BACKGROUND

Sylvester Albert Rice, Henry Phillip Rice, Edward Charles Rice, David Joseph Rice, and Robert William Rice, were all sons of James and Elizabeth Rice of Burringbar. From old land records we have been able to establish that in 1900 two of the brothers, Henry, and Robert, were the first selectors of two adjoining properties totalling 362 acres. The location of their farms extended over the ridgeline of what is now Dunloe Park and Taggarts Quarry, on the Mooball/Pottsville Road. In 1898, a WP Rice is listed as the first selector for 411 acres, and that farm’s location was between Hulls Road and today’s Cowell Park. It is likely that this was their elder brother Walter’s property.

David had 4 other brothers who enlisted. Tragically his younger brother Sylvester Albert Rice died on 9^th August 1915 and Edward Charles was killed on 9^th August 1916, a year to the date of his brother. Henry died on 10^th August 1915 but Robert lived to return home in 1919. Sadly, their mother had died in 1918 and would never have known the fate of all her sons. The Rice family lived in and around Murwillumbah and many are buried in the Murwillumbah Old Cemetery or Murwillumbah Cemetery. The parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

FAMILY LIFE

David Joseph Rice, known as Joe, was born on 13 August 1883, in Mittagong, one of 12 children of James and Elizabeth (Cornock) Rice.

He married Elizabeth Ann Mahoney in 1909 and had 3 children, Joseph aged 7, Florrie aged 5 & David aged 3. He and his family lived in Burringbar. He was a farmer but, like his brothers, he felt he had to do his bit for the war effort

ATTESTATION

Joe travelled to Lismore on 21^st March 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his wife, Elizabeth, of Burringbar. His medical showed he was 32 years 7 months old, 5ft 5 ¼ inches tall (1.65m), weighed 9 stone 13 lbs (63kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & black hair.  His eyesight was good. He was Roman Catholic.  He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 15^th Reinforcements with service No 5675

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 his 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. The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A46 Clan MacGillivray on 7 September 1916. 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.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP NOVEMBER 1916

They disembarked in Plymouth on 2^nd November 1916. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Rollestone 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

WESTERN FRONT AND TRENCH WARFARE

TAKEN ON STRENGTH FEBRUARY 1917

David was taken on strength on 5 February 1917. The recruits now found themselves fighting the Germans 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.

FEBRUARY 1917 – TRAINING AND WINTER CONDITIONS

When Joe arrived in France, the 25th Battalion, part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, was enduring one of the harshest winters of the war. During this time, the battalion was involved in training and working parties, particularly after moving forward to relieve other units near the Le Transloy–Bapaume area, south of the Somme. The Germans had begun their strategic withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, and the 25th was involved in cautious advances, consolidating ground as the enemy fell back.

MARCH–APRIL 1917 – HINDENBURG LINE PURSUIT

As the Germans retreated to the fortified Hindenburg Line, Australian troops, including the 25th, were pushing forward to take over the vacated territory. This involved skirmishes, minor engagements, and frequent exposure to artillery and sniper fire. The battalion likely spent time in the Lagnicourt–Noreuil sector, moving closer to the main German defensive positions at Bullecourt

SECOND BATTLE OF BULLECOURT MAY 1917

This was a major offensive by the AIF, part of the larger British attacks during the Arras Offensive. The 2nd Australian Division, including the 25th Battalion, launched an attack to breach the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt. The first attempt in April had been disastrous, so May's attack was better supported but still brutal.

The infantry of the Second Australian Division advanced east of Bullecourt village at 3.45 am on 3 May 1917. The left flank, close to Bullecourt, was pinned in the wire but the right and centre, partly sheltered by a half-sunken road, seized and cleared the first two lines of enemy trench. At dusk on 3 May, the Australians held most of its first objective. Only the Canadians in the north and the Australians in the south made any progress on 3 May. The Australians extended their narrow foothold in the Hindenburg Line until it was like a mushroom on its stalk, with the head deep in enemy territory connected by a single long communication track.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

David was wounded in action on that opening day with a gunshot wound to his right arm on that day. The nature of the fighting was close-quarters and relentless, so injuries were often severe.

Initially treated at the 5th Field Ambulance, David was soon evacuated from the battlefield.

EVACUATION TO ENGLAND

A week later, on 11 May, he arrived in England and was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Birmingham. There, he would have endured painful treatment, likely including surgery, and the long, slow process of healing. Wards were crowded with men suffering everything from shrapnel wounds to gas injuries, and although the care was diligent, it was far from comfortable. Patients like David often faced sleepless nights, dressing changes without proper anaesthetic, and the mental toll of separation from their comrades.

CONVALESCING AT DARTFORD JUNE 1917

On 20 June, he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, which was a quieter convalescent facility designed for recovery. Here, men were encouraged to regain strength through exercise, fresh air, and simple routines. David would have been among other Australians, some also from the 25th Battalion, and perhaps found some comfort in shared experiences.

DEEMED MEDICALLY UNFIT AUGUST 1917

By 1 August, he was moved to the Dartford Command Depot, where medical staff assessed each soldier's fitness to return to duty. For David, the verdict was clear—his injury meant he would not return to the front. Physically, his arm may never have regained full strength. Mentally, the news would have been bittersweet: relief at leaving the horrors of the battlefield, and sorrow for the mates he had left behind.

GOING HOME

David sailed home to Australia on 27 September 1917 and was discharged on 27TH December 1917.

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

HOME LIFE

Joe returned to Burringbar and the couple had another son, Lennard, in 1924. He again enlisted on 16^th February 1942 at Brisbane as a sergeant in 1 Labour company and was discharged on 20^th May 1944.

Joe died 16^th September 1968 in Murwillumbah, aged 85. He is buried in Murwillumbah Catholic Cemetery, Row 26, Plot 51

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