919. He was discharged on 9^th September 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Dungay Public School World War I memorial.

AFTER THE WAR

John & Sarah had a son in 1921. John died on 30^th January 1968 at Murwillumbah and is buried Murwillumbah General Cemetery, Methodist Plot A81

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