The History and Activities of the 15th Battalion VDC

Manning detail 30 September 1942

N.D.Offs. 21

N.D. O/Rs. 707

[total] 728

Capt.	Cayzer	C.W.	Coy	Comd.
Capt.	Rhind	H.G.	Coy	Comd.
Lieut.	Packham	F.	Coy	2 i/c
Lieut.	Webb	K.C.	Coy	2 i/c
Lieut	Leach	C.D.	Coy	2 i/c
Lieut	Cashmore	R.W.	Coy	2 i/c
Lieut	Jahn	C.C.	Asst	Adjt/Q.M.
Lieut	Austin	M.L.	Int.	Off.
Lieut	Edwards	J.L.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Hutchinson	L.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Throssell	L.L.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Clarkson	L.E.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Barons	W.H.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Aitken	A.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Diver	H.A.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	McNeil	K.M.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Barr	D.F.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	McLachlan	C.C.	Pl.	Comd.
Lieut	Scott	C.	Pl.	Comd.

A Unit of the original R.S.L. V.D.C. was formed at Merredin on 26 June 1940 when 48 members of the Merredin Sub-branch attended. Mr C.R. Davies was elected to command the unit and Messrs. J. Arundel and F.A. Law were appointed 2 i/c and instructor respectively.

Because a troop of the 25 L.H. (Machine Gun) Regiment was based at Merredin it was possible to use their equipment, and training began immediately. Soon the work touched Nukarni and Burracoppin. Enthusiasm ran high, funds were collected and soon each man wore a khaki shirt and trousers and pith helmet. Thus uniformed the unit attended the parade for General Sir Harry Chauvel in Perth. They left Merredin in two trucks before daylight and returned to Merredin at midnight. At the time of this parade Mr Davies had been called up for full time duty and the command of the unit devolved on Mr Law.

The Kellerberrin-Tammin unit grew out of a meeting called by the R.S.L. in June 1940. Lt-Col. J.M. Scott was given command and Mr F. Packham was appointed a Section Leader in charge of Tammin. As at Merredin, the local troop of the 25 L.H. helped greatly by giving the unit the use of their equipment.

Old .303 rifles were collected throughout the district and, until impressed by the Army, were well used. Trophy German machine guns were collected from country halls and training with these weapons continued when the 25 L.H. were called into camp. A good imitation of a Vickers gun was manufactured by Private Sutherland from scrap machinery. It took three months to make and when finished was most realistic. Signalling equipment was also improvised, both lamp and heliograph, and the Kellerberrin-Tammin unit is the proud possessor of a good working heliograph made from old cream separator parts, and round shaving mirror.

Wyalkatchem Unit was formed in June 1940 about 120 strong, under Major Riley, whose ill health eventually compelled him to relinquish command to Mr H.G. Rhind. This unit and others of the same company have been noted for improvisations to lend variety to training.

Of the original members enrolled between 45 and 50 are now serving in the forces in various capacities. Koorda and Gabbin, other elements in the Wyalkatchem Unit, were also formed in the middle of 1940.

At the time of the official formation of the V.D.C. the Units mentioned above were included in the Northam Battalion. However, as time went on, the difficulty of administering the Battalion over such an area was apparent. It lead to reorganisation, out of which came the 15 Merredin Battalion. The Battalion is commanded by Lt.-Col. J. M. Scott D.S.O. and the original senior officers were:

F.A. Law 2 i/c Battalion and Acting Company Comd "B" Company

R.C. Fielding Company Comd "A" Company

C.W. Cayzer Company Comd "C" Company

H.G. Rhind Company Comd "D" Company

Leading Personnel

Battalion Command - Lt. Col. J.M. Scott D.S.O. born at Tillycoultry Scotland on 21 January 1885 and educated at Dollar Academy. Served with 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 15 December 1914. 2 i/c 5th Seaforth Highlanders 9 January 1917 - 17 February 1917. Comd 18 February 1917 - 5 July 1918. Comd 2/1st Loval Scouts September 1918 to 26 February 1919. Awarded D.S.O. 1915. Belgium L'Ordre de Leopold September 1917, Belgium Croix de Guerre, Territorial Decoration 1919. Profession: Woollen mnfg. and farmer. Recreations: Golf and fishing. Address: Kellerberrin Western Australia.

2 i/c Battalion - Captain F.A. Law born England 22 January 1898. Embarked at Folkestone for France 1914 with Northants Yeomanry 14th Squadron MG C (Cav) as Acting Squadron Sergeant Major. Awarded Croix de Guerre (France) Specialist Instructor for P.T. Bayonet, Vickers Machine Gun, Anti-Gas. Profession: Retired Board Secretary & Engineer.

Battalion Adjutant Quarter Master - N.O. 2 GLASS, P.M.A. Born 1907 No War Service, Military Service Territorials in England (2 Div Vac Signals, Royal Corps of Signals, Middlesex Yeomanry). Public activities: Vice Chairman Westonia Roads Board, Justice of the Peace, Chairman of Westonia Hospital Board, Captain Westonia Rifle Club. Civil occupation: Store manager at Westonia. Recreations: swimming, golf.

"A" Company Comd - Captain R.C. Fielding born 9 August 1898. No War Service. Profession: Salesman & Stock Agent. Recreations: Music.

"C" Coy Comd - Captain C.W. Cayzer born 25 February 1905. No war service. Profession: Superintendent and surveyor

"D" Company Comd - Captain H.G. Rhind born 9 July 1895. Served as Corporal 2nd Cycle Corps and 2nd Engineers. Bombing and Gas Instructor. Profession: Farmer. Recreation: golf.

Australian Military Forces W.A. L of C Area,

Headquarters Volunteer Defence Corps, Swan Barracks, Perth, 3 May 1943

Dear Captain Law

General Bessell-Browne has written me as follows:

"Appropos of our conversation this afternoon, I now make a final appeal to Group and Battalion Commanders so as to complete a brief story of their particular unit.

I personally feel disappointed that the response to previous requests has been so poor, and enumerate hereunder what I still require to enable me to finalise.

Number 15 Battalion: Photograph and Bio sketch of Lt. Law.

In a previous request I asked for the names of all officers at the 30th September 1942 from the Commanding Officer to the last joined subaltern, and it is amazing to me that I have not had one response from any Battalion.

I am afraid that it is too late to start and collect these now, but I feel that it is to be much regretted that I am unable to include this information in the Battalions' stories. If they should come down I will include them."

It is to be regretted that units have not responded to the many requests sent out from these H.Q. and personally by the General and myself. The General has now spared himself in the interests of the V.D.C. and even whilst on the sick list has attended to the big task of compiling the history of the Corps in W.A. so that adequate representation might be given in the forthcoming official "History".

I feel quite certain you will regret the disappointment caused him by the neglect of so many to comply with his requests. I now make a final appeal to you to personally assist the General by sending him what he asks for. No further request will be made and if the request is not complied with Immediately your unit will get so much less recognition in the Book.

Yours sincerely Col W.B. Robinson Command V.D.C.

Response - This information was sent on 27th March last, our reference 2252/66/43. A good photograph, suitable, was not then available. One enclosed therein.

Capt F.A. Law

No 15 Bn VDC

Merredin

Colonel W.B. Robinson D.C.M., E. D., V.D.C. HQ Perth

V.D.C. History - Corps 5000

Dear Colonel

Herewith History of 15th Battalion as required, considerable difficulty was found in obtaining the information from outlying districts owing to the lack of records of early organisation, and the absence of personnel on holidays. Any further information coming to hand in the near future will be forwarded by return.

Yours faithfully

Lt-Col Scott

26 January 1943

A Unit of the original R.S.L. Volunteer Defence Corps was formed at Merredin on the 26th June 1940, at a meeting held in the Merredin Town Hall. Forty-eight members of the Merredin sub-branch were present under the chairmanship of Mr J. Arundel (President). At this meeting Mr C.R. Davies (Rof O.) was elected to command the Unit; Mr Arundel was appointed 2 I/C by virtue of his position as President of the Sub-branch and Mr F.A. Law was appointed instructor. Training was proceeded with immediately, and due to the fact that a Troop of the 25th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment was based at Merredin, it was possible to make use of their equipment. Each Sunday members of the R.S.L. from Merredin and the adjacent centres of Nukarni and Burracoppin, attended parades at the Merredin Show Grounds and it was not long before these old soldiers had brushed up much of their old military knowledge, and had absorbed much that was new. In addition to the Sunday parades night work was undertaken each Thursday night at Merredin, whilst on Tuesdays and Thursdays Mr Law and and an N.C.O of the 25th travelled with a machine gun, to Burracoppin and Nukarni and gave lectures and drill at those centres. Enthusiasm ran high. Funds were collected and soon each man was attired in khaki shirts and trousers, and pith helmets, giving the Unit a smart and soldierly appearance. The Unit was thus uniformed when it attended the parade for General Chauvel in Perth. For this parade the men left Merredin on two trucks before daylight, did the trip and parade and reached Merredin again at midnight. At the time of this parade Mr Davies had been called up for full time duty and the command of the Unit devolved on Mr Law.

Kellerberrin and Tammin Districts.

Much of the foregoing history applies to the Kellerberrin-Tammin Unit. The R.S.L. called a meeting in June 1940 resulting in Lt-Col J.M. Scott being given command and Lt F. Packham appointed a Section Leader in charge of Tammin. Great assistance was given by the late Mr George L. Ogilvie of Kellerberrin who undertook the clerical work. Parades were held every Sunday and largely attended - here again the help of the local Troop of the 25th Light Horse was much appreciated. Each member purchased khaki trousers and shirt at a special price arranged by Mr Ogilvie who was manager of the local Co-op. The Unit attended General Chauvel's parade in Perth and made a good showing. A number of the original members have joined the A.I.F., Garrison Battalions, and A.M.F. Old .303 rifles were collected throughout the district and until impressed by the Army, were made good use of. Trophy German machine guns were collected from Country Halls and training with these weapons continued when the 25th were called into Camp. A particular good imitation of a Vickers Gun was manufactured by Private Sutherland from scrap machinery. This took three months to make and when finished was most realistic. Signalling Equipment was also improvised, both lamp and helio - and this unit is the proud possessor of a good working helio made from old cream separator parts and a round shaving mirror.

Wyalkatchem Unit

This Unit was formed in June 1940, one hundred and twenty odd strong under the Command of Major Riley, who relinquished Command on the formation of Companies, owing to ill-health. This was a great loss to the Unit, but the duties have been very ably carried on from then by Mr H.G. Rhind. This Unit and others of the same Company have also been noted for the many improvisations effected to give their men variety in training. Of the original number enrolled between 45 and 50 are now serving in the Forces in various capacities. Koorda and Gabbin other Units of this Company also formed around this date, have given many men to the Forces, and shared in the trials and tribulations of the Pioneers of the movement. All Units continued to function with well attended parades right up to the time of the formation of the Official V.D.C. They were then included in the Northam Battalion, but as time went on the difficulty of administering a Battalion over such an area was apparent and great enought to require re-organisation.

Out of this reorganisation came the 15th Merredin Battalion V.D.C.

The Battalion was commanded by Lt-Col J.M. Scott D.S.O. and the original senior officers were :-

F.A. Law 2 I/C Battalion and acting commander "B" Company.

R.C. Fielding Company Commander "A" Company

C.W. Cayzer Company Commander "C" Company

H.G. Rhind Company Commander "D" Company.

F.A. Law born England 22 January 1898. Embarked at Folkestone for France 1914 with Northants Yeomanry, 14th Squadron, M.G.C. (Cav.)

Acting Squadron Sergeant Major.

Decorations: Croix de Guerre (France)

Specialist Instructor for P.T. Bayonet, Vickers M.G., Anti-Gas.

Profession: Road Board Secretary and Engineer.

Recreations: Swimming, gardening, bowls.

Rank in V.D.C.: Captain

R.C. Fielding born 9 August 1898 No war service

Salesman and stock agent.

Recreations: Music

Rank in VDC: Captain

C. W Cayzer born 25 February 1905 No war service.

Mine superintendent and surveyor.

Rank in V.D.C.: Captain.

H.G. Rhind born 9 July 1895.

Corporal 2nd Cycle Corps, 2nd Engineers.

Bombing and Gas Instructor

Farmer.

Recreations: Golf.

Rank in V.D.C.: Captain.

P.O. Box No 1 Kellerberrin

27/2/43

Major A. Martin Perth

Dear Major Martin

Your circular dated 18th Feb, received yesterday regarding photograph for VDC history. I regret I have nothing available of recent date but enclose a small print which unfortunately is taken in civilian clothes. I shall be passing through Perth to the Bn Com school at Harvey on March 19th and if not too late I could call on Mr Sexton and obtain an up to date photo. Kindly let me know if the General can wait for this.

Yours faithfully

JM Scott

Photograph and leaflet giving brief sketch of career of Captain F.A. Law enclosed.

Military history on reverse of leaflet.

W.47079 W.O. 11 Glass P.M.A.

Acting Adjutant of 15th Bn V.D.C.

Age 36.

On inauguration of original Home Guard at Westonia appointed Platoon Leader of No 1 Platoon. Strength of Westonia Unit 65. Attended first F.T.D. School at W.C.T.S. Guildford January 1942, on conclusion of school appointed W.O. 11, R.Q.M.S. of 15th Battalion on full time duty. No Officer appointed to Battalion. Duties of adjutant carried out from date of posting.

Civil Occupation:- Store Manager at Westonia W.A. Recreations: Swimming, golf.

Pre-war activities Vice Chairman of Westonia Roads Board

Justice of the Peace

chairman of Westonia Hospital Board

Captain of Westonia Rifle Club

Military service - Territorials in England, 2nd Division Cav. Signals, Royal Corps of Signals, Middlesex Yeomanry

no photo available

Mr F.A. Law

The Labour Candidate for Avon

Mr F.A. (Dick) Law, of Merredin, the selected Labour Candidate for Avon, was born at Northampton, England in 1898, and received the major part of his education at the Northampton Grammar School. When the war broke out, Mr Law enlisted in 1914 at the age of 16 years, in the Northamptonshire Yeomany, later transferring to the Machine Gun Corps and serving in France till the cessation of hostilities. Being unable to settle down to civilian life in England upon demobilisation, Mr Law migrated to Australia, and moved about the State in various occupations until finally he settled down in his present position as accountant with the Merredin Road Board, which he has held for the past seven years. During his term of residence in Merredin, Mr Law has gained the respect of the entire district, and has proved himself an excellent citizen. He has been actively interested in social welfare, and has been personally responsible for raising large sums of money for the various churches and local charities. For three years he has been secretary of the Merredin R.S.L. and during that time the sub-branch distinguished itself by winning the Newdegate Cup. Keenly interested in farmers' problems, he took up the position of secretary to the Merredin branch of the Wheatgrowers' Union, and greatly assisted the branch until he relinquished the secretaryship upon accepting parliamentary nomination by his party. Mr Law has made a deep study of political economy and sociology; is a clear thinker and a good speaker. Being young, idealistic, and brim full of energy, he is altogether the type of man required to invigorate the political life of our State.

(Authorised by Robert Youd, A.L.P., Merredin).

Military History

enlisted at Northampton (England) 23rd September 1914. Northants Yeomanry. Crossed to France on 17th birthday 22 January 1915. Wounded on Somme.

Promoted Sergeant at age 18 years. Transferred Machine Gun Corps on its formation 1916, and served in 14th Squadron, Ambala Brigade 5th Ind. Cav. Division.

Wounded in fighting following the halting of German advance in 1918. Evacuated to base. Saw no more fighting. Crossed channel on final trip for demobilisation on 21st birthday in 1919 (22nd January).

Decorations - Croix de Guerre.