1740 & 7470
Corporal Arthur Bernard Davis [WIA]
7th Infantry Battalion &
8th Infantry Battalion,
2nd Brigade,
1st Division
1 st Australian Imperial Force 1914-1919

This file30 August, 2023 13:330:47

Summary

Image if available

 

 

 

Arthur Davis enlisted on 1 Jan 1915 at the age of 32 with the Service Number of 1740 and was posted as a member of the 4th Reinforcements to the 7th Battalion. That unit was then in Egypt preparing for the assault on Gallipoli in April. He embarked on HMAT WILTSHIRE (A18) on 13 Apr 1915 and disembarked in Egypt. It was only 60-some days before being returned to Australia as medically unfit (VD), aboard HMAT KYARRA (A55).

Discharged, he re-enlisted in 1917 as a result of the Sportsmans Thousand Recruiting Drive featuring Albert Jacka VC, and was assigned to the 25th reinforcements to the 8th Battalion with the number 7470. He embarked for the UK from Melbourne aboard HMAT NESTOR (A71) on 21 Nov 1917, disembarking between the 5th and 9th of Jan 1918.

Arthur Davis was promoted to Lance Corporal and then acting Corporal in the Training Battalion in the UK, but reduced to the ranks for permitting a prisoner to escape. The offence, finding and sentence were cancelled and expunged from the record. There is no indication that the rank was restored during the remainder of his service, however all post-discharge records are endorsed 'Corporal'. It is to be hoped that he received the back pay.

Gassed in late August he had just returned to his unit on 29 Oct 1918 when he was ordered to return to Australia for 'family reasons' which are not further explained. He was discharged in Melbourne on 25 May 1919.

Details concerning the 8th Battalion AIF taken from the entry on the Australian War Memorial site and the wikipedia entry for the 8th Battalion AIF.

Arthur Davis military documents are:

  1. Service Record combined for both enlistments;
  2. Embarkation Roll for 1st enlistment;
  3. Nominal Roll for 1st enlistment;
  4. Embarkation Roll for 2nd enlistment; and
  5. Nominal Roll 2nd enlistment.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by ? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.

There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here.  Abbreviations are inconsistent, even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.

There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records. Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1. Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.

Duplicated Pages

Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon discharge or death in Service.

Service Numbers

Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers

Dates of Occurrence and Reporting

The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.

The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record, and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.

To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence. This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.

For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.

The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the service record of Arthur Bernard Davis. Over the course of the war there were a number of versions of the questions put to the enlistees.

The questions and responses below are a composite of his two enlistments.


`

AUSTRALIAN   

Australian Coat of Arms

   MILITARY FORCES

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE


Attestation paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad

No.   

   1740   7470   

Name   

   DAVIS, Arthur Bernard   

Unit   

4th Reinforcements to 7thInfantry Battalion
25th Reinforcements to 8th Infantry Battalion

Joined   

5 Jan 1915   23 Jul 1917

Questions to be put to the Person Enlisting before Attestation

1.

What is your Name?

1.

Arthur Bernard Davis

2.

In what Parish or Town were you born?

2.

Richmond in the State of Victoria

3.

Are you a natural born British Subject or a Naturalised British Subject? (N.B. — If the latter, papers to be shown)

3.

Natural Born British Subject

4.

What is your age?

4.

32 yrs 4 months   35-9/12

5.

What is your trade or calling?

5.

Brickmaker

6.

Are you, or have you been, an Apprentice? If so, where, to whom, and for what period?

6.

No

7.

Are you married?

7.

Yes

8.

Who is your next of kin? (Address to be stated)

8.

(Wife) Lilian Elizabeth Davis
[née Hopkinson]
64 Rosebery St, Auburn, Vic
8 Lilydale Grove, Auburn, Vic

9.

What is your permanent address in Australia?

9.

Same as above

10.

Do you now belong to, or have you ever served in, His Majesty's army, the Marines, the Militia, the Militia, Reserve, the Territorial Force, Royal Navy or Colonial Forces? If so, state which, and if not now serving, state cause of discharge.

10.

Yes. 337 days with 4th Reinf to 7th Battn AIF, discharged medically unfit

11.

Have you stated the whole, if any, of your previous service?

11.

12.

Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty's Service? If so, on what grounds?

12.

No

13.

(For married men, widowers with children, and soldier who are the sole support of widowed mother) - Do you understand that no separation allowance will be issue in respect of your service beyond an amount which together with pay would reach eight shillings [$A0.80¢] per day?

13.

Yes

14.

Are you prepared to undergo innoculations against small pox and enteric fever?

14.

Yes


I,     Arthur Bernard Davis     do solemnly declare that the above answers made by me to the above questions are true, and I am will and hereby voluntarily agree to serve in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia within or beyond the limits of the Commonwealth.

* And I further agree to allot not less than two fifths / three fifths of the pay payable to me from time to time during my service for the support of my wife / wife and children.

Date    5 / 1 / 15   16 / 6 / 17   

   Signature of person enlisted.   

* This clause should be struck out in the case of unmarried men or widowers without children under 18 years of age

†Two-fifths must be allotted to the wife, and if there are children three-fifths must be allotted.


CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER


The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence.

I have taken care that he understands each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him.

I have examined his naturalisation papers and am of opinion that they are correct.

Date    5 / 1 / 15    16 / 6/ 17

   Signature of Attesting Officer   


OATH TO BE TAKEN BY PERSON BEING ENLISTED


I,     Arthur Bernard Davis    swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from 20 Aug 1915 until the end of the War, and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause His Majesty's peaceto be kept and maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty according to law.

   SO HELP ME GOD

   Signature of Person Enlisted      

Taken and subscribed at     Melbourne    in the State of     Victoria     this     First Sixteenth     day of     January June     1915 1917 before me :—

   Signature of Attesting Officer      

* A person enlisting who objects to taking an oath may make an afformation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Act, and the above form must be amended accordingly. All amendments must be initialed by the Attesting Officer.


Description of    DAVIS, Arthur Bernard    on Enlistment


Age   32 years    4 months
Age   35 years    5 months

Distinctive Marks

Vac 3 6 on Left Arm
Scar left breast
Scar Appendix Right Side

Height   5 feet 5-1/4 inches
Height   5 feet 5-3/4 inches

[165.75cm]
[167cm]

Weight    10 st 6 lbs
Weight    9 st 2 lbs

[66.3Kg]
[58Kg]

Chest    33 — 35   inches
Chest    34½    inches

[83.8 — 89cm]
[87.6cm]

Complexion   Dark

Eyes   Brown

Hair   Black

Religious Denomination   C of E

[Church of England]


CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION


I have examined the above-named person and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz:—

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

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

I consider him fit for active service.

Date    5 / 1 / 15     16 / 6 / 17   

Place    Melbourne     Hawthorne   

    Signature of Examining Medical Officer    


CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

I CERTIFY that this attestation of the above-named person is correct and that the required forms have been complied with. I according approve and appoint him to 4th Reinf 7th Batt     25th Reinf 8th Batt

Date   7 / 3 / 15    17 / 3 / 17   

Place    Broadmeadows    Broadmeadows   

    Signature of Officer Commanding    


Chronological Events

Rank Description Date Remarks

Private

Enlisted

5 Jan 1915

Private

To Broadmeadows [for training]

5 Jan 1915
to
12 Apr 1915

Private

Embarked aboard HMAT WILTSHIRE (A18) for service in Middle East

13 Apr 1915

Private

Disembarked Egypt, undergoes further training

2 Dec 1915

Unit history provides date of arrival in Egypt

Private

Embarked aboard HMAT KYARRA for return to Australia as medically unfit [Venereal Disease]

10 Oct 1915

Private

Disembarked Melbourne for treatment and discharge

Not known

Private

Handwritten above the title of the APPLICATION TO ENLIST IN THE AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE are the words "Sportsmens Thousand". This was a 1917 recruiting drive featuring Albert Jacka VC as a role model, as it was claimed that his fighting attitude came from the fact that he was a boxer before the war.

16 Jun 1917

Private

Re-enlisted, assigned to 25th Reinforcements 8th Battalion

16 Jun 1917

Private

Training at Broadmeadows

16 Jun 17-
20 Nov 17

Private

Undated form CERTIFICATE OF WILL states that the Will is attached.

Undated

Private

Note from A.P.M. Officer states that the enlistment document requires alteration in Question 8 [Next of Kin].

2 Nov 1917

Second name 'Elizabeth' has been entered on the form and the address changed. The note may refer to either or both of these changes.

Private

Embarked at Melbourne for UK aboard HMAT "NESTOR" (A71)

21 Nov 1917

Private

Disembarked Suez

15 Dec 1917

Private

Embarked Alexandria

18 Dec 1917

There is a subsequent entry for 23 Dec 1917 which is illegible.

Private

Disembarked Southampton UK

5-9 Jan 1918

Represents a staged landing with allocation and travel to training units.

Private

To Sutton Very, 2nd Training Battalion

3 Jan 1918

Lance Corporal

Appointed Lance Corporal

1 Mar 1918

Acting Corporal

Reverts to Private on admission to Hospital

22 Mar 1918

No diagnosis given

Private

Returned from Hospital

3 Apr 1918

Acting Corporal

ENTRY CANCELLED AND EXPUNGED

OFFENCE
Sutton Very: Without reasonable excuse allowing to escape a person whom it was his duty to keep.
FINDING Guilty
AWARD Reduced to the ranks by Capt C Guilfoyle 8 Apr 1918

4 Apr 1918

All charges, findings and penalties are reviewed by a higher authority, generally a legal officer in the superior Headquarters. It is most likely that there were mitigating circumstances which were not sufficiently considered.

Private

Proceeds overseas to France via Folkston

29 Apr 1918

Private

Marches in to New Zealand Brigade, Etaple

30 Apr 1918

Private

Letter written Tidworth re rank.

1 May 1918

While at 1ARB
Outcome unknown. Acting rank does not appear to have been reinstated at this time, however all references post discharge are endorsed 'Acting Corporal'.

Private

Marched in to 8th Battalion

2 May 1918

Private

Taken on strength 8th Battalion

4 May 1918

Private

To 2 AFA, sick - Influenza
Transferred to 58 CCS.

27 Jun 1918

Private

Discharged from 58 CCS to duty

4 Jul 1918

Private

Rejoined Battalion

7 Jul 1918

Private

WIA, Gassed.
Admitted to 2 AFA, transferred to CCS

25 Aug 1918

Private

Transferred to 16 General Hospital

27 Aug 1916

Private

Transferred to Australian Convalescent Depot

30 Aug 1918

Private

Admitted to 1st Australian Convalescent Depot

31 Aug 1916

Private

Discharged to 1 ADBD

24 Oct 1918

Private

Marched in to 1st Aust Div Base Depot from Conv Depot

25 Oct 1918

Private

Marched out to unit

28 Oct 1916

Private

Rejoined Unit

29 Oct 1916

Private

AAG instructs unit to send the soldier to London for return to Australia

8 Nov 1918

"Family reasons" as subsequently noted, but without elaboration.

Private

Private to England for Return to Aust

16 Nov 1918

Private

Marched in to England from France for return to Australia

18 Nov 1918

Private

Admitted, Influenza

26 Nov 1918

Private

To report to No 2 Conv Depot for return to Australia (Family reasons)

28 Nov 1918

Private

Discharged, granted leave and to report at No 2 Convalescent Depot, Weymouth

2 Dec 1918

Private

Marched in to 2 Conv Depot from Army Headquarters London, ex 1 AAH Harefield.

4 Dec 1918

Private

Returned to Australia from England per HMAT BERRIMA (A35) for Discharge

2 Jan 1919

Private

Disembarked 3 MD

17 Feb 1919

A document headed S E C R E T , from the Adjutant General, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne details the process for publication of the lists of soldiers returning to Australia. This is to occur when the soldiers are actually en-route from abroad, and\ is not to include an expected date of arrival. This precludes the need for letters to go out to the next-of-kin.

The actual date of return is to be published 24 hours before the arrival of the ship. Each list bears a distinguishing letter which is to be promulgated by the Press when publishing the names so as to assist relatives in making timely arrangments to be present at the disembarkation if necessary.

The list is to be cabled and is open to correction on account of mutilations in cabling and other causes.

With reference to those members of the Force dealt with by Medical Boards, the "proceedings" [sic], together with any other documents referred to you in connection therewith, e.g. Overseas Board proceedings, Conduct Sheets, etc. are to be transmitted to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, immediately the cases are finally settled.

1 May 1919

Misfiled document

Private

Discharged Melbourne

25 May 1919

Acting Corporal

Signs receipt for B[ritish] W[ar Medal] and [1914-15] Star from Medal Distributing Officer, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne

16 May 1921

British War Medal No 1740 [His original Army Number] 1914-15 Star No 1740

Acting Corporal

Signs for receipt of Victory Medal No 740 from Medal Distributing Officer, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

24 May 1922

Victory Medal No 1740 [His original Army Number]


Medals and Dress Embellishments

1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-1920, and Victory Medal.

One Wound Stripes.

Not entitled to wear ANZAC 'A'.

Due to break in service, unable to determine Long Service Stripes or Overseas Service Chevrons,

Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information on the badges.


Background - Infantry Battalions

[Based on information in Redcoats to Cams, Ian Kuring.]

In December 1914, battalions of about 1000 men were organised into eight companies each divided into half of 60 men and then into two sections of around 30 men. Command was highly centralised with companies commanded by a Captain, half-companies by Lieutentants and sections by a Sergeant.

In early 1915 Australia reduced the number of Companies to four, but doubled their size to more than 220 men. Each rifle company had a headquarters and four platoons. Each platoon had a headquarters and four rifle sections of 10 men commanded by corporals.

From early 1916 light machineguns replaced medium machine guns and were eventually issued to each rifle platoon.

During 1917 rifle platoons were reorganised to have a light machine gun section, a rifle grenade section, a hand grenade/bombing section and a rifle assault section.

By mid 1918, the number of officers had increased to 38 but the number of other ranks had declined to 900. At the same time, the firepower of the battalion was greatly augmented with hand and rifle grenades and Lewis Guns, of which there was 34 per battalion.

Rifle, Short Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III
Rifle, Small Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III with sword bayonet

8th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division

[Information from https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au]
UNIT SHOULDER PATCH
8TH INFANTRY BATTALION

NOT ENTITLED TO WEAR ANZAC 'A'

The 8th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. Like the 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions, it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade.

The battalion was raised from rural Victoria by Lieutenant Colonel William Bolton within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. It later took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing, the 2nd Brigade was transferred from ANZAC to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. The attack captured little ground but cost the brigade almost a third of its strength. The Victorian battalions returned to ANZAC to help defend the beachhead, and in August the 2nd Brigade fought at the battle of Lone Pine. The battalion served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion was heavily involved in operations against the German Army. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozieres in the Somme valley in July 1916. Private Thomas Cooke, one of 81 members of the battalion killed at Pozieres, earned a posthumous Victoria Cross during the action. After Pozieres, the battalion fought at Ypres, in Flanders, returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917, the battalion participated in the operations that followed-up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, and then returned to Belgium to join the great offensive launched to the east of Ypres.

In March and April 1918 helped to stop the German spring offensive. The battalion subsequently participated in the allies' own offensive, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as, "the black day of the German Army in this war". For his actions on this day, Lieutenant William Joynt was awarded a Victoria Cross. The next day, Private Robert Beatham also earned a Victoria Cross by rushing four separate machine guns. He was killed in action two days later.

The battalion continued operations to late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919.

In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. In April, the battalion was so reduced that it and the 5th Battalion were amalgamated to form a composite battalion. In turn, this battalion was amalgamated with another, formed from the 6th and 7th Battalions, to form the 2nd Brigade Battalion.


Battle Honours:

Albert 1918, Amiens, ANZAC, Broodeseinde, Bullecourt, Defence of Anzac, Egypt 1915-16, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18, Gallipoli 1915, Hazebruock, Helles, Hindenburg Line, Krithia, Landing at ANZAC, Lys, Menin Road, Passchendaele, Poelcappelle, Polygon Wood, Pozières, Sari Bair, Somme 1916-18, Suvla, Ypres 1917



1914-15 Star

[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]
1914-15 Star

The decoration consists of a four-pointed star in bright bronze as shown, with the date 1914-15 on the central scroll. The reverse is plain, and is stamped with the name and unit of the recipient. The ribbon is red, white and blue, shaded and watered, worn with the red nearest the centre of the breast. It is atached to the medal through a ring.

It is similar in shape and description to the 1914 Star, to which few, if any, Australians were entitled. Those entitled were those who had already served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) in the operations to capture German New Guinea in 1914.

The decoration, sanctioned in 1918, was issued "to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses and others eployed with military hospitals, who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war as defined in Appendix 'A'. Individuals in possession of the 1914 Star will not be eligible for the award of this decoration."

Appendix 'A' included the Western, Eastern, Egyptian, African, Asiatic and Australasian Theatres of war, with commencement dates individual to countries and campaigns.


British War Medal 1914-20

[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]
British War Medal

This medal was approved by King George V in 1919 to record the bringing of the war to a successful conclusion and the arduous services rendered by His Majesty's Forces.

The medal, which is supended from its ribbon by means of a straight clasp, without swivel, bears on the obverse the effigy of His Majesty - exactly similar to that on a half-crown - with the legend 'Georgivus V : Omn : Rex et Ind : Imp'.

The reverse bears a design which represents St George on horseback, trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the central powers and a skull and crossbones, the emblems of death. Overhead is the risen sun of victory. The male figure, rather than a symbolical female one, was chosen because man had borne the brunt of the fighting. The figure was mounted on horseback as symbolical of man's mind controlling force (represented by the horse) of far greater strength than his own. The design is thus also symbolical of the mechanical and scientific appliances which helped so largely to win the war.

The ribbon has a orange watered centre with stripes of white and black at each side and with borders of royal blue. It is stated that the colours have no particular signification.


Victory Medal

[Extract from Ribbons and Medals: Naval, Military, Air Force and Civil, Captain H. Taprell Dorling, DSO RN,
George Philip & Son, 33 Fleet Street, London EC4, 1940]

This medal, of bronze, bears on the obverse a winged figure of Victory, full length in the middle of the medal and full face; the borders and the backgound plain, without either incription or date. On the reverse is an inscription. "The Great War for Civilization." and either the names of the different Allied and Associated Powers, or their coats of arms.

The rim is plain, and the medal hangs from a ring. The ribbon is red in the centre, with green and violet on either side shaded to form the colours of two rainbows.

It has also been approved that any officer or man who has been "mentioned in despatches" shall wear a small bronze oak leaf on the ribbon of this medal. Only one oak leaf is so worn, no matter how many "mentions" the wearer may have received.

The medal is designed to obviate the exchange of Allied Commemorative war medals, and is issued only to those who actually served on the establishment of a unit or ship in a theatre of war. [This is an important distinction, as those Australians who served only in Australia, or only in Australia and England, were not entitled to the award.]


The Rising Sun Badge

This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.

Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.

There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on  a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.

Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.

In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".

In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".

In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.


The ANZAC 'A'

ANZAC 'A'

The brass letter 'A' to represent service related to Gallipoli (ANZAC) was authorised to be worn 'over unit colour patches on both sleeves of the service dress jacket and greatcoat" by Military Order 354 of 18 Aug 17 and AIF Order 937 of 6 Nov 17, as amended in terms of qualification by Military Order 20 of 19 Jan 18 and by AIF Order 1084 of 25 Jan 18.

The size of the letter 'A', introduced as one inch in height (AIF Order 994 of 30 Nov 17), was reduced to three-quarters of an inch by AIF Order 1012 of 11 Dec 17. Provision for wearing the brass letter 'A' was also included in General Routine Order 0.815 of 17 Dec 43 and GRO 310 of 7 Dec 45.


Wound Stripe

Army Order No.204 Headquarters, 1st A.N.Z.A.C., 9th August, 1916. (slightly amended for layout)
DISTINCTIONS FOR OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED

Wound Stripes

The following distinction in dress will be worn on the service dress jacket by all officers and soldiers who have been wounded in any of the campaigns since 4th August 1914 :

    Stripes of gold Russia braid No.1, two inches [2.5cm] in length sewn perpendicularly on the left forearm sleeve of the jacket to mark each occasion on which wounded.

    In the case of officers, the lower end of the first strip of gold braid will be immediately above the upper point of the flap on the cuff.

    Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men will wear the gold braid on the left forearm sleeve, the lower edge of the braid to be three inches from the bottom of the sleeve.

    Subsequent occasions on which wounded, will be placed on either side of the original one at half inch interval.

    Gold braid and sews will be obtained free on indent from the Army Ordnance Department; the sewing on will be carried out regimentally without expense to the public.


Long Service Badges

[Image from http://www.diggerhistory.info]
Long Service Badges
A.I.F. ORDER No.470, 24 January 1917 (slightly amended for layout)

The question of the issue of a badge to members of the AIF who have completed a certain period of service has received consideration, and approval has been given for the issue of a badge for long service combined with good conduct, subject to the following conditions.

    The badge will consist of an inverted single chevron of service braid to be worn on the left forearm - the point of the chevron to be 3 inches [7.6cm] above the edge of the cuff.

    Warrant and non-commissioned officers and men, will be eligible for the badge, which will not carry an increased pay or allowance.

    One chevron will be worn for each complete year's service in the Australian Imperial Force from the date of embarkation in Australia.

    No badge will be issued to any man who, during the 12 months, has incurred a regimental entry (i.e. an entry involving forfeiture of pay) in his sheet.

    Time absent from the unit in hospital or elsewhere on account of wounds or sickness, not the result of misconduct, will count as service towards earning the badge.

    A man in possession of a badge will forfeit same on being convicted of any offence involving a forfeiture of pay , but will be eligible to regain the badge after 6 months good conduct, from the date of forfeiture.

    The illegal wearing of this badge will be a crime under A.A. Section 40.


Overseas Service Chevrons

[http://au.geocities.com/fortysecondbattalion/level2/reference/01nos-standards.htm]
[Image from http://www.diggerhistory.info]

Overseas Service Chevrons

Australian Imperial Force Order No.1053, January 1918 (Slightly amended for layout)

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of chevrons to denote service overseas since the 4th August 1914.

    Chevrons of two colours have been approved.

      The first chevron if earned on or before 31st December 1914, will be red.

      If earned on or after 1st January 1915, it will be blue.

      All additional chevrons after the first will be blue.

    The chevrons will be worsted embroidery, 1/4 inch [0.63cm] in width, the arms 4 inches [10.2cm] long. They will be worn inverted on the right forearm:

    In the case of officers, the apex of the lowest chevron will be 1 inch [2.5cm] above the upper point of the flap on the cuff.

    In the case of warrant-officers, non-commissioned officers and men, the apex of the lowest chevron will be midway between the seams and four inches [10.2cm] above the bottom edge of the sleeve.

    The red chevron will be worn below the blue one. They will not be worn on greatcoats.

    In the case of Australians, the first chevron was earned the date the individual left Australia. Additional chevrons were awarded for each successive aggregate period of 12 months service outside Australia.


Some Government Issued Badges

Nearest Female
Relative Badge

War Widows
Guild Brooch

Silver War Badge
 

Discharged Returned
Soldier Badge

Government issued badge in enamel and sterling silver issued to the wife, mother or nearest female relative of a serving soldier. Additional bars were suspended below for further individuals.

Membership badge of a Kookaburra in sterling silver, issued by the Government to the widows of men who lost their lives due to their service. Numbered on the reverse.

Awarded to service personnel who sustained a wound, or contracted sickness of disability in the course of the war as a result of which they were invalided out, or to soldiers who had retired during the course of the war.

First issued in 1916. Slight variations are indicative of a number of makers. 267,300 were issued. Numbered on the reverse but the numbers have no link with length of service or Service Number.

[Badge information collated from Australian War Memorial, "Australians Awarded" by Clive Johnson and en.wikipedia.com]