Officer Cadet Battalion at Zeitoun

[ddycher]

All

 

Does anyone have any information on this OCB ? I am particularly interested in the December 1917 ~ March 1918 period.

 

As always would appreciate any insight.

 

Regards

Dave

[Eran Tearosh]

Hi Dave,

 

Not familiar with this battalion, but I’ve done lots of work on the Zeitoun Ridge, near the biblical Passage of Horon. This passage is near Beit U’r a Foka (Upper Beit Horon), which is usually called in Great War books Foka. It is North-West of Jerusalem. As far as I know, the Yeomanry Mounted Division was fighting there during November 1917 and were replaced by 74^th Division (Yeomanry) that stayed in that area during December. Is that the same Zeitoun you’re looking for?

 

Eran

[ddycher]

Eran

 

Thanks for the quick response.

 

What I am trying to find is more details of the officer training school set up at Zeitoun, Cairo in late  1917. Associated with (I think) but not part of the Zeitoun School of Instruction. It was at some point formed into an Officer Cadet Bn but I have no details on file.

 

Regards

Dave

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Dave,

The following is from my Corbett manuscript. He was commissioned into the IARO via Zeitoun. Perhaps it is of some use. I also have a photo of a group of commissioned officers (including Corbett), which I could beam to you: thelindsayhouse@web.de

On 18 September 1917, Corbett, Corporal № 96335, Henry Reginald, of 25^thBattery, M.M.G.S., made an application ‘of an N.C.O. who desires to be considered for appointment on probation for a commission in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers.’ This application made reference to his deceased Irish father and his military connection, and named his brother Frederick Michael Corbett, of 8a

Church Road, Howrah, India

, as next-of-kin. The following day his application was recommended by Capt F. W. Heilgers, erstwhile officer commanding 25^th Motor Machine Gun Battery.

 

On 26 September, at № 27 Central Hospital, Police Schools, Abbassieh, Cairo, Corbett was medically examined by three doctors, who considered him ‘fit’. Tall, well-built, with good hearing, teeth and vision, the ‘Varicocele left side’ discovered, was apparently of no importance. On 2 Oct 1917, Brigadier H. G. Casson, commanding Delta and Western Force, signed Corbett’s application, adding, ‘I consider № 96335 Corpl. H. R. Corbett to be a suitable candidate for appointment to a commission in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers.’

 

On 11 October 1917, at Abbassia, a lieutenant-colonel on the staff of the Brigadier General commanding Delta and Western Force, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, signed the following: ‘The attached applications of the under-mentioned NCOs of the 25^th Battery M.M.G.S., for commissions in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers, are forwarded and recommended. 96305 Sergt. A. Kelly.  96315 A/Bdr. D. T. Morgan.

96335 Cpl. H. Corbett.  96306 A/Sgt. E. C. J. (sic) Cunningham.’

 

[It is of interest to note how these four progressed:-

 2^nd Lieut. A. Kelly, first commission 25 Dec 1917 (IARO), joined 2^nd Battalion, 28^th Punjabis (formed at Jhelum on 13 August 1918) as a Company Officer on 25 August 1918. 

2^nd Lieut. H. R. Corbett, first commission 25 December 1917 (IARO), joined 2^nd Battalion, 69^th Punjabis (formed at Ambala) as a Company Officer on 26 August 1918.

2^nd Lieut. E. C. T. Cunningham, first commission 25 December 1917 (IARO) joined

2^nd Battalion, 41^st Dogras (formed at Jubbelpore on 16 October 1917) as a Company Officer on 5 February 1918.

There is no trace of D. T. Morgan in the January 1919 Indian Army List…]

 

These candidates were ordered to proceed to the nearby Imperial School of Instruction at Zeitoun (Egypt), on 25 November 1917. The Zeitoun infantry course lasted for four weeks and all were eventually commissioned. The four former members of 25^th Bty., M.M.G.S. who wanted to become pilots (Bertram Eric Turner, Sgt Arthur Macdonald, Charles Henry George Nida and his friend William Price – later killed in an air crash), went on to the RFC training squadron at Heliopolis, perhaps after finishing the Zeitoun course.

 

Zeitoun finished, 2Lt Henry Corbett embarked for India on 25 December 1917, ‘having been approved by the Selection Officer and passed by the Medical board in Egypt, for a commission into the Indian Army (Reserve of Officers)’. He was transferred to the General List with effect from his date of embarkation.

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[ddycher]

Many thanks Kim. 

 

Interestingly both of the men I am looking at were given temp commissions in the regulars although both came from TF. I think the IARO commissions pre-date the OCB but I stand to be corrected. 

 

Proving more difficult than I thought to track this down. 

 

Regards

Dave

 

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Dave,

Yes, I see what you are up against.

Indeed, researching the IARO is also devilishly difficult - probably having to do with the stop-gap nature of an organisation dealing with temporary gentlemen. 

What are the names of the two TFs you are dealing with?

Kindest regards,

Kim.

PS: A general question to all GWFs:-

Why did Capt S. M. Boddy, IARO attd 2-94 Russells Infy have his IGS (Waziristan 1919-21) impressed CAPT., 2-94 INFY.,

when Capt H. S. Crowley, IARO attd 1/Bengal S&M had his IGS (Mahsud 1919-20; Waziristan 1919-21) impressed CAPT., I.A.R.O.

Another example was Lieut Millar, IARO attd S&T C - whose IGS (Afgh NWF 1919) was impressed LIEUT., S.& T. C.,

whereas Capt J. L. Muir, IARO attd and comdg a Troop of 1/Bengal S&M - had his IGS (Afgh NWF 1919) impressed LIEUT., I.A.R.O...?

Can anybody enlighten me?

[ddycher]

Kim

 

As always these are 5th Devons :

 

1. Sgt William Samuel Loram commissioned in March 1918

2. Cpl Alfred "Thomas" Coleman commissioned in June 1918

 

Both were given temp. commissions in the Devon Regt after graduating OCB at Zeitoun.

 

Sorry - cant help on the medal engraving....

 

Regards

Dave

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Dave,

Sgt Loram and Cpl Coleman commissioned into the Devon Regt. It makes sense, noting your 5th Devons interest. 

I collect to the IARO, in the main. I find it interesting to see the various ways to a commission - and especially when Australians have commanded British squadrons, or distinguished themselves, etc.

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Guest]

Mate,

 

I should add that late in 1917 Australian officer cadets were sent to this unit for training and gained commissions there.

 

As an example;

 

CROLL John Alexander 521 Tpt/Sgt 2 LHFA Transport Sgt att 1 AGH 2-15 remain Egypt to S/Sgt 2-16 to Sgt D Troop? CSqn/7 LHR 1-17 WIA 29-7-17 L/thigh shot on patrol near Wadi Khalasa and Beersheba road rtn 9-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 3-18 prom 2/Lt 6-18 rtn ? Troop ? Sqn/7 LHR 7-18 shown orderly officer 5 LH Bde HQ 7-18 to ADC to Brig Gen MacAuthur-Onslow 5 LH Bde HQ 9-18 to 1914 leave
 

AIF cadets started arriving around Oct 1917, before that date they were either commissioned in the field and or later sent to the School of Instruction to confirm that commission.

 

As far as I can find this was a British unit (OCS) and no Australians appear as Instructors (that I can find) during its service.

 

Cheers

S.B

Edited 2 February , 2017 by stevebecker

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for the information about members of the AIF being commissioned after passing out of OCS Zeitoun.

I have a picture from the Corbett family, showing an un-named group of officers, including 2Lt H. R. Corbett, IARO (commissioned Dec 1917), probably taken at Zeitoun.

Corbett is in the second row from the front - facing to his right - fourth from right.

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Guest]

Mate,

 

I did a check and could find no AIF officer who graduated from Zeitoun in Dec 1917.

 

The first major intake happened in Dec 1917 and these I have on record;

 

ADAMS Arthur Talbot Scott 752 Cpl 12 LHR 1R tos A Sqn 2 Troop att DSqn/01 LHR 8-15 (G) rtn 2-16 to L/Cpl 6-16 to Cpl (from Day) 12-16 to T/Sgt 2 Troop? (from Hollingworth) 3-17 revert when WIA 19-4-17 L/shoulder & R/arm shrapnel reported 10 killed and 59 wounded in attack on Atawineh redoubt at 2nd Gaza rtn 6-17 to Sgt 7-17 T/att Div Transport Park 8-17 (B) MM - for his actions at Beersheba 31-10-17 to T/SQMS A Sqn? (from Abbott sick) 12-17 reveret 12-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn C Sqn ? Troop 4-18 shown to Transport officer RHQ RTA MU malaria
BERRIE George Lachlan 724 Pte 6 LHR 2R tos C Sqn possibly D Troop? 4-15 evac to St Davids hosp Malta (debility) 8-15 to hosp UK 9-15 (G) rtn C Sqn 2-16 to Cpl C Sqn (from Reynolds) 4-16 to Sgt C Sqn D Troop (from Livingston) 12-16 recom - for his actions in OP on Hill 730 in operation around the Wadi Imleh 30/31-7-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn A Troop 3-18 (OC B Sqn Ryrie WIA - A Troop Berrie - B Troop Ridgeway KIA - C Troop possibly Sgt Burlace KIA - D Troop Dickson WIA) recom - for his actions during Lt Ridgway's charge at Amman 28-3-18 T/att CTC 4-18 to hosp (pyrexia) 9-18 rtn 12-18 att AIF HQ 2-19 author "Morale a Story of Australian Light Horsemen" 1949 & "Threebrooks" 1932
BIRKETT-VIPONT William John 199 Pte 04 LHR A Sqn to L/Cpl 11-15 (G) to Cpl 6-16 to hosp (conjunctivitis) 5-17 rtn 7-17 to L/Sgt B Troop? 10-17 (B) MM - for his actions at Beersheba 31-10-17 att cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 to 4 LHTR 4-18 rtn ? Sqn ? Troop 8-18 RTA 1914 leave (D Troop ASqn/20 LH CMF 1 year) brother Charles 4 LHR
BOWMAN William Nesbit James 340 Pte 8 LHR C Sqn scout sniper att 161 Bde at Suvla (G) to L/Cpl 1-16 to Cpl 5-16 to scout Sgt 9-17 recom VC awarded DCM - for his actions with Pte Taylor rescuing wounded near Burkusie 12-11-17 WIA 1-12-17 minor at El Burj to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt A Sqn ? Troop 3-18 recom MC - for his actions at Es Salt 3-5-18 (CMF Lt 4 LH 1921) related Leslie 4 LHR
BUSBY Eric Arthur 517 Pte 6 LHR C Sqn to MG Sect 5-15 evac to St Johns hosp Malta (dysentry) 9-15 to hosp UK 9-15 (G) rtn 2-16 to L/Cpl (from Rutledge) 11-16 to Cpl C Sqn (from Rutledge) 4-17 WIA 3-12-17 minor during raid on Bald Hill to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 to hosp (appendix) 2-18 rtn cadet OCS 6-18 prom 2/Lt 12-18 rtn ? Sqn ? Troop 1-19 att ADC to Brig Gen Fuller GOC 2 LH Bde HQ 3-19 later WWII brother Alexander 6 LHR
CLEMENS Gordon Edward 2339 Pte 8Bn 7R Tos CCo 12-15 (G) to L/Cpl 2Co/1Bn ICC 1-16 to Cpl 2-16 to T/Sgt 7-16 to Sgt 11-16 WIA 19-4-17 R/shoulder shot in fighting at Tank Redoubt at 2nd Gaza rtn 6-17 to CQMS 8-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt Cml Bde 3-18 to 3Co/1Bn 4-18 to 14 LHR 7-18 to T/QM RHQ 2-19
CRUDDAS George Frederick 397 Pte 9 LHR C Sqn (G) MID - for his actions at Magdhaba 23-12-16 & Rafa 9-1-17 to L/Cpl 5-17 DCM - for his actions between March to May 1917 to Cpl 11-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt ? Sqn ? Troop 3-18 att scout school 5-18 mentioned for his actions near Jenin 20-9-18 (CMF to RofO 1-7-20 later WWII to 13 LH 17-1-39 to T/Capt 13/19 LH 28-2-40)
DELPRATT Bertram Bernard 315 Pte 02 LHR B Sqn WIA 24-10-15 neck shrapnel at Old No 3 Post evac to St Paul hosp Malta 10-15 (G) rtn 12-15 att WFF att 13 Bde 3-16 to 49Bn 3-16 to 05 LHR (315a) 4-16 to L/Cpl 7-16 to Cpl 8-16 to Sgt A Sqn? 4-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn ? Troop 3-18 to hosp (malaria) 10-18 RTA 1914 leave brother Maurice 5 LHR
DOWSETT Jack Arthur 308 Cpl 7 LHR B Sqn to Sgt 8-15 evac to hosp (enteric) 10-15 (G) rtn 12-15 to SSM B Sqn? (from Spencer) 9-16 to 2 LHTR 6-17 rtn 9-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn ? Troop 3-18 shown B Sqn C Troop? 4-18 recom MC - for his Troops actions with Lt Stanley's Troop in attack at Kabr Said 30-4-18 and Es Salt 4-5-18 att Obsver training 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 9-18 to 38 Trg Wing 10-18 to Army Obsver School 10-17 to AIF HQ 12-18 rtn 7 LHR 4-19 (ASqn/7 LH NSWL CMF 21 months) brother Frank 6 LHR
GARDNER Geoffrey Richard 656 Pte 03 LHR 1R tos C Sqn 2-15 evac to hosp (influ) 8-15 rtn 9-15 (G) att WFF to L/Cpl 11-16 to T/Cpl (from McLeod) 7-17 revert 7-17 to Cpl (from Ricketts) 8-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn ? Troop 3-18 to 1914 leave in UK 11-18 (RHQ/26 LH CMF 2 months later WWII )
GEORGE Bertrand Edward 1578 Pte 04 LHR 12R tos Sig RHQ 1-16 to 2 Anzac LHR 7-16 to Sig cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 to 3 Div Sig Co 4-18 F&B later WWII Lt Sigs AKA Bertram Edward George (Cpl 46 IR (326) CMF)
GILLESPIE Joseph 411 Pte 04 LHR C Sqn to L/Cpl 8-15 to prov Cpl 9-15 shown WIA 8-10-15 reported WIA 7-10-15 R/leg shrapnel during demo at Leanes trench evac to Tigne hosp Malta 10-15 (G) rtn 1-16 to Cpl (from Hanna) 5-16 MM - for his actions in ambush on Turkish Cavalry at Khasif 1-7-17 to Sgt C Sqn (from Moodie) 6-17 (B) to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 9-3-18 rtn ? Sqn ? Troop 4-18 shown att A Ech 10-18 RTA 1914 leave (British 1st Fife RGA TF 6 years)
GOODCHILD Albert Sydney 13 Dvr 1 LHFA A Sect att Transport Sect remain Egypt ToS A Sect 11-15 (G) att WFF to Cpl 3-16 to CSqn/01 LHR 9-16 to L/Cpl (from MacFarlane) 11-16 to T/Cpl (from Treasure) 5-17 to Cpl (from MacFarlane) 7-17 to Sgt (from Butler) 11-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt A Sqn B Troop 3-18 WIA 14-6-18 minor at Abu Tellul to staff training 1 LH Bde HQ 8-18 rtn 11-18 to UK 1914 leave 11-18 (CMF later WWII)
GRAY Montrose  95 Pte 8 LHR A Sqn A Troop? (G) to Cpl 1-16 to L/Sgt 5-16 to Sgt 8-16 recom DCM - for his actions at Khuweilfe 2-11-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt C Sqn ? Troop 3-18 to A Sqn 5-18 rtn C Sqn 7-18 to Transport officer RHQ 11-18 att Anzac MDT 12-18 (D Troop ASqn/29 LH (206) CMF later WWII)
HAHN Howard James 264 Pte 9 LHR B Sqn to L/Cpl 8-15 to T/Cpl 10-15 to T/Sgt 11-15 (G) to Sgt 1-16 MID - for his work between Mar to Sept 1917 to T/SSM C Sqn? 11-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt A Sqn ? Troop 3-18 mentioned for his patrol at Tel el Truny near Wadi Auja 12-6-18 att Olden's force 3-19 later WWII
HAMMOND Henry Armstrong 201 Dvr 05 LHR C Sqn T/att escort to GOC 8-15 to Cpl (from Hockings) 12-15 (G) to L/Sgt 4-16 to Arm/Sgt RHQ 7-16 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt 9-3-18 to ADC to Col Wilson & Orderly Officer to GOC 3 LH Bde HQ 3-18 reported with Tpr Joe Higgins helped Gen LC Wilson capture a Gun at Jenin 9-18
HIRON Frank 235 Cpl 11 LHR B Sqn att DSqn/05 LHR 8-15 evac to hosp (lymphangitis) 10-15 (G) rtn 1-16 to T/SQMS B Sqn (from Woodbine) 1-16 rtn 11 LHR 2-16 to Sgt (from Wells) 3-16 revert Cpl 3-16 to Sgt 7-16 T/att 68 Sqn AFC 1-17 to T/SQMS 3-17 to 4 LHTR 3-17 revert Sgt 6-17 rtn 7-17 to SQMS B Sqn (from Kreig) 9-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn shown A Sqn ? Troop 4-18 shown C Sqn at Es Salt 5-18 WIA 4-5-18 R/thigh shot reported wounded with Maj Munro C Sqn when withdrawal from Table Top at Es Salt RTA wounded AKA alais Francis Thomas Hiron
KELLY Ralph Newland 602 Pte 03 LHR 1R Tos A Sqn 2-15 (G) att WFF to RHQ 2-16 to B Sqn 7-16 to L/Cpl 8-16 to Cpl (from Clarke) 2-17 to T/Sgt B Sqn 6-17 revert 7-17 to Sgt (from Chambers) 7-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn ? Troop 3-18 shown Regt Scout/Intell officer RHQ 8-18 att AIF HQ 3-19
LYNE John Norwood 76 Sgt 11 LHR A Sqn att DSqn/02 LHR 8-15 evac to hosp (Tonsilitis) 12-15 (G) rtn 3-16 to T/SSM A Sqn (from Hawkins) 8-16 to SSM A Sqn 11-16 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn to ADC to GOC Gen Grant 4 LH Bde HQ 4-18 WIA 3-5-18 R/leg shot reported shot by MG standing behind BHQ bluff at Grant's Post on Table Top at Es Salt rtn 5-18 att Aust MD HQ 11-18 rtn 12-18 to UK leave 5-19 to NME UK farming
McINTYRE Gordon Weir 1715 Pte 02 LHR 11R tos A Sqn? 3-16 att WFF to L/Cpl 10-16 to T/Cpl A Sqn? (from Stevens WIA) 1-17 to Cpl 1 LHTR 2-17 rtn 7-17 to Sgt A Sqn? (from O'Neill) 9-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn ? Sqn ? Troop 5-18 to hosp (malaria) 7-18 rtn 10-18 possibly shown A Sqn 10-18 later WWII possibly related to Hector 2 LHR
McKAY Charles James 57 Pte 11 LHR MG Sect att DSqn/02 LHR 8-15 (G) rtn 2-16 to Cpl (from carlisle) 1-17 to T/Sgt 4 LH MGS (57a) 2-17 to Sgt 3-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn 4-18 (reported three Troops under Lts MacKay, Swan and Abercrombie) att moblie column under Maj Reid 04 LHR 3-19 & 4-19 brothers John 11 LHR and George GSR
McVICAR Alexander Bruce 526 Pte 03 LHR A Sqn to L/Cpl 5-15 evac to St Georges hosp Malta (debility) 8-15 to hosp UK 9-15 (G) rtn 1-16 att WFF to Cpl 5-16 to Sgt B Sqn (from Wood) 8-16 to 1 LHTR 6-17 rtn 9-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt A Sqn ? Troop 3-18 to hosp (VD & orchitis) 4-18 rtn 10-18 (17 LH SAMR 1910 2 years to A Troop BSqn/24 LH CMF 2 years later WWII)
STEPHENS Allan Woodbain 355 Cpl 6 LHR C Sqn B Troop to Sgt 8-15 evac to St Davids hosp Malta (influ) 9-15 to hosp Cardiff Wales UK 10-15 (G) rtn possibly A Sqn? 2-16 shown A Sqn when prom to SSM A Sqn (from Connell) 1-17 mentioned in the unit history when both he and his horse fell down a cistern during operations at 1st Gaza he survived but his horse didn't 26-3-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt C Sqn ? Troop 3-18 recom - for his actions in cavarly action at Es Salt 1-4-18 to BSqn/2 LHTR (DSqn/6 LHR) (from Crane) 5-18 RTA 1914 leave AKA Alan Woodburn Stevens (CMF Hon/Lt 28 LH 1919 retired 20-12-20
THOMSON William Kilpatrick 752 Pte 02 LHR 2R tos B Sqn 7-15 to batman to Maj Bourne 9-15 (G) att WFF to groom to Rev Capt H Gordon 8-16 to L/Cpl 7-17 shown B Sqn to T/Sgt Bugler RHQ (from Bugler Sgt Brown) 25-10-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 rtn A Sqn ? Troop 4-18 AKA Thompson
VENESS Gordon Namoi 1527 Pte 6 LHR 11R Tos 1-16 to 13Co/3Bn ICC 9-16 to L/Cpl 11-16 to Cpl 6-17 to Sgt 7-17 to cadet OCS 12-17 prom 2/Lt 3-18 to 17Co/4Bn 4-18 to ? Troop ?Sqn/15 LHR 7-18 to 5 LHTR 9-18 rtn ? Sqn ? Troop 10-18 att AIF HQ 3-19 rtn 4-19 (D Troop BSqn/5 LH CMF 3 years later WWII Capt 11 Garr Bn) related Archie and Harold
 

Cheers

S.B

 

Edited 2 February , 2017 by stevebecker

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for that.

The large AIF intake seems to have been the next batch after that of the Corbett course.

I note that W. K. Thomson was a batman to Maj Bourne and a groom to Rev Gordon. Perhaps he subsequently encountered both officers as an officer himself?

Keep up the good work!

Kindest regards,

Kim. 

[ddycher]

Steve

 

Thanks for this. Do you know if yours was a complete list ? I am 90% sure (always hedge your bets) that my men were there in December '17

 

Regards

Dave

[ddycher]

Kim

 

Great photo. I was surprised by the age of a lot of these men. For some reason by December 1917 I was expecting more of them to be a lot younger.

 

Regards

Dave

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Dave,

Yes, I agree.

The Officers sitting in the front row may well have been the Instructors.

Note the man in the back row, 5th from the right: he seems to have been an Other Rank and has a medal ribbon up.

Here, for general information, is a later picture of Corbett as an acting Captain, with war medal ribbons up; and his medal group...

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Guest]

Dave,

 

Sorry, These are the only Australian members sent in Dec 1917, that I have on record, there may be more, but not many I missed.

 

But what the make up of this intake was is unknown, did they run an Australian class and a British class or combinded the both?

 

Cheers

S.B

[ddycher]

Thanks Steve

 

Will keep looking.

 

Regards

Dave

[Guest]

Kim,

 

Was doing some checking and may of found an aussie in that photo, but who he is I don't know?

 

SCHOLES Geoffrey William 1118 Pte 01 LHR 7R Tos C Sqn B Troop? 1-16 att WFF to L/Cpl (from Hordern) 7-16 to T/Cpl (from Treasure) 11-16 revert 11-16 to Cpl (from Trethewey) 2-17 to 1 LHTR 6-17 rtn 9-17 prom 2/Lt Eng Trg unit 21-10-17 att school of Instruction (cadet school OCS) Zeitoun 10-17 rtn 12-17 to 3 LH Field Troop AE 2 LH FSE 1-18 to 12-18 also shown T/OC 5 LH Field Troop AE 8-18 (SU Scouts 1 year to 34 IR CMF 1 year later WWII)
 

He was there during the time frame and left around 8-12-17 possibly in that photo?

 

S.B

Edited 23 March , 2017 by stevebecker

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Steve,

Good work!

Yes, he, G. W. Scholes, may well have been in that officer group - however, I did not discover any obvious Rising Sun collar badges...

At least my H.R. Corbett is identified, which is at least something!

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Guest]

Kim,

 

What about that bloke inbetween the seated and first rank on the far left looking down, you can only see half his face but he has what looks like some badge on his collar lapels.

 

S.B

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Steve,

Yes, could be, Mate.

However, although my AIF grandfather went overseas in 1916 wearing the braces-type Sam Browne, I am pretty sure that the Australians generally wore the cross-strap type thereafter (including grandfather). One cannot be dogmatic about such things, of course...

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Guest]

Kim,

 

True, but we also wore both types, many Light Horse officers preferred the cross strap, while Infantry officers tended to ware the brace type.

 

S.B

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for that.

Here, for your general interest, is one of my grandfather (centre: commanding the 6th Reinforcements for 53rd Bn., AIF), wearing braces-type Sam Browne in 1916 in Sydney (interestingly, the other officer, Lieut Pettinger, later gassed, was wearing a cross-strap!); and another, wearing cross-strap, 1917, on leave from the Front, in Paris. Voila!

Kindest regards,

Kim.