PLANE, Leslie Garfield - Memoirs - Part 1

Memories of the Great War 1914 - 1918
By your Father - Leslie Garfield Plane
Born 1894 Died 1943 Aged 49 years

When War was declared on Germany, by Great Britain, on August 4th 1914, I was in Sydney, and being in the Citizen Forces, was mobilised, and was immediately sent to South Head, Sydney, to do guards and duties, and thus relieve the Permanent Garrison, who up to that time were rather overworked. I was on this work for a little over a week, when I had word that my brother had enlisted. I immediately asked permission to enlist also, and next day was taken to the Exhibition Ground in Sydney where I volunteered for active service. The Camp was then at the Exhibition Ground, and next morning I reported and was put in the same Coy as my brother. A thousand men were called for, men who had previous military training preferred and having been a trainee, I was one that was chosen. Within a week of the 18th of August, we had been equiped and were told we were leaving Sydney a day or two later. A few days later we marched out of Camp [blank], Quay [blank] boarded ferry [blank] Cockatoo Docks [blank] our boat was [blank] left the Docks [blank] During the [blank] boats [blank] the evening we began to move, and moved out through Sydney Heads, to the strains of the band stationed on South Head.

As we gradually lost sight of land, we began to think if we would be long away, from those we loved and our dear land of Australia. No one on board seemed to know where we were bound for, although there were rumours to the effect that we were bound for German New Guinea. About a week after leaving Sydney we were joined by the Australian Fleet and a few days later we steamed into Port Moresby and then we knew that we were bound for New Guinea. We were very disappointed but had to make the best of it. Entering Port Moresby, one gets a view of a barren looking place, with here and there, a decent building, owned by some British firm. The natives are a very poor speciman, being very dirty in appearance, and undersized. We steamed slowly up the river where we took on coal, also we transhipped frozen meat, to the 'Kanowna', who had arrived a day before with five hundred Queensland troops on board. We left the next morning, and immediately getting outside were told by the C.O., that we were bound for New Guinea. Our convoy consisted of 'Australia', 'Sydney', 2 submarines, and the 'Encounter'. The 'Australia' took the lead, followed by the 'Sydney', then came our boat the 'Berrima', followed by our supply ship, 'Kanowna' being the last. After about 2 hours out from Port Moresby we could hardly see the 'Kanowna', and the 'Sydney' turned back to find out the trouble. It seems that the firemen on board struck, and said they would not proceed further, and the C.O. Troops sent a message to say, that they were not required and we would go on without them. At night we proceeded with all lights out, and after about a fortnight's sail, we were told we would be landing the following day. We were issued with iron rations and were put into boats, in which we pulled ashore, landing on Herbertshoe. No opposition was offered to our landing, but we heard that the German inhabitants had formed together and were ready to defend a wireless station that was situated about four miles inland at Kabakaul.

During the afternoon we started to march out to this place, but darkness came on, and not knowing the place the C.O. decided to return to our starting place and march out early in the morning. During the evening, however, we heard that the wireless station had been taken by a party of sailors, who had landed round the coast a little. The next morning we were posted on a hill overlooking a road, on which the Germans were supposed to come along. We were there all day, but did not sight anything. About a week later we heard that a party of Germans, with native police, and the Acting Governor of the island were entrenched about 12 miles inland, at a place called 'Toma', and that evening we received orders, to be ready to march inland the following morning. We started at 4 a.m. and at midday arrived at 'Toma', only to find the birds flown, so after an hours spell, we started on our way back which we reached about 7pm, thoroughly exhausted. The heat was terrific, and only for a heavy thunderstorm, that wet us to the skin in a few seconds, very few of us would have reached our starting point that day. The following day the German Commander came in, and was given 48 hours in which to bring in his men, and lay down his arms. This he did the following day. After about a week, we embarked on a captured steamer, the Summatra, and leaving a garrison of Naval men, at Herbertshoe, were taken to Rabaul the Capital, which had surrendered to the right half battalion a few days previously. We were transhipped to the Berrima and that afternoon accompanied by the 'Encounter', 'Sydney' and 'Australia' left for Frederick-Willhelmshafen, or Madang, which was believed to be a German Naval Base. We arrived about four days later, and the 'Encounter', flying a white flag, entered the harbour and, after a little arguement, the inhabitants surrendered. The Berrima then steamed in and within two hours our Coy. and half of another were landed, with a few Naval men, to act as a garrison. A few hours later we were all alone, about 200 men all told with no communication with the remainder of the Force.

We immediately set to work to erect a wireless station, and after a month of toil, finished it, and found we could get into touch with Rabaul. From this time on things were very monotonous, and as fever was very bad in this place, our men soon began to go down with it, and at one time there were only 20 men, out of the garrison, fit to do duty. I was in hospital four days with malaria; but soon got O.K. We were stationed here for over four months, during that time, one boat called the 'Matunga', with mail and supplies on board. Towards Xmas, things became so bad, that our Dr sent a wireless saying that unless we were relieved, he would not be responsible for any of us reaching home. A few days after Xmas the 'Matunga' called again, and to our joy, we found that we were to return to Rabaul on her, she having brought a force, called The Tropical Force, to relieve us. Two days later we left Madang and a week later arrived at Rabaul. We were not allowed to land however owing to being so fever stricken and were put on board a launch in the harbour, where we lived for a week. We were then taken to the wharf and put on board the 'Eastern', and left for Sydney, which we reached about the 14th of January 1915. We were taken to Victoria Barracks; and four days later received our discharge, being told, that we could enlist again after six months if we so desired. My brother and I then left for Queensland where our people were, and for the best part of three months I was down with malaria fever.

On recovery, I decided to return to Sydney and resume my position there in the office which I did, but my health being indifferent, I decided to leave the City, and try the open air life, and I left Sydney a fortnight later, and went to Grafton, on the Clarence River, in New South Wales. I was managing a farm, for a friend of mine in Sydney, who owing to family matters and business could not leave the City until 6 months later. For the first month I worked very hard and my health was good, and it was owing to the hard work and open air, that I got rid of my bad attacks of malaria. I was on this job for just 12 months, when I received word that my brother, who had enlisted soon after our return from New Guinea, had been seriously wounded in Pozieres. Immediately unrest caught me, and I was only half hearted at my work, so I decided to write home, asking if the Mater could stand the strain of me going again. In a few days time I received my reply, my dear Mater stating, that if I thought I was well enough, and thought it my duty to go, she would not stand in my way, so a week later saw me in Sydney, where I fixed up some business and then went to Queensland and home. After a few weeks rest I went to Adelaide Street, Brisbane and an hour later came out, having enlisted, and passed the Dr much to my delight. before entering in my experiences of 1917 onwards, I would just like to try and give and impression of Rabaul, the climate and general health. I do not say that all I have written regarding New Guinea is correct regarding dates etc, but as far as my memory of that expedition goes, it is to within a day or two

Rabaul On entering the harbour at Rabaul, one gets a very pretty view. The first thing to meet the eye is the extinct volcano, know as the 'Mother', alongside of which is another volcano known as 'The Sister'. The wharf which is quite up to date runs out a fair distance, and has huge sheds for storing goods etc. from the weather. On landing, one is surprised at the up to date homes and nice streets. Being the Capital the Governor has his residence there, it being situated about three miles from town, on the summit of a large hill. A modern wireless plant is installed near by, and is, I believe a very powerful one. Each private residence has its garden, and Clubs, Sport etc. is carried on. The Police Force consists of native police, who have been specially trained in the use or arms and are quite smart at drill. Their duty is to maintain order, amongst the natives, which they do very successfully. There is very little fever in Rabaul, it having been drained and treated by the Germans. The heat is very severe, and is of a steamy nature, and one can almost see it rising from the ground on a particularly hot day. It was quite a blow to those living there to hand it over, but resistance would have been useless, as it would have been reduced to brick heaps by the 'Australia'. The Germans do very little work and manual labour is all carried out by the natives, whom they so employed paying them about 1/- per month, and feeding them. It was here in the public square that three Germans were flogged, by the Australians because they had nearly murdered an English Missionary named Cox, whom they accused of giving information to us. However, they were caught, and by the order of the Brigadier were publically flogged. The Governor's residence was used as a hospital, and the German Club converted into an Officer's Mess.

The right half battalion being quartered here, had quite a good time, plenty of fresh meat, bread, etc., sporting material and regular correspondence from home, while we in the heart of German New Guinea had not so much as a cricket ball. Of course it was from Rabaul that the reports used to go back to Australia, that the health of the troops was excellent, and that they were having a good time, no thought ever being given to us, thousands of miles away, fighting the fever with biscuits, and bully beef. Altogether it was an ill managed expedition, and as usual those responsible were let go, and even promoted. So much for military red tape, five years of active service, only having increased it.

On the 27th March 1917, I enlisted again, and on the 11th April, I went into Camp at Rifle Range, Brisbane. I was drafted into the Artillery having requested to be put into the Artillery. In Camp I came across a pal of mine, and for three weeks, had a good time. I was made a gunner, but my job was mostly driving a waggon they being short of drivers, so anyone that could drive were given jobs, on waggons, and in the horse lines. For just three weeks, I was enjoying this sort of life, when a list of names was posted up to go to Melbourne, and train as a Medium French Mortar Battery. My name was not among the list, but my pal was, so wishing to be together I paraded to the O.C., and asked him, if it was possible for me to find someone included on the list, who was not desiring of going, would I be able to take his place. He consented and very soon I found a chap, who was not desirious of going, and my name was substituted for his. On April 28th I went home to Indooroopilly on final leave, and returned to Camp on Tuesday 1st May. We spent the next day packing our gear, and the following morning we entrained at Enogera, and arrived in Sydney at 1 oclock, where my friends Edna and Kitty Prescott came to see me. We arrived at Seymour, at one the next evening and disentrained, as this was where we were to train. Seymour Camp is about three miles from Seymour Station, and we marched out. Being a Saturday we were told that we could go into Melbourne on week end leave, which we all did, arriving there about 9 in the evening, after a run of about sixty miles in a milk train. Three of us put up at the Victoria Palace, and next morning went up to St. Kilda. I visited my Auntie's, and Uncle while there. The following morning we returned to Camp and in the afternoon, we started on training. The following week end, we went back to Melbourne again, where I had my photo taken. Next day we went out to the Zoo, and were successful in returning again. That evening I met my late employers son, and had a yarn to him. We spent the next week end, with my friends, the Peacocks, and were given a great time, and every week end following, was spent with them at Hawthorn [missing line] ess, to read this through with her. For the next five or six weeks, we were on the same routine, changed now and again by Musketry Course, and bombing tests. On the 24th of July, we were told that we were to be disbanded and sent back to our respective States, and at four that evening were just about to march to the station when word came through to remain where we were until further orders. We were then informed that we were to go to Broadmeadows Camp to train as Infantry, but that we would leave as a Battery, and on arrival in England would be sent to our own State's battalions as reinforcements. To this we agreed and next morning we went to Broadmeadows camp. All went well for a few weeks, until one morning we were informed that we were to leave Victoria as a Victorian Reinforcement. As the Battery consisted of men from every State, we decided that if we were to go as Infantry we desired to return to our respective Sates, and leave from there as Infantry Reinforcements. We put our request through the military channel, but nothing came of it so we decided to take the matter into our own hands and accordingly refused to go on parade [missing line] did nothing. A few days later we were informed that we were to be sent back to our respective Sates, and we were all very pleased. On Tuesday 11th Sept. a Military Sports Meeting was held at Broadmeadows, and a team of 25 from our Battery, who had borrowed infantry dress, won from 8 other teams, the squad drill and rifle drill. We had to give an exhibition later in the day to the State Commandant, who congratulated us on our work, and also for taking the prize from the Infantry. On Tuesday 18th we left Broadmeadows at 1/2 past 4 in the afternoon, on our return to Queensland. We arrived in Sydney at 1 oclock Wednesday afternoon and after an hours rest left again for Brisbane, and arrived there at 9 oclock next evening, where my Mater and sisters were waiting on the Station to welcome me back. We went straight out to Enoggera and were told that we were alloted to the 26th Reinforcements of the 9th Battalion. We were issued with infantry equipment and rifles, and that evening went home on leave to Indooroopilly. Next day we commenced again on the old story, rifle exercises and squad drill. We had our throats swabbed to see if we had any meningitis germs, as it had been in the Melbourne Camps. At evening I went to the Empire Theatre. Spent Sunday at home, and as it was raining heavily, my trip, that I had arranged to Sandgate had to be put off. In the next six weeks, we were on ordinary routine of Camp Life, and were in