FAMILY LIFE

Although he enlisted as Arthur Harold Mills his birth was registered as Harold Arthur, born in Murwillumbah in 1897, son of John George Mills & Emma (Hatton) Mills. He had 7 brothers & 3 sisters. Many of the family lived and died in Murwillumbah, and are buried in Murwillumbah Old Cemetery.

APPLICATION

He was single farmer, living in Upper Burringbar with his parents, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 13^th June 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Emma. His medical showed he was 18 years 10 months old, 5ft 5 ¾ inches tall (1.68m), weighed 130 lbs (59kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good and he was dentally fit. Arthur was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his left shin & another on his forehead.  

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Arthur “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, Arthur Harold Mills 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 26^th Infantry Battalion – 16^th Reinforcements with service No 5870

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

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.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 21^st October 1916 the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Boonah. 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.

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND JANUARY- FEBRUARY 1917

They arrived in Plymouth on 9th January, 1917, and Arthur was admitted to Devonport Hospital sick (severe) but no further details. He was discharged on 12^th February 1917 to Perham Downs. 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.

SALISBURY PLAINS TRAINING CAMP

On 19^th February he was marched into the 7^th Training Depot

at Salisbury Plains. He had already completed his basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the training camp, he let his old live farther behind. The recruits 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.

TRENCH WARFARE

On the 7^th July 1917 he was taken on strength with his unit 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.

BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD SEPTEMBER 1917

After the Battle of Bullecourt, the battalion was moved to Belgium again.  Arthur’s first taste of battle was in September in Belgium with the Battle of Menin Road.  The 26th Battalion, played a crucial role in the Battle of Menin Road Ridge, which was part of the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele) in September 1917. This battle marked a shift in British and Allied tactics, focusing on bite-and-hold advances with strong artillery support. Their objective was to advance behind a creeping barrage, secure the first objective line, and help consolidate gains.

The troops moved up into position during the night of 19th September in preparation for the assault. The terrain was waterlogged, and enemy shelling made movement difficult.

20 September: Main Assault

The attack began at 5:40 a.m. with a creeping artillery barrage. The 26th Battalion advanced through thick mud and shell craters. Despite resistance and heavy machine-gun fire, they successfully reached and secured their objective, captured several pillboxes and dugouts, and took prisoners and enemy machine guns

After the attack, they consolidated their position under frequent counter-attacks and shelling. Heavy rain and artillery made holding the line difficult and the battalion was relieved after a few days and withdrawn for rest. The two AIF Divisions sustained 5,013 casualties in the action

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE OCTOBER 1917

In October 1917, the 26th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was actively engaged near Zonnebeke, a village in the Ypres Salient of West Flanders, Belgium. Their involvement was part of the broader Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, which aimed to break through German lines and secure strategic positions.

LATE OCTOBER

This phase of the offensive aimed to capture the village of Passchendaele and the surrounding high ground. The battalion faced formidable challenges, including adverse weather conditions and heavy rain which turned the battlefield into a quagmire, making movement and logistics extremely difficult. They met stiff German resistance: the German forces had fortified positions with concrete pillboxes and machine-gun nests, leading to fierce combat.  The 26th Battalion, along with other units, suffered significant losses during these operations

KILLED IN ACTION 28^TH OCTOBER 1917 - ZONNEBEKE

One of the casualties of this battle was Arthur who was killed in action on 28th October, 1917, after one year and four months ' service.

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 Murwillumbah War Memorial & the Burringbar War Memorial

Arthur is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate Memorial) Ypres, Belgium, Panel 23. His name is located at panel 108 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. Arthur’s effects were returned to his mother and consisted of his wallet, cards, letters & photos. His memorial scroll was sent to his father in December 1921. The memorial plaque was sent to his mother in October 1922. His victory medal was sent to his father in April 1923. Arthur’s mother was granted a pension of 2 pound per fortnight from 12^th December 1918

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