Private John Edward Withers
Service #: 2998A
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
John Edward Withers was born 11th December 1895 in Murwillumbah, son of John Augustus Withers & Mary (Reilly) Withers. He came from a large family and two of his brothers also enlisted. His parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district. John also enlisted in WWII as private in the 1st Garrison Battalion
APPLICATION
John was single printer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 1st February 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, John, of East Murwillumbah. His medical showed he was 21 years 1 month old, 5ft 7 inches tall (1.7m), weighed 108 lbs (49kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good. The Examining Medical Officer stated that John “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.”
John was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his left shin. On the second page of the Attestation Paper he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, John Edward Withers 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 31st Infantry Battalion – 8th Reinforcements with service No 2998. This was changed to 2998A on 16th January 1917.
31st 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
ENOGERA TRAINING CAMP
The 31st Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Enoggera, on the outskirts of Brisbane, and the recruits all attended the training camp at Rifle Camp, Enoggera. 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
The recruits sailed from Sydney on 14th April 1916 on the HMAT Ceramic.
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 16th May 1916. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over the next weeks, 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.
Training would be for eight hours a day six days a week. All day long, in every valley of the Sahara for miles around the Pyramids of Giza were groups or lines of men advancing, retiring, drilling or squatted near their piled arms listening to their officer. For many of the battalions many miles of desert had to be covered in the morning and evening to and from their allotted training areas. At first, to harden the troops, they wore full kit with heavy packs. Their backs became drenched with perspiration, and the bitter desert wind blew on them as they camped for their midday meal and many deaths from pneumonia were attributed to this cause.
They spent several weeks in the training camp which provided the final preparation for entrainment to Alexandria and the Western Front. They screened soldiers arriving in Egypt as reinforcements, checking for any illnesses such as measles which can break out when people are crowded together for long periods.
ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP
They arrived in Plymouth on 16th June 1916. Over many more tough months, in the 8th Battalion’s English training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther even behind. 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
John proceeded to France on 5th September 1916. In mid-1916 the 31st proceeded to France, destined for the Western front, where they found themselves fighting in trenches. 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, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats.
· 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
SEPTEMBER 1916 TO EARLY 1917
Although it still spent periods in the front line, the 31st played no major offensive role for the rest of the year. Due to the heavy losses in the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916, they were rendered 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.
In early 1917, the German Army withdrew to the Hindenburg Line allowing the British front to be advanced and the 31st Battalion participated in the follow-up operations. The battalion subsequently missed the heavy fighting to breach the Hindenburg Line during the second battle of Bullecourt as the 8th Brigade was deployed to protect the division’s flank.
BETWEEN BATTLES
Between battles, battalions engaged in a variety of critical activities to recover, prepare, and maintain their effectiveness. Some of the key activities included rest & recovery, continuing their training, maintaining their weapons & uniforms, building & reinforcing the trenches & dugouts & barbed wire defences
They also conducted patrols and reconnaissance to gather intelligence on enemy movements and maintain control over no-man's-land & engaged in activities like writing letters, playing games, and sharing stories to bond as a unit and maintain their spirits. This downtime between battles was essential for ensuring that battalions could perform effectively when called back into action.
BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD 26TH SEPTEMBER 1917
The only large battle in 1917 in which the 31st Battalion played a major role was Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres sector in Belgium. It was a battle in which ‘step by step’ or ‘bite and hold’ tactics were used to batter down the formidable German defensive positions. After an opening bombardment the infantry would advance for a prescribed distance behind a ‘creeping’ barrage of shells. This barrage would keep the Germans in their ‘pillboxes’ until British soldiers were almost upon them. The enemy positions would then be captured consolidated and protected from counter-attack by artillery. Artillery would be brought forward and the next ‘bite’ attempted. In this way the British aimed to work their way from their start lines near Ypres to the heights of the ridge ten kilometres away at Passchendaele village. Charles Bean, the Australian Official Historian described the opening barrage on 26 September as the most perfect that ever protected Australian troops and that it rolled ahead of the troops roaring ‘like a Gippsland bushfire’. The battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties
DISCIPLINED DECEMBER 1917
On 29th December 1917 John went AWL from midnight to 9.25pm on 30th December. He forfeited 6 day’s pay and was awarded 2 day’s Field Punishment No. 2 where the prisoner was placed in fetters and handcuffs but was not attached to a fixed object and was still able to march with his unit. This was a relatively tolerable punishment.
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. However, they were still in the trenches, daily fighting the Germans, and on 21st June 1918 he was wounded in action (no details recorded) and rejoined his unit on 1st July.
THE BATTLE OF AMIENS AUGUST 1918
The Allies launched their own offensive with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, in which the 31st Battalion participated. It was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September.
WOUNDED IN ACTION 30TH AUGUST 1918 2ND OCCASION
John was wounded in this action on 30th August with a gunshot wound to his left buttock.
HOSPITALISED & REST CAMP
On 1st September he was invalided to the 4th Southern General Hospital, Plymouth, England. He would have spent several months in hospital then marched into a command post where 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.
The end of the war was in sight and on 11th 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.
GOING HOME
He embarked on 3rd January 1919 per HMAT Orontes. He was discharged 27th March 1919.
FOR HIS SERVICE
For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
HOME LIFE
He married Mabel Jordan in Murwillumbah in 1937 and was accidentally killed (no further details) on 9th February 1942, aged 46, leaving a widow and 4-year-old son. He is buried at Tweed Heads Old General Cemetery, plot L18
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
We do not know the memorial location of this individual
Buried Location
Tweed Heads Old General Cemetery, plot L18
