1st Australian Signal Troop, AIF

History

Below is a transcription from a manuscript submitted by by Major R. Smith called 1st Australian Signal Troop. This is Page 4.

History of the Wireless Sections after being detached from 1st Signal Troop.

It did not take the Detachment long to become proficient and on the 8th both sections went on board the H.M.T. Andania and every morning landing practice was carried out by means of rowing ashore and erecting stations, making it more interesting through being competitive tests between No.’s 1 and 2 Detachments, on one occasion both "Dets" tied at erecting from the rowing boats in 4 min 20 secs., easily a record.

On the evening of the 24th both "Dets", were attached to the 29th Inf. Divn. (English) and everyone was exited for we learned the landing was to take place the following day.

That night we steamed out everybody cheering, bands playing, dozens of Transports and Warships were slowly moving out, making in all truly a soul stirring sight. We were advised to take advantage of a full nights rest as we would be at it early in the morning.

The sound of a terrific bombardment awakened everybody, who dressed hurriedly and went on deck, it was still dark and. one could see the Men-O-War by the light of their own salvoes.

Dawn revealed to us a most fantastic sight, there stood Achi Baba wreathed in mist and smoke, every few seconds it seemingly caught alight, while the foreshores were defined by the sea ending in smoke, dust and flame, it seemed impossible that human beings could live in such an inferno.

Rowing boats were being towed shorewards by naval pinnaces and would discharge their human cargo and return for more.

At 0500 the Andania anchored off "X" Beach and we saw one Batt. of Royal Fusiliers land and make good the cliffs.

Our Wireless Detachments then followed next with the G.O.C. of 87 Inf. Bde and Staff.

Landed O.K. but was exposed to a bit of sniping.

At 0645 the No.2 Detachment had erected and was carrying on directing the fire of H.M.S. Implacable who was very and doing splendid work.

Rest was impossible during the day also far into the night and we were feeling the strain, when the Turks counter heavily. Every available man was ordered to line the ridge above and we took up our position on top minus two men i.e. Operator on duty and the Engine Driver.

The Andania lowered her boats in readiness to take us on board if necessary.

There seemed to be no likelihood of our party having to hold the Cliff so it was decided to carry up ammunition to the support line, this was made very hard by the drizzling rain making the steep cliffs very slippery and two boxes of ammunition did not allow one the freedom of ones hands to take advantage of the bushes growing there and which were stout enough for one to pull up by.

The attack was repulsed by 01.30 and at dawn all was fairly quiet, during the day our Troops gained ground.

Our main job was directing the fire of various men-o-war receiving the corrections from the aeroplanes and transmitting them on to the Fleet, this kept the Dets, very busy indeed however, we were rewarded for our work by seeing the effect of the redirected fire and the Troops gaining ground and lastly through being complimented on our work by the G.O.C. and the Naval Wireless Officer. 

Further Reading:

1st Signal Troop

1st Australian Light Horse Brigade  

Anzac Mounted Division

Citation: 1st Australian Signal Troop, Page 4

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 12 April 2009 6:44 PM EADT

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1st Australian Signal Troop, AIF

History

Below is a transcription from a manuscript submitted by by Major R. Smith called 1st Australian Signal Troop. This is Page 5.

History of the Wireless Sections after being detached from 1st Signal Troop.

April 28th 1915

No. 2 Det. moved to Gully Beach, about 3 miles from X Beach and worked between forward O.P and the Fleet.

No. 1 Det. moved to De Totts Battery on the south shore east of Sad-el-Bahr.

There was a good deal of sniping on to Gully Beach from the snipers hidden in front, also at De Totts Battery and there the N.C.O i.e. No. 1 "Det". Sgt. Metcher was wounded through the leg.

So far No. 2 "Det." had no causalities and remained at Gully Beach about 4 days, quite as comfortable as circumstances would permit, rations and water were plentiful.

May 2nd.

At dusk No. 2 "Det". dismantled station and eventually arrived at our new destination which was about 1 mile E of the lighthouse on Helles, here the station was re-erected and spotting work for the Fleet was carried on.

No. 1 "Det". took over the position vacated by No. 2 "Det." at Gully Beach and both Dets. remained in this position until ordered to rejoin the 1st Signal Troop which they did at Anzac on the 31/5/15.

The strength of the sections and the equipment at their disposal was inadequate to cope with the amount of work which had to be done so another set of receiving; instruments was given each section for special use with the aeroplanes in addition to this ground signals for use with the planes had to be operated for calling planes back to their aerodromes etc.

From this time on until the 9th May things ran fairly smoothly there being just the different shoots to work on but on the 9th at 16.45 an exceptionally heavy bombardment was opened and the sections were kept busy right up till dusk. There was a good deal of hostile fire onto our positions, the area in which the wireless (No. 2) stood fell in for its share and one of the Operators was wounded.

For the next 3 weeks there was just the daily work between aeroplane and navy and both 'sections went on board a trawler and landed at Anzac on 31/5/13.

COMMISSIONS.

Of the original members of the 1st Signal Troop the following obtained commissions during the war.

Hoddinott    Farnes Latham   
Masters    Shaw    Matthews
Metcher    Fitton    Larkin
Sutherland    Cash    Ward
Mustard    Westerman    Bate
Turnbull    Fahey    Dugan
Letch    Stinson    Wills

The following decorations were awarded to members of the Troop during the war.

Mentions in Despatch. 5.
M.C. 7
D.C.M. 3
D.F.C. 1
M. M. 2
C. de G. 2
Order of the Nile 1

Further Reading:

1st Signal Troop

1st Australian Light Horse Brigade  

Anzac Mounted Division

Citation: 1st Australian Signal Troop, Page 5

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 12 April 2009 6:46 PM EADT

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The Battle of Rafa

Sinai, 9 January 1917

1st Troop, War Diary Account

1st Signal Troop, War Diary Account

El Arish 8 January 1917

1630 Signal Troops moved out with 1st Light Horse Brigade to attack Rafa via Sheikh Zowaiid.


Rafa 9 January 1917

0930 1st Light Horse Brigade went into action taking up position south of enemy entrenchments with New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on right and 3rd Light Horse Brigade on our left. Brigade Headquarters was established on a ridge ¾ of a mile from Divisional Headquarters and a line was laid to 1st Light Horse Regiment who occupied a ridge about 2 miles north of Brigade Headquarters.

1015 About 1015 the 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments moved forward and took up positions on the right and left of 1st Light Horse Regiment these two regiments were connected by lateral lines laid from each respective Regimental Headquarters to 1st Light Horse Regiment Headquarters. Brigade Headquarters then moved forward and occupied position previously held by 1st Light Horse Regiment and a line was then laid from the old position to Division Headquarters thus connecting the Regiments and Brigade Headquarters to Divisional Headquarters by telephone.

1730 Enemy position carried at about 1730 and as Brigade was under orders to withdraw to Sheikh Zowaiid as soon as possible the 4 miles of D1 Telephone cable had to be left we left Rafa for Sheikh Zowaiid at 1930 arriving there 0130 watered horses and bivouacked for night.

 

Sheikh Zowaiid 10 January 1917

Left Sheikh Zowaiid for El Arish and returned to cam at 1215.

War Diaries

All War Diaries cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:

Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy 

Further Reading:

1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

1st Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour 

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour

The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, 1st Signal Troop, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Friday, 28 January 2011 11:38 AM EAST

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1st LH Sig Trp, AIF

1st Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll: A - Z

The following is a composite alphabetical roll of all members of 1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF who are known to have embarked overseas during the Great War.

Each man is listed with:

Service Number

Rank at Embarkation

First Names

Family Name

If applicable, the false name used

Notes

Note 1: All soldiers’ names are linked to the specific unit and date when embarkation occurred. By utilising the link, upon the Embarkation Roll is a brief military biography of the individual. Also on the page are details and picture of the ship in which embarkation occurred for that specific soldier.

Note 2: There are duplications of some names in the following list. The reason for this is that the soldier embarked on more than one occasion. This was the simplest way of resolving the problem of multiple entries for a single individual.

Note 3: In comparing this roll with the official Embarkation Rolls published by the Department of Defence during the Great War, it will be noticed that some names are absent. The reason for this lies in the fact that when the official Embarkation Rolls were compiled, last minute absentees for one reason or another were recorded as embarking whereas in actuality, no embarkation occurred. In addition, there are other names that have been included that do not appear in the official Embarkation Rolls and yet they embarked with that particular group.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll: A - Z

Frederick Rupert ASPINALL.

 

David Underwood BEATTIE.

Hubert Douglas BILLINGS.

Wilfred James BUNKER.

Francis Douglas BURRELL.

 

Harvey Ronald CARTER.

Ernest Victor CASH.

George Fenton CHATFIELD.

Edwin COLLETT.

William Henry James CONNELL.

Charles COX.

 

D’Arcy Roy DODDYNS.

Herbert Henry DOUTHIE.

John Ligate DOWNIE.

Edward William DOWNING.

John Norman DUGAN.

John Patrick DUGGAN.

 

Robert Samuel FARNES.

Norman FAROE.

Bernard John FENNESSY.

Leslie FERRIER.

Albert Henry FITTON.

Arthur Joseph FOSTER.

James Roderick Hector FRANKLIN.

William Tullageroopna FRASER.

Norman Alfred FREAN.

John FREELAND.

 

Henry Dalton GILES.

Frederick Magnus GILLBERG.

Joseph James GILLIES.

Walter GOTZ.

Joseph GRAHAM.

Thomas James GREENE.

 

Arthur Ernest HAMILTON.

George Manson HAMILTON.

Harold HANSEN.

William Rochfort HEMMING.

John Dudley HOBBS.

Rupert Uriah HODDINOTT.

Eric HOLLAND.

Samuel Robinson HOPPER.

 

Thomas JAMES.

Frank Norman Elliott JENKINS.

 

George Charles KEENAN.

Arthur Leslie Victor KING.

Reginald Costerfield KIRKPATRICK.

Leslie Thomas KNIGHT.

 

Herbert Joseph LARKIN.

John LATHAM.

William James LATHAM.

David William LEE.

Sydney Stutley LEMPRIERE.

Harold Alexander LETCH.

 

Herbert Victor MASTERS.

Royston Oliver Carr MATTHEWS.

Leslie Donald McRAE.

Ormond Frederick METCHER.

Stanley Albert MITCHELL.

Michael James Patrick MONAGHAN.

Ray Hector Urban MONTY.

Henry Walter MOORE.

Thomas William MOWER.

Ernest Andrew MUSTARD.

 

Melville Stuart OPIE.

 

Frank Rhodes PENHALE.

Thomas Alexander PERROTT.

Arthur John PICKEN.

Thomas Alfred Stanley PICKFORD.

Jeffrey William PLAYFOOT.

Robert Henry Wilson POWER.

 

Olaf Edwin RAWSON.

Johan Leonard REHNSTROM.

James Drury RISBRIDGER.

 

Aubrey Jeffrey SALMON.

John Frederick SHAW.

Athol Campbell SMITH.

Garland Joseph SMITH.

Wilfred STEEL.

Charles George James STINSON.

Arthur Lawrence SULLIVAN.

Leslie William SUTHERLAND.

 

Sydney Henderson TREYVAUD.

Arthur Frederick TRICKS.

Irving Thomas Gardiner TURNBULL.

 

Herbert Charles VANNER.

 

Albert George WALDRON.

Edward Percival WALDRON.

Walter Frederick WATKINS.

Arthur William WHEILDON.

Christopher William WILLIAMS.

Frederick Arthur WILLIAMS.

John McGregor WILLS.

William Leonard WINTER.

Albert Jackson WRIGLEY.

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

1st Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour 

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 7 March 2010 7:07 PM EAST

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1st LH Sig Trp, AIF

1st Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, Headquarters Section

1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, Headquarters Section, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October 1914.

The HMAT A10 Karroo weighed 6,127 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 3 January 1917.

The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:

Rank on embarkation;

Full name of the soldier

Declared age of the soldier;

The last occupation held;

The last address as a civilian;

Enlistment Date; and,

Fate.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll

 

17 Sapper Frederick Rupert ASPINALL, a 20 year old Glazier from Ascot Vale, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

 

40 Sapper David Underwood BEATTIE, a 32 year old Carpenter from Kelvin Grove, Queensland. He enlisted on 24 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 21 April 1916.

14 Sapper Hubert Douglas BILLINGS, a 20 year old Clerk from Brighton Beech, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 3 December 1918.

23 Shoeing Smith Francis Douglas BURRELL, a 23 year old Farrier from Albert Park, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

 

8 Driver Ernest Victor CASH, a 20 year old Law Clerk from Hawksburn, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 July 1916.

15 Sapper Charles COX, a 19 year old Motor body Builder from North Fitzroy, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently was Discharged in Egypt, 17 February 1917.

 

28 Sapper D’Arcy Roy DODDYNS, a 20 year old Engineer from Ashfield, New South Wales. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

Captain Edward William DOWNING, a 28 year old Agent from Moonie Ponds, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 28 February 1917.

36 Sapper John Norman DUGAN, a 19 year old Electrical Engineer from Randwick, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 26 July 1919.

 

11 Sapper Robert Samuel FARNES, a 21 year old Tea Blender from South Melbourne, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 28 June 1919.

16 Sapper Norman FAROE, a 19 year old Clerk from Middle Park, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 February 1918.

30 Sapper Albert Henry FITTON, a 24 year old Telegraphist from Banksia, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 18 December 1918.

18 Sapper James Roderick Hector FRANKLIN, a 27 year old Wood Machinist from Collingwood, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 December 1918.

26 Sapper Norman Alfred FREAN, a 22 year old Cycle builder from East Caulfield, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 27 August 1915.

 

19 Sapper Joseph James GILLIES, a 30 year old Clerk from Kerang, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 20 November 1917.

45 Sapper Walter GOTZ, a 23 year old Mechanic from Port Melbourne, Victoria. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 17 July 1916.

 

34 Sapper John Dudley HOBBS, a 21 year old Bank Clerk from Marrickville, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

25 Sapper Rupert Uriah HODDINOTT, a 24 year old Surveyor from Anderson Railway Station, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 9 July 1919.

7 Driver Eric HOLLAND, a 21 year old Driver from Essendon, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

 

21 Sapper Frank Norman Elliott JENKINS, a 23 year old Clerk from Malvern, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 18 December 1915.

 

5 Corporal Herbert Joseph LARKIN, a 20 year old Clerk from St Kilda, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Discharged in Britain, 1 May 1916.

10 Driver John LATHAM, a 33 year old Butcher from Richmond, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 7 January 1919.

1 TSM William James LATHAM, a 36 year old Butcher from Ascot Vale, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 10 July 1919.

9 Driver Sydney Stutley LEMPRIERE, a 25 year old Modeller from Collingwood, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 June 1916.

6 Corporal Harold Alexander LETCH, a 20 year old Clerk from Hampton, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently was Killed in Action, 22 August 1918.

 

3 Sergeant Herbert Victor MASTERS, a 31 year old Brass finisher from Stanmore, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and subsequently Died of Accident, 15 April 1918.

29 Sapper Royston Oliver Carr MATTHEWS, a 24 year old Wireless operator from Wireless Ltd Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 6 May 1919.

2 Sergeant Ormond Frederick METCHER, a 25 year old Planter from Northcote, Victoria. He enlisted on 22 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.

20 Sapper Michael James Patrick MONAGHAN, a 37 year old Labourer from Richmond, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 9 February 1916.

32 Sapper Ray Hector Urban MONTY, a 20 year old Clerk from Waverley, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 5 November 1918.

24 Sapper Henry Walter MOORE, a 24 year old Tailor’s cutter from Burnley, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 23 December 1918.

13 Sapper Ernest Andrew MUSTARD, a 21 year old Rail porter from North Fitzroy, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.

 

37 Sapper Frank Rhodes PENHALE, a 33 year old Labourer from Pinnacle Station via Grenfell, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 13 October 1918.

35 Sapper Robert Henry Wilson POWER, a 20 year old Clerk from Melbourne, Victoria. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 4 June 1919.

 

33 Sapper John Frederick SHAW, a 22 year old Postal worker from Newcastle, New South Wales. He enlisted on 17 August 1914; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain, 18 April 1915.

39 Sapper Athol Campbell SMITH, a 20 year old Telegraphist from Pilliga, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 August 1914; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain, 19 October 1917.

41 Sapper Wilfred STEEL, a 26 year old Mechanic from Melbourne, Victoria. He enlisted on 24 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 21 January 1916.

38 Sapper Charles George James STINSON, a 20 year old Telegraphist from Cowra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 18 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.

4 Corporal Leslie William SUTHERLAND, a 21 year old Carpenter from Murrumbeena, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 March 1919.

 

43 Sapper Irving Thomas Gardiner TURNBULL, a 27 year old Soldier RAGA from Footscray, Victoria. He enlisted on 3 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 19 September 1918.

 

44 Sapper Christopher William WILLIAMS, a 23 year old Salesman from Fitzroy, Victoria. He enlisted on 4 September 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

27 Sapper John McGregor WILLS, a 19 year old Electrician from Caulfield, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 3 March 1919.

12 Sapper Albert Jackson WRIGLEY, a 20 year old Plumber from East Prahran, Victoria. He enlisted on 19 August 1914; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 15 November 1918.

 

Previous:  1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

Next: 1st Reinforcement

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

1st Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

1st Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour 

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 7 March 2010 8:27 PM EAST

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