FAMILY LIFE

Richard Flanagan was born on 1897, in Yalgogrin, a small town in the Riverina district, son of John Christopher Flanagan & Mary Terese (Hough) Flanagan. However, when he applied to join the army, he used the name Richard Blow. There is no record of how his true name was found out but it appears it was not till February 1919, after his death. Nor is there any indication why he used the name Blow.

 APPLICATION

He was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 26^th September 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his friend, Sydney Buck, of Zara, Murwillumbah. His medical which showed he was 21 years 1 month old, 5ft 10 inches tall (1.78m), weighed 150 lbs (68kgs), with a medium complexion, brown eyes & black hair.  His eyesight was good. He was dentally fit. Richard was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his right calf.  He was enlisted as a private into the 25 Infantry Battalion – 17^th Reinforcements with service No 6038

 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.

 VOYAGE OVERSEAS

He embarked at Brisbane, aboard HMAT Marathon on 27 October 1916. 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. The disembarked Plymouth on 9^th January 1917.

 ROLLESTON TRAINING CAMP

They marched in the training camp at Rolleston, and over many more tough months 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

 HOSPITALISATION INFLUENZA

During this time, on 7^th February, Richard was admitted to the Fargo Hospital, Rolleston with influenza. 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.

 HOSPITALISATION- MUMPS

He was transferred to Sutton Veney hospital on 16^th February where he caught mumps. Mumps was, and is, a contagious viral illness, easily spread among the soldiers. It can cause fever, swelling of the salivary glands and inflammation in other parts of the body.  Soldiers would have suffered fever, headaches, tiredness, body aches & poor appetite. There is no specific treatment for mumps. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom relief. Treatment would have included plenty of rest, lots of fluids, using a warm or cool compress to relieve facial pain and swelling & eating foods that do not need a lot of chewing. He returned to Rolleston on 18^th March to continue his training.  

 ETAPLES TRAINING CAMP

In April he was marched out to the training camp at Etaples, France.  Here, he would 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. There was intensive training in gas warfare, bayonet drill, and long sessions of marching at the double across the dunes. The training became focused on the prevailing conditions of trench warfare, and on the Allied position of taking the offensive.

 TRENCH WARFARE

Richard was taken on strength on the 2nd May, 1917. At this time the 25th rotated through the line and took part in many more battles in France and Belgium, and Richard would have taken part in these actions. 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 BROODSEINDE 4 OCTOBER 1917- WOUNDED IN ACTION

The 25^th last battle for 1917 was the Battle of Broodseinde which was fought on 4 October 1917 near Ypres. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive.

KILLED IN ACTION

One of the casualties was Richard, who was reported as wounded in action. Richard’s body was not found, and when this occurs the Red Cross has enquiry files and the following is the result of their investigation into his death. Soldiers who were with him that day are interviewed and give testament of the experience. This is done some time after the event

 Pte P Hilless stated on 11^th February 1918, whilst at Southwark Military Hospital, that “I was in the trench as Blow with 8 other men, awaiting relief, when the enemy put up a barrage. One shell found the trench and killed Blow and another. I dug Blow out”

 Private J R Newcombe stated on 27^th February 1918, whilst at Le Havre Hospital, that “I knew both slightly. They were both in A Company & McCullough was in No 1 platoon. On the 4^th October were attacking at Zonnebeke, we took our objective & held it. In the trench we captured we were about 20 yards away from Blow and McCullough about 7pm it was fairly dark. A shell dropped near them. I went up to the place and saw both of them lying dead, they had both been killed instantly. Their bodies were left in a shell hole close by. We were relieved shortly after. They were probably buried where they fell, others were.” There were three other men who gave their testimony confirming the details of Richard’s death, one confirming that Richard was from the Northern Rivers area.

 Richard was then pronounced killed in action on 4^th October and the telegram advising this was sent 25^th December 1917.

 RECORD DOCUMENTS

On 19^th March 1918 his mother signed a statutory declaration that she was the mother of Richard Blow service no 6038 whose proper name is Richard Flanagan and she desired to have her name on his records. She also stated his father Was John Flanagan, with whom she lived.

 On the 9^th February 1919 Mary Flanagan wrote to Base Records asking about Richard’s effects. By 1922 any correspondence to Mrs Flanagan was returned unable to be delivered.

 In May 1923 an advertisement was placed in order to ascertain his father’s address. However, there is a letter dated 30^th November 1922 asking for information about the issue of the Memorial plaque signed by John Flanagan & there is a receipt dated 2^nd March 1923 signed by John Flanagan confirming receipt of said plaque.

 On 6^th April 1923 Sydney Buck advised Base Records that he was person referred to as the next of kin to Richard- he was not aware that Richard had been using the surname Blow. He requests them to advise him what they need from him. There is no record of a reply

 FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Richard was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His name is located at panel 104 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. He is buried as no known grave - "Known Unto God" Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium

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