FAMILY LIFE

Francis George Wright was born c1897, son of George Wright.

APPLICATION

He was single, a tick inspector, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 17^th February 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, George, of South Murwillumbah.

Francis had done 2 years compulsory training in area 12a. His medical showed he was 18 years 11 months old, 5ft 2 ½ inches tall (1.58m), weighed 118 lbs (53kgs), with a fresh complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good. Francis was Church of England and had a scar on his right shin and another on his left shin.  He was enlisted as a private into the 41^st Battalion, B Coy with service No 538

41^ST INFANTRY BATTALION

The 41st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was raised in Bells’ Paddock Camp, Brisbane in February 1916, drawing recruits from Queensland and northern New South Wales. It was part of the 11th Brigade in the 3rd Australian Division. The 41st Infantry Battalion is remembered for its resilience and dedication

 

AUSTRALIAN TRAINING CAMP- BELL’S PADDOCK

The recruits training was at Bell’s Paddock 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 18^th May 1916, the recruits left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT Demosthenes. 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. 

OVERSEAS TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked art Plymouth on 20^th July 1916 and were marched into the training camp. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the English 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- INFLUENZA 27^TH SEPTEMBER 1916

During this time Francis was admitted to the Military Hospital at Bangor on 27^th September 1916 with influenza. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain.

There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. 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.

TRENCH WARFARE- 41^ST BATTALION

After training in Australia and Britain, the 41st Battalion arrived in France on 25 November 1916. It 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. Francis was taken on strength on the 5^th January 1917. 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.

JANUARY TO JUNE 1917

Between January and June 1917, the 41st Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was stationed on the Western Front. They endured a harsh winter and rotated between frontline duties near Armentières in France and across the Lys River in Belgium2. The battalion faced challenging conditions, including heavy rain, flooded trenches, and relentless shelling, which significantly reduced the size of their platoons.

Their experiences during this period were marked by routine tasks and preparation for the battles that would follow later in the year. 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.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 17^TH JANUARY 1917

On 17^th January 1917 Francis was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his chest & upper extremities. He was admitted to a hospital in Boulogne, France but transferred to England and admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital on 8^th February. On 5^th March he was transferred to the 1^st Auxiliary Hospital in Wakefield.

FURLOUGH AND COMMAND DEPOT

He was given furlough from 10^th March to 26^th March and then marched into command posts. 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.

TRANSFER TO 63^RD BATTALION 6^TH MAY 1917

TRANSFER BACK TO 41^ST 17^TH SWEPTEMBER 1917

On 6^th May he was transferred to the 63^rd Battalion and spent time in their command camp at Windmill Hill, Salisbury. On 5^th September he proceeded overseas to reinforce the 63^rd ‘s 3^rd division. However, he was taken on strength with the 41^st again on 17^th September.

THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE 4 OCTOBER 1917

The 41^st captured its objectives at Broodseinde on 4 October with little difficulty. The Battle of Broodseinde was fought on 4 October 1917 near Ypres. The battle was the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders, and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. The battalion captured its objectives with relative ease, compared to other units that faced heavy resistance. The Australian divisions were shelled heavily before the attack, with one-seventh of their troops becoming casualties before the battle even started. The Australians encountered German troops advancing towards them, as the Germans had planned an attack on the same morning. The Australian forces gained all their objectives, but suffered 6,500 casualties due to intense fighting and German pillboxes.

WOUNDED IN ACTION SECOND OCCASION

One of the casualties was Francis who was wounded in action for the 2^nd occasion in this battle with concussion, which is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects brain function. Effects are often short term and can include headaches and trouble with concentration, memory, balance, mood, and sleep. He rejoined his unit on 11^th October 1917. On 29^th December Francis was admitted to hospital but no details recorded. He rejoined the unit on 1^st January 1918

GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE MARCH 1918

When the German Army launched its last great offensive in March 1918, the battalion was rushed south to France and played a role in blunting the drive towards the vital railway junction of Amiens. · 

Provided machine gun and rifle fire support to slow German advances. Francis & the 41^st assisted in defending Amiens, a critical supply hub for the Allies. They engaged in trench warfare and counterattacks against German forces and withstood German bombardments targeting their positions.

They played a role in repelling multiple German assaults on the Somme front.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 3^RD OCCASION

On 30^th March 1918 Francis was wounded for the 3^rd time with a gunshot wound to his back. He was transferred to England on 4^th April and was admitted to the General Military Hospital in Edmonton. On 4^th May he was furlough till 18^th May then report to the command post at Hurdcott which received men who will be fit for duty in periods ranging from 3 weeks to 3 months. Again, 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 returned to France on 22^nd June 1918 but was stationed with the 2^nd training brigade.

HOSPITALISED INFLUENZA 24^TH OCTOBER 1918

On 24^th October he was again admitted to hospital with influenza. He returned to the unit on 1^st November.

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 many months before they were headed back to Australia.

GOING HOME

Francis returned to Australia per the Orca on 19^th February, disembarking at Sydney on 3th April 1919. He was discharged on 25^th May 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

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