FAMILY LIFE

Arthur Rodgers was born in 1887 in Balmain, eldest son of John & Eliza Rodgers. He was one of 6 children. His parents lived in 50 Llewellyn St, Balmain and his father, John, died 16^th June 1917 while Arthur was overseas. He married Flora Ferguson in Balmain North in 1912. He was the town clerk for Murwillumbah when he enlisted.

ATTESTATION

Arthur travelled to Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 3^rd August 1916 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was born in Balmain, was, 29 years and 3 months old and a married man. He gave his occupation as town clerk. His next of kin was his wife, Flora, of Crick St, Chatswood.

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

Arthur also agreed to allot two fifths of the pay payable to him from time to time during his service to the support of his wife. (This began on 3^rd August 1916. His pay was 5/-per day and 2/- was allotted to Flora)

OATH

On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Arthur Rodgers, 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

SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

His medical showed he was 5ft 6 inches tall (1.68m), weighed 135 lbs (61kgs), with a fresh complexion, blue eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good. Arthur stated he had no religion

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION

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

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training at Cootamundra on 13^th August 1916. He certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He accordingly approves, and appointed him to A company 2^nd Depot with service No 6101

TRAINING AT COOTAMUNDRA

When Arthur enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force he was posted to the training camp in the country town of Cootamundra. Unlike the vast early war camps that sprang up near the major cities, Cootamundra represented a later development in the AIF training system. By the middle years of the war the army had shifted much of its reinforcement training to smaller regional depots scattered across Australia.

In the first months of the war most volunteers were trained in large camps such as those established near the capital cities. However, as the fighting continued and casualties mounted, the Australian authorities needed a steady flow of reinforcements rather than entirely new battalions. Depot battalions were therefore created to receive recruits, train them, and organise them into drafts that could be sent overseas to replenish units already serving at the front. Country towns like Cootamundra proved ideal for this purpose. They offered railway access, open land suitable for parade grounds and rifle ranges, and communities that were eager to support the soldiers stationed among them. Establishing camps away from the crowded cities also eased pressure on large training centres and allowed the army to spread recruits across several smaller depots.

It was into this environment that Arthur arrived. Life at the depot was designed to turn civilians into soldiers as efficiently as possible. The day usually began early, often shortly after dawn, when the men paraded for roll call and physical exercises. Much of the early training revolved around drill. Though sometimes tedious, hours spent marching and manoeuvring on the parade ground were intended to instil discipline and teach the men to move and respond instantly to orders.

Rifle instruction soon followed. Recruits were issued with the standard .303 rifle and taught every aspect of its use, from stripping and cleaning the weapon to firing accurately on the range. As their training progressed, they practised bayonet fighting, trench digging, and field manoeuvres, learning the basic skills that would be required once they reached the front. Route marches with full packs tested their endurance, while lectures and demonstrations introduced them to military organisation and battlefield procedures.

Accommodation was simple and often spartan. Soldiers generally lived in wooden huts or canvas tents arranged in orderly lines, and much of their time outside formal training was spent on routine camp duties such as cleaning equipment or maintaining the campgrounds. The climate of the Riverina could be harsh: dusty and hot in summer, yet cold on winter mornings when the men formed up on the parade ground.

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. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VACCINATIONS

Arthur received three vaccinations while in the training camp- calf lymph,  & 2 anti- typhoid innoculations

TRANSFER TO 21^ST BATTALION NOVEMBER 1916

On 3^rd November 1916, the day he embarked on the Afric, Arthur was transferred to the 21^st Battalion, 17^th reinforcements.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM SYDNEY TO ENGLAND

On the 1^{st of} November 1916 his unit caught the troop train from Cootamundra to Sydney and on 3^rd November they embarked on the Afric.

Alongside his comrades, he 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.

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 the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

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, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, 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. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.

PROMOTED TO V LANCE CORPORAL NOVEMBER 1916

Only days after joining the troop ship Arthur was promoted to temporary Lance Corporal on 10^th November 1916. This was for the voyage only

ENGLAND

On 9^th January 1917, the men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the training grounds of England, preparing for what lay ahead.

TRAINING IN YORKSHIRE

When Arthur Rodgers’ troopship reached England on 9 January 1917 he disembarked at the great naval port of Plymouth, joining the thousands of Australian reinforcements who passed through Britain on their way to the battlefields of the Western Front. Although he had already completed his basic training in Australia, his preparation for war was not yet finished. Like all newly arrived reinforcements, Arthur now entered the extensive training system that the Australian Imperial Force maintained in Britain.

During the early years of the war most Australian training took place on the windswept camps of Salisbury Plain, where vast numbers of troops were housed and prepared for service in France. By 1916 and 1917, however, the system had been reorganised. The AIF established a network of specialised training battalions across southern England and parts of northern England. These units received reinforcements from Australia, gave them further instruction in modern battlefield tactics, and held them until drafts were required at the front. Among these establishments were training battalions located in Yorkshire, where facilities were available for large numbers of troops and where soldiers could continue their preparation in relative safety while still within reach of the Channel ports.

Arthur’s service record notes that shortly after his arrival he related to the 6th Training Battalion in Yorkshire, an organisation responsible for further instruction of reinforcements destined for Australian infantry units. Here the men refined the skills first introduced in Australia. Training now focused more intensely on the realities of trench warfare: musketry practice, bayonet fighting, bombing with hand grenades, field manoeuvres, and the discipline required of soldiers preparing to enter active operations in France.

A particularly interesting notation appears beside Arthur’s name: “Private to be EDP Corporal, 6th Training Battalion, Yorkshire (EDP certified).” The abbreviation EDP stood for Extra Duty Pay. This was a system within the army that allowed soldiers to receive additional pay when they were performing duties above those normally expected of their rank. In Arthur’s case, although he officially remained a private, he was appointed to carry out duties normally associated with a corporal and was granted the extra pay attached to those responsibilities.

Such appointments were common within training units, where reliable and capable men were needed to assist with instruction and supervision of new drafts arriving from Australia. The note that his EDP was “certified” simply indicates that the appointment and the additional pay had been formally authorised and entered in his records.

This brief entry therefore reveals an encouraging early sign of Arthur’s abilities. Within a short time of reaching England, he had evidently demonstrated the reliability or leadership qualities required to assist in the organisation and instruction of other soldiers while undergoing further training himself. In the vast training camps of wartime Britain, where thousands of reinforcements passed through on their way to the Western Front, such recognition marked the first step toward greater responsibility within the ranks.

While the training he had received in Australia had introduced him to the fundamentals of soldiering, the instruction in England was designed to prepare men specifically for the conditions they would soon face on the Western Front.

Training battalions in Britain functioned as holding and instructional units for the steady stream of reinforcements arriving from Australia. Many of these establishments were located either on the great military training grounds of Salisbury Plain or in other regions such as Yorkshire where sufficient land and facilities existed to train large numbers of troops. Here, experienced officers and non-commissioned officers—many of whom had already served in France—passed on the lessons learned in the trenches.

For Arthur and the other reinforcements, the days were structured and demanding. Training usually began early in the morning with physical exercise and parade drill, intended to build stamina and maintain discipline. Musketry formed a major part of instruction. Soldiers spent long hours learning to handle and fire the standard service rifle with speed and accuracy, practising on ranges and undergoing exercises designed to simulate battlefield conditions.

Attention was given to skills required in trench warfare. Men practised bayonet fighting, learning aggressive attack techniques intended to give confidence in close combat. They were instructed in the use of hand grenades, known at the time as bombs, and practised throwing them from specially constructed trenches. Field exercises often involved digging and occupying practice trench systems where the soldiers learned how to move through communication trenches, hold defensive positions, and carry out simulated attacks.

Route marches were another regular feature of training. Carrying full packs and equipment, the men marched for many miles across the countryside. These exercises strengthened endurance and prepared them for the physical demands of campaigning in France, where long marches to and from the front line were routine.

Lectures and demonstrations also formed part of the programme. Veterans described the realities of the front, while instructors explained matters such as battlefield organisation, signals, and the importance of discipline under fire. Gradually the recruits were moulded into trained infantrymen capable of joining their battalions in the field.

Within this environment Arthur Rodgers continued his development as a soldier. The record noting his appointment as an EDP Corporal—a private granted Extra Duty Pay for carrying out duties normally associated with a corporal—suggests that he had already shown qualities of reliability and leadership while undergoing this training. Such men were often entrusted with assisting instructors or supervising groups of soldiers during drills and exercises.

Thus, the months Arthur spent training in Yorkshire formed the final stage of preparation before the war itself. Among the training grounds and parade fields of northern England, far from the battlefields they would soon encounter, he and his fellow reinforcements learned the skills and discipline required for the next chapter of their service with the 21st Battalion (Australia) on the Western Front.

DISCIPLINED JANUARY 1917

Arthur was absent without leave from Larkhill from 22^nd January to 23^rd January. He was reprimanded by Major H.J.H. Smith and forfeited one day’s pay

DETACHED TO FINANCE SECTION FEBRUARY 1917

Arthur’s training was interrupted due to his civilian skills, and he was detached to the Finance Sector on 23^rd February 1917

REVERTED TO PRIVATE MARCH 1917

On 9^th March 1917 Arthur was reverted to the rank of private

DETACHED TO ARMY PAY CORPS MARCH 1917

He was then detached to the Army Pay Corps on 12^TH March 1917

HOSPITALISATION APRIL 1917

Arthur was admitted to Southall Hospital, no description of cause, on 23^rd April 1917

REJOINED ARMY PAY CORPS APRIL 1917

Arthur rejoined the unit on 28^th April 1917

From the time he was transferred into the Pay Corps in March 1917, his war took on a very different character—no less important but far removed from the mud and noise of the front line. In this role, John became part of the vast administrative machinery that kept the Australian Imperial Force functioning, ensuring that thousands of men were paid accurately and on time, no small task in the chaos of war.

Each day would have been spent surrounded not by rifles and trenches, but by ledgers, forms, and endless columns of figures. John’s responsibilities likely included calculating soldiers’ pay, recording allowances, tracking deductions, and ensuring that money reached the right men—even when those men were scattered across hospitals, training depots, or active units in France and Belgium. He would have handled queries from soldiers about missing pay, corrected errors, and maintained meticulous records that followed each man throughout his service. Accuracy was critical; a simple mistake could mean a soldier went without money, or that accounts fell into disorder.

PROMOTION TO EXTRA REGIMENTAL CORPORAL MARCH 1918

By 1 March 1918, John’s steady competence and reliability were recognised with his promotion to Extra Regimental Corporal. This was a mark of trust—he was no longer just assisting, but supervising aspects of the work, perhaps overseeing other clerks, checking calculations, and ensuring that procedures were followed correctly. The Pay Corps demanded men who were not only literate and numerate, but dependable and methodical, and John had clearly proven himself.

PROMOTION TO EXTRA REGIMANETAL SERGEANT JULY 1918

His advancement continued, and on 1 July 1918 he was promoted again to Extra Regimental Sergeant. In this role, John would have carried even greater responsibility, likely managing sections of the office, reviewing accounts, and ensuring that the financial administration of entire units was kept in order. At a time when the AIF was engaged in the great offensives of 1918, his work behind the scenes helped maintain morale—because regular pay was a tangible link between soldiers and the world they had left behind.

Though he was removed from the dangers of the front, his service was still shaped by the demands of war—long hours, constant pressure for accuracy, and the need to keep pace with a force that was always moving, changing, and suffering losses.

WAR ENDED

With the war’s end, John remained at his post, helping to untangle the complex financial matters that came with demobilisation—final pay, allowances, and the closing of accounts for men returning home.

GOING HOME MAY 1919

Only in May 1919 did his own journey come to an end, when he embarked aboard the transport China for the long voyage back to Australia.

By then, John had risen from his early responsibilities to become a senior non-commissioned officer in the Pay Corps—a quiet but essential role, carried out with diligence and care, ensuring that even in war, order was maintained and every man received what he was due.

HOME LIFE

On his return Arthur returned to Murwillumbah and his role as town clerk. In December 1919 he was appointed as Blayney’s town clerk

 FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Blayney Moorilda Public School Honour roll

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