FAMILY LIFE

Herbert Richard Johnston was born in1891 in Bega, son of Roland (Rowland) & Jane Ann (Waterson) Johnston, one of 7 siblings. His father had died in 1910.

ATTESTATION

He was single farmer, living in Crabbes Creek, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Lismore on 23^rd August 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Jane Johnston. 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, Herbert Richard Johnston, 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 showed he was 24 years 6 months old, 5ft 9 ½ inches tall (1.77m), weighed 10 stone 7 lbs (67kgs), with a fair complexion, greyish eyes & fair hair. Herbert was Church of England

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

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 25 Infantry Battalion – 8^th Reinforcements with service No 3551

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 the new recruitments training began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague. Richard received his on the 6^th September, 17^th September and the last on 22^nd November. Then 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 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 six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS BRISBANE TO EGYPT JANUARY 1916

On the 3^rd January 1916, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Kyarra. 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.

EGYPT AND TRANSFER TO 2^ND PIONEER BATTALION

Herbert arrived in Egypt in March 1916 and was transferred to the 2^nd Pioneer Battalion, taken on strength 2^nd March 1916. After transferring from the 25th Battalion to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion in Egypt on 2 March 1916, Herbert became part of a new type of unit created by the AIF. Pioneer battalions were infantrymen who were also expected to undertake engineering and labour tasks. They dug trenches, constructed strongpoints, built roads, laid duckboard tracks, repaired railways, carried supplies and often worked under enemy fire close behind the front line.

PIONEER BATTALIONS

Pioneer Battalions were dual-purpose units. They were trained and equipped to serve both as infantry and as combat engineers. Their main tasks were technical and manual labour under battlefield conditions, including:

·      Trench construction and repair

·      Dugouts and bunkers

·      Barbed wire entanglements and obstacle.

·      Bridges and crossings.

·      Roads and tramways

·      Defensive structures

Infantry Support (Secondary Role)

Although trained as engineers, they were also trained and equipped to fight, and could be used as reserve infantry in emergencies or attached to attacking units for immediate post-attack work like consolidating captured positions or constructing trenches.

Specialist Duties

·      Battlefield clearance – recovering the wounded, burying the dead, and salvaging equipment.

·      Camouflage and concealment – building screens or fake structures.

·      Mine and booby trap clearance – particularly during German withdrawals.

·      Construction in rear areas – building camps, stables, headquarters, and sanitation systems.

The 2nd Pioneers sailed from Alexandria on 19 March 1916 and landed at Marseilles a week later. From there they travelled north by train and entered the nursery sectors of the Western Front where the battalion spent its first months learning trench warfare. During April and May 1916, the men dug communication trenches, improved defensive positions and carried out labouring duties while becoming accustomed to the conditions of France.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

They now found themselves among soldiers 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.

Throughout the middle of 1916 the battalion served in the Armentières sector, often described as a relatively quiet part of the front. "Quiet" was a relative term, however, as the men still endured artillery fire, sniping, trench raids and the constant work of maintaining trenches and roads damaged by shellfire.

JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER  1916

In July 1916 the battalion moved south to support the Australian divisions during the Battle of the Somme. During the fighting around Pozières and Mouquet Farm the 2nd Pioneers were heavily employed constructing communication trenches, burying signal cables, repairing roads and carrying ammunition to the front. This was exhausting and dangerous work often carried out at night under German shellfire. Casualties among the pioneers were frequently as heavy as those suffered by infantry battalions.

BATTLE OF POZIERES JULY AND AUGUST 1917

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”

BATTLE OF MOQUET SEPTEMBER 1916

When the replacements arrived in the trenches the battle-weary veterans took one look at them and pitied them, they were so fresh faced and as one said, “they looked just like normal men” something they had not seen for some time. They later attacked Thieval north of Pozieres and breached the trenches but were driven out by concentrated machine gun and heavy artillery fire.

Charles recounted how during a barrage his trench was collapsed and luckily, he was dug out and saved or risked being buried alive. The War Diaries for his Battalion cover this incident and relate the heavy loss of life with most buried alive. The normal routine for manning the trenches was to have 15 days in the trenches followed by eight back at the Nursery. Where possible longer rest periods were given back from the front and if you were lucky after 12 months, they received a ticket to England every four months for eight days.

WINTER 1916-1917

Following the Somme campaign, Herbert and his comrades spent the winter of 1916–17 in northern France and Belgium. The winter was one of the harshest experienced by Australian troops. Pioneer units were continually occupied draining trenches, laying duckboards through mud, constructing dugouts and maintaining supply routes essential for keeping the front line functioning. As winter set in, the battalion continued working on drainage and duckboard paths, shelters, and revetments as well as transport infrastructure like roads and tramways. They were involved in supporting operations in areas like Flers, Le Transloy, and the Somme Valley, supporting front-line troops during static winter warfare.

MARCH–APRIL 1917 – GERMAN RETREAT TO THE HINDENBURG LINE

The Germans conducted a strategic withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, and the AIF followed up. As the Germans retreated in March, the Australians advanced through devastated territory. The 2nd Pioneers were heavily involved in repairing destroyed roads, bridges, and railways, constructing tracks and forward posts and clearing mines and booby traps and helped open routes for the advancing infantry and artillery. They supported the advance toward Bapaume and Lagnicourt.

MAY 1917 – SECOND BATTLE OF BULLECOURT

The battalion then moved into the sector around Bullecourt. During the First Battle of Bullecourt in April 1917 and the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May, the 2nd Pioneers were heavily engaged constructing assembly trenches, communication trenches and defensive works while also acting as infantry when required. Their work was dangerous — performed close to the front under frequent artillery bombardment.

SECOND BATTLE OF BULLECOURT MAY 1917

As part of the final throes of the British Army's Arras offensive, a renewed attempt was made to secure the fortified village of Bullecourt in the period 3-17 May. The Australian 2nd Division (5th and 6th Brigades) and the British 62nd Division attacked at 3.45 am on 3 May 1917. The Australians penetrated the German line but met determined opposition which frustrated the envelopment plan. Drawing more and more forces in, renewed efforts on 7 May succeeded in linking British and Australian forces, but inspired a series of ferocious and costly German counter-attacks over the next week and a half. Following the repulse of the counter-attack of 15 May, the Germans withdrew from the remnants of the village. Although the locality was of little or no strategic importance, the actions were nevertheless extremely costly: AIF casualties totalled 7,482 from three Australian Divisions.

The battle is commemorated at Bullecourt’s Australian Memorial Park, home to the “Bullecourt Digger” statue honouring the more than 10,000 Australians killed or wounded in the two Bullecourt battles.

MILITARY MEDAL 3^RD/4^TH MAY 1917

During this action Herbert was awarded a Military Medal for conspicuous service. The notice stated on the night of 3^rd/4th May 1917 two men, one of whom was Herbert, answered the call for volunteers to carry a wounded comrade ¾ miles back through two enemy barrages. Fire was exceptionally heavy and the task demanded high courage and resolution. Private Johnston was himself wounded by machine gun fire on the way. Locality was from the sunken road in front of railway embankment to dressing statin at Noreuil. It was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 189 of 8^th November 1917

WOUNDED IN ACTION 3^rd MAY 1917

Herbert was wounded on the 3rd May with gunshot wound right forearm & front right forearm

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND

On 19^th May he was sent to England on the West Australia and spent between 20^th May 1917 & 30^th July in the 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford.

FURLOUGH & COMMAND DEPOT

On 14^th August he was given furlough and then reported to No1 command depot at Perham Downs on 19^th August. 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.

HOSPITALISED NASAL CATARRH OCTOBER 1917

However, he was admitted to the Military Hospital, Sutton Veney 30^th October to 15^th November 1917 with nasal catarrh. During this time, on 28^th November 1917, he had dental work done to make him dentally fit

NO 1 COMMAND DEPOT

On 2^nd December he was marched into No 1 command depot at Perham Downs which received men who are likely to be fit for duty within three weeks. Again, his drilling & training would continue daily whilst he was convalescing.

REJOINED UNIT JANUARY TO JUNE 1918

On 5^th January 1918 he rejoined his unit in Belgium and the battalion returned to the Somme valley and helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April. They rotated between frontline engineering work, rear-area construction, and camp maintenance. Activities included road and trench maintenance under freezing and muddy winter conditions, laying duckboard laying to improve troop movement in waterlogged terrain. Construction of defensive posts, dugouts, and machine gun emplacements were undertaken & they assisted in burying communication cables to protect them from shellfire. They cleared and repaired light railway lines for moving supplies to the front.

HOSPITALISATION INFLUENZA JUNE 1918

On 25^th June Herbert was admitted to hospital with influenza. This could be a devastating disease & resulted in more deaths than the Great War itself. Victims could develop a deadly type of pneumonia and would suffer from headaches, aching muscles, a persistent, dry cough, fever, weakness, a sore throat, and blood poisoning but by 20^th July Herbert was well enough to rejoin his unit.

JULY TO OCTOBER 1918

Between July and October 1918, the 2nd Pioneer Battalion played a vital engineering and support role during the final phase of World War I — known as the Allied Hundred Days Offensive.

During this time, the battalion was attached to the 2nd Australian Division and was active in support of major offensive operations, including the Battle of Amiens, Mont St. Quentin, and the final push toward the Hindenburg Line. Key areas included:

·      Amiens

·      Villiers-Bretonneux

·      Mont St. Quentin

·      Péronne

·      Bellicourt

·      St. Quentin Canal sector

JULY 1918

In preparation for the Battle of Amiens they constructed and repaired roads, bridges, and ammunition dumps and dug assembly trenches and built plank roads for advancing tanks and artillery. They helped in concealing troop and equipment movements in preparation for the August offensive.

THE BATTLE OF AMIENS (8–11 AUGUST 1918)

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.

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.

The unit supported the main attack by rapidly repairing roads and bridges under fire to keep up supply and artillery lines. They built and widened tracks for artillery and field ambulances and assisted in clearing battlefield debris, removing obstacles, and salvaging equipment. They moved forward as Australian infantry advanced up to 8 miles in the first few days.

POST-AMIENS:

The unit constructed forward supply dumps, water points, and casualty clearing routes and repaired captured enemy positions for use by Allied forces

THE BATTLE OF MONT ST QUENTIN SEPTEMBER 1918

The Australians, few in number, were unable to hold the summit of Mont St Quentin when German reserves counter-attacked but held on just below the summit until next morning when Australian reinforcements recaptured the summit. The same day, 1 September 1918, saw Australian forces break into Péronne and take most of the town. The next day it completely fell into Australian hands. On those three days, without tanks or protective barrage, the Australians, at a cost of 3000 casualties, dealt a stunning blow to five German divisions and caused a general German withdrawal eastwards to the Hindenburg Line.

On 29 September 1918, the strongly defended Hindenburg Line was attacked on a six-kilometre-wide land bridge between Bellicourt and Vendhuille where the St Quentin Canal ran underground through a tunnel. After nearly two months of continuous action Australian units were numerically weak with the average battalion having only 300 men available for action. The Australians were reinforced by keen but inexperienced American troops whose unit strength was three times that of the exhausted Australians. In three days of hard fighting, with Lewis guns and grenades, the Australians captured the first two German lines which had been the American objectives. On 3 October 1918, Australian troops broke through the last defensive system of the Hindenburg Line, the third (Beaurevoir) line. Two days later, Australians, in a costly action, captured Montbrehain village.

Herbet and the men repaired bridges over the Somme River to support infantry and transport and built and reinforced forward roads for rapid troop movement. The assisted in converting German defences for Australian use.

ADVANCE TOWARD THE HINDENBURG LINE OCTOBER 1918

·      Cleared mines and booby traps in abandoned German positions.

·      Helped lay telegraph and telephone lines during the advance.

HINDENBURG LINE OPERATIONS (ST. QUENTIN CANAL, BELLICOURT) OCTOBER 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. 

BATTLE OF ST QUENTIN CANAL OCTOBER 1918

Originally built to connect the Somme and Scheldt Rivers, the Germans utilised the St Quentin Canal as an additional defensive barrier forward of the Hindenburg Line. East of Peronne the canal ran through a tunnel for approximately six kilometres between Bellicourt and Vendhuille. As this "bridge" over the canal formed an obvious point at which to attack the Hindenburg Line it was heavily defended.
Fearing an attack across the canal would be costly, Lieutenant General Monash decided to assault over the top of the tunnel. With the Australian Corps exhausted from almost continuous operations since 8 August, Monash had only two divisions in a reasonable state for combat - the 3rd and 5th - and was thus reinforced with the 27th and 30th United States Divisions. The plan was for the numerically superior Americans to breach the Hindenburg Line above the tunnel, and another defensive line a kilometre to the rear. The Australians would then pass through and assault the Beaurevoir Line, another four kilometres back. The attack would be supported by 90 tanks and heavy artillery concentrations.

The inexperience of the Americans was telling. An operation launched to secure the start line on 27 September 1918 was unsuccessful due to their failure to properly clear dugouts and trenches. The same mistakes were repeated by the 27th Division when the actual attack was launched two days later. The 3rd Australian Division, trying to advance to its own start line, became embroiled in the fight for the Americans' first objective. With all of the tanks destroyed or disabled, and the uncertain position of the forward troops preventing the use of artillery, the battle degenerated into a struggle for individual strong points, fought with bombs, bayonets and Lewis guns, that lasted for another three days. The 30th American Division, attacking further to the south, was more successful, enabling the 5th Australian Division to pass through and capture the heavily fortified village of Bellicourt. Their progress, however, was hampered by the lack of it in the north.

Even further south the British 9th Corps had managed to cross the canal, breach the Hindenburg Line, and begin advancing upon the Beaurevoir Line. This action threatened to outflank the positions along the tunnel, resulting in a gradual German withdrawal that began on the night of 30 September. By 2 October a gap of approximately 17 kilometres had been opened in the Hindenburg Line. The operation had cost the 3rd and 5th Australian Divisions 2,577 casualties

FINAL ATTACK 5^TH OCTOBER 1918

An attack on 5 October was to be the last in which Australian troops would take part. The last brigade fought and took Montbrehain village, and with that, the Hindenburg Line was completely broken. The defence of this sector was then handed over to Americans troops, while the Australians, exhausted and depleted, were withdrawn for a rest.

By this time, most Australian troops had been fighting for six months without a break, 11 out of 60 battalions were disbanded because there were so few men left in them, and 27,000 men had been killed or wounded since the Battle of Amiens. The troops were worn and war weary.

The men from the Pioneer battalion supported final attacks by constructing roads, trench crossings, and bridges under shellfire. They performed salvage and logistics work in newly captured areas and began moving into rest and reserve positions as the AIF was withdrawn from the line in late October for rest.

LEAVE IN ENGLAND NOVEMBER 1918

Herbert was given leave to England from 2^nd November 1918.

WAR ENDING

The end of the war was in sight and on 11^th November the fighting was officially over 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 several months before they were headed back to Australia.

GOING HOME

Herbert returned to Australia on the Nestor, disembarking on 6^th July 1919. He was discharged 13^th September 1919.

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, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the St Martin's Church Great War Honour Roll Mullumbimby.

HOME LIFE

Herbert married Myrtle Susannah Parrish in 1919 in Murwillumbah and they had two sons, & one daughter. Herbert died 20^th May, 1956 in Mullumbimby and is buried in Mullumbimby Lawn Cemetery

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