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2. Australia New South Wales, 1914 On August 4th 1914 Germany invaded Belgium and so began the Great War. Australia, eager to show the fighting quality of her men and loyalty to the Crown immediately pledged 20,000 soldiers of any type to go anywhere to fight for his Majesty The King. On August 6th Britain accepted the offer. In Australia, on August 17 recruitment began.
Before the War Charles Bourke lived in Forbes with his family. He was the fourth of five sons born to his Father John Thomas Bourke Sr. and his beloved Mother Sarah Jane Bourke. Charles also had six sisters. The Bourke's had moved away from Forbes to nearby Lithgow but Charles later came back to work for the Gazette. Charles served in the Forbes Senior Cadets four years and the Forbes Militia Guard two. In the Militia he was subordinate to Lieutenant Barton whom he would meet again later upon the rocky cliffs of Galipolli. At the outset of war Charles Bourke found himself working in his sixth year as an apprentice compositor for the Gazette Newspaper with only ten months remaining of his apprenticeship. The Gazette was the local newspaper of Forbes, the small township where Charles grew up in located in New South Wales. His hope was to become a fully qualified compositor or journalist. The Owner of the Gazette, Mr. S.S. Smith described Charles as being "Reliable, honest, straight forward and with a knowledge of his business seldom acquired by others of older growth", also that Charles was "Held in very high esteem by Mr. Smith and the hands". Mr. Smith, once discovering that his young apprentice had "Joined Up" (enlistment papers) waived the remaining ten months of apprenticeship and endorsed Charles as a fully qualified compositor. Mr. Smith, knowing how much his young apprentice loved and enjoyed his work told Charles that he would have a position as Full Compositor waiting for him should he return. Two years later the same Forbes Gazette would publish the news of Charles's death in France. Charles had died with newspaper clippings from the Gazette still in his pockets. Charles was a devoted member of the local Church of England where he sang beautifully in the Church choir. Included in his final inventory of effects sent to his Mother was the Gospel of St. Mark she had given him as a boy. Upon news of Charles death the Forbes town flag was flown at half mast. On August 21, 1914, Charles Bourke left Forbes and the Gazette behind by answering the call for King and Country. He entered the recruiting office in Kensington N.S.W. and stood in the long line of potential recruits waiting to be examined by Captain J.W.B. Bean the attesting Medical Officer. (Captain Bean would later be credited with saving many lives within the Third Battalion) One can only imagine what thoughts go through the mind when the doctor is deciding whether you are fit for duty or not. They must have been secretly terrified of being rejected and sent home as unfit. Such a stigma it was to be deemed unfit for duty. Made to go back home to the life thought left behind in the hope of glory and battle. At age 20, Charles Bourke passed his physical and was enlisted in the infantry. Private Charles Bourke was #699. Fortunately he had good teeth and feet. These qualities were amongst the first and most scrutinized by Dr. Bean. Charles was 5' 5'' inches tall. He weighed 136 pounds. His chest measured 36 inches. His complexion dark and eyes, hazel (attestation papers.,AWM, 1914). No distinctive marks. Bourke cited the Church of England as his Religious Denomination. He is a single man, never convicted of a crime, nor discharged from any military service. Charles listed his next of kin to be his Father Mr. J Bourke of Lithgow NSW. In his will though Charles passes "The whole of my property in the event of my death to my Dear Mother". Charles is assigned, 1st Division, 1st Infantry Brigade, Third Battalion, D Company, his rank, Private. Charles was now a part of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). He is stationed at the Randwick Racetrack. It was there that the Battalion, now some 1200 men, spent their first nights under the stars together. Their days would be spent eating, marching and training until the Battalion down to each company could move as one being. No more home cooked meals or feather beds. The Battalion was first under the command of Major A.J. Bennet, (C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D). This was short lived as the Army had brought in Lieutenant-Col R.H.Owen to take over command. Bennet being the obvious choice for assembling and creating the existence of the battalion, it would be Owen, with Bennet's help that would form the fighting spirit, pride and foundation of the Battalion. Owen is described by Major Bennet as "An officer of splendid capability and reputation"(2). His caring nature and empathy with the men earned him the nickname "Dad" Owen. It was with great satisfaction and pride that the two began the development of the Battalion. The Battalion was slowly transformed from what were once Australian citizens largely living behind desks, on farms and in the fields of New South Wales to become the most famous and decorated fighting battalion of the First World War. The spirit of the Third Battalion was so deeply engrained within the men that would last through out the war and be passed on to the endless supply of replacements. The citizens of Sydney were eager to get a glimpse of this fighting force in their full parade outfit. On October 6, 1914 the entire First Brigade marched through the streets of Sydney. I wonder if the Bourke's were able to see young Charles? How proud they would have been. How frightened for what lay ahead. Finally, the order came. The Battalion embarked on its first journey to the battlefields. On October 18th the Battalion was paraded again in full marching order, but quietly this time with no cheering crowds. At 8:30 a.m. Charles Bourke and the AEF slipped out of Sydney to Fort Macquarie where waiting for them was the (H.M.T.) Euripides. Embarking the Euripides on October 19th, the Battalion would set sail the following morning. On October 20th 1914 the Euripides steamed out of her moorings and into the harbor. The sounds of ship horns and sirens could be heard by the troops on board signaling the send off to the troops. It seemed that all Australia was counting on them to bring home Victory. Charles, giving his memory one last glimpse of Sydney and home, said goodbye. The Euripides then rounded the heads and turned into the open sea. Charles was one of 2300 men aboard The Euripides. The routine on board was quickly established. Reveille was at 6:00 a.m. followed by training, dinner at noon, tea at 5:00 p.m. then lights out at 9:00 p.m.. The days were filled with the essential job of training for war, musketry and marching (2) The Euripides was not alone in her Voyage. 38 convoy ships from New Zealand joined her, all bringing soldiers to the front. Along the way the sights for Charles were marvelous and filled with sun, calm seas and the usual "Crossing-The-Line" ceremony. Of course all was not completely without trials as the heat was extreme and quarters being cramped lead to disease. Two deaths resulted on the way. The ship however passed the Suez and arrived safely in Egypt, the land of the Pharos just over six weeks later. |
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