Carole Wilkinson - Fromelles. Australias Bloodiest Day at War

The guns have been going all day long. Its enough to drive you crazythe waiting to see if this is the shell that is going to blow you to pieces
Private Walter McAlister, 60th Battalion, 15th Brigade

The first shots were fired at 11 a.m., 19 July 1916. The Battle of Fromelles lasted less than 24 hours. When it was over, more than 5,000 Australian soldiers had been killed, wounded or taken prisonermore soldiers died at Fromelles than in the Boer, Korean and Vietnam wars combined.

What was the point of this bloody loss of life?
And why, almost a century later, did the attention of the world once again turn to Fromelles?

The first shots of the Battle of Fromelles were fired at 11 a.m. on 19 July 1916 in French Flanders near the village of Fromelles. In less than 24 hours, more than 5,000 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. More Australian soldiers died in this one battle than in the Boer War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined.

The terrible loss of life and suffering was all for nothing. The attack was supposed to trick the Germans into thinking that there was a large force of Allied soldiers in that part of France. British war commanders didnt want more German soldiers to be sent south to the Battle of the Somme, where the Allies were failing to break through the German front line. But the Germans were not fooled, and the Allies lost the Battle of Fromelles.

World War I lasted from August 1914 to November 1918. In the history of the worlds many wars, it was not a long war. It was called the Great War then, but later, when it needed to be distinguished from the next war, it became known as World War I. The numbers of people involved were certainly great 65 million combatants. The number of casualties was staggering 37.5 million. Those who died numbered 8.5 million thats more than 5,400 people for each day of the war.

Australia was a young country that had only recently united its six separate British colonies under one government. The population of the country was less than 5 million. Keen to prove its nationhood and be worthy of its place in the British Empire, Australia sent its young men to fight in this European war. In total, 416,809 Australian men enlisted, and over 300,000 of them served overseas. More than 60,000 men were killed and 156,000 were injured or taken prisoner that means almost two-thirds of the Australian soldiers who took part ended up as casualties.

The Battle of Fromelles was just one battle in a terrible war. In the bloody roll call of the dead, wounded and permanently scarred, this small battle stands out as Australias worst day of this or any other war. It was 24 hours of bravery, bad decisions and pointless loss of life.

Private Charles Henry Brear, 60th Battalion, of South Yarra, Victoria, and an unnamed woman. Private Brear was killed in action at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, aged 21.

22 May 1915, Melbourne, Australia
Walter McAlister,
carpenters apprentice

Im going to volunteer. I always intended to, the minute I turned 18, but Ive had enough, so Im not waiting any longer. Its not my fault Im over six foot and I look older than my age, but every day someone, somewhere, has a go at me. Yesterday some boys from the school up the road were chanting, Cowardy, cowardy custard, your arms are made of mustard. It hurts. One of them spat on the footpath in front of me.

Last week I tried to join the Albert Park Football Club, but they wouldnt have me.

We dont take chickens, the coach said.

I tried to explain that Im under-age, but he wouldnt listen.

Mum says I shouldnt take any notice. You send em round to me, she says, Ill sort em out.

It seems like shes the only person in Melbourne who doesnt want me to join the army.

Shes hoping the war will be over before I turn 18 next year.

You should lie about your age. Tell em youre only 16, she says. I want you to stay here with me. Always.

I gave her a hug. She only comes up to my shoulder. Itll be hard for her when I go, and Billy wont like it either.

As it happens, Ive already lied about my age to someone Sally Tucker. Except I told her that Im older than I am, not younger.

The first time I walked into the Palais with her on my arm, I felt so proud I thought Id burst. I wanted to act like it was the most normal thing in the world, but I couldnt wipe the smile off my face.

I shouldnt have told her I was 18 and a half, but shed just had her 18th birthday when I first asked her out. She wouldnt have said yes if shed known I was only 17. Weve been stepping out together for three months now and I know for sure that Sallys the only girl for me.

We were walking in the Botanical Gardens last Sunday afternoon. She looked a picture in a pink floral dress and a hat that she made herself. Every second bloke was in uniform. They couldnt take their eyes of my Sally. They tipped their hats to her and she smiled at every one of them. She thinks theres nothing smarter than an army uniform.

I left her at a table and went to order two teas and some scones at the kiosk, but the girl behind the counter ignored me, serving everybody else. Then a lady with a poodle and a parasol pushed in front.

Why arent you over in Turkey? she says, prodding me in the stomach with her parasol. You should be defending the Empire. If you were a man you would be!

Her silly-looking dog was barking at me and other people in the queue were nodding and muttering traitor.

I went back to the table where Sally was sitting. Her face was bright red. She picked up her handbag, got up and walked away. I ran after her, pleading with her like a three-year-old. Near the oak lawn, she turned towards me. She didnt speak. She reached up to her hat and pulled out a feather. A white one. She handed it to me, and stupidly, I took it.

Id heard of women giving white feathers to men who hadnt volunteered, because they thought they were cowards. I never thought it would happen to me. Sally strode off and I stood there on the path with the feather in my hand. It was more grey than white, just a stupid chook feather.

You need your parents permission to join up if youre under 21. I knew Mum would never agree to it, so I went home and I wrote a letter.

I am proud that my son, Walter McAlister, has decided to go to war, I wrote. Under the present circumstances, I reckon it is the duty of every young man to do so. I am willing to let him go.

I forged Mums signature, signing it with my left hand.

Ill earn more as a soldier than as a carpenters apprentice. I can send half my pay home to Mum and still have some savings. I wont waste my money on beer. Im going to save up for an engagement ring. When I get back Sallyll know Im not a coward and Ill ask her to marry me.

Im at the recruitment office. Theres a queue of young men, and some not so young, all keen to join up.

The recruitment officer looks at my letter with the wonky signature.

How old are you, sonny? he says.

Eighteen and a half, I say.

He looks at me. Then he winks and hands me an enlistment form.