Jack's Journey - 4Bn AIF and RMLI action at Anzac

[gilly100]

Hi All

Not so much a review but an indicator of what this book is about, having just picked through it at present.

Jack's Journey by Kit Cullen (Allen and Unwin 2013) is about 1241 John 'Jack' Collyer of 4Bn AIF and his Landing at Anzac and subsequent fighting in Wire Gully or Death Trap Valley in late April early May 1915, when a party of Portsmouth Bn RMLI were cut off and elements of 3 and 4Bn's went to assist. Walter Parker of RMLI was subsequently (rather late) awarded the VC for this action.

366 pages of text with some good maps and photos and in paperback at about $33AUD.

Copious chapter notes (well done Kit), appears well researched at a glance and appendices on casualties of 4Bn painstakingly researched. Goes into all the detail of the action and is apparently scathing of CEW Bean and others for the lack of recognition or coverage of this nasty few days of fighting.

I look forward to reading the whole thing, it being a book on one man and a small group ( a few platoons) of men who fought this action mainly on 1/2 May 1915.

Covers all the men rewarded for their gallantry, the RMLI being granted 1 VC, 1DSC and 1 DSM (and a few MID's) All Portsmouth Bn.

4Bn men awarded 1 fighting DSO and 1 DCM and a few MID's. 3Bn participants completely overlooked.

Cullen does not shy away from making his criticisms, mainly of Bean, while still maintaining his utmost respect for the man, and rightly so.

Nice to see something like this style of book coming out.

Ian

[Blackblue]

Thanks Ian,

I recently read a review of this book, perhaps in 'Wartime' the AWM Magazine.

The following makes interesting reading:

https://www.awm.gov.au/media/releases/media-statement-australian-war-memorials-military-history-section-response-article/

Rgds

Tim D

[WhiteStarLine]

Tim, a most interesting link and the very reasoned AWM response certainly would make me think twice. The AWM do not mince their words!

[gilly100]

Thanks Tim for posting the link. I will read the book thoroughly before making further comment. If the AWM wants to slam Kit Cullen, be that right or wrong, I can think of another they could slam, and haven't as far as I know yet. AWM can sometimes be very selective on plaudits or the opposite of such.

Others seem to be able to criticise Bean and remain untouched.

Am still looking forward to the read, while recognising as AWM said, there was plenty of other hard actions being fought around this time at Anzac. I know 16Bn AIF suffered their highest single day casualties of the war at Bloody Angle on 2 May. That WAS pretty well covered by Bean!

Cheers

Ian

[gilly100]

Having read all of Kit Cullen's book and referenced Bean's Vol 1 OH, it is certainly clear that 4th Bn's role in the heavy fighting at the Wire Gully outposts was almost completely omitted by Bean, despite his mention of 3 Bn. There is no doubt there. Cullen has done some excellent research for this book and he certainly has brought to light the efforts of members of D and A Coys of 4th Bn in helping the isolated Marines. Their casualties were certainly higher than anyone else from the Allied side in this fighting. He has searched well to bring this story out and covers ALL the combatants quite evenly, more so than Bean, that is for sure.

It is also apparent the very high regard Cullen has for CEW Bean. Cullen's idea of Bean 'changing the historical record deliberately' seems a further stretch that certainly I would not be willing to do, but he does give his reasons forthrightly. I think he has dug up some excellent material and put together a good book. I enjoyed it and learned a lot about those few days. Families of participating members of 4Bn would be most pleased to have this book out there.

As for the AWM's response to the article by Cullen (The First Casualty), myself not having read the article and only the book. I feel that whoever wrote the critique clearly wanted Bean's name and reputation to remain intact and that a few shots at Cullen were deemed appropriate. As I said earlier, the AWM can sometimes be harsh on some, and lenient on others, perhaps depending on who you are and what your relationship to the AWM might be. Only my opinion be that right or wrong.

While I am not fully convinced Bean deliberately distorted the historical record, he certainly fell short in his work on this action. Of course, given the enormity of his records and writings in general, it begs the question, what else did he miss deliberately or otherwise? Bean will always remain the icon of Australian military history writing for WW1, and I can not see him being surpassed anytime sooner or later.

I am glad I bought and read Cullen's book. It certainly pays appropriate homage to the members of D and A Coys, 4Bn that did so well in assisting the isolated Marines, and at great cost. A VC action that has now been better told.

Ian

[gilly100]

And having read more on this area of fighting recently I think Kit Cullen has done a good job getting this book out there. Well done. AWM book reviewers can be numpties at times. 

Ian