1st Battalion at Mena Pyramids Source: Alan Andrews’ souvenir postcard collection.
Due to the impact of the Coronavirus and control measures implemented, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Anzac Memorial in Sydney and Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne are closed to the public until further notice and ANZAC Day Marches cancelled, and a ban is in place on indoor gatherings.
The RSL is encouraging Australians to “light up the dawn” in personal commemorations while still being part of a broader community commemoration on driveways, balconies etc by lighting a candle or shining a light at 6:00am and sounding The Last Post from mobile phones in unison.
The ABC is supporting this and has invited Australians to mark Anzac Day in a safe and special way (with appropriate physical distancing):
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/anzac-day-2020/12132330 or
https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day-2020/
5.30am: A live broadcast of the National Memorial Service from the Australian War Memorial on ABCTV, iview, Radio and online. This service includes, from around 6am, The Last Post and a minute of silence, where you can pay your respects on your driveway or at your front gate or balcony at the same time as your local community.
9:55am: Tune into the ABC or live stream the NSW Anzac Day Service from facebook.com/AnzacMemorial/live commencing at 10am. Download the NSW Anzac Day Order of Service.
11.30am: Two-minute reflection which includes The Ode and The Last Post followed by a minute silence on ABCTV, iview, Radio and online.
6.55pm: The Governor-General, David Hurley’s Anzac Day message on ABCTV and Radio.
FFFAIF is also encouraging a display of Rembrella poppy umbrellas and the media is encouraging displays of poppies and Australian flags.
The Ode
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
Lest We Forget
Jim Munro
President
for and on behalf of the Members and Committee of
Families and Friends of the First AIF
The ANZAC landings at Gallipoli
105 years ago the soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force were part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force consisting of British, French, Indian, Australian and New Zealand Forces. Simultaneous landings were made by British forces at Cape Helles, French forces at Kum Kala near the Plains of Troy and the ANZACs at Gaba Tepe. The British Fleet commenced bombardments at 4:30am to cover the landings.
The Gallipoli peninsula and Ships in position for Gallipoli landing.[Click images to enlarge]
Sources: Gallipoli, one long grave, K. Denton, Time Life Books Series Australians at War, Sydney, 1986 and Gallipoli The Heroic Story of the Australasians at Anzac, S. Bennett, ‘Evening News’, Sydney, 1916. Back cover.
Following is an account of the landings from 20 year old Alan Andrews, a Corporal in C Company, 1st Bn, 1st Brigade.
Sunday 25 April St George’s Day
At 4 o’clock we were awake, and when we reached the deck we saw the sight of our lives. All the way down the coast there were ships to be seen — troopships, warships and other small fry such as trawlers, torpedo boats and destroyers.
The Fleet opened fire, and the bombardment was terrific, especially from the ‘Lizzie’s guns. The troops were put into destroyers on which they ran in close to the shore. They then got into small boats and were towed ashore by steam pinnaces, or rowed ashore, as the case was.
The 3rd Brigade landed first on the beach about 5am and was followed by the 2nd and 1st. We landed at 6 am to reinforce the second brigade. All this time they were under fire, both rifle and gunfire.
The Turks who were well entrenched everywhere to the waters edge shelled the Brigade with shrapnel and a withering fire of rifle and machine guns. They evidently expected us to land lower down, as they had barbed wire right out into the water and all over the beach in front of the level plain. However we landed at the foot of a bunch of hills, up which we fought our way and which we now hold.
Many killed & wounded upon landing. Men who had packs in arm slings dropped them & fixing bayonets charged up the hills. The Turks not liking the steel ran. The boys soon drove them pell-mell up the hills These hills are very steep and the soil is very loose, thus very hard to climb. Very slow & tedious climbing cliffs. All the time under shrapnel fire. After that we went forward to firing line. Shrapnel fire terrible.
Just as we got to the top of the rise we received terrific fire of shrapnel & as we had no trenches had to beat a retreat. The fire was simply murder, men fell everywhere. So terribly mutilated, hands, faces, blown in stomachs etc.
When we arrived the enemy had all the guns trained on us, and having to file past the Indian Mountain Battery (the only artillery that landed with us) we got what was intended for them. Well, we rushed forward and were in the thick of it before we knew where we were. At our point in the line we advanced rather rapidly and they gave us hell with their shrapnel, causing us to retreat a little. We gathered together, fixed bayonets and charged back again and got within 400 yards of the guns, which they were trying to get away. We captured two machine guns & a field gun. If we had been reinforced strongly we would have taken the ridge in front, and thus held a position from where we could have given them a hot time on the left, where they are now strongly entrenched. However we were not, and although we were past their last trench, we had to go back to the main firing line. When night came on we entrenched right along and were reinforced by the 4th Brigade. We then entrenched everywhere strongly. The Aust. N.Z.A.C of about 8000 men reinforced us with artillery during the night. N.Z. went around the rear. Heavy fighting all night. It rained slightly during the night, but we worked on unmindful of anything like that.
Note Aust. N.Z.A.C are the letters which Alan used in his diary on the day of the ANZAC landings.
The battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth and The Scourge towing landing boats close to shore at Anzac Cove.
Sources: Alan Andrews’ souvenir postcard collection and AWM [Click images to enlarge]
Map showing Gallipoli battlefields. [Click images to enlarge]
Source: ANZAC to AMIENS, C.E.W. Bean, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1946, p117
Alan Andrews also took some photos of his comrades and kept some newspapers clippings of their time at Mena Camp in Egypt before embarking for Gallipoli.
As we honour the memory of all Australians who served during times of conflict and in peacekeeping forces, please reflect on the lives of the young men of the 1st Bn shown in these photos.
[K.I.A.: Killed in Action, D.O.W.: Died of Wounds, R.T.A.: Returned to Australia, MC: Military Cross, MM: Military Medal.]
Guard Duty at Mena Camp Egypt, 1915. Source: Alan Andrews’ souvenir collection. [Click image to enlarge]
The soldiers in this newspaper photo were identified by Alan Andrews No325 as W (wounded) or D (died)
Back row (left to right):
Pte William Thomas STRINGER, No. 384 Wounded; R.T.A. Re-enlisted 1917 (Service, No3174); R.T.A. July 1919
Pte Cecil Arthur SMITH, No. 354 K.I.A. Gallipoli 5/06/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Cpl Robert John MacKENZIE, No. 359 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. June 1918.
Pte Herbert Harry JIFFKINS, No. 418 K.I.A. Gallipoli 2/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
L.Cpl Hector MCKENZIE, No341, was a 28 year old launch proprietor who enlisted on 24th August 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. K.I.A. Gallipoli 10/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Front Row (left to right):
Cpl Edward NEWTON, No. 434 Wounded Gallipoli. R.T.A. July 1915
Sgt Oswald Walter MOORE, No. 324 D.O.W. Gallipoli. 24/05/1915. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
C.S.M. James William MORRIS, No. 320 Wounded twice at Gallipoli. R.T.A. March 1916. Lt. Morris was mentioned in despatches.
Pte George DAND, No. 503 Wounded; R.T.A. May 1916.
Pte Robert SUTTIE, No. 390 K.I.A. Gallipoli 26/04/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Pte Frank Branscombe HOSFORD, No. 356/3549 Survived Gallipoli. Wounded; R.T.A. 4/05/17
L.Cpl James WOODWARD, No. 357 K.I.A. 2/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine.
4th Platoon ‘C’ Company 1st Battalion circa January 1915 at Mena Camp Photo by Alan Andrews [Click image to enlarge]
Back Row: (l to r)
Company Sergeant Major James William MORRIS, No 320, was a 38-year-old photographer who enlisted on 17th August 1914. He embarked as a member of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion. Wounded twice at Gallipoli, Lt. Morris was also mentioned in despatches. R.T.A. March 1916.
L.Cpl David Mitchell No.327, Wounded at Gallipoli; R.T.A. March 1919
Sgt R. Thomas BROWN, No 323, was a 26 year old iron workers assistant who enlisted on 21st August 1914 and had previously served as a sergeant in 31st Infantry militia unit and embarked as a member of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion. Sgt Brown returned to Australia on 20th January 1916.
Cpl Andrew Robert ANDERSON, No. 223 Wounded at Anzac 25/04/15; K.I.A. 21/07/16 Pozieres France. Memorial Villers Bretonneux.
Irvine (No.?),
Pte Joseph Baxter IRELAND, No. 342 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. June 1915.
Unknown,
Lt James Alexander, enlisted on 28th August 1914 and commanded 4th Platoon C Company 1st Bn before falling out with the Colonel and returning to Australia. He re-enlisted 1st May 1915 and joined the 20th Battalion, became Sgt Major and was a good soldier and returned to Australia on 11th March 1918.
L.Cpl Ronald Leslie BIRRELL, No. 374 Suffered poisoned hand; Survived Gallipoli. Wounded France R.T.A. July 1917.
L.Cpl Cyril Maurice HOWELL, No. 59 Survived Gallipoli. K.I.A. 19/8/1916. Mouquet Farm Pozieres. Memorial Villers Bretonneux
Pte Willie WILSON, No. 351 D.O.W. 8/08/15. Memorial Lone Pine.
Pte Percy Sydney BRUSHETT, No. 404 K.I.A. Gallipoli 25/04/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Pte Walter OLIVE, No1141, was a 24 year old English born fireman who enlisted on 9th October 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. K.I.A 6-9 Aug.1915. Memorial Lone Pine.
Private Herbert George GRIEVES, No376, was a 19-year-old railway employee who enlisted on 26th August 1914 and had previously served in the 43rd Infantry Militia at Goulburn. Pte Grieves was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 19th May 1915.
Pte Timothy LENEHAN, No. 228 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. October 1918.
Pte Alfred Victor ADEY, No. 348 Survived Gallipoli. Discharged 17/03/19
Lance Corporal Harold WILLIAMSON, No375, was a 24-year-old carpenter who enlisted on 24th August at Yass NSW. L.Cpl Williamson was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 19th May 1915
Corporal Frank Alderly Charles GEORGE No 332 was a 20-year-old clerk from Annandale who enlisted on 28th August 1914 and had previously served in 31st Infantry militia unit. He embarked as a member of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion. K.I.A. Gallipoli 28/04/1915; mentioned in despatches. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Sergeant Edward (Ted) Rennix LARKIN, No321, was 34 years old and M.L.A. for Willoughby who enlisted on 21st August 1914. He embarked as member of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion. As a youth he had represented New South Wales and Australia in rugby union and joined the NSW Police force before becoming the first secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League from 1909 until 1913. He was killed during the Landing on 25th April 1915, Gallipoli, as was his brother Martin. [Cpl Alan Andrews No325 was promoted to Sergeant in the field to replace Sergeant Ted Larkin].
Middle Row:
Pte Thomas WILLOUGHBY, No343, was a 19 year old butcher who enlisted on 24th August 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. Wounded Quinn’s Post; D.O.W. 21/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Pte Richard Arthur CARROLL, No. 391 Wounded Gallipoli; did not resume active service. R.T.A., November 1916.
Pte Charles Scott YULE, No. 85 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. March 1916.
Pte Cyril HORTON, No1159/1210, was a 21 year old English born farmer who enlisted on 18th September, 1914. He embarked as a member of 1st Reinforcement 1st Battalion aboard the Themistocles. K.I.A. 6/9-8-1915. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery. [see photo below]
Pte Joseph HONAN, No. 400 R.T.A. January 1919.
L.Cpl Frederick FERGUS, No. 344 Wounded Gallipoli. Loss of sight; R.T.A. October 1915, Accidentally killed, November 1915
Unknown,
Pte William Henry NEILSON, No. 387 R.T.A. October 1916
L.Cpl James WOODWARD, No357, was a 25 year old fitter who enlisted on 21st August 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. K.I.A. 2/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine.
Unknown,
Pte Thomas Frederick BAXENDALE, No. 800 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. 31/3/?
Front Row:
Private George HONEYSETT, No 377, was a 22 year old blacksmith who enlisted on 26th August 1914. Pte Honeysett was killed in action in France on 22nd July 1916.
Private Horace (Henry) Arthur SANSOM No 425 had been a 30 year old labourer who had been born in London when he enlisted in the ANMEF with Service Number 525, RTA. Enlisted in AIF in Brisbane on 14 December 1914, served on Gallipoli and RTA 7 December 1915 and discharged. Died 9 October 1964 at Lidcombe.
Pte Frank Cuthbert VICTOR, No. 346 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A., November 1918.
Private Joseph Martin HANSEN No 410 was a 21 year old labourer living in Mosman when he enlisted on 28 August 1914. In the Battle of Lone Pine he received a shrapnel wound to his left arm and Invalided to Australia on 31 October 1915 for discharge. He was killed in a railway accident in 1924.
Sgt Private William Henry CHARLTON, No 349, was a 23 year old carter who enlisted on 8th August 1914 and had previously served in the 31st Infantry militia unit. He embarked as a member of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion. Sgt Charlton returned to Australia on 8th October 1918 as a member of 53rd Battalion
Pte Arthur Edward SPRATT, No. 435 Survived Gallipoli. K.I.A. 19/10/17 Passchendaele. Memorial Tyne Cot, Belgium
Pte Harry Richmond SPARKS, No.385, A Commercial Buyer from Kempsey, enlisted 28 August 1914. Promoted to Sgt at Gallipoli and Mentioned in Despatches. Transferred to 1st Trench Mortar Battery. Suffered from shellshock. RTA 12 April 1917
Pte Hugh McAULEY, No. 364 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. February 1919.
Pte Sidney James WATKINS, No. 333 Survived Gallipoli. K.I.A. 22/07/16 France. Memorial Villers Bretonneux.
Sgt Ernest Clarence HARRIS, No1042, was a 20 year old law clerk who enlisted on 18th September 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. K.I.A. Gallipoli 2/05/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
Pte Vincent BANCE, No. 394 Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. December 1918.
Pte Cecil Arthur SMITH, No354, was a 26 year old English born fitter who enlisted on 21st August 1914. He embarked as a member of the 1st Battalion aboard the Afric. K.I.A. Gallipoli 5/06/15. Memorial Lone Pine Cemetery.
CSM Paterson (No.785) Survived Gallipoli. R.T.A. 31/10/15 (Influenza)
Lone Pine 1st Battalion memorial and the grave of Pte Cyril Horton in 1985
Alan Malcolm Dickson Andrews was born at Wingham, worked as a clerk in the Pay Branch of the Public Works Department of NSW and served in the 31st Infantry Battalion of the militia as a Sergeant before enlisting on 17 August 1914 with Service No. 325. He served on Gallipoli in C Company of 1st Bn. After returning to Egypt, he transferred to 53rdBn and was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant. In July 1916, the 53rd Bn was transferred to the training camps on the Salisbury Plain in England. Alan was killed in a motor vehicle accident on St Patrick’s Day 17 March 1917 and is buried in St Ediths Churchyard, Baverstock (Wiltshire, UK) with 28 other Australian soldiers. An ANZAC Service has been held annually at Baverstock since 2006.
See http://fffaif.org.au/?p=252 and http://fffaif.org.au/?p=4007
A tribute to CQMS Alan Andrews and all soldiers of the First AIF
by Jim Munro on behalf of Alan’s nephews and nieces and their families.