Private William Vidler Black
Service #: 3459
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
William “Bill” Vidler Black was born on 12 Dec 1896 in Nowra, son of William
& Susanna Harriet (Vidler) Black. He
was one of 8 children. The Black family had lived in and around Murwillumbah
for many years and almost all the family are buried in the local cemetery.
APPLICATION
Bill was single dairy man, living in Zara, a small village near Chillingham, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 26th August 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, William. Due to his age, he also had a letter from his parents giving permission for him to enlist as the minimum age to enlist was 21.
His medical showed he was 18 years 6 months old, 5ft 4 ½ inches tall (1.62m), weighed 120 lbs (54kgs), with a fair complexion, grey eyes & fair hair. His eyesight was good. He was Methodist.
The Examining Medical Officer stated that William “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.” On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, William Vidler Black, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.”
He was enlisted as a private into the 26th Infantry Battalion – 8th Reinforcements with service No 3459
26TH 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
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 training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, 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.
On the 3rd 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.
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.
WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE
On the 9th June 1916 he was taken on strength. In mid-1916, the 26th Battalion was sent to Europe where it served in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium. 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.
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
WOUNDED IN ACTION
One of the causalities of this engagement was Bill, who on 21st June was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the face & leg.
HOSPITALISATION & CONVALESCENCE
He was transferred to England per the Brighton and admitted to Fort Pitt Hospital, Chatham. He was transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Hereford on 12th July 1916. 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 VENEREAL DISEASE
Then to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford on 21st September to be treated for Venereal disease. Patients would be treated with Salvarsan and mercury which offered uncomfortable and sometimes serious side effects such as jaundice and convulsions. Other treatments included irrigation, which was painful and undignified resulting in many men to opt for chemical treatment instead. These long and uncomfortable stays in VD hospitals often averaged between 50 and 60 days, with most patients recovering and returning to the front.
DISCHARGED AND REJOINED UNIT JANUARY 1917
Bill spent 90 days in hospital, being discharged on 19th December and sailing back to France on the Clementina on 28th December and rejoining his unit on 9th January 1917.
ACTION AT LAGNICOURT MARCH 1917- WOUNDED IN ACTION
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. On 21st March 1917 Bill was wounded in action for the second time with a gunshot wound to his right hand. He sailed for England on the 23rd on the St Andrew to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth. On the 21st August he was transferred to a camp in where he would prepare to return home. During this time, he went AWL for 1 day and forfeited 1 day’s pay.
RETURNING HOME
William returned home on 26th September 1917 on the HT Borda and was discharged 17th January 1918.
FOR HIS SERVICE
He was granted pension of 3 pounds of on 18th January, 1918. For his service, Bill was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
AFTER THE WAR
Bill married Sarah Janes Singleton in 1922 and died on 10 Jun 1967 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, at the age of 70 and is buried in the Murwillumbah General Cemetery
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
Buried Location
Murwillumbah General Cemetery
