By JOHN TAYLOR OAM, Myrtleford and District Historical Society
THE 110th anniversary is a reminder once more of the 25 April landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the subsequent conflict which would continue for over eight months in 1915.
Thirty Myrtleford and district soldiers are recorded as having participated in this campaign.
At the end of World War 1 the total number of locals involved from 1914-18 was 142.
Their enlistment is recorded on the War Memorial, dedicated on ANZAC Day, 1923.
Of that 142, 28 are listed 'In Memoriam' and within that list five died as a result of action on Gallipoli.
Another 25 who joined that conflict managed to survive and returned wounded to Egypt or Australia or went on to serve in Palestine or on the Western Front.
To acknowledge the 110th anniversary of ANZAC Day, a cameo of the military life of the five lives lost on Gallipoli follows.
Pvte. HENRY NORMAN ROTHERY, Service No. 1341, 24th Infantry Battalion, AIF
Norman (as he was known) was born in Myrtleford, a bank clerk who enlisted at Birregurra, Vic. on 3 March, 1915, age 19 and 10 months.
After initial training at Broadmeadows, he embarked from Melbourne for Egypt on the 'Euripides' on 8 May,1915.
On 1 December, 1915 his captain declared him Missing from ‘D’ Company after a Turkish bombardment of a tunnel emplacement at 'Lone Pine'.
Witnesses said he had been sheltering behind a gun emplacement at the time.
Norman’s family had been confused by a message, allegedly from him, when based in Cairo on 16 December, but they had already received notification he was missing. Requests for clarification followed from his father Joseph, now located at Merino, Vic. on 30 December, and then his sister Elizabeth, who was nursing at a St Kilda Road hospital, on 3 January, 1916.
However, a board of enquiry held on 21 January found that he had in fact been Killed In Action on 29 November, 1915.
Eventually, Norman’s war service medals, Memorial Plaque and King’s Message were forwarded to his father during 1922.
Lieut. CHARLES CARTHEW, 8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF
Charles Carthew, a farmer from Ovens Vale, enlisted on 29 September, 1914, aged 32.
After training at Broadmeadows with the 8th Light Horse Regiment, ‘B’ Squadron, he embarked on the 'Star of Victoria' from the Port of Melbourne on 25 February, 1915.
He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 June, 1915 at Gallipoli.
On 7 August, Charles participated in the second of four dismounted charges across 40 metres of narrow, rough, sloping ground at 'The Nek' by the 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments, with the intention of seizing Turkish trenches.
Machine gun and rifle fire destroyed each charge.
Charles was declared Missing on 13 August, 1915.
A board of enquiry conducted on 16 August found him to be Killed in Action on 7 August.
He was one of 600 light horsemen; 234 were killed and 138 wounded in what was an overly ambitious charge that day.
Personal effects, returned to his mother Mrs Margaret Carthew of South Yarra, were the following: fountain pen, silver brush and comb case, diary, tobacco pouch, tin trunk and a cabin trunk.
During 1921 and 1924, Mrs Carthew received a Memorial Scroll and Plaque and a King’s Message, plus the following medals: Victory Star and British War Medal.
Pvte. THOMAS WILLOUGHBY, Service No. 343, 1st Infantry Battalion, AIF
A butcher, Thomas enlisted at Randwick, NSW on 24 August, 1914, aged 19 years, 8 months.
He embarked from Sydney on the 'Afric'.
He was wounded (shrapnel, gunshot wound to the head) on 20 May,1915 and conveyed to the Hospital Ship 'Galeka' where he Died of Wounds.
Thomas was buried at sea on 21 May.
He was Myrtleford’s first death on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Personal effects, returned to his father John C. Willoughby on 16 March, 1916 included a disc, photos and cards in a case, cigarette holder, knife and a key ring.
A Victory Star, British War Medal and Memorial Plaque and Scroll were forwarded to Mr Willoughby on 27 June, 1921.
Pvte. JOSEPH STEPHEN GIOTTI, Service No. 154, 8th Infantry Battalion, AIF
Joseph enlisted on 26 August,1914 at Broadmeadows.
He was a labourer working on his father’s vineyard at Mudgegonga, aged 30 years and 8 months.
His father John was recorded as his next of kin on his enlistment papers.
Joseph embarked from Melbourne on the 'Benalla' on 19 October,1914.
He was severely wounded in action on 28 June,1915 and conveyed to the Hospital Ship 'Silicia'.
He Died of Wounds the next day and was buried at sea.
Personal effects sent back to his father to a Carlton address included a prayer book, diary, razor, mouth organ, whistle, pencil and a rosary.
Joseph’s medals, King’s Message and Memorial Plaque were forwarded during 1921-22.
Company Sgt. Major THOMAS PATTON, Service No. 323, 7th Battalion, AIF
Thomas Patton, well-known local sportsman and head teacher at Buffalo River State School, enlisted at Broadmeadows on 20 August, 1914, aged 25 years 6 months.
He was Myrtleford’s first enlistment and embarked on the 'Hororata' on 19 October.
Tom was promoted to Sergeant on 30 April, 1915 and then Company Sgt Major of ‘B’ Company, 7th Battalion, on 9 May.
He was wounded (shrapnel lacerations to the knee, thigh and feet) on 13 July,1915 and conveyed by the Hospital Ship 'Gascon' to Malta on 18 July 18.
Subsequently, Thomas was listed as 'dangerously ill' on 9 August and Died of Wounds that day.
He was buried at the Pieta Military Cemetery, aged 28, one of 1304 burials there.
Personal effects forwarded to his brother Neil Patton of Yerong Creek, NSW on 6 May, 1916 included a disc, hold-all, razors, shaving brush, pipe, mirror, diary, two knives, cards and stationery, a watch and Holy Bible.
Medals, the King’s Message and Memorial Scroll followed in 1921-22.
The British War Cabinet resolved to end the Gallipoli Campaign on 8 December, 1915.
After eight months, the ANZAC troops were withdrawn from the Peninsula during 19-20 December, using well planned deception by night.
The ill-fated campaign had cost the lives of 8700 Australians and 2280 New Zealanders.
It had achieved little, except undying tributes for those who paid the supreme sacrifice and those who returned impacted in body and mind.
Two of the last to leave Gallipoli were Eric Paul of Buffalo Creek, who would later die on the Western Front on 3 March, 1917 and Fred Carthew, brother of Charles, who would return home in October,1919.
Both had assisted the co-ordination of the withdrawal using field telephones.
“Lest We Forget”