9083 Lieutenant Peter Taylor MM
WIA** KIA
7th Field Ambulance (Army Medical Corps)
26th Infantry Battalion
7th Infantry Brigade, 1st Division
1st Australian Imperial Force 1914-1919
This file last updated 2 September, 2023 3:14
Introduction
Photograph, if available
The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the service record of Peter Taylor.
Documents are not filed in chronological sequence, and individual entries on forms are not entered in chronological sequence. Each entry generally has a date of occurence and a (later) date the entry was either made or authorised.
When reading this record, please keep in mind that for other than cables there could be a lapse of some four months between the despatch of a letter from Australia to the UK and France, and the receipt of a reply.
View Peter Taylor's Service Record Part 1,and Service Record Part 2, recommendation for the Military Medal,his entry on the Embarkation Roll, his Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour entry, (located on Panel 109 in the Commemorative Area), the London Gazette page with his award, Page 7289/Supplement 30188, 17 Jul 1917 or the Australian Gazette which repromulgates the award.
Peter is buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, located Somme, France and his Cemetery/Memorial reference is IV.J.4. which can be located on the Cemetery Diagram. See also the booklet Where Australians Rest which was issued by the Australian Government to the next-of-kin of those who died in the service of their country.
While Peter Taylor's next of kin is recorded as his father, with an address in Perth, Scotland, there is a pencilled addendum which provides an address for his brother, D.R.R. Taylor, 10 Springfield Gardens, "Crossingloof" [sic], Glasgow. Scotland. Crossingmyloof was an area then south of Glasgow which appears be now designated as the suburb of Parkhead, while Springfield Gardens is a street between Gallowgate and Springfield Road, close to the Eastern Necropolis.
This biography was prepared for Peter Taylor, great nephew of LT Peter Taylor by Clive Mitchell-Taylor - 8 September 2018
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.
Memorial Plaques
Memorial Plaque - Thomas James Shepherd
Image courtesy of Mark Franzi, grand nephew of Thomas
Memorial Plaques were issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of war.
The plaques are 120mm in diameter, were cast in bronze and came to be know as the "Dead Man's Penny" because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin.
1,355,00 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tons of bronze. 1,500 plaques were issued to commemorate women.
Carter Preston's winning design includes an image of Brittania holding a trident and standing with a lion. The designer's initials, E.CR,P,, appear above the front paw. In her outstretched left hand Britannia holds an olive wreath above the ansate [handled] tablet bearing the deceased's name cast in raised letters. The name does not include rank since there was to be no distiction between sacrifices made by different individuals.
Below the name table, to the right of the lion is an oak spray with acorns. Two dolphins swim around Britannia, symbolizing Britain's sea power, and at the bottom is a second lion tearing apart the German eagle.
The reverse is blank and the plaques were issued in a pack with a commemorative scroll from King George V, although sometimes the letter and scroll arrived first.
Enlistment Details
|
Service Number |
9083 [On the first page of his record this appears to be 9013 but magnification reveals the correct number] |
|
Name |
Peter Taylor |
|
Born at |
Wick, County of Caithness |
|
Age |
29 years and 2 months at time of initial enquiry |
|
Trade or Calling |
Commercial Traveller |
|
Apprentice |
No |
|
Married |
No |
|
Next of Kin |
Father - George Taylor, "Glencairne", 63 Craigie Road, Perth, Scotland |
|
Ever convicted by the Civil Power |
No |
|
Previous Military Service |
No |
|
Attested at |
Liverpool, NSW |
|
Date of Enlistment |
4 Aug 1915 |
|
Height |
5 foot 11 inches [180.5cm] |
|
Weight |
142 pounds [10 stone 2 pounds or 64.5 Kg] |
|
Chest |
32 - 35 inches [81.2 - 88.9cm] |
|
Eyes |
Good Brown |
|
Complexion |
Fresh |
|
Hair |
Grey |
|
Religious Denomination |
Presbyterian |
|
Units |
Army Medical Corps, 8th Field Ambulance Unit |
Chronological Events
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Private |
Attestation papers have him enlisting on 9 Jun 1915, although he signed the initial document on 4 Aug 1915 and the Attesting Office signed the following day at Liverpool. |
4 Aug 1915 |
|
|
Private |
There is no record in the file concerning initial training, which would have been undertaken at Liverpool. Training must have been completed on or about 5 Jan 1916, as this is the date on which the Commanding Officer assigned him to the 3rd reinforcements of the 8th Field Ambulance Unit. His employment would have been as an orderly and/or stretcher bearer. |
5 Jan 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Embarked on His Majestys Australian Ttransport ship "BALLARAT" (A70) as a member of the 1st to 5th Reinforcements to 8th Field Ambulance. |
16 Feb 1916 |
There is no embarkation detail in the file, but the information was separately available through the Australian War Memorial. |
|
Private |
Disembarked Egypt. Initial deployment was to Alexandria, as the AIF was refitting, reinforcing and training in Egypt after the withdrawal from Gallipoli and prior to deployment in France. |
2 Mar 1916
|
|
|
Private |
Proceeded to Miscellaneous Reinforcements from His Majesties Australian Transport (HMAT) "BALLARAT" (A70) |
23 Mar 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Proceeded to join British Expeditionary Force (BEF), embarked Alexandria, disembarked Marseilles.
|
29 Mar 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Proceeded to join Base details
|
20 Apr 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Joined 1st Australian Division Base Depot (1 ADBD) from Rouen. |
21 Apr 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Transferred to Perth from Etaples |
21 Jun 1916 |
This appears to refer to leave, as his father, the next-of-kin, resides in Perth, Scotland |
|
Private |
Returned from leave |
29 Jun 1916
|
|
|
Private |
Marched out to Active Service |
8 Aug 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Attached to Australian Medical corps (AMC) Reinforcements by Officer Commanding (OC) 7th Field Ambulance Unit (7 AFA) |
9 Aug 1916 |
AMC Details is a pool of stretcher bearers and orderlies, allocated as necessary |
|
Private |
Taken on Strength of 7 AFA from AMC Details |
11 Aug 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Temporarily attached to 8 AFA |
5 Dec 1916 |
|
|
Private |
Rejoined 7 AFA |
13 Dec 1916 |
|
|
Private; |
Wounded in action (WIA), gunshot wounds (GSW) to wrist and face |
4 May 1917 |
Reporting unit is 6 AFA |
|
Private |
Admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station (3 CCS) |
4 May 1917 |
|
|
Private |
Letter from the Public Trustee to Officer in Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne
Sir, Will you kindly inform me if J.P. Taylor, whose name appears on the 291st Casualty List, New South Wales Section, is identical with No. 9083 Peter Taylor, 8th Field Ambulance Yours obediently, |
8 May 1917 |
|
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Private |
Letter from Officer in Command, Base Records to Public Trustee, Sydney Sir, I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication GA/BS, dated 8th instant, and to state the soldier whose name appeared in casualty List No. 291 is not identical with No. 9083 Private Peter Taylor, 7th (late 8th) Field Ambulance. No official report of any casualty has been received concerning him. Yours faithfully, |
15 May 1917 |
|
|
Private |
Discharged from 3 CCS to return to 7 AFA |
15 May 1917 |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
Promoted to Lance Corporal |
23 May 1917 |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
Transferred from 7 AFA to 26th Infantry Battalion and remains Lance Corporal |
7 Jun 1917 |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
To Corps Infantry School |
16 Jun 1917 |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
Awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. There are no citations, the many pages of award of the Military Medal are simply headed His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned Ladies, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men :- |
17 Jul 1917 |
Noted by unit as 20 Jul 1918, whilst a Private with 7 AFA. |
|
Lance Corporal |
Selected to attend No 4 Officer's Cadet Battalion, Oxford, commencing 10 Aug 1917 |
31 Jul 1917 |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
Proceeded to join [Officer Cadet] Battalion, England |
4 Aug 1917 |
|
|
Officer Cadet |
Reported to No 4 Officer Cadet Battalion, Oxford |
10 Aug 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Appointed Second Lieutenant and posted to General Infantry Reinforcements |
29 Nov 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Letter from Base Records Officer, Victoria Barracks Melbourne I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 30188 to the London Gazette, dated 17th July 1917 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 9083 Lance Corporal P. Taylor, 7th Field Ambulance. AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL "HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to ward the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned soldier:- No. 9083 Private P. Taylor The above has been promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 189 of 8th November 1917 |
7 Dec 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Proceeded overseas to France from Southampton |
14 Dec 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Admitted to Reinforcements from England |
16 Dec 1917 |
|
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Proceeded to 1st Anzac Reinforcements Camp |
17 Dec 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Taken on Strength of 26th Battalion |
22 Dec 1917 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Detached to Lewis Gun School, Le Tourquet |
2 Feb 1918 |
|
|
2nd Lieutenant |
Rejoined 26th Battalion from Lewis Gun School |
22 Feb 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Appointed Lieutenant |
7 May 1917 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Wounded in Action (WIA), 2nd occasion, shrapnel wounds to head and face, admitted to 5th Casualty Clearing Station 95 CCS) |
9 Jun 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Transferred to 20 CCS |
9 Jun 1918 |
Those not expected to live were generally not moved further through the evacuation process |
|
Lieutenant |
To Ambulance Train, HMAT "BARAMBAH" (A37) |
22 Jun 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Transferred to England |
23 Jun 1918 |
Some waiting time involved |
|
Lieutenant |
Embarked for England on Hospital Ship "WARILDA" (A69) |
26 Jun 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Admitted to 3rd London General Hospiital, GSW severe |
27 Jun 1918 |
Wounds now classified as being caused by gun shot (GSW) rather than shrapnel, but either choice could be correct - or both. |
|
Lieutenant |
Medical Board for Officer Convened |
1 Jul 1918 |
See under |
|
Lieutenant |
Medical Board for Officer convened |
15 Jul 1918 |
See under - I deliberately included the instructions on the form as an indication of the thinking behind the questions posed. |
Medical Board Report On A Disabled Officer
| Item | 1 Jul 1918 Board | 15 Jul 1918 Board |
|---|---|---|
1. Rank and Name |
Lieut P. Taylor |
Lieut P. Taylor |
2. Unit |
26 Bn |
26 Bn |
3. Age |
32 |
32 |
4. Total Service |
35/12 [35 months] |
35/12 [35 months] |
5. Address |
|
|
| Item | 1 Jul 1918 Board | 15 Jul 1918 Board |
|---|---|---|
Medical Board [Continued]
NOTE: In answering the following questions the Board will carefully discriminate between the officer's statements and evidence recorded in his medical documents. When possible, a statement by his medica attendant should be attached. |
||
6. Disability |
GSW head, concussion |
GSW Head |
7. Date of origin of disability |
9 Jun 1918 |
9 Jun 1918 |
8. Place of origin of disability |
On the Somme |
France |
9.Give concisely the essential facts bearing on the history of the disability (personal and family history etc) |
The wound is a GSW to the occipital region from which an [?] has recurred from this occipital tissue. He was unconscious for two hours. |
Has done well |
Opinion of the Medical Board
NOTES: | ||
10. Was the disability contracted: |
|
|
Was it attributable to Military Service? | Yes |
Yes |
| If so, to what military conditions is it attributed? |
GSW in Action |
GSW in Action |
[Enteric Fever, Dysentery, Maria etc contracted on service in countries where there is a special liability to the disease, are to be regarded as attributable to military service.] | ||
12. If not attributable to, was it aggravated by, military service? |
NA |
NA |
If so, by what specific military conditions? |
|
|
13. Is it attributable to, or aggravated by, the officer's own negligence or misconduct? If so, in what way and to what extent |
No |
No |
14. What is the officer's present condition? |
Wounds healed. Has headaches, sleeps well,memory good, general condition is good |
Has no disabilty |
15. to what degree is the officer disabled at the present time? |
|
|
16. Is the disability permanent? |
No |
No |
17. If not permanent, how soon is re-examination recommended (months)? |
In four weeks |
|
18. Is it necessary that the officer should be re-examined by the same Board? |
|
— |
19. What treatment is the officer receiving, and where, and from whom? |
2 LGH (London General Hospital) |
Nil |
20. Is the Officer in need of special medical treatment of any kind, and if so, of what nature? |
None |
— |
21. Does the officer require the constant attention of another person? |
|
|
Medical Board Report On A Disabled Officer [Continued]
| Item | 1 Jul 1918 Board | 15 Jul 1918 Board |
|---|---|---|
|
22. Officers will be classified by the Medical Board under one of the following categories, the probable period of unfitness for the higher categories being stated. Explanation of these categories is in para 5 of A.C.I. 1158/1918. In case of nurses, omit B and (i) and (ii) of E. |
||
A. Fit for general service |
No - four weeks |
Yes |
B. Fit for service in a garrison or labour unit abroad |
|
|
C. Fit for home service:- |
No - two weeks |
|
D. For admission to a command depot |
No |
|
E. Requiring indoor hospital treatment:- |
|
|
F. Permanently unfit for any further military service |
No |
|
23. in the case of officers suffering from neurasthenia [shell shock] found permanently unfit has A.C.I. 307 of 1918 been complied with? |
|
|
Chronological Events [Continued]
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lieutenant |
Discharged from 3rd London General Hospital to France as Temporarily below medical standard (T. BGde) |
29 Jul 18 |
No documentation, but the missing two weeks appears to be recuperation leave. |
|
Lieutenant |
Memo from Commanding officer of Austtalian Infantry Base Depot to Headquarters Australian Corps attached to Headquarters 5th Army, France Re 2/Lieut. P. Taylor, 26th Btn. A.I.F.
The abovementioned Officer proceeded to Havre from this Camp on the 7th instant, wihout leave.
He reported back at 7.445 a.m. on the 8.8.18, thereby comitting a breach of Base Standing
Orders which require :- He was placed under arrest, and the matter referred to higher authority, who has directed that he be censured and the matter reported to his unit. This Officer was on Conducting Duty from United Kingdom. |
8 Aug 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Memo from CO Australian Infantry Base Depot to Headquarters A.I.F. Depots in U.K. Tidworth, England Re 2/Lieut. P. Taylor, 26th Btn. A.I.F. Reference your CR.AIF.41435(a3) dated 14.8.18. The above-named officer proceeded overseas to his Unit on the 13th inst. This Officer was severely censured by the Commandant, Australian Base Depots on 12.8.18 for the offence contained in this office NS.1531/151 dated 11.8.18. |
13 Aug 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Proceeded overseas to France |
19 Aug 1918 |
Via Southampton |
|
Lieutenant |
Admitted to France from England |
21 Aug 1918 |
Havre |
|
Lieutenant |
Proceeded to join Unit |
26 Aug 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Killed in Action (KIA) |
2 Sep 1918 |
|
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lieutenant |
Copy of D.16. [Notification of death?] Lieut. P. TAYLOR. "M.M." 26th Bn A.I.F. In reply to the above memo regarding Lieut. P. Taylor. "M.M." I have to advise that he was Kineed in an attack on the enemy position near MONT. ST QUENTIN. On 2.9.18. His body was buried near MONT ST QUENTIN at Reference Map Sheet 62c I.16.c.6.9. and a cross has been erected over the grave. Sg. Lieut, Assistant Adjutant for Commanding Officer |
15 Jan 1919 |
Date pencilled in bottom left corner. |
|
Lieutenant |
What appears to be a a letter to the Public Trustee, Sydney from Estate Branch, Headquaraters, London WILL
My Will is in the keeping of
Signature, Peter TAYLOR Certified to be a true copy of the Location of Will extracted from Pay Book of No. 9083 (Late) Lieut. TAYLOR Peter. 26th Bn (Decd) Original forward to D.P.M.1 2nd. M.D.2
|
20 Sep 1918 |
1. D.P.M. - Deputy Pay Master |
|
Lieutenant |
Undated letter from Public Trustee to Officer Commanding Base Records (Stamped as received 20 Sep 1918) Sir, Re Lieut P. Taylor, 26th Battalion I shall be obliged if you will furnish me with, -
1. Certificate in duplicate relating to the death of the abovenamed deceased soldier. Yours obediently |
20 Sep 1918 |
Stamped and annotated as being formally acknowledged on 25 Sep 1918. |
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from Public Trustee to Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne Sir, Re Lieut P. Taylor, 26th Battalion I shall be obliged if you will furnish me with, -
1. Certificate in duplicate relating to the death of the abovenamed deceased soldier. Yours obediently |
29 Nov 1918 |
Stamped as received by Base Records on 3 Dec 1918 |
|
Lieutenant |
Cable from Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters to Base Records
Lieutenant Peter Taylor, M.M. |
9 Dec 1918 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Cable from Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters to The Commercial Travellers Association of Victoria
Lieutenant Peter Taylor, M.M. |
27 Jan 1919 |
A copy of the 9 Dec 1918 notification signed by a Captain, and sent as a letter to the Commercial Travellers Association |
| Rank | Description | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from The Commercial Travellers Asociation of Victoria to OC Base Records Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 27th inst., enclosing certificates of report of death of the late Lieut. P. Taylor & Gunner A.P. Stott, for which we thank you. Your faithfully, |
29 Jan 1919 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from Deputy Commissioner for Taxation, Estate Duty to Officer in Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne
Dear Sir With reference to the above Estate, claim is made for exemption from duty under Section 9 of the estate Duty Assessment Act 1914 on the ground that the deceased died on Active Service and in view thereof, I have to request that you will be good enough to verify such assertion, also please state the date and place of death.
It is understood deceased was - Your faithfully, |
6 Feb 1919 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from Officer in Charge, Base Records to Deputy Commissioner of Taxation Dear Sir, I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 6th instant, and to state the late Lieutenant P. Taylor, M. M., 26th Battalion is reported as have been killed in action in France on 2nd September, 1918. The above report has been duly confirmed. Yours faithfully, |
11 Feb 1919 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Copy of cable from Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters per Officer in Charge, Base Records, to Public Trustee
Lieutenant Peter Taylor, M.M. was killed in action (No record available) 2nd September, 18. Cable No. C.I.B.L. 2823, from the Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters, dated London, 10th September, 1918, confirmed by Mail from the Commandant, A.I.F. Headquarters, dated London, 16th September, 1918, 5 Mar 1919 Capt |
5 Mar 1919 |
Annotated in pencil as being for the Public Trustee, Sydney |
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from Public Trustee to Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne [Annotated in pencil 'For favour as urgent matter.'] Sir, Re Lieut P. Taylor, 26th Battalion I shall be obliged if you will furnish me with, -
1. Certificate in duplicate relating to the death of the abovenamed deceased soldier. Yours obediently |
27 Feb 1919 |
Stamped as received on 8 Mar 1919 |
|
Lieutenant |
Letter from OC Base Records to Next of Kin (Father) Dear Sir, With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your son, the late Lieutenant P. Taylor, M.M., 26th Battalion, I am now in receipt of advice which shows that he was killed on 2.9.18 during an attack on the enemy position near Mont St. Quentin, France, and was buried at that place. A cross has been erected over the grave. The utmost are and attention is being devoted, where possible, to the graves of our fallen Officers and Man [sic]. It is undersood photographs are being taken as soon as practicable for transmission to next-of-kin. These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy of the Department to forward all information received in connection with the deaths of members of the Australian Imperial Force. Yours faithfully, |
2 Apr 1919 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll sent to father. |
18 Dec 1922 |
|
|
Lieutenant |
Undated report from Graves Registration (Exhumation) appears to advise of the exhumation and reinterment of the remains in the Peronne Cemetery |
Undated |
|
Medals and Dress Embellishments Awarded
Military Medal, British War Medal 1914-1920, and Victory Medal. Not entitled to 1914-15 Star as he enlisted after 1915.
Not entitled to wear the ANZAC 'A' on unit shoulder patches.
Two Wound Stripe for 4 May 1917 and 9 Jun 1918
Three Long Service Stripes, and four Overseas Service Chevrons.
Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information on the badges.7th Field Ambulance, 7th Brigade, 1st Division
Information from RSL Virtual War Memorial
UNIT SHOULDER PATCH
5TH, 6TH & 7TH FIDELD AMBULANCE,
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL CORPS
Not entitled to wear ANZAC 'A'
The 7th Field Ambulance was the Field Ambulance Company that served the 7th Brigade of the 2nd Division which comprised the 25th (Qld) 26th (Qld / Tas) 27th (SA) and 28th (WA) Battalions. The Battalions' reinforcement drafts often provided personnel for the Field Ambulance so numbers of South Australians from the 27th Battalion served in the 7th Field Ambulance.
The 2nd Division was formed in Egypt and deployed to Gallipoli late in the campaign (Aug - Sept 1915).
The 7th Brigade landed at Gallipoli on in August 1915 and the 7th Field Ambulance served throughout the rest of that campaign and followed its parent Brigade to France and Belgium from 1916.
The Field Ambulance Company was responsible for 'Second Line' casualty evacuation from 'First Line' Regimental Aid Posts (RAP) in each battalion.
The RAP belonged to the Battalion (or other units) and was manned by the Regimental Medial Officer (RMO), a qualified doctor generally of Captain rank supported by several non-commissioned officers (NCO) of Sergeant and Corporal rank, with a number of medical orderlies at the rank of Private.
They in turn were supported by unit stretcher bearers, generally drawn from the Battalion's Band. These men would be trained to administer First Aid sufficient to clear airways, staunch bleeding and perhaps splint fractures so that casualties could be evacuated to the Battalion RAP. Casualties would be hand carried - requiring at least four men but more like eight over any distance for each casualty. Hand carts were also used but rough ground generally meant stretchers, When mass casualties occurred, such as through major shelling or an enemy attack, decisions would have to be made about the priority of evacuation. The RMO would assess the casualty and decide whether they were to be evacuated and with what priority. Grievous wounds with little chance of survival would generally not be evacuated.
When an attack or advance was undertaken, the RAP would follow up the units' forward elements and were thus exposed to enemy direct fire (rifles and machine guns) and indirect fire (artillery mortar fire and even gas).
The Field Ambulance would have personnel deployed forward to retrieve casualties from the RAP to the Field Ambulance Advanced Dressing Station and then to a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS).
They would have to deploy forward to reach the RAP, and thus come under the same risks as the front line combat troops.
They may have had a number of means to assist in casualty evacuation from light rail, horse drawn vehicles and even motor vehicles. Or they could indeed also be stretcher borne.
Soldiers with serious wounds who needed surgery have what is called "The Golden Hour" to receive the treatment they need. After that time their chance of survival diminishes rapidly. Conditions were such that evacuation times were extended considerably by poor weather, the predominance of water, mud, the detritus of battle, shell torn ground and enemy action. At the time infection was also a great risk as it was prior to the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics.
Once at the CCS, additional Medical Officers and supporting personnel were available to carry out life saving surgery. Some casualties might be retained in a limited number of beds - generally to allow more seriously wounded to be evacuated further to rear. The tragic fact was many men would have died here from serious wounds and indeed many of the cemeteries scattered through Northern France and Belgium originally began alongside a CCS.
From a CCS casualties might be taken to a Field Hospital or straight to a General Hospital.
In France, the evacuation chain would eventually see serious casualties sent quickly to the United Kingdom. In some circumstances an Australian casualty may have been sent home. Then they would undergo rehabilitation, either in the UK or back to Australia. Many of the wounded succumbed to their wounds in transit. They would be buried at sea in the traditional naval fashion.
It is quite remarkable that some men who were wounded multiple times, kept returning to the Front despite what in contemporary times might have been classified as a 'homer' - in other words they would have been deemed to have done their duty. However many men felt compelled to return to support their mates, particularly as the war drew on and reinforcements began to slow.
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, Small Magazine Lee-Enfield .303in, Mark III with sword bayonet
26th Battalion, 7th Brigade, 1st Division
[Information from https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au]
UNIT SHOULDER PATCH
26TH INFANTRTY BATTALION
NOT ENTITLED TO WEAR ANZAC A
The 26th Battalion was raised at Enoggera, Queensland, in April 1915 from recruits enlisted in Queensland and Tasmania, and formed part of the 7th Brigade. It left Australia in July, and, after training in Egypt, landed at Gallipoli on 12 September. At Gallipoli, the 26th played a purely defensive role and at various times was responsible for the defence of Courtney's and Steele's Posts, and Russell's Top. It withdrew from the peninsula on 12 December.
After another stint in Egypt, the 7th Brigade proceeded to France as part of the 2nd Australian Division in March 1916 In concert with the 28th Battalion, the 26th mounted the first trench raid undertaken by Australian troops on the Western Front on 6 June. The Battalion fought in its first major battle around Pozieres between 28 July and 7 August. After a short spell in Belgium, the 2nd Division came south in October to attack again in the Somme Valley. The 26th Battalion took part in two attacks to the east of Flers, both of which floundered in mud and slush.
In early 1917, the 26th Battalion joined the follow-up of the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line and attacked at Warlencourt (1-2 March) and Lagincourt (26 March). For his valorous actions at Lagincourt, Captain Percy Cherry was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. On 3 May, the Battalion was also involved in the second attempt to breach the Hindenburg Line defences around Bullecourt. Later that year the focus of the AIF's operations switched to Belgium. There, the 26th battalion fought in the battle of Menin Road on 20 September, and participated in the capture of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October.
Like most AIF battalions, the 26th fought to turn back the German spring offensive in April 1918, and in the lull that followed mounted "peaceful penetration" operations to snatch portions of the German front line. In one such operation in Monument Wood on 14 July the 26th Battalion captured the first German tank to fall into Allied hands - No. 506 "Mephisto". In another, on 17 July, Lieutenant Albert Borrella was awarded the Victoria Cross. Later in the year the 26th participated in the great offensive that began on 8 August, its most notable engagement being an attack east of Mont St Quentin on 2 September. The Battalion's last action of the war was the capture of Lormisset, part of the operation to breach the Beaurevoir Line, on 3 October 1918. The 26th Battalion was disbanded in May 1919.
Battle Honours:
Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodeseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Amiens, Albert 1918, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, France and Flanders 1916-18, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915-16
Military Medal
On 25 March 1916, King George V. instituted by Royal Warrant a new medal to be awarded to warrant officers,non-commissioned officers and men of the Army for individual or associated acts of bravery brought to notice be the recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field.
The medal, which is silver, is designated "The Military Medal" and bears on the obverse, the words "For Bravery in the Field" encircled by a wreath and surmounted by the Royal Cypher and Crown. The medal is 1.42 inches in diameter and is mounted on an ornate scroll suspender.
The medal is worn on the left breast immediately before war medals and the 1¼ inch ribbon is dark blue, having in the centre three white and two crimson ⅛ inch alternating stripes.
The award may be made to men and women for devotion to duty under fire, and bars may be awarded for further services. Recipients are allowed to use the letters MM after their names.
The Military Medal is a level 3 award, positioned after the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and above the Mentioned in Despatched (MID), and was the soldiers' equivalent of the Military Cross for officers.
As a level 3 award, The Military Medal was superceded by the Medal for Gallantry in the Australian Honours system, after the Imperial Honours System was closed to Australian Service Personnel. The highest award for gallantry in the field under the Australian system is the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC), followed, in order, by the Star of Gallantry (SG), the Medal for Gallantry (MG) and the Commendation for Gallantry.
[Extracts 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 Gallantry Awards, P.E. Abbott and J.M.A. Tamplin, Guiness Superlatives, Middlesex, 1971]
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]
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.
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]
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'
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
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]
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]
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.