Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Holborn James TRUESDALE

Military Medal

'This man, a Stretcher Bearer, showed great coolness and devotion to duty in the operation of 4th October, 1917, near ZONNEBEKE east of YPRES. Casualties were extremely heavy through the enemy barrages of 4th, 5th and 6th and regardless of all danger, this man continued his work in a most efficient and praiseworthy manner. All ranks speak highly of his conduct.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: 7 March 1918                                                                             

Holborn Truesdale was twenty years of age when he enlisted in July 1915. He was married, a tram conductor and a member of the Eaglehawk Mechanic’s Institute. Despite being married, he would still require a letter of consent from his widowed mother giving her permission to enlist. His elder bother by ten years was Jack Truesdale, more commonly known as ‘Bush’ Truesdale an original Anzac with the 7th Battalion who landed at Anzac Cove and was well-known letter writer from the front. Many of his entertaining letters were printed in the three newspapers of Bendigo throughout the Great War. 

Holborn embarked for Egypt in November 1915 fortunately arriving too late to join his brother on the fateful cliffs of the Gallipoli Peninsula. He would be in training in early 1916 with the reinforcements for the 5th Battalion near Cairo and would witness the wounded and dejected men including his elder brother return from the failed Gallipoli campaign.  

Holborn was transferred to the newly formed Anzac Police (Provost Corp) in early April 1916 and embarked for England in the August. At this early stage of the war, the British Military Police had performed the role of policing soldier’s behaviour. By July 1916 there over 90,000 Australian troops in training in Great Britain and given the tension between Australian troops and British authorities it was decided that each ANZAC battalion would establish their own military police force.

He would remain in the AIF camps on the Salisbury Plain until August 1917 and then head to the front in France. 

Arriving at the front, Holborn would be involved in the Ypres battles, which included Menin Road, Mouquet Farm and then on October 4th the battle at Broodseinde Ridge. Although this battle was considered a success, the overall result of the Ypres series of battles proved devastating for the Australian forces with losses over eight weeks of 38,093 casualties. The Australian Divisions were now extremely depleted and there were serious doubts about their ability to continue as is.[1]

Holborn would be one of those casualties being severely gassed on November 1st, 1917. He would be transferred back to England to be treated and recuperation. He would return to the front 6 months later in mid April 1918. He would out the remainder of the war and be repatriated home in March 1919.

In December 1917, the Bendigonian reported that: -
Mrs. Truesdale, of Job's Gully, has received information in a letter dated 10th October, that her husband has been awarded the Military Medal for special duties on the field.[2]

A full 7 months later, the same paper provided more details: -       Mrs. Truesdale, of Richard-street, Eaglehawk, has been notified by the Defence department that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field to Private Holborn

Truesdale. Private H. Truesdale enlisted in July, 1915, served in France, and was severely gassed. He is a brother to Sergeant J. Truesdale, an Anzac, who enlisted in August, 1914, and who is still fighting in France, and expects to be sent home shortly on furlough.[3]

SERVICE DETAILS:  

Regimental No. 3961
Place of birth: Eaglehawk Victoria
Religion: Presbyterian
School: Eaglehawk School

Occupation: Tram conductor
Address: Korong Road, Eaglehawk, Victoria
Marital status: Married
Age at enlistment: 20
Next of kin: Wife, Mrs Elsie Truesdale, c/o Mrs Evans, Korong Road, Eaglehawk.

Enlistment date: 21 July 1915
Unit name 5th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement & 1st Depot Unit of Supply
Embarked: HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Final Rank: Private
Fate: Returned to Australia 2 March 1919

4th October, 1917, near ZONNEBEKE, east of YPRES.

The attack commenced at 6am October 4, 1917 after rain  commenced falling the day before. Coincidentally, the Germans planned an attack for exactly the same time. At 5.20am the German artillery opened up and then at 6am the Australian artillery started, both in preparation for impending attacks. After both troops emerged from their trenches to commence attacking to their surprise they found the enemy doing exactly the same. The Australians managed to recover from the shock quicker than their opponents as the Australian machine gunners opened up and cut the German lines to pieces. The Germans broke and the Australians managed to capture the ridge. The triumph at Broodseinde presented the Allied High Command with an opportunity, perhaps in the upcoming spring, of breaking the German hold.[4]

[1] ANZACS in France website -http://www.anzacsinfrance.com/1917/
[2] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 20 Dec 1917  Page 10 SOLDIERS HONORED.
[3] Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 - 1918)  Thu 6 Jun 1918  Page 3 PRIVATE H. TRUESDALE, M.M.
[4] ANZACS in France website - http://www.anzacsinfrance.com/1917/