By Anne Course
The approaching 100 year anniversary of the landing at Gallipolli put my head in a spin, my Grandfather had volunteered, what was his experience and how did it effect his life.
I was I like a dog with a bone, can’t let is go until I have all the information possible and passed his story on to the family and for future generations.
What did I know? I knew he was in WW1 and had been awarded the Military Medal, I also knew he was a Gunner, there was some talk that he had a Luger (German Gun), he witnessed the Red Barron being shot down and he was part of the group setting up the self-firing rifles.
Well that was it, so of to the Library to gather some books, DVD’s and to search the internet.
First stop of course, Google, which took me to the Australian War Memorial website and that led me to the Nation Archives Australia where I purchased his Personal Service Records.
Well I got the whole story; to a degree anyway – the Army’s version.
So in an effort to record my grandfather WW1 journey, I took to collecting all the data I could and then visited my Uncles for their stories, typically they didn’t know anything, the returned soldiers didn’t talk about such horrors.
I was on a mission which with the help of the media frenzy encouraged me to join the ballot in attempt to view first-hand what my Granddad had faced Gallipoli.
I didn’t’ realise that I would now begin a serendipitous journey that would encourage me step by step to dig further with each lead pulling me along.
What I was to discover took me on an emotional adventure with many highs and lows, especially when I uncovered his Repatriation files and discovered his battles were never over.
In his own words letters and statements is written about the suffering, concussion from bomb blasts, dysentery and ulcers.
After I booked my trip with my sister, many small things linked together telling me I was on the right track.
The first coincidence which blew my mind, was the discovery that we were to fly out of Melbourne the 17th April 2015 exactly 100 years to the day that my Grandfather had left Melbourne, although he left by the steamship Hororata A20.
It was at Christmas dinner 2014 and we had been given our flight details only weeks earlier, it didn’t sink in at the time, but sitting at the table chatting about our up and coming trip and as I said we are leaving the 17th April, the penny dropped BANG, OMG I think that’s the same date!! And sure enough, it was to be.
When checking through the details on my Grandfather’s service records, I recognised the date of his birth, which turns out to be exactly 99 years and 11 months before my son, oh so close and my niece shares the same birthday. Hmm!, how many more coincidences are to come?
With the beginning of the New Year, 2015 I had planned to visit my Uncles to get their stories. I had planned a visit on the 11th January, but this visit was postpone due to a family commitment so the next weekend was selected. As I later looked at the calendar I realised that the date was 18th January WOW! It was the date my Grandfather enlisted. Not only that, my visit with my Uncle gave me another mind blowing surprise, my Grandfather’s War Medals had been returned to the immediate family after being absent for over 10 years and were now entrusted to my possession. I was so ecstatic and I made it my goal to ensure the rest of the family should see them during this 100 year anniversary.
Ivan Wallace Joseph Barnard was born 20th March 1892 in Oatlands Junction, Bulla Shire, Victoria, Australia to Joseph and Mary Barnard. Ivan was the 4th of 6 children.
When Ivan was just three years old, his father passed away at the early age of 38 (1895) due to a severe bout of Asthma. This left his mother, Mary, alone to raise 6 children.
The family move to Essendon and Ivan and his siblings attend Essendon State School.
Once school was completed, Ivan and his brothers go off to work, Ivan is now working as a Dairyman back in Bulla.
My Grandfather, Ivan Joseph Barnard enlisted 18th January 1915 and embarked Melbourne 17th April 1915 on a cool Autumn Day aboard the steamship Hororata A20.
Ivans brother Gilbert Oliver is working in Tooroorung, Whittlesea and enlists 17th February 1915.
Service Number: 560
- Enlistment: 17 February 1915
- Age: 24 years 6 months
- Next of Kin: James Barnard
- c/- Bundoora PO
- Employment: Tooroorung, Whittlesea-
- Rank: Private
- Roll title: 22 Infantry Battalion
- Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
- Date of embarkation: 10 May 1915
- Place of embarkation: Melbourne
- Ship embarked on: HMAT Ulysses A38
It was the 25th April when the Hororata arrived in Fremantle and the Gallipoli landing had commenced.
The journey was to take about 45 days and arrived in Egypt at the beginning of summer June 2015, The vision of the Great Pyramids in the background and a city of tents was exciting after 6 weeks on the boat, this was to be their training ground before heading to the Gallipoli Peninsular.
It was 9th July 1915 when the 5th Reinforcement were fit and ready to join the 14th Battalion on the Peninsular and the scene that greeted them was one of a busy campsite with stores of ammunition, water, supplies and makeshift hospitals. The dead and wounded on the beach awaiting transportation, would have been an unexpected eye opener.
Ivan was with the 14th Battalion had heard the stories of bravery of Albert Jacka who was Australians first Victorian Cross winner for bravery at Quinns Post in May 2015. Everyone was in awe of Jacka, he earned the respect of his men and they would follow his every order.
Ivan’s first job was to dig communication trenches and sleep dugouts – hence they became known as ‘Diggers’.
The digging continued for some weeks until the whispers of the Big Push came in late July. On the 6,7, 8 August the 14th Battalion were to take Lone Pine this was to distract the Turks and allow the British to safely land at Suvla Bay.
The Turks were in the opposite trenches, but had fortified them by using the surrounding logs from Pine trees. Only bayonet and hand to hand combat would be suitable to achieve this objective. A bloody battle continued for four days and seven VC’s were awarded during this battle. Lone Pine was the only successfully battle on Gallipoli and the AIF remained in possession of these trenches until the evacuation.
In the November the stalemate was obvious and the weather was turning cold and there was talk of leaving, the men weren’t happy, sneaking off like cowards in the night and leaving behind their dead mates.
Some ingenious men from the Essendon District came up with the plan to set up self-firing rifles, these men stayed to the last and Ivan was part of the action. As a rehearsal for the evacuation, the silent stunt tactic was set up to give the Turks a false sense of security. This involved no sound for 24 hours at random times during the build up to the withdrawal.
Ivan received discipline action for hesitating to obey an order at this time, Hmmm!!! 7 day forfeit of pay and hard labour.
All the men quietly left except for the last 15 who remained to set up the self-firing rifles. Upon a final role call, one digger was missing, Fred Pollard, two of his mates went back for him Many years later, Ivan states in a letter he wrote to the Army that he was the last man to leave Gallipoli and I bet he would have been the one to go back and fetch Fred.
The Diehards finally arrived in Lemons, it was Christmas and the men received gifts from home, typically with an Australian sense of humour, a tin with sweets with an image on the label of a Kangaroo pitching a Turk off the cliffs.
The men returned to Egypt for restructure and training, Ivan was relocated to the 46th Battalion of ANZAC 11 Corps and separated from the 14th Battalion and his mates.
In Egypt Ivan was trained as a Gunner operating 18 pounder cannons these were heavy and cumbersome requiring horses to move them into position and a 5 man team.
After more reshuffling, Ivan was allocated to the 12th Battalion 11th Field Artillery Brigade.
Ivan’s older brother Victor Barnard was working as a carpenter when he enlists 31st March 1916:
- Service Number: 5473
- Rank: Private
- Enlistment: 31 March 1916
- Roll title: 7 Infantry Battalion
- Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
- Date of embarkation: 04 April 1916
- Place of embarkation: Melbourne
- Ship embarked on: HMAT Euripides A14
- Promotion: L/Cpl 27 September 1917
- Awards: Military Medal
- Death: Villers Bretonneaux 9 August 1918
- Buried: Heath Cemetery
In June 1916 the Battalion disembarked Alexandra and arrived in Marcelles after a nerve wrecking journey by steamship as German submarines patrolling the waters.
It wasn’t long before Ivan was given the alias of ‘Joe’ electing to use is middle name, Joseph, after his fellow soldiers saw similarities to German names.
Upon arriving in France in the summertime the men were to see death and destruction on a larger scale as they travelled by train through bombed cities and displaced people.
Upon arrival, they were sent for training with gas masks, this was a new enemy not experienced on Gallipoli.
Later Ivan was volunteered for Signalling School and learned how to use FULLER Phone system, this was the major form of communications during battles and when the lines went down, the runners came in.
Ivan was a runner at the Battle Messines on the 6th June 1917 and awarded the Military Medal
11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade – 1908A Gunner WW1
Awarded for Bravery and Gallantry under fire
‘The man showed great pluck and endurance during operations on 7th & 8th June 1917 before Messines. He worked as a runner during a period of 24 hour duty from FOO (Frontline Outlook Observation) to Group Headquarters bringing very important despatches under heavy shell fire’
Recommendation by Colonel WGN Waite
Approved by General Holmes 14 June 1917
One time Ivan was running from the front Outlook post to the rear Headquarters, jumping from trench to trench when he and his mate, Tommy Hamilton came across some Germans, behind our lines, they disarmed them and let them go with no time to lose and important information to pass on. Ivan did manage to obtained a souvenir from this expedition and took possession of the treasured Luger.
Victor Barnard promoted to Lance Corporal 27/09/1917
Victor Barnard awarded Military medal 13/10/1917
7th AIF Battalion 5473 Lance Corporal Victor Barnard.
‘Near Ypres on 4/5th October 1917, L/Cpl Barnard displayed fine initiative and courage In assisting his Company Commander to reorganise for attack on 2nd objective.
On capture of the 2nd objective he was conspicuous for his leadership and control of his men in organisation and in consolidation of the whole of his Company’s front.’
It was April 21st 1918 Ivan and the 11th FAB witnessed the dog fight with the infamous Red Barron, as the Barron come closer to the ground all the Machine Gunners were taking pot shots and eventually brought him down, like all, Ivan was among the souvenir hunters and attempted to collect a part of the plane, believed to be the alternator, however he was ordered to leave it behind.
“At Ypres I was gassed whilst on telephone duty. I was in a dugout at the time when a shell burst right in the front of it. I got a fair issue of gas before I had time to put my respirator on. I was evacuated to some English Casualty Clearing Station where I remained for approximately four weeks. I do not know where I was.”
And Again
“I was on telephone duty at the time and had a leaky respirator. I was returned to the Waggon Line until I felt well enough to resume duty. I could not stay too long away from Battery as my services were always required for telephone duty etc”.
Upon reading Ivan’s Repatriation files I discovered Ivan was gassed twice.
Suffered concussion from bomb blasts, dysentery and ulcers.
Gilbert marries sweetheart Emily Beatrice on 5th December 1917 Higham Somerset.
Ivan was “evacuated suffering from bad ankle, but I soon returned and remained until hostilities ceased”.
KILLED IN ACTION
On 19th August 1918 Victor Alfred is KIA at
Villers Bretonneaux and is buried in
Heath Cemetery Harbonnieres France.
Victor leaves behind a wife Gwenllian and a daughter Clara.
“I was in hospital at Hurdcott with some complaint. I had a high temperature and was inoculated a dozen times.”
The war had come to an end when Germany surrenders 11th November 1918
While awaiting disembarkment, the Spanish Flu was rampant in Europe Ivan fell ill and was isolated until 24th February 1919.
Finally on the 23rd March 1919 Ivan returns to Australia per ‘Cluny Castle’ from Devonport, England the journey takes 59 days and arrives 21st May 1919 and on 21st July 1919.
Ivan had completed his full service and more, 4 years and 6months 3 days, a total of 1645 days!
He received the following awards: Military Medal, Star, British Medal, Victory Medal and Returned Serviceman Medallion from Bundoora where his family were now living. He was also given a Certificate of Service from Mayor of Essendon and the Gallipoli Medallion.
His name along with his brothers names are etched into the Honour Board at Essendon State School and Bundoora State School.
In 1966, Ivan was to received the Gallipoli Medallion and, at the age of 75, Ivan was compelled to write to the AIF stating his strong objection to the images etched on medal.
‘Dear Sir
I wish to apply for the medal of the ANZACS from the Government. My Unit was 14th Btn No; 1908A Pte Ivan Joseph Barnard MM. It’s not a well designed medal with that fictitious characters of a man & donkey we would have preferred Cpt Albert Jacka on one side at Lone Pine on the other.
Yours respectfully
Pte I J Barnard MM
Once 14th, 13th & 48th Batt & 42nd Btn.
Now at 25 Shand Road Reservior
The last man to leave Gallipoli’ sic [Infantry, North Beach, Gallipoli]
Life was tough after the war and like all men trying to fit back into society and forget about the war was difficult task. Even though no physical wounds were evident, Ivan suffered with headaches stomach complaints, breathing problems and anxiety. Ivan’s battles were not over. During 1920 Ivan applied for a parcel of farming land which was an entitlement for returning soldiers;
“I was rejected on two occasions by Lands Department when I made application for a block”. Ivan managed to gain employment in 1921, “I was employed as a labourer by the Metropolitan Tannery, Preston for five months”. Ivan married Ida May Millman on 14th December 1923 at the age of 31 in East Melbourn and continued to struggle with ill health. Ivan & Ida set up home in Preston where Ivan was employed as labourer for various people including the Preston City Council.
In 1932, The Great Depression had hit hard, Ivan and Ida now had four children and attempted to secure the War Pension in order to provide for this family. The application was rejected.
Ivan appealed the decision and made numerous statement one stating;
“I am sure that when I go before a Board it will prove I am not a malingerer”,
Being so frustrated by yet another rejection, he writes again stating:
“That no soldier could possibly go through the troublous times so long without suffering some ill effects, and the constant association with bursting and explosives must necessarily bring some sort of nervous disorders, which would not otherwise have been manifest”.
Ivan and Ida moved to 25 Shand Road Reservoir and raised eight sons, By 1953 Ivan had retired and had long stopped attending the RSL, memories of the war and others big noting themselves, made him feel uncomfortable.
The family enjoyed regular singalongs, Ivan found the war songs uplifting and joyful, many nights were spent around the Pianola signing and laughing and their children joined in playing their instruments; Banjo, Harmonica, Piano According and Saxophone.
Ivan battled the remainder of his life with ill health suffering from reoccurring headaches, breathing difficulties, stomach complaints and anxiety. Numerous visits to Doctors and Chemists obtaining medication to elevate symptoms did little to help.
In an attempt to receive the War Pension, numerous forms and attendance at Tribunals continued however he was declined many times, mainly due to the fact that there we no visible injures and other ailments were “not accepted as result of war service”.
Today, however a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress and Shell Shock would have been correctly identified and assistance and treatment would have been readily available.
Ivan, being a proud and private man, would have found it difficult and humiliating to front the Tribunal in an attempt to receive the Pension, as with all men of WW1, they were never worse off than anyone else, but in order to provide for his family when he was unable to work due to ill health directly caused by the war, this was what he deserved and was his drive for a fair go.
On 24th May 1968, Ivan had a medical procedure for prostate problem, but did not recover well and his lung collapsed. An Xray revealed a mass in the right hilar region. He passed away two days later.
This story was first published in “Fine Spirit and Pluck: World War One Stories from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea” published by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, August 2016
