bts1970 Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Andrew i have an 11th battalion "Survivor" from the village George Durnford , from his files i see he is reported missing on the 16th April 1917, later found to be POW Any clues as to action undertaken/locations etc for that day Most appreciated Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Hi Bob, You'll find the war diary of the 11th Bn at this link http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww1/folder.asp?folder=1133 Regard. Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bts1970 Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Pierre Top man , many thanks for that Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenwoodman Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 I think that link may lead to the 11th Infantry Brigade's war diary. The Battalion war diaries are due to be uploaded towards the end of the year. But your link has alerted me to the fact that they've got as far as the Brigades - thanks for that, I'm off to download parts of the first three brigades! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Here is the start page to begin, about the collection databases. http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Official War History is here: http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/volume.asp?conflict=1 Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mruk Posted 12 August , 2007 Share Posted 12 August , 2007 Hi Andrew, Sorry to sound a bit vague and convoluted on this one, but would you have any info on the actions of the 1st Divisional Supply Column please? They were formed in September 1914 as part of the 9th Army Service Corps Company and left Melbourne on the 'Ceramic' when assigned to the 1st Division AIF [22-12-1914]. They arrived in England on the 15-2-1915 and renamed '300th Mechanical Transport Company'. The period I am particularly interested in is that spent with the British 17th [Northern] Division between February 1915 and April 1916, where they were renamed and acted to the 17th Divisional Supply Column on the Western Front. This was the period before they were once again re-assigned and renumbered in the AIF [1st Division], and disbanded in March 1918. Any pointers would be gratefully appreciated. Kind Regards, Dave PS: Cheers, Chris N, and thanks for the link to the AIF. See you tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 13 August , 2007 Share Posted 13 August , 2007 Andrew is currently in Gallipoli and arriving back in Australia some time this week. I will send him the link so that he can answer when he gets back. Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 19 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 19 August , 2007 Hi Andrew, Sorry to sound a bit vague and convoluted on this one, but would you have any info on the actions of the 1st Divisional Supply Column please? They were formed in September 1914 as part of the 9th Army Service Corps Company and left Melbourne on the 'Ceramic' when assigned to the 1st Division AIF [22-12-1914]. They arrived in England on the 15-2-1915 and renamed '300th Mechanical Transport Company'. The period I am particularly interested in is that spent with the British 17th [Northern] Division between February 1915 and April 1916, where they were renamed and acted to the 17th Divisional Supply Column on the Western Front. This was the period before they were once again re-assigned and renumbered in the AIF [1st Division], and disbanded in March 1918. Any pointers would be gratefully appreciated. Kind Regards, Dave PS: Cheers, Chris N, and thanks for the link to the AIF. See you tomorrow. Hi Dave I'm not home in WA yet but I can't really add much on this unit. I remember checking a war diary for a Pal the last time I was in Canberra for one of the early Australian supply units that arrived in England but the war diary was very sparse. Offhand I can't recall if it was the same company that you are interested in. Unless another Pal is going to Canberra and can check the war diary the alternative may be to wiat for it to be digistised which may be a while considering the infantry battalions are yet to be put on there. Sorry couldn't be much help. Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Bye Posted 31 August , 2007 Share Posted 31 August , 2007 Glyn Extract from the diary of Captain G.D.Mitchell MC DCM 48th Battalion held at the Australian War Memorial. At the time of writing they were in the vicinity of Messines. "June 12th. I soon discovered a concrete blockhouse and dived in. There were several bunks in it. Soon I was on one and sound asleep. The other company officers were in the adjoining one. Many shells landed outside. The blast shook the place. Then the tragedy happened. Captain Mayersbeth dashed in with blood pouring from a hole in his chest. An artery had been cut and there was no possible compression point. I pressed on top of the wound, and the bleeding went on internally. He was doomed. He knew it and said so. I knew it and could not deny it. Such futility would not be right. He said goodbye to his wife, Goodbye to his boys. He asked for absolution, recited a prayer and died like a brave man. Night came. We buried the Captain and another man who had been killed." Regards Andrew I'd be grateful if you'd let me have any other mentions of Mayersbeth that you might come across in Captain Mitchell's diary. Colin Bye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bob Posted 14 September , 2007 Share Posted 14 September , 2007 Hi Andrew Two questions 1) Do you have any info, say war diaries etc of the 6th Australian (Victoria) Artillery Battery who were in a composite Brigade with the 3rd NZ and the 6th East Lankeshire Batteries from mid May 1915 until maybe August or September 1915 and 2) Do you happen to live in Canberra or know of any other Forum member who could pay a visit on my behalf to Duntroon? Thanks for your time Kiwi Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 14 September , 2007 Share Posted 14 September , 2007 http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww1/index.asp The War Diaries are being digitised and will be available on line. Please keep a check at the above website of the Australian War Memorial for the next lot to be uploaded. Official War History is available here: http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/volume.asp?conflict=1 Unit History is available here: http://www.awm.gov.au/units/ww1.asp Hope these assist in the interim. Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 19 September , 2007 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2007 I'd be grateful if you'd let me have any other mentions of Mayersbeth that you might come across in Captain Mitchell's diary. Colin Bye Hi Colin Out of curiosity are you a relative of Mayersbeth or just generally interested? Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 19 September , 2007 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2007 Hi Andrew Two questions 1) Do you have any info, say war diaries etc of the 6th Australian (Victoria) Artillery Battery who were in a composite Brigade with the 3rd NZ and the 6th East Lankeshire Batteries from mid May 1915 until maybe August or September 1915 and 2) Do you happen to live in Canberra or know of any other Forum member who could pay a visit on my behalf to Duntroon? Thanks for your time Kiwi Bob Sorry Kiwi, can add nothing further on this unit and I live on the other side of the continent so can't help with the Canberra side of things, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Pegram Posted 20 September , 2007 Share Posted 20 September , 2007 This may be of interest for those AIF units which dont have a published history. I havent had a good look, but it definitely looks promising. Cheers, Aaron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 20 September , 2007 Share Posted 20 September , 2007 link timed out so this is the correct one: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch.aspx the one you are looking at is the 'search now' option which will take you to search idividual soldiers. Type in their name and in the date range 1914 - 1920. Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Pegram Posted 20 September , 2007 Share Posted 20 September , 2007 My apologies for the crappy link guys - the record series it was referring to was AWM224 Unit Manuscript Histories. Cheers, Aaron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Bye Posted 20 September , 2007 Share Posted 20 September , 2007 Hi Colin Out of curiosity are you a relative of Mayersbeth or just generally interested? Regards Andrew Joseph is a relative. His grandfather was my great grandfather. see http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~c...lliam/index.htm for further details about Joseph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedelmar Posted 20 September , 2007 Share Posted 20 September , 2007 http://www.awm.gov.au/units/ww1.asp That is the link for the unit details. http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ That is the link for the unit diaries ... only the Light Horse has been digitised at this stage. http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/volume.asp?conflict=1 That is the link for the Official War History. Bright Blessings Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 1 November , 2007 Share Posted 1 November , 2007 Hi ya - I'm after some possible info from the 24th Bn History - just checked your list Drew & know you don't have a copy (besides I've probably bugged you enough today) - just hoping Tim (Blackblue) or someone else might read this thread. Have a letter from Richard Fagan (6944) who was taken prisoner by the Germans 10/6/1918 - in it he says "With another chap, we got out of our latitude after a raid near Albert, and ran into a 'Jerry' outpost. Before we knew our predicament squirts were pressed against our hearts, and all chance of resistance was impossible." Hoping the Unit History might mention the other guys name - otherwise I guess I'll have to wait & see if the War Diary does. If someone can see their way clear to have a check for me (sorry to be a pain - I know it doesn't have an index!!) I'd be most grateful. Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 1 November , 2007 Share Posted 1 November , 2007 Hi ya - I'm after some possible info from the 24th Bn History - just checked your list Drew & know you don't have a copy (besides I've probably bugged you enough today) - just hoping Tim (Blackblue) or someone else might read this thread. Have a letter from Richard Fagan (6944) who was taken prisoner by the Germans 10/6/1918 - in it he says "With another chap, we got out of our latitude after a raid near Albert, and ran into a 'Jerry' outpost. Before we knew our predicament squirts were pressed against our hearts, and all chance of resistance was impossible." Hoping the Unit History might mention the other guys name - otherwise I guess I'll have to wait & see if the War Diary does. If someone can see their way clear to have a check for me (sorry to be a pain - I know it doesn't have an index!!) I'd be most grateful. Cheers, Frev Nothing on that date at all I'm afraid Frev. No mention of a raid at all. It says that SGT P.J.Molloy MM was KIA on a patrol on the evening of the 8th/9th. Just says that the two days after were very quiet and the 'calm before the storm'. There is a mention of a raid on the 14th when CPL C.S.McLeish MM & Bar and two others (un-named) pursued some Germans into an old mill and appear to have been captured as it was a strong post. Rgds Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 1 November , 2007 Share Posted 1 November , 2007 Looking at his service papers I doubt that he was captured 'after a raid'. It seems he was initially reported AWL which does not seem to ring true with being captured when on an operation. A Court of Inquiry was later held...I wonder if those records are avaliable somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 2 November , 2007 Share Posted 2 November , 2007 Thanks for looking this up Tim Hmmm......the AWL was crossed out & replaced with 'missing in action', later POW - but the fact no raid is mentioned does make it seem a bit odd. Guess I'll have to wait till the War diary comes on line & see if it sheds any light on the matter. As to the inquiry papers, can't find anything at the Nat Archives......... but surely they must be somewhere?? Back to the drawing board. Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy Posted 2 November , 2007 Share Posted 2 November , 2007 Andrew i have an 11th battalion "Survivor" from the village George Durnford , from his files i see he is reported missing on the 16th April 1917, later found to be POW Any clues as to action undertaken/locations etc for that day Bob, According to Legs Eleven, the Battalion history, on 15th April the Germans counter attacked the Australian 1st Division in front of the Hindenburg Line (Battle of Lagnicourt). The 11th Battalion was holding a position well forward on a protruding spur NE of the village of Louverval with a line of posts in front of the main line. Some of these posts were lost during the German attack.The Battalion had 245 casualties including 180 missing. On the 16th patrols were sent out to make contact with the enemy, search for any wounded and dead and for the collection of enemy identifications. They came under light rifle fire. No mention of losses. The Battalion was relieved on the 17th. Perhaps Durnford was one of the missing from the action on the 15th but reported on the 16th. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 7 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2007 Joseph is a relative. His grandfather was my great grandfather. see http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~c...lliam/index.htm for further details about Joseph Hi Colin Apologies for the delay in reply. I've checked my notes but that was the only mention of Captain Mayersbeth that I wrote from Mitchell's diaries. It may be of interest to you though that Mitchell's book called 'Backs to the Wall' was republished this year. Regards Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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