FAMILY LIFE

Lyell Cameron Hicks was born on 1894, in Lismore, one of three children of Charles & Christina (Cameron) Hicks. He attended McLean Ridges primary school & Durrumbul Public School before his parents moved to the Tweed area in 1903, where his father, a pioneer of the Northern Rivers, was a road contractor. Both his parents are buried in Murwillumbah Old Cemetery.  His father is listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLICATION

Lyell was a tailor, serving his tailoring apprenticeship with Union Tailoring Company, Murwillumbah, for five years. He travelled to Brisbane on 2^nd October 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Mrs C Hicks, of Murwillumbah. He had also served in the militia for 2 years. His medical which showed he was 21 years 9 months old, 5ft 10 inches tall (1.78m), weighed 179 lbs (81kgs), with a fair complexion, brown eyes & dark hair. His eyesight was good. He was Presbyterian and had a scar on his chin.  He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 11^th Reinforcements with service No 4458

25TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 25th Infantry Battalion, part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Division of the Australian Imperial Force, was raised in March 1915 at Enoggera, Queensland. Their service is remembered for their resilience and contributions to key victories.

ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

 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.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 31 March 1916, he left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT Star of Victoria. 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.

FRENCH TRAINING CAMP

They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the French training Camp 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

DISCIPLINED MAY 1916

Lyell was in the 25^th’s Base camp in France from 1^st May and on 22^nd May he committed the offence of being in town after 9pm contrary to base orders. He was awarded Field Punishment No 2 for 2 days. In Field Punishment Number Two, 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.

TRENCH WARFARE

He was taken on strength in France on 4^th August, 1916. 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.

BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY 1916

Lyell & the 25^th’s first significant battle there 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. A follow-up attack on 4 August added more casualties, bringing the total loss for the 25th in its first battle on the Western Front to 785. 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. It was at Pozieres that Australian soldiers were exposed to the full horrors of the Western Front. They were subjected to incessant German artillery attacks and devastating machine-gun fire, plus intense frontal assaults, all of which took an overwhelming physical and mental toll.

ALBERT- BAPAUME ROAD LATE 1916

After this, the 25th Battalion spent a brief period around Ypres, where they undertook a series of raids, before returning to the Somme in the last part of 1916 where they undertook further attacks throughout November to extend their observation of the Albert–Bapaume Road. The Albert–Bapaume Road was a significant location during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, one of the largest battles of World War I. This road ran through the Somme region in France and was a key axis for both the British and French forces during their offensive against the German Army. The area around the road witnessed intense fighting.

The town of Albert, located along this road, served as a major base for the Allies. It was heavily damaged during the war but became a symbol of resilience. The road itself was crucial for troop movements, supplies, and strategic operations

WOUNDED IN ACTION 14^TH NOVEMBER 1916

On the 14^th November 1916 Lyell was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his chest, severe.

HOSPITALISATION AND COMMAND POST

He was transferred to the 1^st Southern General Hospital in England and spent several months there before being marched to No 1 command depot in Perham on 16^th March 1917. This depot received men who are likely to be fit for duty within three weeks and on 18^th March he was transferred to the depot at 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.

TRANSFER TO 69^TH BATTALION 18^th MARCH 1917

Lyell was transferred to the 69^th Battalion on 18^th March but I am unable to decipher the details

DISCIPLINED 20^TH MARCH 1917

Whilst there, on 20^th March he neglected to obey camp orders in that he was in the Boiler House at 11.20pm. He was award Field Punishment No 2 for 1 day.

TRANSFER BACK TO 25^TH BATTALION & RETURN TO FRANCE OCTOBER 1917

On 19^th September 1917 he was transferred to Hurdcott depot which dealt with the soldiers deemed able to return to duty. He was transferred back to the 25^th on the 20^th October 1917 and returned to France where the 25^th was taking part in various actions

THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE RIDGE 4 OCTOBER 1917.

The Battle of Broodseinde was a significant engagement during the Third Battle of Ypres. The 25th Infantry Battalion, as part of the 2nd Division, played a crucial role in this battle. Their objective was to advance and secure positions on Broodseinde Ridge, a strategically important area in Belgium.

The battle was marked by intense artillery bombardments and fierce resistance from German forces. The 25th Battalion was part of the first wave of the attack, and their efforts contributed to the overall success of the operation. The Allied forces achieved a decisive victory, inflicting heavy casualties on the German defenders and capturing key positions. This battle demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated infantry and artillery tactics, as well as the resilience of the soldiers involved. The 25th Battalion sustained significant casualties but played a vital role in achieving the Allied objectives

BATTLE OF POELCAPPELLE OCTOBER 1917

Only 5 days later, on the 9 October 1917, the 25^th was involved in the Battle of Poelcappelle, Ypres, Belgium with support and holding roles rather than leading assault. The 25th was involved in assaulting German positions under extremely difficult terrain and weather conditions. Heavy casualties were suffered due to poor visibility, mud, and concentrated enemy fire. Their advance was limited, though some ground was gained temporarily. Tactical success was minimal, but the cumulative pressure of such attacks contributed to the eventual capture of Passchendaele weeks later. The 25th Battalion endured significant losses during the battle. Poelcappelle is remembered for the sheer hardship faced by soldiers—mud, relentless shelling, and the tenacity of the German defence.

They also had indirect involvement, likely in a supporting capacity in this battle; by this stage, the conditions were horrific, and Australian units were rotated in and out of the line

THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES KNOWN AS PASSCHENDAELE 12^TH OCTOBER 1917

Several days later they were in Part of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. The objective was to capture the village of Passchendaele and the surrounding ridge from German forces. Conditions were appalling: continuous rain had turned the battlefield into a deep sea of mud and waterlogged shell craters. German defences were well-prepared, with strongpoints, concrete pillboxes, and machine guns.

The battalion moved through boggy, cratered terrain under intense German machine-gun and artillery fire. The attack began in the early hours of 12 October 1917. Progress was extremely limited—troops struggled to even reach the starting line due to the mud. The 25th was unable to reach their objective and suffered heavy casualties.  Some units were cut off or stranded in shell holes under fire, with no way to advance or retreat easily

The 25th Battalion, like many other Australian units, suffered horrific losses for little strategic gain. This battle is remembered as one of the most devastating for the Australian forces in WWI. The overall Third Ypres campaign eventually captured Passchendaele, but at a massive cost in human life.

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 Lyell, he was in the Marseille isolation camp, where he would also be screened for any diseases and continue his drilling & training before returning to the front.

DISCIPLINED 29^th MAY 1918

While in the camp, on 29^th May 1918 Lyell broke out of the isolation camp& returned 31^st May.  He was awarded FP No 2 for 2 days. In Field Punishment Number Two, 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. This was a relatively tolerable punishment.

There is no record of when he rejoined his unit but the 25^th were in for many months of fighting in the last half of 1918

THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE 21ST MARCH TO 18^TH JULY 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. The 25th Battalion was rushed to the front to help plug gaps created by German breakthroughs.

THIRD BATTLE OF MORLANCOURT 10TH JUNE 1918

In April 1918, the unit took part in the fighting during the German Spring Offensive, in which it fought a series of long-running skirmishes against German troops in and around the village of Morlancourt. The 7th Brigade, which included the 25th Infantry Battalion, was actively involved in the attacks on Morlancourt during 1918, as part of the Allied efforts to push back German forces on the Western Front. These attacks were part of a series of operations aimed at regaining control of key positions near the Somme River.

The Third Battle of Morlancourt saw the 7th Brigade, including the 25th Battalion, carry out a successful dusk assault on the Morlancourt Spur. This position provided critical observation over the village of Sailly-Laurette. The attack was well-coordinated, with diversionary demonstrations on the flanks to confuse the enemy. The Australians secured all their objectives, capturing a significant number of German prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties. This victory was part of the broader Allied strategy to regain momentum after the German Spring Offensive and demonstrated the effectiveness of Australian troops in offensive operations

THE BATTLE OF HAMEL 4^TH JULY 1918

The Battle of Hamel was a successful attack by Australian Army and US Army infantry, supported by British tanks, against German positions in and around the town of Le Hamel, in northern France, during World War I. The attack was planned and commanded by Lieutenant General John Monash, commander of the Australian Corps, and took place on 4 July 1918.

Many of the tactics employed, such as the use of combined arms, illustrated the evolution of military tactics, from the massed attacks mounted earlier in the war. All the Allies' objectives were achieved within 93 minutes, just three minutes longer than Monash's calculated battle time.

The 25th Battalion, as part of the 7th Brigade, supported the main assault by securing positions and providing reinforcements. The operation was a resounding success, with all objectives achieved in just 93 minutes, slightly longer than Monash's calculated time. This victory demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated tactics and marked a turning point in the Allied efforts on the Western Front. This battle took place before the Allies launched their Hundred Days Offensive around Amiens in August.

THE HUNDRED DAY OFENSIVE 8 AUGUST TO 11 NOVEMBER 1918

The Hundred Days Offensive was a series of massive Allied offensives that ended the First World War.  This offensive was a series of Allied attacks between 8 August and 11 November 1918 that ultimately led to the end of World War I. It began with the Battle of Amiens, where British, French, and Canadian forces launched a surprise assault that shattered German defences.

Following this success, the Allies continued their rapid advance, forcing German troops to retreat from their positions along the Hindenburg Line. The offensive saw coordinated attacks across the Western Front, with British, French, American, and Belgian forces pushing the Germans back.

THE BATTLE OF AMIENS 8^TH -11^TH AUGUST 1918

The Battle of Amiens was a pivotal engagement during World War I, marking the beginning of the Allied Hundred Days Offensive that ultimately led to the end of the war. The 25th Infantry Battalion, as part of the 7th Brigade in the 2nd Division, played a significant role in this battle.

The operation was meticulously planned and involved a combination of infantry, tanks, artillery, and air support. The 25th Battalion contributed to the initial assault, advancing through German lines and capturing key positions. The battle was a resounding success, with the Allies achieving a breakthrough and inflicting heavy casualties on the German forces.

The Battle of Amiens is often remembered as a turning point in the war, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated tactics and the resilience of the soldiers involved. The 25th Battalion demonstrated exceptional bravery and played a vital role in this historic victory.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 2^ND SEPTEMBER 1918

In the aftermath of this battle, on 2^nd September 1918 Lyell was wounded on the second occasion with a gunshot wound to his left hand, mild, invalided to the UK & admitted to Cheltenham Voluntary Aid detachment.

GOING HOME

The end of the war was in sight and on 11^th November the fighting was officially over. By this time the war was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, 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 several months before they were headed back to Australia.

LIFE AFTER THE WAR

Lyell commenced his return to Australia on 18 January 1919 aboard HT Ulysses disembarking on 4 March 1919 at Melbourne for onward travel to Brisbane. He was discharged 11^th August 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Lyell was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded and his name is recorded on McLeans Ridges Public School and District Roll of Honor & the Durrumbul Public School First World War & Second World War Honour rolls.

LIFE AT HOME

During 1920 Lyell married Muriel P Hennessy in Murwillumbah. 

---

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.