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Galbraith A D   Driver  10854

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 6 years, 7 months ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

 

Galbraith A D   Driver  10854    Albert David             22 ASC    23    Tobacconist    Single    Pres        

Address:    Essendon, Mackay St, 35, “Lochiel”    

Next of Kin:    Galbraith, D, father, “Lochiel”, 35 Mackay St, Essendon    

Enlisted:    16 Feb 1916        

Embarked:     A34 Persic 3 Jun 1916    

 

Relatives on Active Service:

Galbraith-A-G-F-Sapper-3648  cousin  DOW

Galbraith A V Lt cousin

Galbraith, W J 2 Lt cousin

 

Friend of:

Hewat J Pte 602

 

Date of death:  11/11/1918

CWGC:  "Son of David and Angelina Galbraith, of 88, Rose St, Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia".

ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

 

 

DRIVER ALBERT DAVID GALBRAITH

 

Rod Martin

 

Albert was twenty-two years old when he joined up in February 1916, single (but engaged to Gladys White of Bendigo) and variously describing himself as a tobacconist, shopkeeper and hairdresser.  The son of David and Angelina Galbraith of Rose Street, Essendon, he was originally assigned to 23 Company – the service corps - of the newly created 3 Division (supply) Train.  This was part of 3 Australian Division, commanded by Major-General John Monash.  The Australian Army Service Corps provided supply and transport for divisions and Albert was given the rank of driver.  At this time, most of the transport used was of the horse and wagon variety, and whether Albert switched to motorized transport as it became more readily available during the war we do not know. He sailed for England via the Cape of Good Hope on A34 HMAT Persic on 3 June 1916, landing at Plymouth on 25 July.

 

As a member of 3 Division, deliberately created by the Australian government and earmarked to be a ‘professional’ organization, Albert stayed in England for almost four months, undergoing extensive training near Salisbury Plain.  This approach had not been used with the other Australian divisions and was meant to provide a model for future units.  Albert finally sailed for France in November 1916, preceding the infantry units of the division.  They followed the next month.  After a spell in the so-called ‘nursery sector’ around Armentières, the division went into action for the first time at Messines in southern Belgium.  At that time, and following the failure of the Battle of the Somme, the British and Commonwealth forces were preparing for a new offensive in the Ypres region.  In 1917, Albert transferred twice: first to 867 Company and then, three months later, to 868 Company. 

 

  

             

   A group of horse-drawn Australian general service wagons travelling along

          an unsurfaced road to obtain supplies from an Army Service Corps dump        

    Australian War Memorial Collection    http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/EZ0001

 

As a driver in 3 Division’s service corps, Albert provided support to forces engaged in the attacks at Messines, Polygon Wood and Broodseinde.  These conflicts were all components of the Third Battle of Ypres (often called ‘Passchendaele’) – an ostensible attempt to drive the Germans away from the Belgian coast and distract them from conflicts further south in France.  The battle, that began with the mining of Messines Ridge in early June and then a major offensive on 31 July, achieved very little at great human and material cost (70,000 Allied dead), and petered out in November. As drivers, moving men and supplies to and from the front, Albert and his compatriots were in constant danger from shellfire and aerial bombardment.  Quite often, convoys were slowed down or halted by the gluey Flanders mud that was such a feature of the Belgian battlefields.  At such times, the men involved were extremely vulnerable, and more than 100 of them died in action or of their wounds.

 

     

               Conditions on the front during the Third Battle of Ypres, November 1917

                (Wilkins, G.H. (ed.): Australian War Photographs, A.I.F Publications, London, 1919)

 

At the end of Third Ypres, 3 Division remained in the Messines area, holding the front there.  Albert took a fortnight’s well-deserved leave in England during this time.  Soon after he returned, however, the division was rushed back to the area of the Somme in northern France in March 1918 after the beginning of the much anticipated German spring offensive.  Albert would have assisted comrades as they fought defensive battles and conducted counter-offensives at places such as Morlancourt, Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel, engagements that slowly but surely turned the German tide.  When the Allied forces, including 3 Division, began their last offensive on 8 August at the Battle of Amiens, Albert and the service corps followed them up and then proceeded to conflicts at Hamel, Mont Saint Quentin, the Hindenburg Line and finally the Saint Quentin Canal. This last-mentioned battle was eventually won on 2 October, and ended 3 Division’s  involvement in the hostilities.

 

After this time, the service corp. units were based at Allery, south of Abbeville on the Somme.  While they were there, the AIF set about training the men in civil occupations in preparation for their return to Australia and demobilization.  Courses in agriculture, veterinary work and horse management were organized.  Albert was probably just beginning such classes when he suddenly became ill on 7 November and was quickly transferred to the general hospital at Abbeville.  His condition deteriorated rapidly, he contracted bronco-pneumonia two days later, and he died on 11 November.  Albert had survived the war, only to die of disease on the day that it ended.

 

It is possible that Albert was one of the victims of Spanish Influenza, the pandemic that began in March 1918 and swept across the world for two years, claiming more than fifty million victims, possibly as many as 100 million.  The speed of his illness – from the first symptoms to death in four days – suggests something extremely virulent.  Spanish Flu certainly fits the bill.

 

Albert was buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.  He was survived by his father, mother and brother.

 

 Sources

Australian War Memorial

National Archives Australia

The Argus

Bean, C. E. W.: The official history of Australia in the war of 1914-1918, Sydney, Angus and Robertson, 1941

Nelson, Robert et al: A pictorial history of Australians at war, Sydney, Paul Hamlyn, 1970 

Lenore Frost  

 

Online

www.raasc.org.au

www.history1900s.about.com

 

Boxing formed one of the pastimes on the voyage to England. Driver A. D. Galbraith, A S Corps, of Galbraith Bros, hair-dressers, Essendon, was the winner of the light-weight competition, with Driver Hughie Mehegan* as referee. Galbraith's left hand punch was good.

 

ROLL OF HONOR. (1916, October 5). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74594333

 

* 10971 Pte Eugene Daley Mehegan, of Brunswick, who described his occupation as "pugilist" on his attestation form.

 

OUR SOLDIERS

 

The following letter has been received from Driver A. V.* Galbraith, of Rose street, Essendon:- France. 25/12/17. It has reached our ears that rumours are current in Australia of the late Hughie Mehegan's** actions on Salisbury Plains as a military policeman, in ill-using unruly Anzacs. This is a shameful untruth, and in honour of our late pal, now departed, we who had lived with him and shared his dangers since leaving Australia until his death feel it our bounden duty to give these statements, which are the apparent utterances of unscrupulous individuals, an emphatic denial. Hughie never saw one minute's service, since enlistment, as an M.P. He was always at his post, and had completed over 12 months' continuous active service in France. When a pal had been wounded at his job, Hughie volunteered at once to carry out his comrade's dangerous job. His was a familiar figure on the shell-swept forward roads during the geat Messines stunt. This vindication is nothing more than due to one who has done his duty to his country and who will never see Australia's shores again. We would be lacking in self-respect, and that due to our old pal Hughie, who was the best known and one of the most popular men in our Division, and what is more, the best-tempered fellow we have ever had anything to do with. His demise has caused the profoundest regret amongst all his comrades.-From his pals.

 

OUR SOLDIERS. (1918, February 28). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 5, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74605202

 

* Should have been Driver A D Galbraith.  His cousin A V Galbraith was a Lieutenant.  The Galbraith family home was in Mackay St, Essendon, but they had a haridressing business in Rose St, Essendon.

** 10971 Pte Eugene Daley Mehegan, of Brunswick

 

GALBRAITH.--MR. and MRS. D. GALBRAITH and SON desire to express their sincere thanks to all kind friends and relations for visits, cards and letters it their recent sad bereavement in the loss of their beloved son in France, 10,854. Driver A. D. Galbraith; especially mentioning Rev. Alex. Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Fleming, in their kind attention to Mrs. Galbraith in her illness: also St. John's Young Men's Club, and Board of Management, Aberfeldie B. Club, Essendon Old Boys' Club, Essendon Junior F.B. Club.

 

Family Notices. (1918, December 19). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 2 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved September 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607842

 

 

War Service Commemorated

Essendon Town Hall F-L

Aberfeldie Bowling Club [A B]

St John's Presbyterian Church*

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours

 

Mentioned in this correspondence:

Aberfeldie Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club Minutes Book.

p 314               Committee meeting held Wed 4 Dec 1918

"Secretary reported writing letter of sympathy to Mr Galbraith re loss of his son. 

Mr Cliff proposed and Mr G Benwell seconded that the action be endorsed - carried".

 

ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

GALBRAITH.-On the 11th November, of broncho-pneumonia,

at the 3rd Austra- lian General Hospital, England. Driver

Albert David Galbraith, of the Third Divisional Train, elder son

of Mr. and Mrs. David Galbraith, and brother of Leslie, 9 Flower

st., Essendon, after nearly three years' active service, aged 25

years. Deeply loved and mourned.

 

GALBRAITH.-On the 11th November, of broncho-pneumonia,

at the 3rd Australian General Hospital, England, Driver Albert

David Galbraith, of the Third Divisional, elder son of Mr. and

Mrs. Galbraith, of 9 Flower st., Essendon, after nearly three

years' service, aged 25 years.     Loved by everyone who

knew him. -Inserted by his brother, Leslie Galbraith, 9 Flower

st., Essendon.

 

GALBRAITH.-On the 11th November, of broncho-pnenmonia,

at the 3rd Austra- lian General Hospital, England, Driver Albert

David Galbraith, of the Third Divisional, elder son of Mr. and Mrs.  

Galbraith, and brother of Leslie. 9 Flower st., Essendon, after nearly

three years' service; also loved fiance Gladys White. Bendigo

Deeply loved and mourned.

 

Family Notices. (1918, November 28). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor,
Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918),
p. 2 Edition: Morning. Retrieved September 3, 2012, from
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74607730

 

In Memoriam

 

GALBRAITH - In sad and loving memory of our

dear son and brother, Driver Albert D. Gal-

braith, of 22nd A.A.S. Corps, who died of illness

in 3rd A.G.. Hospital, Abbeville, France, 11/11/18,

elder son of Mr. and Mrs. D Galbraith, Essendon,

also loved fiance of Gladys White, Bendigo.

Dearly loved. So sadly, missed.    

Our hearts for you are aching dear,

Through the lonely nights and days,      

For we miss you, dearest Alb,

In a hundred different ways.      

Could our eyes but pierce the gloom    

And see our dear one's face,    

Perhaps our aching hearts.

Would find a resting-place.    

You had waited-long for-me, dear parents,

Now I will wait tor you.              

(Inserted by his father, mother, and brother.)

 

GALBRAITH. In ever-loving memory of my dear

brother, Driver A. D. Galbraith, 22nd A.A.S..

Corps, who died of illness in 3rd A G Hospital,

Abbeville, France, 11/11/18; also, my cousin,  

Sapper Alf Galbraith, died of wounds in France,

July 1916.    

So dearly loved and deeply mourned.

A shadow rests upon our home,

We miss our dear one's face;

Where'er we turn, where'er we look.

We see his vacant place.

Miss him? Yes! We'll miss him always  

In the home he died to save.

(Inserted by his only brother, Leo Galbraith,    

- Essendon.)

 

GALBRAITH. In loving, memory of our dear

nephew and cousin, Driver Albert. D. Galbraith,

3rd Divisional Train, died of broncho-pneumonia;

France, 11th November, 1918.  

In our hearts your memory lingers, Tender,

fond, and true;    

There's not a day goes, dear Albert,  

But what we think of you.

(Inserted by his loving uncle and auntie, Fred

and Annie Drew, Elsternwick; also loving cousins,

Ethel, Mervyn, Kelvin, and Mavis.)

 

GALBRAITH In fond memory of Albert, late

driver, 3rd Div. Train, A.I.F., who died at 3rd A.G.H.,

Abbeville, France, on Armistice Day.  

Loved and esteemed by all who knew him.    

(Inserted, by his cousins, Captains A, V [Galbraith]

and W. J. Galbraith, A.I.F., and Elsie.)

 

GALBRAITH -To the memory of my dear fiance,

Driver A. D. Galbraith, died France, November

11, 1918.

Ever Remembered. -(Gladys White, Bendigo.)

 

GALBRAITH. In loving memory of Driver A. D.

Galbraith, late of 23rd A.S.C. Company, Third

Divisional Train, who died of influenza at the

Third A.G.H., Abbeville, France, 11/11/18.  

Duty nobly done.

(Inserted by his old comrade, Jim Hewat)

The Argus 11 November 1919

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4656886

 

GALBRAITH -In sad and loving memory of our  

dear son and brother, Driver A D Galbraith,

AASC, 3rd Div Train, died of illness in 3rd A G

Hospital Abbeville, France, November 11, 1918

(Armistice Day), elder son of Mr and Mrs D

Galbraith, Essendon, also loved fiance of Gladys

White, Bendigo.

So dearly loved and deeply mourned

Early were you taken, Albert dear,

And we know 'tis vain to weep;  

Tears of ours can never wake thee

From thy sad and silent sleep  

So keep our loved one, Lord above  

And there our treasure waits,

Hidden by the hands of love      

Away behind the gates.

There our eager hearts shall be,

And there our souls shall soar  

When we are called to be with thee, dear,

For Evermore.  

(Inserted by father, mother, and brother,

84 Rose street, Essendon)      

 

GALBRAITH In  loving memory of our dear    

nephew and cousin, Driver Albert D Galbraith,

3rd Div Train, AIF, who died at 3rd AGH,  

Abbeville, France, November 11, 1918

(Armistice Day).

This day recalls sad memories

Of a loved one gone to rest,  

And those who think of him today

Are those who loved him best.      

-(Inserted by his loving uncle and auntie, Fred

and Annie Drew, Elsternwick, also loving cousins,

Ethel, Mervyn, Kelvin, and Mavis. )  

 

GALBRAITH. In memory of Driver A D Gal-

braith, 3rd Div Train, AIF, who died on  

active service, France, Armistice Day, 1918.  

Loved and esteemed by all who knew him here.

-(Inserted by his cousins, Elsie and Captains

A V and W J Galbraith, AIF.)

 

GALBRAITH- To the memory of my dear fiance,  

Driver A D Galbraith, died France, November

11, 1918. Loved and remembered (Gladys White, Bendigo). 

The Argus 11 November 1920

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4572344

 

GALBRAITH.-In sad and loving; memory of our

dear son and brother, Driver A. D. Galbraith,  

3rd Div. Train, died of illness in 3rd A.G. Hos-

pital, Abbeville, France, November 11, 1918

(Armistice Day), elder son Of Mr. and Mrs. D.

Galbraith, loved brother of Les, Essendon;

loved fiance of Gladys White, Bendigo.  

So dearly loved and deeply mourned.

The roll had been called, but our boy is missing,

The one we loved dearly will answer no more:

And our lives must go on, though our hearts may

be breaking,    

Till..........................................................o'er                

But there he will wait with a smile and a wel-

come,          

Where sadness and sorrow and pain are un-

known;

And God, in His infinite mercy, will call us

To rest vvith our loved one before His great

throne.

Somebody wept when he went away,

Somebody's kiss on his dear lips lay,

Somebody's heart is breaking to-day

His parents.

-(Inserted by father, mother, and only brother,

Les.) 

The Argus 11 November 1921

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4621649

 

GALBRAITH.-In sad and loving memory of our

dear son and brother, Driver A. D. Galbraith,

3rd Div. Train, died of illness in 3rd A.G. Hospital,

Abbeville, France, November 11, 1918, elder

son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Galbraith, loved brother

of Les.    

This day brings back sad memories afresh

Of our loved one who is at rest.

Although four year have gone by now

Since our great sorrow fell ;

Yet in our hearts we mourn the loss

Of him we loved so well.

Loved and remembered.

Do not ask us why we miss him,

As it dawns another year.

-{Inserted by his parents and brother, 84

Rose street, Essendon.)

 

Galbraith, 3rd Div. Train. A.I. F., who died

on active service, at Abbeville, France, on

Armistice Day, 1918.

"Loved and esteemed by all who knew him."

(-Inserted by his cousins, A. V and W. J.

Galbraith.)

The Argus 11 November 1922

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1854257

 

No further years checked.

 

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