Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Corporal A E Helm, MM, The Herald 10 Nov 1917

Helm A E     Pte    71    Arthur Edward             3 Pioneer Bn    23    Labourer    Single    Pres       

Address:    Ascot Vale, The Parade, 91   

Next of Kin:    Helm, Edward, father, 91 The Parade, Ascot Vale   

Enlisted:    1 Mar 1916       

Embarked:     A62 Wandilla 6 Jun 1916   

Awards:  Military Medal

Citation not located.

BACK FROM JAWS OF DEATH
EMERGING FROM INFERNO,
CORPORAL IS REWARDED
No. 71, Corporal A. E. Helm, Pioneer Battalion, whose parents are
Mr and Mrs E. Helm, of Ascot Vale, has been awarded the Military Medal
for bravery in the field. Corporal Helm is 25 years of age, and,
prior to enlistment, was a well-known junior cricketer at Port Melbourne. He
was in the "great push" of June 7," and was in charge of a party of pioneer sig
nallers who had the dangerous and try ing task of running out telephone lines
to the captured trenches and maintaining them at all cost. In a letter to his
parents he thus described his experiences:

"I have just returned from what is termed 'the most terrific ordeal in history.'

Of course I knew what I volunteered for, but I really didn't believe
human beings could stand such terrible and scientific means of warfare. For
three days and nights I was without sleep getting ready; and when we were
going to the front line, the enemy sent over a terrible amount of gas, and a
lot of our men went under with it. I got a taste of it myself. Luckily it did
not prevent me going further. "I was in our front line waiting to
go over when terrific explosions occur red. These were the signal for our ad
vance. Being so near, it seemed just like a huge tidal wave. The spectacular

part was horribly fascinating — miles of hills were blown up in one
mass of blazing fire. I was in the first wave over the top.

THE IMPOSSIBLE ACHIEVED
"Our artillery and machine guns opened up a barrage which was

wonderful, and the enemy concentrated his counter barrage on our front line.
It was positively awful. I did not think it possible for human beings
to get through it, but most of us did. How? I will never know. The Germans

were that dazed with the explosions and the awful thoroughness of
our artillery that they were incapable of resisting, and we carried all our
objectives. But the holding-on was awful. Being on the flank, we fell in
for all the counter-attacks of fresh troops which the enemy rushed up.
It was then we lost most of our men. "We had a full concentration of
enemy artillery at us. It was terrible. How I was missed God
only knows. I was covered up, and dug myself out twice. I am

certain that I have a charmed life.

"The first day I took six men with me for my communication job, but I
had barely got going when I had to do it all myself, and they sent me
eight men for reinforcement. From that time onward I kept communica-
tion going ail the time. My linemen went out and mended the cable under
fire that has never been equalled before in history. I put a special

recommendation in for them, and I feel certain that it will be recognised.

"There were at least 50 different telephone lines, but they were blown
down, and so many linesmen killed that in most cases the lines were
abandoned altogether, and the others were an absolute failure.

PRAYER IN THE STORM
"When the hundreds of wounded were getting carried past me all day I
sat down and prayed, and I don't think there could ever be a more earnest
prayer. I am certain it was answered. We ran out another line of weak
calibre, and it lasted— excepting for about 10 breaks — for 32 hours. We
not only dealt with our own messages but messages from every stranded
unit, and we all thought it marvellous. Lieut.-General Sir William Bird-
wood himself sent a complimentary message to our brigadier. He said he
was well pleased with the communications of the division, and our line
was the only line, so I consider I have a right to 'swank' a little. The brigade
colonel lined us up and gave us an address, and went over to our colonel.
The outcome is three days' complete rest. I believe we have to line up
again before him for some more nice words. There is very little praise due
to me, but everything Is due to my linesmen and also to the splendid work
of the officer and corporal at the other station. But it is nice to know we
were the means of saving so many of our pals. Our losses were heavy, but
not half those of the enemy.

"The battalions concerned are about one-quarter of the strength now.

Happily, the great majority are wounded, and many slightly, although a good
many were killed among them — many of my best pals. Sid. Oakley, my
cricketing pal, was one of the unfortunates. A jolly fine fellow. — I feel his
I death like that of a brother. I sent his mother a letter, she must be

terribly worried, as it is her second son of three killed and the other has been
wounded."

BACK FROM JAWS OF DEATH (1917, November 10). The Herald

(Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 12.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242448370

See photograph of 3-Pioneer-Battalion-HQ-Co

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