As a youngster I was told that my grandfather, Phillip Stanley Phelan, had been a Prisoner of War in the First World War but that was about the extent of the story. I never knew my grandfather, and chances are that even if I had, I might not have got many details from him, as plenty of men who lived through that horrific experience didn't like to talk about it. Even when my interest in genealogy began I didn't have a huge interest in the war. However once I got looking at the records, I wanted to make sense of them and began to delve deeper into the stories. While Stan is my only direct ancestor to have served in the conflict, he was one of three sons of Joseph Phelan who enlisted, one of whom would pay the ultimate price. I also discovered many more relatives on Dad's side of the family who took part. One day I may write something more comprehensive about the experiences of all my relatives who served - there were many on Mum's side as well - but for now my post will focus on Stan and his brothers Cecil and Gerald.
Cecil Lawrence Phelan
The first of the three brothers to enlist in the AIF was Cecil (also known as 'Sacco' or 'Jack'). Cecil was the third son (fourth child overall) of Joseph and Mary Phelan, and was aged 20 when he enlisted on 27 April 1915. His enlistment form shows that he was short (at 160cm) and weighed in at 60kg. Cecil had spent three years in Junior Cadets and two years in the 58th Infantry (Essendon Rifles). This battalion was formed as part of a new scheme of military training set up in 1913, and its commander was the highly regarded and much-loved H. E. 'Pompey' Elliott. When war was declared Elliott was charged with leading the 7th Battalion in the 2nd Brigade, raised mainly of men from this area. Once Cecil had joined up, he was appointed to the 7th reinforcements to this battalion, which at the time was enduring the horrors of the Gallipoli campaign.
On 16 July 1915, Private Cecil Phelan embarked on the transport HMAT Demosthenes from Melbourne bound for British-controlled Egypt, where troops were sent for training before heading on to Gallipoli. The 7th Reinforcements were sent to Gallipoli in September 1915, arriving just after the battalion had been through the horrors of Lone Pine - in fact the rest of the brigade at this time was having a period of rest on the Greek Island of Lemnos. As a side note, among Cecil's group of reinforcements was future Melbourne Football Club star Ivor Warne-Smith. Sickness claimed a lot of men at this time, and Cecil was no exception. Before his campaign could even get under way, he was sent back to the hospital at Heliopolis in Egypt with a case of 'septic throat'. He was back with his men at Gallipoli within weeks and finally the battalion was sent into action on 25 November. By this stage those in command were already discussing plans to discontinue the campaign. The battalion worked in the trenches, sniping, and coming under shelling until finally on 18-19 December the successful withdrawal from Gallipoli was made.
The troops were evacuated to Lemnos, and from there to Egypt, leaving on New Years Day and arriving 6th January. They were stationed at Tel el Kebir (between Cairo and the Suez Canal) and then Serapeum (on the Suez), where they awaited their next move. 15 February brought news that the Australian forces would be reorganised in preparation for a move to the European theatre of war. The 7th Battalion would be split into two. Other newly-formed units were calling for volunteers, and thus on 19 March 1916, Cecil was one of 103 soldiers to move to the 1st Pioneer Battalion. Pioneer battalions comprised men with construction or engineering skills to be involved in trench building, etc. as well as being involved in the fighting if needed. As it was the 1st was never called upon for infantry service, but due to the nature and location of their work still faced plenty of danger.
On 26 March, the 1st Pioneers sailed to France, arriving at Marseilles 2 April. The men were initially happy to be in France after the harsh conditions of Egypt. They travelled by train to the region of the Somme, setting up camp at Armentieres. Cecil received a promotion to Lance Corporal on 15 April. The battalion entered the front lines for the first time at Fleurbaix and would spend the rest of the war fighting here at the Western Front. In late May they were subjected to heavy bombardment while assisting the 2nd Tunnelling Company. From July they were involved in the grueling long-running battles at Pozieres, in which they 'laid the form-up trench for the attack, before being committed to the capture of the village itself', and Mouquet Farm. December saw Cecil promoted again, to Corporal.
In early 1917 the 1st Pioneers worked on extending a light railway to Fremicourt in preparation for the Battle of Bullecourt (which was to feature prominently in my grandfather's story below). Later that year they featured in the battles around Ypres, and in October had the job of clearing the Ypres–Zonnebeke road, which sat under a layer of thick mud and debris after prolonged artillery bombardment. In 1918 the battalion set up trench systems as the Germans launched their Spring offensive. Once this offensive was overcome, the Germans retreat began, and in August the Allies' 'Hundred Days Offensive' commenced. At this time the battalion served around Amiens and followed the push along the Somme until being withdrawn in September. That would be their last action, with the armistice ending the war on 11 November.
Cecil returned to Australia on the City of Poona, departing England on 25 March 1919 and arriving home on 14 May. Along the way he would receive a severe reprimand for breaking ship at Colombo! Cecil received his discharge from the AIF on 6 July 1919.
Gerald John Phelan
The second of the Phelan brothers to join the AIF was Gerald, the fourth son (and fifth child overall) of Joe and Mary. Gerald had also spent time (three years) in Senior Cadets and one year in the 58th Infantry (Essendon Rifles) prior to enlisting. This he did on 13 Jul 1915, nearly three months after Cecil, at just 18 years of age. Gerald was about 175cm but only 57 kg.
Private Gerald Phelan was appointed to the 10th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion and on 29 September 1915 embarked on the RMS Osterley. He was 'taken on strength' to the battalion at Tel el Kebir, Egypt in January 1916. On 15 March, he transferred to his brother Cecil's battalion (the 7th) at Serapeum (as part of the 13th reinforcements), but had just four days to enjoy his company before Cecil shifted to the 1st Pioneers. On 31 March, the 7th Battalion arrived at Marseilles, boarding a train for the Western Front. They marched 30km to La Creche near the Belgian border, where they spent time training and in working parties. On 28 April orders came through that the 2nd Brigade would be taking over the trenches of the 4th Brigade. They marched to Fleurbaix the following day. From 13 to 28 May the 7th Battalion moved to front lines but despite occasional shelling were in what was generally regarded as a quiet sector: much time was spent laying barbed wire, making repairs to trenches and parapets, digging communication trenches, etc.
On 1 June 1916 Gerald joined Cecil in the 1st Pioneers which were also serving in this region. The AIF had a policy that allowed older brothers in one unit to 'claim' a younger brother serving in another, so this is probably what had happened here (and may have also been the case when Gerald had earlier joined Cecil briefly in the 7th). The brothers served together for the next two years, apart from in August and September 1917, when Gerald trained with the 21st Machine Gun Company. Gerald's hospitalisation with scabies in October 1917 was the only setback of note for either of them in that period. That was until 23 August 1918, during the Allied offensive which would ultimately decide the war, Gerald was killed in action. He was 21 years of age. I have been unable to discover any further details surrounding his death.
Gerald John Phelan is honoured at the Heath Cemetery at Harbonnieres near Amiens in France. He is also honored by the name of Dad's cousin John Phelan (a son of Dad's Uncle Frank, whose full name is Gerald John). John has also named his son Gerald John.
Phillip Stanley Phelan
Phillip Stanley Phelan, known as Stan, was the second son of Joe and Mary Phelan, and therefore one of Cecil and Gerald's older brothers. He was the last of the three to sign up, though initially had applied to join on 16 July 1915, just three days after Gerald but was rejected. (Perhaps this was because two brothers had already gone before him? I seem to remember hearing that, at least initially, no more than two sons from the one family could join up). Several months later, with the need for men increasing, he was successful, signing up on 22 February 1916, aged 23. His enlistment form shows that he was 171 cm and 63 kg, blue eyes, brown hair and a 'fresh' complexion - with a tattoo on his right arm. After a period of training at Broadmeadows, Stan was initially appointed to the 7th reinforcements, 29th Battalion, but on 3 August was transferred to the 21st Reinforcements, 14th Battalion (part of the 4th Brigade).
Embarking on the HMAT Nestor on 2 October 1916, as an Acting Sergeant, Stan arrived at Plymouth on 16 November. After a short period of preparation in England, he embarked for France on 16 January 1917, arriving at Étaples and joining the battalion on the 21st. This battalion had notably served through the arduous battles at Pozieres the previous year, and included Albert Jacka (winner of Australia's first Victoria Cross of the war at Gallipoli). Within days some of the battalion took over reserve lines near Flers - the trenches were covered with snow and ice, conditions most of the Australians would never have experienced. On February 8, the 4th Brigade was relieved and moved to Ribemont for a month, where they enjoyed pleasant living conditions but strenuous training in preparation for a solid attack on the Somme expected in the Spring. There was still plenty of sport and leave to be had, and entertainments/debates in the evening - the 14th emphasised educational activities while on down time.
On 16 March the Germans retreated to their heavily fortified Hindenburg Line and there was hope the war would soon be over. Soon the rejuvenated battalion was on the move, heading to the ruined town of Bapaume and on to Beugnatre - casualties occurred along the way as the Germans had left mines in the villages. In the first week of April, the men worked filling mine craters, laying cables, etc. Apparently the infamous 'Red Baron' appeared overhead on the 3rd. On the 7th the battalion moved to the front lines at the Hindenburg line at Noreul, moving into position along a sunken road the next day. The 4th Brigade was at its peak in discipline & efficiency and with a large offensive imminent, all it needed was leadership from above to match. Instead it was to take part in one of the most poorly-planned engagements imaginable, in what became known as the First Battle of Bullecourt.
It was planned that on 10 April at 4.30am an attack would be made, but with twelve tanks preparing the way instead of the usual artillery bombardment. The first problem was that this was very short notice and the tank crews were not properly trained, nor had they worked with infantry. Secondly there was a snowstorm that morning and the tanks were unable to arrive in time, meaning the troops had to withdraw in the growing light. The enemy presumably witnessed this, knew something was planned and strengthened their numbers. Inexplicably the attack was planned again for the very same time the next day, meaning the soldiers would have spent two bitterly cold sleepless nights waiting. The Germans already held a very strong defensive position on the Hindenburg line, and the objective given to the 14th and 16th Battalions of the 4th Brigade was to break through the first and second line of their trenches, but would be attacking on a relatively narrow front.
When the tanks roared into action on 11 April, half of those allocated broke down before even being able to enter the fray. Snow began to fall again. The tanks did serve as a distraction and drew a lot of fire, and the battalions made it a fair portion of the 1000 yards toward their goal before being bombarded by German rockets. With the tanks failing and the lack of artillery, there were few gaps in the 60-foot deep, chest-high wire that protected the trenches, so the soldiers were sitting ducks and there was heavy carnage from machine gun fire. Despite this, some of the Australians made it through and once in the trenches had the better of hand to hand combat with the enemy and amazingly secured the first line of trenches, which they would hold for several hours.
With so many casualties and units all mixed, the men were now vulnerable to counterattacks. The Germans fired heavily onto 'No Mans land' which prevented reinforcements being sent in and soon the Australians were surrounded, low on ammunition and the possibility of retreat cut off. To make matters worse there were misleading reports of success being fed back to those in command, so when requests for assistance came back from the front lines they were not heeded. Once the counter-attacks came, it was a hopeless cause; with no ammunition men were forced to fight with bayonets only and of course were no match for machine guns. When surrender was given at 11.45am, most of those who had survived were surrounded and taken prisoner, and Stanley Phelan was one of those. Many that tried to retreat were killed by the 'friendly fire' of an artillery barrage that came way too late to cover for them. Falling snow added to the misery of those lying wounded in the wasteland. Overall the 4th Brigade suffered appalling losses, 79 officers and 2260 other ranks (19 and 582 in the 14th Battalion). 1170 Australians were captured - this was by far the largest number ever taken as prisoners of war in the whole conflict.
Stan was listed as missing on 6 May and he along with many of the men were interned at Limburg in Germany on 23 June 1917. It wasn't until 19 December that he was officially reported as being a prisoner of war. What a hard time it would have been for loved ones at home with no news for that length of time. He would spend a total of 20 months as a captive, before finally being repatriated after the war was over, on 1 December 1918. He returned to Australia on the HMAT Nevasa, arriving home in Melbourne on 25 April. Sergeant Phillip Stanley Phelan was discharged from the AIF on 2 June 1919.
In early 1917 the 1st Pioneers worked on extending a light railway to Fremicourt in preparation for the Battle of Bullecourt (which was to feature prominently in my grandfather's story below). Later that year they featured in the battles around Ypres, and in October had the job of clearing the Ypres–Zonnebeke road, which sat under a layer of thick mud and debris after prolonged artillery bombardment. In 1918 the battalion set up trench systems as the Germans launched their Spring offensive. Once this offensive was overcome, the Germans retreat began, and in August the Allies' 'Hundred Days Offensive' commenced. At this time the battalion served around Amiens and followed the push along the Somme until being withdrawn in September. That would be their last action, with the armistice ending the war on 11 November.
Cecil returned to Australia on the City of Poona, departing England on 25 March 1919 and arriving home on 14 May. Along the way he would receive a severe reprimand for breaking ship at Colombo! Cecil received his discharge from the AIF on 6 July 1919.
Cecil Phelan (This photo was provided by Rhett Bartlett - son of Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett - who was endeavouring to find descendants of the soldiers in the photo and contacted me via my family tree on Ancestry)
Gerald John Phelan
The second of the Phelan brothers to join the AIF was Gerald, the fourth son (and fifth child overall) of Joe and Mary. Gerald had also spent time (three years) in Senior Cadets and one year in the 58th Infantry (Essendon Rifles) prior to enlisting. This he did on 13 Jul 1915, nearly three months after Cecil, at just 18 years of age. Gerald was about 175cm but only 57 kg.
Private Gerald Phelan was appointed to the 10th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion and on 29 September 1915 embarked on the RMS Osterley. He was 'taken on strength' to the battalion at Tel el Kebir, Egypt in January 1916. On 15 March, he transferred to his brother Cecil's battalion (the 7th) at Serapeum (as part of the 13th reinforcements), but had just four days to enjoy his company before Cecil shifted to the 1st Pioneers. On 31 March, the 7th Battalion arrived at Marseilles, boarding a train for the Western Front. They marched 30km to La Creche near the Belgian border, where they spent time training and in working parties. On 28 April orders came through that the 2nd Brigade would be taking over the trenches of the 4th Brigade. They marched to Fleurbaix the following day. From 13 to 28 May the 7th Battalion moved to front lines but despite occasional shelling were in what was generally regarded as a quiet sector: much time was spent laying barbed wire, making repairs to trenches and parapets, digging communication trenches, etc.
On 1 June 1916 Gerald joined Cecil in the 1st Pioneers which were also serving in this region. The AIF had a policy that allowed older brothers in one unit to 'claim' a younger brother serving in another, so this is probably what had happened here (and may have also been the case when Gerald had earlier joined Cecil briefly in the 7th). The brothers served together for the next two years, apart from in August and September 1917, when Gerald trained with the 21st Machine Gun Company. Gerald's hospitalisation with scabies in October 1917 was the only setback of note for either of them in that period. That was until 23 August 1918, during the Allied offensive which would ultimately decide the war, Gerald was killed in action. He was 21 years of age. I have been unable to discover any further details surrounding his death.
Gerald John Phelan is honoured at the Heath Cemetery at Harbonnieres near Amiens in France. He is also honored by the name of Dad's cousin John Phelan (a son of Dad's Uncle Frank, whose full name is Gerald John). John has also named his son Gerald John.
Picture of Gerald John Phelan kept in a locket by his younger sister Veronica Lesock and handed down through the Lesock family
Phillip Stanley Phelan
Phillip Stanley Phelan, known as Stan, was the second son of Joe and Mary Phelan, and therefore one of Cecil and Gerald's older brothers. He was the last of the three to sign up, though initially had applied to join on 16 July 1915, just three days after Gerald but was rejected. (Perhaps this was because two brothers had already gone before him? I seem to remember hearing that, at least initially, no more than two sons from the one family could join up). Several months later, with the need for men increasing, he was successful, signing up on 22 February 1916, aged 23. His enlistment form shows that he was 171 cm and 63 kg, blue eyes, brown hair and a 'fresh' complexion - with a tattoo on his right arm. After a period of training at Broadmeadows, Stan was initially appointed to the 7th reinforcements, 29th Battalion, but on 3 August was transferred to the 21st Reinforcements, 14th Battalion (part of the 4th Brigade).
Embarking on the HMAT Nestor on 2 October 1916, as an Acting Sergeant, Stan arrived at Plymouth on 16 November. After a short period of preparation in England, he embarked for France on 16 January 1917, arriving at Étaples and joining the battalion on the 21st. This battalion had notably served through the arduous battles at Pozieres the previous year, and included Albert Jacka (winner of Australia's first Victoria Cross of the war at Gallipoli). Within days some of the battalion took over reserve lines near Flers - the trenches were covered with snow and ice, conditions most of the Australians would never have experienced. On February 8, the 4th Brigade was relieved and moved to Ribemont for a month, where they enjoyed pleasant living conditions but strenuous training in preparation for a solid attack on the Somme expected in the Spring. There was still plenty of sport and leave to be had, and entertainments/debates in the evening - the 14th emphasised educational activities while on down time.
On 16 March the Germans retreated to their heavily fortified Hindenburg Line and there was hope the war would soon be over. Soon the rejuvenated battalion was on the move, heading to the ruined town of Bapaume and on to Beugnatre - casualties occurred along the way as the Germans had left mines in the villages. In the first week of April, the men worked filling mine craters, laying cables, etc. Apparently the infamous 'Red Baron' appeared overhead on the 3rd. On the 7th the battalion moved to the front lines at the Hindenburg line at Noreul, moving into position along a sunken road the next day. The 4th Brigade was at its peak in discipline & efficiency and with a large offensive imminent, all it needed was leadership from above to match. Instead it was to take part in one of the most poorly-planned engagements imaginable, in what became known as the First Battle of Bullecourt.
It was planned that on 10 April at 4.30am an attack would be made, but with twelve tanks preparing the way instead of the usual artillery bombardment. The first problem was that this was very short notice and the tank crews were not properly trained, nor had they worked with infantry. Secondly there was a snowstorm that morning and the tanks were unable to arrive in time, meaning the troops had to withdraw in the growing light. The enemy presumably witnessed this, knew something was planned and strengthened their numbers. Inexplicably the attack was planned again for the very same time the next day, meaning the soldiers would have spent two bitterly cold sleepless nights waiting. The Germans already held a very strong defensive position on the Hindenburg line, and the objective given to the 14th and 16th Battalions of the 4th Brigade was to break through the first and second line of their trenches, but would be attacking on a relatively narrow front.
When the tanks roared into action on 11 April, half of those allocated broke down before even being able to enter the fray. Snow began to fall again. The tanks did serve as a distraction and drew a lot of fire, and the battalions made it a fair portion of the 1000 yards toward their goal before being bombarded by German rockets. With the tanks failing and the lack of artillery, there were few gaps in the 60-foot deep, chest-high wire that protected the trenches, so the soldiers were sitting ducks and there was heavy carnage from machine gun fire. Despite this, some of the Australians made it through and once in the trenches had the better of hand to hand combat with the enemy and amazingly secured the first line of trenches, which they would hold for several hours.
With so many casualties and units all mixed, the men were now vulnerable to counterattacks. The Germans fired heavily onto 'No Mans land' which prevented reinforcements being sent in and soon the Australians were surrounded, low on ammunition and the possibility of retreat cut off. To make matters worse there were misleading reports of success being fed back to those in command, so when requests for assistance came back from the front lines they were not heeded. Once the counter-attacks came, it was a hopeless cause; with no ammunition men were forced to fight with bayonets only and of course were no match for machine guns. When surrender was given at 11.45am, most of those who had survived were surrounded and taken prisoner, and Stanley Phelan was one of those. Many that tried to retreat were killed by the 'friendly fire' of an artillery barrage that came way too late to cover for them. Falling snow added to the misery of those lying wounded in the wasteland. Overall the 4th Brigade suffered appalling losses, 79 officers and 2260 other ranks (19 and 582 in the 14th Battalion). 1170 Australians were captured - this was by far the largest number ever taken as prisoners of war in the whole conflict.
Stan was listed as missing on 6 May and he along with many of the men were interned at Limburg in Germany on 23 June 1917. It wasn't until 19 December that he was officially reported as being a prisoner of war. What a hard time it would have been for loved ones at home with no news for that length of time. He would spend a total of 20 months as a captive, before finally being repatriated after the war was over, on 1 December 1918. He returned to Australia on the HMAT Nevasa, arriving home in Melbourne on 25 April. Sergeant Phillip Stanley Phelan was discharged from the AIF on 2 June 1919.
My grandfather Phillip Stanley Phelan, from an image collection held by the Australian War Memorial
Sources:
Sources:
Austin, Ronald J. Our Dear Old Battalion. Rosebud, Vic: Slouch Hat Publications, 2004.
National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au
National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au
Wanliss, Newton. History of the Fourteenth Battalion: being the story of the vicissitudes of an Australian unit during the Great War. East Sussex, England: Naval and Military Press in association with the Imperial War Museum, 2010.
Wikipedia, s.v. "1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia)", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia)
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