FAMILY LIFE

Frederick Cecil Vidler, known as Fred, was born in 1892, the second son and fourth child of Frederick Ashley and Jane (Haydon) Vidler of the Berry area in southern NSW. In the late 1890s the moved north family to Chillingham and it was here that Frederick and his siblings attended Chillingham School.

APPLICATION

In World War 1, Frederick followed his older brother, Ashley Haydon Vidler and several first cousins into the AIF. He enlisted in Brisbane on 23 November 1916, soon after the defeat of the 1st Australian referendum on military conscription in October 1916. He was single labourer, eager to do his bit. His application showed his next of kin as his father, Frederick Ashley, of Chillingham.

His medical showed he was 24 years 7 months old, 5ft 7 ½ inches tall (1.72m), weighed 144 lbs (65kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Frederick “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, Frederick Cecil Vidler, 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 Methodist and had a scar on his right foot.  He was enlisted as a private into the 25^th Infantry Battalion – 8^th Reinforcements with service No 3679

25TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 25th Infantry Battalion, part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Division of the Australian Imperial Force, was raised in March 1915 at Enoggera, Queensland. Their service is remembered for their resilience and contributions to key victories.

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 their training began. Firstly, 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 30^TH December 1915, the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Itonus. 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

Fred disembarked at Devonport in England on 12^th April 1917 and was sent to the Australian camp at Codford on the Wiltshire plains. 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

In early July 1917, Fred proceeded with his battalion to the port of Le Harve in France, and marched into the nearby camp of Rouelles. 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.

THE BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD RIDGE (20-25 SEPTEMBER 1917)

Fred’s first engagement was in the Battle of Menin Road, which was an offensive operation, part of the Third Battle of Ypres on the Western Front, undertaken by the British Second Army to take sections of the curving ridge, east of Ypres, which the Menin Road crossed. This action saw the first involvement of Australian units (1st and 2nd Divisions AIF) in the Third Battle of Ypres. The attack was successful along its entire front, though the advancing troops had to overcome formidable entrenched German defensive positions which included mutually supporting concrete pill-box strongpoints and resist fierce German counter-attacks. A feature of this battle was the intensity of the opening British artillery support. The two AIF Divisions sustained 5,013 casualties in the action

THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE OCTOBER 1917

A few days later the 47th was moved to Ypres, Belgium, where the Battle of Passchendaele was raging on the Western Front. On 26 September the 4th and 5th Australian Divisions were brought in. This was a ‘baptism of fire’ for young Vidler. The fighting was bloody as the German concrete pillboxes were in the path of the Australians and many thousands of men fell under the heavy shelling and machine gun fire. The Australians captured Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. However, heavy rain began to fall making the area, which had been so heavily shelled in the weeks before, a deep quagmire, and both men and beast found it impossible to move forward leading to further heavy casualties.

BATTLE OF POELCAPPELLE OCTOBER 1917

On the 9 October 1917 they were involved in the Battle of Poelcappelle, Ypres, Belgium with support and holding roles rather than leading assault. This was one of the battles at Passchendaele. The 25th was involved in assaulting German positions under extremely difficult terrain and weather conditions. Heavy casualties were suffered due to poor visibility, mud, and concentrated enemy fire. Their advance was limited, though some ground was gained temporarily. Tactical success was minimal, but the cumulative pressure of such attacks contributed to the eventual capture of Passchendaele weeks later. The 25th Battalion endured significant losses during the battle. Poelcappelle is remembered for the sheer hardship faced by soldiers—mud, relentless shelling, and the tenacity of the German defence.

WOUNDED NO DETAILS 12^TH OCTOBER 1917

On the night of 12 October, the ANZACs launched another attack at Passchendaele. Frederick moved out with his Company moving towards the front line but they came under heavy German artillery fire. The next day he was reported wounded with no further details. PARENTS ADVISED DECEMBER 1917

He appeared on the gazetted list for his unit and his father was advised accordingly on 6 December, some seven weeks later. On 10 December his father wrote to the Australian Army Headquarters enquiring how his son was wounded and what hospital he was in. By this time Fred’s older brother, Ashley, who had been badly wounded earlier in the year was recuperating in England. An AAH officer advised that there had been no further information, so it was probable that his son Private F C Vidler was progressing well, but would enquire further to his whereabouts and health.

RED CROSS WOUNDED AND MISSING ENQUIRY

A Red Cross Wounded and Missing enquiry was launched and several soldiers were questioned about their knowledge of Private Frederick Cecil Vidler, however no substantial information could be found until his Battalion burial records were searched

KILLED IN ACTION

 It was found that “FC Vidler had been killed in action on 12 October 1917” and had been buried “1000 yards SW Passchendaele, and 1000 yards NE Zonnebeke”. A military inquest conducted by the 47th Commanding Officer on 22 March 1918 found that “FC Vidler had been killed in action on 12 October 1917” and his family were informed accordingly

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his is name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial and the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial Number 144 among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

His personal effects, listed as ‘four photos’ were packed in ‘crate 112’ aboard the cargo ship ‘Barunga’ on 21 June 1918. However, the ship was torpedoed by a German Submarine; all those on board were rescued but the cargo was lost.

With the War Graves Commission’s work after the war all those lone and group graves of soldiers around Zonnebeke were exhumed and the remains brought in and buried in the Buttes New British Cemetery, in Polygon Wood. The majority of these soldiers’ remains could not be identified and have unnamed headstones. However, in September 1920, the War Graves Commission notified Private Frederick Cecil Vidler’s parents that his remains had been identified and buried in the Buttes New British Cemetery, and asked if they had any wishes concerning wording and symbols on his headstone. The following year they received from the Commission photographs of his grave. 

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