FAMILY LIFE

Oliver Octavius Farrell was on c1895 in The Nobby, Snow Mountains, son of Christopher & Emily Farrell. His parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

 APPLICATION

He was single labourer, living in Murwillumbah, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 27^th Nov 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Emily. His previous service was 9 months in senior cadets. His medical showed he was 20 years 10 months old, 5ft 6 inches tall (1.68m), weighed 138 lbs (63kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & light brown hair. His eyesight was good.

 Oliver was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his inside right leg.  He was enlisted as a private into the 3^rd Machine Gun Company, 4^th reinforcements with service No 328. The 3rd Machine Gun Company was an infantry support unit of the Australian Army. The battalion's unit colour patch was a black and gold oval, which was usually worn above the crossed guns badge of the Machine Gun Corps. The battalion was equipped with Vickers medium machine guns are water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) machine guns produced by Vickers Limited.

 3^RD MACHINE GUN COMPANY

The 3rd Machine Gun Company was formed on March 12, 1916, in Egypt. It was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade and later served on the Western Front during World War I. The company played a crucial role in providing fire support to infantry units, using the reliable Vickers Medium Machine Gun. The 3rd Machine Gun Company exemplified bravery and resilience, making a lasting impact on the war effort.

ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP

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 16^th August 1916, the recruits left Melbourne, sailing upon the HMAT Orontes. 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. 

 GRANTHAM TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Plymouth on 16^th October 1916. They were marched into the English training camp at Grantham, which specialised in machine gun use. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the 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. 

 These men would have had training in the use of the Vickers medium machine gun which was operated by a three-man crew but typically required more men to move and operate it: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the others helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition, and spare parts. They 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

 DISCIPLINED

During this time Oliver was disciplined twice. The first was for being AWL from 9.30pm on 25^th December 1916 to 9.30pm on 27^th December. He was awarded 14 days confined to barracks, which meant he was permitted to perform his usual duties, during working hours, but was required to report every hour, on the hour, from 6am start of work, at lunch time and between cessation of work and 10pm. It included morning & evening periods of drill on the parade ground and reporting in different forms of dress at different times. He also forfeited 3 days’ pay.

 The second occasion occurred on 29^th January 1917 when he was absent without leave from 9.30pm to 9.30pm on 30^th January, and for breaking out of isolation camp. He was awarded 24 hours detention for the first offence and 72 hours detention for the second. He forfeited 7 days’ pay.

 TRENCH WARFARE

On the 17^th March 1917 he proceeded to France and 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 LAGNICOURT MARCH- APRIL 1917

Lagnicourt, in northern France, was the scene of fierce fighting in March and April 1917. When the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line in March and the British and dominion forces advanced rapidly in their wake but as they neared the Hindenburg Line they were confronted by well-prepared rearguard forces, which were only removed after difficult fights. Closing with the Hindenburg Line, the British lost no time in launching a major offensive around Arras. This left their line weak in several places, including Lagnicourt. Aware of this weakness, the Germans launched a counter-stroke in the Lagnicourt area at dawn on 15 April, utilising 23 battalions. Their aim was not to permanently recapture the territory, but merely to hold it for a day and capture or destroy all the equipment and supplies they found there. They rapidly occupied Lagnicourt and captured several batteries of the 1st Australian Division's artillery. A vigorous counter-attack by four Australian battalions just after 7 am recaptured the village and most of the guns and forced a premature German withdrawal.

 MISSING IN ACTION 20^TH APRIL 1917

On 20^th April 1917 Oliver was listed as missing in action during the Battle of Lagnicourt.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

As soon as possible after a battle a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happen 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 always to be discovered as a battle may be over several days, or even weeks

 In the court of enquiry held for Oliver statements were taken from several soldiers. Pte Bracey stated at 3.45am on April1 5^th the Germans camo over and surrounded No 3 section, to which Farrell belonged. All but 7 men of the section were captured, together with 3 guns. Bracey was in No 4 section, some 300 yards away and witnessed the occurrence. He also stated the Lt. Martin was one of those who escaped and who would be able to give further information.

 Gunner J Laird advised the following “about a mile on the right of Beaumetz we were standing to at daybreak. We were surprised and surrounded by the Germans and a great number of the corps were taken prisoner, amongst them being Farrell”

 PRISONER OF WAR

It was then confirmed on the 2^nd June, from the German List of Prisoners, he was a prisoner of war, confined in Limburg, Germany. He was repatriated to England on 18^th December 1918.

GETTING HOME

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.

 HOME LIFE

He was granted leave until he returned to Australia and on the 22^nd January 1919, he married Gladys Evans, at St Christopher’s Nottingham. He and Gladys returned on the Konigen Luise, arriving 8^th February, 1920. He was discharged on 9^th April 1920. For his service, Oliver was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

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