Role of women in World War I

When investigating my family history I discovered that my great grandmother, Annie Hutton,  and her elder daughter, Eleonora, set off from Sydney for England in 1916 to assist the war effort in the Home Country. For Australian civilians to travel to England during a war seems a strange and reckless undertaking. Even more so as Annie and her father were born in New South Wales and her mother was born in Ireland making close family reasons to undertake such a journey unlikely.  For Australian women wishing to assist the war effort, there were also many opportunities to do so at home.

However Annie, who was 52 when she left Sydney, and her daughter were away from Australia for three years. Initially Annie worked as a supervisor in a munitions factory. My mother has a couple of the hairnets that the women wore in the factory. Annie was known as a good organiser and was later in charge of a canteen. What type of canteen and where in England she worked is unknown.  All my mother knows is that when rations were short Annie always found some way of obtaining what was needed. The information about what Eleonora did is even more sketchy except that it is said that she worked in a government department in some capacity. As she had not had previous working experience in Australia this seems unlikely, but we do not know. Unfortunately stories of their experiences were not passed on to other family members.

During the First World War women were involved as nurses and members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) in hospitals as well as working in factories and most essential services and generally taking on roles in offices vacated the men serving overseas. Kate Adie's book, Fighting on the home front: the legacy of women in World War One discusses the various roles undertaken by women in England during the war, including working in canteens.

Chapter 8 'We need volunteers - you, you and you' discusses the voluntary work, often overlooked, done by women prior to 1914 and how this tradition of involvement in voluntary groups, particularly by the middle classes transferred to volunteering for the war effort. For married women there was the Mothers' Union, Sunday School movement, temperance movement as well as other parish and social activities. Women, particularly younger women, had recently become involved in the Red Cross, undertaken St John first aid courses and some had joined the Girl Guides, formed in 1910, where girls could learn practical skills - members could obtain badges as a cyclist, photographer, air mechanic or electrician. Girls, too young for the workforce, could knit warm clothes for boy scouts undertaking coast watch duty. According to Adie they then 'progressed to scullery maids, laundresses, waitresses, canteen workers and orderlies, and also to spinning, weaving and sandbag making. They taught English to refugees and in London worked as messengers in government departments.' And of course they provided free labour.

In Edwardian times there had been a shift in education opportunities for many young women. The suffrage movement had provided some women with a better idea of politics and the possibility of a freer lifestyle than that experienced by the previous generation of women. Adie described the situation:

When hostilities started these women were already well versed in knitting, sewing, first aid, fund-raising, charitable work, gardening, tea-making, organizing and setting a good example. What the war brought was public recognition that they were wanted, and had moved from 'helpful' to essential. Even if they were still not wanted on the front line, there were ever increasing opportunities on the Home Front.

At the outbreak of war, the YMCA quickly established huts attached to army camps in France to look after soldiers returning from the battlefield. Although women were permitted to work in these huts they were not permitted to make decisions, so in December 1914 the Women's Auxiliary Committee (WAC) was formed to provide volunteer female workers to staff the huts at the base camps. The women were vetted by members of a WAC committee before being allowed to volunteer and travel to the camps. The huts provided a welcoming environment away from the trenches for the men, a cup of tea, chocolate, a friendly face and someone to talk to. In some places they developed into recreation huts where letters could be written and hot drinks, biscuits and cigarettes could be purchased. The next stage, in a few locations, was the development of hostels for the relatives of the wounded, dockside canteens, convalescent centres - all provided by female volunteers. Some of the women also worked as drivers. During the war almost 2,000 women volunteered in these huts operated by women.

The WAC also operated in England providing services to refugees who were flooding into England, soldiers on leave and women working in the munitions and other factories providing war equipment and provisions. The WAC and other welfare groups were particularly concerned about the conditions faced by the thousands of working women who had left home to work for employment in war related industries. Canteens for these women were operated in munitions factories. Rest rooms and recreation huts for women were also established. It became acknowledged that safe leisure environments needed to be created for these women. Other welfare organisations for women, such as the Girls' Friendly Society and similar groups from churches, worked to help the young women whose lives had been greatly changed by the outbreak of war.

Adie's book highlights the many opportunities for women's involvement in the war effort - working in canteens being only one - plus the social changes that occurred for women as a result of the war.

Clive Condor Weston part 2

In Discovering Anzacs, the file of records relating to Clive Condor Weston shows that when was injured at Gallipoli in August 1915 a series of of official letters was written about his condition in reply to enquiries from his family who had been trying to contact him.

The above telegram was sent to Clive's sister who lived in Parkes, Mary Balcombe, who had been listed as his next of kin and bore the stamp - Parkes 27 August. It read: 'Regret reported Brother Private CC Weston wounded August 7th gunshot wound head severe disembarked Malta from Dunluce Castle Aug 12th will advise upon receipt further particulars will cable free receipt you request   Sec'y Defence'

Mary immediately wrote to the Secretary of the Defence Department in Melbourne requesting that a wire with enclosed message should be sent to her brother. A note written in pencil at the bottom of the letter states 'Cable sent 5/9/15

Note on bottom of the message to be cabled to Clive says, '2/9/15'.

A letter in reply to Mary's letter, dated 4 September, was sent from the Officer, Base Records. The letter noted the receipt of Mary's letter and informing her that' a cable message has been dispatched requesting progress of your brother, No. 536 Private C. C. Weston, 1st Light Horse Regiment, and upon receipt of reply it will be immediately transmitted. It is regretted personal messages cannot be included, but should you desire to send a private message the following is suggested as the address:-

536 Weston

Wounded, First Australian Horse

MALTA

The cost of a week end letter cable is 10¼d per word and 3/5 per word, ordinary rate, for the reply when received.'
A postal address was also provided.

The next letter from Melbourne Base Records was dated 19th September to advise Mary of a new postal address for Clive as he had been transferred to a hospital in London.

Two days earlier, Mary had written to the Melbourne Base records requesting information as she had heard no further information about her brother and explaining how distressed she was not knowing his condition.

The Melbourne Base Office replied on 26th September to say they had sent another cable to London concerning her brother and would keep her informed when they had information.

The next message from Melbourne Base Records was dated 8th October advising Mary that 'now reported that Brother Sergeant C. C. Weston injury finger progressing Second London General Hospital will promptly advise if anything further received.'

Another letter was sent on 19th October 1915 confirming the information that Mary had already received.

The series of correspondence in the file of Clive Condor Weston illustrates the difficulties families in Australia faced in receiving information about family members wounded overseas.

Clive Condor Weston

Clive Condor Weston, born at Coonamble in 1875, was the youngest son of William Clifton Weston and Jane Cox. Clive worked as a clerk in the Petty Sessions office at a number of locations in New South Wales including Lithgow, Balmain and Newcastle.

In January 1900 he enlisted in the NSW Citizen's Bushmen and was in C squadron. The men were stationed at a training camp at Kensington before marching through Sydney on 28 February to board the ship to South Africa.

Image originally in Sydney Mail 3 March 1900

Clive was with the same group of soldiers as Arthur Hutton. They would have known each other as Clive's sister, Annie, had married Arhur's brother, George. Clive was one of six sergeants in C squadron. Clive's service number was 256.

The NSW Citizen's Bushmen contingent consisting of 30 officers and 495 other ranks, with 570 horses arrived at Cape Town on 2 April 1900. They disembarked at Biera on 12 April and then continued on to Bulawayo in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). C Squadron was involved in a battle at Koster's River on 22 July while attempting to relieve the Eland River Garrison. They continued to operate in the Transvaal and the advance on Pietersburg before returning to Cape Town to embark on ships returning to Australia. They arrived back in Australia on 9 May 1901 disembarking in Sydney on 11 May.

The NSW Citizen's Bushmen contingent had several name changes to Australian Bushmen Contingent and then to 1st Bushmen Regiment.
For information about the NSW Citizens' Bushmen:
Australian War Memorial
Australian Military History of the Early Twentieth Century  

Back in Australia Clive was CPS first in Raymond Terrace and then in Bourke from 1902 until 1905.  He appears then to have made a carer change as when he enlisted in the army in 1914 his occupation was listed as Stock and Station Agent.

Clive was 39 when he enlisted in the AIF on 24 August 1914 at Coonabarabran, however most of his military records give his age as being 34 when he enlisted. His next of kin was listed as his sister, Mary Balcombe, at Coradgery Station, Parkes. The description on the attestation papers was that Clive was 5 foot 9 inches tall, weighed 12 stone 2 pounds, had a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was a private in the 1st Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron, and his service number was 536. On 20 October 1914 the men embarked on the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria for Egypt.

On 9 May 1915 the troops, without their horses, were transferred to Gallipoli. During the next three months Clive received a number of temporary promotions first to corporal and then sergeant as men holding these positions were killed or wounded. Clive Condor Weston received head and hand injuries on 7 August. His records do not specify the battle but the date coincides with the diversionary action by Australian and other forces to allow British forces to land safely. Details of the battle were published in Australian newspapers - Gallant Australians - Charge of the Light Horse part 1 and part 2.

The papers relating to Quarter Master Sergeant Clive Condor Weston in Discovering Anzacs show that for the next two years Clive served at various locations in the Middle East including Romani and Tel-el-Kebir, however for much of the time he was in hospital having treatment, particularly for his hand. A medical report made on 25 April 1916 stated ' anchylosis 1st & 2nd joints 2nd finger right hand & failing memory and headaches'.  The report continued 'RH quite stiff - making hand unfit for rifle shooting. Occasional giddiness, headaches and loss of memory.' On previous occasions bone fragments had been removed and work done on the tendons but hand was not responding. The doctor recommended that Clive Weston should be discharged as unfit, as did the Medical Board, however he was returned to his unit. The records give details of another medical report dated 4 September 1917.

patient states he was wounded in the right hand at Gallipoli. Since then the hand has steadily been getting more useless. Admitted into No. 14 AGH on July 3 1917. Examination of r. hand showed ankylosis of middle finger in all its articulations, and very little power in the other fingers. Middle finger amputated: adhesions in the other fingers forcibly broken down. Has received no benefit from massage and hot air treatment.

This time the recommendation was that Clive Condor Weston should be discharged to Australia for six months. The Medical Board agreed and also noted that his ability for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market had been lessened by one half.  At Suez on 12 November 1917 Clive embarked on the SS Wiltshire to return to Sydney where he arrived on 20 December.

By the middle of 1917 it would appear that Clive was using alcohol to resolve his problems. Before leaving Cairo, Clive had been arrested on 28 July 1917 for being drunk and disorderly. At his trial on 2 November he received a reprimand for his behaviour. In Sydney on 22 February 1918 Clive was admitted to No. 13 AAH (Australian Auxiliary Hospital). Unfortunately the writing is difficult to read but he was committed to the hospital suffering from the effects of drinking. 'He was noisy, abusive & threatening. He was sent to the cottage'. The next note dated 4 March 1918 reads, 'Is now well & in his normal condition.  He wishes to be discharged and this is recommended.'

Clive was  discharged from the army as medically unfit on 20 March 1918 and from 21 March received a pension of 71 shillings a fortnight.

On 17 October 1922 Clive Condon Weston committed suicide in his room at Central Australian Hotel, Bourke, New South Wales. The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser on Friday 20 October 1922 provided the following report.

Death. Mr. Clive C. Weston, who about 20 years ago, was C.P.S at Raymond Terrace, was found on Tuesday morning in an hotel at Bourke with a cut in his throat and his wrists bleeding. Medical aid was summoned but he died in about ten minutes. He had been to the war, and was badly gassed, and was more or less a physical wreck. Before evil days came upon him he was a fine type, and his passing thus is a sad one.

The statement about Clive having been gassed was incorrect however the sentiment expressed probably summed up the situation. A sad story.

Walter John Hutton

Walter John Hutton was born in Bath, England, on 1 July 1861, the third son in a family of eleven children. His father, William Forbes Hutton, was an officer with the 34th Light Infantry in India. Walter was living in Leckhampton, Gloucestershire when the 1871 census was taken. On 6 May 1874, when he was 12, Walter arrived in Australia, aboard the Northumberland, with his mother and family members not already in the country. His father had retired from the Army and had decided to settle in Victoria having purchased a property at Lilydale. Initially Walter and his family lived in a large house, Blythswood, in Kew. He would have initially attended school. His youngest brother, Maurice, later atttended Melbourne Grammar School but it is not known which school Walter and the next brother, William, attended. Walter would have helped on his father's property. The family appear to have lived at Cooring Yering from 1885.  When his father died in 1896, most of Cooring Yering was bequeathed to Walter's mother except for 150 acres, on which the vineyard was established, which was inherited by Walter and Maurice.

When the Victorian Mounted Rifles established a Lilydale attachment in 1891 Walter would have joined his brothers, William and Maurice, as members of this group. During the Boer War in 1899 some of the members volunteered to travel to South Africa to fight.

Private Walter John Hutton (No. 137) joined the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles which was part of the second contingent of Australians to leave for South Africa. Two hundred and sixty-four men with 305 horses left aboard the Euryalus on the 13 January, 1900, and arrived at Cape Town on 5 February. This number was made up of 14 officers, 12 sergeants, 10 artificers (servicemen who looked after the horses), 4 buglers and 224 rank and file. Three horses died during the voyage.

Once in South Africa they proceeded to the Maitland Camp and from there travelled to Naauwpoort. During their tour of duty they were involved with the action, initially going on patrols and then fighting in a number of encounters including Colesberg, Kuilfontein, Bloemfontein, Houdenbeck, Vet River, Zand River, Black Reef Mine, Pretoria and Doornkop. In October they returned to Pretoria and from there to Cape Town. A summary of their time in South Africa is provided on the Australian Light Horse website.

On 7 November the Victorians embarked on the Harlech Castle ultimately reaching Melbourne on 4 December. The Argus newspaper on Wednesday 5 December 1900 provided graphic descriptions of the return of the soldiers of the Victorian Mounted Riflemen and the crowds that welcomed them home.

Walter's brother, Arthur William Hutton, left Sydney for Cape Town in  April 1900 as part of the NSW Citizen's Bushmen. Another brother, William Lidderdale Hutton left Melbourne for Cape Town on 15 February 1901.

After his time in South Africa, Walter appears not to have returned to Lilydale to live. He did spend time in the Parkes area at the beginning of the twentieth century as he was on the committee of the Parkes Jockey Club in 1901. In the electoral roll for 1914 he is listed as being a landowner at Arcadia near Shepparton. William and his wife were farming also at Arcadia. Five years later the electoral roll shows Walter living at Rosedale in Pasley Street, South Yarra. In 1924 he was listed as a landowner in Croydon. In the 1930s Walter was living in Toorak Road, South Yarra while in 1943 his address was listed as Kooyong Road, Armadale. Walter John Hutton died 18 September 1943 aged 82.

Arthur William Hutton

Arthur William Hutton, the second son of William Forbes Hutton and Eleonora Mackillop, was born on 14 July 1857 in Ootacumund, India where his father was a Captain in the 34th Light Infantry. On 20 April 1858 he left India with his mother, sister Alice and one servant to travel to England. The 1861 English census showed him living at Bath in England while the 1871 census showed the family living at Leckhampton in Gloucestershire.

In 1871 Arthur's father travelled to Australia where he purchased land at Lilydale in Victoria. He travelled back to England in 1873 and when he returned to Australia in February 1874 he brought two of his children, Arthur and Jean, with him. Arthur was 16 when he arrived in Victoria and would have initially helped his father establishing their new property. Once the rest of the family arrived to join them, the eldest son, George, who had come to Australia in 1869, decided to travel north initially to Queensland.

In the 1883 George and Arthur, with the financial assistance of their father, formed a partnership - the Messrs Hutton Brothers - and purchased a property, The Troffs, west of Parkes in New South Wales. They ran the property together until the partnership was formally dissolved on 1 April 1898. George then managed The Troffs on his own while Arthur looked to purchase property of his own and further pursue his racing interests. Arthur was very involved with the Parkes Jockey Club holding a number of positions over the years including vice president and secretary. He also owned and raced horses. Another brother, Walter John Hutton, lived in the same region and was also on the Parkes Jockey Club Committee for a number of years.

During the Boer War it was decided to raise a regiment consisting of men from the country who were familiar with living in the bush and were good shots, good riders and had good physiques.  Public subscription funded the raising of the regiment initially known as the New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen. Arthur Hutton certainly knew about horses and had experience living in the bush so he enlisted.Four mounted rifle squadrons - A to D - were stationed at Kensington during January 1900. Arthur Hutton was in C Squadron, initially as a Trooper but before the ships sailed he had been promoted to second lieutenant. There were two second lieutenants in each squadron. The Western Champion 26 January 1900 included the announcement that 'the keen and capable secretary of the Parkes Jockey Club has obtained leave of absence as he is "off to the war".'

On 28 February the men of the NSW Citizens' Bushmen marched from Kensington to the ships that were take them to South Africa. A large crowd turned out to view the procession and dignitaries including the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier addressed the men before they boarded the ship. Arthur Hutton was 42 when left Sydney for South Africa.

Image originally in Sydney Mail 3 March 1900

The contingent consisting of 30 officers and 495 other ranks, with 570 horses arrived at Cape Town on 2 April 1900. They disembarked at Biera on 12 April and then continued on to Bulawayo in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). C Squadron was involved in a battle at Koster's River on 22 July while attempting to relieve the Eland River Garrison. They continued to operate in the Transvaal and the advance on Pietersburg before returning to Cape Town to embark on ships returning to Australia. They arrived back in Australia on 9 May 1901 disembarking in Sydney on 11 May.

Back in Australia, Arthur returned to his previous life in the Parkes region. In December 1902 Arthur Hutton was appointed, with two other gentlemen, by the Australian Jockey Club as stipendiary stewards in the metropolitan area on a salary of £500 a year. The term of the contract lasted until 1 August 1904. He continued his association with Parkes Jockey Club but was also involved with other racing clubs in the region. The Western Champion 7 December 1906 reported that 'Mr Arthur Hutton, of Coradgery, who has been appointed handicapper for Peak Hill Jockey Club, is a keen sport and is regarded as being " as straight as a gun barrel".' From January 1909 Arthur held the position of stipendiary steward of the Western District Racing Association before resigning to take up a similar position in Queensland in 1912. He only stayed in the Queensland position for three or four months. 

Arthur Hutton married Florence Hamilton in Sydney on 23 June 1915. They appear to have then lived in Sydney as a report in a newspaper in 1922 recorded that Arthur's sister, Katherine, visited them in Sydney when travelling to Queensland. Arthur William Hutton died in Sydney on 19 January 1930. He was 72.

For information about the NSW Citizens' Bushmen:
Australian War Memorial
Australian Military History of the Early Twentieth Century 

NSW Citizens' Bushmen

 On 28 February 1900 members of the New South Wales Citizen's Bushmen marched from their base at Kensington to the ship that was to take them to South Africa. A description of the procession and the reaction of the crowd is described in the following article from the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate Thursday 1 March 1900.

The Bushmen's Contingent. A MAGNIFICENT SEND OFF SYDNEY, Wednesday. 

The departure of the New South Wales portion of the Bushmen's Contingent this afternoon was brilliantly successful in every respect. The enthusiasm displayed on the occasions of the departure of the other contingents was fully sustained, and the men were accorded a splendid reception. The excursion train service arranged by the railway authorities enabled many thousands of country visitors who under other circumstances would have been unable to visit Sydney to witness the demonstration. The line of the procession was crowded, and every vantage point was packed. A very pretty effect was secured in several places by lines of streamers and flags being suspended across the streets. The weather was very dull during the morning, with strong indications of rain, but notwithstanding these unfavourable conditions the numbers of people who gathered to assist in the send-off were as large as the great concourse which assembled to say farewell to the last contingent. 

Leaving the Kensington camp at 1 o'clock, headed by Colonel Airey, and amidst the cheers of the general staff and the crowd at the gates, the Bushmen's Contingent proceeded along the Randwick-road and arrived at the Moore Park rendezvous in good time. The scene from the balcony of the Captain Cook Hotel, a fine point of vantage, was a most imposing one. The brilliant uniforms of the Lancers mingled with the spotless white of the men of the Royal Navy, of whom there were about 250 present. There was also a great muster of cadets, about 2000 strong, to take part in the procession. The long lines of horse men stretched far down the road until lost to view. Major-General French was early upon the scene, accompanied by Colonel Mackenzie, A.A.G., Lieut. Griffiths, and Lieut. Timothy. Some little time was spent in forming the procession. 

As the bands struck up and the procession moved off the enthusiasm was very great, and the cheering deafening. 

 The public could not crowd in upon the men, as was the case with the Second Contingent on the day of embarkation, as to-day the prancing horses kept the enthusiasts back. Many of the men wore flowers, or some other token of affection from their loved ones. The procession, including the cadets, must have comprised some 4000 persons. Dense crowds thronged the line of route, and as the troops passed along Fitzroy and Bourke streets, and thence onward through the city, the waiting thousands caught up and swelled the volume of cheering with which the citizens bade farewell to their soldiers. 

From Moore Park to Woolloomooloo Bay the march was a triumphant one, the Bush men being cheered from the footways, the windows, balconies, roofs, and fences along the whole line. The men reached the wharf shortly after 3 o'clock, and immediately dismounted, and unsaddled and fastened their horses. The arrangements were all that could be desired, the organisation appearing to be much better than that displayed on former occasions. Before proceeding on board the steamers the Bushmen were drawn up in the form of a square in front of a covered platform, which was occupied by Sir Frederick Darley, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Premier, the Chief Secretary, and other members of the Ministry; Major-General French, and a small number of visitors. Sir Frederick, who was received with cheers, read a telegram he had received from Sir Alfred Milner, High Commissioner of South Africa, dated 27th February, to the following effect: "Cronje surrendered. Delighted to congratulate you upon the noble share taken by the troops of your colony."

[The Lieutenant-Governor then made a speech encouraging the men in their endeavours. This was followed by a speech by the Premier.]

The Premier, who was received with great cheers, said that when the news arrived the night before last that the reverses which hitherto had met the British arms in South Africa were changed, he was asked whether the Bushmen would now go. Of course he answered that they would go. That news had caused the greatest enthusiasm in Australia and throughout the world, but it was not good to anticipate that there would be no further trouble and opposition in South Africa. He believed there would be further opposition, and further fighting, but if there were to be no further fighting after they arrived they (the Bushmen) deserved as much credit as if they had gone with the first lot. (Cheers.) They volunteered at a time when they anticipated very severe fighting, and their courage in volunteering at such a time to support the honour of the Empire was deserving of the greatest credit. The misfortune had been that the Government could not accept all the volunteers who wanted to enlist. They had to reject many good men. They were no idle words that he (Mr. Lyne) had spoken on the last occasion, such as this, when he said a generous Government and a generous public would look after their loved ones. (Cheers.) Already, as Parliament was not in session, he had taken the necessary steps to look after those dependent upon the men who had fallen already at the front. (Cheers.) He made these remarks on an occasion of great solemnity, which he believed Parliament and the country would support to the fullest extent. He felt extremely proud of this brigade, who were somewhat different from the others who had gone. (Cheers.) He advised them to follow the advice of the Lieutenant-Governor, and not be too reckless. They would give a good account of themselves. He knew they could sit firm and ride straight, and the colonies of the Empire were sitting firm and riding straight. He knew they would reflect credit on this country, and on themselves. He hoped they would return and they would be received back with proud and open hearts, and if any should die they would receive a fitting memorial The Governor had sent him a message asking him to say good-bye, and to thank them for their courage and loyalty.

[Following some additional speeches, the men boarded the troopships Atlantian and  Maplemore to sail to South Africa].