The Avoca and District Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, collecting and researching the history of Avoca, Victoria, and the surrounding district
Author: Anne Young
I blog about my family history at http://ayfamilyhistory.com/
This month’s blog posts will look at places on the Avoca Walking Tour, a brochure published by the Pyrenees Tourism Association. An online transcription is available here.
13.: Watford House, 1850s. Watford House is a rare surviving example of a prefabricated house imported into Victoria reflecting the wealth of Avoca’s goldrush era. It was imported by C.K. Pearson the proprietor of the Avoca Hotel. Each piece of timber was numbered so it could be re-erected with ease.
Watford House is located at 16 Dundas Street as shown with the purple square
September 2015
August 2017
Watford Cottage is believed to have been imported by German born hardware merchant and importer Frederick Bauer. Bauer imported over twenty four pre-fabricated houses from Hamburg, between January 1854 and June 1855.
The house was first erected by C. K. Pearson as the accommodation wing of the Avoca Hotel in 1856.
Watford House as part of the Avoca Hotel in the main street before it moved in 1870.
In 1852 Pearson arrived in Geelong with his brother and operated a soda water factory. Pearson’s sister Ann married Frederick Bauer in 1854 in Geelong. She is believed to have imported two prefabricated houses.
By 1855 Pearson moved to Avoca where he operated the Avoca Hotel. He bought the site that the house was first located on in March 1856 in the town’s first land sales. Pearson operated the hotel until the 1860s and then operated as a watchmaker while leasing the hotel.
In 1870, the house next to the Avoca Hotel was sold by James B. Smith, then publican.
It was bought by Mr Bulhert, an Avoca storekeeper, and it was moved on red gum rollers down to its present site in Dundas Street near the river.
The house was subsequently bought by John Paten, the proprietor of the Avoca Mail. It was during Paten’s ownership that the place became known as ‘Watford’ after the place in Hertfordshire where his father had been living.
After John Paten’s death in 1898 the ownership of the house passed his son Arthur who owned it until 1946. From 1946 to 1970 the house was owned by Arthur Paten’s sister-in-law Mrs Margery Reid.
Artist Lyndal Jones bought the house in 2004 and restored it. From 2008 to 2019 the not-for-profit organisation The Avoca Project used the house for cultural activities including exhibitions and performances. The house was sold in 2020.
Substantial numbers of prefabricated house were imported into Australia during the nineteenth century. The majority of these were from Britain but a small proportion came from Germany. Watford is one of three German prefabricated houses known to exist in Victoria, all of which are believed to have been imported by Bauer. In 2009 Watford was assessed as being the most intact of these.
Charles Jonathan Willmott (1888-1915) was born in Avoca, the son of Charles Willmott and Kate nee Sedery. He was educated at the Avoca State School.
On 17 August 1914 Charles willmott enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Shepparton. He was then an unmarried grocer.. He stated he had served in the Victorian Rangers for a year and with the Victorian Scottish Regiment for two years. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion with the regimental number 401.
The 7th battalion was raised by Lieutenant Colonel H. E. “Pompey” Elliott. I was recruited from Victoria and was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division.
Initial training was undertaken at Broadmeadows camp.
On 19 October 1914 Willmott embarked with C Company of the 7th Battalion on Transport A20 Hororata. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The Battalion undertook further training before being called to undertake defensive duties along the Suez Canal in February 1915.
LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS. ... Mr Chas Willmott, son of Mr and Mrs C Willmott, of Avoca, is also with the First Contingent. Charlie has sent home some good photographs which were taken in Egypt, and he has written some racy letters regarding his experiences in that historic country
In early April the battalion was moved to Alexandria and from there on to Lemnos Island. On the morning of 25 April 1915, the battalion took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, coming ashore as part of the second wave.
BUGLER WILLMOTT. Bugler C. J. Willmott (missing) 7th Battalion, was employed as an assistant in the grocery department at James Fairleys', merchants and warehousmen of Shepparton. He was a member of the Shepparton Model Band. His people reside at Avoca,
In February 1917 George Downton, a local businessman from Avoca, wrote the the military authorities seeking confirmation that Charles Willmott had been killed:
Avoca 20/2/17 Officer commanding Base Records Office Sir A poor woman Mrs Wilmott mother of Bugler Charles Jonathan Willmott No, 401, 7th Battalion has asked me to write you She received a letter from your office dated January "30th 1917 in which it is stated that “The Military Board is regretfully constrained to conclude that this soldier is dead, and that death occurred on some date prior to 3rd June 1915" As Bugler Wilmott’s life was assured & as his mother has since paid 2 premiums, cannot he now be officially declared dead to enable his mother to receive the amount of policy I may add that she is almost blind from cataract & is only waiting to be totally blind to be operated on. Her case is really pitiable. Trusting you will do your utmost for this poor woman. I am Yours faithfully Geo H Downton
On 25 September 1917 a Court of Inquiry held at Rouen, France, confirmed Private Willmott’s fate as ‘killed in action’.
Mr Geo Downton presided at a meeting of the carnival committee held on Monday evening. ... The chairman informed the meeting that official word had been received of the death of Private Charles Willmott. For a long time the fate of this young hero was uncertain, and they held a lingering hope that he might have been taken prisoner. However, be deeply regretted to learn that Private Willmott, who was a very promising young man, and held in high esteem, had fallen. He moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the bereaved parents. Seconded by Mr Geo Phillipe, and carried in silence, the members standing as a mark of respect.
In April 1918 the effects of the late Private C J Willmott were sent to his father. They comprised: Cigarette Cards, Gift Tin, Bible, 2 Handkerchiefs, Note-Book, Shaving Brush, Pipe Bowl,and a Pencil Case.
Base Records wrote to Mr Willmott, 24 August 1920, that Private Willmott’s remains had been exhumed from a recently discovered Turkish cemetery at Pine Ridge, and had been reinterred in Lone Pine Cemetery.
Roll of Honour circular for Charles Willmott completed by his father Australian War Memorial
IN MEMORIAM. On Active Service. WILLMOTT.- In loving memory of Bugler Charles J. Willmott, 7th Battalion, second beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Willmott, of Avoca. He nobly lived, and nobly died for freedom's sake. Our Anzac.
Two brothers, Dave and Herb Willmott, also enlisted. His uncle, Charles Sedery, was killed in action at Gallipoli on 6 August 1915.
David Summers was born on 23 April 1893 in Avoca, the son of David Summers and Mary Elizabeth nee Kaye.
He was educated at Avoca State School and later worked as a saddler and harness maker.
He played football for Avoca and was a member of the Avoca Rifle Club, the Avoca Fire Brigade and the Avoca Brass Band.
(Photograph from a great nephew of Dave Summers)
On 18 August 1914 Dave Summers of Avoca was among the first to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. At the time he was working as a saddler and harness maker. He was 21 years 4 months old and unmarried. He noted previous service with the Avoca Rifle Club.
The members of the Avoca Brass Band have sent a fountain pen to Bugler D. Summers and Private Reg. C. Johnson, of the first expeditionary force now at Broadmeadows as a parting gift to each. With the gifts has been sent a letter from the President of the Band (Mr. G. H. Downton). The Avoca Fire Brigade, of which Bugler Summers was also a member, has sent him, as a memento, a solid silver double sovereign case.
From the Embarkation rolls of October 1914, it appears that most of the men who enlisted from Avoca served together. There was a deliberate policy of keeping locals together. Gus Ebeling, Matthew Rafferty, Arthur Summerfield, William French, Dave Summers and Rege Johnson were all in the 8th Infantry Battalion, F Company. Ebeling was Lieutenant, the officer-in-charge of this company. Alfred Golder was assigned to 8th Infantry Battalion Headquarters.
AUSTRALIA'S HEROES. BUGLER DAVE SUMMERS. Writing to his parents, Mr and Mrs D Summers, of Avoca, Bugler Dave Summers says: "We are having as good a time as possible. Most of the Avoca boys are wounded, but are doing well and will soon be back with us again. Captain Ebeling, who was wounded, is with us again. He is on the staff at the Brigade headquarters. Rege Johnson was progressing well the last time I heard about him. I suppose there was a stir at home when the people heard about us landing, and doing our little bit towards downing the enemy. Alf Golder stopped a bullet. He got hit in the arm. I did not see him after he was wounded, but was told it was not serious. I saw the Yea boys this week, just before they went into the trenches. Lew was always wanting me to hunt them up. I live in a dug-out on the side of a hill, but get swamped out every time it rains. It has rained five times since we landed here. I have got wet through every time, and have to let my clothes dry on me. I manage to get a wash twice a week, so that is not too bad. The sailors and Tommies think a lot of the Australians here. They call us the white Gurkhas, so that is a bit of a compliment. One of the Harrowfield lads arrived here last night with some reinforcements for our battalion, which makes another volunteer from the Sweet Vale. Captain Ebeling wishes to be remembered to all."
BUGLER DAVE SUMMERS Bugler Dave Summers writes to his parents thus under date 19th June:-"Just a few lines to let you know how things are at present with me and the rest of the boys. We are having splendid weather lately, but things get a bit lively at times, especially when the enemy start shelling us. Then it is a case of keep under cover until things quieten down again. Arthur Summerfield and myself are at present working a trench mortar and get some good fun out of it, although it can't be too much fun for the enemy, as the bombs make a terrible mess when they burst. My word, you ought to see us now; we look like a lot of sweeps. I have not had a wash for over a week, and it is about a fortnight since I slept with my clothes off; in fact, I am beginning to wonder when we shall be able to have a good rest again. Have just had some rum issued to me, also another fellow's share; they don't give us too much, just enough to get the taste. We get it about once a fortnight; we also get cigarettes and box of matches every week, so we are not without a smoke. The afternoons here are very warm, but the nights are lovely and cool. We have a good view of the sea from the trenches, and can see all the ships as they come and go away after unloading. Also some very lovely sunsets, a long way ahead of anything I have seen at home. The trenches are not more than 100 yards apart and in some places a lot less. Remember me to all at home."
AT THE FRONT. The following letter, from Bugler Dave Summers, was read by Captain Chellew to the members of the Avoca Fire Brigade last evening : — Gallipoli, In the trenches, July 25th, 1915. To Captain Chellew and members — I am writing these few lines to let you know that I am well, and also to give you some idea of how things are with the Australians here at present. When I first joined the Expeditionary Force I had a vague idea of what war was like, but now I have the real thing, and it is not all toast and butter. Anybody looking for anything exciting can find it here at present, in fact more than he looks for. When the force left Australia, we had no idea where we were bound for and when we were told that we were to land in Egypt we had to make the most of things, I had a fairly good time in Cairo, and saw most of the sights there. Was also on the Canal, but the Turks had retreated and we saw nothing but a few of the prisoners. That was my first look at the enemy, but we didn't know then that we would be having a smack at them on their own ground. Well, to come to actual facts. The Battalion I am in (the 8th) left Mena on Easter Sunday, marched into Cairo, a distance of ten miles, with full-packs up, and entrained for Alexandria. We reached there next morning and embarked on the Clan Macgillivray, and after standing outside for a few days, left for Lemnos, an island about fifty miles from the peninsula. All the transports and warships were gathered here, and I had the opportunity of looking over one of our hospital boats and one of the warships (the Agamemnon) — it has since been damaged at the Dardanelles. The Queen Elizabeth (Lizzie) was also here, she is a bonza and no mistake. We were at Lemnos about a fortnight when, on the 24th April, we moved out round the island and next morning the fun began. Since then it hasn't been altogether a picnic. You will have seen by the papers that the 3rd Brigade landed first, and the 2nd followed soon after. The boat I was in landed about 6 a.m., and then the hard work commenced. I had full equipment with rifle, 200 rounds of armmunition, and a pick for trench work, so it was no light load to be chasing the enemy over the hills. I was under Lieut. Yates (from Colac), and we got in touch with the blighters about 3 p.m after scrambling all over the hills, and they are not very small hills either, all covered with scrub and prickly bush ; also they are very steep on the side facing the sea. The bullets and shrapnel were buzzing about ; it reminds one of a hive of bees that have been disturbed. I saw any amount of our fellows lying dead and wounded but we couldn't help them as we had to push on as far as we could and keep the enemy back until the reserves had started our line of trenches. My word, it was hot work. I can't describe my feelings exactly but I can safely say that I was frightened. I don't think there were many who were not. When we finished up that night Lieut. Yates was the only officer left in G Company ; two were killed and three wounded, including Capt. Ebeling, as he was then (he has since been promoted to the rank of Major). The first week was very hot work as the enemy, attacked every night and we could get but very little sleep, as we had to dig trenches in the daytime and stand to all night. Then the 2nd Brigade went to Cape Helles and made an advance. I think while it lasted it was the hottest bit of work I have been in. Our Brigade lost a lot of men while it lasted. The Tommies thought we were mad when we went straight on over their trenches. They called us the White Gurkhas after that. I suppose it is an honour as the Gurkhas stop at nothing. They are bonza little fellows and whenever we meet them they say (''Hullo Johnny''). I think it is about all some of them can say. I saw a good deal of the French at the Cape. Their artillery is about the best here at present. Especially the seventy-fives. The Australians have lost very heavily up to date, but considering what they have done it is not to be wondered at. We are at present in the trenches in the centre of the Australian position. The enemy trenches here are from fifteen to fifty yards from ours, so we are very close — so close, that we have wire netting screens in front of the trench to stop the bombs from being thrown in. We had some of it blown down with shrapnel yesterday but put it up again at night. There is nothing doing in the daytime but a bit of sniping mostly at periscopes and loop holes. We have what we call periscope rifles which enable the sniper to shoot in safety with his rifle over the top of the sandbags while he is under cover. It seems funny to shoot with a rifle and sight it through a looking-glass about 2 feet below, the stock of the gun. They give us some hurry up now and again with shells, especially the big howitzer shells. They make a mess of the trenches when they land. You can hear them coming before ever they hit and burst. Most of the boys from the district have been wounded, and, I am sorry to say, one missing. Charlie Willmott was missed the first Sunday, so it has taken a long time, for the news to reach his people. I have asked at his battalion but I can't find anyone who saw him on that day. At present time of writing all left here are well and send kind regards to all friends. Alf Golder is at present in hospital with a wound from a shrapnell bullet. Will have to close now as they, have started to send shells over so will have to get under cover. Will write again when I have any news to send. Excuse bad writing, as I am penning this under difficulties. With kind regards to all fellow firemen and self, I remain, yours truly, BUGLER D. SUMMERS. [There was no necessity for Bugler Summers to offer an apology for his writing, as the foregoing very fine letter is beautifully written, which can be accepted as an indication of the iron nerve of its author.]
Summers was part of the general Gallipoli evacuation and disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916. He was subsequently stationed at Tel el Kebir, Egypt..
Avoca Free Press and Farmers' and Miners' Journal, Wednesday 1 March 1916, page 2 BUGLER DAVE SUMMERS. When the war broke out Bugler Dave Summers, son of Mr and Mrs D Summers, of Avoca, was one of the first of our brave men to enlist. He was also one of the first of the dashing young Australians to set foot on Gallipoli, where the greatest feat in connection with the war was performed. After those fearless and wonderful series of charges upon the Turks, in which Bugler Summers bravely played his part, he spent a long time in the trenches, and engaged in much fierce fighting. The Australians were being constantly bombarded, but Dave escaped injury. He also holds the distinction of being one of the last to bid adieu to the Peninsula, being amongst the Anzac heroes in that most sucсеssful evacuation. Subsequently he and his comrades were given a rest, which they richly deserved. Writing to his parents from Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, under date January 9th, Bugler Summers says:-"I suppose you will be wondering what has happened, not having a letter for about two months, but we have not been allowed to send any letters since November last on account of evacuating Anzac, but now that we are back in Egypt again we can write as much as we like. The weather has been lovely here during the last few days, but it gets chilly at night time. All the boys received a billy and a pudding at Xmas. We were on Lemnos for Xmas, and left for Egypt on New Year's Day, and arrived here on the 4th. It was raining when we landed, and we had to make the best of a bad job. Dave Doodt was up to see us the other day; he is looking splendid. We are all going to get our photos taken to-day (all the Avoca boys), so will be able to send some home shortly. We are camped about forty miles from Cairo, but Les Yates and I are going into the city on leave this week. There are two of the boys allowed to go on leave each day for 48 hours, but it does not come round very often as there are about sixty men in the battery altogether. We are camped on one of the old battlefields of Egypt just at the back of the camp; there are the old trenches that were used still intact. Some of the boys have been out looking for relics, but I do not think they found anything to speak of. Let me know when you answer this letter what battalion Bill Barnett is in, so that I can hunt him up if ever he so that I can hunt him up if ever he lands in this country. I don't think the division will do much fighting for a while, as most of the old boys want a good spell, and this is just the place where we will get fit and ready for another go at the Turks. Kindly remember me to all friends."
The 60th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 24 February 1916 as part of the “doubling” of the AIF. Half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 8th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. The majority of both groups were Victorians. The new battalion formed part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division.
On 24 February 1916 Summers was one of the Gallipoli veterans transferred to the 60th Battalion.
For the Empire. Australia's Heroes. BUGLER DAVE SUMMERS. Bugler Dave Summers, son of Mr and Mrs Summers, of Avoca, writes from Canal Zone, Egypt, on April 28th, as follows:- "We are having very hot weather here now, and it is bowling a lot of the boys over, especially working on the desert here with only a limited supply of water. The Turks have been busy around here again; they have not come near our part of the line yet, but are supposed to be very close to us. However, we don't expect to be here long, so may not get the chance of a scrap. Easter came in very hot here; in fact, too hot for words. Of course, as you know, Easter Sunday was my birthday. Well, I worked all the day digging trenches; also all day Monday, but on the Tuesday (Anzac Day), we had a sports gathering on the desert. All the boys who were in the landing wore a red ribbon, and all after wore a blue, so I had both red and blue ribbon up. We had a memorial service in the morning, and the sports started about nine o'clock. I ran in three races, and managed to win the Anzac Hundred, dead heat for first in the 220, and third in the 120. There were no records broken, as the track was between sand hills, and the sand would come over our ankles every stride. I don't know what the prizes were, as I have not heard anything more about the sports since Tuesday. I have not heard anything of Bill Burnett yet, but I think he is in the 67th Battalion; if so, he will be with Jimmy Yates, and as I might see Jimmy any day now I will be able to find out for certain. We might be moving any day now, where to we do not know for certain, but hope that it is somewhere near the first division, so that I will be able to see all the boys. We just shifted into this camp to-day, and the last place was too far out on the desert to have any time to write too much and so shift."
Tel-El-Kebir, Egypt. 1916-04-25. Men of 5th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), attending a sports carnival to commemorate Anzac Day. The men are sitting and standing in the form of a huge square, probably watching a game of Australian Rules football. Australian War Memorial Accession Number P00851.009
Summers embarked from Alexandria with the 60th Battalion to join the British Expeditionary Force on 18 June 1916. They disembarked at Marseilles, France, on 29 June 1916.
Within weeks, the battalion was committed to its first major action on the Western Front on 19 July. The battle of Fromelles was a disaster for the battalion. When the troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British Divisions attacked at 6 pm on 19 July 1916, they suffered heavily at the hands of German machine-gunners. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, rendering it incapable of offensive action for many months; the 61st British Division suffered 1,547. The 60th Battalion was virtually wiped out, suffering 757 casualties.
Summers was one of those casualties. He was reported Missing on 19 July 1916.
Part of the German front line after the Battle of Fleurbaix which took place on 19 July 1916 and 20 July 1916. This, with the second and ‘third’ lines, formed the objective of the attack. The ‘third line’ was found to be a ditch and the second line also was partly full of water. In the foreground, covered with coats or blankets by the enemy, are a number of Australians those who fell. The photograph was taken on the morning of 20 July after the Germans had re-occupied their trenches. Australian War Memorial Accession Number A01560
For the Empire. Australia's Heroes Mr D. Summers, of Avoca, has been notified by the Defence Department that his son, Private Dave Summers, is missing in France. This young man was one of the first volunteers from Avoca, and he also, held the distinction of being amongst the first Australians to land on Gallipoli, and the last to leave, Dave is very popular in Avoca, and his many friends, hope that good news concerning him will soon be received by his parents.
A Court of Enquiry held on 4 August 1917, pronounced his fate as ‘Killed in Action, 19 July 1916’.
For the Empire. Australia's Heroes. In a recent casualty list it is announced that Lance Corporal D Summers was killed in action. This brave young soldier rendered splendid service for the Empire, and went right through the Gallipoli campaign. He was a valued member of the Avoca Band, being a fine musician. Lance Corporal Summers was a good rifle shot, and a pedestrian of great promise. He was highly esteemed, and the news of his death has caused profound regret
AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES, 537 DEATHS NOTIFIED. THE TOLL OF POZIERES. Casualty list No. 339, which was issued by the Defence department yesterday, was notable for high proportion of fatalities. No fewer than 537 out of a record of 1,014 names were of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. This total was made up as follows:—Killed in action 16 officers, 461 men: died of wounds, 2 officers, 31 men; died from other causes, 2 officers, 24 men; accidentally killed, 1 man. In most cases there occurred the phrase "previously reported missing," and the dates show that they were sustained at Pozieres, where the Australians made so brilliant and successful an entrance early in the Somme campaign. Victorians appear to have suffered especially.
Avoca Brass Band Annual meeting. … The hon, secretary, Mr HC Classen, presented his report as follows :-"In submitting the first annual report of the Avoca Town Band, it gives me great pleasure to refer to the satisfactory progress made during the year, The band was formed on 7th September, 1916, and Mr A C Summers has rendered valued service since that time in the capacity of conductor. This gentleman carried out the duties gratuitously, and under his able guidance the young members have shown marked improvement. With regular attendance at the practices, the players will make still further advancement, as they show great promise. Former bandsmen in Messrs F Kaye, A Ahpee, J Hutchison, C R Mockett, and Reg Johnson have given much assistance, which is duly appreciated. … … On behalf of The band, Mr Downton then presented Mr Summers with a purse of sovereigns. … Mr Downton said he had a sad resolution to move. As all were aware, since their last annual meeting they had lost one of their prominent bandsmen, in the person of the late Lance-Corporal Dave Summers, who had given his life for his country in the far-off battlefields of Northern France. In addition to being a first-class cornet player, and a splendid athlete, Dave was a lad of excellent character, and he would be sadly missed. He had died one of the noblest deaths any man could die, but because of his true manliness and heroic deeds he would live long in the memory of all who knew him. Mr Downton then moved that the sincere sympathy of the band be sent to Lance Corporal Summers' parents and relatives Mr AG Lalor seconded the motion, and also spoke in praiseworthy terms of the later Lance-Corporal Summers, who was one of the bravest lads he had ever known. ln fact, a soldier informed him that Dave had said he would never be taken prisoner by the enemy The motion was carried in silence, all present standing with bowed heads. …
AVOCA FIRE BRIGADE… He [Captain Chellew of the Avoca Fire brigade] deeply regretted the death of Fireman Les Yates, who had given his life for King and country. He also mentioned that Fireman Dave Summers was reported missing, and hoped that brave young hero would return safe and sound. Dave had done magnificent work in the trenches at Gallipoli, and then went to France. Possibly he was a prisoner of war. He referred to these matters with feelings of sorrow, and trusted that a photo of the late Fireman Yates would be hung in the hall. He also suggested that the photographs of all local firemen who had enlisted be procured, framed, and hung in the station, for if men ever deserved recognition they did. …
His body was never recovered. Lance Corporal David Summers is commemorated at the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial. He is also remembered on the Avoca Soldiers’ Memorial.
Avoca Soldiers’ Memorial: Roll of Honour: The Fallen L. Cpl D. Summers is one of those listed
On 20 December 1944 nine year old Avoca school boy Neville Astbury wrote to the Melbourne Argus newspaper claiming his “Daddy is the Best Bomb-Aimer in the World”.
Avoca
Dec 20 1944
The Editor
The Argus
Melbourne
Dear Sir
Every week I read in the Argus Week-end Magazine the story of our Airmen and I wonder when you will tell the story of my Daddy Flight Lieutenant C.K. Astbury DFC and bar. I think my Daddy is the best Bomb Aimer in the world because he flies with Wing Commander Cheshire the world’s greatest Bomber Pilot.
I am nine years old and attend the Avoca school
Yours Truly
Neville Astbury
The Argus responded by featuring Neville’s father Colin Keith Astbury in their pictorial feature.
“My Daddy is the Best Bomb-Aimer in the World” (1945, January 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 28 (The Argus Week-end Magazine). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1093011
"My Daddy is the Best Bomb-aimer in the World" FLT. LIEUT. COLIN KEITH ASTBURY As a Flying Officer he won the D.F.C. in July 1943, promoted to Flight Lieutenant he received a bar to his award in March 1944 for gallantry in operations.
This letter from a proud young Australian speaks for itself. We tell the story of Flt. Lieut. Astbury, not only for Neville, but for all other boys whose fathers are on service.
Before the war Colin Keith Astbury worked in the Victorian Railways. He enlisted in the RAAF when the German armies were marching on Paris.
Commissioned in May 1942 he won the DFC for his coolness and courage on bombing raids. “He is undeterred by danger of any kind” said his superiors.
Always ready with a quip and a joke, Astbury inspired his crew with a confidence that did much to ensure the success of operations.
However heavily the target was defended he refused to release his bombs until he was sure of a kill. His achievements won him a bar to his DFC in 1944.
His outstanding ability caused him to be selected with other Australians when the RAF attacked and destroyed the German battle ship Tirpitz.
F Lt Astbury RAAF DFC (‘Aspro’) flew a tour of 29 ops with 49 Squadron as a Bomb Aimer before volunteering for a second tour with 617 Squadron.
Keith enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in November 1940 and was sent to Canada in February 1941 for training as a bomb aimer. By September 1941, he had been posted to England to complete his instruction as a bombardier.
In April 1942, he joined No. 49 Squadron RAF, then operating Avro Manchesters from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. The squadron converted to Avro Lancasters in July 1942, and on 24 October that year took part in a nine-hour daylight raid on Milan, with Keith among the crew.
Avro Lancaster aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) in the skies above Lincolnshire. Lancaster PA474 wearing 460 Squadron (RAAF) Photo: Cpl Phil Major ABIPP/MOD, OGL v1.0, Link
He completed his first tour with 49 Squadron in March 1943 and was subsequently assigned as an instructor, training bomb aimers until November 1943. Returning to operational duty in December, he joined No. 617 Squadron RAF at RAF Scampton, flying Lancasters.
While with 617 Squadron, Keith flew alongside Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire and Squadron Leader Les Munro. He completed 39 operations with the squadron, his final mission being the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz on 12 November 1944, during which he dropped a Tallboy bomb from 18,000 feet and achieved a direct hit.
For his two operational tours with RAF Bomber Command, Keith was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He returned to Australia in February 1945 and, after a period of rest, was posted to RAAF Headquarters at Morotai in a non-flying role. In December 1945, he was discharged from the RAAF, having completed 63 operations in Europe.
In 2018 we celebrated the centenary of the armistice that ended the horror that masqueraded as The Great War. Conservative estimates suggest that there were more than forty million military and civilian casualties during the course of the conflict, twenty million deaths and another twenty one million wounded.
In October 2018 it will also be 101 years since Frank Lindsay was decorated for his heroism during the Great War following which he suffered intolerably as a result of his brave actions, his life considerably and unjustly shortened because of the shocking effects of the gas inflicted upon him and thousands of other diggers on the fields of France.
As a young lad it was my privilege to visit Lamplough and stay with Uncle Frank and Aunty Jo. Actually, Josephine Howell who was George Cartwright’s grand-daughter, via her mother Priscilla who had married Frederick Howell, was my mother’s cousin which makes her my second cousin, once removed. So, Frank was related by marriage. I only knew him towards the end of his life when the toll of the wartime gassing had taken a great toll on his lungs and eyesight which significantly incapacitated him. Nevertheless, he was always warm and welcoming despite his obvious difficulties about which he never complained. With my parents, I visited him in hospital shortly before he died, a sad sight that has never left me.
Frank was born in Broken Hill on 22nd September, 1894. Sometime after Frank’s birth the family moved to Talbot Creek in Victoria where, judging by the births of Frank’s next four brothers and sisters they lived until 1905. The 1906 electoral roll shows no Lindsays resident in Lamplough but the Howells (Josephine’s parents) are well established. Lawrence was born in Broken Hill in 1907 but by 1909 however, they were back in the Talbot district, probably at Lamplough, where Kathleen and May Veronica were born. The next available electoral roll on which the Lindsays appear is for 1919 when the family is shown living at Lillicur, Amherst in the electoral sub-division of Talbot. I suspect that the births registered as having occurred at Talbot Creek acknowledge the birth district rather than the actual home location. In the 1919 roll, John Joseph’s occupation is shown as farmer as is son John. Daughter Leila also appears on this roll, living at Rocky Valley and engaged in home duties.
Frank may have done some schooling in Broken Hill but he was also likely to have been schooled in the old Lamplough schoolhouse at some stage as well. It is difficult to know just where the Lindsays settled in these early years but we do know that it was not in the house that Frank and Josephine occupied in Lamplough for much of their lives because Josephine was already living there with her parents William Frederick Howell and Priscilla Cartwright as shown in the photo below:
Frank must have returned to Broken Hill as it was there that he enlisted for War Service in the AIF on 8th January 1915. At the time of his enlistment his papers record that his parents, living at Lamplough, were nominated as his next of kin. In the documents Frank is described as 5’ 7” tall, weighing 143 pounds with light brown eyes, red hair and a fair complexion. He was assigned to D-Company of the 22nd Battalion and shipped to Broadmeadows in Victoria for basic training.
The 22nd Battalion of the AIF was formed on 26th March, 1915 at the Broadmeadows Camp. The Battalion eventually became part of the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division. Most of the battalion embarked for Egypt on 8 May 1915 and Frank’s war record confirms that he was one of the hundreds of soldiers who sailed out of Port Melbourne aboard the HMAT Ulysses on that day.
Launched in 1913, the Ulysses at 14,499 tonnes was the largest ship to serve as a troop carrier, and was leased by the Commonwealth until 15th August 1917. On 8th May 1915 she set sail from Melbourne with the first contingents of the 21st and 22nd Battalions and 6th Brigade Headquarters. On a subsequent voyage on 27th October 1915 she transported the 6th reinforcements 22nd Battalion to Egypt.
The Ulysses also sailed between Australia and England during the Second World War, again ferrying Australian troops and airmen to the front. The Ulysses was torpedoed by an unknown German submarine in 1942 and sunk off Florida after apparently disobeying an order that would have led her through safer waters.
The battalion deployed to Gallipoli in the first week of September 1915 allowing elements of the 2nd Brigade to be rested from their positions in the front line at ANZAC. The battalion served on the peninsula until the final evacuation in December 1915, and were then withdrawn to Egypt and brought back to strength with reinforcements. While most of the battalion was serving on Gallipoli the transport drivers, along with the other drivers from the 6th Brigade, were sent to the Salonika front to support the Serbs. They did not rejoin the battalion until after the evacuation of ANZAC.
In March 1916, the battalion embarked for France and experienced their first service on the Western Front in reserve breastwork trenches near Fleurbaix at the end of the first week of April 1916. The battalion’s first major action was at Pozieres, part of the massive British offensive on the Somme. In September/October they were moved to the Ypres sector then back to the Somme for the winter. The battalion spent most of 1917 bogged in bloody trench warfare from Bullecourt to Broodseinde in Flanders. In 1918 the battalion returned to the Somme valley. After helping to stop the German spring offensive in March and April, the 6th Brigade participated in the period of peaceful penetration of the enemy lines. It was in mid-May that Sergeant William ‘Rusty’ Ruthven earned the 22nd Battalion’s only Victoria Cross. In the last days of August and September the battalion helped capture Mont St Quentin. The 22nd Battalion took part in the last action fought by the AIF on the Western Front, the battle of Montbrehain, in October 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns on the Western Front fell silent. The November Armistice was followed by the Peace Treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919. The last elements of the battalion began their journey home from the Western Front in May 1919 to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge.
In November 1915, Frank came down with influenza and also developed an ulcerated arm which turned septic, the cause of which is not noted on his record. As a result he was evacuated to the hospital located in the Ras el Tin barracks at Alexandria where he remained for some four weeks. In February 1916 he came down with mumps and spent a couple of weeks in the Army hospital at Abyssinia. In February 1917, Frank was back in hospital for a few days with a problem shown only as “cardiac” and then in June 1917 he spent a further 44 days in the Giza Field Hospital suffering from a virus.
On returning to duty at the end of June 1917, Frank re-joined his unit now stationed in France where the Allies were engaging the Germans in some very heavy offensives in the determined push from Ypres towards Passchendale. Somewhere in the middle is Broodseinde Ridge where Frank’s valiant endeavours earned him the award of the Military Medal.
Ras el Tin Army Hospital, Alexandria 1915
The following press report from a first-hand witness that appeared in the Daily Mail dated 17th October, 1917 [syndicated article appeared in the Birmingham Gazette of 15 October 1917] gives some indication of the shocking conditions faced by the Australian and Allied troops:
SWAMP OF DEATH AND PAIN
Every inch we gained in Friday’s battle is worth a mile as common distance is reckoned. Some troops went forward 1,700 yards or even more, fighting all the way; and when their relic came back some part of that heroic journey no enemy dared follow them, so foul and cruel was their track.
They left behind them a Golgotha, a no man’s land, a dead man’s land. Five or six miles separate our troops from any place where you can step firm, where you can find any place in the swamp. It is a nightmare journey to traverse it , in spite of the ceaseless labour of pioneers.
The swampy terrain of Broodseinde Ridge , 12 October, 1917 Australian War Memorial image E01200
Our soldiers coming out of this swamp of death and pain maintain incredible serenity. If we could advance so far in such conditions we could go anywhere in fine weather. We were nowhere beaten by the enemy, though more defensive wire was left round shell-holes and pill boxes and fewer machine gunners knocked out than in any recent attack. We were beaten by the rain that began to fall in torrents at midnight before the attack, so they all say and feel, and so it was.
One of them, still full of humour, said he considered Friday an unlucky day for him. “you see,” he argued, “I was first hit in the shoulder by a machine gun bullet, and as I stumbled was hit in the foot, and as I lay another hit me in the foot and another hit me in the side. Decidedly, Friday is an unlucky day.” It was a terrible day for wounded men, and alternate advance and retreat now always leave a wide, indeterminable no man’s land from which escape to the mercy of either side is hard. But the best is being done, and the immortal eroism of the stretcher bearers was backed by both the daring and skilful work of doctors at advance dressing stations and ambulance drivers a little further back..
The trouble was how to find people or places. Wounded men, runners, contact officers, and even whole platoons had amazing journeys among shells and bullets searching for dressing station headquarters, objective or what not, and, as we know, even Germans on the pure defensive had similar trouble and their units were inextricably confused. It was all due, as one of them said, to the sump, or morass. The swampy terrain of Broodseinde Ridge 12 October, 1917
All that can be said of the battle is that we are a little higher up the slope than we were and a little further along the crest road to Passchendale. How we succeeded in capturing 700 prisoners is one of the marvels of the day. A marvel too, is the pile of German machine guns. They are some small concrete proof of the superhuman efforts of our infantry. If the world has supermen they were the men who waded forward up to their hips astride the Ravelbeck and stormed concrete and iron with flesh and blood. They were at least the peers of the men who fought “upon their stumps” at Chevy Chase. Today the artillery fire has died down, the sun bright, though the cold west wind threatens showers.
The Battle of Broodseinde Ridge now commenced a few kilometres south of Passchendaele. The Australian 4th and 5th Divisions were replaced by the Australian 1st and 2nd Divisions which were also joined by the Australian 3rd Division as well as a New Zealand division. It was the first time that 4 Anzac divisions had fought together. Twelve divisions would attack on a 12 kilometre front, the 4 Anzac Divisions Australian 1st, 2nd and 3rd facing Broodseinde ridge and the New Zealand division facing Abraham heights.
The attack commenced at 6am October 4, 1917 after rain commenced falling the day before. Coincidentally, the Germans planned an attack for exactly the same time. At 5.20am the German artillery opened up and then at 6am the Australian artillery started, both in preparation for impending attacks. After both troops emerged from their trenches to commence attacking to their surprise they found the enemy doing exactly the same. The Australians managed to recover from the shock quicker than their opponents as the Australian machine gunners opened up and cut the German lines to pieces. The Germans broke and the Australians managed to capture the ridge. The New Zealanders also secured Abraham Heights.
Dead and wounded Australians and Germans in the railway cutting in the Ypres sector, in Belgium, on October 12, 1917. Australian War Memorial image E03864
The triumph at Broodseinde presented the Allied High Command with an opportunity, perhaps in the upcoming spring, of breaking the German hold. The German tactic of immediate counter attacks had proved ineffective since the British never pushed beyond the range of their guns. In all the fighting in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, in and around Passchendaele the 3 Australian divisions lost 6,500 men which represented 20% of its operational strength. It is believed that the Germans lost 25,000 men and 5,000 prisoners. The German High Command officially recorded October 4, 1917 as a “Black Day”. Fresh German troops were put in the line opposite the Anzac troops on October 5 despite Haig’s attempts to break the German lines. Wanting to push his advantage Field Marshall Haig committed the Australian 2nd Division to an attack on Keiburg Spur on October 9, 1917 over wet ground. The Australian 2nd Division formed the flank for an attack by the British 66th Division. The Australian 2nd Division controlled a front of about 800 metres. To the north, the French and British 5th armies couldn’t hold gained ground. The Australian 2nd Division ( of I Anzac Corps ) drove to Keiburg but being unsupported was driven back. On the strength of reports from the 9th of October the High Command believed that enough ground had to be gained to justify the next attempt to seize and pass Passchendaele on October 12, 1917.
The attack at dawn on October 12, 1917 towards Passchendaele was made by the Australian 3rd and New Zealand Divisions. The 4th Australian division of I Anzac supported the advance on the right while British Divisions supported it on the left. Heavy rain was continuing to fall and the New Zealand Division was halted by Germans firing from pillboxes who, without British artillery, were firing with impunity. The Australian 3rd Division became bogged down in the mud of Ravebeek valley below Passchendaele, however a fragment of the division, 20 men mostly of the 38th Battalion, did reach the Passchendaele church at the edge of the town while some of the Australian 4th Division reached Keilberg. Both were forced to fall back being unsupported.
Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium. 5 October 1917. The Headquarters of the 24th Battalion, established in a dugout on Broodseinde Ridge, the day following the capture of the Ridge. Australian War Memorial image E04513
The Australian 3rd Division suffered 3,199 casualties in the 24 hours of the battle, while the Australian 4th Division suffered 1,000. The New Zealand also suffered around 3,000 casualties in an action that achieved no valuable gains and only served to lift enemy spirits as they saw their attackers struggle.
The Canadians were brought in on October 18, 1917 to do in three stages what had been attempted by II Anzac in one. Between October 26 and November 10, 1917 the Canadians finally captured Passchendaele Heights. By November, 1917 the last Australian division had been withdrawn from Ypres. The third battle of Ypres had comprised eleven great attacks, five of which I or II Anzac had formed the spearhead, as did the Canadians for the final four.
The 5 Australians Infantry Divisions had fought in the line for eight weeks and suffered a total of 38,093 casualties. As a result of his heroic role during the Broodseinde Ridge offensive, Frank was mentioned in despatches and in recognition was awarded the Military Medal. A copy of the actual citation that came from the front, signed by his commanding officer, Brigadier General, J Paton is shown below. The handwritten piece at the beginning reads “In recent attack on Broodseinde Ridge, 4 October, 1917…”
An example of the Military Medal similar to that awarded to Frank LindsayA map of the Ypres district as it was in October 1917. Broodseinde shown with orange arrow
The Military Medal was established by King George V on 25 March 1916 and was awarded to other ranks including non-commissioned officers and warrant officers. It ranked below the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), which was also awarded to other ranks including non-commissioned officers and warrant officers.
When the medal was first introduced, it was unpopular among regular soldiers many of whom held the view that it had been introduced to save awarding too many DCMs. The old regular soldiers thought very little of the new decoration. Both the DCM and the MM attracted a gratuity and the decoration allowance of an extra sixpence a day to veterans with a disability pension. However, decoration allowance was only awarded once even if the recipient was awarded more than one gallantry award. The ratio in the First World War was approximately five MMs awarded for every DCM.
Following the rout of the Germans at Ypres Frank fell ill in November 1917 firstly with scabies, then tonsillitis and finally trench fever which was serious enough for him to be evacuated to England for treatment and recovery. Perhaps fortune favoured him by way of his afflictions as he would take no further part in the conflict. Initially, he was treated as an in-patient at the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford. In April 1918 he was transferred to the Fargo Military Hospital at Larkhill on the Salisbury Plain. In May 1918, Frank was again on the move this time to the Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield House in London where he was now being treated for chronic pleurisy no doubt as a result of the frequent German gas attacks inflicted on the Allied troops.
Frank continued as unfit to return to active service and was transferred to other military hospitals at Parkhouse, Tidworth and Weymouth before his eventual departure for Australia on 18th October, 1918. His war record notes that when discharged he was still under care for pleurisy with effusion.
Just a word about trench fever, a highly infectious disease characterized by sudden onset with fever, headache, sore muscles, bones, and joints, and outbreaks of skin lesions on the chest and back. It is transmitted from one person to another by a body louse. There may be one period of fever, or the fever may recur several times at intervals of four to five days. Most persons recover within about two months but relapses are common. However, the disease can become chronic in about 5 percent of the cases. Treatment with chlortetracycline brings permanent relief of the symptoms, but the patient continues to carry the rickets bacteria and remains infectious for lice. First recognized in 1915, trench fever was a major medical problem during World War I. It reappeared in epidemic form among German troops on the Eastern front during World War II. The control of body lice is the chief means of prevention.
On his return to Australia it seems that Frank settled with his parents in Lillicur from where he set out to win the heart of Josephine Howell.
One of the names etched in granite on the Avoca Soldiers Memorial is that of Lieutenant James Sutherland Beavis MC who served with the 39th Infantry Battalion on the Western Front in WWI.
James Sutherland Beavis was born in Dunolly in 1886. However, his home town was Avoca.
He was a member of the Avoca Rifle Club.
James Beavis, a road overseer, enlisted in Ararat on the 27th March 1916. He served with the 39th Infantry Battalion.
The 39th Battalion was first formed on 21 February 1916 at the Ballarat Showgrounds. The majority of the battalion’s recruits came from the Western District of Victoria. Following a brief period of training in Ballarat, the 39th Battalion marched through Melbourne on 15 May as the city farewelled the unit and they subsequently embarked upon HMAT Ascanius on 27 May 1916, bound for the United Kingdom. Sailing via Cape Town, the battalion landed at Plymouth on 18 July 1916, and moved by train to Amesbury, before marching to Larkhill in the Salisbury Plain Training Area, where they undertook a period of four months training before being sent to France in November.
On the night of 10 December, the battalion took its place in the trenches along the Western Front, relieving its sister battalion, the 37th, around Houplines in the Armentieres sector. They remained at the front for the next week, as part of their introduction to trench warfare, during which time the battalion repelled a small German raid and sent out patrols into “no man’s land”.
Group portrait of the officers of the 39th Battalion at Neuve Eglise on 23 January 1918. Lieutenant J. S. Beavis MC is in the back row on the far left From the Australian War Memorial Accession Number E01524
The 39th fought in its first major battle at Messines, in Belgium, between 7-9 June 1917. During its march to the start-line for this operation the battalion suffered heavily from a German gas bombardment and less than a third of the troops earmarked to attack actually did so. The battalion, however, captured all of its objectives.
Lieutenant Beavis was wounded three times, 7 June 1917, 1 December 1917, and 12 July 1918.
Below is a description of the events on the 3rd December 1917 for which Lieutenant Beavis was awarded the Military Cross:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid on the enemy, he was leader of the flank storming party and led his men with splendid dash and excellent judgement. He was the first to enter the enemy trench and did not leave until the last of his party had withdrawn. On several occasions, he rendered invaluable service in reconnoitring the ground in front of the enemy line, and supplied information which materially assisted in the success of the whole operation.
Lieutenant Beavis was wounded three times, 7 June 1917, 1 December 1917, and 12 July 1918. He died of wounds in France on the 13th July 1918.
LIEUT. JAMES S. BEAVIS. Killed in Action. Profound regret was expressed on all sides when it became known that Mr and Mrs Jas. Beavis were notified last evening, through the Rev. Reynolds, that their son Lieut. James S. Beavis has been killed whilst in action in France. It is only a couple of weeks since a cablegram announced that this young soldier had been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the battle field. Lieut. Beavis was a young man held in the highest esteem by all, who will deeply deplore his death and extend to the bereaved relatives sincere sympathy. A brother Pte John Beavis is on active service in France.
William Henry French (1885-1972) was one of the first men from Avoca to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914. He was a miner, 29 years 10 months old, and unmarried. Born in Avoca, French had never served in the military.
He was assigned to the 8th battalion and given the number 670.
William French was five foot six inches tall and weighed ten stone six pounds. He had blue eyes and his hair and complexion were described as “between”. He had a scar on the back of his head.
On 19 October 1914 he embarked for Egypt on HMAT Benalla at Melbourne. He had the rank of Lance Corporal.
Men of the 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade walking down the Port Melbourne pier to embark on HMAT Benalla (A24) (right), and HMAT Hororata (A20) (left), for service overseas. 19 October 1914. Australian War Memorial ID number C02793 retrieved from http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C02793/
On 10 November 1914, less than a month later, he was discharged as medically unfit. On 28 November 1914 he was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Mena House Cairo with the cause listed as “accident knee”.
The cause of hospitalisation is later described as “synovitis of knee”. French was discharged from hospital on 1 February 1915, and spent three days with the Number 1 Australian Field Ambulance Hospital at the Pyramids at Mena.
NAA, B2455, French WH, page 25
French returned to Australia on the Kyarra from 5 February 1915. He disembarked at Melbourne on 11 March and was discharged as permanently unfit on 1 April 1915.
In 1923 ex-Cpl French was issued with the Victory medal and the British War medal.
On 10 July 1915 the Avoca Free Press reported that French was present at a recruiting meeting at Avoca. Although he had been severely injured “at camp in Egypt”, he stated he wished to return to his comrades at the front.
The name William Henry French is listed on the Avoca Soldiers’ Memorial.
Harold William Davis (Davies) was born in Homebush in 1893. He was the son of Daniel Brother Davis and Ellen Howqua. He was the grandson of Ah Kin Howqua, a Chinese interpreter of Percydale.
As a child he shifted with his family to Sebastopol near Ballarat. Attending school there he became a ‘pupil teacher’, following which he spent two years at Teacher Training College in Melbourne.
On 24 July 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Daylesford. At the time of his enlistment he was 22 years 3 months old, unmarried, and employed as the head teacher at Yandoit Hills State School, between Castlemaine and Daylesford.
Studio portrait of 3537 Corporal Harold William Davies MM, 58th Battalion of Yandoit Hills near Castlemaine, Victoria. Australian War Memorial collection image P05248.037
Harold (Davis) Davies sailed with the 11th reinforcements, 8th Infantry Battalion, on HMAT Nestor A71 to Egypt. He was transferred briefly to the 60th Battalion and in March 1916 was transferred to the 58th Infantry Battalion.
The 58th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 17 February 1916 as part of the expansion of the AIF. Roughly half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 6th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. Reflecting the composition of the 6th, the 58th was predominantly composed of men from Victoria.
The 58th Battalion sailed to France in June 1916 and fought in the battle of Fromelles on July 19–20, 1916. As part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Australian Division, the Battalion served as a reserve and carrying force, losing over 300 men—nearly a third of its strength—when ordered into the attack.
On the night of 23/24 November 1916 Harold showed great bravery under fire his heroic rescue of two men despite artillery and machine-gun fire in the area of Guedecourt, France. Previously, he had exhibited bravery by bringing in men from “No Man’s Land” after the action at Fromelles, France in July 1916. He received two recommendations for bravery awards, one for the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and the other for the Italian Bronze Medal for Valour.
This soldier distinguished himself during and subsequently to the action at FROMELLES on 19th July 1916. He worked his gun coolly and efficiently during the action, and, when the attack was over, was instrumental in rescuing under fire many of his wounded comrades.
On the night of November 22nd/23rd 1916 the 58th Battalion was relieving the unit holding SHRINE trench east of GUEUDECOURT. The night was dark and wet; the route lay among a wilderness of shell holes; the ground was almost impassable with mud water. Pte. Harald Davies was marching near the rear of his company, and, when within 200 yards the trench, he saw some of his comrades fall. The fire from Machine Guns was heavy at the time and shells were bursting in the vicinity. Pte. Davies picked up one of the wounded men and carried him to the shelter of the trench. He then returned and brought in the second man. A third time he returned and searched the vicinity for traces of other casualties, and finding no more, reported the fact to the officer in the trench and then set off to join his gun crew some 300 yards distant. All this was done under continuous and heavy fire. He bears moreover an excellent record for devotion to duty and reliability at all times.
The paperwork for the DCM citation shows that while it was granted, the “DCM” was crossed out and changed to “MM”, the Military Medal, which is one grade lower. The Military Medal had at that time been only recently instituted as an award for acts of bravery of a level which earlier in the War had been deemed worthy of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It was hoped in this way to maintain the prestige of the DCM, which was an award second only to the Victoria Cross. Perhaps the case of Davies shows that there was still some confusion as to proper award for different displays of courage. Both recommendations for awards were made by General H. E. “Pompey” Elliott. The Bronze Medal does not seem to have been awarded.
On 10 April 1917 he was promoted to Corporal in the 58th Battalion.
He was wounded in action on 11 May 1917 (during the second Battle of Bullecourt). He was hospitalised in England and rejoined his unit in November 1917.
Corporal Harold William Davies MM of the 58th Battalion was buried at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, Somme. The inscription on his gravestone read:
HE HAS FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S BEST
Harold’s father completed the Roll of Honour circular.
BOTH BROTHERS GONE. John b. 1893, & James b.1897 at No.1 Creek were the sons of Caroline McVicar (1855-1912) of Mountain Hut & Mungo Watson Brown (c.1845-1901), cordial manufacturer.
John Alexander Brown 1893-1917
John enlisted in the Great War on 2 May 1916 and was killed in Belgium 8 June 1917, and buried at Ypres. He is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial.
In 1920, the greatly overtaxed war bureaucracy was sending him letters at Avoca regarding his deceased, brother James.
James Neil Brown 1997 – 1917
James enlisted in the Great War on 22 July 1915, and died of gunshot wounds, 7 September 1917 at Wimereux, Pas de Calais, France. He was buried in the local Communal Cemetery.
The town of Avoca in central Victoria, Australia was founded on gold. When the gold ran out its economy relied on agriculture. Many of the miners who rushed the area in the 1850s and early 1860s settled and took up land. The big pastoral runs from before the rushes were broken up for closer settlement. When World War I began, the residents of Avoca were second or third generation Australians who nevertheless firmly saw themselves as British [because they were British!].
On 19 August 1914 the Ballarat Courier reported that eight men had volunteered from Avoca. This group included Lieutenant Gus Ebeling and M. Rafferty both of whom had fought in the Boer War. The Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser had more details about the recruitment.
Matthew Rafferty and Gus Ebeling had both served with the 5th Mounted Rifles Contingent during the Boer War. In August 1914 Matthew Rafferty was a 36 year old farmer from Elmhurst and Gus Ebeling was a 43 year old farmer from near Avoca.
Others who enlisted from Avoca in August 1914 were
Isaac Oswald Webster, a 26 year old policeman born in Elmhurst who enlisted in Melbourne
Charles Jonathon Willmott, a 26 year old grocer who enlisted in Shepparton. Willmott was born at Avoca. His next of kin was his father who lived at Avoca. Charles Willmott was killed in action at the Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915.
![Cobbers is a prominent 1998 sculpture by Peter Corlett of Sergeant Simon Fraser[note 1] rescuing a wounded compatriot from No Man's Land after the battle. of Fromelles](https://i0.wp.com/avocahistory.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/500px-Cobbers_statue_at_the_Australian_Memorial_Park.jpg?resize=500%2C751&ssl=1)
