SAPPER HENRY JAMES AYRES 16947 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

SAPPER HENRY JAMES AYRES

 

16947 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

 

Inverell, New South Wales was the birthplace of Henry ‘Harry’ James Ayres in 1895 the son of Henry Jepson and Phoebe Dunbar (nee Hill) Ayres. An apprenticeship as an engineer was served for three years at the Conrad Silver Mine, Howell, NSW which was about twenty kilometres from Inverell and historically was the largest producer of silver in the New England district.

 

At Victoria Barracks, Sydney on October 12, 1916 the twenty-one year old engineer applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination there. Personal particulars on his application state he was single, 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall with a chest expansion of 84-90cms (33-35½ins) and his eyesight was good. Postal address was 12 Dayham Street, Glebe, NSW. The recruiting officer accepted his application and he was sent to the Royal Agricultural Show Ground camp, Sydney, NSW to be attested the same day. Further information from his Attestation Form shows he weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown coloured hair. Distinctive marks were three scars on his back situated on the left side of his spine and a scar on his left clavicle. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Mr Henry Jepson Ayres of 12 Dayham Street, Glebe, Sydney, NSW and later 12 York Street, Forest Lodge, NSW. He was sworn in the same day.

 

Two days later he was sent to train with “A Coy” of the Reinforcements to the Field Company Engineers at the Engineers’ Depot at Moore Park, Sydney, NSW. His rank was Sapper with the Regimental number 16947 and assigned to the January Reinforcements 1-5 Division Field Company Engineers.

 

The Reinforcement embarked from Sydney, NSW on the RMS Osterley on February 10, 1917 under the Master of the Ship W.J. Jenks. The Royal Mail Ship docked in Melbourne on February 14 for the day and departed for Adelaide arriving in the Outer Harbour on February 16 but left the same day. An overnight stopover in Fremantle from February 20 to 21st concluded the Australian departures and sailed for Durban, South Africa spending March 6 and 7 in port. Capetown was entered on March 10 and continued the next day for Sierra Leone to refuel from March 25 and departed two days later on the last part of their voyage. Officer Commanding Troops was Lt-Colonel F.B. Heritage who oversaw disembarkation at Plymouth on April 11, 1917 where the men were detrained to Tidworth and Amesbury Stations. They marched into No. 3 camp at Parkhouse the following day to prepare for further training for the front. On April 16, 1917 were sent to the Engineers’ Depot at Brightlingsea.

 

The Reinforcement proceeded to France from Southampton on June 26, 1917 arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles and Sapper Ayres was taken on strength with the Australian Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company on September 3, 1917 pending absorption.

 

Not many records remain of the Company but Sapper Harry Ayres is mentioned in the Diary of Sergeant 4209 E.G. ‘Hughie’ Dodd also a member of the ‘Alphabetical Company’ and his diary extracts are as follows:

 

“December 4 [1917]

Came down to Noeux-les-Mines this morning, Jerry shelling with shrapnel all day. Learned this morning, that four Germans came over at "E" New Cut and took a machine gun away with them. One of the infantry captains shot one of our men in mistake for a Bosche and immediately after the Huns shot him through the head. New Cut was put in in another place last night. Harry Ayres was telling me that Harry Ralph was killed a few days ago. Piper came out today and told me to send Downie to Wings Way (Hulluch) and put in a new switchboard. Wanted me to be up tomorrow to ballot for conscription. Jerry over with a Gotha bombing machine tonight and dropped two bombs.

 

December 6

Went down to Quarry Tunnel and wired up a half of the New Gallery which 185 Coy drove. Sent Sanderson around to Vigo St to see if it were possible to get through to get Vigo St on. He came back and said it wasn't. While in Coy headquarters his hands fell on two suits of Burberry overalls. They are made of rubber and just the ticket to keep the wind and snow, rain out. These things are worth about £6, so we are not doing so bad. The infantry use them for raiding purposes. Ayres reported back to me two days ago. Sent Sanderson, Marriott and Ayres to Old Kent to finish up wiring. Myself and Ayres put in five lights in the New Gallery that 185 drove.

 

December 7

Newton, Sanderson and Ayres went to Edgeware to spy out the easiest way to bring Potter engines to Cambri dump. Feeling a big crook.

 

December 15

Went to New Cut. Fixed up lights, went out 6.30 am. Harry Ayres found that coupling had been broken at Barts' End. Got back at 10 am for breakfast. Went to Quarry all Jake. Found main galleries in at "H". Coupling broke. Fixed it up. Left Hollingsworth home, the rest of us went to Cambrin and loaded up engines. Self and Newton went down with them. Jack Penn got a smack in neck and shoulder with shrapnel, will get a Blighty out of it.

 

December 18

Ayres and Marriott went to Noeux for pay. Expected them back by ration lorry but did not turn up. Sent their kits up this afternoon. Jerry gassing tonight.

 

December 22

Hollingsworth put five new lights in Stokes Gun position. I went to Quarry and Saville Row and got all lights burning. Ayres and Hollingsworth to Cambrin for rations. Heard today the Jerry put three motor lorries and bath house at HQ yard Noeux out of action.

 

 

January 22

Ayres and Marriott went to Cambrin dump to see if any lamps were there but there was nothing there for us. Newton and myself went to Old Kent Rd. Givenchy is running that far. Hulluch taking the rest of the load. While in Old Kent we met Morse, Walker and Wigzel. It appears as if one of the engines had broken down completely so with two engines they have enough without us on. We are putting a pump in Coldstream as there is about 3' of water m the tunnel. They are just beginning to take a Jerry. This present system is rotten. When the idea is first mooted, I turned the idea down. Now they talk of installing my system.

 

January 23

Hollingsworth slept up here last night. He was up before any of us and got the breakfast on. Ayres and myself went to Barts job. Found cable saturated with water in Vigo St. Doyle and Newton went to Old Kent, they found the lights had been out since "Stand To" 4.45 pm last evening. It appears Jerry landed two shells on it at that time. They sent a telegram to Givenchy telling them because once we do repairs over the top, the Givenchy crowd will swing it on to us always. This measly crowd to whom we are attached forgot purposely to bring our rations up tonight. Had to send a couple of men down to the dump for them.

 

January 24

 

Marriott and myself went to Barts side everything jackaloo. Main gallery squeezing in and it appears to me as if the miners do not know how to stop it. Barts gallery is knocked in just up from 170 Coy officers' dugout. Doyle and Ayres went to Givenchy but they had another engine broken down which had been replaced by one I took away from them more than 12 months ago.

 

January 25

Newton and Doyle went down today. They should have been back tonight but have not yet turned up. They will get our pay books. Marriott and myself wired up a 6" Stokes position which has to be firing by the 27th. Preparing for the Kaiser's Birthday. No rations with Push Party. Ayres and Marriott gone to the dump. No. 3 Section's cook took them up to me. Have been mixed up with section's rations. Any amount of activity in the air today and also tonight. Both sides very busy indeed.

 

January 26

Newton and Doyle came up very early this morning and brought a big mail for me with them and I found out the money had been sent but do not know where. Ayres and myself came out to Noeux-les-Mines. I rang Hazebrouck and told them I was ready to go on leave. Jerry put over four shells today.

 

On February 28, 1918 he proceeded on leave to England and rejoined his Unit on March 14.

 

For twelve months service abroad he was issued with Blue Chevrons to wear on his uniform.

 

March 23

Ayres and myself went to Saville Row, Newton went to Old Kent. We have been told that Johnny may attack on Monday morning. The night of the raid he knocked out a few down at the reserve line. Have been a bit crook tonight.

 

March 24

Newton and myself went to Saville Row way everything Jack. Doyle and Ayres went to Old Kent. Things very quiet here. Everyone very much awake.

 

March 27

When Piper was out yesterday he told us to wire and light up Crater Post somewhere in the Brickstacks. I suppose it is over near where the Givenchy crowd have their pumps in. Today Marriott and Ayres went over to Brickstacks. Found fuses blown in Mills Tunnel. We shall be going down the other tonight.

 

March 31

Ayres and Marriott went to Old Kent. Newton and myself went to Saville Row. No news of big battle coming up. In the evening, Dave, Newton and myself went for rations and found one of the wires pulled away from the coupling, could not find who did it.

 

April 5

Ayres and myself went out to Noeux-les-Mines.

 

Sapper Ayres was treated for a Social Disease from May 11 at the 4th Stationary Hospital at Arques, the 7th General Hospital at Wimereux and the 39th General Hospital in Havre and after 68 days curative care rejoined his unit on July 26, 1918 from the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles and was taken on strength on August 1.

 

 

September 28

Had visitors this morning before I was out of bed. Young, Ayres, Jim Loughrey and McMurry came over.”

 

On October 10, 1918 he went sick with Tonsillitis to the 47th Field Ambulance proceeding to the 6th Casualty Clearing Station and travelled on A.T.16 to the 53rd General Hospital for admittance. After several days was released on October 17 to the 1st Convalescent Depot in Boulogne and discharged the following day as fit to the 5th Rest Camp. Returned to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles on October 21 and rejoined his Unit on November 1, 1918.

 

He was with his unit when Peace was declared less than a fortnight later and the company remained on the front delivering electricity for lighting and machinery for essential services for the troops in rehabilitation service in their district.

 

On January 22, 1919 proceeded on leave to Paris and returned on January 30. Further leave was granted from April 9, 1919 and he returned on April 23. Orders were issued to return to Base Depot on May 10 to prepare for their return to England.

 

The English Channel was crossed on March 25, 1919 where they entered the No. 1 Group camp and Sapper Ayres reported to Headquarters on March 28 and was granted leave until June 12, 1919 and report to Heytesbury. He marched in as ordered to the No. 1 Group camp to await his return home.

 

Sapper Ayres embarked on July 6, 1919 on board H.T. Boorara for the voyage to Australia. On July 27, 1919 Base Records advised his father of his impending return. The ship docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on August 26, 1919 and sailed for Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D) the same day.

 

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on October 5, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.

 

Base Records wrote to Headquarters, 2nd Military District on March 29, 1921 advising that records held by their office state the ex-member returned on 26/8/19 on the H.T. Boorara and no later reports were received and referred the case for favour of any information in their possession. Should the reason for discharge be due to medical unfitness kindly include Board Proceedings.

 

Victoria Barracks, Sydney replied on April 5, 1921 that he had been discharged T.P.E. on 5/10/19.

 

The British War Medal (73122) and the Victory Medal (70042) were issued to Sapper 16947 Henry James Ayres, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company for serving his country.

 

He married in 1924 to Hazel Hopetoun Chaffer in Marrickville, NSW.

 

Their residence in 1930 is recorded at 38 Day Street, Marrickville, NSW where his occupation was motor mechanic. In 1937 this changed to 52 Gueudecourt Avenue, Earlwood and he was a motor carrier.

 

The following family notice appeared in the newspaper on the death of his wife:

 

He remarried in 1951 to Una Pearl Burwood with their union registered at Ashfield, NSW and they continued to reside at the Earlwood address.

 

A Statement of Service was issued to the Repatriation Department in Sydney, NSW on January 29, 1969 and medical records and service documents on February 6, 1969.

 

May Anne Hills Grandson.)

Done