Private John Boobbyer
Service #: 4284
Summary
BACKGROUND
John Boobbyer was born in Croydon, Surrey, England in c1890.
John travelled to Brisbane on the 14th September 1915 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was a single man and gave his occupation as clerk. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs E Boobyer, of Murwillumbah. He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER
On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”
OATH
He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, John Boobyer, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law. He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia
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MEDICAL EXAMINATION
John was 24 year 10 months old. He was 5ft 7inches tall (1.7m) and weighed 10stone 4 lbs (65kgs). He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His eye sight was good and he had a scar on the back of his left hand. John was Church of England
CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER
The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: - Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.
He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service
CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER
This is completed during the recruits training. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him a private with 13th reinforcements, 15th Battalion with service number 4284
TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA
As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. 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 recruits 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 could take several months
INNOCULATIONS
All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.
THE UNIFORM
The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.
SOLDIER’S KIT
Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.
· Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.
· Braces: worn with breeches.
· Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.
· Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.
· Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.
· Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.
· Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.
· Jersey
· Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.
· Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.
· Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.
· Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.
· Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.
· Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.
· Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.
· Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.
· They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.
· No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid five shillings a day.
VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM BRISBANE TO EGYPT JANUARY 1916
His unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A55 Kyarra on 3 January 1916. Alongside his comrades, John marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.
SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together. Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.
DAILY ROUTINE
Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.
MEALS
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. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.
HEALTH & SANITATION
Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.
THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE
Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. To keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.
The 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
CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY
The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.
SIGHTS AT SEA
On the way to Egypt the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.
SECURITY
By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes.
APPROACHING EGYPT
After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the sandy training grounds of Egypt, preparing for what lay ahead.
EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP FEBURARY 1916
The ship arrived in Alexandria on the 19th February 1916. The unit then went to Serapeum training camp. During World War I, this camp provided the final preparation for entrainment to Alexandria and the Western Front. The camps screened soldiers arriving in Egypt, checking for any illnesses such as measles which can break out when people are crowded together for long periods.
During an interim period, soldiers typically:
· Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.
· Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.
· Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:
ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic
ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton
ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp
ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear
· Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.
· Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open.
They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in a 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.
After many months of continuous preparation in France, the men were judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally entered into the war, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.
TAKEN ON STRENGTH APRIL 1916
John was taken on strength with the 47th Battalion on the 1st April 1916 while he was in the camp. This means a soldier was officially assigned to and accounted for in a specific military unit's nominal roll. It meant they were integrated into the unit for daily operations, including food, discipline, equipment, and frontline duties
SICK- TONSILITIS APRIL 1916
When John reported sick with acute tonsillitis on 13 April 1916, he was admitted to the 12th Field Ambulance. Despite its name, a Field Ambulance was not a transport vehicle but a mobile medical unit. The medical staff examined John, provided treatment to reduce the infection and fever, ensured he received rest, fluids and nourishment, and monitored his recovery. Cases of tonsillitis could quickly incapacitate a soldier in the harsh conditions of Egyptian camps, so removing men from training until they were fit again was standard practice. After making a good recovery, John was discharged and rejoined the 47th Battalion at Serapeum on 22 April 1916.
FRANCE JUNE 1916
In early June the battalion received orders to join the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. On 2 June John embarked from Alexandria aboard the troopship Caledonia and crossed the Mediterranean. After arriving at Marseilles on 9 June, the battalion began the long rail journey north through France. For many Australians this was their first glimpse of the French countryside, passing vineyards, farms and villages far removed from the deserts of Egypt. The journey north took several days and included frequent stops as military trains gave priority to supplies and troops moving towards the front.
JUNE TO AUGUST 1916
Once in northern France, John and the 47th Battalion entered a period of intensive preparation for trench warfare. During June, July and early August 1916 they were introduced to the realities of the Western Front. Training included trench routines, gas precautions, grenade throwing, wiring parties, night patrols and familiarisation with artillery bombardments. The battalion also occupied quieter sectors of the line where the men gained practical experience of trench life before being committed to major operations. Living conditions were difficult, with muddy trenches, constant shellfire, poor weather and the ever-present threat of enemy snipers.
WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE
But now the soldiers now found themselves fighting the Germans 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.
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
The Battle of the Somme (1 July – 18 November 1916) was a major World War I offensive by British and French forces against Germany, resulting in over one million casualties and exemplifying the deadly nature of trench warfare.
OVERVIEW
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was fought along the upper reaches of the Somme River in northern France from 1 July to 18 November 1916. It was a joint operation by the British Empire and French Republic against the German Empire, intended to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun and achieve a decisive breakthrough on the Western Front. The battle involved more than three million soldiers, with over one million killed or wounded, making it one of the deadliest battles in human history
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
The offensive was planned during the Chantilly Conference in December 1915, where the Allies agreed on coordinated attacks against the Central Powers in 1916. Initially, the French were to lead the Somme offensive, supported by the British Fourth Army. However, the German attack at Verdun in February 1916 forced the French to divert many divisions, leaving the British to take the principal role. The British forces included a mix of pre-war regulars, Territorial Force units, and Kitchener’s Army volunteers
THE FIRST DAY
The first day, 1 July 1916, became infamous for its catastrophic losses. After a week-long artillery bombardment, 11 British divisions attacked a 15-mile front north of the Somme, while five French divisions advanced on an 8-mile front to the south. The British suffered 57,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, marking the bloodiest day in British military history The French casualties were lower due to attacking weaker German defenses and having more heavy artillery
COURSE OF THE BATTLE
Despite the initial bombardment, the Allies failed to achieve a rapid breakthrough. The battle became a prolonged struggle of attrition, with both sides entrenched and heavily fortified. The British and French forces gradually advanced, capturing key positions such as Ovillers, Thiepval, and Fricourt, but progress was slow and costly. The campaign lasted five months, with intermittent offensives and heavy artillery bombardments, reflecting the brutal stalemate of trench warfare.
CASUALTIES AND OUTCOME
By the end of the battle, the Allies had suffered over 600,000 casualties (British 420,000; French 194,000), while German losses exceeded 440,000 The battle did not achieve a decisive breakthrough, but it inflicted significant losses on the German army and demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of modern weapons, including machine guns, artillery, and barbed wire The Somme became a symbol of the futility and human cost of World War I trench warfare.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Battle of the Somme highlighted the deadly potential of mechanized and industrialized warfare, reshaped military tactics, and had a profound psychological impact on soldiers and civilians alike. It also underscored the importance of artillery preparation, combined operations, and the challenges of breaking entrenched defensive lines For Britain, the Somme remains a defining episode of the First World War, remembered for both heroism and tragedy.
SHELL SHOCK AUGUST 1916
By August 1916 the Australian divisions were heavily engaged in the Somme campaign. On 12 August John was admitted to the 1st Australian Rest Station suffering from shell shock. At this stage of the war shell shock was a term used for a range of psychological and physical symptoms brought on by the strain of combat and artillery bombardment. Treatment usually involved immediate removal from the front line, rest in a quiet environment, regular meals, sleep, medical observation and freedom from military duties. Medical officers increasingly recognised that exhausted soldiers often improved when given a period away from the guns and trenches. In milder cases, such as John's appears to have been, treatment was brief and focused on restoring confidence and physical condition rather than lengthy hospitalisation.
REJOINED UNIT AUGUST 1916
After a week of rest and treatment, John was discharged to duty on 19 August 1916. He would then have passed through the normal administrative process of returning to his unit, reporting to reinforcement or transit personnel and awaiting transport back to the battalion's location in the field. During this period, he was not yet back with his company but was making his way through the military system while the 47th Battalion continued its operational duties on the Somme. On 25 August 1916 John finally rejoined his battalion and resumed service with his comrades on the Western Front, returning to the demanding routine of trench warfare that had already tested so many Australian soldiers during that hard summer of fighting in France.
AUGUST 1916 TO APRIL 1917
From August 1916, when John recovered from shell shock and returned to the 47th Battalion, until April 1917, he experienced some of the hardest months of the battalion's war. The 47th Battalion served on the Somme through the latter stages of the 1916 campaign, enduring the terrible winter of 1916–17 in the trenches around Flers, Gueudecourt and later quieter sectors where mud, freezing temperatures and constant enemy shelling caused almost as many casualties as battle. During early 1917 the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line and the Australians advanced through the devastated countryside left behind. By April 1917 the battalion was preparing for the major offensive around Bullecourt, one of the costliest actions fought by Australian troops during the war.
THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULLECOURT 11TH APRIL 1917
The First Battle of Bullecourt occurred on 11 April 1917, involving Australian and British forces attacking German positions in the Hindenburg Line, resulting in heavy Allied casualties and limited tactical success.
OVERVIEW
The First Battle of Bullecourt was part of the Battle of Arras on the Western Front during World War I. It took place on 11 April 1917, with the 4th Australian Division and the 62nd British Division ordered to attack the German-held village of Bullecourt, a key position in the Hindenburg Line. The operation aimed to support the British Third Army to the north and the French Army to the south
PLANNING AND EXECUTION
The attack was initially
scheduled for 10 April, but was postponed because the twelve
tanks intended to crush the German barbed wire failed to arrive on time.
Despite this, the British 62nd Division advanced, unaware of the delay, and
suffered early casualties in what became known as the "Buckshee
Battle" The main assault began at 4:30 am on 11 April, with
Australian brigades advancing under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire
The Australians managed to infiltrate the German front line and seize
part of the second line, achieving a feat considered nearly impossible without
artillery support However, communication breakdowns and the failure of
most tanks left them exposed on both flanks, cut off from reinforcements,
and vulnerable to German counter-attacks
CASUALTIES AND OUTCOME
The battle ended in failure for the Allies within hours. Australian forces suffered approximately 3,000–3,700 casualties, including 1,100 prisoners, while German casualties were significantly lower. The tanks largely failed to provide the intended support, with only one reaching the front line and the rest breaking down or being destroyed. Survivors expressed bitterness and distrust toward both the tanks and the British command
SIGNIFICANCE
Although the Australians demonstrated remarkable courage and persistence, the First Battle of Bullecourt highlighted poor planning, inadequate artillery support, and coordination failures within the British command. Strategically, the battle did not achieve significant gains, but it set the stage for the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917, which involved further attempts to capture the village. The engagement also contributed to a growing distrust between Australian troops and British commanders during the war
INFLUENZA APRIL 1916- MEDICAL CHAIN
On 6 April 1917 John was admitted to the 8th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from influenza. The Field Ambulance medical staff would have examined him, isolated him from healthy troops, provided rest, fluids, nourishment and medication to reduce fever and relieve symptoms. Because influenza could spread rapidly through crowded camps and trenches, affected soldiers were often evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station for observation and recovery.
APPENDICITIS
Two days later he was admitted to the 56th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from appendicitis. The CCS was effectively a small hospital close to the front where surgeons could perform emergency operations. Depending on the severity of his condition, medical staff may have monitored him before surgery or arranged immediate evacuation to a larger hospital. By this stage the Australian divisions were heavily involved in preparations for the First Battle of Bullecourt and the CCS would have been treating a steady stream of battle casualties as well as sick soldiers such as John.
On 10 April John was admitted to the 6th General Hospital where more comprehensive treatment was available. Patients with appendicitis commonly underwent surgery followed by several weeks of recovery. Once stable enough for transport, he was evacuated to England aboard the hospital ship Viper on 21 April.
Arriving in England, John was admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital on 23 April 1917. Here he continued recovering from his appendicitis in a well-equipped military hospital. By 28 May he was sufficiently recovered to be transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, a convalescent facility where soldiers gradually rebuilt their strength before returning to military duties.
VENEREAL DISEASE JUNE 1916
His next recorded stop was the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford on 16 June 1917, where he was treated for venereal disease and discharged on 22 June after seven days. Venereal disease was common enough in wartime that the AIF maintained specialist facilities for treatment. The brief period suggests a relatively minor infection detected and treated early.
The long period between June and August 1917 was quite normal. Although the medical treatment itself was short, soldiers recovering from illness or surgery often remained attached to convalescent and training establishments while being assessed for fitness. The AIF was reluctant to return men overseas until they were fully fit. John likely spent this period undertaking light duties, medical reviews, physical training and refresher military instruction around the Bulford military complex.
On 23 August 1917 he was transferred from Bulford to Perham Downs, entering No. 1 Company of the Overseas Training Brigade. Here he underwent refresher infantry training designed to prepare recovered soldiers for a return to France. Training included musketry, bombing, trench warfare, route marches, physical conditioning and lessons learned from recent fighting on the Western Front.
DERMATITIS SEPTEMBER 1917
On 2 September he was transferred within the Overseas Training Brigade. However, his medical problems continued. By 12 September he was back at Bulford suffering from dermatitis and another episode of venereal disease. Dermatitis was common among soldiers and could be caused by poor hygiene, reactions to clothing, chemicals or prolonged exposure to damp conditions. Treatment involved medicated creams, dressings, bathing routines and relief from strenuous duties.
The records indicate a total venereal disease treatment period of thirty-five days ending on 16 October 1917. This lengthy period explains why he remained away from active service for so long.
DERMATITIS NOVEMBER 1917
On 2 November he was again admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital with dermatitis. The surviving Bulford records are notoriously confusing and often overlap admissions, discharges and transfers, which is why the dates appear disordered.
After discharge, John was sent to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 11 November 1917. Command Depots were designed for soldiers recovering from illness or wounds who required graded physical training before returning to full duty. On 18 November he was classified as B1A4, indicating he was fit for service but not yet considered ready for immediate front-line deployment.
On 25 November he transferred to Sutton Veny and then, on 9 December, to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill. Here he resumed military training in preparation for overseas service.
SIGNAL SCHOOL JANUARY 1918
The entry dated 14 January 1918 suggests John was selected for a course of instruction at a Signal School before being posted to the 3rd Training Brigade at Codford. Signal schools taught soldiers how to use field telephones, switchboards, visual signalling equipment, message procedures, cable laying and maintenance of communications under battlefield conditions. Whether he completed the entire course is unclear, but the record strongly suggests he attended at least part of the instruction programme.
JANUARY TO APRIL 1918
Between January and April 1918 John was almost certainly engaged in a mixture of advanced training, signalling instruction, route marches, musketry, physical conditioning and preparation for return to France. The German Spring Offensive had begun in March 1918, creating an urgent need for reinforcements.
FRANCE APRIL 1918
On 17 April 1918 he left Codford for France. After arriving he spent several days passing through reinforcement depots and administrative centres before moving forward.
TRENCH FEVER APRIL 1918
Unfortunately, his return did not go smoothly. On 25 April 1918 he was admitted to the 4th Field Ambulance suffering from trench fever and was later treated at the 9th General Hospital. Trench fever, spread by body lice, caused fever, headaches, muscle pain and exhaustion. Treatment consisted primarily of rest, cleanliness, delousing and supportive care, as no specific cure existed
The records then become particularly confused. Although one entry suggests he rejoined his unit on 27 April, another records admission to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a diagnosis used when a soldier had a significant fever but the exact cause was uncertain. It is likely he was briefly returned to duty before his symptoms recurred, resulting in further medical treatment.
REJOINED UNIT MAY 1918
On 28 April he was transferred to the 2nd Convalescent Depot, where he recovered before being marched out to his unit on 1 May. After further processing through reinforcement channels, he finally rejoined his battalion on 19 May 1918.
TRANSFER TO 45TH BATTALION MAY 1918
A week later, on 26 May 1918, John was transferred to the 45th Battalion. At that time the AIF was reorganising units to maintain fighting strength after the heavy casualties of the German Spring Offensive. Experienced soldiers were frequently transferred to battalions needing reinforcements.
From May to August 1918 the 45th Battalion was heavily engaged in the defence against the German offensives and then participated in the Allied advance that became known as the Hundred Days Offensive. During these months John would have been involved in trench duties, patrols, working parties and preparations for the major attacks that began in August.
DYSENTERY AUGUST 1918
On 24 August 1918 he was admitted to the Australian Field Ambulance suffering from dysentery. Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes severe diarrhea containing blood or mucus. Often accompanied by painful stomach cramps, fever, and nausea, it is usually caused by bacterial or parasitic infections spread through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene. This was an easy disease to catch in the poor conditions in the trenches. Treatment involved rehydration, rest, careful diet and attempts to control the infection. The following day he was admitted to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station and later evacuated to the Stationary Hospital at Rouen.
CONVALESCENCE AND DISCIPLINED OCTOBER 1918
After recovery he passed through No. 2 Convalescent Depot on 9 September and then the Australian Corps Depot at Le Havre on 6 October 1918. These depots processed recovered soldiers before returning them to their units.
While at the depot John found himself in trouble. On 15 October he was charged with being absent from camp without a pass and received seven days' Confined to Camp together with forfeiture of seven days' pay. This punishment generally restricted a soldier to camp limits, additional duties and close supervision.
REJOINED UNIT OCTOBER 1918
After serving his punishment he transferred between depot establishments and was posted back to his battalion on 24 October, finally rejoining the 45th Battalion on 26 October 1918. By then the Allies were advancing rapidly toward victory, with the German Army retreating across northern France and Belgium.
GONORRHOEA OCTOBER 1918 MEDICAL CHAIN
On 30 October 1918, only days after rejoining the 45th Battalion, John was admitted to the 12th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from gonorrhoea. Treatment for venereal disease during the First World War could be lengthy and unpleasant. Medical staff typically used urethral irrigations, antiseptic treatments and strict observation while the soldier was removed from active duty. Because untreated infections could lead to serious complications, the AIF devoted considerable resources to treating and monitoring affected men.
On 4 November 1918 John was transferred to the 41st Stationary Hospital. Stationary Hospitals were larger and more permanent medical facilities than Casualty Clearing Stations, designed to provide longer-term treatment. Here he would have continued his course of treatment under specialist supervision.
WAR ENDED 11th NOVEMBER 1918
The armistice that ended the First World War on the Western Front was signed between Germany and the Allies on 11 November 1918.
The Armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front, but John's war was not yet over as he remained a hospital patient.
On 16 November 1918 he was transferred to the 39th General Hospital at Le Havre. General Hospitals were major medical institutions capable of caring for large numbers of patients over extended periods. John's lengthy stay indicates that his condition required continued treatment and observation before military authorities would consider him fit for discharge or repatriation.
By January 1919, with the war over and the AIF beginning the enormous task of demobilisation, John was transferred to England. On 15 January he was posted to Bulford and admitted there on 17 January. Bulford was one of the principal Australian demobilisation centres on Salisbury Plain and accommodated thousands of soldiers awaiting discharge, repatriation or further medical treatment.
On 20 February 1919 he was discharged to Parkhouse, another large Australian camp on Salisbury Plain. The record notes a total venereal disease treatment period of 113 days, demonstrating how seriously the army treated such infections and how long soldiers could remain under medical supervision.
MARCH TO APRIL 1919
On 1 March 1919 John was posted to the 1st Command Depot from Parkhouse. Between March and April, he was likely engaged in the normal routines of a soldier awaiting repatriation. These included medical inspections, physical training, administrative processing, pay adjustments, preparation of discharge documentation, educational activities offered through the AIF's vocational training schemes, camp duties and waiting for a berth on one of the troopships returning Australians home. With hundreds of thousands of men awaiting transport, delays of several weeks were common.
GOING HOME APRIL 1919
On 10 April 1919 John embarked for Australia aboard the troopship Medic. The voyage home generally took six to eight weeks and included stops for coal, supplies and provisions. For many returning soldiers it was a time to reflect on their war service, renew friendships and look forward to civilian life after years of military service.
CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION
Badges Hat Badges Collar (2) Bags kit universal
Bags kit sea Braces (pair) Brush, shaving
Brush, tooth Breeches M.S (Military service)
Cap comforter (warm cap) Comb, hair
Disc identity with cord Drawers (2 pairs)
Great Coat Hat, Khaki fur Hat, white
Holdall Housewife (compact sewing kit)
Jackets Cardigan Jackets S.D (service dress)
Leggings 1 pair Laces, leather 1 pair
Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions
Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection
for the lower leg)
Razor Shirts, flannel (2) Socks, 3 pairs
Singlets (2)
Strap chin Soap piece Suit, working
Towels, hand (2)
Titles “Australia” (4)- Australian soldiers and non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also wore unit titles above this which indicated the units to which they belonged
DISCHARGED OCTOBER 1919
The Medic reached Australia on 31 May 1919. After disembarkation John underwent the final stages of military processing, including medical examinations, settlement of accounts and discharge formalities. Having enlisted more than three years earlier and served in Egypt, France and England, he was finally discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 24 October 1919, bringing his military service to a close and allowing him to return permanently to civilian life.
For his service John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
Buried Location
We do not know the burial location of this individual
