WYKEHAM HENRY KOBA FREAME, DCM

an ANZAC in the family

WYKEHAM HENRY KOBA FREAME, DCM
War Diaries

War Diaries

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Page 4

We read in the War Diaries [14], from May until Auugust 1915, that

4th May, Anzac, 'Still extending & improving trenches - no attack'.

5th May, Same work - extending communication trenches on both flanks - Major Steil on left flank & Captain Scott on right'.

6th May, 'Heavily shelled for some hours. Beach was also shelled. Quiet night'.

7th May, 'Shelled all day - worked at trenches'.

8th May, 'Quiet day - at night Captain Carter & 100 men made road up from valley'.

9th May, 'Enemy attacked 4th Brigade on our left - at Colonel Monash's request opened fire & did good execution - Lt. Wells wounded & 3 men killed'.

10th May. 'Reinforcements joined - told off permanent surplus & observers'.

10th May, 'Checked equipment - received flash protectors for machine guns which continue to do excellent work with expenditure of very little ammunition'.

11th May, 'Completed communication trench to right flank'.

12th May, 'Colonel Dobbin was ordered to report sick & Major Kendon took over command - still digging sapping & sniping enemy quiet'.

13th May, 'No change - stood to arms at 3:45 am expecting attack'.

14th May, 'C & D Compnaies brought over to take place of 2 Companies 4th Battalion on our right'.

15th May, 'Conditions same - quiet'.

16th May, 'Conditions same - quiet'.

17th May, 'Enemy shelled us with 8" high explosive no damage done'.

18th May, 'Information received that attack imminent - 2 high explosive shells fell in trenches & killed 4 men & injured Captain Carter'.

19th May, 3am ' Attack by enemy in force for 4 hours - driven off with very heavy loss. Sgt. Cunningham killed & about [no number written] killed'.

10am 'Position normal - put in 8 steel loopholes. Sergeant FREAME & Pte. Vialls specially mentioned for distinguished work in recognizance'.

20th May, '15 wounded prisoners came into D Company'.

3:30pm Orders received to put up Red Cross Flag to bring in enemy's wounded but flag fired on'.

5:30 pm Enemy showed Red Crescent. Fire ceased - enemy stated their wish to remove wounded & bury dead - General Walker with newest [?] officers + arrangements made that letters from Commdrs. should be exchanged at 8pm'

8pm 'Fire so heavy that letters were not exchanged. Heavy gun & rifle fire all night'.

21st May, 'Fire continued to 2 am'.

22nd May, 'Col. Smyth VC took command of Brigade. Everything quiet. D Company relieved by 4th L.H'.

23rd May, 'Col. Dobbin resumed command of BN - quiet night'.

24th May, 'Sergt. Moore killed by sniper. Armistice from 8am to 5pm to bury dead - over 200 bodies buried opposite our lines - all enemy. Very quiet night'.

25th May, 'Quiet day - bomb guns put 10 bombs into trenches opposite us. General Walker slightlly wounded in our lines - no grenades available'.

26th May, 'Remarkably quiet day - Turkish snipers now shooting to destoy loopholes - 134 reinforcements arrived - tried gas pipe and rough gal. iron loopholes - some are successes'.

Here the handwriting changes but no explanation is recorded.

27th May, '8 reinforcements arrived. Extended firing line'.

28th May, '12:30 am, Third section report that a mine to be fired at QUINN'S Post at 1am'.

1:45am They report that mine will be fired in 2 minutes.

2:30am Mine fired'.

Sketch of evening's trenches submitted to Bde. H.Q.'

29th May, '3:30 am Heavy evening fire along front. No advance. Firing maintained until 6:45'.

6:35 Third section applied for all possible support in front of COURTENAY'S Post. Given until 9:30 am.

12 noon, 3 pm and 3 am the following day all bracketed with: 'Demonstrations to draw enemy's fire without success on either occasion'.

30th May, '11 am Capt. Davidson having been promoted to Major he handed over adjutancy to Lieut. Wootten who in his turn handed over Machine Gun Section to Lieut. Price.

12:45 pm Received message from Third Section that an attack would be made from QUINN's Post at 1 pm and asking for all possible support.

1pm Operation commenced & continued 'til 4:20pm.

Machine Guns did good work but troubled with jams owing to defective ammunition. Had to bring up Light Horse gun to replace left gun. Defect is apparently in caps of some New Zealand and Indian ammunition. Machine gun on left of D Company did good work and knocked out one enemy M.G. but concentrated fire made the emplacement untenable. No. 74 Pte. Arnott, T. of this gun wounded and General Walker promised to recommend him for DCM.

All parapets on left of firing line damaged with shell fire.

Lt. Col. Dobbin went to hospital with bronchitis'.

1st June, '10pm QUINN's Post fired a mine.

10:30 pm Made demonstartion to draw enemey fire. Little success'.

There are no further entries until:
4th June, 'Having received orders that in event of COURTENAY'S Post having to support QUINN'S Post 1st Battalion would have to man former's trenches, made inspection or COURTENAY'S Post trenches Genls. Birdwood and Walker were present. Received orders that there was to be a combined operation tonight, our part of which was a raid on the machine Guns at the end of GERMAN OFFICERS' trench facing COURTNEAY's Post.

Lieut. Street selected to lead party of ten consisting of eight infantry and two sappers with guncotton. Object to smash M.G. & destroy emplacement & as much of trench as possible. Route from left of our position along head of donga keeping just below sky line.

11pm Party started, less sappers who were to follow immediately ground had been reconnoitred. At same time heavy fire opened caused by operations at QUINN'S Post and also on right.

About 15 yards in front a supposed disused trench,running in front of COURTENAY'S trench was found to be full of enemy & the operation had therefore to be abandoned'.

5th June, '1:55 am, Order received from Brigadier that 100 men were to advance on GERMAN OFFICER'S trench at once and silence machine gun also to do as much damage to trench as possible (order mentioned that attack to be made before moonrise but moon already up) Men were ordered to go in two lines of 50 as not more than that number could be conveniently put over the parapet at once. Lieut. Lloyd detailed to lead 2nd Lieut. Wells in charge of second line.

Attack just about to be made when Brigadier ordered it to be delayed until sapper arrived with guncotton.

2:50 am, Orders from Div. H.Q. to attack at once without waiting for guncotton Attack delivered in good style, M.G. destroyed by firing rifle into lock and much damage done to trench overhead cover etc. Casualties 5 killed and 28 wounded. Lieut. Lloyd carried out attack with dash, coolness and judgement. Lce. Cpl. Davis of B Company to be mentioned for manner in which he destroyed the gun. Most of the casualties caused by machine gune fire from either flank & by hand grenades. Enemy's casualties not ascertained.

Recommended Lieut. Lloyd for accelerated promotion to Captain for gallantry.

9:30, Capt. Jacobs & party made a reconnaisance of disused trench with a view to using babed wire but found it occupied'.

6th June, 'Tunnel for fire trench to COURTENAY'S Post got through.

B Company relieved by C Company.

Hon. Lieut. & Q.M. Delaney placed under arrest for disobedience of orders.

8pm Orders received to reconnoitre disused trench and throw at least 50 hand grenades, in conjunction with COURTENAY'S Post, if it found occupied. Reconnaissance however showed trench unoccupied.

9pm Orders received to send patrol to GERMAN OFFICER'S trench to ascertain if it was occupied, if so, in what strength & to endeavour to draw fire. Sergt. FREAME with two others formed patrol & were only able to draw fire from three rifles. Threw five hand grenades. No M. Guns there. Sergt. FREAME's two men were unfortunately wounded by a shot from C Company trench on their return'.

7th June, ' Hon. Lieut. & Q.M. Delaney made written apology & statement. Brigadier decided in view of this & previous good work to take no further action on this occasion.

QUINN'S Post having received orders to advance for purpose of recovering tools and equipment abandoned by them asked us to be ready to assist them in case of counter attack but not to fire until asked by them.

Japanese bomb mortars brought in A Company's lines. Fired twice in direction of QUINN'S Post'.

8th June, '2:15 am, QUINN'S Post reported all returned and asked for assistance of machine gun fire which was given. Artillery also opened.

2:45 am, QUINN'S Post reported no further fire required'.

8:30am, Lieuts. Buchanan, Price and Street promoted Lieut.

8:30pm, A Turkish prisoner accompanied by two interpreters sent to call out his compatriots. Called out in A company's trench and was evidently heard as conclusion of remarks was greeted by burst of fire. Then called out from D Company trench but no response.

Japanese gun fired in direction of QUINN'S Post. Report received that four men in QUINN'S Post wounded. Error probably caused either by wind or close proximity of enemy trench'.

9th June, '7 pm Received orders to observe all coloured light and flash signals of enemy and record them.

8:30pm, Received information that sounds heard in portion of line occupied by A Squad. 4th S.H. which seemed to indicate that enemy mining in our direction. Very faint sounds were heard & a counter sap was therefore started as a measure of precaution'.

10th June, 'Received orders that Battalion will be relieved tomorrow by 8th Battalion.

Capt. Robins reported for duty'.

10th June, 'Sound of picks still to be heard. After careful test it appears that probably our own sappers which are heard'.

11th June, 'Battalion relieved and transferred to BRAND'S HILL for rest with exception of machine guns which are sent to 3rd Battalion.

Two companies in support of 2nd Battalion from 8pm to be relieved at 5:30am to be found each night'.

No further entries until:

27th June, 'Received orders to be prepared to leave for IMBROS at short notice'.

28th June, 'Received orders at 11:40 to send two companies in support of 2nd Battalion within half an hour. Right section of line commenced an assault at 13:00. The two companies returned about 15:00.

Two shells fell in the camp for the first time since Battalion has been resting. No one hurt but C.S.M. Morris had a narrow escape as shell entered his dugout while he was in it and exploded there'.

29th June, 'Left for IMBROS at 20:30 being ferried from Signal Wharf to Mine Sweepers in flats and thence in two Mine Sweepers. One man hit by a stray bullet as second Sweeper getting up anchor to leave.

Strength 19 officers 536 others'.

30th June, 'At 02:30 completed disembarkation at IMBROS and moved to camp about 3/4 mile from landing stage.

IMBROS at At 10:30 reported to Camp Commandant. Received orders to move camp. Move completed by 1300'.

No further entries until (in different handwriting):

6th July '16:25, Received message from Commandant. IMBROS, to commence embarkation at 17:15. Notice being too short was unable to comply with order.

7th July, '08:00, Received orders to commence embarkation at 1700.

16:35, Moved out of camp.

17:00 Commenced embarkation.

18:50, Completed embarkation.

19:30, Sailed for ANZAC

22:00 Arrived ANZAC and embarked all but 100 men in flats'.

8th July, '02:45 Disembarked

06:30. Last 100 taken off.

Received orders to relieve left Company of 2nd Battalion and right Company of 3rd Battalion. Relief carried out at 12:00

18:30, Conference of C.Os with Brigadier regarding proposed advance. Lieut. Woodforde rejoined'.

9th July, 'Lieut. Steen rejoined. 2nd/Lieut. Cox, 4th Reinforcements reported for duty'.

10th July, 'Lieuts. Hempton, Paine, Fogden & King officially reported as permanently invalided'.

11th July, '21:15, Demonstration made to draw enemy's fire'.

12th July, '08:00, Orders received regarding further demonstration which was carried on during day and night. Very little activity on immediate front of this Battalion'.

No further entries until :

19th July, '07:30, Received D.Os. that Lieut. Colonel Bennett, DSO had assumd command of the Battalion on 14th inst [?] until further orders.

08:45, Lieut. Colonel Bennett, DSO, took over command'.

21st July, 'Notification received from BDE re probable attack by Turks. Our trenches heavily bombarded. Machine Gunners hit no recess [?] during same'.

22nd July, '21:00, Preparations for attack carried out and all dispositions complete by 21:00. CSM Morris, Sgts.. McIntyre and Backlog [?] recommended for commissions.

RSM Melville recommended for W.O. [?]

23:00 Battalion stood to arms for 1/4 hour'.

23rd July, 'Still awaiting attack'.

25th July, 'D Company went into Reserve and 3 platoons per compnay introduced into the Battalion and 3 Companies only in firing line'.

30th July, 'Small demonstration by cheering and rifle fire (1 round per man) to celebrate English victory at NASIRYAH'.

31st July, 'Enemy aeroplanes dropped 3 bombs near Battalion cooking lines. No casualties'.

1st August, 'Trench garrison duty'.

2nd August, '10:00 Captain and Adjutant Wootten to hospital. Lieut. Street D company acting adjutant'.

3rd August, 'Enemy shelling trenches very heavily'.

Lieut. Colonel Dobbinn came to Anzac. Did not assume command of the Battalion'.

4th August, '10:00 Received operation order no. II covering assault on LONE PINE'.

22:00, 'Ruse for Southern No. 2 Section'.

5th August, '02:00 142 5th Reinforcements arrived.

15:03, Lieut. Tinkler seconded for duty with Divisional Signal Company.

During night barbed wire in front B3 to B24 removed'.

6th August, '14:30, moved into postition as BOE Reserve.

16:00, Our guns heavily bombarded enemy trenches with high explosive shells.

17:23, Heavy artillery duel. Casualties occuring in BROWN'S DIP.

17:42, A Company moved to man fire trench between B5 and B9 ready to advance on LONE PINE in support.

18:10, D Company ordered to reinforce captured trenches at LONE PINE but were blocked by congestion in B5 tunnel.

18:50, 6th Reinforcements ordered to reinforce LONE PINE

19:04, A Company advanced to consolidate centre of 3rd Battalion position in LONE PINE. B and D companies followed immediately moving through B5

19:45, B and D Companies clear of B5 and at LONE PINE.

20:00, C Company less one platoon advanced to centre position of captured trenches.

20:30, Remainder of C Comapny reinforced 3rd and 4th Batallions.

23:00, Firing decreasing at LONE PINE. Still heavy on the left. Position being improved'.

7th August, '05:37,Heavy counter attack.

11:35 Battalion relieved by 7th Battalion and returned to old position.

13:00 Relief complete. 100 men with 4th Battalion in LONE PINE.

18:00, Battalion all absorbed in LONE PINE and holding centre of position.

19:00 Enemy counter attacking violently. Heavy bombing.

20:00, Further counter attack repulsed'.

7th August, '21:00, Enemy bombing very heavy. Replied with bombs and withdrew all men except those necessary to resist rush [?], thus diminishing casualties.

22:00, All trenches held.

23:00, Bombing slackening'.

8th August, '04:30, Fresh enemy attack - very violent. Our casualties greatly reduced by keeping men back from positions where bombs were falling.

05:30, In reply to question from Colonel Smyth, VC, as to what is general situation, following message was sent, "We retain our positions. Enemy shelling, rifle fire and bombing continue. Bombs are very severe and our stream of wounded is constant. It is most difficult to make these wide trenches at all safe. Situation requires relieving from without if possible as we cannot counter attack from within. Men extremely tired but determined to hold on."

07:20, Large quantities of bombs received.

08:00, Pressure relieved and all fairly quiet.

14:00, Relieved by 7th Battalion. Companies reorganised'.

9th August, '07:28. Ordered to reinforce LONE PINE at once. Message marked URGENT. D Company moved out at once and found that they were not needed.

09:41, relieved 3rd Battalion.

11:15 Captain Sasse cleared enemy who attacked S.W. angle by communication trench. Captain Sasse surrounded and killed 20.

14:30, Another attack led by Captain Sasse and Captain Shout, on same trench was successful. Captain Shout severely wounded.

Major Kindon severely wounded by 75mm gun.

15:45, Captain Parkinson A.A.M.C. reported for duty as supplementary Medical Officer.

18:40, Lieut. Rickwood reported Turkish officer shot in sap taken by Captain Sasse. this made the Turks considerably less enterprising.

Evening fairly quiet. Light bombing by both sides. Casualties light'.

10th August, 'A very quiet day. No casualties'.

11th August, '11:30, relieved by 2nd Battalion.

12:40, Reinforced No. 3 section LONE PINE with 1 officer and 40 of the ranks'.

12th August, '09:09 Reinforced No. 3 section LONE PINE with 1 officer and 20 other ranks.

14:00, Reinforced No.1 section LONE PINE with 1 officer and 24 other ranks.

19:00, Reinforced No.1 section LONE PINE with 1 officer and 50 other ranks'.

13th August, '21 men sent from C Company to reinforce No. 1 section LONE PINE.

11:30, Relieved 7th Battalion from No. 2 section LONE PINE.

14:00, Two officers and 150 other ranks sent to reinforce No. 3 section LONE PINE.

14:30, Our trenches heavily shelled by enemy 75mm guns. Casualties up to 18:00 3 killed and 10 wounded.

19:15, Recommendations forwarded to BQE [?] that Captain WJ Rowland is fit for absorption and that the following be 2/Lieuts. No 320 C.S.M Morris, J.W..; No. 671 Sgt. McGregor R.T.C,; No. 211 Sgt. Beavis H.W.; No 1731 Pte. Ramsay, R.T.; No. 49 L/cpl McKell V.C.; No 62 Driver Withy, C.B.; No. 58 Dr. Dick W.T.; No. 63 Sig.Sgt. Bruton F.J.; No. 455 L/cpl Parkes C.'

14th August, '18:07 Under heaviest bombardment yet experienced since occupying the position. Bombardment lasted for 2 hours.

24:20, Bomb attack by enemy. 13 casualties. Enemy repulsed'.

15th August, '02:30, All quiet.

10:45, Relieved by 7th Battalion'.

These are only the 'bones' of these early days of campaign for the 1st battalion ... but we can fill in the story from various accounts on-line and in the published accounts by C.E.W. Bean [7] and Phillip F.E. Schuler [12].

However, for Henry, although he didn't yet know it, the fighting was over. It was on the 15th August, that Henry was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station, Anzac, with a gunshot wound sustained at Lone Pine and fracturing his right elbow. Two days later he was transferred to Mudros and then onto the Hospital Ship 'Andania', taking him to England where he went into the Military hospital at Newend in Hampstead, London on the 31st August.

Sources:

1. Family letters, photos and documents.
2. Attestation Documents
3. Traditional Myths and Problematic Heroes: the Case of Harry Freame by Professor Bruce Bennett 2009
4. Wykeham Henry 'Harry' Freame DCM & his son Henry Wykeham 'Young harry' Freame by Kevin Smith in the Armidale & District Historicall Society Journal No. 53
5. The Earlier Life of Wykeham Henry Freame by J.S. Ryan in the Armidale & District Historicall Society Journal No. 27, March 1984
6. Sergeant 'Harry' Freame, DCM - The ANZAC 'Bushido' from the ANZAC Day website
7.'The Story of ANZAC' The Official History History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918. by C.E.W. Bean. Vols. 1 & 2, Read on-line or download .pdf HERE
8. Various newspaper reports
9. Various internet sites
10. The Gallipol Samurai by B. Tait
11. The Australian War Memorial Website
12. 'Australia in Arms' by Phillip F.E. Schuler pub. 1916. Read on-line or download .pdf HERE
13. Becoming Japanese in the Meiji Period HERE
14. Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War. Read them HERE

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