FAMILY LIFE

Daniel Maye was born on 29^th November 1888 in Brisbane, son of Patrick John & Sarah Ann (McErlaine) Maye. He was one of 10 children. His father, Patrick, was one of the most highly respected and oldest residents of the Tweed districts, being a farmer in the district since 1892. His father won a ballot for land in the area, with Maye's Hill still bearing their name, and descendants remaining in the area.

APPLICATION

Daniel Maye started completing his enlistment on 10th April 1915, which showed his next of kin as his mother, Mrs J, Maye. However, the medical was completed on 23^rd June 1915, when he was at sea, heading for Egypt. It showed he was 26 years7 months old, 5ft 8 inches tall (1.72m), weighed 180 lbs (81kgs), with a fair complexion, blue eyes & light brown hair. He was Roman Catholic. He was enlisted as a private in the 26th Battalion with service number 470

26^TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 26th was originally raised in April 1915 during World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force and was assigned to the 7th Brigade. The legacy of the 26th Infantry Battalion is deeply rooted in its remarkable contributions during both World Wars. It is remembered for its bravery and resilience in key battles

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 24 May 1915, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Ascanius. 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. 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.

EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP

On arrival in Egypt, they were marched in training camp. 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 take many months

GALIPOLLI SEPTEMBER 1915

On 4^th September 1915 he left Alexandria to join his unit in Gallipoli. By that time, the campaign had become a costly stalemate and shortly after their arrival, as winter came and conditions worsened, the decision was made to evacuate the peninsula. As a result, the battalion did not take part in any major actions, and fulfilled only a defensive role holding positions such as Courtney's Post, Steele's Post, and Russell's Top.

Courtney’s Post's strategic importance made it a focal point of the conflict, highlighting the courage and resilience of the soldiers stationed there, Steel’s Post occupied a precarious but vital position along the lip of Monash Valley and Russell's Top was a key position at Gallipoli, and was part of the ANZAC front line

HOSPITALISATION NOVEMBER 1915

On 14^th November he was admitted to the 5^th Field Ambulance for observation (no details recorded) and returned to his unit on the 23^rd.

HOSPITALISATION RHEUMATISM 30^TH NOVEMBER 1915

On 30^th November he was again admitted to the Field Ambulance with rheumatism. This was caused by the conditions in the field of war-it is not rheumatism as we know it but was a reaction in the body triggered by a bacterial infection. It caused pain and stiffness in your joints, especially in your lower body. It can also cause symptoms in other body tissues, like eyes and skin, as well as whole-body symptoms like fatigue. The bacteria can be sexually transmitted or food borne and the general low level of hygiene meant this was a common complaint. On 2^nd December he then was diagnosed with jaundice, and was admitted to the 3^rd Auxiliary Hospital, in Heliopolis.

CONVALESCENT CAMP

On 8^th January 1916, he was transferred to the Helouan Convalescent Camp. 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.

HOSPITALISATION PYREXIA FEBRUARY 1916

On 5^th February 1916 he returned to his unit in Tel el Kebir but on 12^th February was admitted to the 7^th Field Ambulance with pyrexia, the medical term for fever, in which the human body temperature rises above the average normal (37 degrees Celsius). It was also known as trench fever, when individuals suffered from a febrile illness that relapsed in five-day cycles. At the time, the cause of the disease was unknown. The symptoms were headaches, rashes, inflamed eyes, and leg pains.  It resembled typhoid and influenza.  Patients could recover in five or six days, but more prolonged hospital stays were common. He was admitted the Shoubra Infantry Hospital, then transferred to Helouan Convalescent camp where he contacted influenza.

FRANCE- TRENCH WARFARE

He returned to his unit on 11^th March and on 21^st March 1916 his unit arrived in France.  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.

BOIS GRENIER JUNE 1916

In June 1916, they were marched into Bois Grenier, located near Armentières in France, was part of the "Nursery Sector" on the Western Front. This quieter area allowed Australian troops to acclimate to trench warfare and modern weapons, such as gas, before engaging in major operations. Despite its relative calm, the sector saw moments of intense fighting, including trench raids and artillery barrages. By the end of June, over 600 Australian soldiers had lost their lives in this area

BATTLE OF POZIERES 1916 JULY AND AUGUST

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 AND HOSPITALISATION 28^TH JULY 1916

The Battalion suffered over 650 casualties. Amongst them was Daniel who, on the 28th of July 1916 sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm and was admitted to 4^th General Hospital in Etaples on 30^th July. He was then transferred to the 2^ND Western General Hospital in Manchester on 3^rd August 1916

1916-1917

He rejoined his unit on 25^th November 1916. The harsh winter of 1916–17 was spent occupying defensive positions along the front and training behind the lines. Christmas was spent in the trenches around Amiens, but in early January 1917, the 26th Battalion was transferred to the Ancre Valley and then to Le Sars later in the month. As the German Army withdrew towards the Hindenburg Line, the 26th was involved in a number of actions at Warlencourt and Lagnicourt in March

ACTION AT THE BUTTE DE WARLENCOURT MARCH 1917

The Butte was heavily defended with deep dugouts, barbed wire, and machine-gun emplacements, making it a formidable obstacle. Despite several attacks by the British Fourth Army, including concentrated artillery bombardments, the Butte remained under German control until February 1917, when it was finally occupied during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Intermittent fighting continued for any months after the battle.

ACTION AT LAGNICOURT MARCH 1917

The action at Lagnicourt took place as part of the broader fighting near the Hindenburg Line in northern France. The Germans had strategically withdrawn to the Hindenburg Line, and the British and Australian forces advanced in pursuit. The Germans aimed to disrupt Allied forces and capture artillery positions held by the 1st Australian Division. These actions in March culminated in the decisive battle on April 15th when the Australians held the position permanently

THE BATTLE OF ARRAS 9^TH APRIL TO 16^TH MAY 1917

The Battle of Arras, also known as the Second Battle of Arras, was a British offensive on the Western Front during the First World War.

From 9 April to 16 May 1917, allied troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras on the Western Front. The allies achieved the longest advance since trench warfare had begun, surpassing the record set by the French Sixth Army on 1 July 1916. The allies advance slowed in the next few days and the German defence recovered. The battle became a costly stalemate for both sides and by the end of the battle, the British Third Army and the First Army had suffered about 160,000 casualties and the German 6th Army about 125,000.

DIVISION BOMB SCHOOL 30^TH JUNE 1917

He was detached to the division bomb school on 30^th June 1917.  This was a specialized training facility where soldiers learned the use of grenades and other explosive devices, often referred to as "bombs" at the time. These schools trained soldiers in bomb-throwing techniques, safe handling, and tactical deployment in trench warfare. The training aimed to prepare soldiers for the intense and dangerous conditions of the front lines, where grenades played a crucial role in close-quarters combat.

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE 4^TH AND 5^TH OCTOBER 1917

After the Battle of Arras, the Division moved to Flanders to participate in the Battle of Passchendaele. On the 4th and 5th of October 1917, the Division passed through Zonnebeke. It prepared itself for the Battle of Broodseinde, a phase of the offensive.

The 2nd Australian Division attacked at 5.25 a.m., with two brigades. The 7th brigade was on the left, the 6th on the right. The advance of the 7th Brigade was carried by the 25th and 26th Battalions. The 25th Battalion was to capture and consolidate the first objective near Thames Wood and Moulin Farm. Once the line had been secured, the 26th Battalion was to leapfrog the 25th and was to capture the final objective on the Broodseinde Ridge.
At the advance of the attack, a German counter-attack had to be fought off. The 6th Australian Brigade captured Zonnebeke village, including the hamlet of Broodseinde. The 7th Australian Brigade cleared Zonnebeke village of snipers. The 26th Battalion was heavily shelled, while moving through Zonnebeke. This resulted in several casualties. After the consolidation of the first objective, the 26th Battalion advanced. They met little opposition, until they reached the Broodseinde ridge. Here they faced severe fire from German machine-guns positioned in Daisy Wood, some 300 yards away. It was decided to consolidate a line in an old British trench from 1914-1915, 200 yards short of the objective.

MISSING IN ACTION 5^th OCTOBER 1917

Daniel Maye, 28, was reported as missing during the attack on 5^th October 1918.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

As soon as possible after a battle/action a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happened to all ranks within the battalion. All soldiers were then listed and what happen was ascertained to the best of the knowledge of the men involved. This was not always possible to confirm those missing unless they were seen by a survivor to be killed or wounded. In many cases those listed as missing and were not on the hospital or PoW reports from the Redcross or from the Enemy either German or Turkish were declared dead. The actual date of death was not determined until they made all enquiries and this process could take a few days to many months

The Dublin branch of the British Red Cross Society began an enquiry into Daniel’s whereabouts on 19^th January 1918.

EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT

An eye witness in Daniel’s Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files, Pte J. Anderson service No 3948, reported on 18^th June 1918 that “D. Maye was in B.V. He had a very small service number, being an original man.  He was of medium height, stout, clean shaven about 26 or 27 years old. I remember seeing Daniel’s dead body lying between the support line and the reserve line on 4^th October 1917 during the engagement at Broodseinde Ridge. I never heard if his body was recovered or buried.” Captain Mills in London stated there was no trace of him in Germany

On 15^th February 1918 Base Records contacted Daniel’s father advising they had not further official news about Daniel and asking if he had any letters or information about Daniel after he was reported missing in action.  Parick advised them he had received a post card from Daniel on 30^th September 1917

KILLED IN ACTION 5^TH OCTOBER 1917

On 15^th April 1918 the enquiry stated “previously listed as missing in action, now killed in action on October 5th 1917.

FOR HIS SERVICE

Till this day Daniel has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. His mother had a memorial site placed where his brother and father are both buried as they passed within a few years of Daniel, this is also where she is buried at the historical North Tumbulgum cemetery. For his service, Daniel was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial No 108 among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

Daniel had made a will on 28^th May 1915 leaving all his possessions to his mother. The King’s message and a memorial scroll was sent to his mother on 30^th August 1921. His memorial plaque and his medal were sent to her on 1^st January 1923. 

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