FAMILY LIFE

Garnet Cecil McLennan was born in 1894 in Inverell, son of James Sutherland & Annie Elizabeth (Wall) McLennan. He was one of 5 children. The McLennan family moved to Burringbar in 1878. His father died in 1926 and his mother then moved to Murwillumbah. Their names are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLICATION

Garnet was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 1^st February 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Annie, of Burringbar. His medical showed he was 21 years 9 months old, 5ft 4 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 126 lbs (57kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & fair hair. His eyesight was good. Garnet was Presbyterian and had a scar on his left heel.  He was enlisted as a private into the 14^TH Light Horse Battalion with service No 88

LIGHT HORSE BATTALIONS

The Australian Light Horse units were mounted troops that combined the characteristics of cavalry and infantry. Their general role was to provide mobility and versatility in combat, particularly in challenging terrains like deserts. The Light Horse units are remembered for their adaptability, courage, and significant contributions to the Allied war effort.

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

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 13^th May 1916, the recruits left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT Beltana. 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. 

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

The disembarked at Devonport, England on 10^th July 1916 and were marched into the English training camp. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the 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

TRANSFERRED TO 41^ST BATTALION 23^RD SEPTEMBER 1916

SERVICE NUMBER CHANGED TO 96

Garnet was transferred to the 41^st Battalion while in training camp.

TRENCH WARFARE

Garnet & the new recruits in the 41st Battalion arrived in France on 25 November 1916. The battalion entered the front line for the first time on Christmas Eve and spent the bleak winter of 1916-17 alternating between service in the front line, and training and labouring in the rear areas. 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.

HOSPITALISATION- SCABIES

On 30^th January 1917 Garnet was admitted to hospital with scabies. Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite (bug) Scabies is very contagious and spreads quickly, especially in the close confines of the trenches. It causes intense itching, threadlike tracks on your skin and sometimes a rash. The rash looks like tiny red lumps and is caused by an allergic reaction to the mite. The treatment of scabies was on the first day the patient was thoroughly rubbed with soft soap for fifteen minutes. He then entered a warm bath where he lay for twenty minutes; during the last five minutes the infected sites were gently scrubbed with a soft brush. This procedure was designed to open the burrows and expose the acari and ova. Steam or shower baths could not accomplish this satisfactorily and were therefore unsuitable. After drying, a liberal quantity of sulphur ointment was rubbed over the whole body below the neck, special attention being paid to the hands, feet, and penis. This inunction was repeated on the second and third days. On the fourth day, but not before, the patient was given a second bath and supplied with clean clothing and bedding. Such articles as socks, wrist straps, gloves, and the string of identification discs also required disinfection.

KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST MARCH 1917

In February & March 1917, the 41st were engaged in front-line duties and training or labouring in rear areas and were subject to heavy shellfire and flooded trenches. Garnet rejoined his unit on 13^th February and during the fighting was killed in action on 1^st March 1917.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Garnet was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Brisbane 41st Battalion Roll of Honour, Burringbar War Memorial, Cooma St Andrew's Memorial Gate. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial Number 134 among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

Garnet’s effects were returned to his mother and consisted of his identity disc, photos, match box cover, letters, tobacco pouch, mittens, toilet case, writing wallet & cloth wallet. He is buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France, plot III. F. 37. His father received his Memorial Scroll on 30^th May 1922, his Memorial Plaque on 26^th February 1923 and his Victory Medal on 5^th April 1923. 

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