Lemnos, Greece. October 1915. 1st Section and 2nd Section of 1st Field Company Engineers arriving from Anzac for a spell crossing the shallow arm of Mudros Harbour towards Sarpi Camp. In this way a march of about two miles was saved. Left to right: Spr 108 Walter Stallard, Corporal 66 Norman Masters, Spr 14 Edmond Banks; unidentified; Spr Cole; Spr 176 William Harvey; unidentified; Spr Pat Murray; Spr Roberts; unidentified. (Donor E. G. Lloyd) AWM C04119
The Evelyn Lloyd Collection is a series of photos donated to the Australian War Memorial. The selection of photos in the public domain are a generous pictorial of the 1st Field Company Engineers. He captures camp life in Egypt and later Lemnos Island 1915, and glimpses of troop and transport movement in Tel el Kebir, North Egypt and Serapeum in early 1916.
It is likely that more photos of Evelyn’s are in the AWM as the official war historian Charles E.W Bean used and acknowledged a photo taken by Evelyn Lloyd in his book, “The Story of ANZAC – Volume II” attached to Chapter 11 “The German Officers Trench”, another very important chapter in the history of the 1st FCE.
212 “JACK” Charles Carrington Fowle – also well-known as “Chook”
212 Charles Carrington “Chook” Fowlewas affectionately known as the section wag and every company, unit , or battalion, probably had a Chook Fowle. These “happy-go- lucky” men were often needed at times to bring some levity to an otherwise dark and gloomy situation.
His close mate 213 Roy Denning noted that “Chook” Fowle knew when it was about time to lighten the mood and quoted ……..“Chook jumped to his feet and with his usual comical grin, began to sing part of the old song ”Oh my , I don’t want to die I want to go home” …. Amidst roars of laughter and cries of “We want to go with you , Chook”.
The conversation ended and the small group of men went silent and were left to consider the grim reality ahead….. Two days later they would be the among the first to set foot on Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.
212 “JACK” Fowle also well known as “Chook” Charles Carrington was a good mate to many of the sappers and was particular memorable to 213 Roy Denning who enjoyed his humour and larrikin like outbursts.
“Chook ” was 28 years old from Kensington Sydney, a plumber by trade and working as an inspector specialising in water supply and bridge works with the NSW Public Works department prior to enlisting.
His mother Catherine and father George had received their first telegram and news of their son, which said he was wounded on the 12th June but not seriously. This news must have offered some hope for his family. The telegram perhaps was a little inaccurate as to the degree of his wounds, he was severely wounded , his leg completely shattered to pieces. As mentioned in the circular recorded on his wounding, “Chook” had a part of his leg blown off and he had hopped down to the dressing station unassisted carrying part of his leg.
His service record shows he was wounded at Shrapnel Valley Gallipoli on the 31st May 1915, his leg was badly shattered, and he was shipped out on the H.S “Gascon ” and his leg needed to be amputated .
213 Roy Denning gave an account in his diary about a conversation he had with his good mate Chook , a serious conversation about war and whether they would rather lose a limb or be killed. “Chook ” openly declared he’d rather be killed. In the end, he remained true to his belief as ultimately it was the loss of a limb that caused his death, however behind all his humorous charm and bravado, I believe Charles “Chook” Fowle was someone determined not to give up easily.
Unfortunately Charles Fowle died 4 weeks later in the Greek Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, the record showing on 13th July 1915 he died from wounds received in action at the Dardanelles.
No doubt when word had filtered back to the unit that “Chook” had died, the company felt the loss of a very good mate and a true Aussie character. His name was then added with his fellow engineers and immortalised on the cross below.
Charles “Chook” Carrington Fowle was buried at Chatby Military Cemetery Egypt and was officiated by Chaplain Valentine.
Sadly his mother would receive none of his personal effects , after exhaustive searches nothing could be found. It was also a mystery for some years where Charles was laid to rest and it also took almost seven years before the family received his medals and memorial plaque.
Chook was never forgotten at home, and his friends and family paid tribute to him in the family notices of the Sydney Morning Herald and continued for some years on each anniversary of his death. His friends at the Sydney Sports Ground sum up the feelings people had for Charles Fowle.
FOWLE. -Sapper C C (Jack) Fowle who died of wounds received at the Dardanelles fighting for his King and country. A man, a sport, and a true friend. Inserted by his friends of the Sydney Sports Ground….. Source : nla.news-article15580283
100 years later we still remember and honour him.
Sydney Morning Herald family notices 1915
FOWLE.-C. C. (Jack) Fowle Sapper, 1st Field Co Engineers, amongst the first to land on Gallipoli Peninsula, wounded May 30, died in Greek hospital Alexandria, July 13 1915 for King Empire, and liberty Inserted by his loving father and mother, G. A. and C. C. Fowle, Kensington
FOWLE.- Charles Carrington (Jack) Fowle sapper. 1st Field Co , Engineers died of wounds at Greek, hospital, Alexandria July 13 My brother he lived, our soldier he fell. Inserted by his loving sister, Florence Fowle, Springwood Ladies’ College
FOWLE.- C. C. (Jack) Fowle sapper 1st Field Co , Engineers died on July 13 1915 of wounds received at the Dardanelles. Inserted by his loving brothers, Gus, of s.s. Empire, and Fred , of s.s. Cooma.
Source: nla.news-article15607270
13th July 1917 2 years later still honoured and remembered by family and friends – Sydney Morning Herald
FOWLE.-In loving memory of Sapper Charles Carrington (Jack) Fowle, 212, 1st Field Co., Engineers, who died of wounds received at Gallipoli, July 13,
1915. Inserted by his loving father, mother, brothers, and sister, Gus, Fred., and Florence.
FOWLE.-Died of wounds at Gallipoli, C. C. (Jack) Fowle, about July 13, 1915. One of the best Inserted by A. A. Heath and W. A. Harris.
FOWLE.-In memory of my dear friend, C. C. (Jack) Fowle, who died of wounds, July 13, 1015. Inserted by Jim Rattray.
Source:nla.news-article15744335
In July 1967 his loving sister, now Florence Johnston and her son Kenneth Peter Johnston applied for his Gallipoli Medal, she was living at Willoughby, NSW.
Roll of Honour name projection
Charles Carrington Fowle’s name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory on:
112 Francis Leslie Wells was a 21 years old electrical engineer, from Surry Hills Sydney. Francis loved the outdoors and was a lifesaver with the Clovelly lifesaving Club and also played competitive tennis. He was a young man who loved life and was loved by his family and friends. He had two sisters Alma and Eileen and it appears that he may have left behind a sweetheart, a Miss. Lorna Downs.
Frank was proud of being in the Engineers, he enjoyed the hard work and what they achieved at Lemnos prior to the landing at Gallipoli. He was particularly proud of being the first and only representatives from New South Wales to land with the dawn party and rush the hills at Gallipoli.
“Twenty-three of the Engineers with the 3rd Brigade, were in the first boat to touch the land on that memorable Sunday, April 25.” – Sapper 112 Frank L Wells
Unfortunately on this day 100 years ago Francis was killed in action by a bomb blast to his neck and chest, the exact circumstances unknown……….. he is remembered and honoured and will never be forgotten.
KILLED IN ACTION
SAPPER WELLS’ LAST LETTER HOME,
Published Sunday Times – Sunday 8 August 1915.
“Sapper Frank L Wells, aged 22 years, of the 1st Field Company of Engineers, only son of Mrs. F. Wells, of the Hotel Victoria, Crown st, Surry Hills, was killed in action at the Dardanelles on July 12. In his last letter, written to his mother on June 27 last, he said ………..
“ We left Egypt on March 1 for Lemnos Island, just 40 miles from the Dardanelles. The Engineers were ashore for five weeks making wharves, etc. Twenty-three of the Engineers with the 3rd Brigade, were in the first boat to touch the land on that memorable Sunday, April 25. The Engineers were the only New South Wales representatives to land with the party, who rushed the hills. From then we had the hardest 14 days that any one could experience. I can imagine how worried you must all be at this period, but please God, by the time you receive this every thing will be quiet — at least for some time. I am thankful to say so far I have not had a scratch, and have never been too tired at nights to thank God for his mercies each day. When I come home will have some experiences to relate, but you must be patient for a little longer. . am writing this in the trenches, where I have charge of a party of infantry doing some work and improvements.” – Sapper 112 Frank L Wells Source: nla.news-article120801151
112 Spr Frank Wells name is also on the famous memorial cross below…………. and he is buried at Shrapnel Valley Cemetery (Plot I, Row C, Grave 30), Gallipoli, Turkey.
Australian War Memorial – CanberraPanel 25 – Plan of Commemorative area showing which panel the name Francis Leslie Wells’ is located
Roll of Honour name projection
Francis Leslie Wells’ name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory on:
One of the most rewarding outcomes in publishing this site has been when family and relatives connected to the “originals” 1st FCE have willingly made contributions and have been kind enough to share a family treasure such as a photo or photos and first hand stories passed down through the generations.
By sharing these most treasured pieces of family history, it opens the door to new discoveries and the possibility for others to be re-connected to loved ones possibly identified in the photo or a closer connection to the story that may be revealed.
What is hoped from sharing is the possibility that something new and exciting will emerge, that the past is remembered, the lives of these men is not forgotten, and their lives celebrated and their memory never fades.
Some great photo contributions below are rare and we are definitely in need of assistance in helping to identify the “originals” in the photos………………… please enjoy
25 of the “Originals” – Egypt Courtesy Gail McLoughlin ” Private Collection”
L – R – 5 in the back row
L-R – 8 Standing 2nd row
L – R – 7 seated 3rd row – 3rd from left (Possibly) – 23 Stanley Hense, 5th from left – 37 Albert Shoosmith
L – R – 5 seated front row – 2nd from left (Possibly) – 15 George Bird
13 of the “Originals” – courtesy “Bob Lundy Private Collection”
Possibly identified so far :-
Standing Back Row – 5th from left – 234Archie Bland ,6th from left – possibly213 Roy Denning .
Seated – L to R
Titled ” Fine body of men” Courtesy – “Bob Lundy- Private Collection”
22 originals
L -R – 17 Standing – waiting to be identified
L- R 5 Crouching – waiting to be identified
Photo Acknowledgments and reproduced with kind permission:
JJ was one of 29 soldiers who all came from Bent street , a narrow thoroughfare in Paddington Sydney which consisted of only 30 houses .
When he enlisted at 25 year of age he was a steam engine driver and his skills and level of responsibility meant he was quickly promoted to lance corporal within a few weeks of enlisting and then later promoted to 2nd Corporal in January 1915.
On landing day at Gallipoli , Jack Gough was reportedly on the 3rd boat ashore, and was dodging bullets all the way onto the beach. He was shot twice through his pack and through a part of his clothing. A lucky escape for “JJ” on this day, unfortunately 9 weeks later JJ was Killed in Action… circumstances unknown.
Portrait of 172 Percy “Buck” Weatherilt – DCM, MID
Buck Weatherilt looked ready to settle down in Australia, he was happily employed, had many new friends since arriving in Sydney from England in 1913 and he was surrounded with his love of motorcycles. His earlier fame and racing days in England, had been reignited in Australia, and in March 1914 he had won the New South Wales 600cc Motorcycle Championship and was looking forward to October 5th when the 1st Australian Grand Prix was scheduled.
On the 21st August 1914 Buck decided his racing days would have to wait, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces and became a member of the 1st Field Company Engineers and in October 1914 instead of racing in the Grand Prix, left Australian shores for war……. Like so many men, the life he had, and the life he was planning, was postponed.
1st Field Company Engineers - Australian Imperial Forces 