Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 11 December , 2016 Share Posted 11 December , 2016 (edited) Dear GWFs, I require a circa 1917-24 Officers Group Photo featuring 53rd battalion, Australian Infantry, taken during the last years of the war, or immediately post-war. The photo attached, shows a large group of 6th Reinforcements for 53rd Bn., AIF, taken at the Sydney Town Hall in 1916. Only two Officers were present amongst the Diggers, namely my late grandfather, Lieut. W. F. Lindsay (later Capt., wounded and MC), seated centre, and Lieut Pettifer (later gassed), at his left, with cross-strap. Kindest regards, Kim. Edited 19 January , 2018 by Kimberley John Lindsay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkley remembers Posted 21 March , 2017 Share Posted 21 March , 2017 Is this of any use? https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P09506.002 accessed via http://trove.nla.gov.au/picture/result?q=subject%3A"53rd+Australian+Infantry+Battalion" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 21 March , 2017 Author Share Posted 21 March , 2017 Dear ilkley, Many thanks for going to the trouble of finding that officer group photo of 53rd Bn AIF. Super! It appears to have been taken on the day of the Armistice. This explains why my grandfather, then Capt W. F. Lindsay, was not present - having been evacuated wounded (leg) to England. One officer is identified, namely back row, 3rd from right: Capt Edward Jackson, MC. I attach a photo of the youthful battalion commander, Lt-Col Cheeseman, who also seems to have been absent... Another photo in the AWM archive, shows D-Coy 53rd Bn AIF, officers and Diggers, which my grandfather commanded on 1 Sep 1918 (the day of the successful attack on Peronne and his wounding). This shows Lieut W. Waite, MC and Bar, who took over command of the company, at the time. Kindest regards, Kim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkley remembers Posted 21 March , 2017 Share Posted 21 March , 2017 Great photo KJL. One of the Ilkley casualties, Private Victor Maxwell Owston, was KIA with the 53rd on 19th July 1916. The 'Whale Oil Guards' I seem to remember. EW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 21 March , 2017 Author Share Posted 21 March , 2017 (edited) Dear EW, Yes, the "Whale Oil Guards" (oil applied to their helmets to give them a distinctive appearance). This was an idea of the first 53 Bn CO, a British Army officer (Lt-Col Croshaw). Following Croshaw's death, an Australian commanded the battalion. Here is a photo of my grandfather, Capt Lindsay, recovering from his wound in England, prior to returning to Australia. Kindest regards, Kim. Edited 19 January , 2018 by Kimberley John Lindsay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 19 January , 2018 Share Posted 19 January , 2018 On 21/03/2017 at 23:47, ilkley remembers said: Is this of any use? https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P09506.002 accessed via http://trove.nla.gov.au/picture/result?q=subject%3A"53rd+Australian+Infantry+Battalion" Middle row far left is A C Elliot who went onto become Major Alban Charles Elliot MC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 19 January , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 January , 2018 Dear ace, Many thanks for going to the trouble of searching for this interesting Officer group. As you say, A. C. Elliot, later Adjutant and MC, was seated far left. Standing, third from left, was A. E. Jackson, MC. The Commanding Officer is not Lt-Col Cheeseman (but - if an early group photograph - possibly Lt-Col Crowshaw, later KiA), nor can I identify my grandfather, Capt Lindsay. Another AWM portrait showed D Coy which was commanded by my late grandfather, then Capt W. F. Lindsay. However, he had been wounded in 1 Sep 1918 and was therefore not present. The group photo was from the collection of Lieut W. Waite, MC and Bar, who took over D Coy from Capt Lindsay when the latter was wounded... Kindest regards, Kim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 19 January , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 January , 2018 (edited) Dear All, I have found pictures of nine of the ten awardees of the 53 Bn AIF Special Order of 13 Dec 1918:- Unfortunately, Lieut J. Dexter is missing... 1) Pte Currey, W. M. (VC); 2) 2Lt (Major) J. J. Murray, MC (DSO); 3) Brig. (Capt) W. E. Smith, MC (Bar to MC) 4) Lieut W. Waite, MC (Bar to MC); 5) Capt W. F. Lindsay (MC); 6) Lieut W. Bevan (MC) 7) Sgt (Lieut) A. W. Cooper (MC); 8) Lieut A. J. Tofler (MC) (at left); 9) Lieut G. A. Young (MC). Perhaps someone has Lieut Dexter's photo? Kindest regards, Kim. Edited 19 January , 2018 by Kimberley John Lindsay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 30 October , 2021 Share Posted 30 October , 2021 Hi all my great uncle John Jack Rootes was in the 53rd battalion. unfortunately kia 3/7/1918 while in the Lewis gun team. Any idea where i can find a picture that he is in. I've searched over and over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 30 October , 2021 Author Share Posted 30 October , 2021 Dear Ben, I have two photos showing my Grandfather Capt W. F. Lindsay, MC (1880-1940), with 53rd Bn AIF Other Ranks - and you may be able to match J. J. Rootes with a family Image. Kindest regards, Kim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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