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 came over and fell on the post, wounding several and ending the earthly days of your noble son. Bob was a great favourite with all whom he came in contact, and his loss is very much regretted’. He is just 21 years old and is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery Belgium.
Pte Claude Pitt (Mt Evelyn), 37th Battalion: He is killed in action. After his death his Commanding Officer wrote the following to his family: ‘I desire on behalf of the officers, NCOs and men of the battalion to convey to you our deepest sympathy. Your son, who only recently joined the battalion, had at all times conducted himself in such a manner as to earn the respect, praise and admiration of all ranks, by his unfailing cheerfulness and devotion to duty under most trying circumstances. His death is a severe blow to the battalion, and we all mourn, not only the loss of a comrade, but a brave man, who upheld the best traditions of the AIF’. He is 23 years old and is remembered on the memorial at Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.
Pte Charles Wallace (Seville), 22nd Australian Machine Gun Company: He was killed in action. He is 25 years old and is remembered on the memorial at Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.
Pte William McCallum (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: He was killed in action. He was on the No 1 machine gun at Rosieres and according to a witness, as soon as he started to work his gun he was instantly shot through the head by a sniper. He is 28 years old and is remembered on the memorial at Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.
Sig Guy Berry (Seville), 2nd Divisional Signal Company: Dies of wounds he’d received in action the day before. He is 22 years old and is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Dvr Albert Street (Gruyere), 2nd Field Artillery Brigade: Is wounded in action, shrapnel wound to hand, and is evacuated to hospital in Belgium.
Lt Lyndon Watt (Lilydale), 6th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to left leg, and is evacuated to hospital in England.
Cpl George Deacon (Lilydale), 7th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to buttocks, and is evacuated to hospital in England.
Pte Harold Wright (Mooroolbark), 21st Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to groin and thigh, and is evacuated to hospital in England.
Pte Arthur Lowe (Yering), 24th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to the cheek, and is evacuated to hospital in England.
Pte William Goodall (Lilydale), 24th Battalion: Is wounded in action, gunshot wound to leg and neck, and is evacuated to hospital in England.
Cpl Frank Maher (Lilydale), 2nd Machine Gun Company: He is recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his action on this day and over the next few days. His recommendation states: ‘During the operations at Broodseinde Ridge, east of Ypres, on the 4th to 11th October, 1917 the NCO was in charge of a machine gun. He was wounded but refused to leave his post. His gun position was blown in by shell fire and he showed great coolness and ability in constructing a new position under very heavy shell fire and in getting his gun and men forward into it. His conduct throughout was splendid and his cheerful behaviours and fine exhibition of courage and endurance were a great example to his men and no doubt prevented the weaker ones from giving way under the continual strain’.