SAPPER/PRIVATE LYELL EDWARD CHARLES ROWLAND
1387 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company / 17th Battalion
Queenstown, Tasmania was the birthplace of Lyell Edward Charles Rowland on June 28, 1897 the son of Edward Mark and Jessie (nee McCartin) Rowland and was registered at Strahan, Tasmania. News items as a thirteen year old were published in the:
It appears that the family relocated to Sydney, NSW the following year with a farewell mentioned in the:
A four year apprenticeship as a carpenter was served with R.D. Quiggin, Master Builder who tendered for numerous Government contracts in Sydney and districts and military experience was gained from four and a half years with the Citizen’s Forces.
On January 3, 1916 at the recruiting depot in Sydney, NSW the eighteen year old applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination. The following day at Casula camp near Liverpool, NSW Attestation forms were completed and describe him as 200cms (6ft 9ins) tall, weighing 57.2kgs (126lbs) with a chest expansion of 76-84cms (30-33ins). The eye test showed good vision in his blue eyes and had a sallow complexion and dark hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Edward Mark Rowland of “Heathmore” Margaret Street, Manly, NSW. He was sworn in the same day.
Basic training commenced with the Mining Corps at Casula Camp from January 4, 1916 in the rank of Sapper with the regimental number 1387 and assigned to the 1st Reinforcements.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.
The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.
A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.
On May 22, 1916 Sapper Rowland was assigned to the 177th Tunnelling Company, R.E.
Disciplinary action was administered for the following on July 22, 1916:
Crime: (1) Disobeying a lawful command given by a superior officer in
refusing to get out of bed Reveille when ordered to do so
(2) Conduct to prejudice or good order and military discipline in
using obscene language to a superior officer
Award: Fined 20/- and all leave stopped for 14 days.
With his civil qualifications of carpenter his service would benefit the work of the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company therefore was attached to this company on October 7, 1916. He was taken on strength with the company on May 1, 1917.
Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months abroad. In an audit of the company he was reported as still serving on March 23, 1918. On October 14, 1918 he was attached to the 355th E. & M. Co.
After Peace was declared, the company remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies for those rehabilitating their areas.
Leave was granted by the Furlough Department and he proceeded to England on December 16 and rejoined on December 31, 1918.
On January 9, 1919 he was taken on strength with the 17th Battalion in the rank of Private.
He proceeded to Havre on February 2, 1919 to prepare for return to England and left the Aust General Base Depot on February 12, 1919 crossed the English Channel to Weymouth where he disembarked. Two days later he was examined by the medical officer and found to have no disability and fit for general service.
After demobilisation Private Rowland departed Devonport, England on April 13, 1919 on board H.T. Castalia. His next-of-kin were advised by Base Records on May 16, 1919 that he was returning home. On May 21, 1919 his father forwarded his change of address to the Records Office as “Strathmore” Australia Street, Croydon, Sydney, NSW.
The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on June 1, 1919. News of their arrival was published in the:
He went before the Disembarkation Medical Board at the Anzac Buffet the same day and his medical report stated and signed by him as:
“No disability. Well & fit. (Sgd) L Rowland.”
After medical and dental checks the Board recommended demobilisation.
Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on July 17, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.
For Service for his country Sapper / Private 1387 Lyell Edward Charles Rowland, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company / 17th Battalion was issued with the British War Medal (34161) and the Victory Medal (33727).
He married in 1926 to Lillian Mary H. Bertram with their marriage registered at Ashfield, NSW.
Their residence in 1928 was 63 Causeway, Kingston, A.C.T. and his occupation was a carpenter. From 1935 it was Paterson Street, Ainslie, Canberra, A.C.T. The following was reported in:
From 1942 until 1947 he is reported as the bugler at the National Anzac Day Ceremony in Canberra and this example of his duty is from:
Following the death of his mother the following notice was placed in:
Lyell was a regular participant at shooting competitions during his time as a member of the Canberra Rifle Club and a competitor with the Bowls Club. The following competition was reported in:
They were last registered at 34 Paterson Street, Ainslie in 1958 and in 1963 were residing at ‘Hinomea’ 42 Lachlan Street, Thirroul, NSW.
Lyell Edward C. Rowland passed away on January 8, 1970 aged 72 years. Family arrangements were published in the:
His wife died on February 1, 1987 and an announcement was placed in:
REUNIONS
Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:
1928 Lyell Rowland Australia Street, Croydon Notation: Canberra
© Donna Baldey 2013
www.tunnellers.net