STANLEY JOHN SAWYER M.C.
Lieutenant - 1st Tunnelling Company
Stanley John Sawyer was born on October 27, 1889 at West Maitland, NSW the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Sawyer. He was educated in the district and served a five year apprenticeship with the East Greta Coal Mining Co. Ltd, Newcastle, NSW.
Some of his results appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday January 27, 1912:
His qualifications were Colliery Manager’s Certificate of Competency and a Colliery Under-Manager’s Certificate of Competency. A Full Certificate (3 yrs) in Coal Mining with the Newcastle Technical College and a Full Certificate (3 yrs) Mine Surveying also with the same college were completed.
On May 6, 1916 the unmarried twenty-six year old applied to enlist for active service abroad at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, NSW. His address was 10 Bourke Street, West Maitland, NSW. Passing the preliminary medical examination the mining engineer’s application was accepted by the recruiting officer after the second medical officer concurred on his fitness for duty. Attestation Forms were completed two days later which give his enlistment description as 172cms (5ft 7¾ins) tall, weighed 86.3 kgs (190lbs) with a 92-102cms (36-40ins) chest expansion. Good vision tested in his blue eyes a fair complexion and fair coloured hair. Distinctive marks were a scar on his right lip and a brown mole on the left side of his abdomen. Church of England was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his mother Elizabeth Sawyer of 10 Bourke Street, West Maitland, NSW. He signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day.
Promoted to the rank of Corporal he entered the Engineer Officers’ Training School for twenty weeks concluding on September 18, 1916. Five days later he reported to the Tunnellers’ Training Camp at Seymour, Victoria in the rank of Sergeant for four weeks training to October 18, 1916.
He applied for a Commission in the A.I.F. on October 24, 1916 as 2nd Lieutenant which was granted in the Commonwealth Gazette No. 161/1916.
The 2nd Lieutenant was one of 516 Reinforcements who departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth for training in the A.I.F. camp.
On March 25, 1917 the Reinforcement left Tidworth station to proceed overseas to France marching into the Aust General Base Depot at Etaples four days later.
On April 4, 1917 he was assigned to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion which was an advanced section of the Base Depot that organised works near the lines and through duties, usually of ten days duration, would accustom the reinforcements to war conditions before being assigned to a company in the field.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on August 13, 1917 and a month later on September 19, 1917 was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field.
Received a slight wounding in action on September 29, 1917 and taken to the 8th Field Ambulance with a mild gunshot wound to his shoulder and face then admitted to the 5th Divisional Rest Station and remained on duty. On October 8 and 18, 1917 Base Records advised his mother of the situation and progress.
His name was listed in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday November 27, 1917 as being wounded:
To wear on his uniform he was issued with Blue Chevrons for twelve months service abroad.
Service continued without incident until he marched out to attend the 1st Army’s Musketry School on August 10, 1918 and rejoined his unit on September 2.
He proceeded on leave to England on September 21and rejoined on October 7, 1918.
Lieutenant Sawyer was selected to be a member of the Bridging operations which became the last battle Australians fought in the war. This extract from Captain O.H. Woodward’s book My War Story of the Great War records the events that took place on November 3rd and 4th, 1918:
“On the afternoon of 2nd November, I reported to Colonel C.E. Sankey, Chief of Royal Engineers, and with his staff and Major G.C.E. Findlay, Commanding Officer of 409th Field Company, R.E. discussed the details of the Bridging operations in connection with the forcing of the Canal on the morning of the 4th November. The Conference did not finish until 6 p.m. and then in heavy rain I left with Colonel Sankey to visit the Tank Corps Depot at St. Benin, in order to check up dimensions of the Tanks. We then went on to the Corps Dump at Bohain to insure that our Bridging material was available. I got back at Camp at 10.30 p.m., the heavy rain not assisting me to feel particularly cheerful. I left Camp at 7 a.m. next morning and took all available carpenters to La Vallee Mulatre, the Headquarters of the 409th Field Company. These carpenters were to prepare the Bridge Decking. After seeing them well started on the work, I went to Vaux Audigny and reported progress to Colonel Sankey, and eventually got back to Camp at 10.30 a.m. In the meantime the Divisional Engineers had arranged to transport the Rolled Steel Joists from the Corps Dump at Bohain to our assembly point at La Vallee Mulatre. At noon, with Lieutenants Sawyer and Thomson and 95 other ranks, I moved off for our assembly point. At about 3.30 p.m. the Pontoon Waggons carrying the Rolled Steel Joists arrived and we were on time to move off to our battle position at 4 p.m.
“At 4 p.m. in company with the 409th Field Company, we left La Vallee Mulatree to reach our battle positions. Our route lay through Ribeauville and Mazinghein, which we reached just after darkness had set in. Marching from Mazinghein to Rejet de Beaulieu the road was subjected to heavy sweeping Artillery fire, and the 409th Company lost one officer and several men wounded. Just before reaching Rejet de Beaulieu, we turned off the main road and travelled on a 2nd class road to a point about 100 yards from the Lock, which we reached at 8 p.m. The men unloaded our Bridging material from the Pontoon Waggons, the drivers of which were then instructed to retire, an order which I imagine was appreciatively received and quickly acted upon. Our next task was to carry our Bridging material to a point about 300 yards from the Lock. Try to picture the task. A pitch black night with a steady fall of rain, and area of country on which none of us had ever set foot, country filled with shell holes, and about 5 tons of rolled steel joists in 20 ft. lengths to be transported over a quarter of a mile before midnight, at which hour all troops were expected to be in their assembly position. As far as this section of the work was concerned, the 409th Company had an easier task than we, as they had light timber bridge in handy form for carrying.
“At Zero plus 15 minutes, I went forward with Sergeant Hutchinson, just in time to see Major Findlay, Commanding Officer of the 409th Field Company brilliantly lead his men across the Lock by jumping across on the partly open Lock gates. With bombs he stormed an enemy Machine Gun crew, who were located in the Boiler House. It was a magnificent sight and for his brilliant and fearless work Major Findlay eventually was awarded the Victoria Cross.
“When the excitement died down a little, I found that the 409th Field Company had suffered heavy casualties, so I offered our assistant to Major Findlay, which offer was gladly accepted. It was not until 7.30 a.m. that Major Findlay, under whose command we were, considered it safe to commence our task. Even at this hour the area around the Canal was subjected to terrific bombardment, but fortunately the Machine Guns close handy had been silenced. We had to pass through the barrage in order to bring our Bridging material forward and the manner in which the men, together with Lieutenants Sawyer and Thomson, moved forward and back through this shell swept area was magnificent. As I mentioned before the Lock was the only spot at which a crossing could be effected, and the enemy knowing this concentrated on the area. On either flank little shelling took place. With Sergeant Hutchinson I crossed the Lock and we prised off the coping stone. The launching of the first 20 ft girder across this 17ft. span was a slow job, and we had just got it across when the enemy dropped a shell practically at our feet. It was a small high velocity shell; of the seven of us on the enemy side of the Canal three were wounded. Once the first girder was safely across, the work was much easier, as we were able to slide the other girders across this one.
The Tank Bridge was eventually completed 4½ hours after Zero, and as we did not start until about 2 hours after Zero we did the work in good time. At 11 a.m. we were ordered to retire.” Abridged
Lieutenant Sawyer was recommended for the Military Cross for his work during this operation. His recommendation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of 3/4th November, 1918 at REJET de BAILLIEU where he was detailed to take charge of Officers leading, assembly and despatch to the canal the heavy steel joists and material for construction of a Tank Bridge. He carried out this work all night to nere in the midst of intense shell fire and when nere hour arrived found busily enveloped in the enemy’s barrage. He still continued to work on and so made the material available at the Bridge Head. But for his gallantry and determination the bridging would have been many hours late.
Recommended Major E.S. Anderson C.O.1st Aust. Tunnelling Company.
He was promoted to Adjutant and Quartermaster on November 8, 1918. A few days later Peace was declared and he remained with his unit as the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with rehabilitation of their areas by defusing delayed-action mines and booby traps on roads and bridges.
On December 16, 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross. He was noted to be with his unit on December 31, 1918.
Recalled to Base Lieutenant Sawyer crossed the English Channel to Folkstone and reported to A.I.F. Headquarters on March 12, 1919 for his Investiture and returned ten days later on March 22. On April 14, 1919 he proceeded on leave to the United Kingdom and returned.
He left the Aust General Base Depot and departed from Boulogne on May 7, 1919 to Folkstone and report to A.I.F. Headquarters for Non Military Employment with pay and subsistence from May 12 until October 31, 1919. Reason given: to be a student attending the Durham Northumberland Collieries, 854 Scotswood Road, Newcastle.
His mother received a letter advising her of her son’s Commission as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant (his first Commission) in the British Army for services against the time of his return from active service. This was receipted on June 28, 1919. She was advised again on August 8, 1919 that this had appeared in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Upon the expiration period of his NME on October 31, 1919 Lieutenant Sawyer returned to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General’s office for disposal. He marched out to the A.I.F. Depot on November 4, 1919 from London Headquarters.
To ensure he left no unpaid debts before departure Lt Sawyer signed a declaration at Sutton Veny camp.
Lieutenant Sawyer embarked after demobilisation for Australia on November 15, 1919 on board the H.T. Ypiranga and the ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on January 10, 1920. His mother was advised by Base Records on December 1, 1919 of his impending return.
The arrival was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday January 10, 1920:
At the Domain Anzac Buffet he was medically assessed by the medical board and his signed statement ‘I am not suffering from any disability due to or aggravated by War Service and feel fit and well’ was accepted.
His Appointment was terminated on February 23, 1920 in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.)
Base Records advised his mother on April 5, 1920 of his award of the Military Cross enclosing the citation which appeared in the London Gazette on December 10, 1919 relating to his award.
On July 8, 1920 he applied for photographs of his late cousin 2391 Lance Sergeant T.E. Sawyer’s grave and was advised of their availability.
In 1921 he married at West Maitland, NSW to Florence Lily Bowden.
As well as his Military Cross Lieutenant Stanley John Sawyer, 1st Tunnelling Company was entitled to wear the British War Medal (60188) and the Victory Medal (58298) for his service to his country.
His name is listed as a former officer in the Tunnellers’ Old Comrades Journal in 1925 working at Stanford Merthyr No. 2 Colliery, Paxton, NSW.
They lived at Paxton, NSW to 1936 where he was Colliery Manager. It changed in 1937 to Pelaw Main Colliery remaining as manager listed until after 1949.
The Horsham Times on Tuesday January 19, 1943 reported his comments to the Coal Commission:
From 1934 onwards his name was in the Register of Officers who received the Annual Tunnellers’ Old Comrades’ Circular and news of the Anzac Day Reunion Dinner held in Sydney.
From 1954 onward they are listed at 10 Ambrose Street, Toronto, NSW.
Stanley John Sawyer died on August 21, 1969 and his death was reported in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate on Saturday August 23, 1969:
The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday August 26, 1969 also advised the wider community of his demise:
The above photograph and following extract was published in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:
See also on website: Western Front Units / 1st Austrlain Tunneling Company / Sambre Canal 4th November 1918
© Donna Baldey 2012