FAMILY LIFE

William Cooney was born in 1894 in Carbago, a small village near Bega, son of Thomas & Amy Mary (Blacker) Cooney. William was one of 10 children. The Cooney family arrived in Murwillumbah in 1908 and the parents’ names are on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district. Many the children settled and died in the district and are buried in the local cemeteries.

APPLICATION

William was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 20^th July 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Amy, of Tyalgum. His medical showed he was 21 years 2 months old, 5ft 6½ inches tall (1.7m), weighed 161 lbs (73kgs), with a fresh complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good.

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 Cooney 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.” 

William was Church of England and had 2 moles on his chest & a birthmark on his right arm.  He was enlisted as a private into the 31^st Infantry Battalion – 1^st Reinforcements with service No 1532

31^st INFANTRY BATTALION

The 31st was raised in August 1915 as part of the 8th Brigade & it joined the 5th Australian Division in Egypt before heading to the Western Front in France in 1916. The 31st Infantry Battalion's legacy is marked by its resilience, bravery, and dedication to its missions. Its history is preserved through memorials and historical records, ensuring its contributions are remembered and honoured

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. William received his first one on 27^th July, the second on 6^th August & the last on 16^th August. 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 recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

Some of the 31^st battalion’s companies, however, were also raised at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria. In early October, these two elements were united at Broadmeadows, and the battalion sailed from Melbourne on 9^th November 1915 on the HMAT Wandilla on the 5^th. William sailed on the Wandilla. 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 disembarked on the Suez on 7^th December 1915

 

EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP

The 31st joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Egyptian 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

TRENCH WARFARE

The 31st proceeded to France, destined for the Western Front, in June 1916. 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.

THE BATTLE OF FROMELLES JULY 1916

The 31st Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously. The Battle of Fromelles, fought on July 19-20, 1916, was the first major engagement for Australian troops on the Western Front during World War I. It was intended as a diversion to prevent German reinforcements from moving to the Somme, but the attack was poorly planned and executed. Australian and British forces faced heavily fortified German positions near Aubers Ridge, including the "Sugar Loaf" strongpoint. The assault resulted in catastrophic losses, with over 5,500 Australian casualties, including nearly 2,000 killed. The battle is remembered as one of the darkest days in Australian military history

WOUNDED IN ACTION

The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for the 31st – it suffered 572 casualties, over half of its strength. William was one of the casualties being wounded in action on 20th July with a gunshot wound to the arm.  

HOSPITALISATION & CONVALESCENCE

He was transferred to England on the 21st per the Jan Breydel & admitted to the 2nd General Hospital in Manchester.  He would spend several months there and then be marched into the Lark Hill 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.

DISCIPLINED

Whilst there he went AWL from 3pm on 7^th September until he reported in at 3pm on the 8^th. He forfeited 6 day’s pay

REJOINED UNIT

He rejoined his unit on 30th September 1916. The 31st were in France fighting in the trenches. They had suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Fromelles in July, which rendered them non-operational for the remainder of 1916. While they continued to spend time in the front-line trenches, they did not participate in any major offensive actions during that period. The battalion's focus during this time was likely on rebuilding its strength and preparing for future operations. They would be doing a variety of things such as repairing & reinforcing the trenches, venturing into No Man’s Land to gather intelligence on the enemy’s movements, practising weapon handling, supporting supply line with food etc and resting for periods in billets & rest areas. 

HOSPITALISATION MEASLES & BRONCHIAL PNEUMONIA

On the 11^th November 1916 William was admitted to Reading War hospital with measles and bronchial pneumonia. The measles virus attacked the respiratory epithelium but the real risk was that the compromised pulmonary defences of the immunosuppressed soldier would succumb to a secondary infection when respiratory bacteria descended into the lungs to cause pneumonia, which it did with William.  There were no antibiotics in WWI so doctors focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications through measures like bed rest which was crucial to allow the body to conserve energy and fight the infection, oxygen therapy which helped patients breathe easier & managing complications by focusing on treating complications like secondary bacterial infections. 

CONVALESCENCE & DISCIPLINED

William was again marched into one of the command posts- this one at Wareham, on 25^th November 1916, where he went AWL from the Tattoo on 16^th January 1917 to 8pm on the 26^th January. He was awarded 11 days detention in custody awaiting trial in 3 days and forfeited 25 day’s pay. William was transferred to the training camp at Hurdcott on 14^th October 1917, where he would once again continue with drilling & training to ensure he was up to date with the latest weapons, technology & techniques.

THE BATTLE AMIENS

On the 17^th October he sailed to Le Havre, France and rejoined his unit on 26^th October, 1917. He was back in the trenches fighting the Germans. Unlike some AIF battalions, the 31st had a relatively quiet time during the German Spring Offensive of 1918 as the 5th Division was largely kept in reserve. The Allies launched their own offensive with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 31st Battalion participated. The opening attack of what would be come to be called the Hundred Days Offensive, the Battle of Amiens sees one of the most successful advances of World War I, with Allied troops securing more than eight miles in the conflict’s first fog-covered day, later called "the black day of the German Army" by General Erich Ludendorff. Catching the Germans by surprise, the Allies attack with the help of 2,000 guns, 1,900 planes and 500 tanks, causing large-scale German casualties and a fatal blow to morale.

THE BATTLE OF ST QUENTIN CANAL SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1918

It was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September.

The 31st fought its last major action of the war in September 1918 when the 5th and 3rd Australian Divisions, and two American divisions attacked the Hindenburg Line across the top of the 6-kilometre-long St Quentin Canal tunnel; the canal was a major obstacle in the German defensive scheme.  The Battle of St Quentin Canal (September 29 – October 10, 1918) was a pivotal engagement during World War I, forming part of the Hundred Days Offensive. It was fought along the Hindenburg Line, a heavily fortified German defensive position, with the goal of breaking through one of its strongest sections.

 The battle involved British, Australian, and American forces under the command of General Sir Henry Rawlinson. The Australian Corps, led by Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, played a key role, alongside American divisions. The Germans had incorporated the St Quentin Canal into their defences, making it a formidable obstacle.

Despite fierce resistance, the Allies successfully breached the Hindenburg Line, marking a significant turning point in the war. The battle resulted in heavy casualties, with thousands of soldiers lost on both sides. The victory convinced the German high command that their chances of winning the war were diminishing, contributing to the eventual Armistice

GETTING HOME

On 5^th November 1918 he was given leave and rejoined the unit on 28^th November. 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. William returned to Australia per Devana on 27^th June 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial 

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