FAMILY LIFE

John Oliver Henry North (known as Jack) was born in 1894 in Nowra, son of Henry Thomas & Louisa Frances North. (His name was registered as John Oliver). He had 4 siblings- 3 brothers and one sister, all born in Nowra except the youngest born in 1903 in Murwillumbah. Two of his brothers, Thomas & Alexander, also enlisted. He & his wife are buried in Murwillumbah Cemetery

ATTESTATION

John travelled to Sydney on 13^th September 1915 from his home “Seven Oaks”, Murwillumbah, to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was 21 years and 3 months old and a single man. He gave his occupation as blacksmith and advise he had been apprenticed with Clyde Engineering for 3 years.

His next of kin was his mother, Louisa Frances North, of Seven Oaks, Murwillumbah, which is his given address as well. He was still serving in the 20^th Infantry, Parramatta. 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 Oliver Henry North,  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 5 ½ inches tall (1.66m), weighed 144 lbs (66kgs), with a brown complexion, brown eyes & brown hair.  His eyesight was good. John was Presbyterian.

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

He 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 to 7th Field Company Engineers with service No 2778”.

TRAINING IN LIVERPOOL CAMP

John arrived at Liverpool Camp. This Camp, one of the largest training depots in New South Wales, was a bustling place, filled with the sounds of marching feet, drill sergeants’ commands, and the ever-present hum of anticipation as men prepared for war overseas.

At Liverpool, John would have begun with basic military training—learning to march in step, handle a rifle, maintain discipline, and understand military hierarchy. But as a sapper, his path quickly diverged from that of the typical infantryman. He would have spent long hours learning field engineering skills, essential for life on the front lines: constructing and repairing trenches, digging communication tunnels, erecting defensive fortifications, and mastering the use of explosives for demolition work.

The camp itself was a mix of barracks and tented areas, with training grounds laid out for drill and obstacle courses. Sappers like John would often be sent to work with practical engineering tasks: building bridges over small streams, practicing laying barbed wire defences, and carrying out mock demolitions under supervision. The combination of physical rigor, technical learning, and camaraderie with his fellow engineers would have shaped him into the soldier ready to meet the challenges awaiting in the Middle East or the Western Front.

Even outside training, life at Liverpool was structured. Meals were communal, evenings sometimes offered lectures or basic map-reading and signalling exercises, and every man had to maintain his uniform and kit meticulously. For John, these months were as much about forging discipline and resilience as they were about acquiring the practical skills of a field engineer.

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.

For John Oliver Henry North, these months of training were transformative. They forged him into a soldier ready not just for the technical demands of military engineering but for the resilience and adaptability that would be crucial once he left Australia and faced the realities of war.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM SYDNEY TO EGYPT

On the 30^{th of} November 1915 the recruits left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT A23 Suffolk.  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.

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 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.

EGYPT

After disembarking at Port Said, John & the men of the 7th Field Company Engineers and was transported to one of the Australian camps near Cairo, likely in the desert region surrounding Maadi or Zeitoun, where the Australian Imperial Force had established extensive training facilities. The landscape was a stark contrast to the green fields of New South Wales—arid, dusty, and hot under the North African sun.

Life in camp was highly structured. The days began early with reveille and physical drill, designed to keep the men fit and disciplined. John’s training now focused on the practical skills of a field engineer under conditions closer to the front lines. He would have spent hours digging and reinforcing trenches, practising the construction of wire entanglements, and learning to lay and demolish explosives safely and effectively. Bridges, makeshift roads, and water supply works were other essential skills; engineers like John had to be ready for both combat support and logistical challenges in the field.

Evenings offered some respite, with lectures on map reading, signalling, and the intricacies of coordinating engineering work with infantry and artillery. Maintaining equipment and personal kit remained a constant expectation, and the heat and dust made discipline and attention to detail more important. Camaraderie developed among the men, strengthened by the shared rigours of training and the anticipation of being sent to the Western Front.

The 7th Field Company had a very hands-on role in the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure needed for the Australian forces in Egypt. John would have been involved in building and repairing roads and bridges across the desert, ensuring that men, horses, and equipment could move efficiently between camps and supply depots. Water was a precious resource in the arid landscape, and the engineers often worked on wells, water tanks, and distribution systems, ensuring that troops could stay hydrated and the horses and mules that carried artillery and supplies were cared for.

In addition to these vital logistical tasks, the company maintained and improved defensive works at the camps. Trenches, revetments, and gun emplacements were constructed to protect against the unlikely threat of attack, but also as practice for what they would encounter in France. John spent hours with pick and shovel, laying foundations, reinforcing trenches with sandbags, and erecting barbed wire entanglements—skills that were both physically exhausting and critically important.

Explosives training was another constant part of life. John and his fellow sappers practiced blasting techniques under supervision, learning to demolish obstacles, clear ruins, and prepare the battlefield for infantry movements. Bridge-building exercises were also ongoing, from temporary wooden structures to more complex pontoon bridges, giving the men practical experience that would be essential on the Western Front.

Evenings in camp allowed some respite. Men would gather to write letters home, study maps, or discuss lessons learned during the day’s exercises. Officers gave lectures on field fortification, signalling, and coordination with infantry and artillery, emphasising that engineers were not just builders, but integral to the success of the army in both support and combat roles.

By March 1916, John and the 7th Field Company were seasoned by months of relentless training and practical work. They had learned to operate in the harsh desert environment, honed their engineering skills, and forged the teamwork that would be crucial in France. The unit had transformed from raw recruits into a disciplined, capable company of sappers, ready to face the challenges of the Western Front.

FRANCE AND THE WESTERN FRONT

When John arrived in France in March 1916, disembarking at Marseilles, he was entering a war that had already settled into a grim, industrial stalemate. As a soldier attached to the Royal Engineers, his role would not have been that of a front-line infantryman charging across open ground, but his work was no less dangerous—or essential.

The Royal Engineers were responsible for the hidden infrastructure of the war. John’s days would likely have been spent constructing and repairing trenches, laying duckboards across mud-choked ground, digging drainage systems, and maintaining barbed wire defences. He may also have worked on roads and light railways used to move ammunition and supplies up to the front. If he was attached to a “dump” (as the record suggests—likely a supply or engineer depot), his duties could have included organizing stores, handling timber, tools, explosives, or even assisting with bridging equipment.

By mid-1916, the great offensive of the Battle of the Somme was underway. Even if John was not directly in the assault waves, the Engineers were heavily involved behind the scenes—repairing shattered trenches, clearing debris, and sometimes going forward under fire to consolidate newly captured ground. If his unit was operating in northern France at this time, it is very likely he experienced the effects of the Somme: relentless artillery, mud, exhaustion, and constant danger.

DISCIPLINE AND STRAIN

The entry noting an admonishment for “disobedience of orders” in late March 1916 is revealing. These kinds of infractions were not uncommon, especially among men newly arrived in theatre. Orders could be confusing, conditions chaotic, and the strain immense. In many cases, such reprimands reflected momentary lapses—fatigue, misunderstanding, or even quiet resistance to dangerous or unclear instructions—rather than serious misconduct. John’s service continued, which suggests this was not a severe offense.

DETACHMENT AND ENGINEER DUTIES JULY 1916

In July 1916, John was “detached” to duty at a Royal Engineers dump. This may actually have been a relatively important assignment. Supply dumps were vital nodes in the war effort, feeding men and materiel to the front. However, they were also frequent targets for enemy artillery. Working there meant long hours, physical labour, and exposure to sudden bombardment.

ILLNESS AND HOSPITALISATION DECEMBER 1916

On 8^th December John was hospitalised with no details, but he rejoined his unit on 9^th December so nothing serious.

WINTER 1916-1917 BATTLE OF THE SOMME

When John rejoined his unit in December 1916, the great offensive of the Battle of the Somme had just wound down. The battlefield he returned to would have been devastated beyond recognition—mud, shattered trenches, waterlogged shell holes, and the constant presence of unexploded shells and debris.

For the Royal Engineers, this was not a time of rest. Quite the opposite.

John’s unit would likely have been heavily engaged in repairing and rebuilding trenches destroyed during the Somme fighting and improving drainage systems, critical in winter when trenches flooded. They would have been constructing duckboard tracks and roads to keep men and supplies moving and clearing battlefield wreckage, including barbed wire and collapsed dugouts we well as maintaining supply dumps, ensuring ammunition, timber, and tools were ready for the next offensive

Winter on the Western Front was often described as more miserable than active battle. Cold, mud, and exhaustion were constant companions. Even without major attacks, artillery fire and sniper activity continued.

EARLY 1917: PREPARATION FOR THE BATTLE OF ARRAS

As January turned into February and March 1917, the British Army was not idle—it was preparing for its next major effort: the Battle of Arras, launched in April 1917. This preparation phase is likely where John spent most of those missing months.

Royal Engineers like John were absolutely central to this build-up. Their work would have included:

Deep dugouts and underground works

Around Arras, engineers constructed extensive underground tunnels and chambers to house troops safely before the attack. Some of these could hold thousands of men. John may have been involved in excavation, timbering, or reinforcing these structures.

Road and rail construction

To support the offensive, massive quantities of supplies had to be moved forward. Engineers built and repaired roads churned to mud by traffic, light railways for ammunition and artillery shells and bridges and crossings over damaged ground

Forward positioning of supplies

If John was still connected to a “dump,” he may have helped stockpile ammunition, engineering materials (timber, sandbags, wire) and tools and equipment for assault troops. These dumps were often pushed as close to the front as possible in preparation for the attack.

Barbed wire and defensive works

Even while preparing to attack, units strengthened their own lines—laying wire, reinforcing trenches, and preparing fallback positions.

THE GERMAN WITHDRAWAL: A MOVING BATTLEFIELD FEBRUARY TO MARCH 1917

In February–March 1917, something unexpected happened: the German Army began a strategic withdrawal to the heavily fortified Hindenburg Line.

This changed everything. As the Germans pulled back, British forces advanced into previously occupied territory. For engineers like John, this created a new and dangerous workload- repairing roads and bridges destroyed by retreating German forces and dealing with booby traps and delayed explosives left behind. They would been restoring water supplies and infrastructure in ruined villages as well as mapping and making safe newly captured ground. This was hazardous work. The retreating Germans systematically destroyed infrastructure and often left hidden dangers behind.

JOHN’S EXPERIENCE IN THESE MONTHS

So, between December 1916 and April 1917, John’s life was likely defined by long days of physical labour in freezing, muddy conditions and constant low-level danger from shellfire and unexploded ordnance. He experienced a shift from static trench repair to more mobile work during the German withdrawal and increasing intensity as preparations for a major offensive built

LEAVE ENGLAND APRIL 1917

By the time he went on leave on 12th April 1917, John would have just come through the aftermath of the Somme and a brutal winter, He had experienced the advance into abandoned German territory and the immediate run-up to the Battle of Arras. That leave was not just routine—it would have come at the end of an exhausting and highly demanding period of service.

REJOINED UNIT APRIL 1917

John rejoined his unit on 29^th April

APRIL – 11 AUGUST 1917

BATTLE OF ARRAS (APRIL–MAY 1917)

This was a major British offensive just as John went on leave in April

If he returned later in April/May, he likely rejoined during ongoing fighting and the immediate aftermath (repair and consolidation phase)

BATTLE OF MESSINES (7–14 JUNE 1917)

The battle for Messines was initiated by the detonation of five-hundred tonnes of high explosives placed in 19 tunnels dug by the British, including Australian, tunnellers under the German fortifications along the Messines Ridge.

The resultant explosion, the largest ever in the world to that date, was clearly felt and heard in London. The Battle for Messines was the first time the new reinforcements were subjected to Phosgene Gas. This gas had previously been delivered by hand grenade and being subject to wind and how far it could be thrown was not all that popular with the enemy. Later the Germans perfected artillery and mortar shells which delivered the gas into the back of the enemy lines.

This gas had previously been delivered by hand grenade and being subject to wind and how far it could be thrown was not all that popular with the enemy. Later the Germans perfected artillery and mortar shells which delivered the gas into the back of the enemy lines

The primary objective of this battle was to secure the strategically important Wytschaete Messines Ridge, the high ground south of Ypres which in turn would benefit the allies to launch a larger campaign east of Ypres. The Australian involvement came under Lieutenant General Sir. Alexander Godley’s II Anzac Corps, which included the 3rd Australian Division. This Battle was launched on 7 Jun 1917 and exemplified tactical success through careful planning and firepower. The Battle of Messines was a meticulously planned operation aimed at capturing the Messines Ridge in Belgium.

On the June 17, 1917, the Australians were withdrawn from the Battle of the Somme to the battle for Messines which was initiated by the detonation of five-hundred tonnes of high explosives placed in 19 tunnels dug by the British, including Australian, tunnellers under the German fortifications along the Messines Ridge.

Even if not directly involved engineers across the front were engaged in similar prep work. There were new techniques and demand for skilled engineer labour increased

BUILD-UP TO THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES (PASSCHENDAELE, BEGAN 31 JULY 1917)

 This battle that served as a vivid symbol of the mud, madness, and senseless slaughter of the Western Front. The third and longest battle to take place at the Belgian city of Ypres, Passchendaele was ostensibly an Allied victory, but it was achieved at enormous cost for a piece of ground that would be vacated the following year. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers on opposing sides attacked and counterattacked across sodden, porridgelike mud, in an open gray landscape almost empty of buildings or natural cover, all under the relentless harrowing rain of exploding shells, flying shrapnel, and machine-gun fire. Few gains were made. 

The Third Battle of Ypres is remembered for its immense human cost and the resilience of those who fought in it

For the engineers this presented massive logistical and engineering preparation and was one of the largest concentrations of engineer effort in the war

 MAY–EARLY AUGUST

POST-ARRAS CONSOLIDATION (LATE APRIL–MAY)

John would have been repairing captured German trenches and deepening and reinforcing positions. He would have been constructing dugouts and communication trenches. Barbed wire and unexploded shells needed to cleared and the roads needed repairing under heavy traffic and shell damage

PREPARATION FOR FLANDERS OFFENSIVE (JUNE–JULY)

This is probably the most important phase of these months. Engineers were building roads and tracks across Flanders. The ground was low-lying and prone to flooding. There was constant need for duckboards and corduroy roads (logs laid across mud)

Railway construction needed light railways to bring ammunition, food and engineering stores

Water control and drainage was critical in Ypres Salient. Failure here contributed to later mud disaster at Passchendaele

Engineers managed supply dump organisation. If John had prior “dump” experience, he may have helped stockpile shells, timber, wire and managed distribution forward

IMMEDIATE PRE-PASSCHENDAELE PHASE (JULY–EARLY AUGUST)

Massive artillery build-up. Engineers helped position guns and platforms

Forward area preparation assembly trenches and jump-off points for infantry

There was constant repair work:  Shellfire destroyed roads as fast as they were built. They were working under heavy artillery fire and increasingly muddy ground conditions

CONDITIONS DURING THIS PERIOD

Increasing rain from July onward and the ground was beginning to break down before the main offensive. They worked long hours, often at night

There was high risk from shellfire, accidents (tools, rail, collapse) and exhaustion

11 AUGUST – 25 SEPTEMBER 1917

DETACHMENT TO 2ND ARMY WORKSHOP (FRANCE)

A “2nd Army Workshop” was a rear-area Royal Engineers / Ordnance workshop. It served a whole Army (in this case, likely British Second Army in Flanders). Its focus was maintenance, repair, fabrication

WHAT JOHN WAS LIKELY DOING THERE

Equipment repair and maintenance

He would have been fixing tools (picks, shovels, saws) and engineering equipment. He may possibly have repaired small machinery (pumps, generators). Sharpening and reconditioning tools for front-line units would also have been done

Construction and fabrication

Producing prefabricated trench materials, duckboards, timber frames for dugouts and preparing components to be sent forward would have been one job

Support to Passchendaele offensive

This period overlaps directly with the Third Battle of Ypres (ongoing August–November 1917)

Workshop role in that battle:

Their role would have been keeping a constant flow of repair parts and tools

Replacement materials were constantly needed

They supported units dealing with extreme mud damage & equipment breakdown

Possible specialization (depending on his skills)

He may have been used for carpentry (very common in RE), metalwork / blacksmithing, storekeeping (especially if previously at a “dump”) and general labour in workshop yards

Why he might have been sent there

Most likely reasons (non-mutually exclusive):

·      Recovery posting after illness

·      Less physically punishing than front-line work

·      Recognised practical skills

·      Engineers were often reassigned based on ability

·      Need for experienced men in support roles

·      Passchendaele created huge logistical strain

·      Rotation out of front-line strain

·      Common practice, especially mid-1917

Conditions at the workshop

Compared to the front were safer (though not completely: rear areas could still be shelled), had more regular routines and better shelter (workshops, sheds, depots). Still they worked long hours and there was extreme pressure to keep supplies moving during major offensive

25 SEPTEMBER 1917 – 22 FEBRUARY 1918

MAJOR OPERATIONS AND CONTEXT

ONGOING THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES (PASSCHENDAELE)

CONTINUED UNTIL NOVEMBER 1917

One of the worst environmental disasters of the war (mud, flooding)

TRANSITION INTO WINTER 1917–1918

·      End of major offensives

·      Shift to holding ground and survival

EARLY SIGNS OF UPCOMING GERMAN OFFENSIVE:

BUILD-UP TOWARD THE SPRING OFFENSIVE (LAUNCHED MARCH 1918)

WHAT JOHN WAS LIKELY DOING

RETURN DURING PASSCHENDAELE (LATE SEPT – NOV 1917)

Rejoined unit at the height of the battle (late September -worst conditions)

His likely tasks included road and track maintenance (critical), There was constant rebuilding of duckboards and corduroy roads. Roads often sank or disappeared into mud within hours. Engineers were carrying and placing materials forward -timber, wire, sandbags. They often worked at night under shellfire

They constructed trench and strongpoint construction in waterlogged ground: Trenches often replaced by sandbag walls above ground. They performed salvage and recovery retrieving damaged equipment

Conditions were horrific

There was so much deep mud -men, animals, and equipment literally drowning. Artillery fire was constant and they experienced severe exhaustion

There were high rates of trench foot, illness and accidental death (drowning, collapse). This is arguably one of the harshest environments John experienced

AFTER PASSCHENDAELE (NOV – DEC 1917)

OFFENSIVE WINDS DOWN BY NOVEMBER

After the battle there was a shift in duties. They were now involved in consolidation of captured ground & strengthening positions around Passchendaele ridge. They attempted to drain the fields, trying (often unsuccessfully) to stabilise ground. They would been rebuilding infrastructure, roads, supply lines, communication trenches, dugouts (where possible) and reinforced positions for holding the line and they started the Winter defensive preparation

WINTER PERIOD (DEC 1917 – FEB 1918)

There were no major British offensives. The focus was on holding the line and preparing for expected German attack

Likely engineering work would have been defensive strengthening & deepening trenches (where ground allowed). They were building strongpoints, machine-gun emplacements laying barbed wire belts

Infrastructure maintenance remained constant with road repair, track rebuilding, keeping supply lines open in winter mud and anti-attack preparation

They were constructing reserve lines, switch trenches and preparing demolition charges (bridges, roads if retreat required). Maintenance included supply dumps, forward stores & possibly repeating earlier roles if he had experience there

Strategic background

The British Army were anticipating major German action after Russia’s collapse in late 1917 and Germans freeing troops from Eastern Front. The was increasing tension and preparation along entire line

Engineers like John were essential in turning battered front lines into defensible systems and ensuring mobility (roads/rail) if attack came

LEAVE TO BELGIUM FEB 1918

By early 1918 the Sector stabilised (relatively) & the Leave system was functioning again. John went on leave 22 February 1918. “Leave to Belgium” typically meant rest areas behind the front with safer zones which had billets, food and basic amenities

REJOINED UNIT FROM LEAVE MARCH 1918

John rejoined his unit on 11^th March 1918

11 MARCH – 9 MAY 1918

GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE BEGINS: 21 MARCH 1918

Largest German offensive of the war. The British Army were forced into rapid withdrawals in some sectors and emergency defensive actions

WHAT JOHN (ROYAL ENGINEERS) WAS LIKELY DOING

During the initial attack (late March) the engineer were repairing and maintaining roads under heavy use, assisting movement of artillery, supply wagons. They were preparing demolitions for bridges and roads to slow German advance

DURING RETREAT AND PRESSURE PHASE (LATE MARCH – APRIL)

·      Blowing bridges and culverts when required

·      Constructing temporary crossings for British forces

·      Building rear defensive lines quickly

·      Laying barbed wire obstacles

APRIL 1918 (CONTINUING GERMAN ATTACKS)

Ongoing fighting including Battle of the Lys. John’s likely work was stabilising newly formed front lines, repairing roads damaged by shellfire and retreat and maintaining supply routes

LATE APRIL – EARLY MAY GERMAN ADVANCE SLOWING

There was a shift toward strengthening defensive positions and more organised engineering work (less emergency, but still high pressure)

CONDITIONS

Conditions were fast-moving, unstable front (not static trench warfare) with long hours, little rest and the high risk from artillery air attack & being overrun

9–12 MAY 1918 (HOSPITALISATION – 7TH FIELD AMBULANCE)

On the 9^th May John was admitted to the 7^th Field Ambulance with scabies.

A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Field ambulances were crucial mobile medical units in World War I, responsible for the immediate care and evacuation of wounded soldiers from the front lines. When it was at full strength a Field Ambulance was composed of 10 officers and 224 men. The theoretical capacity of the Field Ambulance was 150 casualties, but in battle many would need to deal with very much greater numbers. 

SCABIES

Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite (bug) Scabies is very contagious and spreads quickly. Scabies causes intense itching, threadlike tracks on your skin and sometimes a rash. The rash looks like tiny red lumps and is caused by an allergic reaction to the mite. The treatment of scabies was on the first day the patient was thoroughly rubbed with soft soap for fifteen minutes. He then entered a warm bath where he lay for twenty minutes; during the last five minutes the infected sites were gently scrubbed with a soft brush. This procedure was designed to open the burrows and expose the acari and ova. Steam or shower baths could not accomplish this satisfactorily and were therefore unsuitable. After drying, a liberal quantity of sulphur ointment was rubbed over the whole body below the neck, special attention being paid to the hands, feet, and penis. This inunction was repeated on the second and third days. On the fourth day, but not before, the patient was given a second bath and supplied with clean clothing and bedding. Such articles as socks, wrist straps, gloves, and the string of identification discs also required disinfection.

REJOINED UNIT MAY 1918

John returned to his unit 12 May 1918 - no long-term removal from duty

HOSPITALISED PUO JUNE 1918

On 13 June 1918 John was evacuated from the field to the 5th Field Ambulance suffering from PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a diagnosis used when a soldier presented with a fever that could not immediately be traced to a specific illness. Like many men serving on the Western Front, he had endured months of hard physical labour, exposure to the weather, poor sleeping conditions and the constant strain of military operations. MEDICAL CHAIN

From the Field Ambulance he was transferred the following day to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, where more detailed medical examinations could be undertaken. When his condition failed to improve sufficiently for an immediate return to duty, he was sent on to the 53rd General Hospital at Boulogne on 15 June 1918. There he received more extensive treatment and observation away from the front lines.

Human louse was rife in the trenches of the Western Front. It was the cause of much discomfort to the troops who found it almost impossible to get rid of them. But the body louse did cause another disease that became to be known as 'Trench Fever' also diagnosed as PUO. 

The body louse was infected by biting a soldier suffering from Trench Fever. The infected soldier did not show any signs, or symptoms, for anything from a week to a month, when a severe head-ache developed with debilitating muscle pains; characteristically of the shins - hence the commonly used alternative name 'Shin-bone Fever'. With a duration of around five days, the fever went into remission and often reoccurred (relapsed) one or more times. There was no effective treatment for Trench Fever other than bed-rest

Fortunately, John's illness proved relatively minor. By 19 June he was well enough to leave hospital and was transferred to the 10th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne. Such depots were designed to bridge the gap between hospital and active service, allowing recovering soldiers to regain their strength through light duties, exercise and medical supervision. Four days later he was marched into the Australian General Base Depot at Le Havre, where returning soldiers were processed and prepared for rejoining their units.

REJOINED UNIT JULY 1918

After passing a medical examination on 3 July he was declared fit and sent back to the 7th Field Company, rejoining the unit on 7 July 1918.

JULY 1918 TO END OF WAR

For the remainder of the war John resumed his duties as a sapper with the 7th Field Company Engineers. This was an exceptionally busy period for Australian engineers. During the Allied offensives of August-November 1918 the infantry could advance only as quickly as the engineers enabled them. John and his comrades would have spent long days repairing roads shattered by shellfire, constructing and strengthening bridges, filling craters, improving communications, erecting defensive positions and clearing obstacles left behind by the retreating German forces. As the Australian Corps advanced through the battles of Amiens, Mont St Quentin and the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, engineer units were constantly moving forward behind the assault troops, ensuring men, artillery, ammunition and supplies could continue to reach the front. Their work was physically demanding and often carried out under shellfire.

WAR ENDED 11^th 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.

NOVEMBER 1918 TO FEBRUARY 1919

When the Armistice came into effect on 11 November 1918, John's war was not immediately over. The end of fighting created an enormous amount of work for engineer units. Roads, railways and bridges still required maintenance, camps had to be established and improved, salvage operations commenced, and vast quantities of military stores had to be organised. During the months following the Armistice, the Australian forces remained in France awaiting demobilisation and repatriation. Much of John's time would have been occupied with these essential engineering and maintenance duties while the army gradually wound down its wartime activities.

DETACHED TO THE DUMP FEBRUARY 1919

On 19 February 1919 John was detached to the 4th Army Dump. Despite its rather unfortunate name, a military "dump" was not a rubbish tip. It was a large supply depot where ammunition, engineering materials, tools, timber, barbed wire, bridging equipment and countless other military stores were collected, sorted and distributed. Following the Armistice, huge dumps scattered across France contained mountains of equipment accumulated during four years of war. Men with engineering experience were particularly useful in these locations because they could identify, catalogue, recover and prepare valuable stores for reuse or disposal. John's week at the 4th Army Dump likely involved inventory work, loading and unloading supplies, dismantling temporary military installations and helping manage the enormous logistical task of clearing the battlefields of surplus equipment.

REJOINED UNIT FEBRUARY 1919

Having completed this temporary duty, he rejoined the 7th Field Company on 26 February 1919. By then the company was largely engaged in post-war maintenance and administrative tasks as the long process of returning Australia's soldiers home continued. Even after the guns had fallen silent, John's engineering skills remained valuable in helping bring the vast military machine of the Western Front to an orderly conclusion.

MARCH 1919

John's final months of service were marked by yet another bout of illness, interrupting what had otherwise been a busy period of post-war engineering duties.

On 5 March 1919 he was admitted to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance in Belgium suffering once again from PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). Although the war had ended nearly four months earlier, thousands of Australian soldiers remained scattered across France and Belgium awaiting repatriation. Living conditions were generally better than during the war, but men were still vulnerable to influenza, respiratory infections and the lingering effects of years of military service. The same day John was transferred to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station, where he underwent further observation and treatment.

REJOINED UNIT MARCH 1919

His illness appears to have been relatively short-lived, and after recovering he rejoined the 7th Field Company on 14 March 1919. By this stage the company was heavily engaged in post-war duties. Engineer units were dismantling military installations, recovering equipment, repairing infrastructure and preparing camps and stores for closure. With tens of thousands of troops awaiting transport home, much of the work involved winding down the enormous military machine that had sustained the Allied armies on the Western Front.

HOSPITALISED APRIL 1919

Less than a month after returning to duty, John again became unwell. On 9 April 1919 he was marched in from his unit to the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre and immediately transferred to the 39th General Hospital. Le Havre had become one of the principal embarkation ports for soldiers returning home, and the hospital treated many men whose health had been weakened by years of service. John remained there for several days before being discharged back to the depot on 15 April.

Medical authorities evidently decided that he was not fit to remain in France. On 16 April he was evacuated across the English Channel and the following day reported to the large military camp at Sutton Veny on Salisbury Plain. By 1919 Sutton Veny had become an important Australian administrative and medical centre where soldiers awaiting repatriation could receive treatment, undergo medical assessments and complete the paperwork necessary for their return home.

GOING HOME APRIL 1919

At some point afterwards John embarked at Devonport aboard the transport Rio Negro for the long voyage back to Australia. For many returning soldiers this journey was a mixture of relief and anticipation. After years of separation from family and the hardships of war, home was finally in sight. The Rio Negro reached Australia on 29 May 1919, bringing John's overseas service to an end.

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

DISCHARGE SEPTEMBER 1919

Following disembarkation, he underwent the usual medical examinations and demobilisation procedures before being discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 16 September 1919. His service with the 7th Field Company Engineers had carried him through some of the most demanding engineering operations of the war and into the difficult months of reconstruction that followed the Armistice. Like many engineers, much of his work was carried out behind the headlines, but it was essential to the success of the armies he supported and to the orderly conclusion of Australia's war effort.

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

POST WAR LIFE

John married Elizabeth Mary Rose in 1922, and they had a daughter Betty.  

WORLD WAR 11

John enlisted on 7^th May 1943 and was posted as a private with the 1 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps part time duty and was discharged on 29^th September 1945

DEATH AND BURIAL

John died in 1979 in Murwillumbah of natural causes and is buried in Murwillumbah Lawn Cemetery, Plot Section 2/250

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