Friday 5th November, 1915: March through the City

The spring of 1915 saw Thomas celebrate his 23rd birthday, 3 days after his beloved Collingwood Football Team(i) was defeated by 33 points by archrival Carlton, in just the 18th VFL Grand Final. The spring of 1915 also saw Thomas continue with his military training with the 29th Battalion whilst his second cousin, Patrick Carrucan, having enlisted on the 19th July 1915, was discharged from the Australian Infantry Force on the 7th September, 1915 due to health related issues. Thanks to the Carrucan Chronicles, you can read about Patrick Carrucan by clicking here.
 
On Thursday 4th November, 1915, The Argus newspaper reported that the 29th (and 31st Battalion) were camped at the Broadmeadow's Military Training camp and were nearing the end of their training.  The following day, Friday 5th November, 1915, The Argus newspaper reported that the two battalions left Spencer Street railway station at 11.30am and marched around Melbourne's CBD to a cheering crowd of onlookers.  On page 19 of the The Argus newspaper, the battalions were described as "one of the most highly trained units that have paraded the city since the war began".  The newspaper article described the men has having above average physiques and "workmanlike appearance". It went on to say that "no other infantry unit from the Commonwealth has had such a thorough musketry training as they have received before embarking for Egypt."  To read the full newspaper article, click here. 

Of course it is important to understand the context in which this article was written.  The military and political establishments, which had witnessed a steady decline in enlistments since mid 1915, were desperately trying to coerce young men to join the AIF.  Hence, the article reads like an advertisment that attempts to create a favourable impression for those young men who were still contemplating joining the war.  War posters were also a powerful propaganda medium.  If you wish to view a slideshow of the war posters that were mass produced during late 1915 and 1916, click on Thomas' blog.

(i) I was told that our (Grand)father would  listen to Collingwood VFL matches on the radio each Saturday afternoon from New Zealand.

Wednesday 13th October, 1915: Assignment Day

Thomas had already received military training prior to enlisting in the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) in July 1915.  The Defence Acts of 1909 and 1910 made it compulsory for all able-bodied males, between the age of 12-22 year, to undergo military training and Thomas would have been no exception. Despite this, when he joined the Australian Infantry Force he was required to undertake more intensive military training at the Seymour and Broadmeadow’s training camps.  The Argus newspaper dated 18th August (p.12) reported that Thomas' 29th Battalion was undergoing military training in August 1915.

Thomas' military records reveal that on the 13th October 1915, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Bennett, commanding officer of the 29th Battalion, assigned him to the 29th Battalion, 'D' Company.  In subsequent posts, we will learn more about his assignment to 29th Battalion, 'D' company. 

The 29th Battalion's colours were the black/gold insignia shown below. When Thomas received his uniform, which was a baggy khaki battledress, slouch hat, puttees (long strips of cloth wound around his shins) and leather boots, the black/gold unit colors were sewn onto each shoulder.

Thomas' 29th Battalion unit colours




(This ribbon would have also been attached to each of the three war medals he received after the war)