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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train


Ed Matthews

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Does anyone have any information on the role and activities of the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train at Gallipoli? In particular, members of this unit who were involved in a dispute/"mutiny" over pay sometime in 1916? Does anyone have a copy of the book "First In, Last Out: the Navy at Gallipoli" which, I understand, covers the RANBT? My interest concerns one particular individual, ABD 300 Percy William SMITH who served with the unit from 17 April 1915 to 2 August 1917.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Rgds

Ed

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In haste... there was an article in the Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society some years back. A friend once had a 1914-15 trio to a member of it. They had a torrid time at Gallipoli.

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Ed

That book by Tom Frame is probably the best account of the Naval Bridging Train & also 'The Shores of Gallipoli: Naval Aspects of the Anzac Campaign' by the same author if you can get these through a library loan.

The embarkation roll for the Naval Bridging Train is also available on the Australian War Memorial website.

Cheers

Andrew

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Andrew, Phil

Many thanks for your replies - much appreciated. I shall certainly have a look for the article on the RANBT in the OMRS journal.

Have either of you heard of the 1916 "mutiny" over pay involving members of this unit?

Many thanks

Ed

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Ed,

There is a book called Mutiany it is about mutany and with drawal of labour within the RAN. There is a chapter on the mutiany by the RANBT.

I'm waiting to get my copy back.

Terry

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Hi Terry

Many thanks for that. Could I trouble you for a copy of the relevant chapter? I will gladly pay any costs incurred! Alternatively, could you supply me with more details about the book?

Best wishes

Ed

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  • 1 year later...
Does anyone have a copy of the book "First In, Last Out: the Navy at Gallipoli" which, I understand, covers the RANBT?

Ed

Talk about drag up an old topic. Did you end up getting your hands on a copy of this book? I've just picked up a copy from the library - and will be quite happy to copy out the section on the Mutiny - if you haven't.

Cheers, Frev.

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I now also recall (having been 'down under' again since the original post) that in the Museum underneath the Sydney War Memorial in Hyde Park, there is an exhibit in a glass case devoted to the RANBT. Might be worth looking for them (couldn't find an e-mail address) or asking the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ed

There are quite a few references to the Train in the Official vol. of the Royal Australian Navy (vol. ix, by Jose) which I think are available on line via the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The index entry is under :

Australian Navy

- Naval Brigade

- 1st R.A.N Bridging Train

Andrew

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