FAMILY LIFE

John Frank Russell Bray (Frank) was born in 1881 in Kynumboon, son of Joshua Bray & Rosalie Gertrude (Nixon) Bray. He was one of 14 children, 13 of whom reached adult life. Three of his brothers, Clive, Percy & Frank, also enlisted.

The Brays moved to Kynnumboon in 1866, after their marriage. Joshua established the first postal service between the Tweed and the mouth of the Richmond and was officially appointed postmaster in November 1866. Once a month he despatched two Aborigines with outward mail sealed in a pouch, to Ballina. There they handed the pouch to the postmaster and received in return, a sealed pouch containing inward mail. It was this post office that, some ten years later became the Murwillumbah Post Office. As well as being a farmer and postmaster Joshua performed many other public duties, some of which were, Justice of the Peace, Clerk of Petty Sessions, the first Police Magistrate presiding at Murwillumbah and Cudgen, Coroner, Registrar of B.D.M. and Protector of Aborigines.

By the late 1860s substantial crops of sugar cane were being planted by Joshua Bray on his property at Kynnumboon, Gray on his property on the North Arm and Michael Guilfoyle at Cudgen. This period is considered to mark the beginning of the cane industry in the Tweed Valley. The Parish of Kynnumboon was named after their house by Surveyor Barling who came to the Tweed to measure land in 1868. Both his parents are on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

John married to Evelyn Haidee Towes on 4th April, 1911. They had four children, Mary in 1913, Reginald in 1914, Barbara in 1917 & Rodney in 1924.

APPLICATION

John was a married farmer, living in Kynumboon, eager to do his bit. He travelled to the Royal Agricultural Showground Camp on 6^th June 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his Evelyn, of Amhurst St, North Sydney

His medical showed he was 25 years 3 months old, 5ft 11 ¼ inches tall (1.81m), weighed 172 lbs (78kgs), with a fresh complexion, brown eyes & dark brown hair, partly bald. His eyesight was good. John was Church of England and had a scar on the left side of his back.  He was enlisted as a private into the 9^th Machine Gun Company - 1 to 6 Reinforcements with service No 409

 9^TH MACHINE GUN COMPANY

The 9th Machine Gun Company was part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War I. Machine Gun Companies were attached to Brigades with the same numeric designation, and later in the war, they were consolidated into Battalions of four Machine Gun Companies within each Division

The Vickers Medium Machine Gun was the primary weapon used, known for its reliability and sustained firepower. These machine guns were strategically placed to provide flanking fire across defensive fronts, often covering barbed wire obstacles. They played a crucial role in defensive positions, making them prime targets for enemy artillery, mortars, and grenadiers. In offensive operations, they were used for indirect plunging fire to disrupt enemy reinforcements and withdrawals

SEYMOUR TRAINING CAMP

Machine gun training at Seymour, Victoria during World War I was a crucial part of preparing Australian troops for combat. Seymour was a major military training area, where soldiers learned weapon handling, marksmanship, and battlefield tactics.

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.

Soldiers were trained on the Vickers medium machine gun, which was the standard weapon for sustained fire. Training included target practice, range estimation, and fire control to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Troops learned how to position machine guns for defensive and offensive operations, including trench warfare. Soldiers were taught how to assemble, clean, and repair machine guns to keep them functional in combat. Machine gunners worked alongside infantry units to provide covering fire and support attacks.

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 25^TH October 1916, the recruits left Melbourne, sailing upon the HMAT Ulysses. 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. 

PERHAM DOWNS TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked 28^th December 1916 and were marched in the Perham Downs Training Camp. Perham Downs, located in Wiltshire, England, was a significant training camp for Australian troops during World War I. It was part of the Tedworth Estate, purchased by the British Army in 1897, and became a key site for machine gun training and general military preparation. Here, soldiers trained with Vickers machine guns, practicing defensive and offensive tactics. The soldiers were prepared for trench warfare, machine gun tactics, and live-fire exercises

GRANTHAM TRAINING CAMP

They left Perham Downs for Grantham training camp on 1^st March 1917. Grantham was a major hub for machine gun instruction, where soldiers learned weapon handling, tactics, and battlefield coordination. Here they would put their knowledge into action with

live-fire exercises: soldiers practiced defensive and offensive machine gun tactics, including indirect fire and trench warfare strategies

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

On 1^st March 1917 John sailed to France to join his unit which had been in France since November 1916. The machine gun company now found themselves fighting with the soldiers against 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

HOSPITALISATION MUMPS 23^RD MARCH 1917

On 23^rd March 1917 John was admitted to the 24^th General Hospital in Etaples with mumps. Mumps was, and is, a contagious viral illness, easily spread among the soldiers. It can cause fever, swelling of the salivary glands and inflammation in other parts of the body.  Soldiers would have suffered fever, headaches, tiredness, body aches & poor appetite. There is no specific treatment for mumps. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom relief. Treatment would have included plenty of rest, lots of fluids, using a warm or cool compress to relieve facial pain and swelling & eating foods that do not need a lot of chewing. He was discharged on 19^th May 1917 & rejoined his unit on 12^TH June 1917.

The 9th Machine Gun Company participated in several key battles during World War I, supporting infantry operations with Vickers machine guns.

BATTLE OF MESSINES (JUNE 1917)

John’s first battle was the Battle of Messines in June 1917. The 9th provided machine gun support for the 3rd Division’s assault on German positions. It used enfilade fire to cover advancing troops and assisted in holding captured ground against counterattacks causing heavy losses.

ENFILADE FIRE

Enfilade fire is a military tactic where a machine gun, artillery, or rifle fire is directed along the longest axis of an enemy formation, maximizing damage. This means firing parallel to enemy trenches, columns, or defensive lines, rather than directly at them from the front. It maximizes casualties since bullets travel along the length of the enemy formation, they can hit multiple soldiers. It was harder to defend against: Troops in a trench or column have less cover from side-on attacks.

BETWEEN BATTLES

Between battles, machine gun companies had several crucial responsibilities to ensure they remained effective in combat. Machine Gun Companies focused on training, maintenance, and tactical preparation when not actively engaged in battle.

Training & Drills

Practiced live-fire exercises to refine accuracy and coordination.

Conducted range estimation and fire control drills.

Trained in indirect fire techniques, using machine guns like artillery to hit unseen targets.

Weapon & Equipment Maintenance

Cleaned and repaired Vickers machine guns to prevent malfunctions.

Inspected ammunition belts for defects.

Maintained cooling systems, as the Vickers gun relied on water cooling.

Defensive Positioning & Trench Work

Built machine gun emplacements in trenches or fortified positions.

Dug gun pits and reinforced sandbag defences.

Conducted patrols to monitor enemy movements.

Tactical Planning & Coordination

Studied battle reports to improve strategies.

Coordinated with infantry units for upcoming offensives.

Practiced communication signals for battlefield coordination.

Rotated out of front-line positions for rest periods.

Received medical treatment for injuries or exhaustion.

Wrote letters home and engaged in light recreational activities

THE BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD SEPTEMBER 1917

The 9th’s next battle was Menin Road in 1917. The Battle of Menin Road took place from 20–25 September 1917 as part of the Third Battle of Ypres. The 9th Machine Gun Company played a crucial role in providing fire support for advancing Australian infantry, particularly the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the AIF. They were positioned to provide enfilade fire against German trenches & used Vickers machine guns to suppress enemy counterattacks. They assisted in capturing pillbox strongpoints along the Menin Road & provided covering fire for troops moving through heavily fortified areas. The 9th engaged in intense firefights against German machine gunners & withstood heavy artillery bombardments targeting their positions. The battle was a success for the Allies, but the Australian divisions suffered 5,013 casualties due to fierce German resistance and counterattack

HOSPITALISATION CARBUNCLE OCTOBER 1917

On 13^th October John was admitted to hospital with a carbuncle. A carbuncle is a red, swollen, and painful cluster of boils that are connected to each other under the skin. Most carbuncles are caused by  bacteria, which inhabit the skin surface, throat, and nasal passages. Carbuncles were a common skin infection among soldiers during World War I, particularly in the unsanitary conditions of the trenches. These infections could become severe due to poor hygiene, damp conditions, and lack of medical treatment. They were treated by lancing and draining the infected area, cleaning with antiseptics (such as iodine or carbolic acid) & bandaging and isolation to prevent spread.

REST RECOVERY

On 21^st October he was admitted to a command depot. 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. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained. He rejoined his unit on 18^th November 1917

LEAVE IN PARIS

He was given leave in Paris between 14^th February 1918 & 22^nd February 1918

HOSPITALISED- INFLUENZA FEBRUARY 1918

On 12^th February 1918 he was admitted to the 9^th Australian Field Ambulance 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. However, John had a mild case and rejoined his unit on 23^rd February 1918

PROMOTION TO LANCE CORPORAL

He was appointed Lance Corporal on 23^rd February 1918

PROMOTION TO TEMPORARY CORPORAL

He was promoted to temporary Corporal from 24^th February to 18^th April 1918

TRANSFER TO 3^RD MACHINE GUN COMPANY

He was transferred to the 3^rd Machine Company on 19^th April 1918 as Lance Corporal

THE BATTLE OF LYS 7^TH TO 28^TH APRIL 1918

The Battle of the Lys (7–29 April 1918) was part of the German Spring Offensive, aimed at capturing Ypres and forcing the British back to the Channel ports. The 3rd Machine Gun Battalion, which included the 9th Machine Gun Company, played a crucial role in defensive fire support during this battle.

The 3^rd provided machine gun cover for Allied troops holding key positions & used Vickers machine guns to suppress German infantry advances. They assisted in defending Hazebrouck, a vital railway hub for Allied logistics & engaged in intense firefights against German stormtroopers. They withstood German bombardments targeting machine gun positions & played a role in repelling multiple German assaults on Hazebrouck.

WOUNDED IN ACTION- GASSED 19^TH APRIL 1918

The Germans frequently deployed mustard gas and phosgene during their Spring Offensive, and gas attacks were a common tactic to weaken enemy defences before infantry assaults. John was wounded in action with a gas attack on 19^th April 1918. Immediate washing was essential to prevent blistering and skin burns.

HOSPITALISED UK 28^th APRIL 1918

On 28th April he was invalided to the War Hospital in Reading, UK. Gassed soldiers in World War I were treated using a combination of triage, decontamination, and supportive care Soldiers suffering from lung damage due to chlorine or phosgene inhalation were given oxygen therapy. A mixture of guiacol, camphor, menthol, oil of thyme, and eucalyptus was used to help patients expectorate inflammatory material, easing breathing. Alkaline eye irrigations were repeatedly applied to treat acute conjunctivitis caused by gas exposure. Chemical burns were treated with sodium hypochlorite or Vaseline gauze.

Nurses clipped away blistered skin, cleaned wounds with antiseptic solution, and dried them with an electric blower before applying amberine spray, which accelerated healing. Many gas victims required weeks or months to recover due to persistent lung damage and skin injuries

NO 1 COMMAND DEPOT SUTTON VENEY 25^TH JUNE 1918

On 5^th June 1918 he was marched into No 1 command depot at Sutton Veney. 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. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained. He rejoined his unit on 9^th October

PROMOTED TO TEMPORARY CORPORAL

On 19^th October 1918 he was promoted to temporary Corporal

END OF WAR

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.

PROMOTED TO CORPORAL

On 29^th December 1918 he was promoted to Corporal

GOING HOME

John was given leave in Paris and then marched into Codford awaiting his call to go home.  He left England on the Borda on 17^th May 1919

SICK AT SEA

On 24^th May 1919 he was admitted to the ship’s hospital sick- no details.

ARRIVED HOME & DISCHARGED

John disembarked on 28^th June 1919 and was discharged 7^th August 1919

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

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