| At the beginning of 1915, the camp was occupied by just 358 officers and men – second and third reinforcements for the 12th Battalion, Light Horse, Field Artillery, Divisional Ammunition Column, Engineers, Army Service Corps and Army Medical Corps. Lieutenant Charles Littler (pictured left) from Devonport had been appointed as the officer commanding. |  |
The Twelfth Battalion
The nucleus of what would be the 12th Battalion was formed at the Pontville Concentration Camp soon after it opened on 15 August 1914.
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Lieutenant Colonel Lancelot Fox Clarke D.S.O. V.D from Devonport was appointed as the Commanding Officer with Major Sidney Hawley from Evandale as second in command.
Over the next few weeks as recruits continued to arrive at Pontville, four companies were formed. |
Joseph James Nathaniel Barnett (1882 – 1972)
Joe Barnett was born at Hobart on 14 December 1892 the eldest son of Edward William Barnett and his wife Margaret, formerly Leach.
Barnett was a keen amateur photographer before turning professional in 1914 when he obtained a permit to photograph life at the Claremont Army Camp. Another also working there was John Watt Beattie. Continue reading “Joseph James Nathaniel Barnett (1882 – 1972)”
Photography & War
In 1914, most peopled relied on visiting a studio, usually for or following a special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary in order to have their photograph taken. These images printed on card and would either be enlarged and framed to hang on the wall or be placed in a special album. Continue reading “Photography & War”
From Pontville to Claremont
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The Pontville Training Camp was a windswept open area which lacked any facilities, including a regular water supply. |
Also, the nearest railway station was at Brighton. Troops were regularly entrained from Brighton to Hobart for rifle practice at the range at Sandy Bay.
Life at Claremont Army Camp in 1916 by Private Jack Arnold
“The camp is situated on the top of a gentle slope, is surrounded on three sides by the Derwent, and has a natural fall to the river. The only road approach is a narrow neck from the railway station, where the guard is stationed. There is not much trouble to get into the camp, but when going out you have to ‘run the gauntlet’ of the guard.
Continue reading “Life at Claremont Army Camp in 1916 by Private Jack Arnold”
Tassie’s Own 40th Battalion
Initially the 40th Battalion was to be a combined unit from Tasmania and the Geelong district. Representations were made asking for it to be a Tasmanian unit. It would be our contribution to the 3rd Division, which was formed in Australia in early 1916. Continue reading “Tassie’s Own 40th Battalion”
Army Life
In the months between the formation of the Battalion and the departure of the original members and 1st reinforcements on the Berrima from Hobart on 1 July 1916, the men “prepared and trained in the art of war as well as could be learned in a training camp”. Continue reading “Army Life”
Bound For The Front
The 40th Battalion (pictured above with Lt. Colonel John Lord in front) was the last unit of the 3rd Division to reach England, and in consequence was not so far advanced in training as the other battalions, some of whom had already been in England for several weeks. Continue reading “Bound For The Front”
The Fighting Fortieth
Casualties:
Total battle casualties 2, 165 including prisoners of war and those who died of disease. Continue reading “The Fighting Fortieth”