THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE RIDGE, BELGIUM Pte Robert Lawlor (Coldstream), 22nd Battalion: He is killed in action. After his death his officer, Lieutenant Burrage, wrote the following to his family: ‘at the time Bob was a Lewis gunner and doing duty in one of the greatest battles of the war, which was fought in Flanders. He was holding a portion of our newly captured positions when a large German shell

L/Cpl Frank Tait (Mt Dandenong), 57th Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound, contusion to back, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Thomas Telson (Lilydale), 37th Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to his face, legs, hand and he lost a finger, and is evacuated to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station in Belgium. Walter Wilken (Silvan): Leaves his farm in Silvan to enlist in the AIF,

Pte Thomas Telson (Lilydale), 37th Battalion: While at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station in Belgium he dies of wounds he’d received the day before in action. He is 44 years old and is buried at the Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium.

Pte Thomas Brown (Olinda), 6th Machine Gun Company: Is wounded in action, bullet wound to left leg, and is evacuated to hospital in France.

Gnr Percy Hyne (Lilydale), 8th Field Artillery Battery: In a letter to his Mother – ‘We then pulled into Zillebeke, where it was one continual run, night and day, to and from the guns. I got my issue there, in the shape of a finger, which I was not sorry for, as it was a crook place to be in. After that we went back to Messines Ridge on Stinking and

Pte Charles Clegg (Wandin), 32nd Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound in back, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Thomas Harvey (Lilydale), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound left leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Pte Harold Dozell (Lilydale), 59th Battalion: Is tried by a District Court Martial on a charge of ‘while on active service he deserted from His Majesty’s Service’. While in London on March 10th, 1917, he remained absent without leave until apprehended in London on September 29th, 1917. He is awarded eighteen months’ detention, and forfeited 762 days’ pay.

THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE, BELGIUM L/Cpl Ronald Ingram (Seville), 1st Battalion, Otago Regiment, NZEF: Is killed in action in the charge at Bellevue Spur at Passchendaele Ridge. He is 30 years old and as his body was never recovered, he is remembered on the memorial at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. He younger brother Alex had already been killed in action earlier in the year and his brother George was

Pte Arthur Roger (Silvan), 39th Battalion: Is killed in action at Passchendaele. He is 31 years old and has no known grave but is remembered on the memorial at Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. Pte Harry McCormack (Wandin), 6th Battalion: Is killed in action at Passchendaele. He is 21 years old and has no known grave but is remembered on the memorial at Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium. Lt Leslie Bolitho (Lilydale),

Lt Thomas Eales (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: Is wounded in action, shell fracture to his arm, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Pte Lindsay Yeaman (Montrose), 20th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning, and is evacuated to hospital in France.

Pte Edmund Rossiter (Silvan), 6th Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to shoulder, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Wesley Noden (Lilydale), 2nd Depot Battalion: Goes missing from Broadmeadows Army Camp. A later court of enquiry declares him to be a deserter.

Dvr Cecil Watson (Olinda), 10th Field Ambulance: Is wounded in action, bullet wound to the scalp, and evacuated to hospital in England.

Sr Alicia Kelly (Mt Dandenong), Australian Army Nursing Service: At the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, France. From her diary: ‘The noise was so terrific, and the concussion so great that I was thrown to the ground and had no idea where the damage was. I shall never forget the awful climb on hands and feet out of that hole that was about five feet deep with greasy clay and blood

Pte Harry Moore (Lilydale), 45th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to face, arm and right leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Albert Parkes (Coldstream), 59th Battalion: Is reported to be a prisoner of war in a camp in Limberg, Germany.

Pte William Wood (Seville), 3rd Pioneer Battalion: Dies in the Kitchener Military Hospital in Brighton of acute appendicitis with abscess. He is 24 years old and is buried in the Brighton Borough Cemetery, England. Pte Henry Tudor (Lilydale), 23rd Battalion: Due to infection in his wounded left leg while in hospital in England, doctors are forced to amputate his leg.

Cpl Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In the field in France. In his diary – ‘Big raid by Fritz tonight, just as it got dark about 7pm, don’t know how many bombs he dropped, he missed us but the ‘long ranges’, 100 yards away, whew’. Pte Barney Gilson (Lilydale), 14th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on board the HT Pakeha to be discharged as medically unfit as a

Cpl Leslie Jerrams (Lilydale), 1st Australian Wireless Squadron: Arrives in Australia from India on the HT Gracchus to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of contracting malaria in Mesopotamia in October 1916. Walter Gladstone Clegg (Wandin): Leaves his job as a painter in Subiaco, WA, where he is living, and enlists in the AIF, he is 30 years old and married.

Pte George Allen (Lilydale) & Pte Thomas Goodall (Lilydale), 8th Battalion: Both were killed in action. According to one eye witness, during the advance on Passchendaele. George Allen was at the Company Headquarters, just behind a pillbox on Passchendaele Ridge, and was standing with Thomas in a trench just outside having a smoke. Suddenly a high explosive shell landed in the trench killing both of them and another two soldiers

Pte Jack Lester (Yering), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to the back, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte John Rose (Lilydale), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the chest, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Henry Lord (Wandin), 8th Battalion: Is later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on this date. His recommendation states – ‘On one occasion,

Spr Harry Linacre (Seville), 14th Field Company Engineers: Is severely wounded in action with multiple shrapnel wounds and is evacuated from the field by the 15th Field Ambulance but dies soon after. He is 26 years old and is buried at the Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium. His personal possessions would later be sent to his fiancée Elsie Mitchell of Seville.

Trp Alexander Mathews (Seville), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Is evacuated from the field suffering from haemorrhoids and sent to hospital in Kantara, Egypt.

Spr Joseph Gibson (Kilsyth), 3rd Division Signal Company: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Joseph Goodall (Lilydale), 10th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Aeneas. Pte Albert Anderson (Olinda), 6th Machine Gun Company: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Aeneas.

THE CHARGE AT BEERSHEBA, PALESTINE Locals in the charge – Trp Bert Hutchinson (Lilydale), 4th Light Horse Regiment Trp Walter Morrison (Lilydale), 4th Light Horse Regiment Trp Vincent Black (Coldstream), 4th Light Horse Regiment: Is wounded during the charge, gunshot wound to abdomen, chest and arm as well as a fractured wrist. He is eventually evacuated to hospital in Egypt.

Capt Leonard Cox (Olinda), Australian Army Medical Corps: Is attached to the 8th Field Ambulance to serve with them as a Regimental Medical Officer for the next three months. Pte Norman Stewart x (Wandin), No 3 Company, New Zealand Machine Gun Corps: Arrives back in New Zealand on board the HT Tainui to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of a wound he’d received the year before. Alvin

Pte Fred Town (Lilydale), 2nd Division Ammunition Column: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from diphtheria. Peter Witt (Olinda): Even though his parents were both born in Germany, he doesn’t hesitate to leave his job as a blacksmith and enlist in the Australian Light Horse, he is 24 years old.

Pte Thomas Geddes (Wandin) 1st Remount Unit: After 204 days’ service at camps in Seymour, Ascot Vale and Bendigo, he is discharged as medically unfit by the military authorities.

Gnr Howard Guttmann (Olinda), 2nd Field Artillery Brigade: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning, and is evacuated to hospital in France.

Gnr Clarence Rouget (Wandin), Field Artillery Brigade: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Port Sydney. Gnr William Rothque (Lilydale), Field Artillery Brigade: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Port Sydney.

Sister Dorothy Moroney (Lilydale), Australian Army Nursing Service: While serving in Salonika, Greece, she is transferred to the 42nd General Hospital to work. Pte Albert Walker (Montrose), Australian Flying Corps: Is transferred to the 16th Squadron Royal Flying Corps in France as an air mechanic. Pte Peter Witt (Olinda), 1st Remount Unit: Leaves Australia on board HT Gracchus to deliver horses to India. He would return in a few months’

Cpl Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In the field in France. In his diary –‘Relieved by 2/1 East Lancasters 10am, thank goodness I got out safe. The liveliest twenty minutes I’ve had for a long while getting out, marched to Dominion Camp (near Ouderdom), mud up to our necks’. Lt James Wilken (Kilsyth), Australian Flying Corps: Is awarded the Meritorious Service Medal ‘in recognition of valuable services rendered with

Stoker Albert Clegg (Wandin), HMAS Psyche: After time at HMAS Cerberus he is reassigned to HMAS Psyche and for the next four months the ship would be on patrol in the Bay of Bengal and off the coast of Burma until March 1918, when it would escort military transports between Burma and India. Pte Thomas Gaudion (Wandin), 5th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HT Ulysses to be

Pte Albert Ragartz (Seville), 6th Battalion: After being in the trenches for some time, he began to suffer from dizziness and shortness of breath. He was evacuated to a hospital where he was diagnosed with cardiac dilation.

Leslie McGregor (Lilydale): Leaves his dental practise in Lilydale and enlists in the AIF, he is 34 years old.

Pte Leslie Farndon MM (Mt Dandenong), 23rd Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital suffering from pneumonia. Pte Wilmot Stephens (Lilydale), 23rd Battalion, Wellington Regiment: Leaves New Zealand bound for Europe on the HT Tahiti. John McGhee (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a telegraph messenger and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old.

Sig Gordon Ewart (Montrose), 58th Battalion: Sustains injuries to his left knee in an accident and is admitted to hospital in France. Trp Walter Boys (Seville), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Is injured in action when a horse rolls on him and damages his back. He is evacuated to hospital in Egypt.

Pte William Russell (Seville), 6th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from trench fever. Pte Richard Robertson (Mt Evelyn), 23rd Battalion: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on the HT Suevic to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of wounds he’d received in action in 1916.

Pte George Reid (Lilydale), Australian Flying Corps: Is attached to 69th Squadron in France as an air mechanic.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on board the HMAT Nestor: Pte Allan Dodd (Olinda), 8th Battalion Pte Alex Martin (Lilydale), 14th Battalion Pte William Gilson (Lilydale), 22nd Battalion Pte Walter Wilken (Silvan), 3rd Pioneer Battalion

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on board the SS Indarra: Gnr Thomas Hunter (Wandin), Field Artillery Brigade Gnr Noel Cox-Taylor (Silvan), Field Artillery Brigade Lt Leslie McGregor (Lilydale), AMC Dental Pte Frederick Miller (Coldstream), 59th Battalion

Gnr William Lucas (Silvan), 4th Light Horse Regiment: While in England he is discharged as medically unfit and ordered to be sent back to Australia. His medical report states: ‘he is 54 years of age and looks it. Cannot carry on the work which is too heavy for him. Suffers from senility and cardio vascular changes’.

L/Cpl Frederick Leach MM & Bar (Gruyere), 59th Battalion: Is killed in action while at Messines. He is 25 years old and is buried at Cabin Hill Cemetery, Belgium. Sgt Kavan Lawlor (Coldstream), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Is awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions on this day during the Battle of Jersualem. His recommendation states -‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a very severe enemy attack

Lt Charles Stanbury MM (Lilydale), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to shoulder, and is evacuated to hospital in Egypt.

Pte Alfred Larking (Lilydale), 2nd Pioneer Battalion: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Spr Ernest Rae (Mooroolbark), 1st Divisional Signal Company: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from sciatica. Pte Mort Tait (Lilydale), 31st Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from neurasthenia. His medical report states – ‘he was in a state of extreme

Gnr Alfred Eades (Montrose), 12th Field Artillery Brigade: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from tonsillitis.

Pte George Rouget (Wandin), 59th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from bronchitis. Pte Albert Woolrich (Olinda), 14th Battalion: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on board the HT Beltana to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of wounds he’d received in action. Cyril Barnes (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a postal assistant and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years old.

L/Cpl Cyril Gregan (Olinda), 23rd Battalion: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on board the HT Port Lyttleton to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of wounds he’d received the year before in action. Francis O’Hara (Olinda): Leaves his studies as a medical student at Melbourne University and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years old.

Pte George Hamilton (Lilydale), 1st Pioneer Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from rheumatism and myalgia. Cpl Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: On leave in England. In a letter to his mother in Lilydale – ‘I had a glorious time, my mate Frank Green and I were together all the time, we stayed with his Aunts at Surrey and Brockley and oh they did

Ordinary Seaman Samuel Rouget (Wandin), HMAS Fantome: Having been transferred back to HMAS Fantome in October, the ship undertakes patrols around the Pacific while basing itself at Suva Bay, Fiji. It was while he was here on this day that he accidentally drowned. He was 24 years old and as he has no known grave is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Devon, England. A report that appeared in

Cpl Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: On leave in England. In a letter to his mother in Lilydale –‘We came up to London on Monday night intending to go from Surrey to Scotland but met a couple of pals who were going up the next night so we decided to go up with them, and that was how we got in the Air Raid the next night. It was

Pte Percy Letch (Lilydale), 2nd Section Railway Unit: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMT Ballarat.

Pte Henry Millward (Olinda), 39th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in France suffering from scabies. Cpl Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: On leave in England. In a letter to his mother in Lilydale –‘I say what about conscription, isn’t it awful, we are astounded over here, we never thought the people would let us down, not after the way the people put the National Government into power. By gum

Pte Alexander Blair (Olinda), 22nd Battalion: Marries a Scottish girl in London. She would later follow him to Australia as a war bride. Henry Simpson (Wandin): Born in Wandin, although living in Balaclava at the time, he enlists in the AIF, he is 32 years old. Harold Smith (Silvan): At 49 years old he was too old for the AIF, so he left his job as a teamster in the

The following locals leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Ulysses: Sr Matilda McNeill (Lilydale), Australian Army Nursing Service Pte Clarence Jack (Wandin), 37th Battalion Pte Geoffrey Berry (Seville), 38th Battalion Pte Roy Langley (Montrose), 13th Light Horse Regiment

Sr Edith Yeaman (Montrose), Australian Army Nursing Service: Is removed from active service and sent to hospital suffering from bronchitis.

Pte William Wood (Seville), 3rd Pioneer Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from appendicitis. He would not return to his unit.

Sgt John Hogg (Wandin), 7th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning and is evacuated from the field to hospital in England. Pte Wilfred Palliser (Lilydale), 7th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gas poisoning and is evacuated from the field to hospital in England. Pte Edward Gray (Seville), 37th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from dysentery and pleurisy. Dvr Richard Pendlebury (Seville), 2nd Field

Wyatt Blair (Mooroolbark): Leaves his job as clerk and enlists in the Australian Flying Corps, he is 21 years old.

Gnr Theodore Hand (Mt Dandenong), 12th Field Artillery Brigade: Arrives in Australia from Europe on board the HT Berrima to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of wounds he’d received in action. Pte Roy Cahill (Gruyere), 11th Field Ambulance: Arrives in Australia from Europe on board the HT Berrima to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of developing severe bronchitis.

At the beginning of 1916 there were Australian troops stationed on Lemnos Island, men who had been withdrawn from the Gallipoli Peninsula and were waiting to be moved elsewhere. Eventually they would join the rest of the AIF and Light Horse Brigades who were garrisoned in numerous camps around Egypt. Over the coming months they would all be reorganised into an expanded, larger force, in fact in this period the

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: At sea. In a letter to his mother in Lilydale –‘As you see we are at sea. We left Lemnos on the 30th, so this is our third day out. We are on an awful boat. There are about 2000 on board. The accommodation is rotten. We sleep anywhere and everywhere, and the tucker is worse, not half enough, and what there is,

Pte Benjamin Sessions (Silvan), 4th Light Horse: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Themistocles.

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In camp in Egypt. In his diary –‘Arrived Tel-el-Kebir 4am, moved into camping ground and waited for daylight. What a kick in the pants for us, after a long nine months out of civilization we thought we’d get a spell in Cairo and here we are in the desert, ninety miles from Cairo, the nearest town is Ismailia, forty-five miles off. We’re between

Pte Norman Hooke (Kilsyth), 14th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Cairo suffering from measles.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Afric: Tpr Thomas Smith (Lilydale), 3rd Light Horse Regiment:  Gnr James Strachan (Lilydale), 2nd Field Artillery Brigade Gnr Richard Sharp (Yering), 4th Field Artillery Brigade Pte Frank Austin (Lilydale), 4th Field Artillery Brigade Gnr William Stewart (Lilydale), 1st Divisional Ammunition Column Spr Ernest Rae (Mooroolbark), 1st Divisional Signal Company Pte Percy Johnston (Olinda), 22nd Battalion Pte Cecil Farr

Sgt John Casson (Kilsyth), Army Veterinary Corps: Is admitted to hospital in Cairo suffering from mumps. Pte Arthur Watson (Lilydale): While still at Broadmeadows Military Camp he is discharged as medically unfit as a result of a long standing injury to his right knee that he received in the work place. He would successfully re-enlist the following year.

Pte Arthur Stallworthy (Lilydale), 1st Remount Unit: In camp in Egypt. In a postcard to a friend in Lilydale –‘Just a card to say I am keeping very well and enjoying the life here in the desert under canvas. There is some talk of our going to France or England but I do not think there is anything in it, hope there is’. Henry Rowney (Coldstream): Leaves his job as

Dvr Reginald Summers (Seville), 6th Field Artillery Brigade: Is sent to hospital in Cairo suffering from mumps.

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (Lemnos) – ‘We stay at Lemnos for a few weeks and spend our first Xmas from home getting our Xmas billies and enjoying a good rest. We are not here long when we are once more put on board, this time on the Simla. Back once more to Egypt, disembarking after a short but not too pleasant journey at

Pte Thomas Geddes (Wandin), 1st Remount Unit: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from bronchitis. He would spend much of the year in hospitals in Egypt suffering from various aliments until he was discharged as medically unfit and sent home to Australia. Leslie Jerrams (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a cheese maker at Cave Hill and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old.

Henry Bamber (Coldstream): Leaves his family’s property in Coldstream and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he is 22 years old. Frank Hogg (Wandin): Leaves his father’s property in Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old. His younger brother Gilbert would also enlist in the AIF in a few months’ time. Arthur Moore (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a waiter and enlists in the AIF, he

Trp Ove Ovesen (Seville), 13th Light Horse Regiment: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Westalia. Eric Beggs (Lilydale): Leaves his job with the Postal Department and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old. Julius Ozols (Silvan): A Russian immigrant, he leaves his job as a blacksmith in Silvan and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old. Alvoria Williams (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a

Cpl George Ingram (Seville), Tropical Force: Having contracted malaria while on active service in Rabaul, he is discharged in Melbourne from the Tropical Force as medically unfit. Five hours later he walks into a recruiting depot at the Melbourne Town Hall and enlists in the AIF, changing the spelling of his middle name to avoid detection. His younger brother Alex would also enlist in the AIF a few days later.

Sgt Harold Clark (Gruyere), 27th Battalion: Is transferred from hospital in Malta to hospital in Egypt suffering from paratyphoid. Alex Ingram (Seville): Leaves his job at the Victorian Railways and enlists in the AIF, he 24 years old and recently married. Duncan St Leger (Coldstream): Leaves his position as a pianist for Madame Melba and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old.

John Wilken (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a grocer and enlists in the AIF, he is 25 years old.

Hubert Guiney (Seville): Leaves his family’s property in Yering and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old.

William Bethune (Seville): Leaves his job as a timber worker in Western Australia and enlists in the AIF in Perth, he is 24 years old. A few months later his younger brother Malcolm would also enlist.

Pte Theodore Hand (Mt Dandenong), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Hymettus. Pte Arthur Jeeves (Mt Dandenong), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Hymettus. John Hannah (Mt Evelyn): Leaves his job as a salesman and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old.

Cpl William Teese (Mt Evelyn), Divisional Ammunition Column: Is admitted to hospital in France suffering from defective eyesight. Pte Edwin Meade (Mooroolbark), 8th Battalion: Leaves Egypt bound for Australia on the SS Kanowna. He has been suffering with enteric fever for three months and doctors order him back to Australia for further treatment. He will return to the AIF later in the year. The following local soldiers leave Australia bound

Pte Adrian Camp (Wandin), 8th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from enteric fever. Pte Edward Hitchings (Lilydale), 2nd Veterinary Section: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from typhoid.

William Buckley (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a lamp lighter and enlists in the AIF, he is 36 years old. Albert Woolrich (Olinda): Leaves his farm and enlists in the AIF, he is 32 years old.

Sidney Ingram (Silvan): Leaves his job as a carpenter and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old. Frederick Jeeves (Montrose): Leaves his garage in Montrose and enlists in the AIF, he is 28 years old and married with two children. He later wrote to his wife saying: ‘I would rather die with a little wooden cross above my head than be one of those who could have gone

Victor Boulter (Olinda): Leaves his job as a storekeeper and enlists in the AIF, he is 25 years old. Arthur James (Mooroolbark): Leaves his job as a farmer and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. Alex Pope (Lilydale): Leaves his job on the railways and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old. Dennis Shepherdson (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the

Pte James Wallace (Seville), 6th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Cairo suffering from influenza.

Alexander Blair (Olinda): Leaves his family’s farm and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old. Leslie Molloy (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a bootmaker and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old.

Thomas Amor (Mt Evelyn): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old. Malcolm Rankin (Lilydale): Leaves his job at a local vineyard and enlists in the AIF, he is 34 years old and married with one child.

Pte Lionel Whisson (Lilydale), 5th Battalion: While on board the HMAT Themistocles travelling to Egypt he is injured when a piano falls on him crushing his foot.

THE SEIGE OF KUT, MESOPOTAMIA Gnr Alfred Niblett (Lilydale), 19th Battery, Royal Field Artillery: Is killed in action while serving with the relief column sent to raise the blockade of the British troops in the besieged garrison town of Kut, on the Tigris River. He is 35 years old and is buried at the British War Cemetery in Basra, Iraq. Allan Hooke (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a baker and

Cpl Ted Duncan (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Warilda. Pte John Fitzgerald (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Warilda. Pte Richard Moloney (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Warilda.

Sgt Harold Clark (Gruyere), 27th Battalion: Suffering from paratyphoid, he is returned to Australia for further treatment. Robert Black (Montrose): Leaves his studies as an engineering student and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old. Three of his brothers would also enlist but only two would survive the war. Cyril Kuster (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a grocer and enlists in the AIF, he is 29 years old.

Pte Leslie Sessions (Silvan), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from mumps. Robert Lawlor (Coldstream): Leaves his parent’s property and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years old. His older brother Leonard had been killed in action at the landing at Anzac Cove. Before he enlists he tells his mother: ‘Len had cut a track, but not very far, and I would like to cut

William Shell (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old and married with two children.

Trp George Gilbert (Yering), 9th Light Horse Regiment: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from mumps. Pte Richard Moloney (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: While his ship, HMAT Warilda, is docked in Fremantle, WA, he deserts. He wouldn’t be found again by the authorities until 1920.

Joseph Gibson (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a butcher and enlists in the AIF, he is 27 years old. His brother Benjamin had enlisted the year before. Geoffrey Searle (Wandin): Born in Wandin although living at Cockatoo, Vic, he leaves his job as a carpenter and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old. Harry Wilkin (Wandin): Leaves his father’s property in Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (Egypt) – ‘Entraining for Tel-el-Kebir. Here we get reorganised as the Regiment has come down from five hundred strong to a little over two hundred. We also hand in our web equipment and get our own back and also our horses, after being made up to full strength again with a new Colonel (our own going back home)’.

Thomas Gaudion (Wandin): Leaves his family’s orchard in Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old. James McNeill (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a blacksmith and enlists in the AIF, he is 37 years old and married. John O’Halloran (Mt Dandenong): Leaves his job as a packer and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. John & Thomas Payne (Seville): Both brothers leave their family’s

Pte William Davies (Kilsyth), 1st Mining Corps: Leaves Australian bound for Europe on the HMAT Ulysses.

John Marsh (Wandin): Leaves his family’s farm in Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. Louis Cazaly (Montrose): Leaves his orchard in Montrose and enlists in the AIF, he is 39 years old.

Gordon Towt (Coldstream): Leaves his family’s farm ‘Devon Park’ and enlists in the AIF, he is 30 years old. William Jackson (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old.

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In camp in Egypt. In his diary –‘The famous 1st Division is being broken up, half of each battalion is being sent to build up a new battalion and half the new battalion is coming into the 1st Division. Our corps is suffering likewise, our C Section leaves tomorrow, it’s a cruel shame, men who made the Division what it is, and been

Paul Clegg (Wandin): Leaves his family’s property in Wandin where he works and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old. His older brother James had enlisted the year before. Reginald Lyons (Olinda): Leaves his job as a butcher and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old and married. James Morrison (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a pastry cook and enlists in the AIF, he is 16

Pte Fred Town (Lilydale), 2nd Division Ammunition Column: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from influenza. George Lawson (Olinda): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 34 years old. He had originally come out to Australia as an immigrant from Sweden. Wilfred Palliser (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a storeman and enlists in the AIF, he is 32 years old and married.

Spr Charles Noden (Lilydale), 2nd Field Engineers: Arrives in Australia from Europe on board the HT Star of Victoria to be discharged as medically unfit. Roland Wild (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as an engineer and enlists in the AIF, he is 34 years old and married.

Norman Bennier (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a bricklayer and enlists in the AIF, he is 27 years old and married. Alfred Fellows (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a fellmonger and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. Sydney Leake (Olinda): Leaves his job as a carter and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years old.

Richard Greenlees (Olinda): Leaves his job as a painter and enlists in the AIF, he is 27 years old. Louis Sage (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a farmer and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old.

William Parr (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a chauffeur and enlists in the AIF, he is 35 years old.

Pte Eddie Poyner (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: In camp in Egypt. In a letter to his family – ‘The Johnnie Lees (fleas) after lights out attack in brigades. Strike me up the apple tree they do torment one. We had sports here today and we four were in with a squad for the best dressed squad. We were five men short and only got third. We saw Ralph Goode and four

Hugh Cowan (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a plumber in Perth, WA, where he is living, and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he is 30 years old.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Wiltshire – Pte Arthur Cheep (Lilydale), 5th Battalion Pte Henry Ferguson (Coldstream), 6th Battalion Pte Hewitt Hussey (Lilydale), 6th Battalion Dvr Alfred Pomeroy (Wandin), 7th Battalion Pte Richard Grossman (Mt Dandenong), 7th Battalion: He had been wounded on Gallipoli and returned to Australia for further treatment and was now returning to active service. Pte George Shell (Lilydale), 8th Battalion

Cpl William Teese (Mt Evelyn), Divisional Ammunition Column: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on the HT Suffolk to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of defective eyesight. Pte Edward Hitchings (Lilydale), 2nd Veterinary Section: Arrives back in Australia from Egypt on the HT Suffolk for further medical treatment for typhoid. Pte Louis Cazaly (Montrose), 57th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Ajana. William Johnston (Wandin):

William Barker (Olinda): Leaves his job as a farm labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old.

Thomas Priest (Seville): Leaves his property in Seville and enlists in the AIF, he is 33 years old. Charles Mortomore (Lilydale): Leaves his farm in Lilydale and enlists in the AIF, he is 28 years old.

Pte Lionel Whisson (Lilydale), 5th Battalion: Arrives in Egypt and is admitted to hospital suffering from an injured foot after a piano fell on it while on board his ship. Pte Norman Avard (Olinda), 6th Battalion: Arrives back in Australia on the HMAT Nestor to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of contracting jaundice while at Gallipoli.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Anchises – Pte Daniel Bowen (Lilydale), 14th Battalion Pte Percy Haddon (Seville), 14th Battalion Pte Charles Pazzi (Lilydale), 29th Battalion Pte Oswald Wilson (Lilydale), 29th Battalion George Hastie (Seville): Leaves his job as a grocer and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old. William Russell (Seville): Leaves his family’s property in Seville where he worked and enlists

Patrick Duffy (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a woodcutter in Westonia, WA, where he is living, and enlists in the AIF, he is 44 years old.

Pte Eric Beggs (Lilydale), No 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Orsova. Pte Percy Clements (Lilydale), No 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Orsova. William Thompson (Wandin): Leaves his family’s property in Wandin, and his job as a blacksmith, and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years old. His father Walter had already enlisted the

Spr Harry Linacre (Seville), 6th Field Company Engineers: Is admitted to hospital in Ismalia, Egypt suffering from a coneal ulcer. Pte Albert Rouget (Seville), 14th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Tel el Kebir, Egypt suffering from influenza. Pte Harry Stevens (Seville), 8th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on the HMAT Ascanius to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of contracting rheumatism. Trp Robert Purves (Lilydale), 3rd

Ronald Ingram (Seville): While working in New Zealand he decides to enlist in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He is 28 years old and by now both of his brothers, George and Alex, had enlisted in the AIF.

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (Egypt) -‘We set out for Ferry Post, in the Suez Canal, to patrol the desert. Very shortly after this it is decided to split the Regiment up so as each Division could have some mounted troops, our lot being sent to the 4th Division. We joined them at Tel-el-Kebir and were sent out in the plantations, guarding them in

Cpl Rupert Bloom (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HT Malwa. He is returning to Egypt after being sent home the year before for further treatment for enteric fever. William Eales (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a clerk and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. His older brother, Thomas, had enlisted the years before. William Wood (Seville): Leaves his family’s property ‘Sunnyside’ in Seville where

Stoker James McClure (Yering), HMAS Pioneer: After four weeks of patrolling off the coast of Zanzibar, HMAS Pioneer arrives off Dar-es-Salaam, the capital of German East Africa, and helps sink the enemy ship, Tabora.

Pte Bruce Timms (Yering), 14th Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from exostosis of tibia. Robert Bedford (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a postman and enlists in the AIF, he is 31 years old. His younger brother William had enlisted the year before. William Duffy (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a labourer in Kalgoorlie, WA, where he is living, and enlists in the AIF, he is 33 years

William Jacob (Mooroolbark): Leaves his job as a farm labourer in Mooroolbark and enlists in the AIF, he is 19 years.

John Evans (Silvan): Leaves his job as a bootmaker and enlists in the AIF, he is 20 years old.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Suffolk – Pte William Buckley (Kilsyth), 6th Battalion Pte Vivian Grenness (Kilsyth), 6th Battalion Pte Alex Pope (Lilydale), 6th Battalion Pte John Hogg (Wandin), 7th Battalion

Pte Dominico Correicllo (Lilydale), 4th Pioneer Battalion: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from mumps. Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary –‘Disembarked 10am, marched about two miles through streets of bond stores to railway siding. French soldiers everywhere. Left Marseilles at 11.30am, passed through magnificent country; hills and valleys, miles of vineyards and orchards. Went through some wonderful tunnels, one right through a

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (Egypt) – ‘Took over from the 1st Division at Serapeum on April 1st. Here we are given a little patrolling to do at this the place where the Turks tried to cross the Canal before. So we are patrolling the desert with 9th Light Horse and also the Sweet Water Canal to stop the natives from bathing in it

Trp Albert Briers (Lilydale), 4th Light Horse Regiment: Is admitted to hospital in Egypt suffering from laryngitis.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Euripides- Pte Paul Clegg (Wandin), 5th Battalion Pte Thomas Gaudion (Wandin), 5th Battalion Pte John Marsh (Wandin), 5th Battalion Pte Thomas Payne (Seville), 5th Battalion Pte John Payne (Seville), 5th Battalion Pte Geoffrey Searle (Wandin), 14th Battalion Pte Malcolm Rankin (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: In a letter to his uncle in Lilydale –‘Since I have left you all we have

Trp William Mattingley (Wandin), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Barunga. Frank Duffy (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a blacksmith in Subiaco, WA, where he is living, and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old and married. Both of his brothers, Patrick and William, had already enlisted.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Aeneas- Pte Sidney Ingram (Silvan), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Pte George Lawson (Olinda), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Pte Alfred Fellows (Lilydale), 2nd Pioneer Battalion Malcolm Bethune (Seville): Leaves his parent’s property in Seville to enlist in the AIF. He is 21 years old and this is his second attempt to enlist, the first time he was rejected on account of

James Wilken (Kilsyth): Leaves his job as a radio telegraphist and enlists in the AIF, he is 22 years old.

Pte Alan McGuiness (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on the HT Karoola to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of contracting chronic rheumatism. Cpl Reg Peisley (Lilydale), 3rd Field Company Engineers: Arrives in Australia from Egypt on the HT Karoola to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of injuries to his back and shell shock. Pte Lionel Whisson (Lilydale), 5th Battalion: Arrives in Australia

Walter Deppeler (Gruyere): Leaves his farm in Gruyere to enlist in the AIF, he is 34 years old. Thomas Leach (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a carpenter and enlists in the AIF, he is 26 years old. Clive Rowan (Olinda): Leaves his farm to enlist in the AIF, he is 23 years old and married.

Henry Collins (Coldstream): Leaves his job working as a chauffeur for Madame Melba at Coombe Cottage and enlists in the AIF, he is 20 years old. George Rouget (Wandin): Leaves his family’s property at Wandin and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old.

Sgt Harry Matthews (Seville), 2nd Field Ambulance: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on the HT Suevic. He is to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of developing colitis while on Gallipoli. Pte Charles Campbell (Kilsyth), 8th Battalion: Arrives back in Australia from Europe on the HT Suevic. He is to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of the wounds he’d received at the landing at

Frank Muirson (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a labourer to enlist in the AIF, he is 16 years old although he tells authorities he is 18.

Since March the AIF had been moved in stages from Egypt to Europe and sent on to the frontlines in France and Flanders to help man the trenches along the Western Front. Here they would experience the cold and muddy conditions of European trench warfare and come under fire from snipers, machine guns, aeroplanes, artillery barrages and, for the first time, gas attacks. Here they would encounter their first casualties;

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary – ‘Following on the acid last night, at midday today the Germans dropped two shells in this village which wrecked two houses and killed two little children (girls five and seven years old), wounded three other kiddies, one little boy having his arm blown off. It wrecked a home where forty of our corps are billeted, fortunately we

Pte Nathaniel Davidson (Mooroolbark): Is discharged from the AIF as medically unfit for showing signs of paranoia and dementia. Reports states he is ‘strange and solitary and suffered from delusions of persecution, states that people are drugging him. Is very suspicious and thinks he is accused of murder at Lilydale and that people are talking about him. He has been found with a razor in front of a mirror and

Sgt Thomas Williams (Lilydale), 11th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HMAT Ascanius to be discharged as medically unfit as a result of contracting dysentery and angina.

Pte Arthur Thomas (Lilydale), 1st Machine Gun Battalion: In the front line, France. In a letter to his father –‘Out at our billets they blew our house to the ground, one man was wounded, three horses and two cows killed and we buried them in a shell hole. So you can guess it made some stir. Forty-three shells they put in altogether. I was just having breakfast at 3.15am, when we

Pte Philip Kidgell (Lilydale), 15th Machine Gun Company: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Port Lincoln. Pte Francis McLass (Lilydale), 60th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HT Port Lincoln. Robert Fairnie (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a mechanic and enlists in the AIF, he is 23 years old. George Fraser (Yering): Enlists in the AIF in Mildura, Vic, where he has been convalescing for two years,

Spr Samuel Fennell (Lilydale), 4th Field Company Engineers: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Hororata. Pte Arthur Moore (Lilydale), 8th Light Horse: A court of enquiry is held on this day to decide on his illegal absence without permission from Broadmeadows Military Camp since April 5th. He is found guilty of desertion and discharged from the AIF. Charles Asling (Mt Evelyn): Leaves his job as a labourer to

Frederick Tonkin (Wandin): Leaves his job as a labourer to enlist in the AIF, he is 29 years old. Pte John Wilken (Kilsyth), 14th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Port Lincoln.

Pte William McCallum (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to foot, and is evacuated from the field to hospital in England. Ernest Smith (Yering): Leaves his job as a ploughman to enlist in the AIF, he is 22 years old.

Tpr Leslie Howard (Olinda), 8th Light Horse Regiment: Leaves Australia bound for Egypt on the HMAT Clan Maccorquodale.

Pte Arthur Thomas (Lilydale), 1st Machine Gun Battalion: In the front line, France. In a letter to his father – ‘They missed our bedroom, or dugout, by only six yards with two shots. We had to fill some sand bags to repair this part of the parapet which tried to stop a shell, but failed miserably, so the dirt they loosened with the shells saved us a lot of work digging

Pte Arthur Thomas (Lilydale), 1st Machine Gun Battalion: In the front line, France. In a letter to his father –‘I was on duty in our gun “possy” and the Germans were shelling a supposed position behind our lines when one of their shells fell short, and by the feel of the dugout I knew they had not missed us by much. One of my mates was working 20ft away from where

Pte Arthur Thomas (Lilydale), 1st Machine Gun Battalion: In the front line, France. In a letter to his father – ‘We have had some beautiful weather this last few days but last night, and this morning, it has been wet and very muddy. I have just come off my two hours’ post. It is very quiet here today but it has been rough here. We were out of the trenches eight

William Atkinson (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a clerk and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. His older brother Claude had already enlisted and his father Albert would enlist in a few months. George Crowther (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a manufacturer’s agent and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old. Henry Petersen (Olinda): Leaves his job as a carpenter to enlist in the AIF,

Isaac Brown (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a carpenter and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old. William Davies (Wandin): Leaves his job as a carter and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old. Arthur Leckie (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a labourer and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old.

Pte Joseph Speakman (Coldstream), 14th Battalion: Arrives back in Australia from Egypt on the HT Karoola to be discharged medically unfit as a result of contracting raynards disease.

Pte Thomas Payne (Seville), 5th Battalion: Is sent to hospital in Cairo, Egypt suffering from measles. Pte Alexander Tonkin (Wandin), 36th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Beltana.

Pte Malcolm Rankin (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: In a letter to his uncle in Lilydale –‘We are camped at Tel-el-Kebhir in Egypt, about 160 miles from Alexandria, right in the desert. You can see nothing but sand as far as the eye could reach. It is very hot and dusty and the flies were pretty bad but I am getting fat since I came over here. It is about 120 degrees in the

Charles Reilly (Olinda): Leaves his orchard at Olinda to enlist in the AIF, he is 30 years old and married.

Pte William Lucas (Silvan), 1st Remount Unit: In camp in England. In a postcard to his wife – ‘I am at Rollerstone Camp and my tent leaks infamously, the weather has brought broken rain in torrents yesterday. Smiley has arrived and will arrange for him to come and help me in this camp. No chance of my going to the front for some time. I’ll cable when I do’. Pte

Pte Allan Hooke (Kilsyth), 3rd Field Bakery: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Demosthenes.

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Medic- Dvr Henry Early (Lilydale), 8th Field Artillery Brigade Dvr Gus Gilbert (Yering), 8th Field Artillery Brigade Dvr Ernest Gilbert (Yering), 8th Field Artillery Brigade Dvr Hubert Guiney (Yering), 8th Field Artillery Brigade Dvr Percy Hyne (Lilydale), 8th Field Artillery Brigade: In a postcard to Kath Phillips, Lilydale – ‘We have been seven weeks and a day out and have just

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary –‘Rather an exciting time today. I was on duty at Barrier, at 11am they poured shells on us. The first came through the wall into the room I was in, smothered us with bricks and dust, three more lobed on the roof. In ten seconds the place was ablaze, we got out without getting hurt then they poured

Pte Donald Fergus Scott (Mt Evelyn), 6th Battalion:  In camp in Egypt. In a letter to his father in Mt Evelyn – ‘Cairo has greatly improved in character and is losing its reputation as being the dirtiest and vilest city on earth. The weather was everything that could be desired. I don’t forgive the postal people for not delivering the Evelyn Christmas gift and have had to enjoy the smokes only

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Ascanius- Spr Robert Fairnie (Lilydale), Australian Army Pay Corps Capt George Crowther (Lilydale), 10th Battalion Dvr David England (Silvan), 12th Field Artillery Brigade Pte Henry Millward (Olinda), 39th Battalion

David Stormont (Silvan): Leaves his farm at Silvan and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he is 39 years old and married.

Thomas Kerr (Yering): Leaves his property in Yering and enlists in the AIF, he is 38 years old.

Pte Eddie Poyner (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: In camp on the Somme, France. In a letter to his family – ‘Just a line or two to let you know we are still in the land of the living. How are things going over there? Ralph was up in our parts of the globe yesterday and he told us a bit of news. I’ve had a few narrow escapes but have managed

Pte Malcolm Rankin (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: In a letter to his uncle in Lilydale – ‘We left Alexandria at 11 o’clock at night and arrived at camp about 5 o’clock next morning. We were in open trucks and it was a freezing cold night. We left Alexandria on 31st May. The only thing we had to look out for was the tin fish but we arrived safely. We had to wear life

Pte George Evans (Mt Evelyn), 22nd Battalion: Is evacuated to hospital in France suffering from gastritis. Pte Patrick Duffy (Lilydale), 6th Tunnelling Company: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Warilda. Alfred Larking (Lilydale): Leaves his job as a market gardener in Drouin, where he lives, and enlists in the AIF, he is 29 years old.

Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: From his diary (Egypt to France) – ‘We put our horses on the train en route for sunny France, on the Kingstonia, arriving at Marseilles. We were given two days leave which gave us the opportunity of seeing a good deal of the city. Putting our horses on the train we start for the north at one o’clock in the morning. When

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Persic- Pte John Hannah (Mt Evelyn), 37th Battalion Drv Cyril Kuster (Lilydale), 37th Battalion Pte Charles Mortomore (Lilydale), 37th Battalion Pte Harry Wilkin (Wandin), 37th Battalion Charles & Perrin Wallace (Seville): Both brothers leave their family orchard at Seville and together enlist in the AIF. Charles was 24 years old and single, Perrin was 22 years old and

Pte William Parr (Lilydale), 3rd Supply Column: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Afric.

Pte Ernest Kerslake (Lilydale), 26th Battalion: Takes part in a raid on the enemy trenches at the Bois Grenier sector, the first raid undertaken by Australian troops on the German lines on the Western Front. In fact on this night he became the first person in his battalion, and possibly in the whole of the AIF, to capture a German prisoner. For this he was awarded a ‘mentioned in despatches’,

Pte James Wallace (Seville), 6th Battalion: In France. In a postcard sent to the Sebire family – ‘I had a pleasant surprise last night. There was another lot of boys come into this camp when, who must I find, but Tom Gaudion, Jack & Harry Payne & Paul Clegg. It made France seem like dear old Wandin again & didn’t we have a good old talk about home. Jack Marsh

Pte William Mitchell (Lilydale): While still at Broadmeadows Military Camp he is discharged from the AIF for being medically unfit as a result of being overweight and having frequent bouts of drunkenness.

Pte Thomas Goodall (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: In the front line, the Somme, France. In a letter to his younger brother – ‘We are in the trenches now and not having too bad a time so far. Glossie told me that you have got your bike, I will be able to borrow it when I get back to go for a ride, I don’t know when that will be though. It’s

Frank Rae (Mooroolbark): Leaves his family’s property at Mooroolbark and enlists in the AIF, he is 35 years old. His younger brother Ernest had enlisted the year before.

Charles Dorrington (Montrose): Leaves his job as a hairdresser and enlists in the AIF, he is 18 years old.

Pte Richard Robertson (Mt Evelyn), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to the buttocks, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Ernest Bridgewater (Seville): Leaves his property in Seville and enlists in the AIF, he is 24 years old. Walter Leach (Gruyere): Leaves his job as a driver and enlists in the AIF, he is 21 years old.

Pte Eddie Poyner (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: In camp on the Somme, France. In a letter to his family – ‘Just a line or two to let you know we are keeping well, I always get pinched for fatigue or something when I start to write letters. Frank and I are still together, have not been separated yet. You will know before this that we are not in Egypt. I see

Pte Malcolm Rankin (Lilydale), 21st Battalion: In a letter to his uncle in Lilydale –‘You will see by this that we are in England. When we arrived we were taken ashore in freighters and got aboard the train, but not in open trucks this time, we had third class carriages. We had a journey of about 200 miles through some of the most lovely country and beautiful scenery I have ever seen,

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary –‘Fearful shell fire today. The Huns tried to get a battery of ours three different times today. They opened on us, at one time we counted seventy-three shells in fifteen minutes drop within two hundred yards of us, the explosions were fearful, it was death to poke your head out altho we were two hundred yards away’.

Pte Ernest Williams (Lilydale), 6th Field Ambulance: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from influenza.

Pte Herbert Read (Seville), 6th Battalion: Arrives in Australia from Europe on the HMAT Euripides to be discharged as medically unfit after being wounded in action and losing an eye at Cape Helles. Sgt Harold Clark (Gruyere), 27th Battalion: After being sent back to Australia from Gallipoli suffering from paratyphoid, he is given the all clear and returns to duty. Within the month he would sail for Europe and return

Spr Michael McCristal (Lilydale), Anzac Signal Section: Whilst on escort duty at Hill 40 in the Sinai he jumps on a train at the station and heads toward Romani to be involved in the fighting there. He is later charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline and docked 14 days pay. Pte Richard Grossman (Mt Dandenong), 7th Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HT Barambah- Lt William Eales (Lilydale), 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column Dvr Charles Reilly (Olinda), 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column Pte James McNeill (Lilydale), 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column

Pte Cyril Gregan (Olinda), 23rd Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to right knee, and is evacuated to hospital in France. Pte Ernest Smith (Yering), 3rd Pioneer Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HT Themistocles. Alexander Mathews (Seville): Leaves his stepfather’s orchard, ‘Woodbury’ in Seville, and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he was 18 years old. His father had died when he was young and his mother

Pte Archie ‘Smiler’ Williams (Lilydale), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to left shoulder and thigh, and is evacuated to hospital in England. Pte Leslie Jack (Silvan), 21st Battalion: Takes part in a raid on the enemy trenches at night. Pte George Joy (Mt Evelyn), 24th Battalion: Is wounded in action during a raid on the enemy trenches, gunshot wound to arm and back, and is evacuated from the

Pte Clyde Richardson (Lilydale), 23rd Battalion: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in England suffering from dysentery.

THE START OF THE SOMME CAMPAIGN It began with a massive British offensive, some 100,000 soldiers surged forward from their lines near the Somme River and attacked six German divisions opposite. The AIF would join the Somme campaign later in the month. L/Cpl Jack Lester (Yering), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, shell shock, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Pte Benjamin Sessions (Silvan), 1st Anzac Cycle Corps: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering from mumps. The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Ayrshire- Pte Thomas Amor (Mt Evelyn), 5th Battalion Pte Wilfred Palliser (Lilydale), 8th Battalion Pte Richard Poole (Lilydale), 8th Battalion Pte Edwin Meade (Mooroolbark), 8th Battalion: He has spent the last six months in Australia recovering from enteric fever after contracting it

The following local soldiers leave Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Berrima- Gnr William Bethune (Seville), 10th Field Artillery Brigade Gnr Julius Ozols (Silvan), 10th Field Artillery Brigade Pte Arthur James (Mooroolbark), 29th Battalion

Wallace Coutts (Wandin): Leaves his property in Wandin and enlists in the Australian Light Horse, he is 27 years old. Dr James Rowan (Olinda): Leaves his medical practice and enlists in the AIF, he is 29 years old. James Wyles (Olinda): Leaves his farm at Olinda and enlists in the AIF, he is 38 years old.

Pte Henry Holbrook (Montrose), 8th Battalion: Is wounded in action, suffering shell shock, and is evacuated to hospital in England.

Pte John Evans (Silvan), 60th Battalion: Leaves Australia bound for Europe on the HMAT Ajana. Albert Atkinson (Lilydale): Leaves his job on the railways and enlists in the AIF, he is 38 years and married with ten children. Two of his children, Claude & William Atkinson, had already enlisted in the AIF, sadly Claude would be killed in action the following month.

Charles Clegg (Wandin): Born in Wandin, he is working for the railways in Western Australia as a loco fireman when he decides to enlist, he is 25 years old and married.

Pte Duncan St Leger (Coldstream), 14th Australian General Hospital: While at Broadmeadows he is transferred from the Infantry to the Australian Army Medical Corps. His commanding officer states: ‘This man is Madame Melba’s pianist and unsuited for infantry work. The Commandant has expressed his approval of Pte St Leger’s transfer to the AAMC’.

Pte Ralph Goode (Lilydale), 2nd Field Ambulance: In France. In his diary –‘We have marched through the most beautiful country I have ever seen, we are now in the Somme and are making our way to the big advance’. Pte George Fraser (Yering): While stationed at Broadmeadows he is discharged from the AIF as medically unfit as a result of his poor physical condition.

Pte Percy Johnston (Olinda), 58th Battalion: Is killed in action when a gas attack was sent over by the enemy. The gas mask he was wearing was unfortunately broken and he was overcome by the gas. He is 25 years old and is buried at the Rue Petillion Military Cemetery in France. Trp Arthur Rouget (Wandin), 13th Light Horse Regiment: Is evacuated from the field to hospital in France suffering

THE BATTLE OF FROMELLES, FLEURBAIX REGION, FRANCE This was the AIF’s first campaign on the Western Front and the first part they played in the Somme offensive. But Fromelles was a battle that has come to be known as the worst 24 hours in Australia’s history. On this day just over five and a half thousand Australians were killed or wounded in just one day’s fighting. In fact, two thousand

Pte Reuben Parry (Wandin), 29th Battalion: Is captured by the Germans during the battle. According to correspondence with the Australian Red Cross, he reported that during the battle he had met up with his younger brother Frederick, of the same unit, close to the German line. They decided that the severely wounded Frederick should try to return to the Allied trenches and that Reuben would stay with the survivors of