SAPPER GEORGE TRENWITH CRABB

7386 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

George Trenwith Crabb was born in Moonta, South Australia in 1874. A four year apprenticeship had been served as a Fitter and Boiler Maker.

He married Tabitha Langmaid on September 19, 1893 in Broken Hill, NSW.

In 1910 they are residing at Lake View and Boulder Junction, W.A. where he worked as a miner and in 1916 were at 50 Johnston Street, Boulder, W.A.

Like many of the citizens of the Kalgoorlie district the family did what they could to raise money for the comforts of the soldiers fighting in France.

Reported in the Kalgoorlie Western Argus on Tuesday October 17, 1916 was their contribution to this cause.

Less than a month later George, Tabitha and their family would receive news that their son George Prior Crabb had been killed in action sometime between November 3 and 6, 1916.

At forty-three years of age in the recruiting depot in Boulder, W.A. on January 11, 1917 George applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination four days later. Personal particulars taken show his residence still at 50 Johnston Street, Boulder, W.A. and was 164cms (5ft 4½ins) in height with a chest measurement of 90cms (35½ins). His Application was accepted two days later in Kalgoorlie, W.A.

Attestation Forms were completed which give further information of weight 59.9kgs (130lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-90cms (33-35½ins). Fair was his complexion with hazel eyes that tested to fair vision and brown hair. Methodist was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Tabitha Crabb of 50 Johnston Street, Boulder, W.A. and allotted three-fifths of his pay to support her and their nine children. He took and signed the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ at Blackboy Hill camp, near Perth, W.A. on February 7, 1917.

Private Crabb underwent basic training being first allotted to the 25th Reinforcements to the 16th Battalion for two days then transferred to the Xth Depot Battalion until February 16, 1917 where he was re-allotted to the Miners’ Depot finishing on April 10. He was transferred to the Miners’ Training Camp at Seymour, Vic for further training and allocated to the March, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies until May 20, 1917 and from the following day a member of the Reinforcements for active service abroad. Preparing for overseas service his Will was noted to be lodged with his wife at the above address and assigned the regimental number 7386 in the rank of Sapper.

The Reinforcements of 167 members embarked on HMAT A32 Themistocles from Melbourne, Victoria on August 4, 1917. The voyage across the Pacific was rough and stormy for several days causing sea sickness on board. As the ship entered the Tropics it became very hot. Colon, Panama was reached on August 31, 1917 and during the unavoidable eight day delay very heavy rain and muggy conditions were endured. The transport docked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 18, 1917 and three days later left to experience good weather across the Atlantic arriving in Glasgow, Scotland on October 2, 1917 after a fifty nine day voyage. The troops were detrained to Tidworth, England and marched into the Nos 1 and 3 Details Camp at Parkhouse for further training for the front.

The Reinforcements departed for France from Southampton on November 22, 1917 and arrived the next day at the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles. Two days later he left for the Aust Corps Depot and was assigned to the 3rd Tunnelling Company in the field and taken on strength on November 30, 1917.

Service continued without incident suffering no injuries or illness and was issued with one Blue Chevron for six months service.

On February 11, 1918 he went sick to the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance with Influenza and transferred to the 6th Casualty Clearing Station the next day. Conveyed on A.T.14 on February 21 to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers he remained a patient until discharged to the local Medical Board at the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles. He rejoined his unit on April 2, 1918. An overnight stay in hospital was spent on May 5, 1918.

Military routine continued and he was with his unit when Peace was declared and the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of their area by clearing roads and bridges of explosives and traps.

Leave was granted from December 5 until December 19, 1918 and rejoined his unit three days later.

They marched out for demobilisation on January 27, 1919 entering the A.G.B.D. on February 1 and crossed the English Channel two days later and marched into the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny on February 4, 1919.

Sapper Crabb departed Portland on March 3, 1919 aboard the H.T. Euripides for the voyage to Australia. His wife was advised by Base Records on March 18, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship arrived at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on April 10, 1919.

Military Discharge was issued on the termination of his period of enlistment in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on May 12, 1919.

Sapper 7386 George Trenwith Crabb, 3rd Tunnelling Company was issued with the British War Medal (20176) and the Victory Medal (19286) for serving his country.

These medals were to be collected by the recipient but were returned to Base Records on September 30, 1924. Base Records wrote to him on October 11, 1924 at 50 Johnston Street, Boulder and he completed their form with the address he required the medals to be sent to him on November 3, 1924 which was Group 7, Nuralingup, Via Busselton, W.A. His medals were dispatched on December 5, 1924 via registered post (1807) to him.

It seems George was offered a Soldier’s Settlers Scheme after the war and his address was listed in 1925 as No. 7 Group, Margaret River with the occupation of settler.

On February 7, 1929 he wrote to Base Records after reading in the ‘Listening Post’ that medals were at the Base Records Branch and would they be so kind as to send his along to No. 7 Group, Forest Grove, via Busselton, W.A. A reply was sent by Base Records dated April 19 stating that his medals were forwarded per the registered post to the address he requested in November 1924.

His residence was given in 1931 as No. 7 Group, Nuralingup as a settler.

A Statement of Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Commission in Perth on February 12, 1936 and again on March 6, 1936.

In 1936 and1937 his address was Vasse Road, Bunbury, W.A. and a farmer.

George Trenwith Crabb died in 1942 in Wellington, W.A. aged about 68 years.

His photo and extract were published in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:

LANCE CORPORAL GEORGE CRABB

1118 – 28th Battalion

Broken Hill, NSW was the birthplace of George Crabb the son of George Trenwith and Tabitha (nee Langmaid) Crabb. Military Experience was gained with the Junior Cadets and Citizen Forces. His occupation was a Labourer.

At the recruiting tent at Blackboy Hill, W.A. George applied to enlist on May 27, 1915 and passed the medical examination. Forms of Attestation were completed giving information of height 170cms (5ft 6¾ins) and weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-89cms (33-35ins). Complexion was sallow with grey eyes and black hair. Distinctive mark was a scar on his left index finger. Methodist was his religion and next-of-kin was his father George Crabb of 50 Johnston Street, Boulder, W.A. He was sworn in the same day.

Basic training took place immediately with the 7th Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion until May 29, 1915 when he was allotted to ‘D Coy’ 25th Battalion Reinforcements.

The Reinforcements departed Fremantle, W.A. on June 29, 1915 on board the HMAT Ascanius for the Suez in Egypt. On September 4, 1915 he departed on the transport Ivernia to the Gallipoli Peninsula.

He went sick to the 7th Field Ambulance on December 4, 1915 with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) of Uncertain Origin) progressing to the Casualty Clearing Station. On December 10, 1915 was conveyed on H.S. Dongala to the No. 2 Hospital at Ghezireh where he remained until December 29 and moved to the Convalescent camp at Helouan. From Base on New Year’s Day, 1916 he returned to the overseas camp at Ghezireh and entrained to Tel-el-Kebir to returned to duty on January 19, 1916.

The Battalion departed Alexandria on March 16 and arrived at Marseilles on March 21, 1916 to join the British Expeditionary Forces in France.

He was wounded in action on June 5, 1916 receiving a gunshot to his leg and taken to the No. 6 Field Ambulance progressing to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station then transported by Ambulance Train to the Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Wimereux.

The hospital ship St Denis conveyed him from Boulogne to England on June 14 entering the 2nd Western General Hospital with a gunshot wound to his thigh. Discharged he proceeded overseas from the 7th Training Battalion on September 15, 1916 arriving at No. 2 Base at Etaples and returned to duty on September 24, 1916.

A promotion to Lance Corporal was granted on October 15, 1916.

Private George Crabb was killed in action sometime during November 3 to 6, 1916 aged 23 years of age. His body was never recovered and has no known grave.

The following are the In Memoriam notices placed by family in the Western Argus on Tuesday November 6, 1917 a year after his death:

IN MEMORIAM

CRABB—In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, George Crabb, who was killed in action on the 5th of November, 1916.

He’s one of the heroes that never returned,

A hero who played the game;

With the bravest and best of Australia’s sons,

You will find our dear George’s name.

—Inserted by his sorrowing uncle, aunt and cousins.

CRABB—In loving memory of Lance-Corporal Geo. Crabb, who was killed in action between 3rd and 6th November, 1916.

No mother was there to kiss his brow,

No sister to say good-bye;

No father to take him by the hand

When death was drawing high.

Though the wide, wide sea divides us,

And you sleep in a foreign land,

Mother’s heart is buried with you,

My dear, brave soldier son.

‘Midst the roaring of the battle,

And the rain of shot and shell,

Fighting for home and dear ones,

George like a hero fell.

His duty done.

—Inserted by his sorrowing mother, father (on active service), sisters, and brothers.

CRABB—In sad and loving memory of our dear nephew, Private Geo. Crabb, who died in France, 5th November, 1916.

For King and Country

He lives with us in memory.

—Inserted by his aunts and uncle, Mesdames Opperman, Rogers, Triplett, and Jack Rogers.

CRABB—In loving memory of our dear brother, Lance-Corpl. George Crabb, killed in action, between the 3rd and 6th of November, 1916.

Somewhere in France he is lying,

He answered his country’s call;

He died an Australian hero,

Fighting to save us all.

Time may heal the broken-hearted,

‘Time may make the wound less sore;

But time will never stop the longing

For the loved one gone before.

—Inserted by his loving sister-in-law, Gladys and Will Bennitt.

CRABB—In loving memory of our dear brother, Lance-Corporal George Crabb, killed in action between the 3rd and 6th of November, 1916

‘Twas the cause of truth and justice

That he fought and perished for;

But we can’t help longing for him,

Our dear brother, who died at the war.

But we raise our heads up proudly,

For he did his duty well,

In the Homeland and when fighting

For in honour’s name he fell.

—Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Alf Boardley.

For his supreme sacrifice Private 1118 George Crabb, 28th Battalion was awarded the 1914/15 Star (22658), the British War Medal (13734) and the Victory Medal (13674). These medals went to his father along with the Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque (314048).

His name is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

His photograph and small extract appeared in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:

LEST WE FORGET

© Donna Baldey 2011