THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE – FRANCE (MAY 10th – 13th)
Gnr Alfred Niblett (Lilydale), 19th Battery, Royal Field Artillery: In France. Writing to a friend in Lilydale –‘The bombardment of Neuve Chappelle was a hell of its own. We have had several similar ones since. We gave them a proper shaking up too. We will give them ‘baby killers’ before we have done with them. One thing, you are fairly safe from air raids out here. I see by the papers that the Australians and New Zealanders are doing fine work at the Dardanelles. I hope there are a lot more of the boys from Lilydale gone to help keep the good name up. I hope one day, if I am spared through this war, to return to Australia and renew old acquaintances. I have no more time to write; we are just going to pepper the Huns again’.
David Ogilvy (Seville): Leaves the property he runs with his brother at Seville and enlists in the AIF, he is 30 years old and married.
George Harrison (Wandin): Leaves his job as a clerk and enlists in the AIF, he is 25 years old.