BACKGROUND

Charles Frederick Powell was born on the 30^th October 1881, in Murwillumbah, son of William & Isabella (Rankin) Powell. According to NSWBDM he was one of 9 children with one sister & 7 brothers. Three of his brothers enlisted- Ernest, Claude & Henry Powell. As well, two of his cousins also enlisted -David Rankin & Stanley Thorburn. Both his parents and two of his sisters are buried in Tweed Heads Old General Cemetery.

ATTESTATION

Charles travelled to Brisbane on the 2^nd August 1915 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was a single man and gave his occupation as labourer. His next of kin was his mother, Isabella, of Tweed Heads.

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, Charles Frederick Powell, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

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MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Charles was 32 years 11 months old. He was 5ft 6inches tall (1.68) and weighed 124lbs (56kgs). He had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and black hair. His eyesight was good. Charles was Presbyterian

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. Charles was in Chermside training camp when this was completed on 30^th September 1915. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him as a private in the 6^th reinforcements, 11^th Light Horse Regiment with service number 1212

TRAINING CAMP

After enlisting in Brisbane in August 1915, Charles underwent his military training with the Queensland Light Horse reinforcement system, most likely at the major camps at Enoggera and Chermside. By the time his attestation papers were finalised, he was attached to the Chermside training camp on Brisbane's northern outskirts, where thousands of Queensland recruits were being prepared for overseas service before entraining for Sydney and embarkation.

When they arrived at Enoggera, they found the Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men 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

Australians were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

The 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.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a week.

LIGHT HORSEMEN TRAINING

For the Light Horsemen, horsemanship was essential. Many recruits already came from rural backgrounds and were experienced riders, but the army still needed to train them to work together as mounted troops. They practised:

·      mounted drill and manoeuvres

·      riding in formation

·      caring for horses in military conditions

·      rapid mounting and dismounting

·      scouting and reconnaissance work

·      fighting on foot after leaving the horses behind with designated horse-holders

The Australian Light Horse was technically mounted infantry rather than cavalry. The men rode horses for mobility but usually fought dismounted with rifles.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM SYDNEY TO EGYPT

On the 2^nd October 1915 his unit caught the troop train from Brisbane to Sydney and on the 4^th October, they embarked on the HMAT Mashobra A47.  Alongside his comrades, Charles 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.

SAILING WITH HORSES

When Charles stepped aboard the Mashobra he was not only beginning his own long journey to war but also taking responsibility for a living companion — his horse. Unlike the infantrymen who embarked with little more than their rifles and kit, the Light Horsemen spent much of the voyage tending to the animals that would carry them through future battles.

Below decks, the ship had been fitted with rows of stalls. Each morning at first light, Charles and his comrades made their way down into the cramped, airless hold to feed, water, and clean up after their horses. The heat, smell, and flies could be overpowering, but the routine was strict and unrelenting: feed measured out carefully, water rationed, and the heavy work of mucking out stalls done daily to keep the animals healthy. When weather allowed, the horses were brought on deck to stretch their legs, led slowly around the ship, or lifted in slings to keep their muscles supple.

The rest of the day was divided between horse duty, parades, and training. On deck, the men drilled with their rifles, practised bayonet work, and kept up their physical fitness. The ship was crowded, hammocks and bunks jammed together, and meals were plain—bully beef, hard biscuits, and tea—but the men kept themselves occupied with cards, writing letters, or impromptu concerts. Seasickness was common, especially in the early days, and many struggled with the reek of horseflesh combined with the rolling sea.

There were lighter moments, too. The men organised boxing matches and games, and the bond between soldier and horse grew stronger each day. Charles, like many of his regiment, came from country life and was used to handling horses; brushing down his mount or leading it carefully around the deck gave him a small sense of normality amid the voyage’s monotony.

The journey was not without loss. Some horses sickened and died despite the best efforts of their handlers and veterinary officers. Their bodies were solemnly hoisted up from the holds and buried at sea, a sight that reminded the men of the fragility of both beast and soldier in the campaign ahead.

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.

TRAINING CAMP EGYPT DECEMBER 1915

When the train finally rattled into the siding near the Camp, Francis found himself staring at an extraordinary sight — the vast Pyramids looming on the horizon, their ancient stones glowing gold in the late afternoon sun. Rows of khaki tents stretched out across the sand, the dust curling in little eddies around the tent pegs.

During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:

ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic

ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton

ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp

ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open. Then formal training began

For many Light Horsemen, the principal camp was Mena Camp, established near Cairo at the foot of the pyramids. Others passed through camps such as Heliopolis, Zeitoun, Tel-el-Kebir, and later camps in the Canal Zone. The sight of thousands of bell tents stretching across the desert was often the first indication of the enormous scale of the war.

Life was highly structured. Reveille sounded early, followed by stable duties, breakfast, drill, musketry instruction, route marches, and riding exercises. A Light Horseman's horse was central to his military life, and much of each day revolved around caring for the animal. Men groomed horses, cleaned saddlery, checked equipment, and practised mounting, dismounting, scouting, signalling, and manoeuvres.

The climate could be challenging. Days were often hot and dusty, while nights in the desert could become surprisingly cold. Fine sand found its way into clothing, food, bedding, rifles, and equipment. Flies were a constant nuisance and sanitation was a continual concern. Many soldiers suffered bouts of diarrhoea, influenza, or other illnesses while adapting to the new environment.

Training intensified as the Australian commanders realised the war would be far more demanding than originally anticipated. Long marches across the desert tested endurance. Troopers learned fieldcraft, reconnaissance, entrenching, map reading, and how to operate as mounted infantry. Although called Light Horsemen, they usually fought on foot after riding to the battlefield, so considerable attention was given to rifle marksmanship and infantry tactics.

When not training, many men visited nearby Cairo. For country boys from Queensland, New South Wales, or Victoria, the city was unlike anything they had ever experienced. The bustling streets, markets, mosques, electric lights, trams, and crowds of people from many cultures could be both exciting and overwhelming. Some soldiers spent their leave sightseeing at the pyramids and the Sphinx, while others frequented cafés, theatres, or less respectable establishments that became notorious among the troops.

For reinforcements arriving in late 1915 and 1916, the camps also served another purpose. They became places where experienced Gallipoli veterans mixed with new arrivals, passing on practical lessons about soldiering and preparing the reinforcements for service with their regiments.

Days were filled with riding drills, rifle practice, route marches and the endless care of horses, while the desert heat, dust and flies tested the patience of even the hardiest troopers. The training was demanding, but it transformed civilian recruits into Light Horsemen capable of serving in the harsh conditions of the Middle East. When leave was granted, the sights and sounds of Cairo offered a striking contrast to camp life and provided many Australians with their first glimpse of a truly ancient and exotic city.

Yet in hindsight, those months in Egypt were invaluable. The camps transformed civilians into soldiers and horsemen into effective members of a mounted regiment. By the time Charles left Egypt to join his unit, he would have been fitter, more disciplined and far better prepared for the demands that lay ahead. The long hours of riding, drilling, shooting and caring for horses under the Egyptian sun laid the foundation for the service he would later give with the Light Horse.

HOSPITALISED PARATHYPHOID JANUARY 1916

The beginning of 1916 proved difficult for Charles. On 16 January he was admitted to hospital suffering from severe paratyphoid fever, a serious bacterial illness spread through contaminated food or water. The disease was common in military camps and could leave a man dangerously weakened by high temperatures, stomach complaints and dehydration. Three days later he was transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis, where he spent several weeks under medical care. At a time when antibiotics did not exist, treatment relied upon nursing, rest, careful diet and the patient's own ability to recover. Even after the fever subsided, the effects often lingered, leaving men exhausted and unable to resume normal duties for some time.

CONVALESENCE AND REJOINED UNIT FEBRUARY 1916

Following his discharge from hospital, Charles spent several weeks in a convalescent establishment rebuilding his strength before finally returning to the 11th Light Horse Regiment on 22 February 1916. He rejoined the regiment at a significant moment. The mounted units were being reorganised and expanded following the evacuation from Gallipoli, and camps around Heliopolis were crowded with returning veterans, newly arrived reinforcements and endless lines of horses. Training intensified as the Light Horse prepared for service in the Sinai Desert and the defence of the Suez Canal.

TEL-EL-KEBIR APRIL 1916

By April Charles was serving at Tel el Kebir, one of the largest military camps in Egypt, before moving to Serapeum on the Suez Canal in May. Here the war took on a different character from Gallipoli. The vast desert stretched eastward towards the Sinai Peninsula, and mounted troops spent their days patrolling, training and preparing for operations against Ottoman forces. The climate was harsh. Dust coated everything, water had to be carefully conserved and the intense daytime heat was followed by surprisingly cold nights.

DETACHED TO SUPPLY DEPOT JULY 1916

In July 1916 Charles was temporarily detached to a supply depot at Ismailia, one of the major logistical centres on the Canal. For just over a week, he likely assisted with the enormous task of moving supplies through the military system. Food, ammunition, forage for horses, uniforms and equipment all passed through Ismailia on their way to units operating in the desert. While not a glamorous duty, it was essential work that helped keep the mounted forces functioning.

RETURNED TO DUTY JULY 1916

On 16 July he returned to duty with his regiment at Bailah, where the Light Horse continued its operations and training in the Sinai. After returning from his temporary duty at Ismailia on 16 July 1916, Charles rejoined the 11th Light Horse Regiment at Bailah. At that stage the regiment formed part of the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, whose primary task was to push the Ottoman forces eastward across the Sinai Peninsula and away from the Suez Canal. The campaign was unlike anything Australian soldiers had previously experienced. There were few villages, little natural water and almost no roads. Success depended upon keeping men and horses supplied across hundreds of kilometres of desert.

The months following Charles's return were occupied by patrols, reconnaissance work and the gradual advance across Sinai. The Light Horse spent countless hours in the saddle, often riding through country that appeared almost featureless. Navigation relied heavily upon landmarks, maps and experienced guides. Water discipline was critical. Men learned to conserve every drop, while horses required constant care if they were to remain fit for service.

THE BATTLE OF ROMANI JULY- AUG 1916

All was quiet, then, in the early hours of 4 August 1916, the silence of the desert shattered. Turkish troops surged forward under cover of darkness, aiming to punch through the thin defensive line and sweep around the escarpment to outflank the Australians. The fighting was chaotic and brutal. William’s regiment, part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, was thrown into the fray—charging, retreating, and counterattacking across the dunes.

The battle raged for two days. The Australians, though outnumbered, used their mobility and knowledge of the terrain to devastating effect. Chauvel had anticipated the Turkish maneuver and placed troops on the high ground, who now sprang into action and repelled the flanking force. By 5 August, the Ottoman dream of capturing the canal was shattered. Over 9,000 enemy casualties, including 4,000 prisoners, marked the scale of the defeat.

For the soldiers, Romani was more than a battle—it was a turning point. The victory secured the canal and marked the beginning of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, where the ANZAC Mounted Division would shift from defence to offense, pursuing the retreating enemy deep into the desert.

Although Charles's individual record does not mention the battle, the regiment was part of the mounted forces engaged in stopping the major Ottoman advance towards the Canal. During this period the men were frequently on the move, conducting patrols, screening movements and gathering intelligence on enemy positions. Long rides in intense heat were followed by nights sleeping on the ground beside their horses.

LATE 1916

After the victory at Romani in August 1916, the mounted troops began pursuing the retreating enemy eastward. The advance was slow and demanding. Every movement depended upon the construction of new water points, pipelines and railways. The Light Horse often operated ahead of these developments, living in isolated camps and carrying out extensive reconnaissance missions.

Through the latter months of 1916 Charles and his comrades would have spent much of their time alternating between patrol duties and camp life. Camp routine was relentless. Horses had to be watered, fed and groomed before the men attended to their own needs. Saddlery required constant maintenance. Rifles had to be cleaned daily because desert sand found its way into every moving part. The regiment also continued training, practising mounted manoeuvres, scouting techniques and dismounted combat.

DECEMBER 1916 TO FEBRUARY 1917

The advance eventually carried the mounted forces towards the Palestine frontier. In December 1916 the 11th Light Horse took part in the operations around El Arish, one of the most important objectives of the campaign. The capture of the town gave the British forces a valuable base from which to continue their advance. For the men, it represented a significant achievement after months of arduous desert operations.

The opening months of 1917 saw the campaign move into southern Palestine. The regiment participated in the advance towards Gaza, where the nature of the fighting began to change. Instead of operating solely in open desert, the Light Horse encountered more cultivated country, villages and stronger enemy defensive positions.

MARCH 1917

In March 1917 the First Battle of Gaza took place. The 11th Light Horse Regiment was heavily involved in the operation. The battle began with considerable success, and mounted troops played an important role in surrounding the town. However, confusion among higher commanders led to a withdrawal at a moment when victory appeared possible. Many Australian soldiers later regarded it as one of the most frustrating episodes of the campaign.

THE FIRST BATTLE OF GAZA MARCH 1917

The first battle of Gaza took place on 26 March 1917. Two British infantry divisions were to attack it from the south while the mounted troops of the Desert Column would attack from the flanks and north. When the attack was launched the infantry made slow progress but the mounted troops succeeded in capturing high ground to the north of the city and advancing into it. Concerned by the lack of progress made by the infantry, and fearing the water supplies vital for the mounted troops would not be captured that night, Lieutenant General Dobell, the British officer commanding the operation, ordered a withdrawal at dusk. The next morning, after realising his mistake, Dobell attempted to resume the battle with the infantry, but with the troops exhausted and the Turks having received reinforcements, the attack floundered.

The British suffered 4000 casualties during the battle (523 dead, 2,932 wounded and 512 missing), the Turks only 2,450 (300 dead, 1,085 wounded and 1,061 missing). The victory encouraged the Turks to defend Gaza with more determination, while the realisation of how close they had come to victory encouraged the British to believe that a second attack might succeed. The resulting second battle of Gaza (17-19 April) was a heavy British defeat. 

APRIL 1917

Only weeks later, in April 1917, came the Second Battle of Gaza. Once again, the regiment was committed to major operations. This time the attack encountered strong Ottoman defences supported by artillery and machine guns. The battle ended in failure and significant casualties. Even for men who escaped wounds, the experience was exhausting. Days were spent in the saddle or under fire, while nights often brought little opportunity for rest.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF GAZA APRIL 1917

The second battle of Gaza took place three weeks later, beginning on 17 April 1917. In the interim the Turks had extended and improved their defences. Dobell launched another frontal assault on the Turkish defences, which was supported by six tanks and gas shells. The tanks and the gas were both dismal failures and the attacking forces could make little headway against well-sited Turkish redoubts. After three days of fighting the attack was called off, having not gained any significant ground.

Between these major operations there were endless patrols, outpost duties and reconnaissance missions. A Light Horseman could spend one day riding many kilometres across dusty country searching for enemy movements and the next standing watch over an isolated position. Water remained precious, food could be monotonous and flies were a constant nuisance. The strain on both men and horses was considerable.

By the time Charles succumbed to gastro-enteritis in May 1917, he had likely spent nearly ten months participating in one of the most remarkable mounted campaigns of the war. Although his service record contains few entries during this period, those months would have been filled with long rides across Sinai, desert camps beneath the stars, patrols through hostile country, the capture of El Arish and the hard-fought but unsuccessful battles for Gaza. In many ways, it was the period when he was most actively serving as a Light Horseman, sharing the hardships, dangers and achievements of the regiment's advance from the Suez Canal to the gates of Palestine.

GASTRO ENTERITIS MAY – JULY 1917

The following year illness struck again. In May 1917 Charles developed gastro-enteritis, a condition that could be debilitating in desert conditions. Severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration frequently forced soldiers from the line. He was evacuated through the medical chain, passing from local treatment facilities to larger hospitals until he eventually reached the extensive medical establishments around Cairo. Weeks passed before he was considered sufficiently recovered to leave hospital.

By June 1917 Charles had regained enough strength to join the 2nd Training Regiment at Moascar. The training regiments served as holding and reinforcement units where recovering soldiers rebuilt their fitness and waited for opportunities to return to their operational formations. After several weeks there he was finally posted back to the 11th Light Horse Regiment and rejoined the unit at Fukhari on 21 July 1917.

His return, however, was short-lived. Almost immediately he was struck down once more by gastro-enteritis and again entered the military medical system. Within days he was moved through casualty clearing and hospital facilities before eventually finding himself back at the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia. It was another frustrating interruption to his service, and once again he spent weeks recovering before being sent to a training establishment to rebuild his health.

DISCIPLINED OCTOBER 1917

While serving with the 4th Training Regiment at Moascar, Charles acquired a distinction that was probably discussed far more enthusiastically among his mates than any entry in his medical file. Acting as mess caterer, he was charged on 21 October 1917, and on other occasions, with selling spirituous liquor to other soldiers, an offence considered prejudicial to good order and military discipline. The Army was not impressed by his entrepreneurial efforts and awarded him twenty-eight days of Field Punishment No. 2. The sentence involved confinement, extra duties and the loss of privileges, serving as a stern reminder that unofficial trading in alcohol was not encouraged by military authorities.

BRONCHITIS NOVEMBER 1917

Before his punishment could run its full course, Charles was once again overtaken by ill health. In November 1917 he was admitted to hospital suffering from bronchitis. The combination of dust, cold desert nights, crowded camps and the strain of military life made respiratory illnesses common among soldiers. He was transferred from the punishment compound to hospital and remained under treatment until mid-December, when he was finally discharged.

TRAINING DECEMBER 1917

After recovering from bronchitis and being discharged from hospital on 14 December 1917, Charles returned to the training establishment in Egypt. By this stage the campaign in Palestine was moving north following the capture of Beersheba, Gaza and Jerusalem. The training regiments at Moascar were busy preparing reinforcements and returning recovered men for service with the mounted units operating in Palestine.

Although Charles was no longer continuously serving with the 11th Light Horse Regiment, life at the training camps was far from idle. Days were filled with drill, riding instruction, physical training, horse management and military exercises designed to restore fitness after illness. Men also performed routine camp duties, stable work and fatigue tasks. The training units acted as holding formations where soldiers waited until sufficiently fit and until vacancies became available in operational regiments.

HOSPITALISED DERMATITIS APRIL 1918

When Charles was admitted to hospital on 6 April 1918 suffering from dermatitis, the condition was likely related to the harsh environment in which mounted troops served. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that can be caused by heat, sweat, dust, chafing from equipment, insect bites or infection. In the climate of Egypt and Palestine, where men spent long hours outdoors and often wore the same clothing for extended periods, skin complaints were common. Treatment usually involved rest from duty, medicated ointments, improved hygiene, clean dressings and time away from the conditions that had caused the irritation.

2^ND LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT

Following his discharge on 13 April, Charles returned to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment and remained there until being taken on strength again on 25 May 1918. The absence of further entries until August generally suggests routine service rather than inactivity. During these months he was almost certainly undergoing training, performing camp duties and waiting for a posting. The British advance had temporarily slowed after the German Spring Offensive in France diverted resources from Palestine, so there was less movement of reinforcements than earlier in the campaign.

HOSPITALISED AUGUST 1918- DEBILITY & GASTRO ENTERITIS

The next major interruption came on 3 August 1918 when Charles was admitted to the 36th Stationary Hospital suffering from gastro-enteritis and debility. The gastro-enteritis is familiar from his earlier illnesses, but the term debility is worth noting because it appears frequently in First World War records.

Debility simply meant a general state of weakness or physical exhaustion. It was not a specific disease. Medical officers used the term when a soldier had become run down and lacked strength but did not necessarily suffer from a clearly defined illness. In Charles's case, it probably reflected the cumulative effects of repeated bouts of sickness, the harsh climate, poor nutrition during illness, and the physical demands of military service.

Symptoms could include persistent fatigue, loss of weight & poor appetite.

He might experience weakness, lack of stamina and difficulty performing normal duties.

Treatment was straightforward but often lengthy. Soldiers were removed from strenuous duties and provided with rest, good food, fresh air and gradual exercise. Convalescent depots and rest camps played an important role in rebuilding strength. Medical officers wanted men to regain weight and fitness before returning them to military duties.

REST CAMP SEPTEMBER 1918

The fact that Charles was later sent to a rest camp at Port Said on 11 September 1918 suggests that his recovery required more than a short hospital stay. Port Said's rest camps were intended precisely for soldiers who were improving but not yet fully fit. There he would have enjoyed better accommodation, regular meals, light duties and an opportunity to regain strength away from the pressures of training camps and operational units.

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.

CLASSIFIED “C” FEBRUARY 1919

By early 1919 it had become clear that Charles's health was no longer equal to the demands of military service. On 9 February a Medical Board examined him and classified him as Class C. This classification generally indicated that he was fit only for limited duties and not suitable for active field service. Given his long history of paratyphoid, recurrent gastro-enteritis, bronchitis, dermatitis and gastritis, the decision is hardly surprising.

GOING HOME MARCH 1919

A month later the Army determined that he should return to Australia. On 13 March 1919 he embarked aboard Euripides from Suez suffering from gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and can cause pain, indigestion, nausea and loss of appetite. For a man who had spent much of his service battling digestive complaints, it was a fitting if unfortunate final entry in a medical history that had repeatedly interrupted his military career.

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

When I look at Charles's record as a whole, I see a man whose war was dominated not by enemy bullets but by an ongoing struggle with health. Between January 1916 and March 1919, he seems to have spent almost as much time recovering from illness as he did serving with his regiment. Yet each time he was discharged from hospital he returned to duty and attempted to continue serving. That persistence is, in its own way, every bit as revealing as a list of battles and engagements.

Taken together, these years in Egypt reveal a soldier whose service was repeatedly interrupted by illness. Paratyphoid fever, recurring gastro-enteritis and bronchitis kept dragging him away from his regiment just as he seemed ready to resume duty. Yet each time he recovered, rebuilt his strength and returned to military service. His record paints a picture not of dramatic battlefield exploits, but of persistence and determination in the face of the less glamorous enemies of war—disease, exhaustion and the harsh conditions of service in the deserts of Egypt and Sinai. The amusing liquor-selling incident offers a rare glimpse of the man himself, suggesting a resourceful trooper with a touch of initiative, even if the Army did not entirely approve of how he chose to exercise it.

DISCHARGED

Charles was discharged on the 23^rd June 1919

FOR HIS SERVICE

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

AFTER THE WAR

Charles married Maud Agnes Morrison in 1921 in Ballina. According to NSWBDM they had a daughter, Joan, born in 1922 in Ballina. In 1946 he was living in Cooroy, Qld- he signed a stat dec declaring he had lost his discharge papers.

DEATH AND BURIAL

Charles died on the 30 April 1959, aged 76 in Brisbane. He is buried in Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Holland Park, Columbarium 12, Section 11

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