Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Friday, 29 August 2014
Memorial at Church of St Mathieu
In the village of Oingt in the Beaujolais region of France can be found the Church of Saint Mathieu - its history dating back to the eleventh century.
Inside the church is a memorial to The Children of Oingt who Died for France 1914-1919.
War memorial at Belleville
Most towns have a war memorial. Some are in prominent places in the town while others are not so easily discovered. We found this memorial in Belleville, France.
Like most memorials it was erected as a memorial for the First World War but was later altered to also be a Second World War memorial.
War memorial of Tournon
Like many towns on the Rhone River in France, Tournon has a castle. On the wall of the castle, facing the river, is a war memorial created by the sculptor Antoine Sartorio (1885-1988) and inaugurated on 19 June 1922.
The memorial shows a figure of Victory bringing two laurel wreaths to those who died. Names of those who died during the Second World War were added later below the sculpture.
Measuring more than 11 metres in height, it is a most impressive monument.
Antoine Sartorio was a French soldier during the First World War. He had studied art at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and after the war was commissioned to work on a number of war memorials, including the memorial at Tournon.
Viewing the monument on 4 August 2014, the centenary of the day that war was officially declared in Europe, made the experience even more significant.
Antoine Sartorio was a French soldier during the First World War. He had studied art at the Beaux-Arts de Paris and after the war was commissioned to work on a number of war memorials, including the memorial at Tournon.
Viewing the monument on 4 August 2014, the centenary of the day that war was officially declared in Europe, made the experience even more significant.
War memorial at Avignon
A short walk from the Palace of the Popes in Avignon is a park called the Rocher des Doms which is on a hill providing views of the river and beyond from the lookout. As you enter the park from the cathedral entrance you will find a memorial to those from this area who died during World War I and World War II.
The memorial was originally dedicated to those who died during the First World War however an additional section on the sides was added after the Second World War.
Continuing up the path you come to another memorial, this time to Jews from the Vaucluse area who were sent to Nazi extermination camps between 1942 and 1944.
This memorial was unveiled on 23 April 2010 to remember the 422 Jews, including 54 children, sent to the camps.
Continuing up the path you come to another memorial, this time to Jews from the Vaucluse area who were sent to Nazi extermination camps between 1942 and 1944.
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Australian Imperial Force - part 2
David Christopher Anderson (Service No. 5030) enlisted on 29 January 1916. As a member of the 7th Battalion Reinforcements he embarked aboard HMAT Suffolk A23 for Egypt on 1 April 1916. On 28 May 1916 he transferred to the Cyclist Training Battalion until 7 September.
Australian Cyclist Corps
The AIF Cyclist Corps was formed in Egypt in 1916, and fought in France and Belgium. Some of the recruits at Broadmeadows Training Depot had received initial training from 1915. Bicyles had also been used as a form of transport in the army before the formation of official corps.
The Australian War Memorial website has a detailed article about the Cyclist Corps entitled The Bicycle In Warfare. The article states that "it is not well known that the AIF had cycling units that were used in
many of the major battles during the First World War such as Messines in
June 1917, and Passchendale July 1917. These units were deployed to
the front line as well as undertaking cable burying, traffic control and
reconnaissance work."
David Anderson transferred to the 46th Battn AIF 4th Australian Division and served in France where he appears to have fought in the infantry.
Cycling to War: the history of the AIF / NZ Cyclist Corps 1916-1919 by Ronald J Austin is available from the Australian War Memorial.
Australian Corps Workshops
On 15 April 1919 David Anderson completed his military service in the Australian Corps Workshops. The soldiers role was to maintain and repair equipment required by the AIF. The Australian War Memorial has a series of images of the Australian Corps Workshop in Jeune, France in 1919. Two of the images appear below:
Although the war officially ended on 11 November 1918 it was many months before the peace negotiations were finalised. The Versailles Peace Treaty was signed by leaders of participating countries on 19 June 1919.
In October 1918, after the Battle of Montbrehain, the Australian troops in France had withdrawn to regroup and refit for forthcoming battles. They were not needed on the front again. After the Armistice soldiers were not immediately withdrawn from France and when the troops were sent home it was a gradual process. The Australian War Memorial provides a brief outline of the process.
As Australian forces were not part of the occupation forces sent to Germany as part of the post war settlement it was possible to start returning troops home when ships became available. Lieutenant-General Sir John Monash was in charge of the repatriation and demobilisation of Australians from Europe. Instead of returning men by units it was decided that men who had been away from Australia the longest should return home first. However due to the size of the forces needing to be returned home plus the logistical requirements involved in bringing them home the process of repatriation took most of 1919. Schemes were developed to occupy the troops while they waited and to help prepare them for the return to civilian life. Some of the men took part in such courses while others took the opportunity to explore parts of France and Britain. This may explain why David Anderson transferred to the Australian Corps Workshops in April 1919 before he returned to Australia in October 1919.
Stretcher bearers
The third brother, Frederick Anderson (Service No. 2572), was a member of the Second Pioneer Battalion and arrived in France in January 1917. For his courage as a stretcher bearer at Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 Frederick Anderson was awarded the Military Medal. Stretcher bearers were an essential part of army units in retrieving the wounded for medical attention and also the dead when safe to do so. Each soldier had an emergency field dressing to apply if wounded but they would have to then wait until it was safe for stretcher bearers to try and rescue them. Dr Emily Mayhew has made a study of stretcher bearers in the First World War and writes that the basic first aid provided by some stretcher bearers was instrumental in saving lives - Uncovering the unsung medical heroes. More detail in an article on British stretcher bearers is provided in the article - Stretcher bearers - on Spartacus Educational. The Australian War Memorial article on Medical personnel includes a section on stretcher bearers.
Australian Cyclist Corps
The AIF Cyclist Corps was formed in Egypt in 1916, and fought in France and Belgium. Some of the recruits at Broadmeadows Training Depot had received initial training from 1915. Bicyles had also been used as a form of transport in the army before the formation of official corps.
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| Image from The Bicycle in Warfare |
David Anderson transferred to the 46th Battn AIF 4th Australian Division and served in France where he appears to have fought in the infantry.
Cycling to War: the history of the AIF / NZ Cyclist Corps 1916-1919 by Ronald J Austin is available from the Australian War Memorial.
Australian Corps Workshops
On 15 April 1919 David Anderson completed his military service in the Australian Corps Workshops. The soldiers role was to maintain and repair equipment required by the AIF. The Australian War Memorial has a series of images of the Australian Corps Workshop in Jeune, France in 1919. Two of the images appear below:
 | ||||
| A truck carrying German Prisoners of War outside Australian Corp Workshop building |
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| Interior of Mess Hut |
In October 1918, after the Battle of Montbrehain, the Australian troops in France had withdrawn to regroup and refit for forthcoming battles. They were not needed on the front again. After the Armistice soldiers were not immediately withdrawn from France and when the troops were sent home it was a gradual process. The Australian War Memorial provides a brief outline of the process.
As Australian forces were not part of the occupation forces sent to Germany as part of the post war settlement it was possible to start returning troops home when ships became available. Lieutenant-General Sir John Monash was in charge of the repatriation and demobilisation of Australians from Europe. Instead of returning men by units it was decided that men who had been away from Australia the longest should return home first. However due to the size of the forces needing to be returned home plus the logistical requirements involved in bringing them home the process of repatriation took most of 1919. Schemes were developed to occupy the troops while they waited and to help prepare them for the return to civilian life. Some of the men took part in such courses while others took the opportunity to explore parts of France and Britain. This may explain why David Anderson transferred to the Australian Corps Workshops in April 1919 before he returned to Australia in October 1919.
Stretcher bearers
The third brother, Frederick Anderson (Service No. 2572), was a member of the Second Pioneer Battalion and arrived in France in January 1917. For his courage as a stretcher bearer at Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 Frederick Anderson was awarded the Military Medal. Stretcher bearers were an essential part of army units in retrieving the wounded for medical attention and also the dead when safe to do so. Each soldier had an emergency field dressing to apply if wounded but they would have to then wait until it was safe for stretcher bearers to try and rescue them. Dr Emily Mayhew has made a study of stretcher bearers in the First World War and writes that the basic first aid provided by some stretcher bearers was instrumental in saving lives - Uncovering the unsung medical heroes. More detail in an article on British stretcher bearers is provided in the article - Stretcher bearers - on Spartacus Educational. The Australian War Memorial article on Medical personnel includes a section on stretcher bearers.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Frederick Martin Anderson
Frederick Anderson (Service No. 2572) enlisted on 5 June
1916. His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial, Nunawading -
returned and Vermont State School honour board.
The Attestation forms that can be viewed in the record for Frederick in Discovering Anzacs state that he was born in Ringwood and enlisted in Melbourne. He was born in 1886 and was 29 years 6 months when he enlisted. His father, Martin Anderson was listed as next of kin and the address on the form was Vermont Post Office. Frederick's occupation was listed as orchardist.
The Medical Report describes Frederick's height as 5 feet 5 1/4 inches, weight 154 lbs, complexion medium, eyes blue and hair brown. Religious denomination was given as Methodist. He was passed fit for service on 15 June 1916 and appointed to 5th Reinforcements, 2nd Pioneer Battallion,Seymour on 15 August 1916. The following link provides information about the Second Australian Pioneer Battalion AIF.
Frederick embarked aboard HMAT Karoo A10 on 18 September 1916 and diembarked at Plymouth on 15 November. They proceeded to France from Folkstone aboard the Princess Victoria on 31 December 1916 arriving on 1 January 1917.
Frederick Anderson was awarded the Military Medal for action in the Battle of Montbrehain on 5 October 1918. This was the final battle in which Australians were involved. One of the papers in Frederick Anderson's file describes his actions.
A number of websites provide information about the battle:
Battle of Montbrehain
Fourth Australian Division Memorial
Montbrehain - last Australian battle
Frederick emarked on the Chemnitz to return to Australia on 7 July 1919 and disembarked at Melbourne on 5 September 1919. Trove includes two articles from The Argus regarding the return of the troops.
TROOPS RETURNING Two Disembarkations To-day
Frederick Martin Anderson was awarded
the Military Medal (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 17th October 1919)
the British War Medal
the Victory Medal
the 1914/15 Star
The Attestation forms that can be viewed in the record for Frederick in Discovering Anzacs state that he was born in Ringwood and enlisted in Melbourne. He was born in 1886 and was 29 years 6 months when he enlisted. His father, Martin Anderson was listed as next of kin and the address on the form was Vermont Post Office. Frederick's occupation was listed as orchardist.
The Medical Report describes Frederick's height as 5 feet 5 1/4 inches, weight 154 lbs, complexion medium, eyes blue and hair brown. Religious denomination was given as Methodist. He was passed fit for service on 15 June 1916 and appointed to 5th Reinforcements, 2nd Pioneer Battallion,Seymour on 15 August 1916. The following link provides information about the Second Australian Pioneer Battalion AIF.
Frederick embarked aboard HMAT Karoo A10 on 18 September 1916 and diembarked at Plymouth on 15 November. They proceeded to France from Folkstone aboard the Princess Victoria on 31 December 1916 arriving on 1 January 1917.
Frederick Anderson was awarded the Military Medal for action in the Battle of Montbrehain on 5 October 1918. This was the final battle in which Australians were involved. One of the papers in Frederick Anderson's file describes his actions.
Private Frederick Martin Anderson
On the morning of 5th October 1918, near MONTBREHAIN,
north of St Quentin he acted as a stretcher bearer for his platoon. Throughout
the whole of the operations this man greatly distinguished himself by his
gallantry and devotion to duty in bandaging and in bringing in wounded, may
times rescued under exceptionally heavy point blank enemy fire – regardless of
the danger to which he exposed himself. He was instrumental in saving the lives
of many of his comrades.
A number of websites provide information about the battle:
Battle of Montbrehain
Fourth Australian Division Memorial
Montbrehain - last Australian battle
Frederick emarked on the Chemnitz to return to Australia on 7 July 1919 and disembarked at Melbourne on 5 September 1919. Trove includes two articles from The Argus regarding the return of the troops.
TROOPS RETURNING Two Disembarkations To-day
Two contingents of Victorian troops will disembark at Port
Melbourne to-day. The men from the s.s. Chemnitz will land at 10 o'clock, and
those from the s.s. Prinz Ludwig at 4 o'clock. In each case they will be taken
to the A.I.F. depot, where relatives and friends should await their arrival.
Nearly 700 men are returning on the s.s. Chemnitz, and about 300 on the s s
Prinz Ludwig, and in order that they may be conveyed to the depot in comfort
motorists are urged to assist. Those willing to do so should assemble at the
new pier at the hours mentioned. Nearly 200 cars will be required.
The Argus 5 September 1919 page 8
TROOPS
RETURNING Two Disembarkations Yesterday
Over 1000
men returned on the transports Chemnitz and Prinz Ludwig yesterday. They were
given a cordial welcome by members of the public and at the A I F depot where
they were taken for final examination, they met relatives and friends.
The Argus 6 September 1919 page 18
Frederick Martin Anderson was awarded
the Military Medal (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 17th October 1919)
the British War Medal
the Victory Medal
the 1914/15 Star
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
David Christopher Anderson
David Christopher Anderson (Service No. 5030) enlisted on 29 January 1916. His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial, Nunawading - returned and Vermont State School honour board.
The Attestation forms that can be viewed in the record for David in Discovering Anzacs state that David was born in Melbourne and enlisted in Melbourne. He was born in 1892 and was 23 years 5 months when he enlisted. His father, Martin Anderson was listed as next of kin and the address on the form was Vermont Post Office via Mitcham. David's occupation was listed as driver though in the electoral rolls immediately before and after the war the occupation was expanded to engine driver.
The Medical Report describes David's height as 5 feet 6 1/4 inches, weight 138 lbs, complexion fresh, eyes blue and hair brown. Religious denomination was given as C of E (Anglican). He was passed fit for service on 29 January 1916 and sent to the Reinforcements, Bendigo Depot until 9 March. On 10 March 1915 he was transferred to 7th Battalion AIF Reinforcements at Broadmeadows.
David embarked aboard HMAT Suffolk A23 on 1 April 1916. They travelled to Alexandria arriving possibly in mid May. On 28 May 1916 he transferred to the Cyclist Training Battalion until 7 September. Cyclists had been used to some extent during the Boer War but conditions on the Western Front were not really conducive to the use of bicycles in combat and when the fighting was on open plains bicycles were not as effective as cavalry. The cyclists were therefore mainly used as despatch riders. The following link provides information about the Anzac Cyclist Battalion. On 29 May David Anderson embarked on the HMT Briton at Alexandria to travel to England and disembarked at Plymouth on 8 June 1916.
On 8 September 1916 David transferred to the 46th Battalion AIF as a Private until 16 July 1917. On 22 September he embarked for France and joined the unit on 4 October 1916. He was detached to 12 Brigade Headquarters from 6 June 1917 until 26 June when he rejoined his unit. On 12 January 1918 he was detached for duty with 4th Australian Division Artillery.
One of the papers in David Anderson's file describes an incident in battle in July 1918.
46th Battn AIF 4th Australian Division
Australian Battlefields in France provides information about the battles occuring in France in July.
David's final posting was from 15 April 1919 to the Australian Corps Workshops until he was discharged from the AIF on 3 December 1919. The I Anzac Corps Workshops had been formed in May 1916 but when the Australian Corps was established the unit became the Australian Corps Workshops. The role of this unit was to maintain and repair engine equipment for Corps and Divisional units.
On17 July 1917 David Christopher Anderson was promoted to Lance Corporal.
On 19 July 1918 he was promoted to Temporary Corporal and then to Corporal on 8 October 1919.
David Anderson embarked on the Main for Australia on 11 October 1919.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (recommended 22 July 1922),
the Military Medal on 18 August 1918 (Australian Government Gazette 14 March 1919 page 427),
the British War Medal on 4 January 1923
the Victory Medal on 4 January 1923
the 1914/15 Star
The Attestation forms that can be viewed in the record for David in Discovering Anzacs state that David was born in Melbourne and enlisted in Melbourne. He was born in 1892 and was 23 years 5 months when he enlisted. His father, Martin Anderson was listed as next of kin and the address on the form was Vermont Post Office via Mitcham. David's occupation was listed as driver though in the electoral rolls immediately before and after the war the occupation was expanded to engine driver.
The Medical Report describes David's height as 5 feet 6 1/4 inches, weight 138 lbs, complexion fresh, eyes blue and hair brown. Religious denomination was given as C of E (Anglican). He was passed fit for service on 29 January 1916 and sent to the Reinforcements, Bendigo Depot until 9 March. On 10 March 1915 he was transferred to 7th Battalion AIF Reinforcements at Broadmeadows.
David embarked aboard HMAT Suffolk A23 on 1 April 1916. They travelled to Alexandria arriving possibly in mid May. On 28 May 1916 he transferred to the Cyclist Training Battalion until 7 September. Cyclists had been used to some extent during the Boer War but conditions on the Western Front were not really conducive to the use of bicycles in combat and when the fighting was on open plains bicycles were not as effective as cavalry. The cyclists were therefore mainly used as despatch riders. The following link provides information about the Anzac Cyclist Battalion. On 29 May David Anderson embarked on the HMT Briton at Alexandria to travel to England and disembarked at Plymouth on 8 June 1916.
On 8 September 1916 David transferred to the 46th Battalion AIF as a Private until 16 July 1917. On 22 September he embarked for France and joined the unit on 4 October 1916. He was detached to 12 Brigade Headquarters from 6 June 1917 until 26 June when he rejoined his unit. On 12 January 1918 he was detached for duty with 4th Australian Division Artillery.
One of the papers in David Anderson's file describes an incident in battle in July 1918.
46th Battn AIF 4th Australian Division
At SAILLY-le-Sec NE of CORBIE on night 7th/8th
July 1918 during an advance this N.C.O. was in charge of a rifle Grenade
section. The section was held up by enemy Machine Gun. Pte Anderson immediately
rushed the position, killing the gunner and putting the gun out of action, thus
allowing the section to advance. He displayed great courage and resourcefulness
during the whole operation.
Australian Battlefields in France provides information about the battles occuring in France in July.
David's final posting was from 15 April 1919 to the Australian Corps Workshops until he was discharged from the AIF on 3 December 1919. The I Anzac Corps Workshops had been formed in May 1916 but when the Australian Corps was established the unit became the Australian Corps Workshops. The role of this unit was to maintain and repair engine equipment for Corps and Divisional units.
On17 July 1917 David Christopher Anderson was promoted to Lance Corporal.
On 19 July 1918 he was promoted to Temporary Corporal and then to Corporal on 8 October 1919.
David Anderson embarked on the Main for Australia on 11 October 1919.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (recommended 22 July 1922),
the Military Medal on 18 August 1918 (Australian Government Gazette 14 March 1919 page 427),
the British War Medal on 4 January 1923
the Victory Medal on 4 January 1923
the 1914/15 Star
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