FAMILY LIFE

Charles William Lawrence Morrison was born in 1898 in Tumbulgum to William Morrison and Janet McKay (Dinsey) Morrison and was one of nine children raised on the family farm, Abbottford, at Tumbulgum. He attended Murwillumbah Public Primary School and after leaving became a farm hand. His parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLICATION

He was single farm hand, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Sydney on 8^th May 1916 to complete his application which was taken at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds, Moore Park. His next of kin was listed as his aunt, Mrs. Dyce of Petersham. This was changed later to his father, William, as Charles had lied about his age on his application. This avoided the requirement for his parents to approve his enlistment.

His medical stated he was 21 years 8 months old, 5ft 9¼ in (1.77m) tall and weighed 158lbs (71.5kgs) with blue eyes, light hair, and a light complexion. His eyesight was good. The Examining Medical Officer stated that Charles “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, Charles William Lawrence Morrison, 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 Presbyterian. He was enlisted as a private into the 30^th Infantry Battalion – 9^th Reinforcements with service No 3845

LIVERPOOL & KIAMA 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. Most of their training was in Liverpool camp but on 24^th June they finished the rest in Kiama.

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

On the 10^TH August 1916, the recruits left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT Anchises.  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

The recruits arrived in Plymouth on 11 October 1916 and were marched into the English Training Camp at Codford. 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

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

He then proceeded on the ‘Princess Victoria’ from Folkstone, England to France on 5 December as part of the 9th Reinforcements for the 30th Battalion AIF. 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.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH

HOSPITALISATION FROST BITE FEBRUARY 1917

Charles was taken on strength by the Battalion on 8 February, but by 16^TH February he was admitted to hospital due to frostbite (mild) on his toes (the winter of 1916-17 in Belgium/France was one of the coldest on record).

FROSTBITE

Frostbite is a medical condition that occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. It primarily affects extremities like fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin. During WWI, frostbite became a serious problem, especially on the Western Front, where soldiers endured freezing temperatures in the trenches, often while standing in waterlogged or muddy conditions for days. Medical understanding of frostbite was limited, and treatment was rudimentary by modern standards. Common practices included:

·      Gradual rewarming: Soaking the affected parts in warm (not hot) water, around 38–40°C  

·      Rest and elevation to reduce swelling and prevent further injury.

·      Massage and rubbing: Unfortunately, this was often done and is now known to be harmful—it can cause additional tissue damage.

·      Alcohol was used both as a pain reliever and mistakenly believed to improve circulation (it worsens hypothermia).

EVACUATION TO ENGLAND

He was firstly evacuated to Rouen, then to England on the ‘HS Panama’, to the 3^rd General Southern Hospital in Oxford

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 45^th BATTALION

Charles did not return to France until early June and then joined the 45th Battalion on 23 June 1917

JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1917

Between July and September 1917, the 45th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force was actively engaged on the Western Front, particularly in Belgium

JULY–AUGUST 1917: PREPARATIONS AND REST

The 45th Battalion spent July and August alternating between front-line duties and periods of rest and training behind the lines. These rotations were crucial for recuperation and preparation for upcoming offensives. During this time, the battalion was stationed in the Ypres sector of Belgium, an area that would soon become the focal point of intense fighting.

SEPTEMBER 1917: ENGAGEMENT AT GARTER POINT

In September, the 45th Battalion moved into advanced positions near Zonnebeke, Belgium, specifically at a location known as Garter Point. Photographic evidence from 27 September 1917 shows members of the battalion in the advanced trenches at Garter Point, indicating their active involvement in the front-line operations during this period.

The battalion's presence at Garter Point placed them in the midst of the broader Third Battle of Ypres, a protracted and gruelling campaign characterized by muddy terrain, heavy artillery bombardments, and significant casualties. The 45th Battalion's activities during this time would have included holding and consolidating captured positions, conducting patrols, and preparing for further assaults as part of the coordinated Allied efforts in the region

BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE OCTOBER 1917

The 45th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division, played a direct role in the Battle of Passchendaele, particularly in the later phases of the Third Battle of Ypres in October 1917.

Their task was to support the main attack on Passchendaele village alongside other units of the 4th and 3rd Divisions. The objective was to capture the Passchendaele Ridge from entrenched German forces. The conditions were terrible- torrential rain, deep mud, flooded shell holes, and heavy artillery made movement and coordination extremely difficult. The attack failed to secure its objectives. Poor weather and mud bogged down troops and artillery & German machine guns and artillery inflicted severe casualties. There was limited artillery support due to mud and logistical failures & communication broke down between units due to terrain and chaos. The 45th Battalion suffered heavy losses, though exact numbers vary depending on source. The AIF overall lost thousands that day

KILLED IN ACTION

On the following day, Charles was killed by an artillery round and his body was never recovered. He was only 19 years old.

FOR HIS SERVICE

He is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. He is also remembered at the Australian War Memorial’s Wall of Remembrance on panel 140, and at the Murwillumbah Cenotaph. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. His father received his memorial scroll & memorial plaque on 3^rd July 1923. He received his Victory Medal & British War Medal on 5^th July 1923

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