Transition from Militia to Australian Imperial Force

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear GWF members,

The subject of this series of photographs is my grandfather (William Frederic Lindsay, MC, ED: 1880-1940), and his progression from Militia 2Lt., to AIF Capt., to CMF Lt-Col.):

Firstly as 2Lt., CMF (Citizen Military Force), 41st Infantry: in charge of troops guarding the Lithgow, NSW, Small Arms Factory, 1914. As a Lieut. (prov., 1 Jul 1915), Training in Bathurst, NSW, 1915. He joined the all-volunteer Australian Imperial Force (for 'Service Abroad') on 16 Mar 1916, and had his portrait taken (note 'INF' above the Rising Sun badges), when in command of the 6th Reinforcements to 53rd Bn., AIF: who were photographed at the Sydney Town Hall (embarked 7 Oct 1916 on HMAT "Ceramic" from Sydney to Plymouth: disembarked 21 Nov 1916).

'Proceeded Overseas France': 2 Feb 1917, Etaples. Taken on Strength 53rd Bn. AIF, 8 Feb 1917 France. To Lewis Gun School of Instruction, 2 Apr 1917. On leave, Paris: 5 Jun to 10 Jun 1917 - portrait taken - with cross strap Sam Browne. Promoted Capt., 3 Jul 1917. To 2nd Army Central School, 12 Aug 1917. Seconded to 1st Anzac Corps (Inf) School (in the Field), 15 Oct 1917. Attached for duty as Instructor, 18 Oct 1917. Leave UK 22 Dec 1917 to 5 Jan 1918 and rejoined 53 Bn, AIF. To Australian Corps Gas School (in the Field) 17 Feb 1918. To 2nd Army Musketry School, 23 Feb 1918. To Duty, HQ 14th Bde., as Liaison Officer, 9 Apr 1918. To Liaison Instruction Course at Australian Flying Corps, France, 15 Jul 1918. 3 Sqn AFC: Attached for Liaison Course. Returned to 53 Bn AIF 18 Jul 1918.

Wounded in Action when OC "D" Coy., 53rd Bn AIF, during the successful 1 Sep 1918 Australian attack on Peronne (a VC action: Pte Currey, 53rd Bn). "D" Coy 2ic (Lieut Waite.MC) took command (Bar to MC). The Gun Shot Wound, left leg ('Frac. Tibea'), was seen at 53rd Bn Casualty Clearing Station on 2 Sep 1918, then treated in Rouen, at 8th General Hospital on 3 Sep 1918. It was considered 'Mild' and Capt. Lindsay was 'Embarked for England' aboard the "Cansbrook Castle" on 5 Sep 1918, and admitted 3rd London General Hospital, 6 Sep 1918. Next-of-Kin advised 'in Hospital', 16 Sep 1918. He attended a Medical Board ('Age: 35') on 20 Dec 1918, and was found as Fit for General Service. Returned to Australia (RTO) aboard the "Ceramic" as 'Ship's Officer', 25 Jan 1919. Awarded Military Cross (London Gazette 31158 of 1 Feb 1919). Next-of-Kin advised RTO (12 Feb 1919). Admitted to Ship's Hospital 28 Jan to 31 Jan 1919 ('chest, B. P.'). Arrived Australia (Melbourne), 14 Mar 1919 - and then by boat to Sydney. AIF appointment terminated, 1 May 1919. British War Medal and Victory Medal ('CAPTAIN W. F. LINDSAY, A.I.F.') issued. Military Cross forwarded 11 Jul 1919. He was subsequently awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal GVIR, and decorated at a 1937 Investiture by the Gov.-Gen of Australia (Lord Gowrie, VC) with the Efficiency Decoration GVR, top bar 'AUSTRALIA'.

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[WhiteStarLine]

Wow, what a great series, you are lucky to have that chronology so well preserved.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear WhiteStarLine,

Thanks for the all-too welcome Feedback. 

Yes, amazingly - despite the dispersal of all sorts of Things Military - and especially the decades of non-interest in the Family (spread over three States), 'Colonel Lindsay' is well-documented. His AIF papers are at the Australian War Memorial, which has really lived up to the ideas of Dr Bean and others, who created it for a young and vigorous Country. 

Lucky? It was more perseverance and a sense of Ownership (despite being only a younger son, and important items having been held in other strands of the Lindsay family)...

Finally, one notices how well the Australian Imperial Force functioned at that stage of the War. My grandfather, too old for his Rank, was well-trained, and commanded excellent troops (his 2iC, Lieut Waite, MC, had come from the Light Horse, and had lost seniority and was returned to the Front, for abusing a British Railway Transport Officer, when travelling without a ticket!).

It is also worth noting, that Capt Lindsay's younger son, John George Lindsay (1908-1975), my late father, won the MC with the 2nd AIF in 1941 - and was Mentioned in Despatches...

Kindest regards,

Kim.