FAMILY LIFE

James Higgins was born c1889 in Nimbin, son Amelia Francis Higgins.

APPLICATION

He was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 6^th April 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Amelia, of Condong. His medical showed he was 27 years old, 5ft 6 inches tall (1.68m), weighed 147lbs (67kgs), with medium complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good.

The Examining Medical Officer stated that James “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, James Higgins, 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.” 

James was Roman Catholic.  He was enlisted as a private into the 4th Machine Gun Battalion but was transferred to 49th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement with service number 2431

AUSTRALIAN TRAINING CAMP

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

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

His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 19 September 1916. 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.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP DECEMBER 1916

They disembarked at Plymouth on the 19^th December 1916 and were marched in to the 13^th training battalion’s camp at Codford. 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.  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

HOSPITALISATION PNEUMONIA FEBRUARY 1917

On the 5^th February 1917, while in the training camp,  James was admitted to the Group Hospital in Codford with pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It leads to inflammation in the air sacs of one or both lungs. These sacs, called alveoli, fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe. is a contagious illness, easily spread among the soldiers, crowded together in tents/ in the trenches.

Pneumonia symptoms can be life threatening in such condition. They included coughing that may produce phlegm (mucus), fever, sweating or chills, shortness of breath , chest pain that’s worse when you breathe or cough & feelings of tiredness or fatigue

In WWI there were no anti-biotics & no penicillin. There was no effective medical treatment for pneumonia. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward

CODFORD FEBRUARY 1917

RANSFER TO 49^TH BATTALION

On 21^st February he returned to Codford to continue his training. He was transferred to the 49^th Battalion.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE JUNE 1917

James only had a mild case and proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on 22^nd May 1917. Sailing on the transport Arcadian, the 49th Battalion landed in Marseilles, France, on 12 June 1916, and moved up to the front line around Strazelle, arriving on 21 June. The recruits 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.

JUNE TO AUGUST 1917

Between June and August 1917, the 49th Battalion was actively engaged on the Western Front, particularly in Belgium.

JUNE 1917: BATTLE OF MESSINES

On 7 June 1917, the 49th Battalion participated in the Battle of Messines. Advancing on the right flank of the 13th Brigade, they moved past Despagne Farm into the Blauwepoortbeek Valley. During this assault, they encountered German pillboxes for the first time. The battalion faced intense machine-gun fire, resulting in heavy casualties, including the loss of all company commanders. By the end of the battle, the 49th had suffered 379 casualties, with some inflicted by their own artillery during a German counterattack on 8 June.

JULY–AUGUST 1917: RECOVERY AND TRAINING

Following the Battle of Messines, the battalion underwent a period of rest, reorganization, and training. During this time, they were stationed in areas such as Dranouter, where they engaged in training exercises and provided working parties to support front-line operations

THE BATTLE OF MOQUET FARM AGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1917

The battalion's first significant action came during the Battle of Mouquet Farm, taking part in two efforts in August and early September. Conceived as a follow on action to the Battle of Pozières to advance the line towards Thiepval to exploit a salient that had developed in the line, the battle proved a costly, and ultimately unsuccessful, introduction to the Western Front for the 4th Division. The first time they were committed in early August they suffered heavily from German artillery, and the second time, although succeeding in capturing the farm, they were eventually pushed back under the weight of strong German counter-attacks. The 49th Battalion suffered heavy casualties in making their debut – 14 officers and 417 other ranks killed or wounded 

HOSPITALISED SEPTEMBER 1917- NO DETAILS

James was admitted to the 39^th Southern Hospital in Le Havre on 19^th September 1917, no details given. He was transferred to the 83^rd General Hospital on 26^th September and to a convalescent depot in Boulogne on 27^th September. 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. He rejoined his unit on 23^rd October 1917.

OCTOBER 1917 TO MARCH 1918

Between October 1917 and March 1918, the 49^th was engaged in a combination of front-line duties, training, and preparations for anticipated German offensives on the Western Front.

OCTOBER–DECEMBER 1917: TRENCH WARFARE AND TRAINING

Following the intense fighting at the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917, the 49th Battalion moved into a period of relative quiet. They were stationed in the Ypres sector in Belgium, where they engaged in routine trench duties, including patrols, maintenance of defences, and training exercises to integrate new reinforcements and refine tactics. This period allowed the battalion to recuperate and prepare for future operations.

JANUARY–MARCH 1918: ANTICIPATING GERMAN OFFENSIVES

With the collapse of Russia in late 1917, the German High Command was able to transfer divisions to the Western Front, leading to expectations of a major German offensive in early 1918. In response, the 49th Battalion, along with the rest of the 4th Division, was repositioned to defensive positions around Dernancourt on the River Ancre in France. During this time, the battalion focused on strengthening defensive works, conducting reconnaissance, and maintaining readiness for the anticipated attacks

MARCH 1918: GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE

In late March 1918, the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, targeting the British Fifth Army's positions. The 49th Battalion played a crucial role in the defence of the Dernancourt sector, engaging in intense combat to repel German advances. Their actions during this period were vital in holding the line and preventing a breakthrough, setting the stage for subsequent Allied counter-offensives

WOUNDED IN ACTION MARCH 1918

On 27^th March 1918 James was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his face & head, severe. He was admitted to the 105^th Field Ambulance. (A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps.)

TRANSFERRED TO ENGLAND APRIL 1918

He was transferred to England to the 3^rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford on 5^th April 1918.  

FURLOUGH AND COMMAND POST MAY 1918

On 6^th May he was given furlough to 20^th May and then to report to No 1 command post in Sutton Veney where he would again 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.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH OVERSEAS TRAINING BRIGADE & 4^TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION

He was taken on strength with the Overseas Training Brigade & in September he returned to France & was taken on strength with the 4^th machine gun battalion as the 49^th had been heavily depleted by the fighting throughout 1918, was withdrawn from the line for rest and reorganisation. It did not return to the front before the armistice was signed on 11 November.

HUNDRED DAY OFFENSIVE SEPTEMBER 1918

In September 1918 the 4^th machine gun battalion was involved in the Hundred Day Offensive (8^th August-11^th November). The Allied and German armies suffered many casualties. Rearguard actions were fought during the Pursuit to the Selle (9 October), battles of Courtrai (14 October), Mont-d'Origny (15 October), the Selle (17 October), Lys and Escaut (20 October) (including the subsidiary battles of the Lys and of the Escaut), the Serre (20 October), Valenciennes (1 November), the Sambre (including the Second Battle of Guise) (4 November), and Thiérache (4 November), and the Passage of the Grande Honnelle (5 November), with fighting continuing until the Armistice took effect at 11:00 on 11 November 1918

WAR ENDED

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.

RETURNED HOME 1919

James returned on the Poona on 20^th May 1919 and was discharged on 27^th June 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, James was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

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